Showing posts with label op-ed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label op-ed. Show all posts

Op-Ed: NUHSA - Join us in voting YES to RENEW the Best Starts for Kids Levy!

Sunday, July 18, 2021

This election we have an important opportunity to give every child across King County the best start in life and the opportunity to reach their full potential!

Join organizations serving kids and families like ours, childcare workers, community leaders, and neighbors in voting YES to renew Prop 1, the Best Starts for Kids Levy, on your Aug. 3rd ballot.

Best Starts for Kids will not only maintain, but expand current programs that support kids through homelessness prevention, access to school-based healthcare, counseling, social and emotional youth development programs, and so much more. The renewal also provides families with access to high quality childcare, and ensures that child care workers earn a living wage – essential for pandemic recovery.

The Seattle Times endorsed Prop 1 saying that, “Best Starts has made the difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children, young adults and families. It deserves to be renewed.”

Ballots are arriving now. Be sure to vote YES on Prop 1 – it’s the top priority at the top of your ballot -- and be sure to return your ballot by Tuesday, August 3rd. Remember, you can use a Ballot Drop Box or return your ballot in a postage paid envelope.

Heidi Shepherd, Board Chair
North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA)

P.S. Want to do more to support Best Starts for Kids? Attend our Rally for Best Starts for Kids on July 28th at 5:30 p.m. and check out the website to sign up to volunteer, get a yard sign, and more!



Read more...

Op-Ed: Honor the legacy of Joe and Jennie Ching by preserving their garden

Sunday, April 18, 2021

A magnificent fig (to the left of the larger tree)
Photo by Kathleen Lumiere

A little known and currently neglected historical property is on Greenwood Avenue in Shoreline, directly across the street from Shoreline Community College.

It belonged to the Ching family, among the first Asian American residents in the area. They wanted to raise their three children in Shoreline because of the excellent schools. In 1957 red-lining had made property ownership by Asian and Black people impossible here. 

Joe Ching’s employer, Peter Canlis, bought the property and went door to door asking if the neighbors would mind living next to an Asian family. They all said that would be fine, and Peter eventually sold the property to the Chings.

Joe Ching was the first head chef at Canlis, a world-class restaurant and Seattle institution. A Chinese American veteran from Hawaii (he joined up after Pearl Harbor), Joe came to the Northwest with his wife, Jennie, a Japanese American from Arizona who spent WWII in an internment camp. 

After helping Peter Canlis launch the restaurant, Joe was one of only two chefs to work there for the next 50 years.

Joe Ching also achieved fame as a pioneer of organic gardening. His lush fruit trees: hearty apple varieties, figs, Asian pears, and persimmons were nourished by rich black soil --- the product of decades of coffee grounds compost from the Canlis restaurant. 

The fruit trees remain but the property is overgrown
Photo by Kathleen Lumiere

He had a vast vegetable garden, and let neighbors garden there when he became too infirm to work the beds himself. Before then, he and Jennie threw parties for the neighborhood, cooking salmon and the vegetables they grew themselves. 

Ed Hume, an educator and promoter of organic farming, met Joe when he and his wife drove by his house one day, and stopped because of the beautiful garden. Joe became a regular visitor on Hume's television program "Gardening in America."

Here is an article from The Seattle Times with more information about Joe Ching, and his home here in Shoreline: Chef Joe Ching shared passion for food and gardening

Now the Ching home is returning to the earth. The many fruit trees are still lush, but wild. Unbelievably tasty grapes climb to the north side of the property, and stands of black bamboo flank parts of the east and south. Also to the east, 40-60 foot Doug firs mark the boundary line. They seem to be magnets for migrating birds.

I live close to this property, and so have had a chance to see its seasons over years.

This seems like an opportunity to preserve a spot of great historical value. If the property were to be used as something like a city garden and pea patch, it could best honor Joe and Jennie Ching's legacy, and show our appreciation, joy and pride in Asian American community heritage.

With enough support, this lovely and significant site may be protected as a shared treasure.

Kathleen Lumiere is a Shoreline resident


Read more...

Op-Ed: Shoreline PTA Council 6.12 urges Yes vote on Prop 1

Thursday, April 1, 2021

On April 27th, Shoreline residents will have an opportunity to approve critical legislation that would provide youth in our community, along with every resident, a chance to enjoy quality outdoor spaces.   

Spending time outdoors, enjoying nature and being active, is well established to be associated with greater academic achievement and cognitive functioning. The critical role that physical activity plays in increasing physical and mental health in children, however, is more important now than ever. 

Students have spent the last year learning remotely, sitting behind screens all day (and usually into the evening) for both school and socializing. Concerns with youth mental health are skyrocketing and our children are struggling to maintain social and community connections. Having accessible, inviting and quality outdoor spaces is critical to the health and well-being of everyone, but particularly so for our youth and particularly now. 

Shoreline Proposition 1 includes improvements at four neighborhood parks and land acquisition and improvements at three others, including creating an education center and children’s garden accessible to people of all physical abilities at Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. Students and families would be thrilled with identified park enhancements such as playgrounds, splash-pads, multi-sports courts, trails, picnic shelters, improvements to play fields and a fully accessible play area for people of all physical abilities.

Students and families in Shoreline and our surrounding neighborhoods need places to gather in safe, healthy and active ways. Please vote YES for Shoreline Proposition 1!  

Amy Reed, Co-President
Heather Segars, Co-President
Shoreline PTA Council 6.12



Read more...

Opinion: Woodinville Fire says that merger with Northshore Fire will save money and provide better service for customers

Saturday, March 6, 2021


KENMORE, Wash. – The Northshore Fire Department is asking its voters to approve merging with Woodinville Fire and Rescue during the April 27, 2021 Special Election. If approved by voters, property owners in Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Woodinville would immediately see an improvement in emergency services and pay less in taxes starting in 2022.

If the merger passes, Northshore property owners would save a projected $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value or 8.5% of the effective tax rate. Woodinville property owners would save a projected $0.07 per $1,000 or 5.6%. These are conservative estimates prepared by an independent third-party financial firm and are based on the most current data available. More efficient use of emergency personnel also could save taxpayers on overtime costs, which were nearly $1.8 million for both agencies in 2020. If the agencies were combined in the month of February, overtime savings alone would have exceeded $22,000.

Another benefit of merging is improved emergency services for residents and businesses. There would still be the same number of emergency personnel responding from local stations. However, operating as one agency would allow for more efficient deployment of emergency personnel and resources. There would be opportunities to place an additional fire engine or aid unit in service on certain days. For example, were the agencies combined in February 2021, there would have been at least one additional emergency response apparatus in service 20 out of 28 days, or 71 percent of the time.

Northshore residents also could see a savings in ambulance transport costs. Currently, Northshore routinely utilizes a for-profit private ambulance company for emergency medical transports, which charges patients a fee for transport services. Woodinville offers emergency medical transport at no additional cost to the patient. Fire Commissioners for both agencies agree, should the merger be approved by the voters, the new agency would adopt Woodinville’s practice and extend no-cost patient transports to the Northshore service area.

“Merging our two fire districts means better service for less cost,” said Northshore Interim Fire Chief Greg Ahearn. “This merger is in the best interest of the people we serve, and that’s what we are focused on.”

Chief Ahearn also serves as Fire Chief for Woodinville Fire and Rescue. The agencies have been sharing some administrative personnel and departments since February 2020 under an interlocal agreement.

Smaller fire agencies throughout King and Snohomish counties are partnering together to provide residents with better service and cost efficiencies. Northshore and Woodinville Fire are both strong operationally and financially and fund emergency services with a fire levy and fire benefit charge.

The merger initiative is scheduled for the April 27, 2021 Special Election. Because the Northshore Fire Department would merge into Woodinville Fire and Rescue, Northshore voters are the ones who vote on the proposal. If the merger is approved by voters, the new agency would have a name that reflects both service areas. 

More information on the proposed merger can be found on the fire districts’ websites at www.northshorefire.com or www.wf-r.org. Fire Chief Greg Ahearn also welcomes questions about the proposed merger at GAhearn@northshorefire.com.

Northshore Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services to approximately 37,000 people over 10 square miles, including the cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore. Its emergency call volumes average 3,600 a year.

Woodinville Fire and Rescue provides fire and emergency medical services to approximately 37,000 people over 30 square miles. Its emergency call volumes average 4,000 a year.



Read more...

Gordon McHenry, Jr., United Way of King County president and CEO: Your Vote Matters

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Gordon McHenry, Jr., is the President and CEO of United Way of King County


In a couple of weeks, Washington state will mail out ballots for one of the most critical elections of our lifetimes. While every election is important, this upcoming contest has the potential to alter the course of our nation for generations, so every vote will count.

In the last presidential election, almost 77% of eligible, voting-age Washingtonians registered to vote — the highest percentage since 1984. However, turnout was only 65%. In King County, turnout declined by nearly 3% compared to 2012. Statewide, it went down by a similar amount.

While 65% turnout is high relative to other states, that leaves room for improvement.

Too many of our family members, friends and neighbors don’t vote because they think their vote doesn’t matter. It does. They think one vote will not change anything. They should think again — the 2000 presidential election was decided by just a few hundred votes in Florida.

Black, Latinos, Indigenous and other people of color have much to gain by being properly represented, but they also have low turnout rates. The reasons vary but include historical and systemic racism, intimidation, as well as language and cultural barriers.

Young people, those aged 18–29, have one of the lowest voting rates of any age group. Unfortunately, that means that older people, who do show up at the polls in great numbers, will vote for candidates and issues that will affect the younger generation for years to come.

Our elected officials, from the president to the U.S. Congress and all the way down to the county and city councils, pass laws and regulations on issues that affect every single one of us. That includes homelessness and hunger, healthcare, racial and gender discrimination, climate change and more.

In the time of COVID, that also means that our representatives in Congress, state legislatures and our local councils decide what kind of assistance to provide to those suffering economically from the coronavirus pandemic.

We should remain engaged and focused on issues that affect us all year long and put pressure on lawmakers by showing that we care. That means making calls, writing letters, sending e-mails, peacefully demonstrating on the streets and in front of city hall. And, especially in years like this, that also means voting because our votes keep politicians accountable for their actions.

If we don’t vote, we’re telling politicians that their actions don’t matter to us, that our voice doesn’t matter. 

Some people say that their vote won’t make a difference, so they don’t bother. But not voting certainly won’t make a difference. Some elected officials actually rely on large numbers of eligible voters not to cast ballots, so they feel free to make decisions that may not have full support from the citizens.

Our votes are not just for us. They are for our families and our communities. They are for those who don’t have their own voice in our democracy: those who don’t have homes to receive their voter registration or ballots; the young people who are not old enough to vote; immigrants and refugees who are not eligible to cast a ballot but who need a voice.

Our votes represent our values and those of our communities. When we vote, we are telling everyone where we and our community stand on the issues of the day.

And it’s important to vote in every election cycle, not just during presidential elections. Off-year elections, when every seat of the U.S. House of Representatives and a third of the U.S. Senate are up for grabs, have huge implications for our future. The voters who show up at the polls for those elections have an impact on the federal judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

We are at a tipping point in our nation’s history, and every vote will count this November. 

So, do your research, stay informed, read the newspaper endorsements, listen to the politicians but watch their actions. But, most importantly, make sure you are registered and know the requirements for submitting your ballot. Then vote and convince your friends and family members who are on the fence to vote.

Additional resources:
  • You can register to vote online until Oct. 26. To register, click here.
  • To check whether you’re registered to vote, click here.
  • Voting is easy in Washington: You can mail your ballot or drop it off at one of 72 drop boxes in King County.
  • For a map of drop box locations, click here.



Read more...

Op-Ed: Neighbors express concerns about the homeless shelter

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Sudeeptha Jothiprakash lives in Richmond Highlands, close to the park. She speaks for herself and a group of nearby neighbors 


As of 8/10, Shoreline City Council and King County have green-lit the project to convert The Oaks at Forest Bay Nursing facility, formerly Arden Rehab, (on N 165th/Aurora Ave N in Shoreline) into a homeless shelter, starting 09/01/2020 and move up to 60 people from all over North King County into the facility by December. 

While we support affirmative actions to address homelessness in our city, we have concerns about this decision. Specifically, the processes being followed to rezone the property, to engage the community most affected by this shelter, and to assure the community's safety.

Just to set context, A Navigation Center is a “low barrier” set up for single adults. There are currently two Navigation Centers that we found in Washington; one is in Vancouver, WA and another in 12th Ave S. In Seattle. 

People are NOT required to stay in the center, and quite a few continue to sleep outside despite having a bed there. They only have to check in every 72 hours, are NOT required to be receiving treatment for mental illness, be “sober” (that is drugs or alcohol); or be part of any service program. They are allowed to possess illegal drugs but are not allowed to use them at the facility. This information comes directly from government documents on the program.

Outreach and process: As of 08/10, Shoreline City Council has already assured King County their support to initiate the first tranche of payments to Royal Oak owners to secure ownership, without attempting a community outreach to hear from the neighborhood beforehand, who will be most affected by this decision. 

The City Council did not address any of the concerns raised in the 08/10 Council meeting and instead want to engage our community with a public outreach as an after-fact. As Shoreline Area News noted “While the City Council is treating this as a ‘study’ item, it seems like it is a decision. Shoreline's part in this is to change the zoning for the site. If they instruct staff to proceed with rezone, then it's a GO for King county.” 

The community most affected will not have a chance to weigh in on the decision-making process since this is already set in motion.

Arden Rehab is the shelter site. Showcase Sports center is the white building under the U-Haul words. The Richmond Highlands park is to the west. Shorewood HS playing fields are on N 170th.


Safety: As a low-barrier facility that is required to accept patrons who may be sex offenders, on drugs or have history of arrests; We are concerned this facility will bring such persons from across Bothell, Cottage Lake, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and Woodinville into our neighborhood. 

This facility shares its boundary with a child daycare, is 10 yards from a kids’ Baseball training center, less than 200 yards from the Shoreline Recreation Center and Meridian Baseball Field that hosts students’ Baseball games all year long, and about 500 yards from Shorewood High School. 

With the potential surge of patrons for the homeless facility from across King County, we will see overflows resulting in increased encampments within our community. These encampments are in such close proximity to facilities children often use unattended that we are concerned for the mental health and safety risk of our children. 

Our fears already turned true on 08/04/2020 when Shoreline City Police arrested two homeless people who were using Richmond Highland Rec Center’s restroom to use drugs, while there were 20 kids using the baseball ground at that very moment. This is not an isolated incident and setting up a low barrier facility does not solve such problems but only brings more of such people to our community.

As Diane Pfeil, the owner of the daycare center adjacent to the proposed Navigation Center expressed, “I have been a licensed childcare provider serving the Shoreline community from this location for the last 32 years. I worked hard with families to provide a safe environment for children to learn and grow. 
"Parents are already expressing concern about the safety of the community environment their children will be in, if this homeless shelter goes in. This has a direct impact on my ability to continue operating a business that supports many local families. “



It's unfortunate that the City Council’s response to these concerns is to cite absence of regulations to protect kids’ facilities. Quoting the Council from 08/10 meeting “There are no regulations about proximity to parks, schools, daycare or things like that. Current homeless regulations are based on operational considerations like the code of conduct that was mentioned previously." 

Regulations should not be the only thing that stops the City Council from making decisions, we deserve to think about the safety and security of the children in our community.

Long-term impact: King County does not guarantee funding for the homeless shelter’s upkeep in perpetuity and the City Council has so far not proposed any increase in Police funding to guarantee safety of our community. We also do not see adequate plans to address the City's reduced tax revenue from loss of property value across the neighborhood, which will further affect school and police funding. 

For example, residents of the neighborhood in Vancouver where a Navigation Center is located said it took 7 months for their neighborhood to become unrecognizable. The most common complaints were people being harassed, urination and human defecation everywhere, and people using drugs in plain sight. 

The neighborhood around 12th and Dearborn has evolved to be known as a drug dealing location and “under the police radar” for high traffic of stolen items. The City has not communicated an adequate plan to sustain redevelopment projects in this segment of Aurora Ave, when facilities like Therapeutic Health Service for drug addicts and homeless shelter for drug addicts becomes the center of Shoreline City. This affects the long-term growth of Shoreline.

You can learn more about the project here and voice your opinion by writing to the Shoreline City Council on the proposal, or registering to speak in the council meeting (reference Action 9a) held each Monday.


Read more...

Op-Ed: It is not in Shoreline's best interests to relinquish oversight of 6,000 trees to a golf club

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Susanne Tsoming is a member of Save Shoreline Trees and has been closely following the proposed code amendments being reviewed by the Shoreline Planning Commission - in particular an amendment proposed by the Seattle Golf Club for their property adjacent to The Highlands in Shoreline.



On July 2, 2020, the Shoreline Planning Commission began its study session of proposed amendments to the Shoreline Municipal Code (“SMC”) as proposed by its staff. Prior to it, Save Shoreline Trees (“SST”), a local non-profit group, had reviewed the proposed code amendments that pertained to trees and made a public comment at that meeting.

SST called particular attention to proposed Amendment #38, which was privately initiated by the Seattle Golf Course (“SGC”) for an exemption from activities that included grading and tree removal and replacement. SGC pointed out that King County, Seattle and Bellevue exempted golf courses from their clearing, grading and tree removal regulations, and it would like the same status.

After SST’s investigations, it decided that SGC’s proposed code amendment would not be in the best interest of Shoreline’s residents and property owners because it allows no oversight of Shoreline's valuable assets, its evergreen conifers and urban tree canopy.

SGC was established in 1900 and is surrounded by hundred-plus-year-old Douglas firs. Many of these trees are undoubtedly Significant Trees according to Shoreline’s current tree codes and would likely be considered Heritage Trees for their age and uncommon species. These trees on SGC property comprise approximately 2% of Shoreline’s tree population and are consequential to Shoreline’s urban tree canopy.

In SST’s public statement, it further pointed out that if the City of Shoreline (“City”) approved SGC’s exemption request, the City would be transferring oversight of approximately 6,000-8,000 trees on the SGC property to SGC. The City would no longer be involved in tree removal decisions, and SGC will not be held to the City’s tree codes, as long as 50% of the SGC tree population is maintained. Consequently, there no longer would be (1) communication between the City and SGC about these thousands of trees, and (2) approval would establish a precedent for other large private property entities.

SGC made an application to the Planning Commission for this exemption in 2012, but it was disapproved. The ruling was summarized in a code interpretation, Administrative Order #301795 dated 3/5/12. Under Section IV Decision, it stated that “It is clear that a golf course is not listed as being exempt from SMC 20.50, Subchapter 5 [Tree Conservation, Land Clearing and Site Grading Standards]”.

Since 2012 SGC has functioned under existing City tree codes, but in 2018, SGC applied again for the same exemption, known as Amendment #38. One has to ask what has changed since SGC’s 2012 request. It is understandable that SGC would like to streamline the permit process as requiring “a permit for each of these activities is onerous.” Yet, approval of such permit exemptions regarding tree removals or tree replacements for a private entity should not be given because of it is administrative inconvenience.

Following SST’s comments, one of the attorneys for The Innis Arden Club (the “Club”), which opposed SGC’s 2012 efforts, acknowledged SST for its valid points. It is SST’s intention to follow Amendment #38’s progress to its conclusion.

--Susanne Tsoming, Save Shoreline Trees



Read more...

Op-Ed: A heartfelt thank you to the City of Shoreline from the Senior Center

Tuesday, April 7, 2020


City of Shoreline Emergency Community Response Fund 
Grants $50,000 to Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center


On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and Shoreline seniors, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the City of Shoreline for financial assistance in the sum of $50,000 through the City of Shoreline Emergency Community Response Fund.

Your generosity will allow us to continue the Essential Services that we have been providing during this challenging time. Seniors are being firmly guided to stay at home and have adhered to this guidance. In doing so, they’ve encountered serious challenges which we quickly recognized and chose to address. 

We’ve been able to continue to provide daily hot nutritious meals delivered to their homes, provide a week’s worth of frozen meals at a time, provide a bag of groceries weekly, as well as assist with errands such as pharmaceutical pickups.

Confining oneself to their home when living alone not only develops feelings of isolation, but can foster fear and anxiety.

Your funding will allow us to continue our Mental Health Services in which seniors can telecommunicate with a mental health counselor, resourcing tips on coping with isolation. Our staff and a select group of skilled volunteers, make hundreds of telephone calls per week, just to say hello and see if individuals have any needs.

During a crisis such as COVID-19, added costs rise, overhead expenses remain the same and revenue halts for a 501(c)3 non-profit organization such as Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center. 

The City of Shoreline foresaw the needs of our community, quickly creating an emergency fund to ensure that critical services such as ours would have some resources to continue the much needed work that each of us performs.

We are very grateful for a council and city administration that has been very proactive in all phases of Emergency Management. We deeply appreciate your support of our work and the welfare of the seniors of Shoreline.

Sincerely,

Theresa LaCroix, Director
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center



Read more...

Op-Ed: Helping Community Organizations as we respond to the coronavirus COVID-19

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Non-profit agencies weigh in on COVID-19

As the Coronavirus sweeps across our community, all of us are striving to respond in a considered, calm and compassionate way. We mourn the loss of those that have died as the result of the disease, and our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. Just as our communities were enriched by each of those singular lives, our communities are diminished by their deaths.

Taking care of ourselves, our neighbors and our loved ones has become our top priority and hand washing, social distancing, staying informed, self-isolating and self-quarantining are concrete steps we can take to keep each other healthy.

On March 11th Governor Inslee took the unprecedented step of banning events of more than 250 people, noting that “One main defense is to reduce the interaction of people in our lives.”

As nonprofit organization leaders, our day-to-day work year-round is committed to the health and wellbeing of our community and we wholeheartedly support the Governor’s directive. Slowing the growth in the number of Coronavirus cases is critical.

The Governor also noted that we all have a role to play in responding to this public health emergency, that we are all called upon to lead, and we couldn’t agree more. Our organizations, like you, are on the frontline of our community response to this disease, and our services are needed now more than ever. For instance:

  • The economic impact of the virus has meant that more of our neighbors need help with the basics of life: food, clothing and shelter. We are finding creative ways to meet these needs, including grocery gift cards when our food pantries are unable to stay open, additional cleaning for our shelters, and special protective measures to maintain the health of both our guests and our front line staff when clients are able to keep appointments.
  • The emotional impact of the virus has meant that many of our neighbors are experiencing anxiety, depression, isolation or feelings of helplessness and fear. Our counseling services have helped them cope with the impacts of these feelings, strengthening their ability to weather the uncertainties that we face at this challenging time.

As these needs increase in our community, we are also being called upon to do more with less—a lot less in many cases, as cancelled fundraising events across the community, along with lack of revenue from canceled in-person client appointments and group events continue to severely impact the resources our organizations rely on to do our important work.

Nationally, some of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations are calling for inclusion of our sector in any economic stimulus package, recognizing that our sector is the third largest employment sector. In fact, the vast majority of nonprofits are small businesses, with 92% operating with under $1M in annual spending.

We often assume that nonprofit organizations will be there for all of us when we need them. 

Unfortunately, our sector has not fully recovered from the 2008 economic recession and a recent study shows that more than half of nonprofit organizations have less than one month’s cash, demonstrating how fragile our community safety net really is. 

Because we serve our community’s most vulnerable residents, we need a stronger infrastructure not just for today’s crisis, but to strengthen our communities for the future. Now, more than ever, we need both policies and our community partners to support us with their gifts of time and money.

As you reflect on your leadership during this crisis, we hope you will support your local nonprofit with an additional donation or an offer of support. Together, we can help those most impacted by the virus while maintaining the social safety net that is crucial to a strong and resilient community.

Submitted by:

The Steering Committee for Brave Commitments, a coalition of youth serving human service organizations in King County convened to strengthen and stabilize services for the children, youth, young adults and families of our community.

Anthony Austin, Executive Director, Southeast Youth and Family Services
Mahnaz Eshetu, Executive Director, Refugee Women’s Alliance
Melinda Giovengo, CEO, YouthCare
Mike Heinisch, Executive Director, Kent Youth and Family Services



Read more...

Op-Ed: COVID-19 Outbreak peaks stress

Thursday, March 12, 2020



Beratta Gomillion is the Executive Director of the Center for Human Services, a local Behavioral Health and Family Support organization serving Shoreline



The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is causing a lot of stress for people in our communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.

Most people have been bombarded with information about how to protect themselves from getting COVID-19 and preventing the spread of the virus, the Center for Human Services wants to be sure you don’t overlook your own emotional health during this outbreak.

Some things you can do to support yourself include:
  • Avoiding excessive exposure to media coverage about the virus.
  • Taking good care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Try to eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Being patient with yourself. Give yourself time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade.
  • Engaging in self-care activities that you enjoy, like reading, watching movies, etc.
  • Connecting with others, even if not face-to-face. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member.
  • Maintaining a sense of hope and positive thinking.

Children often respond more strongly to a crisis than others. Children react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. 

When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Take time to talk with your child about the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Answer their questions honestly, but in a way that they will understand and is age appropriate. Reassure your child that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you. Model good self-care.

If you would like to talk to a therapist by telephone for further guidance about emotional support, you can call Center for Human Services (CHS) at 206-362-7282.



Read more...

Op-Ed: Please close Shorecrest High School

Saturday, March 7, 2020

From a Shorecrest parent

Dear Principal Gonzalez, Superintendent Miner and Superintendent Reykdal:

This is an appeal I'd prefer not to make: please close Shorecrest High School.

Until we, as a society, have a better handle on the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), herding kids into classrooms is irresponsible.

My daughter is a senior at your school. She enjoys solid college prospects. She is unable to simply skip her classes until the we have a better understanding of the extent of the virus, more test kits available in our community, and reasonable quarantine facilities established.

You, however, could do the sensible thing -- and close the school.

We're at a dangerous phase of this virus. While Shoreline School District hesitates to close facilities until they've confirmed a case of coronavirus, the virus is indisputably "in the wild." As of this writing, Washington has sustained 13 fatalities, eleven of which took place at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. "Ground Zero" in our state has killed more people than any other infection site in America, and that hot zone is bubbling away less than ten miles from your desk.

But you haven't closed the school.

Let's imagine for a moment that this virus has the case fatality rate currently reported by the World Health Organization, which is 3.4%. That would indicate (if I remember my school math at all) that there were 382 people infected in our community. Only 70 have been identified as I write this. The rest are still out there, infecting others wherever they go.

But you haven't closed the school.

What if the case fatality rate is much lower, say around the CFR of seasonal flu? That's about 0.1%, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If novel coronavirus is no more fatal on a case-by-case basis than flu, then we're looking at known coronavirus deaths emerging from a much larger infected pool of about 13,000 people -- each of them walking around, working, shopping, opening doors, and shaking hands. To reach this reassuring CFR, we have to assume that most will never show enough symptoms for testing. You don't know -- you CAN'T know -- how many Shorecrest students have been exposed. You'll never know how many get infected, as kids aren't much distressed by it. The threat you're posing isn't to your students. It's to the rest of us.

And you haven't closed the school.

State guidance may argue in favor of simply observing careful social hygiene (among kids?), but every kid at your school has family at home. Your decision to keep the school operational puts every student at high risk of contracting novel coronavirus. Every parent knows that our kids swap germs like trading cards -- and bring them home. "Kids get mild cases" is the most irresponsible reason I can imagine for continuing to water and fertilize a public virus ranch.

Washington is in a state of emergency, yet you haven't closed the school.

My daughter would like to maintain her G.P.A. It's currently over 3.9 points. She has college admissions and scholarships riding on her hard work. She won't be able to graduate strong without continued school attendance, so she risks daily, physical, in-person attendance.

Because you haven't closed the school.

She's been crying this week over the choice between her future and my safety. She knows I belong to two high-risk categories. If I contract novel coronavirus, I'm likely to die of it. So I'm asking you to close the school, but not for my sake.

Close the school because you and I both know many other people put at needless risk by keeping Shorecrest open, including grandparents, transplant recipients, lupus sufferers, et al. This isn't about me. It's about us: the community that is served by, and which supports, Shorecrest High School.

You need to close that school.

Your colleagues in the North Shore District made a different, better decision. Your colleagues at the University of Washington made a different, better decision. If those schools can close classrooms and institute distance learning, surely Shorecrest can do as much. Your faculty and staff are savvy and technologically literate; our students are sharp and eager; surely a high school in the well-funded Shoreline School District is as well-equipped as our neighbors in the Northshore School District.

Why haven't you closed your school?

I urge you to make the responsible choice, Principal Gonzalez, and close Shorecrest High. Stop waiting for a permission slip from Gov. Inslee. SPI Chris Reykdal doesn't live in our community and doesn't have to care, but you do. Shoreline Superintendent Rebecca Miner may not take this precaution, but you can.

Close the school.

Do your part, time now, to rein in the spread of novel coronavirus in a county that federal officials already urge our fellow Americans not to visit.

Err on the side of good sense, make a plan, and close the school.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jack Llewyllson, proud parent of a Shorecrest Scot



Read more...

Op-ed: The importance and sound reasoning of a new Community Center and Pool

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Shari Winstead, former
Mayor of Shoreline
Shari Winstead is a former Shoreline Mayor

When I was first elected to the City Council, one of my priorities was to make Shoreline a healthy city for our citizens. A key element of that goal was improving our parks. Parks and public spaces are used by everyone, from toddlers using swings to seniors and others staying active by walking the trails.  A robust park system also increases our desirability as a community.

I am proud that the current Council has put Proposition 1 on the ballot. In 2006, we were not able to make improvements to the four parks who will benefit from Prop 1 (Brugger’s Bog, Briarcrest, Hillwood and Richmond Highlands). Improvements to these parks are desperately needed. The play area at Brugger’s Bog was underwater for good portions of the year. And across the City, we do not have a fully-accessible playground for all ages and abilities. The improvements to Richmond Highlands will make sure that our park facilities are accessible to all.

As Mayor, I supported investing $750,000 to keep the current pool open for five to seven years. It was a tough decision, and we found out later that it was difficult to find parts that worked with the existing system. We knew costs would continue to rise just to keep the pool running. As a Council, we recognized that it was not financially responsible to keep spending your tax dollars on a pool that is increasingly expensive to run, and where parts were sometimes difficult (if not impossible) to find.

I know that the residents who served on the Parks Board and the Parks and Recreation Funding Committee carefully considered all of the options before recommending a ballot measure. I know that my colleagues on the Council carefully considered all of the costs before placing Proposition 1 before the voters.

The current site of the pool is not ideal for a new community and aquatics center. The current pool is over a quarter-mile from the nearest transit stop.  Replacing the facility at the current location would put parking on the far side of the soccer fields, making it harder for seniors and parents with infants to access the facility. And, if the center were to be built on the existing site, the tennis courts would have to be moved to different park.

The proposed location for the Aquatic and Community Center is in center of the city, and right along a frequent transit line, making it more accessible to all. The Shoreline School District is contributing to the costs of the pool and there is money available from King County that should help offset building costs. The state is also being asked to pitch in for funding.

I’m also excited about the Aquatics and Community Center because it will meet the needs of our growing population. The configuration of the current pool makes it impossible for individuals to participate in swim team practices and for staff to conduct swim lessons at the same time. With two new pools, the City will have more capacity to offer swim lessons and allow more students the opportunity to be on the swim team.

Please join me, the Shoreline Education Association (your teachers), the Shoreline PTA Council, and many of your friends and neighbors in voting for Proposition 1.

Sincerely,
Shari Winstead



Read more...

Op-Ed: Shoreline PTA Council endorses Shoreline Proposition 1

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

At our September 23, 2019 General Membership Meeting, the Shoreline PTA Council 6.12 voted to endorse Shoreline Proposition 1. 

The proposed new Shoreline Aquatics, Recreation and Community Center, along with improvements at four area parks, is a strong investment in creating active gathering spaces for our families – including, notably, a fully accessible play area for people of all physical abilities.

 Our primary reason for support, however, is the inclusion of an eight-lane pool for recreational and competitive swimming and diving, along with a fully accessible viewing area.

The Shoreline School District currently does not have a long-term facility that can support the swim and dive teams from Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. 

High school swimming is one of the very few non-cut sports that any student can join, including beginning swimmers, and this allows students from all backgrounds to participate in a sport during their high school career. 

Swim and dive team students and their families attended many city and school board meetings in the last year to advocate for the continuation of a sport that has created an especially tight-knit and inclusive community.

PTA supports the critical role physical activity plays in increasing physical and mental health in children and understands that fitness and engagement in physical activities are associated with not only greater academic achievement and cognitive functioning, but through team sports can also enhance a sense of belonging and self-confidence.

It is imperative that we build strong communities that include safe, inclusive and accessible parks and community centers.

Shoreline is in need of a long-term facility that can comfortably host regional swim meets, maximize participation of year-round swimmers and attract an increasingly diverse population into the swim community.  

Help ensure that high school swimming can continue in the Shoreline School District. Please support Proposition 1.

Silje Sodal and Amy Reed
Co-Presidents
Shoreline PTA Council 6.12



Read more...

Op-Ed: Protest child detention Sunday, August 25 from 10:00am to 11:00am

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Protest in Lake Forest Park
Photo by Luanne Brown


By Luanne Brown

For the past several weeks, a small group of people have been gathering at the corner of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way NE (SR 522) with signs to protest the separation of children from their families at the U.S. Mexico border.

Participants object not only to the separation and incarceration of asylum-seekers, but to their reported treatment by government-funded private facilities where they are said to be held in squalid conditions without adequate nutrition, hygiene, physical, and emotional safety. 

These neglectful conditions have resulted in the deaths of several children. And the cruelty toward these dependents grows harsher by the day as the Trump administration rips screaming babies from their mothers’ arms, threatens longer detainments, and claims they will not vaccinate detained children in border detention facilities during the coming flu season.

Attendees of last week’s protest included concerned citizens from Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and Woodinville and surrounding suburbs. 

Charles Anstett, an activist from Lake Forest Park and one of the organizers, said “We are protesting because we think the separating children from their parents and detaining them by locking them in cages is immoral. All Americans of good conscience need to stand up and speak out.”

Another activist, Lael White of Mountlake Terrace said she came because, "I want people to think about how our government is conducting severely inhumane treatment of innocent people at our border, families who are seeking asylum."

Doug Margeson, of Woodinville, brought his American flag to the protest. “I just came to support the cause. It’s not right to separate families,” he said.

Linda Baarslag-Benson of Lake Forest Park, who attended the protest with her husband Ross Baarslag-Benson, said “We have been shocked and sickened by the news of this inhumane treatment of immigrant children at our border and felt a strong call to action ourselves. We set out to do our own weekly vigil in Lake Forest Park. 

"Our goal is to bear witness to this dark time in our country and to highlight this truth, that ALL children are OUR children.”

House guests, of the Baarslag-Bensons,’ Bobbi Crane and Tom Arvidson from Missoula, Montana joined their hosts at the protest. According to Crane, “We don’t get too many opportunities to protest in Montana, so we welcomed the opportunity to support this effort.”

If you believe that it’s wrong to crush young lives with such cruelty, join us next Sunday. Let the world know that the north-end residents have had enough and demand kinder, more compassionate treatment that reunites families, not separates them.

Protests are planned every Sunday for the indefinite future.

10am to 11am
At the corner of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way NE (SR 522)



Read more...

Op-Ed: Response to Pam Cross's Op-Ed of 6/5/19

Friday, June 7, 2019

By Ginger Hayra Gunn

I think it would be fabulous if we could have a state of the art Community Aquatics Center (CAC) and a complete Senior Center with a commercial kitchen.

I do however, agree with Pam Cross's op-ed (posted 6/5/2019) about other needs.

I appreciate her review of Shoreline Parks' conditions and related political process. These excerpts from her summary are most significant for me:
  • According to the PROS [Parks, Recreation and Open Space] Plan, Essential Park Amenities include children’s playgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and open grass areas for active and passive uses. And natural areas should be generally accessible to all residents. The City does not meet its level of service (LOS) target for providing these amenities within a 15-minute walk to all Shoreline residents.
  • Shoreline has 23 parks, but they are not all treated equitably. 
I think of how much Shoreview Park has to offer, as ideal (other than the Invasive plants along its edges): playground equipment, sports fields, a dog park, real restrooms, ample paved parking, forest, and even tennis courts.

In looking at Zillow's "Recently Sold" homes, in what appears to me to be a 15 minute walk to this park, I see 17 properties with an average sales price of $992,000. I am guessing that most of the families in these homes have cars and could afford to join a club for use of a pool and tennis courts, or could enroll in ice skating, dance classes, martial arts classes, etc.

Because of this, I suspect that Shoreview's amenities... if replicated in less wealthy Shoreline neighborhoods, would be likely to have more positive impact on proximal residents, than they do for the "walkable neighbors" of Shoreview Park.

I don't feel that each park needs to have all the LOS listed amenities (or tennis courts and parking lots), but there needs to be enough to make a walkable park magnetic for its neighbors.

Fee-for-service recreation tends to be less affordable for residents in low income areas, so this is where our parks amenities are most important.

Let's give our financially-challenged residents better proximal options, to support them in getting away from the TV and its common accompaniments... like eating chips, consuming high calorie beverages, and developing Diabetes.

One equity adjustment (if we are going to stick with the projected CAC funding priority) would be to create easy, free, and frequent shuttles across the city and provide free pool passes to families that qualify (or nearly qualify) for the National School Lunch Program.

This, however does not replace the benefit that an appealing, walkable, casual meeting place provides, toward building community and an interest in being active.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I do appreciate our City Servants for the vast amount of work they do and the wealth of goodwill and expertise involved. I particularly commend them for moving toward better public transportation AND acquiring more parks acreage, as it has become available.

As Mark Twain put it, "Buy land, they're not making it anymore."



Read more...

Op-Ed: Let justice roll

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Edmonds Municipal Court
Photo by Nick Showalter
Kelly Dahlman-Oeth is the Pastor of Ronald United Methodist Church on Aurora.
~~~~~~

I’m sitting in the Edmonds Municipal Courtroom 1, again.

I’m with three of my siblings, again. One of them leans over and tells me that she was recently stopped and ticketed for jaywalking, and then arrested for an outstanding warrant. However, instead of booking her, she was released after being told “the jail is too full.” As good as that may sound, she still has the $100+ jaywalking citation.

If courts handed out “tenth-visit-free punch cards,” I would complete my third card today. After moving a dozen people into the church for overnight shelter before the two-week snowpocalypse in February, a handful of overnight hosts began learning about the constellation of issues that keep people moving through the revolving door of what we call the criminal justice system.

Among the various definitions and descriptions for the “criminal justice system,” I find this one the most telling: “a series of government agencies and institutions whose goals are to identify and catch unlawful individuals to inflict a form of punishment on them. Other goals [occasionally] include the rehabilitation of offenders, preventing other crimes, and moral support for victims.”

Having logged hundreds of hours in a couple of courtrooms, I can confirm that our current system is set up to achieve the three primary goals: “identify, catch, and inflict punishment.”

Despite the best efforts of some wise and compassionate judges and some very overworked public defenders, the system does little to rehabilitate offenders. Thus, it is failing miserably at preventing other crimes, at least misdemeanor level crimes that make up the bulk of the cases in local courts across the country.

Former federal public defender Alexandra Natapoff says 13 million misdemeanors are filed each year in the U.S. Based on FBI and other statistical data, some estimate that misdemeanors represent 80% of all arrests and 80% of all court case dockets.

On the surface, the law applies to everyone, but in practice, the overwhelming majority of persons charged with misdemeanors are low income and impoverished, and often dealing with mental illness and substance disorder. 

These persons are far more likely to commit and be charged with shoplifting, criminal trespassing (resulting from being caught shoplifting), driving with a suspended license, possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, public urination, disorderly conduct, and more.

For those of us who are housed and comfortable enough to rarely or never have to deal with the criminal justice system, a misdemeanor may sound like no big deal, but for those trying to survive, the consequences are devastating.

Despite the guarantee of the Eighth Amendment, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted,” cash bail between $500 - $1500 is built into the system. A person who is homeless or living on the edge does not have an extra $500 - $1500, so they are held in jail until their hearing. 

There is little chance that the low-wage job they may have had will be waiting for them when they are released. The tiny snowball at the top of the mountain has been pushed. As it speeds downhill, it grows deadly, swallowing everything in its path with evictions, destroyed credit, and losing custody of children.

We clearly see the results of a system that – whether intentionally or not – criminalizes poverty. To allow the system to continue unchanged and unquestioned implies that we, as a society, consent to the criminalization of poverty.

Fortunately, there are some inside and outside the system who acknowledge the injustice and overwhelming costs of our criminal justice system, and they are working on creative alternatives that successfully lower rates of recidivism (tendency to reoffend) and create healthier communities.

State legislatures are rewriting laws that disproportionately impact people of color and people who are impoverished. City and county officials are investing and redirecting funds to hire social workers and mental health professionals for their law enforcement agencies. Finally, judges are working with city officials to create community courts.

The King County District Court has established community courts in Burien and Redmond, and we are hopeful that Shoreline will be next. 

The community court model focuses on rehabilitation and restoration by creating a more compassionate and therapeutic atmosphere in the court, and by providing immediate onsite access to human service providers to assist people with everything from behavioral and mental health, employment and housing specialists, transportation, and more. 

While there is a nominal initial cost to the City, the long-term gains for individuals and the community are immeasurable.

I am grateful that our Shoreline District Court Justices Marcine Anderson and Joe Campagna are working hard to bring this model to Shoreline. Having repeatedly witnessed their wisdom and compassion in their courtrooms, I did not hesitate when I was asked to participate as a member of the steering committee for the City of Shoreline Community Court.

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

Until then, I’ll see you in court.

Pastor Kelly Dahlman-Oeth



Read more...

Op-Ed: Walk to Hillwood Park - then turn around and go home

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Unused and usable softball field at Hillwood Park
Photo by Pam Cross


By Pam Cross

June is Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Month. In 1996, one year after a becoming a city, Shoreline acquired all 23 King County parks in the City limits, including the Shoreline pool.

The Shoreline Parks Levy is soon to come before the voters. Several of our neighborhood parks are scheduled for updating, and I’m sure we’ve all been following the progress of the Community Aquatics Center (CAC).

Shoreline has multiple beautiful parks throughout the City. There are walking paths (many paved), wetlands restoration, nice play areas with climbing equipment and swings, and well maintained sports courts. Some neighborhoods have multiple parks, large and small.

I live in the Hillwood neighborhood.

Nothing to see here
Photo by Pam Cross


Where did the park go?

In July 2017, following an 18-month community outreach engagement process, the City Council adopted the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The PROS Plan identifies a 20-year vision and framework for Shoreline’s recreation and cultural programs, and for maintenance and investment in park, recreation and open space facilities.

The current parks and open spaces bond measure (approved by voters in 2006) is set to be retired in 2021 and removed from property tax bills in 2022. Part of that bond provided upgrades to nine community parks. To continue funding our parks we need to pass a new levy.

On June 24, 2019, the City Council is planning to approve placement of a ballot measure on the 2019 General Election Ballot to authorize an $88.1M property tax bond measure for the Community and Aquatics Center (CAC).

Park Improvements Priorities and Funding is being eliminated from the ballot measure. This means there will be no improvements to Brugger’s Bog Park, Park at Town Center, James Keough Park, Richmond Highlands Park, Hillwood Park, Briarcrest Community Park, Ridgecrest Park or Shoreview Park (off-leash area).

In August 2018 the City Manager appointed 16 Shoreline residents to participate in a Park Funding Advisory Committee (PFAC). The goal of this committee was to explore funding options and prioritize projects for park improvements and a CAC. The PFAC took different approaches in evaluating the parks, including consideration of need, equity, access, urgency, placemaking and community identity, areas of future growth, and alignment to the PROS plan.

One thing I learned from my time spent on the Sidewalk Committee, is that it is necessary to get out of the car and actually walk in the area being evaluated. I visited most of these parks within the last week.

Bruggers Bog, as its name suggests, is a large wet park. The children’s play area floods seasonally and must be moved, the play equipment is old and unsafe, the swings have been removed, there is no bathroom, no parking and no street visibility. It has a high share of, and proximity to, multifamily housing whose residents could make good use of the park if it were updated.

The Park at Town Center and the CAC would create the active civic center that Shoreline has lacked. However, the site has some challenges related to noise and proximity to Aurora Avenue N.

James Keough Park
Google


James Keough Park is bounded by Interstate-5, and is one of Shoreline’s most visible to through traffic, yet it is relatively unknown to residents due to its entrance at the end of a dead-end street. There is no onsite parking. When visiting this park, the gate had multiple locks and a chain keeping it closed so it did not appear welcoming. After walking around the locked gate, I saw a large green area surrounding a fenced area that apparently was originally tennis courts and a basketball area but is now overgrown with bushes and trees. There is one slide and a swing.

Richmond Highlands improvements would include an ADA accessible all-ages playground and a paved loop path which would increase access for an underserved population while also supporting Specialized Recreation programming at the adjacent Richmond Highlands Recreation Center. Additional improvements and activation could help improve park safety.

Hillwood Park is the only park in the Hillwood neighborhood. It has no usable field, few benches and one picnic area. The small play area has only one bench for parents to sit on, and the only entrance is essentially hidden from view.

It is not ADA compliant, there are no paths, and there is no place to ride a bike. As I left, there were mothers with strollers entering the park but there is no place in the park where you can use a stroller.

Like James Keough Park, the grassy area appears level, dry and green from your car. But on foot, the grassy area is difficult, and in some areas, impossible to navigate. For the next 18 months Hillwood is being used as a staging area for Einstein Middle School construction equipment.

Briarcrest Community Park is a carved out piece of East Hamlin Park that would create a community park for the Briarcrest neighborhood. Although there is a parking lot and a paved path, the area has its “back” facing Briarcrest, does not feel part of the neighborhood and is not viewed as safe for young children.

Ridgecrest Park
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline


Ridgecrest Park is in an out-of-the-way location with one point of access and bounded by I-5. Although there is a raised berm, the park is very noisy from the traffic. The addition of an off-leash area could help attract more users and possibly overcome the challenging location. There is a baseball field and a wall for handball. There is no children’s area, and only a portable toilet.

These parks did not did not receive funding from the 2006 Parks and Open Space Bond measure. They were slated to be upgraded in the next parks levy — and that levy is now.
The stairs at Ridgecrest Park lead to a
dilapidated court of some kind
Photo by Seattle Poppy


Shoreview Park, on the other hand, received considerable investment in the last bond measure, but needs funds to replace the temporary fences of the off-leash area.

There are several options for when voters might be asked to vote on a funding measure. November is just the earliest one, so there is plenty of time to reconsider including the priority park improvements.

A delay will add extra cost to the CAC, however it is possible no meaningful improvements have been made to most of these neighborhood parks since Shoreline became a city in 1995, 24 years ago. Children in 1995 are now adults who may have children of their own and still, the neighborhood park is not improved.

Resident Priorities Survey

In March/April 2019 EMC Research conducted a Resident Priorities Survey to gather information about resident priorities for park and recreation facilities. The Survey was sent to 12,000 randomly selected households and 1,379 responses were received.

There were questions about the CAC, and about improving neighborhood parks. A major problem with the park improvement results is that no consideration was given to the amenities in the respondent’s local park. A household located near Hamlin Park or in Richmond Beach, for example, will respond differently from one near Hillwood, Bruggers Bog or James Keough Parks.

After receipt of the survey results, the Council directed staff not to include any park improvements in this ballot measure.

The City Council made its decision of what appears on the ballot based on information from 3% of Shoreline households. As a result, Shoreline voters may be limited to a yes or no vote on the CAC only, and have no vote about funding for neighborhood parks.

Shouldn’t the other 97% of Shoreline households get a say whether they want to spend the next 20 years paying for the CAC while their neighborhood parks continue to deteriorate?

If funding is not provided for neighborhood park improvements now, it will take several years for the City to obtain even partial funding for the highest priority needs. They will be looking at grants, philanthropy, partnerships (with the School District, for example), and existing city funding. None of these sources will be close to adequate and that’s why it will take several years. There is not even designated funding for new benches and picnic tables.

Echo Lake Park before it was remodeled
It was one of the last parks funded in the 2006 parks bond
Photo by Diane Hettrick


Echo Lake Park dedication after remodeling
The ground is level, there is a walking track, playground,
benches and (not pictured) picnic tables
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


According to the PROS Plan, Essential Park Amenities include children’s playgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and open grass areas for active and passive uses. And natural areas should be generally accessible to all residents. The City does not meet its level of service (LOS) target for providing these amenities within a 15-minute walk to all Shoreline residents.

The City of Shoreline repeatedly states that the City values all residents and envisions a community in which people from all backgrounds have equitable access to opportunities to live, work, and play.

Shoreline has 23 parks, but they are not all treated equitably. Shoreline’s failure to meet these goals in just a couple of the 14 neighborhoods is not consistent with their stated goal of social equity. Every resident is entitled to traveling a few minutes to a neighborhood park and, instead of turning around and leaving, have a reason to stay.




Read more...

Op-Ed: National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day

Monday, May 13, 2019

Lake Forest Park Police Department

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

There are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure ever. Over the decades, crime fighting has taken its toll. Since the first recorded police death in 1786, there have been over 21,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Currently, there are 21,910 names engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in Washington, DC. 
292 of those were officers working in the State of Washington. 
A total of 1,582 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 55 hours.

There were 158 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2018.

This includes Kent Police Officer Diego Moreno who was killed during a pursuit on July 22, 2018. He was 35 and had been with the Kent PD for eight years.

So far in 2019, 38 officers have died on duty. This includes Kittitas County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Shane Thompson who was shot and killed on March 19 when a pursuit ended in the city of Kittitas. Deputy Thompson was 42 years old and had been in policing for almost 15 years.

Also killed this year was Cowlitz County Deputy Sheriff Justin Richard DeRosier. He was only 29 years old when he was shot and killed on April 14 while responding to investigate reports of a disabled motorhome. Justin had been in policing for six years. All three of these officers left behind a wife and children.

While not a perfect profession, the overwhelming number of men and women serving as law enforcement officers are incredibly honorable and committed to a noble calling of serving and protecting others.

The Lake Forest Park Police Department is made up of these same kinds of men and women. They are the kind of people who will protect the rights of everyone and risk their lives to protect strangers.

Some of them are your friends and all of them are your colleagues. Some of them have served in Lake Forest Park for decades, and others have joined our ranks within the last few years. 
So, if you see a new face wearing one of our uniforms, I encourage you to go up to the officer and introduce yourself, you will quickly recognize the kind and caring heart of a community guardian.

So on Wednesday, May 15, please take a moment to remember the men and women who have been lost while serving their community.

Remember their families and loved ones who have carried on after their sacrifice. Please reach out to the officers who serve in the town in which you live and let them know how much you appreciate the very difficult work they do. I promise you that every one of them will appreciate your messages of support and thanks.

Captain Paul Armbrust
Lake Forest Park Police Department




Read more...

Dow Constantine: Renewing our commitment to King County's parks, trails and open space

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Dow Constantine is the King County Executive. The King County Council has approved placing the King County Parks Levy on the August ballot. 

The levy is for a six-year term and is a renewal of an existing levy. See previous article for levy impact in north King county.
~~~~~~

No matter how much we grow and change around here, some things stay the same. Our love of parks, forests, and streams. Our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy them. Our values that guide us to support investments that make us a stronger, healthier, and happier community.

That's why voters have approved the King County Parks Levy three times since 2003. The current levy -- which expires at the end of the year -- supports 200 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 28,000 acres of open space.

I recently announced my plan to renew the Parks Levy so that we can make these special places accessible to more people in our rapidly growing region.

For about $2 more per month for the owner of a home valued at $500,000, we will:
  • Expand and connect our regional trails
  • Purchase new equipment for play areas
  • Replace aging ballfields
  • Improve popular trails such as the East Lake Sammamish Trail and finish others, including the Lake to Sound Trail in South King County
  • Provide more parking and restrooms at trailheads
  • Repair trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding
  • Improve access to parks, green space, and recreation
  • Help Seattle Aquarium construct its new Ocean Pavilion
  • Help Woodland Park Zoo expand its conservation and environmental education program for underserved youth.

All of these projects will contribute to the quality of life we enjoy, but this is more than a collection of investments. It reflects the values of our region, a place where we protect and restore our forests and rivers. A place that fights for clean air and water. A place that is at the forefront of the effort to confront climate change.

This is our generation's opportunity to protect and expand the places we enjoy today so future generations may do the same. This is our moment.

Thank you, as always, for the opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,

Dow Constantine
King County Executive



Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP