White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s monthly meeting is this Thursday (May 4th), 7 pm online. Here’s the agenda announcement:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89434530620?pwd=c1VtejJlSTc0TlZlaHpJYTBQcmtPUT09

Meeting ID: 894 3453 0620
Passcode: NHUAC2023 (Case Sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 894 3453 0620
Passcode: 060150115

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NHUAC’s May 4th meeting will start with a changing of the guard. Last month we learned that Deputy Bill, White Center’s Storefront Deputy, would be retiring after 25 years with the King County Sheriff’s Office. It is now official; Deputy Bill has retired. However, his sense of community carries on. Bill will begin the meeting by introducing his successor, Deputy Glen. Join us in wishing Bill the best and welcoming Deputy Glen Brannon!

Property taxes, many of us pay them, whether we own or rent our homes. The amount of our taxes is directly related to the property’s assessed value. We’ll be joined by King County Assessor John Wilson to bring us up to date on the assessment process, possible exemptions, and other things pertinent to this substantial expenditure.

In addition to their beauty and positive effects on physical and mental health, greenspaces also help make communities like North Highline more livable by protecting them from the damaging effects of climate change. Last month, we learned from King County’s Dave Kimmett of an opportunity to purchase some property near Seola Pond. NHUAC, with the help of community member Sabina Beg, recently wrote a letter supporting the acquisition of those parcels. (Thanks, Sabina!) A few months ago, we submitted a letter in an effort to protect North SeaTac Park. This month Sandy Hunt and Noamie Maxwell will join us discuss that very worthwhile effort.

Deputy Glenn has been asked to make his first report to our community. We’re looking forward to that as well as hearing from Brigitte Vaughn, who has stepped forward to join NHUAC’s board.

Join us as we look to a future with the addition of new members and Deputy Glen!

Knowledge is power.

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

May 4, 2023 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

White Center Library Guild volunteers shared photos from last week’s rummage sale at the library. Proceeds were for the group’s work supporting library programs.

The verdict: The sale was a success.

The library guild usually has a Holiday Bazaar, too, so watch for that later this year.

11:41 AM: The balloon arch welcomes you to the return of the White Center Cambodian New Year Street Festival, happening on SW 98th between 15th and 16th. This is the 20th annual celebration, with Khmer music, dancing, games, contests, food, and more planned until 5 pm. More photos, and video, later.

Adding video and photos:

Community leaders spotted at the festival included White Center Community Development Association‘s Sili Savusa and 34th District State Senator Joe Nguyen:

County leaders say the tax system is broken and they’re facing a funding shortage. So they’re asking you for advice, via an online survey, before making cuts that could include some vital services including law enforcement. Here’s the announcement:

King County launched a community survey today asking for public input on prioritizing services funded by the County’s General Fund to inform looming budget cuts. The 2025-2026 General Fund is facing a $100 million revenue shortfall due to the state’s arbitrary one percent limit on property tax collections, which has not been updated in 20 years and now coincides with increased costs and high rates of inflation exceeding 9%.

To prevent deeper cuts in the next biennial budget and to provide time for affected programs to wind down, King County will be considering a budget in the fall that will include cuts to general fund programs.

“No enterprise, public or private, can be expected to provide the same services year after year with revenues arbitrarily capped below the increasing cost of doing business,” said Executive Constantine. “We are facing budget decisions that will affect the programs and services that people in King County depend on every day to keep them safe and healthy. These cuts will have real impacts on our residents, but we are left with no other choice given the legislature’s inaction. It’s important we hear directly from the public as to their priorities before I or the County Council make any decisions.”

“I look forward to hearing from residents what services and programs are their priorities and working with Executive Constantine and the King County Council as we move forward on these discussions,” said King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove.

Most of the general fund goes to programs mandated at the state or federal level, like jails, courts, prosecution, and public defense. Many general government functions – such as elections, property assessments, human resources, the Executive department, and County Council agencies – are functions that cannot be eliminated but will face budget reductions in the fall. Discretionary programming – programming that is not mandated by state or federal law – represents a small portion of the total General Fund and overwhelmingly includes programs and services that support the region’s health, safety, and vitality, such as:

-Public Health clinics that serve low-income residents in Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, Kirkland, Renton, Seattle, and White Center;
-Services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault;
-Support for crime victims, family law support, regional gun violence prevention, and alternatives to standard adjudication and detention;
-Job training and other services focused on low-income BIPOC youth;
-Support for small farmers and forest owners to manage their properties to achieve ecological benefits and sustain the rural economy; and
-Sheriff’s deputies and detectives in unincorporated and rural communities.

Because these discretionary programs face the possibility of complete elimination, the community survey focuses on these areas so that Executive Constantine and the County Council can better understand which programs are most valued by residents. In addition to reviewing responses to the community survey, budget proposals will consider other factors such as the number of people served by a program, collective bargaining agreements, legal obligations, impacts on the region’s health and safety, and consistency with the County’s values.

Background on property tax limitations
In 2001 a voter-approved initiative limited property tax increases to one percent plus the growth from new construction, but after the state Supreme Court found the initiative unconstitutional, the legislature reinstated the limit. While the law caps any increases by governments to one percent, property tax bills of homeowners and businesses may change by more or less than 1%.

In the two decades since the cap was instituted, the revenue sources of counties have been structurally insufficient, as counties don’t have the ability to impose business and utility taxes, unlike cities and the state. Since passage in 2001, King County’s population has grown 30%, while consumer prices have increased 70%, and inflation in recent years has been as high as 9.5%. Despite those increasing economic strains, property tax collections have grown only an average of 2.68% in recent years.

Next Steps
The community survey will be open until May 18th. Executive Constantine will use the input gathered to develop his budget which he will propose to the County Council in the fall. The public will have additional opportunities to engage in budget decisions when the County Council holds public hearings.

We found this amazing puppy in our yard. Took it to the vet; no chip, and no collar either. Someone must be really missing this warm, friendly, very fun puppy. Our blind lab loves her too.

Mark and Lois
Text 206-595-7124

(Rendering by Bassetti Architects)

Construction is close to beginning on White Center’s new Evergreen High School. The ceremonial groundbreaking has been announced by Highline Public Schools:

In November 2022, our community invested in building a new Evergreen High School. You’re invited to attend the historic groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, May 19, at 3:15 p.m.

Following the groundbreaking, all are invited to a celebration with the Evergreen design review committee members. Learn more about the school design, construction materials and the phased construction plan.

Evergreen High School Groundbreaking Ceremony
Friday, May 19
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
Northeast corner of the school campus, near the softball and baseball fields

Design Review Committee Celebration & Construction Information
Friday, May 19
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Cafeteria

Location
Evergreen High School
830 SW 116th Street

In just a little over a week, one of White Center’s liveliest annual events returns:

Also from the announcement:

Come celebrate the 20th annual White Center Cambodian New Year Street Festival on April 29th on SW 98th Street, between 16th Ave SW and 15th Ave SW. This family-friendly event will include music, performances, games and contests, and food.

Watch for more info here.

King County Local Services has announced who was chosen for the steering committee to oversee the next round of “participatory budgeting” and says they’ve already met once.

North Highline/White Center
Robert Baker
Ruth Contrearas Rodriguez
Justin Cox
Heather Patrick
Sarey Savy
Pat Thompson
Vannra Yan

As explained in the announcement – which you can read in full here – “Participatory Budgeting allows communities to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending. Residents help decide how to spend money on capital projects (physical things that are bought, built, installed, or fixed up) or programs and services. The funds for the capital projects are backed by bonds. The funds for programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill come from King County’s general fund and are supported by marijuana retail sales tax revenue.”

As mentioned briefly in our North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting coverage earlier this month: The Kiwanis Club of White Center invites you to its fundraising dinner 5-7 pm Friday, April 21, at the White Center Eagles:

This is our second time for a Steak/or Portobello Mushroom featured dinner with tickets at the door at $35, or $30 for each for pairs or multiples. Tickets in advance can be obtained from Bill Tracy 206-248-2441 or billnancytracy@aol.com, or Scott Davis at 206-246-3412 or shorewoodscott@comcast.net.

The Kiwanis also plan a pancake breakfast, same location, on October 7th.

So what does the club do? Bill Tracy, club secretary, explains:

We have been active in the area since 2001. Our goals are to assist the Youth of the North Highline-White Center area through support of specifically the White Center Food Bank, where we work with Evergreen and New Start students, as well as the SW Boys & Girls Club, where we have a CAB member; contributions to WestSide Baby; and especially our sponsorship of a Key Club at New Start HS and guidance with the Key Club at Evergreen HS.

We also offer Student Merit Awards to graduating Key Clubbers at both schools and assist in their attendance at the annual District Convention which covers all of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. We also honor Students of the Session, each Session, at New Start.

Although we are small, we have been active and are eager to add additional members. At present we meet at 7 pm in the WC Eagles on third Thursdays.

Sale season is starting – and you can help support programs at the White Center Library by shopping at this one next Friday and Sunday:

The library’s at 1409 SW 107th.

Less than 10 percent of King County voters have sent in their ballots so far for the April 25 special election. You’re voting on one issue: The countywide levy to fund crisis-care centers. Here’s an info-sheet about the levy. As noted here in January, this nine-year levy would raise a total of $1.25 billion to set up five new regional crisis-care centers, among other things. According to King County, “The levy would be assessed at 14.5 cents per $1,000 in assessed value, estimated to cost approximately $119 per year in 2024 for a median-priced home of $694,000.” Tuesday,April 25th is your deadline to get your ballot postmarked and into USPS mail, or (by 8 that night) into a dropbox. We have one in White Center, outside the library at 1409 SW 107th. (The full countywide list is here.)

Again this year, White Center Pride plans a daylong block party – this time set for noon to midnight June 3rd. WCP asked us to publish their call for volunteers, vendors, and performers:

White Center’s annual Pride Block Party is less than two months away! We are looking for volunteers, entertainers, and vendors to celebrate with us. On June 3rd , we will block off 16th Ave SW between Roxbury and SW 100 th St, and fill the street up with music, shows, wrestlers, local businesses, food and beer gardens, and our first ever kids area with the White Center Library’s book mobile, face painters, storytellers, and more.

Please visit our website at whitecenterpride.org/white-center-pride-festival to learn
more. We need volunteers to assist with all types of activities for the day. We are also looking for local businesses to help fill out the street with booths and food trucks. And finally, we want to put out the call for entertainers that want to celebrate our region’s LGBTQIA+ community. Any questions, feel free to email info@whitecenterpride.org. Thank you!

The White Center Pride Committee
501c3 Nonprofit

(Photo courtesy Southwest Boys & Girls Club)

If you have a bit of time to spare and a desire to get more involved in your community, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

The Southwest Boys & Girls Club is recruiting new members for the Club Advisory Board!

What does the Club Advisory Board do?

Board members are volunteers who support the Club and its hardworking team through community outreach, staff appreciation, support projects, and fundraising.

The board meets once a month, and additional involvement varies throughout the year.

Community volunteers are a vital part of the Club mission to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

To learn more, please email Jasmine Finkley at jfinkley@positiveplace.org

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Though not announced that way, this month’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting had a suitable agenda for Earth Month – with clean energy and greenspaces as the first two major topics:

SPARK NORTHWEST: Amy Bettle spoke from this nonprofit focused on a “clean energy transition.” They have a program called “Energize” that’s coming to unincorporated urban areas including White Center and Skyway. Its goal is to provide “energy-efficient electric heating and cooling,” via heat pumps, to supplement whatever recipients are using now. It will cover 100 percent of the costs for low-income households chosen to participate and 80 percent of the costs for moderate-income participants. They’re hoping to streamline the process that would lead to heat-pump installation. It starts with workshop attendance and then moves to getting a bid. The program also will support contractors who are women and/or people of color. Right now they have a “request for qualifications” open for HVAC contractors, and they’re recruiting community members to help them make the choices via participation in a selection committee this month. In May they’ll start sharing information about workshops that start in June, for prospective customers. Once the systems are in place, Bettle said, customers’ energy bills could be up to 60 percent lower. Committee members, meantime, will get a $450 stipend for the time they take to participate. What if it’s a renter household – would the income limits apply to the renter or the homeowner? The former, Bettle said, though landlords of course would have to be involved in approving the installation. Also of note, this isn’t limited to single-family housing – installation could be made in a multi-family unit too. Find out more about Energize here.

(WCN photo from Glendale Forest, 2020)

LAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE: David Kimmett from this program was in attendance with an update. In North Highline, the focus is on “urban greenspace.” They want to create more of it “in a community like North Highline,” Kimmett said, because the benefits are manyfold – including physical and mental health. Three acquisitions completed in recent years were Glendale Forest (five acres with a stream, and they’re working on adding a trail, which will require a bridge over the stream), a “small property at White Center Heights,” and “a property next to Dick Thurnau Park.” He recapped each of those three. He talked about restoration work, such as extensive ivy removal in Glendale Forest. At the Dick Thurnau Park-adjacent site, acquired ,ecently, the intent is to support the upcoming HUB project with more of a greenspace buffer. It has a house (currently boarded up) that’ll be torn down, and will extend the park out to 108th, Kimmett said. About the WC Heights acquisition, he said, the site already was bordering on county land on three sides, and had a house that’s been removed, with restoration soon to begin. He then talked about hoped-for future acquisitions, like some property along Duwamish River-feeding Hamm Creek, It’s a steep ravine that’s not developable but can be restored into a “healthy urban forest,” Kimmett believes. Not suitable for trails, but a step toward their “conservation goals.” He’s also interested in some land that’s currently church-owned in an unincorporated area of Arbor Heights, near Seola Pond (which already is county-owned). Kimmett hopes the kind of community-involved restoration that’s been done at Seola Pond can expand onto these potential acquisition sites. He’s now “raising funds to acquire these” – a process that can “only be done onca a year” – so he’s seeking support. That fundraising is done through the Land Conservation Initiative – which has a committee to review such proposals – he clarified in response to a question. How can community members show support? he then was asked. Kimmett said he needs “community support from organizations,” writing letters of support. NHUAC board members and attendees subsequently voted unanimously to write a letter of support. An attendee from a group that does a lot of restoration work further south in the county said she’ll see about having her group write a letter too, and a White Center Kiwanis rep said the same. Asked about the time frame, Kimmett said, “ASAP” – by the end of the month, at the latest. Kimmett’s appearance concluded with some brainstorming about possible future acquisition sites.

CRIME/LAW ENFORCEMENT: Deputy Bill Kennamer is retiring at month’s end after 25 years. Three deputies applying for his White Center community position were in attendance and Kennamer called them (and other applicants) “really good cops.” The interviews are next Monday, he said. Meantime, he said crime took a big drop – major crimes and other kinds – in the past month. “We had a good month last month,” Kennamer summarized. Some notable incidents – gunfire in front of Roxy’s, an attempted child kidnapping outside Seola Gardens, an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, armed robbery at the Boulevard Park 7-11, a strong-arm street robbery. “Auto thefts are through the roof, auto recoveries are through the roof,” he added. Kennamer also was asked about the bust – which he led – that resulted in a big haul of stolen guns; he said the Top Hat building where it happened has some evictions in the works. He also mentioned a few other things: On April 22nd, KCSO will participate in a “Coffee with the Community” event at the White Center Starbucks. The burned-out building on the west side of 16th is getting extensive redevelopment, he added, and the former Bizzarro site will become a coffee shop and pizza parlor. NHUAC invited Deputy Kennamer to come by post-retirement and say hi any time.

NEW BOARD MEMBER: Amelia says she’s excited “to be more involved in the community” by joining the NHUAC board. She was added by a unanimous vote.

COMMUNITY DINNER: White Center Kiwanis is presenting a steak dinner 5-7 pm April 21st at the White Center Eagles’ HQ. Vegetarian option too (portabella mushroom). They’re fundraising for their work with youth.

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC usually meets on first Thursdays, 7 pm, online, so the next meeting should be Thursday, May 4th. (They’re still hoping to find someplace to resume in-person meetings.)

It’s National Fish Sticks Day (sort of). But you don’t have to go eat battered, fried seafood to celebrate. You can also buy one or more tickets to game(s) played in White Center by the DubSea Fish Sticks, now exactly two months from their home opener. Here’s the announcement:

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team launched its single-game ticket sales for the 2023 season this morning as part of National Fish Sticks Day.

The team hosts their events at Mel Olson Stadium, which is located inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center and is nicknamed “The Fryer.”

The team is known for their crazy antics, including throwing out a ceremonial first fish, where the honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. During non-league games the team also runs an open raffle for a random fan to sign a one-day contract and lead off in the game for the Fish Sticks as the “Fan Batter of the Night.”

The Fish Sticks recruit players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2023 summer roster is composed of players from thirty different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.

“We’re not in the baseball business, we’re in the fun business, where there happens to be a baseball game going on. Our goal is that this is the most fun you’ve ever had inside a baseball stadium. From the music, great food, beer and crazy promotions, this will be something you’ll never forget,” exclaimed General Manager Justin Moser.

Single-game tickets for DubSea Fish Sticks games are only $12, and Opening Night on Saturday, June 3rd, is expected to sell out quickly. Flex Ticket Packs with options ranging from three to ten games packages are also available. The team will host 26 home games this summer, including every Saturday night from June 3th – July 29th. The team will host the Battle for West Seattle, a charity softball game celebrating the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s 100th anniversary. They have also been selected to host the MLB JR Home Run Derby Regional Competition, where winners will go on to compete at T-Mobile Park as part of All-Star Week.

The Fish Sticks also partner with youth organizations and nonprofits to run ticket fundraisers at every game and sell discounted group packages.

You can find more information and secure your tickets for Opening Night at The Fryer online at GoFishSticks.com/tickets.

Announced today by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, for Thursday’s meeting:

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved, and Be Heard!

Where: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting
When: Thursday, April 6, 2023 @ 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/82454456397?pwd=RUg0dElrajFpR1dvMkUxeGxyWHZEdz09

Meeting ID: 824 5445 6397
Passcode: NHUAC2023 (Case Sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 824 5445 6397
Passcode: 989947391

At last month’s meeting we introduced Amelia, a North Highline resident who works at a local business and responded to February’s announcement that we are looking for people to join NHUAC’s board. Thursday’s NHUAC meeting will begin with a formal vote on Amelia’s addition to NHUAC. Join us as we look to NHUAC’s future with the addition of new members.

Are you interested in saving money? Are you concerned about pollution and climate change? Have you heard about Spark Northwest, the non-profit that has helped thousands of homeowners, farmers, tribes, and low-income communities switch to clean energy? At our April 6th meeting, NHUAC will be joined by Amy Bettle, Project Manager at Spark Northwest. Amy will share information about her organization’s contract with King County to bring energy efficient heat pumps to hundreds of residents of North Highliner Highline and Skyway.

In addition to their beauty, parks also help make communities like North Highline more livable by protecting them from the damaging effects of climate change. NHUAC recently wrote a letter supporting an effort to protect North SeaTac Park. It said, in part: “We are writing to urge you to…permanently protect and perpetuate this park… North SeaTac Park offers rare access to nature…. our physical, emotional, and community health are tied to accessible green spaces…Urban green spaces provide critical habitat and land upon which air and surface water pollutants are filtered. They also mitigate the urban heat island effect. North SeaTac Park is a collective natural backyard for those of us not fortunate enough to have one….” Please join NHUAC and King County’s David Kimmett, who has been working on adding much needed greenspace to North Highline.

Knowledge is power.

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

April 6, 2023 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

(KCSO photos)</em>