White Center Now: The blog about White Center

We received this notice from the contractor working on the White Center HUB project:

Upcoming Construction in Your Area – White Center Hub Housing

Community Roots Housing is seeking coverage under the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Construction Stormwater NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit. The proposed project, White Center HUB Housing, is located at 10821 8th Ave SW in Seattle in King County. This project involves 2.81 acres of soil disturbance for Residential construction activities. The receiving waterbody is Hicklin Lake.

Any persons desiring to present their views to the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding this Application, or interested in Ecology’s action on this Application, may notify Ecology in writing no later than 30 days of the last date of publication of this notice. Ecology reviews public comments and considers whether discharges from this project would cause a measurable change in receiving water quality, and, if so, whether the project is necessary and in the overriding public interest according to Tier II anti-degradation requirements under WAC 173-201A-320.

Comments can be submitted to:
ecyrewqianoi@ecy.wa.gov, or
ATTN: Water Quality Program, Construction Stormwater
Washington State Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696

With spring now less than a week away, we’re talking today about summer … jobs. We have an announcement from the DubSea Fish Sticks baseball team, which plays home games at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd):

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is holding a job fair Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Mel Olson Stadium inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The job fair will run from 11 am-3 pm.

The team is currently looking to hire 50-60 part-time employees for the months of June and July. High school and college students are welcome to apply with select positions being available to those 14 years of age and older. There are select positions such as the concession manager, beer garden servers and security that do require the applicant to be 21 years of age or older.

The job fair will allow those interested in working for the Fish Sticks to find out more information about each position, apply, and interview on site. For those that are interested but cannot attend the job fair they can apply online at GoFishSticks.com/jobs. Positions that are currently available include mascot performer, concession manager, concessions, ticketing, merchandise, game day operations, beer garden servers, and security. The Fish Sticks also have multiple summer internships in digital marketing, and video production.

The DubSea Fish Sticks’ season begins on Saturday, June 3rd, and runs through August 3rd. They will host 27 different home shows (games) this summer at Mel Olson Stadium (aka The Fryer) at King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The team hosts upward of 40 college players from around the country for the summer; they will play 45 games throughout the Pacific Northwest.

(Added: WCN photos)

3:10 PM: Thanks for the tips. The Guardian One helicopter, and deputies on the ground, are searching after what the 911 log describes as a shooting near Evergreen High School. Other schools in the area have been on lockdown/shelter in place, including Cascade Middle School and West Seattle Montessori. We’re working to find out details.

3:37 PM: The school lockdowns have been lifted and Guardian One has left the area. We’ve sent a reporter to a designated media meetup location with a King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, so we hope to have some details shortly.

4:25 PM: We spoke in person with media-relations Sgt. Eric White. We’ll add the video of his briefing shortly, but here’s what he said: 911 got a call about a shooting just before 2:30 pm. Near 11th SW and SW 114th [vicinity map], they found a man who had been shot in the back. He’s been taken to the hospital. Sgt. White did not have information on the circumstances that preceded the shooting, nor a description of the shooter, nor the victim’s condition. He did confirm that helicopter and K-9 searches have ended for now, and school lockdowns (including Cascade MS and West Seattle Montessori) have been lifted. (And as you can see from our photo, at least 12 casings were found.) Anyone with information is asked to call 206-296-3311.

ADDED: Here’s our video of what Sgt. White told us:

6:29 PM: From the recorded dispatch/deputies audio shortly after the first report – at least one witness saw the shooter running from the scene, but could only describe him as an unknown-race male, 5’8″, black hoodie, gray sweatpants, tucking a handgun into his pants as he fled the scene. We don’t have any additional information about the victim but his injury was initially assessed as serious. The KCSO case number is C24-008652.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Though neither was an official agenda item, two longtime issues were addressed during Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, held online and facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba – an encampment in the “White Center Bog” area, and noise concerns from outdoor music at Tim’s Tavern.

Here’s how the meeting unfolded:

HIGHLINE FOREST: Sandy Hunt and Andrea O’Ferrall from Defenders of Highline Forest spoke to NHUAC first. “Mature trees are really important to us,” Hunt began, explaining the group’s purpose – explained on their website kctreeequity.org. It began in defense of North Sea-Tac Park, facing the port’s development plans for it and trees that would be removed as a result. “With Highline as the geographical effort, we’ve worked on expanding our efforts … and what we want to do,” in areas including Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila, north Boulevard Park, Normandy Park, and Burien. “We are a small but mighty crew,” able to accept donations, talking to neighbors about potential tree loss. The port’s new land-stewardship plan doesn’t “eliminate the destruction of trees that’s in the works,” Hunt warned, so they are keeping up the pressure and encouraging people “to fight for the trees in their neighborhood.” O’Ferrall says that as they canvass neighborhoods, “people are shocked because they don’t know what’s going on.” Life expectancy is lower in the airport-adjacent communities, and removing trees isn’t going to help that. In Q&A, one person said they’d talked to a county official who said that tree maintenance is costly. Giba observed that the county Housing Authority seems to have “taken out a lot of trees.” NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin noted that aircraft noise has increased in White Center, and that’s one way the port affects residents this far north. She also pointed out that developers have “clear-cut” various properties in recent years.

JOHN TAYLOR: This King County official, a frequent NHUAC guest, came to this meeting wearing a different hat. Until a month ago, he led the Department of Local Services – and now he’s in charge of the much-larger Department of Natural Resources and Parks, pending County Council confirmation. He didn’t have “major updates” but noted that Local Services has again launched the participatory-budgeting process. The “community needs list”-related engagement is on hold because this is the “short” budget year – one year – rather than a biennial budget. For DNRP, after a few weeks on the job, he said, he’s still learning the basics – otherwise: He noted a “problematic” encampment in the White Center Bog that was being removed. “That’s a stormwater facility … the biggest reason (not to allow an encampment) is water-quality issues.” (Later in the meeting, the topic came up again, with more details.)

On the topic of trees, he said the funding crisis limiting street trees is a real thing – they need to be watered until they’re well-established, for example. He also addressed the “clear-cutting” to which Dobkin had referred – it’s not a violation of code, he explained, because the county code wasn’t written to differentiate between rural and urban sensibilities. But a study is in the works, to be delivered later this year “that will hopefully have some code changes recommended to deal with trees … in the rural context and the urban context.” The county has a goal of planting 3 million trees and already has planted 1 million, he added. “It’s very much on our minds at King County.”

In Q&A, Giba asked if Taylor was “surprised” by the new job. “I wasn’t surprised, because I applied for it … when (predecessor) Christie True stepped down,” he replied. Dealing with the balance of natural and built environments is a passion of his, he added. The department includes wastewater, trash, parks – “some of the parks I’m proudest of are in White Center” – and much more. “It’s about 2,000 people, $3.5 billion budget – quite a bit bigger than the Department of Local Services.” And, he said, it’s well-resourced because much of its funding comes from sources other than property taxes. Hunt asked about the ivy choking trees all over the county and wondered if there’s been a study. “I’m not an arborist,” said Taylor, but: “I’m aware … that it’s not good for our forests, that it’s invasive, but it’s not classified as a noxious weed.” But there’s no plan to deal with it? Hunt asked. Bottom line – no. Later, someone else brought up having heard previously of a volunteer group taking action against ivy.

Another attendee asked whether the county had a way of tracking “informal stormwater management” like roadside ditches. Taylor said that sort of thing is probably in the county’s inventory, provided it’s not on private property. The attendee said he was indeed wondering about something on his own property; Taylor speculated that would have been built at the same time as his house, and he could consider himself lucky to have that in place to deal with the runoff. Other questions had more to do with Taylor’s past job than current one; Giba wondered if a section of 102nd would ever get a sidewalk. Taylor was noncommittal but did say that the county had devoted more to pedestrian needs recently than before, particularly in White Center and Skyway. (The new director of King County Roads is Tricia Davis; Taylor suggested inviting her to a future NHUAC meeting.)

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Det. Glen Brannon elaborated on what Taylor had mentioned: “We no longer have a homeless encampment on 13th – took care of that today.” That operation was three months in the making, he added. For a long time the camp had been somewhat “under control,” until he went on vacation for a while, and then it got “out of control,” with a realization that it was a threat to water quality, so that’s why the decision was made to remove it. About 10 campers were left; none have yet accepted shelter, he said, so they might be moving to other parts of the area. “My goal is to get these people off the streets,” he insisted. Meantime, he had stats that Giba had previously suggested. In a three-year analysis, he said, major crimes are down from 2020-2021, while less serious crimes are “holding steady.” “On average, we’re doing better on the violent crimes” – down about 30 percent – and not so bad on the less-violent crimes. Giba wondered why; Brannon didn’t have a clear explanation. “What else is new?” Giba asked. Brannon said that besides the encampment clearance, the alleyway off 16th/17th is a focus, and they need property owners’ help.”Little Caesar’s has been an epicenter of stuff going on,” he said, adding that he intends to talk to the business’s ownership/management.

The recurring topic of noise concerns from live music at Tim’s Tavern then was brought up. Basically, nothing new, said Brannon, but he intended to work nights and check out the situation. Was code enforcement involved? Maybe, Brannon speculated. It was subsequently noted that Tim’s had been served with a code-enforcement letter more than a month ago; Brannon explained that usually that starts a process in which the recipient has time to come into compliance. Then a surprise: Co-proprietor Matt from Tim’s Tavern turned up online, offering to answer questions. “We’re just doing what we’ve always done,” he said. “The shows vary in volume because the bands vary in style.” Regarding the early-February code enforcement letter, he said the county sent it to their property management company, and it wasn’t routed to them until February 6th, close to the response deadline, and they’ve been “playing phone tag with the county guy” ever since. “We’re willing to meet with him and see what compliance issues we have, if any.” Until they hear back, “we’re kind of in this limbo area.” Matt said they’ve been working on finding sound-muffling curtains, as discussed at a NHUAC meeting last year, and just got them but they need some alterations and hanging, which should take about two weeks. Then, he said, they’ll be hung on the west side and in front, in hopes that’ll control some of the sound from “bouncing off the buildings.” Brannon offered to stop by the venue Friday and talk with them in person. They also invited anyone from the community with concerns to come meet with them. Co-proprietor Mason said “it’s definitely not our intent to offput anyone with our audio.” Giba then said that county code does not allow outdoor music; the Tim’s duo said they weren’t aware of a rule like that.

Returning to other KCSO topics, one attendee wondered about the regional uptick in carjackings. Brannon said yes, it’s a thing, but he doesn’t have “scientific proof” of why – he speculates it might have to do with “incarceration rates.” He noted that there were two that day alone in Seattle (in the Skyway area). He also noted the State Legislature’s passage of a bill lifting some restrictions on police pursuits – right now they’re allowed in armed carjackings but now that will apply to auto thefts or other types of crime too. Another question was from someone who thought they heard gunshots the other night. Does it help to report them? Do they get followed up on? Brannon said yes, and in fact KCSO now has a Gun Violence Reduction Unit (as does Seattle PD, for that matter). He said that increased gang activity likely plays into it. Regarding reporting, “yes, please report it,” he stressed. He said they do analyze the casings they find – and can cross-reference them between incidents around the region. “It helps us solve these crimes, helps us find out who these people are … The vast amount of these shootings are being done by a very small number of people … maybe 20 in King County.”

Price said there are ongoing issues in the White Center Library parking lot. A Library Guild volunteer recently got fuel stolen from a vehicle while there. What could the library do? Cameras? Signs? Brannon said KCLS has not participated in some of the programs KCSO has suggested, such as trespassing people who cause trouble, and that’s been limiting what deputies can do.

FULL TILT LOSS: Before adjourning, Giba offered a tribute to the late Justin Cline of Full Tilt Ice Cream, remembering him as a “real community advocate (who) really cared about the White Center community” and a “great guy.”

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC meets first Thursday, 7 pm, online, most months, so the next meeting will be April 4.

If you like books but aren’t all that social – the Silent Book Club is for you. The West Seattle chapter has expanded southward in recent months and again tonight, one of their meeting locations will be in White Center, at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW). From the announcement:

Silent Book Club West Seattle meets the first Thursday of each month at local cafés, bars, and wine tasting rooms. The agenda: bring your own book, read for an hour, and chat (if you want) with fellow book lovers. Bring a book and a friend for the ideal introvert happy hour.

7:00 — 7:30 Settle in
7:30 — 8:30 Silent reading hour
8:30 — 9:00 Chat or keep reading

We recommend coming a bit early if possible to get a seat. Visit www.instagram.com/silentbookclubwestseattle for event updates/locations.

(Among the locations this month)

Dubsea Coffee: discounted tea and coffee drinks for readers, and other beverages and treats; open just to readers this evening; patio seating available; woman-owned

(not far – in South Delridge)

2 Fingers Social: cocktails, beer, a small selection of wine, tamales, hotdogs, & pretzel sticks; open just to readers this evening; patio seating available; family-owned

The next meeting of the community council for White Center and vicinity is just a few days away – online – and here’s what’s planned:

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

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:

us02web.zoom.us/j/83514652969?pwd=UDlJSlJ3MnF3UzBkaHIzNHRPQXc2UT09

Meeting ID: 835 1465 2969
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 835 1465 2969
Passcode: 258392147

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

You are invited! Please join NHUAC on Thursday, March 7th at 7 pm via Zoom. NHUAC aims to keep you in touch with the people who are doing things and making decisions that affect the White Center/North Highline community. This month’s meeting will begin with Sandy Hunt and Andrea O’Ferrall. They will share information and answer questions about Defenders of Highline Forest. Never heard of Highline Forest? Join us and learn!

Andrea and Sandy will be followed by John Taylor, director of King County’s Department of Local Services from its beginning in 2018 until last month. Local Services’ responsibilities include managing land use, issuing permits, enforcing code, and maintaining roads. The county’s news release about John’s transition to the Natural Resources and Parks department describes him as a “proven leader to reinforce King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and manage one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country.” We look forward to hearing what John sees in the future for our community and its interactions with these two important connections to our local government.

We have a lot to ask Detective Glen Brannon about from gunfire that hit Patrick’s Café and Bakery to a major drug bust that included 71,000 M-30 Fentanyl pills, 31 pounds of Methamphetamine and 1.12 pounds of heroin. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your concerns and thanks with Detective Brannon.

Knowledge Is Power.

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

Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors

(WCN/WSB photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Two weeks ago, we told you about crowdfunding to help the family of Justin Cline, White Center community advocate and founder of Full Tilt Ice Cream, after he suffered a heart attack. Today, we just got a call from a Full Tilt staffer announcing on behalf of the family that Justin has died, at age 49. Here’s the announcement published on the original GoFundMe page:

It is with absolutely broken hearts that we share that our beloved friend Justin has moved on to the great ice cream shop in the sky.

Justin died around 6:00 am on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 at Valley Medical Center. At every step along the way, Valley staff did an incredible job monitoring and managing his ever-changing condition, and taking every possible step to give him excellent care.

Ann, Moss and Ruby, their family and friends, and the entire staff and community of Full Tilt are grieving this loss. Justin will be missed by so many, because he touched so very many people in his life. The number of stories of connections and care that we have heard this past month has been incredible. We have loved hearing all the large and small ways that Justin’s open, giving nature has positively impacted the community as a whole and hundreds of individual lives.

Right now Ann and the kids are understandably distraught and overwhelmed with this tragedy. We understand that everyone wants to connect with Ann, share their memories and stories of Justin, and offer love and comfort. However, the community Justin built around himself is so large and deeply connected that we imagine the outpouring of love could become overwhelming for Ann.

We have created a list of ways that the community can support Ann, Moss and Ruby in this time.

* Continue giving to the GoFundMe to support Justin’s family during this time. Ann’s financial needs will only increase as she navigates this shift to single-parenting and keeping Full Tilt afloat.
* Send your memories, stories, artworks, and photos of or inspired by Justin to justininmemoriam at gmail.com. We will be compiling the stories, photos, memories, artworks into a book for Ann and the kids. If possible, title your email “contribution” to help us manage the inbox.
* Email justininmemoriam at gmail.com to offer any practical support you would like – either with your ideas for support you’d like to offer or an open offer for whatever Ann may need. Ann’s friends will be monitoring this inbox and will connect with Ann to see what kinds of supports are needed as time goes on. If possible, please title your email “support” to help us manage the inbox.
* Continue to visit Full Tilt when you can. Every scoop you enjoy, every round of pinball, and every beer you share with a friend helps keep Justin’s family and employees going.
* Hug your people and tell them you love them.
* Consider ways you can support your community. Justin’s store, his heart, and his time were open for those who needed him. Our communities are better when we are community builders.
* Get CPR certified. Ann was able to save Justin’s life the night of his heart attack because she knew how to perform CPR. A couple of hours of your time could save a life. cpr.heart.org/en or redcross.org

We will share more information as services are planned and needs are realized.

Thank you all for your love and support, for all you’ve done this past month and all you will continue to do to help hold Justin’s family, friends, Full Tilt family and community close. We all wish Justin were here to hug each and every one of you.

Toward the request for people to “continue visiting Full Tilt,” they’re open today. Full Tilt started in White Center in 2008 (and that same year, Justin co-founded this website with us).

Sent by Vina:

Our daughter lost her puppy – Claire. Last seen at West Coast Self-Storage Highline. 1625 SW 114th St.

Claire is wearing a black harness with a pink leash.

Our family is very much proactive in trying to locate her at the moment. Any tips, sightings or suggestions are welcome! We appreciate your time and support.

vuong.vina (at) yahoo.com

Announced today by the King County Sheriff’s Office:

Last week, our Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team concluded a several month-long joint narcotics operation with Homeland Security Investigations. The operation targeted a Drug Trafficking Organization responsible for distributing narcotics to White Center, Shoreline, Renton, Seattle, Marysville, Woodinville, Kirkland, Tulalip, Mt. Vernon, Des Moines, and Snohomish County.

The operation involved several warrants, and resulted in the following:

– 71,000 M-30 Fentanyl Pills
– 31 pounds of Methamphetamine
– 2.76 pounds Fentanyl powder
– 1.12 pounds of Heroin
– $7047 cash seized
– 1 car seized
– 2 individuals were booked into the Federal Detection Center (FDC) pending federal charges.

This operation could not have been possible without the collaboration of our partners at Shoreline Police Department SET, City of SeaTac SET, DEA-Tacoma, Burien Police Department, Skyway Patrol, KCSO’s Crime Analysis Unit, and our King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center.

Drugs kill, and we’re determined to collaborate with local and regional law enforcement partners to apprehend those accountable for distributing narcotics into our neighborhoods.

Thanks for the texted tip – we went over to Patrick’s Café and Bakery at 15th/100th after a report of gunfire at the intersection.

Speaking to us and other media at the scene, proprietor Patrick Choy said he and others in the cafe heard the gunfire around 10:40 am but didn’t see it – he speculates it was someone in a vehicle shooting at someone in another vehicle.

Some of the bullets hit the café building – no injuries but a very close call for a woman inside – her boot was hit by a bullet. Patrick said deputies found shell casings in the street, too. We checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office, which tells us they have no description information so far: “The suspects are unknown at this time.” Meantime, Patrick’s remains open for business as usual.

Farmboy Bites, the burger stand at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW), was closed by Public Health Seattle & King County, the agency announced today:

Future Primitive Brewing (doing business as: Farmboy Bites) at 9832 14th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Closed: February 23, 2024 at 6 pm

Reasons: Excessive critical violations including:
Imminent health hazard: no water available on mobile
Person in Charge unable to demonstrate food safety knowledge
Food workers not washing hands when required
Inadequate hand washing facilities
Improper washing of produce
Improper cooling procedures
Room temperature storage of TCS* food

Status: Closed

*TCS = Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS)

On social media, the stand’s page says “Temporarily closed, more details ASAP.” They’re usually open Wednesdays-Sundays.

Ballots have started arriving via USPS mail for the March 12 presidential primary. That means you can vote as soon as you have your ballot, and while you can end it in via postal mail – no stamp required – you can also use a King County Elections dropbox, since those all opened today. Here’s the countywide map; there’s one in White Center, at the library, and you can drop your ballot there until 8 pm March 12. Be aware that the ballot includes some candidates who have withdrawn – as explained by King County Elections, the candidates listed are the ones submitted by the Democratic and Republican Parties in early January and no changes were possible after that. You will have to declare an affiliation with one of those parties to cast a ballot, and the county says that’s on the record for two months but doesn’t oblige you to vote the same way in any future election.

TUESDAY: That’s the first food truck set up in the space that held the Locker Room Bar and Grill before two 2021 fires, at 9633 16th SW in downtown White Center. The gutted building was demolished, and a somewhat sunken lot remained – now morphing into a home for food trucks. First one is Alebrijes Oaxaca Kitchen, open daily 11 am-9 pm, with – as our photo shows – a canopy set up so you can eat there if you want to.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: Thanks to Gill for the photo of the menu:

(Click here for a larger version.)

Don’t procrastinate – get those taxes out of the way! And if you need help, volunteers are at White Center Library three days a week right now:

To read the fine print, see the flyer in full-size PDF here. (Thanks to Gill for the forward!)

ADDED: Gill also has since sent the Español version:

(WCN photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Full Tilt Ice Cream co-owner/co-founder Justin Cline is in the hospital, recovering from a heart attack. That’s what Cline’s partner Ann Magyar announced via social media on Wednesday, asking customers to bear with them:

We need to let you know that things at Full Tilt are rocky these days and you might notice some changes as we figure it all out. On February 5 our beloved ice cream man, Justin, had a heart attack. He has been in critical condition since. He is getting better, but very slowly. KCFD and North Highline FD saved his life, and now an army of incredible nurses and doctors are taking care of him. If you notice parts of the website ordering is down or we aren’t as quick to answer messages, please be patient. Justin is the heart and soul of Full Tilt, but our community is rallying and we are doing our best.

Justin and Ann opened Full Tilt in 2008. (That same year he also co-founded this website.)

ADDED: Since we published this, friends have set up a crowdfunding account to help Justin and his family get through this – here’s the link.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

After six years on the Seattle City Council, West Seattle resident Teresa Mosqueda moved to the King County Council last month. Following her November election win with 55 percent of the vote, she took office last month in the District 8 seat vacated by Joe McDermott after 13 years. As shown on this map, her district stretches from downtown Seattle to Burien, also encompassing West Seattle, Georgetown, South Park, Tukwila, and Burien, as well as White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline, plus Vashon and Maury Islands. As she had said during the campaign – announced almost exactly a year ago – her big focuses are on health and housing, but there’s a lot more to pay attention to. We sat down with Councilmember Mosqueda for a half-hour video-recorded chat at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse this past Thursday. The unedited video is above; below, key points from our conversation.

We asked what the transition’s been like. She had words of praise for the county staff having to bridge such geographic and political diversity. She’s already been back to a variety of places around the district and is scheduling community meetings. “What I’m hearing in these meetings is what I heard in the campaign,” she says – concerns related to her signature issues. But economic challenges are a major concern, and she says she’s talking with businesses and workers about how to support what they’re doing. The county itself is facing a budget crunch, which Mosqueda points out could shut down public-health clinics on which tens of thousands of people rely for health care, she says, so she’s been lobbying for state action that would enable a tax-collecting boost by the county (but this Seattle Times story the day after our chat suggests it’s not happening), and talking to the feds too.

Also on the topic of health, she’s been elected as chair of the Seattle-King County Board of Health, and says a current priority is addressing the “shadow pandemic – isolation, depression, behavioral health, substance-use issues.” She also chairs the council’s Health and Human Services Committee. One major task ahead is the implementation plan for the Crisis Care Centers Levy that voters approved last year, meant to combat the lack of places to take people to get the care they need. Before the brick-and-mortar facilities are opened, she said, there’ll be a “mobile response.” The levy also funds “workforce training … so that [more] people are able to provide services” early on. She says the implementation plan should be complete by the end of the second quarter.

On housing, a major topic we tackled was the King County Comprehensive Plan update, which is currently before the council – “really important decisions that will be made for the unincorporated areas … more walkable, livable neighborhoods,” Mosqueda summarized it. She says it could lead to more affordability and, just to pick one unincorporated area of note, a “new vision” for downtown White Center; she recounted a conversation with a local doctor who hopes that’s what will happen. She says the review of the comprehensive plan has just begun, so she’s joining at an opportune time. She hopes to hear from community members about their thoughts about the next 10 years, too (the period the plan update is to cover).

We asked about displacement risk, given higher rents in the new buildings that replace old ones. Mosqueda says that she is wants to ensure anti-displacement action, with strategies including community preference and affirmative marketing. That means the people who have to leave get first preference for returning to the new buildings – and that they’ll be able to afford to. That requires more incentives for developers, though, she says – including more height – so she hopes the comprehensive plan will include that.

What’s her concept of “affordable housing”? Market rate plus affordable units on the same site will be a crucial mix. And community-focused services like child care on the ground floor would be optimal.

So where has this concept already become reality? we asked. She mentioned a Seattle project at 13th/Fir on a site that once held a parking lot. (Read more about it here.)

We also talked about dealing with the many jurisdictions that the county spans – many cities and neighborhoods. Mosqueda says they have to offer help and support as an “ally, partner, maybe even a co-conspirator.”

On the subject of public safety and criminal justice, we asked Mosqueda about King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s recent reiteration that he still wants to move toward eliminating youth incarceration, though it will take longer to get there than he had previously hoped. His update also included an advisory committee’s recommendations, such as a “respite center” and community “care homes” for some juvenile defendants. Mosqueda told us, “I am interested in seeing that kiddos have a place to go so they can get stabilized and back into society. … If folks are going to interact more with law enforcement, we have to have an array of services we can offer those youths … Ultimately working toward the timeline (Constantine) laid out is the right thing to do.” But what about the current wave of violent crime involving youth? Mosqueda says looking at the underlying issues is important too.

The county administers other major parts of the criminal-justice system – courts, prosecutors and defenders, sheriff, etc. – so we asked if anything else is bubbling up in that area right now. She mentioned a recent “joint meeting to reconvene the Gun Violence Task Force” with jurisdictions including King County and Seattle, and noted legislators working on that. Anything specific she is proposing? Mosqueda responded that “listening to the youth directly” is her focus, and some with whom she’s met already are particularly interested in mental-health services.

Concluding our conversation, we asked how best constituents can interact with her and her staff. She says they’re going out for tours and meetings on “District 8 Days,” with Vashon her first stop and White Center next. She’s also involved in roundtable discussions and responding to constituents’ individual meeting requests – email her directly at teresa.mosqueda@kingcounty.gov. To find out what’s happening at County Council meetings, check agendas here.

From a bulletin just sent by Public Health – Seattle & King County – two food establishments in White Center closed by inspectors:

Tacos de Canasta at 10426 16th Ave SW
Closed: February 6, 2024 at 1 pm
Reasons:
Unpermitted food vendor
Status: Closed

La Tipica Oaxaqueña at 1601 SW Roxbury St
Closed: February 6, 2024 at 6 pm
Reasons:
Imminent health hazard: Rodent infestation
Operating in an unapproved manner with insufficient equipment
Prohibited live animals present
Status: Closed

You can check here to see if they’ve been cleared to reopen.

A new job just announced for the King County department director with whom unincorporated North Highline has dealt the most in recent years, John Taylor of Local Services. Here’s the announcement:

King County Executive Dow Constantine today appointed John Taylor as the new director for the Department of Natural Resource and Parks, selecting a proven leader to reinforce King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and manage one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country.

Taylor has served as the inaugural director for the King County Department of Local Services since 2018, when Executive Constantine established the agency to better serve the nearly 250,000 residents who live in unincorporated communities. He previously served as a member of the leadership team at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, where he led a landmark accord signed by Executive Constantine that has restored salmon habitat, strengthened the local agricultural economy, and reduced flood risks.

“John brings the strengths and talent we need to build on King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward: Outstanding leadership skills, a lifelong commitment to protecting and restoring the natural environment, and the proven ability to produce lasting, measurable results for all living things that make King County home,” said Executive Constantine. “He will succeed as he has for five years as a highly effective member of my Cabinet, by upholding our values to create a more resilient, sustainable, equitable King County for this generation and for all those who will come after us.”

“I am grateful and excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier natural resource agencies, one that has the talent and expertise needed to achieve ambitious goals,” said Taylor. “Executive Constantine has provided clear direction that he wants to build on the momentum King County has made in recent years to produce better results faster for people, salmon, and orcas, and that’s what we will accomplish with our employees and partners.”

Taylor will lead an agency that manages a large portfolio of services and initiatives that protect and restore the region’s natural environment, including climate action, land conservation, protecting water quality, restoring habitat, reducing waste, and promoting equitable access to parks and trails.

Taylor has already contributed to successes on several environmental initiatives created by Executive Constantine, including Clean Water Healthy Habitat by directing King County Road Services to help restore access to high-quality salmon habitat. He also helped create the framework for the Land Conservation Initiative, a partnership to protect the last, best 65,000 acres of open space within a single generation.

He will lead a workforce of 2,000 employees and manage the largest capital portfolio of any King County government agency. Executive Constantine recently toured the department’s new award-winning treatment station in Georgetown that was built to withstand climate impacts to better protect the Duwamish River and Puget Sound for the next century.

=The Wastewater Treatment Division is building and modernizing infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts to continue protecting Puget Sound for the next century

=The Water and Land Resources Division is restoring habitat and reducing flood risks throughout King County

-The Solid Waste Division is designing and building new recycling and transfer stations in the south and northeast areas of King County

-King County Parks is enhancing parks and trails throughout the region, promoting equitable access to places where communities connect

The Department of Natural Resources and Parks is contributing to King County Climate Office initiatives to prepare the region for increased risks to wildfire, extreme heat, and flooding

-The Department of Natural Resources and Parks leads Executive Constantine’s Local Food Initiative, making access to healthy, homegrown food more equitable

Taylor’s previous role at the department was deputy director for the Water and Land Resources Division, which has completed major restoration projects over the past several years. Recent successes include transforming dilapidated buildings along the Duwamish River into healthy habitat and much-needed greenspace for the nearby community, and simultaneously improving habitat and reducing flood risks along the Cedar River and Green River.

Taylor’s leadership team will implement Re+, the initiative Executive Constantine launched a year ago to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing waste and transitioning to a sustainable, circular economy. The department will also contribute to the King County Climate Office’s initiatives to better prepare communities for increased flood risks, extreme heat, and wildfire risks.

King County Parks – one of the department’s four divisions – will continue to expand and enhance its facilities and programs under Taylor’s leadership. In addition to making parks safer, more accessible, and more inclusive, the agency recently completed King County’s contribution to a 44-mile trail corridor that connects Golden Gardens Park in Ballard to Eastside cities and the Cascade foothills. This summer, King County Parks will complete a 500-foot-long trail bridge that connects Eastrail to Sound Transit’s Wilburton Station in Bellevue.

Taylor succeeded on multiple fronts as the first director for the Department of Local Services, producing measurable results that advance King County’s commitment to equity and racial justice.

He is credited with establishing the highly successful participatory budget process that creates opportunities for residents to decide how public funds are invested in their communities His leadership team also established the Community Needs List Program that gives residents in unincorporated areas a voice in King County’s budget process.

He has 20 years of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, contributing to Vermont’s first Smart Growth legislation, Seattle’s Restore Our Waters Initiative, and establishing the Puget Sound Partnership. He previously served as a strategic advisor to the director of Seattle Public Utilities, legislative analyst for the Seattle City Council, and senior policy advisor to the governor of Vermont.

Taylor will begin serving as director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks on Feb. 12. He will replace Christie True, who is retiring after a 39-year career at the agency, including 13 years as department director. Mo McBroom will continue to serve as the department’s deputy director, strengthening partnerships to produce results for climate action, equity and racial justice, land conservation, and resource recovery.

Taylor’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the King County Council. The Executive Office will begin recruiting for a new director for the Department of Local Services.

We’ll be following up for more on that search and who will run Local Services in the meantime.

Family and friends will gather February 17 to celebrate the life of White Center resident Tom Slattery, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:

Tom Slattery, 74, died the morning of January 22, 2024, surrounded by family, following a courageous battle against lung disease.

For his children, grandchildren and community, Tom leaves a legacy of advocacy for children, education, racial justice, and nature preservation.

Tom was born December 4, 1949, to Joseph and Helen Slattery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He grew up an active and curious kid in Columbus, Ohio developing an early love for books and cars. Tom attended and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1971 with a degree in education.

Following college, Tom moved to San Francisco, California. In San Francisco, Tom would meet his wife and best friend, Pat Reh, and they would welcome two of their three sons, Rob and Reed. Dale would arrive after the family settled in Washington state.

Tom enjoyed sharing music with others nearly as much as he enjoyed listening to it himself. Nothing would make him happier than turning someone on to a new favorite song or artist. He also had a gift with words and could easily evoke laughter through his quick wit and clever turn of phrase.

Throughout his adult life, Tom was never far from a camera. The result is literal volumes of photos of his family, friends, places he traveled, cars he admired, plants and birds. Oh so many photos of birds. He loved the minute details that differentiated them and the wide range of colors displayed on their feathers. He also felt this way about his four grandchildren that continuously delighted him and kept him young.

Tom spent the second half of his life in White Center with a backyard that yielded the many vegetables he would grow, sanctuary for the many birds he would photograph, and a place for his children and grandchildren to gather and play. It was in White Center that his commitment to community, specifically to the safety and wellbeing of children, would take root and grow. He served 16 years on the Highline School Board and worked for several non-profits toward these ends.

In retirement, he turned those countless photographs into books that he would gift to family and friends. He would spend hours building intricate and different birdhouses he would display throughout the house. Together with his wife Pat, there were numerous trips to places such as Costa Rica, Belize, Palm Springs, San Miguel de Allende, and a final trip taken in the fall of 2023 on a riverboat cruise north on the Mississippi River, surely evoking the tales of his beloved author, Mark Twain.

Tom is survived by his wife Pat; his sons Rob (Marissa), Reed (Roxanne), and Dale (Jean); his grandsons Isaiah, Marcos, and Lucas; his granddaughter Izzy; and his brothers Bill, Ed, and Joe. He was preceded in death by his parents and many dear friends.

A memorial gathering is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, at 3:00 p.m. at Mount View Elementary School. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Kubota Garden Foundation.

(We publish obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Moments ago, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council wrapped up its first meeting of 2024, facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba.

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: For the third consecutive meeting, NHUAC had guests from KCLS. This time, trustee Verna Seal, who just joined the KCLS board last year, was first up. (She spent more than a decade and a half on the Tukwila City Council, until 2021.) “I love libraries .. so when this opportunity came up, I saw it as a way to give back,” she said, explaining that the board deals with policy, not operations. She’s one of just two people on the board who are from South King County. She invited questions; Giba asked, “How much money is the board in control of and how is it determined how much goes to each area?” Seal didn’t have specifics but said the system’s budget is $100 million-plus. They get a proposed budget and then review it, ask questions, etc., before eventually voting to approve a final budget (she noted you can see it online). Regional manager Mary Sue Houser added that the board meets at 5 pm on the last Wednesday of each month and anyone can attend online or in person (in Issaquah).

NHUAC’s Pat Price, who’s on the White Center Library Guild, said they’d love to see the board out here. Houser said that once the schedule and locations are finalized – maybe not until the new executive director Heidi Daniel is on board (she starts March 11) – they’ll make sure everyone knows.

Houser talked about programming for kids – including 10:30 am Thursday story times – and a LEGO Block Party at 3 pm February 16. (Check the library website for event listings.) Tax season just started – only 10 returns done so far but Houser said they’ve already found $15,000 in refunds for patrons.

Seal said that while she’s just one board member and can’t directly order changes – like “more hours, everybody wants more hours” – she can advocate, and ensure that issues are discussed. You can contact her and the rest of the board by email (find the address here).

ANNOUNCEMENTS: NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin announced that King County Parks has volunteer opportunities – including work this Saturday at Dick Thurnau Park and other upcoming events at Glendale Forest and North Shorewood Park, all 9 am-noon work parties. (Find out more about the events, and how to volunteer, by going here.)

KING COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT: Tom Campbell, code-enforcement officer with the county Department of Local Services’ Permitting Division, was invited to talk about a couple White Center-area cases. First one, a residential property on 19th SW, where an “inoperable vehicle filled with garbage … had been there for a long time.” The occupants had “bagged the garbage and moved it to their driveway,” he said, but they decided what more they could do via the abatement process. They found the owner, he said, and “she agreed to remove the garbage within one week.” They gave her vouchers so she could take it to the transfer station. As for the inoperable vehicle, the owners plan to have it taken to a scrapyard and will move a vehicle that still works into its place on a gravel pad. “So that should get it cleaned up,” he said, noting that the trash had become an issue for neighbors because it was attracting rats. He explained that they have authority to do “abatement” on this kind of situation and to place a lien on the property to recover costs – but that requires court action, and can “take a fairly lengthy period of time,” so they tried instead to locate the owner first, and were successful via an online search. If she doesn’t keep her commitment, then they can pursue court action, Campbell explained.

He said NHUAC also had asked about the outdoor music from Tim’s Tavern, a frequent topic at meetings last year, with nearby residents hearing it inside their homes. “An outdoor performance center is not allowed in (this kind of) business zone,” he said, so they’ve pursued a code violation there, and also the fact the outdoor seating was constructed without a building permit. “There may also be an occupant load issue,” he said. “We do have an active enforcement case there,” just opened last week, and they’ll be following up. Today they sent a violation letter to Tim’s, he said, and the only way to resolve it is to “stop the activity, stop the use as an outdoor performance center.” If they don’t comply, but appeal it, there’ll be a hearing, and if the violation stands, there would be a compounding daily fine for however long the violation continues. Beyond that, Campbell said, eventually the county could seek “injunctive relief.”

Campbell was also asked about the stripped vehicles and trash at 2831 SW Roxbury, the former Roxbury Auto Parts (which has a sale pending, according to its online listing); he promised to look into it.

With situations like 19th SW, he was asked, what can be done about repeat violations? Campbell said they’re working with the King County Council to review policies that tend to drag these things out. He said people should be aware that code enforcement is funded by the county General Fund and that’s facing a budget crunch, so money woes may affect this kind of work. “We’ve had a position taken away, so we’re down some staff in code enforcement … one of the things we’re going to have to prioritize is the types of violations” that they pursue. Some smaller-level problems may not get immediate action, he warned – they may have to prioritize even more than they do now. They already have a large backlog of ‘very substantive code violations,” he said, that they’re working on.

The 19th SW situation might not have been prioritized if not for everything from the rats to the various people who contacted Permitting about it, Campbell said, including the County Executive’s Office.

Dobkin asked if other downtown White Center businesses also are supposed to not be allowed to have outdoor music; Campbell said he’s not certain about the boundaries of the “community business” district but anyone within it is prohibited from that use. Dobkin said there are rumors that other venues are planning it, with encouragement; Campbell said he’ll look into that too. Dobkin said, “I’m not trying to close a business …. but when it interferes with our life, that’s when it’s a problem.” The King County Sheriff’s Office had been dealing with the Tim’s situation previously, and storefront Det. Glen Brannon said he had lots of background to share with the Permitting Division.

Campbell then was told the Blu Grouse on 17th SW also is a concern, with outdoor music during good weather. Campbell said he’ll check into it, including whether the venue is in the district where this use would be banned.

How can businesses be educated that this is not an allowed use? King County’s Bong Santo Domingo, who’s also with Local Services, was asked, since he’s working with a new alliance involving local businesses. Campbell suggested that assembling and distributing a flyer with what’s not allowed and what is allowed in the business district might be a good idea.

Discussion then turned to concerns that special-event music also was running too loud and too long; longtime residents said they had never had a problem before the past year or so.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Then it was Det. Brannon’s turn. He elaborated on the ex-Roxbury Auto Parts building situation. He said the building was sold a year ago but it fell through (a plumbing company was going to move there); now another sale is pending, as we mentioned above, and he says his understanding that it’s going to be “some kind of car wash facility.” The owner doesn’t have the resources to tow the abandoned car(s) but they have been working to keep squatters out. Regarding the ex-Bartell Drugs building, which is owned by a California woman, it’s up for sale, he said, and it’s been burglarized and vandalized, so they’re trying to get it fenced. The “encampment on 13th” is still an issue, he said, and it’s being reviewed by King County higher-ups, though right now he says it’s only home to two full-time residents, with others coming and going. It might take two months “to get through all the bureaucracy it has to go through,” he cautioned. He talked about other sites he’s tracking, including one behind Little Caesar’s.

Brannon was asked about the much-reported regional enforcement inspections by Liquor Control Board agents and other law enforcers, which drew outcry because several venues were LGBTQ+. White Center’s Lumber Yard Bar was among them. Brannon wasn’t aware of the situation and the usual LCB rep wasn’t present. It was noted that reports also said Roxbury Lanes and Southgate Roller Rink had been visited as well. The regional reports mentioned Seattle Police and LCB involvement; why not KCSO? Brannon said LCB “has its own authority” and doesn’t require other law-enforcement approval or involvement, but he’ll look into it.

He received compliments for the department’s huge drug bust in Burien, and was asked about the most-recent freeway shooting; he said that largely was a State Patrol investigation, but said in general it’s related to gang activity – “young kids shooting each other.”

COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER’S ASSISTANT: Chris Lampkin from new King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s office introduced himself and invited everyone to let their office know about issues of concern.

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC usually meets the first Thursday of the month, 7 pm, online – watch nhuac.org for updates.