“The people I represent on the Council live in an area that is larger than the state of Rhode Island, with interests and concerns as varied as the communities in which they live,” said Dunn. “To best serve that constituency, it is vital to build relationships and have open channels of communication with community leaders. They are the local representatives for the residents of District 9, and they provide me with valuable information on how I can work for them on a regional level.”

Councilmember Dunn delivered speeches to the City Councils of Bellevue, Black Diamond, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent, Maple Valley, Newcastle, and Renton. He also spoke to two unincorporated area councils – Four Creeks and Greater Maple Valley. In addition to his meetings with local electeds, Dunn’s visits included stops at several Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, and many other groups in his district.

In his visits, Dunn highlighted his new regional leadership role in transportation. For 2007 he chairs both the Regional Transit Committee and the Council’s Transportation Committee. He is also one of seven representatives on the executive board of the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID).

Dunn recounted hearing a constituent’s alarm at finding his Social Security number on the King County Recorder’s Web site. After having his staff research the subject, in just one day they discovered more than 200 Social Security numbers online on deed of trust documents. Dunn was successful in securing unanimous adoption of legislation requiring the Recorder’s Office to remove documents from online access that contain Social Security numbers.

Dunn cites the growth in methamphetamine abuse as contributing to the rise in identity theft. He hailed King County’s “Meth Watch” Program for aiding in the capture of all 15 meth manufacturers, distributors, and users who have been profiled since last year.

Dunn also highlighted reforms in the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) that he has sponsored to aid rural landowners. Among these is the “Rural Home Occupations” ordinance that eases restrictions on landowners who are earning a living by working from their home in unincorporated King County.

Dunn said his goals for 2007 include helping to put together a solid, comprehensive RTID transportation plan for the region to vote on this November. He emphasizes the need for ample funding of east and south King County’s highways, including SR 167 and I-405. According to Dunn, these routes are in dire need of extra capacity.

Dunn noted the rise in violent crime in south King County, particularly in Kent, which saw a spike in aggravated assaults in 2005. This, coupled with a recent shooting at Denny’s, has compelled him to launch a violent crime initiative. He aims to use existing laws on the books to more forcefully prosecute offenders who commit crimes using a gun.

Dunn hopes to continue his reforms of DDES by taking a close look at the way that they are collecting their fees. He believes that the way fees are collected is too complicated and costly for the average homeowner to navigate by themselves.

“My main focus in 2006 was on transportation, land use, and curbing the methamphetamine epidemic,” said Dunn. “We’ve had a good year on all of these fronts, and I hope to work hard on behalf of the citizens of District 9 to have an equally successful 2007.”