White Center Now: The blog about White Center

WIth an online survey that has just one more week to go, King County Parks is hoping to hear from you. They hope to gain “a better understanding of the open space and recreation needs of King County residents and their perspectives of what makes really great parks, trails, cultural areas, and recreational opportunities, now and in the future.” Take the survey here; it’s open till September 14th.

(Standing, from left: Royce, Ashton, Quinn; sitting, from left: Latricia, Fatima, Allina)
By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Luso Food and Wine, owned and operated by Fatima Hemmons and family, is now open in White Center, at 9988 15th SW.

Fatima is bringing Goan and Portuguese imports to the neighborhood; that includes ports, Portuguese and Australian wines, Madeira and beer, as well as sausage, spices and store-label condiments. Fatima is originally from Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the southwest coast of India that was annexed in 1961. Goa is a coastal city heavily influenced by centuries of Portuguese trade and culture as well as Indian culture.

Eldest son Royce tells WCN that the scope of imported products will be expanded as the store gets underway.

In a unique twist, when the retail space is closed, classes for yoga, QiGong, salsa, ballroom, and perhaps hip-hop dancing classes will be scheduled. Fatima is a certified health/fitness coach and believes that offering good food and fun fitness opportunities makes sense for living a good life. Friends of Fatima told WCN that the instructors for these classes have more than a decade of experience and are well qualified to instruct on the studio floor in the newly built retail space.

Royce will be leading the import side of their dual-business space while Fatima focuses on her health/fitness programs and coaching.

They’re not online yet, but the family says they’ll have a Facebook page and website up eventually.

In case you hadn’t heard about this one yet – latest announcement received – great way to help the White Center Food Bank:

White Center is putting the “fun” back in fundraiser with a second chance at prom the way it could have been, and this time it’s on roller skates. Who says prom is just for high school teenagers? We’re taking it back and adding a few grown-up enhancements. Formal attire is highly encouraged but that doesn’t mean you can’t get that baby blue ruffled tux you always wanted to have the nerve (and occasion) to wear. What else are you going to do with that hideously overpriced bridesmaid’s dress your sister/bff made you buy for her wedding? RJB Photo will be on-site to photograph you and all your friends as many times as you like and as silly as you want to be.

Tickets: $20 includes skate rental, 3 hours of skating/dancing, “formal” photo booth by RJB Photo and some adult beverages. 21+

Photos by RJB Photo
Proceeds to benefit White Center Food Bank

Wednesday 9/21/2011 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Southgate Roller Rink
9646 17th Avenue Southwest
Seattle, WA 98106

Tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/190246
Facebook: facebook.com/RatCityRollerProm

Take a close look – WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz took that photo on Friday, and this photo exactly one week earlier:

You can see a bit of progress, as the iconic Marv’s Broiler sign on 16th SW gets a facelift, Deanie reports. She talked with manager/bartender Tammy, who says Marv’s owners will be restoring the sign’s neon and lights, with the help of White Center Community Development Association grants. Tammy also told Deanie that the rest of Marv’s exterior will get new paint in the coming year.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Tonight’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council was packed with enough information for a year’s worth of meetings, from updates on some of White Center’s recent major news – like the plan to bring back the WC storefront deputy – to briefings on major transportation issues from the Alaskan Way Viaduct construction work to a new plan for handling road maintenance if a “tiered system” emerges from the next county budget plan. Here are the key points, noted as they happened, though not necessarily in this exact order:

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT: Capt. Joseph Hodgson delivered this month’s update. He apologized for not bringing crime statistics, saying the analyst has been temporarily reassigned. “I don’t know if there’s anybody in the room that’s not aware of the really big news, but thanks to some great work from the community … we’re getting our storefront deputy back; it’s going to be tremendous. I’m really enthusiastic about the possibilities.” He said it’s generating a lot of interest from deputies and they’re certain they’ll find someone “immensely qualified” for the position. He says they are still looking for two other suspects in the Sweetheart Failautusi murder.

Asked about the Club Reventon/ex-Club Evo situation, Capt. Hodgson says he’s been in touch with Liquor Control Board officials, and mentioned the “secondary club” application (East Marginal Way, as previously reported here). “It surprises me a little bit he would open two clubs under the same name so close together,” Capt. Hodgson observed. “I don’t know what that means to the effort that was occurring here … but it seems as though it is a separate application for a separate location.” Noting its industrial location, he observed it wouldn’t likely have the same kind of impact that the prospective club would have in White Center. He says KCSO has shared some information with the city of Seattle, in whose boundaries the other potential Club Reventon lies.

Major Jim Graddon, also in the room, shared more information about speaking with the city, saying “we’ve offered our assistance, the same information we prepared for DDES in King County. … We’ve already made the offer to share whatever information (Seattle) may want from us.” NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin asked for more elaboration on one line in the letter denying Reventon’s business-license application, mentioning a 64 percent reduction in crime. Capt. Hodgson said he looked at two areas, including one immediately around the club. “In looking at that data, whether you compare periods immediately before and after the club’s closure, or different years … there was approximately a 64 percent reduction in police activity when the club was closed.” That didn’t only involve crime, he clarified, but other requests for law-enforcement assistance. “I was really surprised .. but the numbers kind of speak for themselves.”

NHUAC councilmember Patrick Mosley asked about Deputy Jeff Hancock possibly returning to the storefront deputy position; Capt. Hodgson said he hadn’t talked with him, but he did know that Deputy Hancock had been pleased in working “closer to home”. Major Graddon said he gets to make the final call, as precinct commander, and “certainly understand(s) the desires of the community to have someone who knows what’s going on.” Mosley said he’s concerned about somebody “starting” (from scratch) regarding a rapport from the area; Maj. Graddon said lots of officers already do have that, from working in this area. Capt. Hodgson added, “I see a lot of value in a new perspective. … We’ll see how it plays out.” NHUAC councilmember Rebecca Lopes wondered about the deputy who lives in White Center and has been working in Greenbridge, whether he had applied, and Capt. Hodgson reiterated that they haven’t even opened the application process yet; Maj. Graddon added that they expect to keep that deputy in that position for a while, as part of the contractual responsibilities with the King County Housing Authority. Capt. Hodgson and Maj. Graddon both said they hope to get the new WC storefront deputy in place by October 1st and will open the application process within days. The major said the community-service officer (Peter Truong, currently) should be staying in his role in downtown WC as well. Dobkin asked about specific hours and duties for the deputy; Capt. Hodgson said that’s “still up for discussion” right now, depending on “what’s going to work best for the community.” The Boulevard Park-area deputy works four 10’s, Tuesday-Friday, he noted, and “we would look at that as a possibility,” as well as whether a five-day, 8-hour-a-day schedule would work. (Later in the meeting, NHUAC members talked about the deputy restoration, and their appreciation for the business community and other residents for signing the petition that the council had been circulating since July to get the deputy back. Those petitions will still be submitted, for the records – “they were hard-earned signatures,” NHUAC president Dobkin noted.)

Capt. Hodgson mentioned the call at 16th/Roxbury last night first went out as a shooting, “but it was not .. it was essentially a bar fight.” They located “possible suspects” but the individual “did not want to participate in charges,” and everybody was “cut loose” .. the prosecutor could pursue charges, he said, adding, in response to a question from community member Gill Loring, that it did not appear to be gang-related. A community member then asked if there’s an overall increase in gang activity; Capt. Hodgson said, “It does seem as though there may be,” but has no numbers to quantify that. “It’s certainly rising to a higher level of public awareness.”

NORTH HIGHLINE FIRE DISTRICT CLOSE TO A CONTRACT WITH BURIEN/NORMANDY PARK (FIRE DISTRICT 2): Chief Steve Marstrom briefed NHUAC on the state of the district, after apologizing for not having been as visible as previous chiefs. “My charge has been to stabilize the organization and help set a course for the future of the organization, and that’s where my focus has been.” He said he felt he had inherited last year “a ship full of holes,” and people trying desperately to plug those holes while there was “nobody holding onto the rudder and steering the ship.” He said the problems had included the previous chief’s departure, the annexation by Burien, a failed attempt to get an administrative contract with another district – “the organization needed desperately for somebody to grab hold of the helm and right the ship.” He felt that has now happened, to some degree. And that’s led to a big decision ahead on one big issue: The Burien-Normandy Park contract is up for renewal at the end of this year, but they had told NHFD last year they didn’t intend to renew it as it stood, so an evaluation of options regarding what’s next for the fire district has been under way. One: “Become a completely independent fire district,” he said, operating out of one fire station, “becoming increasingly dependent on volunteers” and with service levels resembling those of 25 years ago. That was a “not very positive option,” he said. Another option: Contract with the City of Seattle. Or, change the terms for the contract with District 2. Or – get annexed. NHFD can’t control the latter, of course, he said, so they had to look at “what we could have some control over – and that was, contracting was the next best option, we felt.”

They talked with Seattle, considered briefly “until they told us how much they wanted us to pay them, and it was so far out of reach,” it was infeasible. Regarding renegotiating with District 2, he said that’s pretty much the only option, and they are “coming close to … negotiating an improved agreement from the current contract. This new approach combines the administration of both districts into one.” The District 2 fire chief would become the NH fire chief. It would be a four-station department, with a chief responsible to the citizens of both districts, and NH sharing in the cost of administration and support. Two NH battalion chiefs “would transfer employment to district 2,” as would one member of the clerical staff. He says that agreement “is expected to save the NHFD more than $200,000 a year over what we expect to spend in 2011. That’s pretty significant in my view.” Overall, he believes, “everybody comes out a winner.” He says “the timing is good” because the county assessor had recently said the assessed value in the district is dropping almost 10 percent, which would mean a drop in revenue for the district as it stands now – about $250,000 worth, in fact. He says the negotiations with District 2 have been under way for several months, and both districts’ boards will take their first look at the draft contract next Tuesday. It then would be an action item on the September 20th agenda, and the contract could take effect October 1st. No formal public hearing is scheduled but “interested citizens are welcome to attend either or both meeting.” The meetings will both be at North Highline FD HQ, 10 am for next Tuesday’s meeting, 6 pm for the Sept. 20th meeting.

NHUAC councilmember Ron Johnson asked Chief Marstrom, “So (if this all takes effect) you would get to retire again?” He said, after a brief transition period, yes – possibly as short as a week. North Highline FD would still have its own Board of Commissioners, and would be an autonomous district, Marstrom stressed.

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT UPDATE: Matt Preedy, a West Seattle resident who is running the Alaskan Way Viaduct South End Replacement Project, briefed NHUAC and the standing-room-only audience on where things stand. In particular, Preedy wanted to make sure everybody knows about the upcoming 9-day Viaduct closure (October 21-31) as well as the Central Waterfront tunnel project. He went over the details of the south-end viaduct replacement, and also pointed out where the tunnel work will start at the south end. (You can check this all out through a series of graphics on the Alaskan Way Viaduct website.) If you haven’t already heard all about the 9-day closure – after which, the Viaduct’s speed limit will be decreased, 40 mph overall except for a 25 mph “advisory speed” through a detour replacing the section near the stadiums – we rolled video on the briefing and will add it once it’s uploaded. He also mentioned the answer to a frequently asked question – since the tunnel doesn’t have a mid-downtown exit, how will people from West Seattle get downtown? – it’s the King Street-vicinity exit, before the tunnel. Construction for the tunnel has officially started as of about nine days ago – no dirt turned yet, “about a month out,” said Preedy, but “we’re not that far away from a groundbreaking ceremony.”

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT UPDATE: Paul Elliott from SDOT followed Preedy by discussing this project, involving the section of the West Seattle Bridge known as the Spokane Street Viaduct – between Highway 99 and I-5. He mentioned that the new lanes will be 11 feet wide, with a 7-foot shoulder, compared to the current 10-foot-wide, no shoulder lanes. Elliott also mentioned the relatively new 4th Avenue South ramp that has plenty of capacity for folks to use. (We can vouch for that, having used it almost daily for the past month, heading to the County Courthouse for a trial on behalf of our partner site West Seattle Blog.) Elliott reiterated that the 1st Avenue South on- and off-ramp on the westbound half of the Spokane Street Viaduct should be done by the end of the year, and the entire project by sometime next spring. But even once construction is done, he said, the old structure needs some work. The timing/sequencing of those hasn’t yet been worked out, he said, but for the duration of any closures, at least one eastbound offramp (either 1st or 4th) will remain open. In response to a question later, Preedy said that the new tunnel will not have any cargo restrictions beyond the ones that already exist for the Battery Street Tunnel. NHUAC councilmember Rebecca Lopes asked if there’s a tolling amount yet for the tunnel; Preedy mentioned that a Tolling Advisory Committee is being assembled, and will start work later this year to “study the correct method/rates for tolling” – enough to raise the funding that the project is relying on, but not so much as to discourage tunnel usage. Whether it will be a temporary or permanent toll, Preedy said, has not yet been determined.

AIRPORT WAY BRIDGE CLOSURE: Elliott was asked about this (officially the Argo Bridge Closure); it looks like it’ll start within a few months, and the bridge will be closed for at least a year. Simultaneous with the Viaduct closure timing? it was asked. Preedy said that regional transportation authorities are looking that to see if that should be delayed, if it doesn’t look like there is enough “capacity” to replace what’s being lost on 99 during the 9-day closure, though he stressed that there are reasons it’s not a good idea to delay the Airport Way work further.

KING COUNTY DOT: The next transportation person to go on the agenda was DeAnna Martin, a planner from Metro. She invited questions about Metro. NHUAC president Dobkin asked about bus service and the 99 closure. She stressed the importance of bus riders signing up for e-mail alerts. She noted that while some buses are getting additional service (as we reported on West Seattle Blog earlier this week), the West Seattle Water Taxi will remain at its current service levels (King County Councilmember Joe McDermott’s staff, though, tells us they will be working on accessibility issues – perhaps surrounding parking for the water taxi, which is challenging at its Seacrest Pier terminal in West Seattle). She also spoke about the “right-sizing” of bus service – possibly replacing fullsize buses in some areas with DART service, for example. She didn’t think that was going to have much effect on this area of the county, though. She noted that Metro will be out in the White Center area (we know this is also the case for West Seattle) starting in October to talk about future potential route changes as the West Seattle RapidRide Line kicks in one year from now. There was also discussion of the Congestion Relief Charge – $20 added to car tabs – approved by the County Council recently. CM McDermott rose from the audience to speak to an attendee’s question, saying they’ve always been clear that while the service hours won’t be cut, it doesn’t mean status quo for service – there may be changes, but not cuts in hours. A side discussion erupted over whether the county might consider reviewing whether to change the zone line – right now, it’s the Seattle city limits, and everyone south of them pays for two zones to travel to and from downtown.

KING COUNTY ROADS: Strategic Planner Jay Osborne brought a presentation with which he says they’re making the rounds. He says unincorporated King County has a million daily trips on its roads – with only half of that by residents who are paying taxes for them. Osborne noted that they are affected by the mentioned-earlier drops in property assessments – his own home, he noted, is worth $60,000 less than its assessed value a year earlier, on the notice that he just received. Overall, he says, they’re now working with a “Strategic Plan for Road Services” (you can see it here), which sets out the division’s priorities. He says the cameras/signal regulation going in on 16th, by the way, are funded by a grant. He says White Center and Skyway are getting sidewalk projects because there is funding based on “social equity” – asked by NHUAC councilmember Liz Giba exactly where they are, Osborne admitted he didn’t have that information handy. The county has 1,552 miles of roads, and has had to project potential bottoming-out of revenues, which means they would have “tiered service levels.”

Theresa Canfield stepped in at that point to explain which North Highline road (out of about 54 miles of them) fits on which tier. Osborne then said that some roads may even have to revert, if they are determined to be Tier 5, to gravel. But principal roadways like 16th SW and the south side of SW Roxbury are Tier 1 and will always be kept in “good condition,” he said. Tier 2 roadways will get attention too (SW 107th is in this category). Tier 3 roadways might have to be allowed to deteriorate, he said. Other examples sown: 26th SW is Tier 3; 24th SW is Tier 4; 28th SW is Tier 5. There will be less ability for snow/ice removal in the future, he noted, as revenues decline. Interesting stat: From 1996 to 2006, there was 1 event that qualified for federal assistance regarding King County roads, said Osborne; since 2006, he said, there have been 12. (Wind, snow, ice, etc.) Osborne said they’re out talking about this now because it’ll be part of the budget process that is coming up this fall – and the tiered system theoretically would kick in next January. Regarding the current work on 16th, Osborne was asked about the sidewalk cleanup following the current work, and he said that since the paving has just been finished, the cleanup should follow. For the next 20 years, he said, there are about $1.3 billion dollars worth of needs – and funding projections falling about $1 billion short of that.

NHUAC’S FUTURE: President Dobkin wants to hear from the community how they would like to see the council continue – given that the county’s way of dealing with UAC’s, and funding, will change as of the end of the year. “We have a lot of things to think about,” she said, adding that, “since we’re a community council, we want to hear from the community.” Dobkin says she believes the council should continue, even without formal county support/financing. She asked other members to talk to the people they encounter, to find out what they think. (If you would like to chime in via e-mail, contact information is on the NHUAC website.)

GRAFFITI PROGRAM REMINDER: NHUAC councilmember Christine Waldman reminded all present about the NHUAC Graffiti Management Program, with resources for fighting it – there’s more information on the NHUAC website (scroll to the lower left), if you know of graffiti that needs to be taken care of.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: FALL RECYCLING EVENT on September 10th at Evergreen High School (info link is on the NHUAC website) … North Highline Fire District Commissioners meet at 10 am Tuesday, September 6th (and as noted above, they’ll have a big issue on their agenda).

PUBLIC COMMENT: None tonight.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 pm, North Highline FD headquarters.

Just two days after King County Councilmembers approved an emergency moratorium on dance-club-type businesses in this area, White Center’s KCCM Joe McDermott sends word that the business license application for Club Reventon at the ex-Evo location has been denied by DDES. We had first reported last week about the business-license application. We’re likely to hear more about this – or at least some discussion – at tonight’s meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council; it’s at 7 pm at North Highline Fire District HQ.

P.S. WCN has tried repeatedly to reach the prospective Reventon partners for comment on recent developments, and so far, our messages have gone without reply.

Here’s a unique way to experience today’s first day of school in Highline Public Schools – and 49 more days after that: Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati is planning to visit “50 sites in 50 days,” and he’s writing about it here. He started with writing about his Tuesday Madrona Elementary in SeaTac, and it looks like he plans to write about visiting a few more schools on this actual first day of classes. (In case you’re wondering, on the other side of the line, Seattle Public Schools don’t start till next Wednesday.)

11:08 AM: Sarah took this photo before King County Sheriff’s Deputies had even arrived, so we have no other details, but we’re en route to check. 28th/106th, taken just before 11 am Thursday. More to come.

UPDATE: Nobody hurt; the crash was only blocking part of the intersection, and since a tow truck had already arrived by the time we got there around 11:20, it was expected to be cleared quickly.

9:11 AM: We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Anthony Haroldlee Smith, charged with second-degree murder in the August 16th shooting of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi, has just appeared for arraignment. Two members of Sweetheart’s family were in the courthouse, but an advocate asked media reps – regional TV and radio were here too – not to photograph them. Smith has just pleaded not guilty, in a very brief hearing. The defense asked Judge Ronald Kessler to order the media not to photograph his face; the judge denied the motion, after a TV reporter (speaking for us all) pointed out that a surveillance video showing Smith (and two other, as yet not arrested, suspects) has already been widely shown.

ADDED 9:31 AM: Video of the entire hearing, picking up after the lawyers (without Smith present) made the photography-related motion, ending just before several names of witnesses were mentioned, in an order for Smith not to contact them.

(Vera, daughter Johanna, White Center Food Bank’s Rick Jump)
Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Supportive friends, businesses and well-wishers from White Center and beyond arrived through the evening at last night’s party/rally/benefit at Big Al Brewing – to listen to music, put in bids on generously donated auction items and congratulate Vera Johnson, a local hero to many and an inspiration to struggling homeowners well beyond White Center.

Her monthly payments have been reduced on her new Fannie Mae loan and in this economy, she says, it still will be a stretch and it will still climb every year for five years to cap at 6%, she believes, but she has yet to see the actual paperwork and is hoping that she will on Thursday. Even so, the burden has been lightened so that Vera can pursue strategies for increased revenue that she hopes will include regular events at the nursery, such as weddings and music performances.

(added Thursday afternoon) Co-organizer Aileen Sison (above) says the event raised more than $1,000, in addition to Big Al’s donating a portion of the proceeds.

(Dave & Christine Spencer (of Triangle Tavern with dog Peanut, Ronda Stapleton of Full Tilt and son Zeke share in the celebration)
Vera mentioned that the first time she went to the Bank of America Customer Assistance Center in downtown Seattle, she was the only person there. The next time she went there were only a handful of people getting assistance from the five or six people she believes work there strictly on loan modifications. “I am not convinced that people know that that Center is available to the extent that they should, “ wondering aloud why that information hasn’t been made more available to Bank of America customers.

(WCN/WSB video added 7:20 pm)
(Cross-posted from partner site West Seattle Blog at 3:27 pm): Looks like tonight’s support rally will turn into a victory celebration. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):

I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.

As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.

We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.

Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations

Again, as previewed on WSB this morning, the 5-9 pm event is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center.

ADDED 7:20 PM: We talked briefly with Vera toward the start of tonight’s event – she stresses that she hasn’t seen the documents yet; the video is now atop this story.

Just talked with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, following county leaders’ announcement today of a new plan to fight gang violence. As part of the plan, Councilmember McDermott says, they have found funding to restore the White Center storefront sheriff’s deputy – at least through the end of 2012.

The proposal requires official council approval, but he doesn’t expect that to be a problem. If this moves ahead as quickly as planned, he expects the storefront deputy to be back in place within about a month. He tells WCN that the White Center community deserves huge credit for making this possible (a “restore the deputy” petition started by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council has been in circulation since July).

Here’s the official news release – in addition to the storefront deputy as #3 on the list, note #5, which involves nursing services for White Center:

The growth of gang violence in South King County will be targeted by a coordinated King County response of suppression, intervention, and prevention funded with $1.4 million from the Criminal Justice Reserve, under a proposal by King County Executive Dow Constantine developed in collaboration with Metropolitan King County Councilmembers and criminal justice leaders.

“The problem is emerging quickly and our actions must be swift. We cannot and we will not tolerate the criminal activities of gangs in our communities,” said Executive Constantine. “In the long run we know we cannot arrest our way out of this problem, so this proposal balances gang suppression with investments in tried and true solutions that give youth an opportunity for a healthy start, an education, and employment – known factors that reduce crime and gang involvement.”

The Council established the Criminal Justice Reserve fund as part of the 2011 budget in order to respond to emergent needs related to public safety and ensure the smooth functioning of the criminal justice system.

“Indicators that are most common in South King County– like poverty, unemployment, dropping out of school and teen pregnancy – all help to create a common denominator of hopelessness that often leads to a life of crime and violence. If we intend to effectively address these issues, we must take a closer look at how investments are made,” said Council Budget Chair Julia Patterson, whose district includes South King County. “Addressing gang violence requires law enforcement and it requires prosecution, but intervention and prevention are key pieces of the puzzle, and the Executive’s proposal calls for all of these things simultaneously.”

“We specifically set aside these funds in the 2011 budget to allow us to tackle critical criminal justice needs as they occur,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, Vice-Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “Increasing our efforts to fight gang activities in light of recent increased violence is exactly the type of situation for which this reserve was intended. By prioritizing these critical programs, we can continue to make King County family-friendly and gang-unfriendly.”

“To protect our kids and communities, we need to invest in additional resources to combat the gang violence problem,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, Chair of the Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee. “Law enforcement needs the tools necessary to combat the ongoing gang war in our region, which include prevention and intervention services that help provide better futures for our youth and prevent them from becoming involved in gangs.”

In a letter sent today to the Council, the Executive proposed $1.4 million from the Criminal Justice Reserve for seven programs that address gang issues and can be implemented quickly, starting in October and lasting through the end of 2012:

1. Expand the Prosecutor’s anti-gang unit ($456,000) by supporting a team of three deputy prosecutors and a paralegal who would focus solely on gang-related cases. The Prosecutor’s Office recently lost federal funds that were focused on prosecuting gang members.

2. Provide equipment for the Sheriff’s gang unit ($30,000), including ballistic vests, binoculars, video equipment, training and software for video enhancement, and supplies used in serving search warrants and arrest warrants.

3. Restore the “storefront” deputy in White Center ($179,000), a position in the Sheriff’s Office that was cut in 2011 following the lack of voter approval for revenues to maintain criminal justice services. Restoring the position will return proactive law enforcement to the White Center neighborhood.

4. Continue funding for the Sheriff’s Latino education outreach program ($15,000), which reaches young Latino mothers and other family members on gang prevention and keeping young children safe from gang recruitment and activity. Funding will support Spanish-language radio and TV spots, translated materials, and community and event coordination in east, south, and west King County.

5. Add two nurses to the Nurse Family Partnership Program focused on the White Center/Burien and Tukwila/SeaTac areas ($312,500). Many women in South King County are eligible for services but don’t receive them. Nurses in this very successful Public Health program connect high-risk mothers with services to improve health outcomes, resulting in demonstrably lower rates of involvement of these young women in the criminal justice system.

6. Restore two case managers for the Back to School and Employment Training Program ($309,000), which provides education and employment training for youthful offenders in South King County. Grant funding for five case managers expired earlier this year.

7. Continue funding for the Avanza project ($137,500), an education and employment training program for Latino youth at risk of dropping out of school or falling into the juvenile justice system. This program has been successful in engaging truant youth back into school and providing employment opportunities, and without the proposed funding it will shut down this fall when grant funds expire. Both this program and the Back to School and Employment Training program are managed through a partnership between King County Superior Court and the King County Work Training Program.

“I thank the Executive and members of the County Council for acting so quickly to our call for assistance. This comprehensive proposal to fund dedicated gang prosecutors is a rapid response to an escalating threat to public safety,” said Dan Satterberg, King County Prosecuting Attorney. “It will allow my office to build strong cases against the leaders of violent gangs and at the same time, fund programs for at-risk youth, so that we can offer them an alternative to the gang life.”

“The actions being taken by the Executive and the Council are a thoughtful approach to an ongoing problem, and we sincerely appreciate their working closely with the King County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Sue Rahr. “This will help our Deputies and Detectives do their jobs even better.”

“This is a well-rounded approach. Early childhood interventions, employment training and criminal justice resources will not only work to prevent violence but will also help many individuals become contributing community members,” said Councilmember Joe McDermott, who represents White Center.

“I was shocked and appalled by the shooting of 13 people in Kent recently. The incident started a gang war in South King County that is a very serious problem,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “These resources are desperately needed to respond quickly and forcefully. This kind of violence will not be tolerated in our communities. I applaud the leadership of Prosecutor Satterberg for raising the issue and to my colleagues for acting decisively.”

“South King County has become a battleground for some gangs from other areas of the Puget Sound region,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “We must present a unified front – urban, suburban and rural – to fight this growing problem.”

“Responding to the rising threat of gang violence is critical to protecting the safety of King County residents,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “This is the best use of the criminal justice reserve that the Council set aside for this type of emergency.”

“Gang violence affects our entire community, not just South King County,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “Programs like these give us the tools necessary to combat gang violence and provide positive opportunities for at-risk young people.”

Gang-related violence has increased over the past three years, according to the Prosecutor and Sheriff:

In 2008 and 2009 combined, King County had 29 gang-related homicides and 200 reported gang-related shootings.
As many as 10,000 gang members are estimated to live in the county, as part of an estimated 140 active criminal street gangs.
Crime related to gang activity has increased 165 percent since 2005, with some of the growth occurring in South King County.

The Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will discuss the anti-gang funding proposal at its meeting tomorrow (Wednesday), with Council action possible in early September.

2:26 PM: We’re at the King County Courthouse, where we’ve just talked with County Councilmember Joe McDermott, minutes after his fellow councilmembers unanimously approved his proposed emergency moratorium on dance/entertainment clubs – which will immediately affect the application for a business license at the former Club Evo/proposed Club Reventón. (The moratorium ordinance was first reported here on WCN last week; we also reported the business-license applications, along with a liquor-license application for a club of the same name on East Marginal Way South. )

The vote means that a one-year moratorium takes effect immediately, no changes unless something major happens when they hold a required “progress report” type public hearing within 60 days. No councilmembers expressed concerns before today’s vote, which happened relatively quickly after Councilmember McDermott explained the situation looming in WC. We’ll be seeking comment from the would-be Club Reventón operators and will add anything we find out.

Having trouble believing September’s almost here? Here’s another reminder – the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s agenda for its September meeting, coming up this Thursday (which is the first day of September). Highlights, first, from NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin:

*Interested in learning how you will get around with all the planned construction now that the tunnel project is moving forward, and more importantly, how all of us on this end of town are going to get to downtown and beyond in October with the planned 9 day closure of the viaduct. Well, now is your chance to find out, as representatives from both the Washington DOT and Seattle DOT will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

*Also on hand are representatives from King County to provide an update us on the “tiered level of service that is planned for implementation this fall” pending King County Council approval. The presentation will focus on the proposed delivery plan to the unincorporated road network and its impact on citizens. Roads rights of way and drainage issues will be addressed with a period set aside for questions.

*Chief Marstrom will provide an update on proposed changes for the North Highline Fire Department, and as always, Major Graddon and Captain Hodgson from the King County Sheriff’s Dept will be on hand to discuss crime trends and stats in North Highline.

All are welcome!

Now, here’s the official agenda, with names and times:

7:00 pm Call to Order – Flag Salute – Roll Call –
Approval of Agenda – Approval of Minutes

7:05 pm Public Announcements
7:10 pm Public Comment
3minutes for Individuals
5 minutes for Groups

7:15 pm Mike Martin, Burien City Manager
7:20 pm KCSO – Major Graddon/Captain Hodgson
7:25 pm NHFD – Chief Marstrom

7:30 pm Matt Preedy, Director of South End Construction
7:50 pm DeAnna Martin, Community Relations Planner, KCDOT
8:00 pm Jay Osborne and Theresa Canfield
King County Capital Improvement Program

8:20 pm Corresponding Secretary Report
8:25 pm Committee Reports
1. Governance
2. Arts and Parks
3. Public Safety
4. Housing and Human Services
5. Public Outreach
6. Transportation

8:30 pm Unfinished Business
• Storefront Deputy Petition
• NHUAC Contract
• NHUAC future
• White Center Food Bank Dinner
• Flower Bed Planting (100 ST & 16th Ave, SW)
8:40 pm New Business
• October and November Agenda Items
• Business Cards/Flyers

As always, NHUAC meets at the North Highline Fire District HQ, 1243 SW 112th, 7 pm.

(From left: Dow Constantine, King County Executive; Miya McClain, TAF Alum; Biruk Araya, TechStart Student; Trish Millines Dziko, TAF Executive Director; Ken Birdwell, Valve Philanthropist; Joe McDermott, 8th District King County Councilmember; Alan Spicciati, Highline Interim Superintendent)
Story, photos, and video by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

The Technology Access Foundation‘s long-awaited White Center facility has just celebrated its ceremonial groundbreaking.

Dignitaries gathered for the event celebrating the now officially named “Bethaday Community Learning Space” in White Center’s Lakewood Park A large gathering of neighbors and dignitaries gathered on a rise of gently sloping green space, a building site chosen with the environmental goal of minimal disturbance to and inclusion within the existing natural surroundings.

Nearby groves of trees will be preserved for cooling the building, as well as a number of other innovations in design and materials for the energy and water efficient building.

TAF executive director Trish Millines Dziko explained to the gathering that the new official name of the facility is a consolidation of two inspired individuals in education and science, Mary McLeod Bethune and Michael Faraday. Dziko also noted that 92% of the fundraising has been completed and encouraged the participants to support the final efforts to secure the remaining funds as the construction begins.

The 24,000 sq. ft. Bethaday Community Learning Space will create opportunities for White Center community members to participate in computing, financial-planning, job training and other classes, according to TAF; groups will also be able to rent spaces in the building at a low cost so programs can be operated which benefit the community, including out-of-school options.

Ken Birdwell, founder of Valve, and a philanthropist supportive of TAF, told WCN that he is looking forward to coming back to Bethaday in ten years to hire the future engineers he will need in his own computer game industry who will have been inspired to pursue science and technology careers within the Bethaday Learning Community.

Friday’s festivities also included performances – here’s the WC-based Tanoa Polynesian Dance Group:

For more about the project, check out this webpage.

By Tracy Record
Editor/co-publisher, White Center Now and West Seattle Blog

After two months of gathering petition signatures urging the King County Sheriff’s Office to restore a White Center-dedicated deputy, leaders of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council plan to present them to Sheriff Sue Rahr next week.

That’s what NHUAC members Pat Price and Christine Waldman told those in attendance Thursday night at the White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting, back at its longtime location at St. James (9421 18th SW) – one of several major topics at the meeting.

When we talked recently with this area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott about the push to restore the deputy position, he pointed out that the ultimate decisionmaker is the sheriff herself – while McDermott and his council colleagues, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, craft and finalize the budget, the direct staffing and spending decisions for KCSO are made by Sheriff Rahr.

So Waldman and NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin plan to meet with her next Thursday to present the petitions, as well as lobbying the council and executive “to make sure to give her the money so she can fill that position” to get a dedicated sheriff’s deputy back to “community policing” on local streets.

If you haven’t signed the petition yet, there are copies in several White Center businesses, Waldman says, and you can sign the version posted online – just go here. As Waldman put it, the deputy in this position – like Deputies Jeff Hancock and the late Steve Cox, before – would “know what’s what, who’s the good guys, who’s the bad guys” and be “extra eyes” on the street. “We really need that in White Center.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Two events to share:

(Photo added 1:36 pm – thanks, Trina!)

*Right now (10:45 am Friday), according to the “RIP Sweetheart” Facebook page, a fundraising car wash is under way to accept donations for shooting victim Sweetheart Failautusi‘s funeral expenses. It’s in the Albertsons parking lot on 16th SW. They’re accepting donations of money and food (which can also be given at the ongoing memorial at 15th/Roxbury, noon-8 pm daily).

*Tonight (7 pm Friday), it’s another Open Mike night at Greenbridge Plaza (next to Dubsea Coffee, which says it’ll be open till 9 pm for the occasion!) – you’re invited to come join the show, or just watch it.

White Center’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott says he’s just introduced a proposal that could in effect put the proposed Club Reventón – in the ex-Club Evo site – on hold for at least a year. (As first reported here earlier this week, business-license applications for the club are now pending.)

He says it seeks a moratorium on dance-club-type establishments in the WC area because they “have been a detriment to the business climate and business community, causing concerns about public safety in an economically challenged neighborhood that’s trying to develop.”

McDermott tells WCN he’s “well aware of the concerns that people in White Center and North Highline have voiced about (the former Club Evo),” and that he doesn’t “believe that a similar establishment would be constructive to the neighborhood.” Councilmember McDermott says the Monday meeting – 1:30 pm in County Council chambers at the courthouse downtown – won’t have public comment, but a public hearing will be required within 60 days to determine if a full one-year moratorium can be put in place.

The proposal is already in the online system, and reads:

AN ORDINANCE declaring a one-year moratorium on the issuance of public amusement/entertainment licenses required under K.C.C. 6.08.020 for any new music and dance entertainment venues and precluding the establishment of any such venues within the commercial zoned land of North Highline subject to the economic redevelopment special district overlay authorized by K.C.C. 21A.38.090; directing the executive to review the impacts of establishments that operate under such licenses upon the commercial viability of the commercial zoned land within the economic redevelopment special district overlay; and further directing the executive to submit recommendations to preserve or strengthen the commercial viability of these commercial zoned lands for council review and approval; adding a new section to K.C.C. chapter 21A.06; and declaring an emergency.

We expect Club Evo/Reventón to be a topic of discussion at tonight’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting and will have an update later.

A lot to talk about as the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meets tonight (6 pm, the former St. James Church at 9421 18th SW). It’s been nine days since the murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi at 15th/Roxbury, with one of three suspects in custody and charged so far. In addition, permit applications have been filed for the reopening of the ex-Club Evo as Club Reventón. Previously announced for the agenda, a guest appearance by the new interim principal of Chief Sealth International High School in West Seattle, Chris Kinsey (our partner site West Seattle Blog was first to interview him after the appointment was announced earlier this month). All are welcome to coalition meetings.

If you haven’t noticed already, road work is under way on 16th SW in White Center, and Mark Ufkes from the WC Chamber of Commerce is getting out the word about the latest schedule. He says the west/southbound half of the road, starting from Roxbury and working south, is scheduled for paving starting Friday, and that the contractor will start work at 6:30 am (instead of the originally scheduled 8 am) “in an effort to minimize the disruption to businesses and on-street parking along 16th Avenue SW.” The other half of the road is scheduled to be paved on Monday (August 29th), according to Ufkes, “again starting at Roxbury at 6:30 am and working their way south.” It’s all supposed to be finished before Thursday, weather permitting.

We had checked with King County DOT about the work, and spokesperson Linda Thielke had said, “Traffic and transit will be allowed through while the crews are working, but people should expect some delays.” So don’t let it keep you away from your favorite businesses!