White Center Now: The blog about White Center

He’s currently the County Councilmember representing District 8 – White Center, West Seattle, Vashon and other areas – so when Dow Constantine is sworn in as King County Executive in 2 1/2 weeks, how will his successor be chosen? A proposed process was unveiled this afternoon – here’s the county announcement:

With Tuesday’s election of Council Chair Dow Constantine as King County Executive, the Metropolitan King County Council may consider legislation Monday establishing a process for evaluating candidates for appointment to succeed him in representing Council District 8.

“It is important that the Council act quickly to ensure representation for constituents in District 8,” said Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson. “Timely appointment will also allow the new councilmember to transition into the position, hire staff, and hit the ground running in the new year.”

A proposed motion introduced today would create a 10-member panel of community leaders and elected officials who live or work in Council District 8, and who represent the geographic, economic and ethnic diversity of the district that encompasses West Seattle, North Highline, Vashon/Maury Islands, Burien, Normandy Park, SoDo, the International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, East Beacon Hill, and portions of the cities of SeaTac and Tukwila.

As currently drafted, the proposed legislation calls for applicants for the position to submit application material to the Clerk of the Council by Monday, November 16.

The selection committee is proposed to meet no later than November 25 to interview qualified applicants and recommend two to five candidates for consideration by the Council, but not state any preferences among the recommended candidates.

The King County Council has final authority for making the appointment. Under the proposal, the Council’s Committee of the Whole would interview recommended candidates on Monday, November 30, with final Council action on an appointment no later than December 14. The appointee would serve in office until certification of the next general election in November 2010.

The proposed process is similar to that adopted earlier this year to fill vacancies in the offices of County Executive and County Assessor. Under the old partisan form of government, the political party of the official vacating office would submit nominees for an appointed successor, but voters last year amended the King County Charter to make most countywide offices non-partisan.

The proposed legislation establishes criteria to be used by the selection committee in evaluating the qualifications of eligible candidates, including:

· Knowledge of the functions of King County government;
· Knowledge of the issues and challenges facing King County government;
· Knowledge of the issues affecting the constituents of Council District 8;
· A demonstrated ability to develop a responsible budget;
· A demonstrated ability to respond to public concerns;
· Demonstrated leadership skills; and
· A commitment to the immediate business of King County that would make it unlikely that the individual would run for any elective office while serving as appointed councilmember.

Council Chair Constantine is scheduled to be sworn into office as King County Executive as soon as the results of the general election are certified on November 24.

I got news yesterday that Bob Houk has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 71. Bob  lived in White Center for 42 years. He opened his shop in 1986. He built most of the signs you see in the area, including the one that hangs over Full Tilt. He was very involved with the community, often donating signs to just about any local group that asked including Jubilee Days Festival and the No Annexation. I think everyone in our little hood knew Bob, and he will be missed. His wife Joan is going to keep us updated on memorial service announcements.

We covered it on partner site West Seattle Blog because we first heard about it as an Arbor Heights chopper sighting – started with stolen car at 17th/Roxbury, suspect ran, helicopter got involved, King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart says the suspect is in custody.

Complete election results over at partner site West Seattle Blog – but one item of special note, this area’s King County Councilmember has just been elected the new King County Executive. The video clips at the top and bottom of this item together constitute Dow Constantine‘s entire victory speech at Tuesday night’s party at the Edgewater. His opponent Susan Hutchison hasn’t conceded, but Constantine’s lead can be said to be fairly insurmountable.

Another vote tally will be made public Wednesday afternoon.

Starting tomorrow, Proletariat Pizza is open for lunch at 11am.

they are even going to have lunch specials:

Now that it’s November, the holidays are rushing toward us. Village Green Perennial Nursery is organizing a tree sale to raise money for Community School of West Seattle (which is on the WS-White Center line, right along Roxbury). You can get your order in over the next week – read all about what’s available and how to order by going to this Village Green webpage.

Thanks to Jim Clark for sharing photos of today’s cyclocross race at Lakewood Park, scheduled at the last minute after the permit was revoked in West Seattle. His gallery is here.

Per White Center Jubilee Days via Twitter – all are welcome at this free fun festival, 5 pm to 7:30 pm.

Thanks to Liz for calling our attention to the sad news: Barb Peters of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council and North Highline Fire District board lost her battle with cancer this week. There’s a tribute to her on the NHFD site; see it here. From the published obituary that Liz forwarded:

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Barbara’s name to: North Highline Fire District Aid Car Fund, 1243 Southwest 112th Street, Seattle, WA 98146. In her memory, Barbara asked to please spend time with a child that is close to you. That time spent and your love for that child will be with Barbara forever. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, November 2nd at Riverton Crest Cemetery, 3400 S.140th, Tukwila 98168 with a reception following at Rainier Golf and Country Club, 11133 Des Moines Memorial Dr. S.

You can read Ms. Peters’ full obituary here. She was 72 years old.

Just got this announcement:

White Center’s Safe Night Out will be held October 31, 6:30 to 8:30pm at Hillcrest PCA Church (10404 34th Avenue SW) in White Center. Hillcrest is teaming with Arbor Heights Community Church, the White Center Safety
Council, and other community partners to provide a safe outlet for children to have fun this Halloween.

Due to Halloween falling on a weekend this year, there is an increased need for a safe atmosphere for children to dress up, play games, participate in raffles and cakewalks. The Safe Night Out will feature large bounce slides, games for children from ages 2 to 12, facepainting, prizes for Most Original and Most Creative costumes, a cakewalk and more.

The Safe Night Out also couples as a food drive for West Seattle Food Bank.

For each donation of a bag of non-perishable items, Hillcrest will give a gift certificate to a White Center restaurant or a donation from one of our sponsors.

For more information contact Brian Sisco or Patty Quigley @ 206.937.0101

(We’d call the location a little more Arbor Heights than White Center, but certainly it’s clearly open to all!)

Our partner site West Seattle Blog covered a controversy yesterday afternoon regarding a cyclocross bicycle race that was scheduled to be held in Lincoln Park this Saturday, till the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department abruptly pulled the permit, saying it had committed to the community years ago that the park would no longer host such races and that it shouldn’t have granted the permit in the first place. Promoters at MFG Cyclocross started working to find an alternate site – and they have just announced that Lakewood Park is the alternate site. We’ve also found additional details on the King County Parks news website.

Teen games at 2:30 pm, family story time at 6:30 pm, all at the White Center Library. Here’s the full event listing!

7 pm Thursday, Full Tilt Ice Cream, be there. From the invitation published on the WCFTA website:

Who is invited? Artists who live in and those who love the GREATER White Center Area/ Unincorporated King County, and a little bit outside that line. That means ALL artists. Music, dance, film, theatre, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed-media, young, old, in-between, student, emerging, established, etc.

What is this about? This is about creating your opportunities. What do you want/need from your community in order to further your work/goals? What can you give to your community to help strengthen it? White Center for the Arts is opening the line of communication. This is not a formal, stuffy meeting, but the first meeting of many where your voice can be heard, new alliances can be created, and we can figure out how to best accommodate you, the artist, in our own neighborhood.

Want to know more about what’s ahead for your student in algebra, and how to help? Get a firsthand experience in Parent Math Academy, Monday night 6 pm at Highline Public Schools HQ in Burien – full story here.

9 am-1 pm today, you can drop off donations for Samoan disaster survivors at Evergreen High School – there’s a program, with entertainment, scheduled to start at 11 am. A list of what’s needed, plus more information on the event, is on the White Center Community Development Association website – see it all here.

The county says it ran out of H1N1 vaccine after three days of giving it to people with major health trouble and no insurance. So now what? Here’s the news release, as published on partner site West Seattle Blog.

Interested in helping stop youth violence? You’re invited to a meeting next Wednesday, 1 pm. From organizers:

Location: Steve Cox Memorial Park, SW District Office (east of basketball court-)

Topics:

* Guests: Robert Gant, SW Network Coordinator & also present will be the SW Intake & Referral Specialist, Mayor’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative
* Program updates

(photo added 8:33 am)
A crash has Roxbury blocked eastbound at 17th, and 17th blocked southbound from there as well. UPDATE: Deputies say two vehicles collided – one was trying to turn – two people were taken to the hospital, including the driver of the pickup in the photo we just added. ADDED 9:57 AM: Tony Bradley photographed the rescue effort:

Crime and safety information, plus a chance to ask your questions – King County Sheriff’s Office, King County Parks, Liquor Control Board, Seattle PD are among the agencies usually represented, plus community leaders. St. James Place, 6 pm (free dinner so don’t worry about being hungry if you need to go directly there from work). 9421 18th SW (map).

One of the co-founders of White Center Now is getting a big spotlight – Full Tilt Ice Cream won its category for “Best of Western Washington”! We were there this afternoon as a KING5 crew interviewed Justin and Ann.