Fall 2007
I hope you are having a safe and enjoyable fall. I would like to update
you on recent King County issues, as well as news I hope you find helpful.
Larry Gossett
King County Council Chair
Large turnout for “Reforming Criminal Justice” town hall
On Monday, September 24th, I hosted a town hall meeting of the Metropolitan King County Council at First African Methodist Episcopal Church. The topic of the town hall was, “Criminal Justice Reform: What Needs to be Done?”
I am proud to announce that over 350 people attended the event, and they made it clear that we are not going to “arrest, build jails, and incarcerate our way to safer streets.”
The overwhelming message that the King County Council received from this very diverse crowd was that drug treatment, transitional housing for ex-offenders and the mentally ill, livable wage jobs, easily accessible services and educational opportunities are the answers to reducing crime and creating thriving communities for all. Read more
King County takes steps to reduce flood hazards
In recent years, flooding emerged as a major problem in King County. There have been 8 federal flood declarations in King County since 1990 and I am sure readers will remember the flooding of last winter and the tragic death of a woman in Madison Valley. The devastating impacts of flooding in one area of the county are felt throughout the county. A one day shut down of economic activity in the flood plains of King County would cost the entire region an estimated $46 million dollars in lost economic output alone – not including any damage or loss of private property. Flood damage is a truly regional issue. On April 16, 2007, in response to this growing regional problem, the King County Council created a new countywide agency, the King County Flood Control Zone District (FCZD), to develop and implement a plan to coordinate all flood prevention activities in the county, save lives, protect public and private property, and protect the county’s economic infrastructure. Read more
2008 King County budget deliberations: Let your voices be heard
The Metropolitan King County Council will begin its 2008 budget process on Monday, October 15, 2007, with the intention of adopting a new budget in November. As always, public input is an important aspect of the annual budget process and the council has set four public hearings to take testimony on King County Executive Ron Sim’s proposed budget. I hope that you will take the time to participate in one of these hearings and let us know what you think our funding priorities should be.
The four 2008 public hearings are:
Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent
Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at West Seattle High School
Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Bellevue City Hall
Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. at King County Council Chambers, King County Courthouse)
If you would like more information, call my Legislative Chief of Staff, Cindy Domingo,at (206) 296-0312. Read more
Ninth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest
Do you have a child, grandchild, student, family member or neighbor who is currently an eighth grade student? If so, encourage them to enter the Ninth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest. The contest is open to all eighth graders attending public or private school in King County, with the goal of encouraging students to think critically about Dr. King’s goal of peace and justice for all.
The theme of the essay is: The Beloved Community”, with a first prize of $100.00, second prize of $75.00, and third prize of $50.00. More importantly, it empowers our youth to think about and continue the goal of our county’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For additional essay information go to
www.metrokc.gov/dias/crc/contest2007.pdf
Councilmember Gossett in the community
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Council Chair Larry Gossett speaks at the King County Clean Vehicles Now! Conference. Clean Vehicles NOW! is aimed at shaping policies and building support for real actions today that will combat climate instability and fossil fuel dependence. For more information go to: www.metrokc.gov/ |
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Councilmember Gossett, a member of the Regional Water Quality Committee, at the launching of the tunnel-boring phase of the Brightwater Treatment Plant Construction Project. Due to increased growth in our region, King County is designing and constructing a new regional wastewater treatment plant, called Brightwater. Construction began in 2006, and the plant is expected to begin operations in 2010. For more information on the Brightwater Project, go to: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/brightwater/ |
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If you have any questions or comments, please email me at
larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov.