Boundary Review Board sets January hearing for Burien annexation proposal

November 17th, 2011 at 8:53 pm Posted in Annexation, White Center news | Comments Off on Boundary Review Board sets January hearing for Burien annexation proposal

From the City of Burien’s latest newsletter:

The Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County has set the public hearing date on Burien’s proposed annexation of North Highline. The hearing will be held on Jan. 9, and if necessary, Jan. 10, 7 p.m., at Cascade Middle School, 11212 10th Ave. SW. The Boundary Review Board will determine whether to accept the proposal, modify the boundaries, or reject it. The annexation would increase the population of Burien by about 17,300 and add about 3.2 square miles to the City including the White Center area, Top Hat, Beverly Park, Glendale, and portions of Boulevard Park, Riverton Heights and Shorewood.

Boundary Review Board approval would be required before an election could be held in the potential annexation area. If you want a peek into how the meeting is likely to work, take a look at our “as it happened” coverage from a similar meeting held two and a half years ago before Burien’s previous annexation.

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White Center crime: Saturday night’s disturbance, gunfire

November 17th, 2011 at 6:44 pm Posted in Crime, White Center news | 9 Comments »

After the DEA search in downtown White Center earlier this week, news emerged (first reported yesterday afternoon by PubliCola) of a disturbance on Saturday night. From King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West:

On 11-12-11 at approximately 1130 pm, it looks like there was possibly a party at the GAME establishment that had a large number of youth in attendance. We had deputies patrolling the area. According to the police report, a couple of our deputies heard 2 gunshots coming from the area of 16th St between 9600-9800 blocks. The deputies went to the area where they heard the shots and saw that there were approximately 75-100 juveniles in the area. Some were coming out of the GAME establishment. The group of juveniles had separated and were posturing in the street, flashing gang signs and yelling. Deputies did not locate any victims. SPD had arrived to assist also.

(About an hour later) deputies heard several more shots, coming from the area of 15th-16th and Roxbury. It appears bullets struck the wall of the Walgreens, and a business identified as Pure Drop Water Purifier received damage to the buildings and glass at the business had been shattered. No suspects at this time.

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Reminder: White Center Community Safety Coalition tonight

November 17th, 2011 at 5:06 pm Posted in Greenbridge, white center community safety coalition, White Center news | Comments Off on Reminder: White Center Community Safety Coalition tonight

The White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition usually meets later in the month, but since the fourth Thursday this month is Thanksgiving, the meeting is tonight – 6 pm at the Wiley Center in Greenbridge (here’s where to find it), which is a different location than usual. Coalition chair Sean Healy says, “During this meeting we will discussing a possible action plan for our neighborhood to address safety concerns and more.”

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Good News Christian Fellowship plans free Thanksgiving dinner

November 17th, 2011 at 7:13 am Posted in Holidays, White Center news | Comments Off on Good News Christian Fellowship plans free Thanksgiving dinner

One week till Thanksgiving! Here’s one place you might consider spending yours:

On Thanksgiving day (November 24, 2011), The Good News Christian Fellowship Church will serve a Thanksgiving Day Dinner with all the trimmings.

The dinner and fellowship will be held from 1:30 to 5:00 pm, at St. James Church, 9421-18th Avenue SW, in White Center, Everyone is cordially invited to attend, share a meal with neighbors and to give thanks.

Donations of food, cash, and clothing are welcome. Please contact Michael Spann at 206-854-2245 or michaelspann206@gmail.com to make contributions or to request additional information.

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DEA raid followup: From the court documents

November 17th, 2011 at 12:30 am Posted in Crime, White Center news | Comments Off on DEA raid followup: From the court documents

If you haven’t already seen it on our partner site West Seattle Blog, we’ve obtained and reported on the search-warrant affidavit related to the Tuesday raid on the GAME Collective lounge in White Center.

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DEA agents search GAME Collective’s White Center ‘lounge’

November 15th, 2011 at 4:05 pm Posted in Businesses, White Center news | 4 Comments »

3:05 PM: In at least three counties, federal Drug Enforcement Agency officers are searching medical-marijuana businesses – and one of them is in White Center, the GAME Collective ‘lounge’ in the former Hang Around bar space. Thanks to a tip, we got over there around 1:30 to find unmarked law-enforcement cars outside and officers inside. Among those on the scene, DEA spokesperson Agent Jodie Underwood, who told us that they expect to have “a statement” before day’s end, but otherwise, she wasn’t commenting. Regional media organizations are reporting raids in several other counties including Pierce and Thurston, but so far we haven’t found an indication of others in this area – we went by White Center’s other establishment and the three openly operating dispensaries in West Seattle, and there was no sign of current police activity. The lounge has been open for seven months.

ADDED 6:13 PM: Though there are no specifics about indictments, charges, arrests, or even business names, the local DEA has issued this statement to the media, attributing it to Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barnes:

It has never been our policy to target individuals with serious illnesses. However, there are those operating commercial storefronts cultivating, selling or distributing marijuana under the guise of state medical marijuana laws and exploiting such activities to satisfy their own personal greed. The DEA remains committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in all states.

The coordinated enforcement actions of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and our state and local law enforcement partners involve violations of both federal and state law.

The DEA will exercise its investigative authority to pursue criminal actions for any violation of federal law, when warranted. This includes investigating organizations or individuals that grow, manufacture or distribute any illegal drug to include marijuana, and those who rent or maintain a property to facilitate drug trafficking.

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Wednesday: Learn about building a rain garden!

November 14th, 2011 at 8:52 pm Posted in Environment | Comments Off on Wednesday: Learn about building a rain garden!

Sustainable Seattle’s “Sustainable Rain” project will be in White Center this Wednesday night with information about how to build a rain garden as part of a “sustainable landscape” – and they’d love to meet you. According to the official announcement, the workshop “will include coffee, food, information about rain garden scholarships, pictures and stories from our rain garden projects, training on how to build a rain garden and Sustainable West Seattle’s presentation on polluted runoff and Puget Sound.” Just RSVP by going here. It’s at Big Al Brewing at 6:30 pm. Find out more here.

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Next Saturday, bring a turkey (or more than 1!) to White Center Food Bank

November 13th, 2011 at 1:41 pm Posted in How to Help, White Center Food Bank, White Center news | Comments Off on Next Saturday, bring a turkey (or more than 1!) to White Center Food Bank

The White Center Food Bank has two holiday requests for you, received today as a news release:

On November 19 from 9 am until 7 pm, White Center Food Bank will be holding a Turkey Drive to collect donated frozen turkeys and chickens for their upcoming Thanksgiving holiday distribution. White Center Food bank expects to serve over 1,000 families for the holiday. This year’s turkey shortage combined with high wholesale prices (currently $1.25 a pound) make it difficult for the food bank to purchase turkeys at normally deep discounts. Starting (today), local sales and deals on turkeys will be posted on the White Center Food Bank’s Facebook page. Other meal items that are needed include: olives, cranberry sauce, pickles, cookie or cake mixes, cool whip or whipping cream, pumpkin, any type of canned milk, muffin mixes and pie crust mixes.

To donate, any turkey or chicken should be frozen. White Center Food Bank located at 10829 8th Avenue SW will be open November 19 until 7 pm to accept any donation. Other times to drop off are available; please call 206-762-2848. Volunteers are still needed to assist with holiday distribution as well including Monday through Wednesday, November 21-23 from 12:30-3:30 pm.

Here’s the WC Food Bank’s post this morning about turkey deals (if you have one to add, let ’em know!).

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Hey, White Center restaurateurs! ECOSS is looking for you

November 12th, 2011 at 10:41 pm Posted in Restaurants, White Center news | Comments Off on Hey, White Center restaurateurs! ECOSS is looking for you

Just out of the WCN inbox:

Want to engage your restaurant staff on going green? ECOSS can help! We’re looking for 25 family-owned restaurants in SeaTac, Tukwila and White Center to compete in a 30 day going green challenge. You’ll receive a getting-started package and a road map on four different areas of focus. Work with your staff to conserve resources and cut costs. If you are interested in participating in this free program, contact Stephanie@ecoss.org (or) 1.206.767.0432 with your name, restaurant name, phone number, and address before November 25th.

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Happening today: Caffe Delia ‘grand opening’ celebration

November 12th, 2011 at 8:51 am Posted in Businesses, White Center news | Comments Off on Happening today: Caffe Delia ‘grand opening’ celebration

After a couple weeks of being open, it’s time for Caffe Delia in the Proletariat Pizza space to celebrate the GRAND opening – and that’s happening today, 8 am-2 pm. From the official announcement:

9622A 16th Ave SW

Music starts at 11ish with performances by White Center/West Seattle stars:
Squirrel Butter, Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio, Del Rey

Caffè Delia uses beans roasted by Andrea Spella (www.spellacaffe.com) who will be at the grand opening. Pastries by Macrina. Chai made from scratch by Delia.

Go say hi if you haven’t been there already – or even if you have!

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Traffic alert: Crash at 3rd/Olson, blocking road to/from 509

November 11th, 2011 at 5:08 pm Posted in Traffic, White Center news | Comments Off on Traffic alert: Crash at 3rd/Olson, blocking road to/from 509

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WCN)
4:07 PM (crossposted from partner site West Seattle Blog): Big emergency response to 3rd SW/Olson Place just past the east end of Roxbury – there’s a crash that went out as an “automobile rescue” call. Our crew is there and we’ll have more shortly – for now, though, avoid the area, which is a busy route to and from Highway 509. Ongoing updates in the story on WSB.

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Veterans Day dinner at White Center Eagles

November 11th, 2011 at 11:11 am Posted in White Center Eagles, White Center news | Comments Off on Veterans Day dinner at White Center Eagles

Just got word that White Center Eagles are having a Veterans Day dinner, 5-8 pm tonight, and Joleen Post says, “All retired and active duty military are free.” (Everybody else is $7.) Meat loaf and au-gratin potatoes are on the menu. 10452 15th SW.

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Getting more bicycles on the road in White Center: Dubsea Bikes this Sunday

November 11th, 2011 at 8:12 am Posted in Transportation, White Center news | 1 Comment »

Don’t let the need for bicycle repairs keep you off the road. Here’s free help, coming up Sunday:

Is your bike out of commission? Bring it to DubSea Bikes at Full Tilt Ice Cream, 9629 16th Ave SW, downtown White Center, on Sunday, November 13th, from 2 – 4 pm.

This free event will focus on minor repairs to get more bikes on the street in White Center and beyond.

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Help fight hunger and homelessness at a fundraiser this Sunday in Shorewood

November 10th, 2011 at 8:46 am Posted in How to Help, White Center Food Bank, White Center news | Comments Off on Help fight hunger and homelessness at a fundraiser this Sunday in Shorewood

At a time of year when those in need are most at risk, a benefit to help fight hunger and homelessness is planned for this Sunday. Here’s the announcement we received:

Light Under the Bridge, a Homeless Christian Ministry (non-profit), is joining Union Gospel Mission and the White Center Food Bank’s fundraiser for the hungry and homeless. Featuring “A Night of Giving with Joe Arrants,” November 13th from 5:30-8 pm, at Westside Foursquare Church, 11452 26th Ave SW. We will be serving soups, salad, & bread. Hurry and buy your tickets and invite family, friends, neighbors, etc. Tickets can be bought from Jon 206-941-4301 or at the door.

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Election 2011: Winners include McDermott, Giba, Curry, and, in Burien, annexation opponent Edgar

November 9th, 2011 at 12:36 am Posted in Annexation, Burien, Election, Politics, White Center news | Comments Off on Election 2011: Winners include McDermott, Giba, Curry, and, in Burien, annexation opponent Edgar

In tonight’s election, though the results won’t be final for weeks, some things are clear after just the first round of ballot-counting. White Center’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott has won election to his first full four-year term, leading Diana Toledo, 67%-32%. … In the North Highline Fire District contest, Liz Giba leads Mark Ufkes, 52%-47% … In the only contest for Highline School Board, incumbent president Sili Savusa is losing to Tyrone Curry, who has gained some fame for his lottery win and subsequent donation, 55% for Curry to 44% for Savusa … Burien had three council races on the ballot, and one of the city’s most outspoken opponents of annexing White Center (and vicinity) has defeated an incumbent: Bob Edgar has 60% of the vote, to 40% for Gordon Shaw. In the other two races, incumbent Lucy Krakowiak one of two “no” votes on last month’s annexation resolution – leads former North Highline Unincorporated Area Council chair Greg Duff, 64%-36%, while pro-annexation incumbent Jerry Robison leads Debi Wagner, 54%-46%. Next ballot count is due around 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

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Fight the Tox-Ick Monster – en español – @ White Center Cultural Ctr.

November 6th, 2011 at 1:49 pm Posted in Environment, White Center news | Comments Off on Fight the Tox-Ick Monster – en español – @ White Center Cultural Ctr.

The biggest threat to the Puget Sound ecosystem isn’t oil spills or other one-time catastrophes … it’s ongoing toxic runoff from homes, streets, drains, and more. But that means we can do something about it – if you know what to do, and what not to do. As a project of Sustainable West Seattle, presentations have been made around West Seattle to explain how to fight the Tox-Ick Monster – and the next one will happen in the White Center area, in Spanish – Saturday, November 12th, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., White Center Community Cultural Center (aka St. James Annex), 9421 18th SW. $500 in prizes available to participants!

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North Highline Unincorporated Area Council: Post-‘Center of Attention’ updates; annexation status; new deputy…

November 4th, 2011 at 4:57 am Posted in North Highline UAC, White Center news | 1 Comment »

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Information and frustration both emerged from lengthy Operation Center of Attention updates at Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, particularly regarding the fact that one of the establishments considered a focal point of the law-enforcement operation, Papa’s Pub, apparently could still get its liquor license renewed despite everything that’s happened (including citations for alleged liquor-law violations).

The meeting included a number of high-ranking guests from the law-and-justice sector. Here’s how it played out:

OPERATION CENTER OF ATTENTION – KING COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY: “This is a place worth fighting for,” Dan Satterberg began, noting that his dad Dick Satterberg practiced law in the area for many years, which meant he spent a lot of time here in childhood. “It was a place that put food on our table, as a family.” He offered some background on his office/staff, including the fact that 230 of the 480 employees are lawyers, before launching into some words about “Operation Center of Attention,” and its origins a few months back as part of a national program targeting “hot spots.” … “For 90 days we had some outstanding undercover police officers and agents working the streets, and the epicenter was south of Roxbury on 16th … they came to town and started making friends … and very soon were led up the ladder to make” major drug deals. He says many of the 53 suspects are in custody and charged, and some are still being pursued. “Most are serious crimes … particularly being a felon in possession of a stolen firearm.” However, he said, a one-time operation isn’t going to fix things forever, so he’s glad there’s a new storefront deputy, for example. He said it’s the epitome of the old “Weed and Seed” – “we’re gonna weed some of the bad elements, at least 53 of them, out of the community, and plant Deputy (BJ) Myers here to do some of the work” that needs to be done.

Were the guns and drugs from here? asked NHUAC member Patrick Mosley. Crime respects no borders, Satterberg said – mentioning some other areas like Delridge and Seatac. Where did they live? asked president Barbara Dobkin. “All over,” said Satterberg, but “the emphasis was in that area around Papa’s Pub.” The owners of that and other targeted businesses were not arrested, he confirmed, but mentioned a letter is going to landlords to make sure they are “aware illegal activities are going on .. and they have to take steps to stop it before some kind of abatement action can occur.” Now it’s time for the community to “replace some of the blights that allowed this to happen,” he noted. Dobkin pointed out that this kind of illegal activity had been discussed and reported for a long time, “so going forward, what do we need to do?” Satterberg replied, “That’s a great question – and I don’t have an answer for you.” He said high police visibility will be important, future undercover operations, and overall for law enforcement, “We have that resolve to be there.”

Asked if the murder of Sweetheart Failautusi had any connection to the activities targeted by Operation Center of Attention, Satterberg said no. He was also asked if anyone who’s been arrested and charged is out on bail, but didn’t have any specifics on that. Sheriff’s deputies said they’ve seen some of the suspects back in the area. “If they’re out and they continue to be committing crimes, we’d love to be able to” make a new case against them, he said.

On a separate topic, Dobkin asked Satterberg about medical-marijuana businesses’ proliferation in White Center. He recounted the ongoing state of flux in state/local law, and the fact that marijuana continues to be against federal law. Dobkin explained that the local businesses weren’t just “dispensaries,” but include a lounge where “you can go in and listen to jazz and smoke pot,” as well as a “farmers’ market.” Satterberg noted it’s not legal to smoke marijuana in public even if you have a medical certificate. NHUAC member Christine Waldman wondered why the crackdown in Eastern Washington, involving the U.S. Attorney on that side of the mountains, couldn’t be replicated here. “It could,” Satterberg noted, but said it’s also a matter of “police priorities,” which marijuana has not been in King County. Bottom line, he had no answer for the concern, and Dobkin said with some frustration that they feel as if they’ve been “left to fend for (themselves).” But he invited the Sheriff’s Office to talk with his office about “what you see on your tours.” He promised to return and “continue this conversation.”

OPERATION CENTER OF ATTENTION – U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE: As he had been at the briefing after the busts, as he had been at a community meeting days later, and then again at the White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition days later, Thomas Bates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office was at tonight’s NHUAC meeting. He took on some of the questions that had been asked previously: “The task force that did this operation remains … (even though) the 90-day period has ended,” he said, urging people to continue to report what they see. That includes his office; he said “odds and ends are still coming up,” and in fact, just this week another suspect was arrested in connection with a “7-gun buy” and had made a court appearance. “Things continue,” he stressed, adding that landlords are indeed on notice about what’s going on in their buildings, and that other actions are being taken to make sure “the business core is flying right.” Where it stands now:

–“The cases have been split” – 27 of them are federal, such as “some of the bigger” drug and gun cases, with tougher penalties from the feds. “A lot of those people have already been indicted,” and trial dates are set, some as soon as next month, according to Bates.

–“I’m only aware of one federal defendant that is not currently in custody,” he said, saying the rest are in the federal jail in Seatac
–Information from last week’s Community Safety Coalition meeting is being passed along to detectives and the task force – reports “are not falling on deaf ears,” he promised
–What’s next: Fighting crime like this is a “three-legged stool” – enforcement, prevention, and “what we are all engaged in together, where do we go from here, what do we do to make sure the infrastructure of the community” can “collectively do to be sure we are moving forward, to make sure this is not ‘one and done’.” Bates says, “That’s the part I’m most focused on.”

–The #1 issue, he says, is how vital “law enforcement visibility” is. “No one wants to let things go back to how they were.”

–Another issue, legislative priorities, like working on a nuisance law similar to what Seattle has, enabling action to be taken if a property is continuously the site of nuisance activities.

–Another one – focusing on the business core. “We’re hearing about … other businesses engaged in activity that is not viewed as beneficial to the community,” he noted. In response to a later question, he declined to name them, saying ongoing investigations were in the hands of the Sheriff’s Office.

–And the “resources bucket” is important, he acknowledged – what else can they draw on? Additional drug counseling, for example, though some of that might not be available under terms of the latest state budget proposal, he said (while being clear that he was not offering any opinion about legislation, which is outside the purview of his role). But his office’s role is limited, he clarified – 70 lawyers, and “we’re not the boss of a lot of people” with whom they have to deal, or on whom their efforts might be contingent. “Continue to think of me as someone you can come to with ideas, and needs,” and he will do his best to “be very honest” in terms of whether there are connections to be made or help to be offered – or not.

OPERATION CENTER OF ATTENTION – LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD: The question kept coming up – so what can be done about the businesses involved, especially considering they had been the site of law-enforcement “service requests” over and over again (43 in 5 months in one case, said Bates). Captain Susan Blaker from the WALCB was on hand along with Lt. Woodrow Perkins, who has been a fixture at public-safety-related meetings in the White Center area (though, as he mentioned, the area he supervises is much bigger). He said they had been working several cases on 16th SW even before being asked to be part of Operation Center of Attention. He mentioned that Papa’s was cited for two more violations recently, one just last Friday, for providing liquor to intoxicated persons. “Right now we are in the process of reviewing reports,” but he’s not sure if other violations will be found. Burien, Tukwila, and East Marginal Way establishments were examined as well as White Center businesses, he said.

Regarding license revocation, Capt. Blaker stepped in. She says the “request for non-renewal” has been forwarded back to local investigators who are sending a report for possible action, and that there was something of a timing problem, since Papa’s had recently renewed its license. The issue of what kind of review and notification ensue when a license is up for renewal generated some additional discussion. Karen Freeman from King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office – which has a role in reviewing license renewal requests – said they don’t know “which licenses to flag … to start to renew” unless they hear from community members “that this place is a problem.” That brought a heated response from community member Gill Loring, who says that meeting participants have asked over and over for that kind of information, “we’ve been out there and been asking you and telling you … but we’re not getting information, so we can’t react to it. This thing about Papa’s was out of the blue … it was mentioned at the last Community Safety Coalition meeting that the license was up for renewal but we thought we had a month or so, and next thing we know, we hear it’s renewed.” The executive’s rep said that a “very long list” is circulated and they have to be able to appeal “at just the right moment,” which is difficult to determine, and observed that the laws are very specific and difficult to work with. She also said that her office even encountered some confusion in what their role in the liquor-license-renewal-review process is – “was it zoning, or …” She said they are “learning a lot” about how it all works.

NHUAC member Liz Giba expressed frustration at that point regarding responsiveness of the County Executive’s Office in general, saying she had left a message after the August murder – and only got a call back this week, from Freeman. “We need a better contact in the King County Executive’s Office,” Giba declared. “Fair enough,” said Freeman.

Captain Blaker offered the fact that her officers carry massive caseloads, each responsible for 452 licensed premises.

Waldman then asked – what about DK’s, also mentioned in “Operation Center of Attention”; is its license up for renewal any time soon? Reply: That’s being doublechecked.

(Here’s how the renewal process works – from a licensee’s standpoint, anyway.)

“If the owner/licensee has knowledge (of crimes) or participated in it,” the license could be in jeopardy, Lt. Perkins said.

But, asked Waldman, the LCB was involved in the 90-day Center of Attention operation, so certainly they knew about Papa’s being under investigation? That wasn’t enough for the liquor license not to be renewed, Capt. Blaker said, since no violations had been found. She said public-safety violations have to be adjudicated – and in this case, they weren’t. (That was a key point – even though arrests have been made and items have been seized, nothing has been proven yet, no one has been convicted, so that means what’s happened doesn’t exist for the purposes of deciding a license renewal.)

For the future, KCSO insisted, “I think we have something that’s going to work.”

How are complaints filed? Through law enforcement or a hotline to the LCB.

As for what happens once there’s a violation – “It’s administrative, it’s due process, hearings have to be held if the licensee requests them” – and in the case of Papa’s, there are five public-safety violations on record, with hearings requested in all of them. Even though a suspension date might be set when a violation calls for it, Perkins says, that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen on that date. If a business has requested a hearing, they can continue to operate while awaiting it, “just like being out on bail,” Perkins said. Even once there’s a hearing, the judge has a month to issue a ruling. And even if a liquor license is suspended, he noted, an establishment could still continue operating as a restaurant – just without selling alcohol.

WELCOMING STOREFRONT DEPUTY B.J. MYERS: “We’re quite proud of him,” said Capt. Joe Hodgson, recounting his background including two military deployments, service with KCSO since 2007, “well-respected, high-performing deputy who’s earned the respect of his supervisors and his peers … The thing that probably impressed us the most about him is his wide perspective on White Center … (He) recognized that while there’s a time and a place for heavy law enforcement, you have to get to root causes .. that’s the one strength we latched onto.” He promptly introduced Myers, who discussed what he had learned so far. “I hope I am bringing a perspective to this job that makes sense for White Center,” he began. “I’m encouraged by how many people are invested in this community as evidenced by this council and many other committees that I’ve bene invited to,” even people he says have “stopped their cars in the middle of the street” to say hi and welcome him. “That’s a big reason I’m excited to be here … I’m not alone in trying to combat some of the challenges in White Center. Working with other people is going to be the key to my success in this job. I hope that WC is a safe place to raise kids, that has a robust business environment …” He says he’ll focus on “using traditional law enforcement as well as working with other agencies, maybe doing creative problemsolving on specific issues around here …” He says he’s “excited … it’s a little bit of a different hat than the traditional law enforcement I’ve been doing in Burien.” He wants to know more about recurring issues. He was asked about “shoes thrown over wires,” and whether that meant anything. “I’ve never gotten a good answer about exactly what that means,” Myers said, but Capt. Hodgson said he is only familiar with “lore” that says that might mean a drug house and “couldn’t answer with any specificity” about what it might signify these days.

What’s the best way to get information to him, if someone sees or hears something? he was asked. “Right now I love as much information as I can get because it’s all new to me right now … if there’s something happening on your block that seems unusual … if you see evidence of drug crimes in a certain area … I love to have that information because it lets me know where to focus some of my attention to.” He promised he’ll follow up on those types of reports, to see what he sees at the locations he’s told about. In the business district, “whatever it is … you’re feeling,” shoplifting or whatever else, he wants to hear about it. Right now, bottom line, any and all information is good, “I appreciate all the information I can get.” His e-mail is benjamin.myers@kingcounty.gov. NHUAC had a cake for him, by the way.

ANNEXATION, AND OTHER BURIEN UPDATES: Myers’ assignment is good news, Burien City Manager Mike Martin told NHUAC, mentioning a role that Myers played in the review of whether Burien should go solo in police services provision. “That’s a real score for you guys,” he said, while acknowledging Burien was sorry to see him go. It’s budget time for Burien – “no layoffs anticipated, no reductions in services, probably going to hire a couple more guys for our (road maintenance and drainage) services,” he said, expecting “no major plans changed” in the budget, and saying that he’s not recommending Cost-Of-Living Adjustments for city staffers. He says Burien is hiring Nhan Nguyen, who had been working with the WC Community Development Association as “the person I will be throwing all kinds of things over the transom too, including the work I expect to be doing up here” regarding annexation outreach. “He knows the area well and will be the go-to person I bring with me” when Martin speaks to groups about annexation. “I’m really pleased to have brought him on staff.”

Martin also has hired an economic development manager, Dan Trimble, from Issaquah. “I expect those two to be working closely together on economic-development issues,” including some in White Center. And he’s hired Maya Andrews as the new Burien public-works director. He says a decision is close on a proposed auto mall where the Lora Lake Apartments were, and he’s “cautiously optimistic.” It would “consolidate all (Burien’s) auto dealers in one area, would take them off 1st Avenue … means we would be reclaiming 30 or 40 acres on 1st Avenue for other retail development.” He’s working with the Port of Seattle on that. Another project: How could the city improve pre-K through 3rd grade? Martin says he’s been working with the principals of elementaries in Burien as well as White Center Heights Elementary, and feels it’s vital to the city’s future prospects. “There’s a feeling that some of the issues we confront, crime and poverty, have their roots in this level of education.” He has a group meeting with the principals set for the middle of this month.

Regarding annexation, he urged people not to be too worried about Governor Gregoire proposing to eliminate the sales-tax credit, and said that he has conferred with other cities that have been involved. “This involves changing the law … there’s a whole legislative process that must be surmounted to do this,” he said, “It’s by no means a slam-dunk.” He says 120 cities signed a letter to the governor saying they were disappointed in that proposal and “others that were in her budget.” … “In Burien we handle things without a lot of drama and we’re going to handle this the same way,” he declared. Burien cannot go forward with annexation without the sales-tax credit, however, he reiterated. Asked about a timeline for a decision on the governor’s possible proposal, Martin foresaw it happening during the regular legislative session. the governor has fulfilled her duty in submitting a balanced budget, he said, and now, he is meeting with legislators. He foresees a “torturous and tortuous process.”

He says that in the meantime, though, the annexation process is proceeding – they have filed their “notice of intent” with the Boundary Review Board. He urged the NHUAC to “let cool heads prevail … we don’t want to say or do anything that would reduce our options in the future.” Asked about the Boundary Review timeline, he said “it’s conceivable we could have a public hearing before Christmas” but isn’t sure the board will move that quickly, saying January is more likely. He thinks summer or fall are the most likely annexation election dates. “I myself would like to see a huge turnout.” He believes “Seattle is going to sit this one out” so that potential complication does not exist.

(Later, county executive’s office rep Freeman said that they had registered their concern with the governor’s office, since the county has three major annexations in the pipeline right now, including this one for North Highline. She said that the annexation proposal is “her project” – and right now what she’s doing is preparing the proscribed “response to Burien’s filing”; she added that her intention is to “write a brief that supports Burien’s proposal” – provided it meets all the criteria it needs to meet. She also warned that these types of things frequently include some sort of issue, however small.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 11/15 is the next King County Housing meeting at Greenbridge, according to NHUAC’s Pat Price … the Community Safety Coalition will meet on November 17th (a week earlier than usual because of the holiday) at the Boys and Girls’ Club at Greenbridge …the White Center Library Guild’s holiday bazaar is expected on December 3rd … president Dobkin says the county Comprehensive Plan is out and available for review …

OTHER BUSINESS: Steve Cox Memorial Park tennis-court renovations could be done this month, Waldman announced, and the courts are expected to be open to the public shortly, even if there are a few final touches remaining to be done in spring. … Council member Ron Johnson brought up the issue of the “tiered” plan for how roads will be handled – reviewed at a previous NHUAC meeting – and noted he had met a county employee who’s losing their job. He asked Freeman, on behalf of the county executive’s office, about problems that will be inevitable; she said it’s “regrettable” that budgetary matters have come to this, but that they’re working with the County Council on the budget right now, and once that’s finalized, they hope to be able to talk with groups like NHUAC about how things will really work in the future. … President Dobkin noted that the permit has finally been procured for flower-bed planting on 16th. She put out an early pitch for volunteers – “I’m going to need people; I can’t do it by myself!” NHUAC member Pat Price suggested student volunteers might be in order. … Toward meeting’s end, there was a lengthy discussion about whether to offer a nominal stipend of $200 to a photographer who has been rolling video on NHUAC meetings and other community events, potentially to create some kind of video about the organization. There wasn’t a quorum left by the time they might have voted, so that’ll come up again in the future.

NHUAC usually meets the first Thursday of the month, 7 pm, at North Highline FIre District headquarters.

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Strength of Place Village is now Unity Village, with a November 16th grand opening

November 3rd, 2011 at 12:13 pm Posted in housing, White Center news | Comments Off on Strength of Place Village is now Unity Village, with a November 16th grand opening

From the latest newsletter from Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, a partner in the project formerly known as Strength of Place Village:

As of November 2nd, the property is 100% rented! Thirty families are moving into beautiful Strength of the Place Village which the tenants have now renamed Unity Village. Please join us and our partners, Capitol Hill Housing and White Center Community Development Association, in celebrating the grand opening, Wednesday, November 16 from 3 pm to 5 pm. You will be treated to tours the first hour followed by a reception and program including remarks from King County Executive Dow Constantine. These new gorgeous units of affordable housing include rare affordable three bedroom units for the multi-generational families in our community.

Funding for this 30 unit project was provided by Impact Capital, King County, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tax Credit Assistance Program, the State of Washington, National Equity Fund, Bank of America, the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound and the Bill & Melinda Gates Sound Families Initiative in conjunction with the King County Housing Authority.

Join us at Unity Village on the corner of SW 100th Street and 13th Avenue SW in White Center.

A similar announcement on the WCCDA website has additional details.

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White Center Halloween 2011: Trick-or-treat!

October 31st, 2011 at 10:52 pm Posted in Fun, Holidays, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center Halloween 2011: Trick-or-treat!

Last night, the pumpkins … tonight, the little punkins! Or, dinosaurs. This guy in green was moving along 16th SW with his adult chaperones during White Center merchants’ trick-or-treat event tonight – we caught up with him at Full Tilt Ice Cream, where proprietor Justin Cline, costumed as, well, an indie ice-cream mogul, had candy waiting:

Across the street, it was a trick-or-treating lull, but we caught two businesses with cool jack-o-lanterns – first, you’ll recognize the “power to the people” Proletariat Pizza fist:

And over at the T-shirt place, we couldn’t get the entirety of the carved “RAT CITY” in a single shot, but here’s the first half – and the obligatory rat:

Happy Halloween!

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More post-‘Center of Attention’ updates, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

October 31st, 2011 at 9:52 am Posted in Crime, White Center news | Comments Off on More post-‘Center of Attention’ updates, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

Just out of the WCN inbox, from Thomas Bates, executive assistant U.S. Attorney:

On Friday afternoon, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, and Sue Rahr sent a letter to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) objecting to the renewal of the liquor license at Papa’s Pub. The letter, which calls for the revocation of the liquor license, cites numerous incidents of dangerous and criminal activities in and around the establishment, including 43 calls for service to the King County Sherriff’s Office in the last five months and activities occurring within the bar that took place during the “Center of Attention” operation. There is an administrative process for renewals and revocations, so we will keep you informed as things develop.

Secondly, on a separate track, the WSLCB issued what is known as an Administrative Violation Notice (AVN) to Papa’s Pub for service of alcohol to a minor. This is the third AVN for service to a minor since April and could result in a 30 day suspension of the liquor license (regardless of what happens on the revocation track). Again, there is a process for this that is separate from the renewal/revocation process mentioned above. We will get you as much information as we can. This is the information I received from WSLCB:

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) on October 25 issued Papa’s Pub, located at 9635 16th S.W. in Seattle, an Administrative Violation Notice (AVN) for Violations Involving Minors (Sale or Service of Alcohol to a Minor / Minor Frequenting). The AVN comes with a 30-day liquor license suspension scheduled from 10 a.m. November 28, 2011 to 10 a.m. December 28, 2011.

The AVN was issued after the business sold alcohol to an investigative aide working with officers during a joint compliance check by the WSLCB and the King County Sheriff’s Office on September 30, 2011.

When a business receives a violation, it has 20 days to accept the recommended penalty, request settlement conference with the WSLCB, or request an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge.

Violations Involving Minors
Papa’s Pub’s also has two pending violations involving minors.

The business received an AVN for Sale or Service to a Minor on April 29, 2011. The business requested an administrative hearing. The case is pending.

The business received an AVN for Sale or Service to a Minor on July 15, 2011. The business requested an administrative hearing. The case is pending.

Recommended penalties for Violations Involving Minors in a two-year period (per WAC 314-29-020)
1st violation: Five-day liquor license suspension or $500 fine
2nd violation: Seven-day liquor license suspension
3rd violation: 30-day liquor license suspension

The 30-day notice was mentioned in briefings at last week’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition, which WCN covered – here’s our story. And as previewed earlier, the conversation continues at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting this Thursday night, with Bates among those scheduled to be on hand.

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