Seattle mayor on North Highline annexation: ‘I’m torn’
2:27 PM: We are currently covering an appearance by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn in the Westwood neighborhood, on behalf of partner site West Seattle Blog, and the annexation issue came up, with a question by Mat McBride, who is chair of the Delridge District Council in eastern West Seattle. The mayor said, “I’m torn … it’s a very difficult issue to deal with.” He says he’s still leaning toward it being difficult for Seattle to afford; McBride said he thinks it would seem “a bargain” a few years down the line.
A man in the room during this community Q&A, identifying himself as a Seattle firefighter who works at Station 37 (southernmost station) and formerly worked for the North Highline Fire District, says that annexation would have one benefit for the Arbor Heights area, which he says would be more accessible from the current NH station. (We have been recording video of this meeting and will add the clip of this exchange here later – we’re putting up the entire Q&A session on WSB.) Again, in case you lost track, the next scheduled city of Seattle discussion on potential annexation is the Regional Development and Sustainability Committee meeting on March 18.
ADDED 5:19 PM: Video of the entire exchange is now atop this story.
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March 7th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Please no, Mr Mayor. Stay away and leave us be!
March 9th, 2011 at 10:13 am
State law requires that we end up in Seattle or Burien. Studies clearly show that we can not become our own city. Not enough revenue and the Boundary Review Board (BRB) would not approve an attempt to become our own city. Seattle, with all its challenges is a way better deal. Much stronger fire service (no $52,000 annual raises for a North Highline fire chief for example a few years ago), up to three more police officers per shift (do we need more police officers?), way more services and programs (did I say way more, I meant to say way, way more), discussion of a Medic 1 in White Center someday, and our property taxes will actually go down. And Seattle loves its parks and invests in its parks. And our parks, including the dirty water at Hicks Lakewood Park need investment. To my knowledge, Burien has never had a Park levy.
There are dozens of us who will work hard to protect the unique character of White Center and our wonderful business district during and after Seattle annexation, protecting our small businesses at every step. Seattle annexation will be as positive as we as a community allow it to become.
Its either Seattle or Burien for White Center. And Seattle has always embraced that if an election is held, it must be a November election which will significantly increase voter participation, unlike Burien that held its annexation vote in August 2009, with a much smaller voter turnout. They actually wanted a smaller voter turnout as it is easier to get their supporters to the polls while the rest of us are on vacation in August.
All we ask is that you get the facts so that, first, everyone votes, and second, everyone votes with full factual information.
March 9th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Please let us have a chance to VOTE!