by Marilee A. Cogswell
Community Liaison, White Center Library

Happy belated New Year as well as a premature Valentine’s Day to all!

Please Note:

All King County Libraries will be Closed Monday February 16th for Presidents Day.

DID YOU KNOW?
That the King County Library System offers many programs and program series throughout the county that are FREE and open to all:

• See details of our “Many Voices, One Land” series here: http://www.kcls.org/manyvoicesoneland/
• See details of our “Fiscal Fitne$$” series here: http://www.kcls.org/events/fiscalfitness.cfm
• For a complete list of all programs here: http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm
• To see a complete list of all KCLS Libraries OPEN HOURS and LOCATIONS: http://www.kcls.org/locations/index.cfm

BOOK REVIEW:
“Puss ‘n Cahoots” (Mrs. Murphy) by author Rita Mae Brown

If you like mysteries, small towns, and animals as detectives, then the “Mrs. Murphy” mysteries are for you.

“Puss ‘n Cahoots” is the 14th in the series where all the animals belonging to Mary Minor ‘Harry’ Haristeen, post mistress of a small Virginia town, get in on the action.

In this series the critters serve not only as friendly human companions but are central characters in the story. They find clues, solve mysteries, and most importantly, protect ‘Harry’.

Mrs. Murphy (tabby) is the brains of the operation, lazy Pewter (a slightly overweight cat) and Tee Tucker (corgi) exuberant and fearless, team up with a wide range of farm and wild animals to uncover who done it every time. A fun twist on the relationship between animals and their humans, discussed from the animal’s point of view.

Many of the books in the ‘Mrs. Murphy’ series are available in audio format and in Large Print. Check the KCLS catalog here: http://catalog.kcls.org/

Highly recommended!

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT THE BOULEVARD PARK LIBRARY:

Preschool Story Time:

• Tuesdays at 10:30am
• Ages 3-5 with an adult
• 30 minutes of stories, songs and Fun!

Family Story Time:

• Wednesdays at 6:30pm
• 30 minutes of fun for the whole family

PROGRAMS AT THE GREENBRIDGE LIBRARY:

Family Story Time:

• Wednesdays at 2pm
• 30 minutes of fun for the whole family

PROGRAMS AT THE WHITE CENTER LIBRARY:

Mealworm Mania!

• Saturday, February 21st
• Starts at 2pm
• ‘Debbie the Science Lady’ will share fun experiments to discover mealworms’ favorite foods and colors – lots of hands on FUN!

Sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.

Vietnamese Story Times Chương Trình Đọc Truyện Cho Thiếu Nhi!:

• 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month through March 24th
• From 6pm-7pm
• Everyone is welcome!

Sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Community Liaison of the White Center Library.

The 34th District Democrats, who represent West Seattle, Burien, White Center and Vashon and Maury Islands, appear to have entered the 21st century, releasing both weekly videos and podcasts every Monday.

You can view/listen to them on Sen. Joe McDermott’s website here, or listen to their most recent podcast below, with topics ranging from the WASL to replacing the viaduct and more:

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Here are a few videos we found on their YouTube Channel:

Longtime Burien resident and former City Councilmember Stephen Lamphear filed the following Initiative against the annexation of North Highline with the City of Burien Monday (Jan. 26th):

Filed with the Burien City Clerk today at 3 pm.

The language is self-explanatory.

Next action would be to file for an Injunction with the Superior Court to prohibit Burien from acting while petition signatures are gathered.

I now have 120 days to collect signatures; if we get enough, then this will go on the ballot for Burien residents to vote on.

In case you can’t read the scan of the initiative above, the exact wording is:

NOTICE OF INITIATIVE PETITION

TO: Burien City Clerk

Pursuant to statute, the undersigned hereby gives notice of filing an Initiative Petition to the People of the City of Burien, Washington, to wit:

Shall the City Council of the City of Burien be prohibited from entering into any memorandum of understanding or any other form of agreement with the City of Seattle and/or any other municipal jurisdiction and/or any other party or parites for the purposes of annexation the legal result of which would be any form of partitioning of the King County unincorporated urban area generally known as the North Highline Unincorporated Area; and further, shall the City Council of the City of Burien be prohibited from authorizing any annexation plan or proposal to be filed with the Boundary Review Board the legal result of which would be any form of partitioning of the King County unincorporated urban area generally known as the North Highline Unincorporated Area?

YES

NO

Signed this 26th Day of January, 2009:

Stephen Lamphear

“I did this before in 1995 when Burien tried to adopt a utility tax that was not beneficial to lower income residents – I filed against that, got signatures, and got 21% of voters to sign.”

“My feeling is that if you see something that needs to be done, then it is your job to do it…”

Lamphear, a City Councilmember for eight years (from 1998-2005; he was defeated by Rose Clark), is currently a private citizen who is self-employed as a tax preparer.

He has a somewhat tumultuous relationship with current councilmembers, citing that six members opposed his election once and four another time.

Lamphear plans to speak at Monday night’s City Council meeting (which starts at 7pm at the ERAC Center, located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW near Hi-Line Lanes and Azteca), so it could make for an interesting evening.

We’ll post further information as it develops, including reaction from current City Councilmembers.

So…what do you think of this development? Please comment below, or email us.

Jodi Ritter from White Center’s Neighborhood House tells us they’re offering free “English as a Second Language” (ESL) classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays for citizens interested in becoming a US Citizen.

According to their website:

The mission of Neighborhood House is to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, health, financial independence and community building.

Here are the details:

WHAT: FREE ESL Classes that can help you become a US Citizen, learn English and Civics for the US Citizenship exam, or to receive application and fee waiver assistance.

WHEN: Wednesdays, 12:00-2:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00-12:00 pm

WHERE: Neighborhood House – Wiley Center, located at 9800 8th Ave. SW (map below)

COST: FREE

INFO: Call Jodi for more information: 206-461-4554 X25, visit their website: http://www.nhwa.org/ or via email: jodir@nhwa.org

This spring, West Seattle Montessori School will be moving into the White Center neighborhood (at 11216 16th Ave SW), so they’re holding a special Open House this Saturday, Jan. 24th from 1-3pm, and they’re inviting all interested parents, families, children etc. to come by and check out their school:

WHAT: West Seattle Montessori School. “Come learn about our NEW building and location! Now Enrolling for the 2009-10 school year.”

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 24th, 1pm-3pm

WHERE: At the current West Seattle Montessori School location, which is at 4536 38th Ave SW in West Seattle (map below); Phone: 206.935.0427

INFO: From their website:

With over 15,000 square feet of remodeled space, West Seattle Montessori School will open its new doors this spring.  With the King County Library as a next-door neighbor, an indoor greenhouse, photography dark room, 1,000 square foot corridor, and impressive large layout, WSMS is sure to be embraced.

Choosing a school where children flourish according to their needs and abilities is more critical today than ever.  West Seattle Montessori School is pleased to offer individualized teaching from experienced professionals, and would be delighted to assist you throughout your child’s academic journey.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community.  Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

As part of our close-knit WSMS community, we focus on the development of the whole child, not only providing personalized attention and student centered lessons, but also creating a rich and broad variety of experiences beyond our walls through art classes, stage performances, engaging field trips, and activities throughout Seattle’s eclectic neighborhoods.  It is our goal to instill within our students a clear set of values, including respect for each individual and her or his own unique talents and contributions.

We are now enrolling for the 2009 – 2010 academic school year. Please join us for an Open House at our current site (4536 38th Ave SW) to hear more details about this exciting move, Montessori curriculum, and our amazing community on Saturday, January 24, from 1pm to 3pm, or Thursday, February 5, from 6pm to 8pm.

If you can’t make it to this event, they’re also having another Open House on Thursday, Feb. 5th, from 6pm to 8pm.

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Late Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued an “Air Stagnation Advisory,” which basically declares a burn ban – so even though it’s cold outside, don’t you dare start a fire in the fireplace!

Here’s the advisory:

…Air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 10 PM PST Tuesday…

Stagnant conditions will return overnight as winds across most of the interior lowlands of western Washington become light. A strong temperature inversion remains over most of western Washington tonight that is limiting mixing and is trapping stagnant air near the surface. The exception is the east Puget Sound lowlands where gusty east winds will maintain good mixing and ventilation. The stagnant conditions are expected to last into Tuesday night.

People in western Washington should be aware that bans on outdoor burning are possible. Be sure to check with your local pollution control agency. In the Seattle area you can contact the Puget Sound clean air agency or visit their website at www.Pscleanair.Org.

Precautionary/preparedness actions… do not burn trash and be aware of local regulations for burning. People with respiratory difficulties such as asthma may find that strenuous exercise outdoors in this increasingly stagnant air mass may worsen the condition.

According to Pscleanair.Org, here are the restrictions under a Stage 1 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.;
• Natural gas, propane and pellet stoves or inserts ARE allowed.
• No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.
• All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas. Burning of storm and flood damage debris is also prohibited. The Clean Air Agency encourages people to take advantage of free flood-debris disposal coordinated by their county.
• Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

You can monitor air quality here: http://www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqi.aspx, including when the burn ban may be lifted.

King County Metro Transit will be operating with a reduced weekday schedule on Monday, Jan. 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

That means some commuter-oriented routes will be canceled that day, and there will be individual trips canceled on other routes.

Many routes will have no changes.

This is the same reduced schedule that was used recently on Nov. 28, Dec. 26, Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Dec. 31, and Jan. 2.

It features more bus service than on weekends, but somewhat less than normal weekdays with some route or individual trip cancellations.

This schedule will be used on at least 10 days in 2009.

More info here, or call the Customer Information Office at (206) 553-3000.

According to Robert’s Rules of Order, “parliamentary procedure” is based on the consideration of the rights:

• of the majority
• of the minority (especially a large minority greater than one-third)
• of individual members
• of absentee members
• of all of these groups taken together

“The application of parliamentary law is the best method yet devised to enable assemblies of any size, with due regard for every member’s opinion, to arrive at the general will on the maximum number of questions of varying complexity in a minimum amount of time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion.”

With that in mind, here’s a great way for you to learn more about Parliamentary Law – a free workshop being conducted on Saturday, Jan. 24th, from 10:30am-Noon at the Southwest Branch Library:

WHAT: A Free Public Workshop Presented By POINT OF ORDER PARLIAMENTARY LAW UNIT; The Secretary and Treasurer: Minding Your Minutes, Money, and More. Facilitated by: Robert Dolan, PRP (Robert is Treasurer for the National Association of Parliamentarians and has served the Washington State Association of Parliamentarians as Treasurer, President and Parliamentarian).

WHEN: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 10:30 A.M. – Noon

WHERE: Southwest Branch Library, located at 9010 35th Ave SW, Seattle (see map below)

INFO: http://ptoforder.googlepages.com/thesecretaryandtreasurer

Everyone is Welcome!

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The White Center Blog’s favorite group of ass-kickin’ women is of course the one and only Rat City Rollergirls, who originated at the Dub-C’s own Southgate Skating Rink way back in the day.

Coming up Saturday, Jan. 31st is their annual “Black & Blue Tie Auction,” which should be just about as kick-ass as one of their skating competitions:

Hosted by renowned Auctioneer/Host Laura Michalek, this should be a fun night full of action, giving, and of course, bargains.

Here’s a blurb from their website:

This will be our largest and most important fundraiser of the year.

With the funds generated from this event, we can continue to send our All-Star Team to represent Seattle in Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) sanctioned competitions both regionally and nationally.

Bidding rules will be provided. The silent auction will run from 6:00 p.m. when doors open to 7:30 p.m.

The live auction will run from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. All bids are binding.

Please bring a form of payment to the event (cash, check, credit card) as all bids are to be settled that evening.

There are no refunds for this event, but tickets are transferable.

For additional questions please feel free to contact Skate Trooper at ticketing@ratcityrollergirls.com.

WHAT: Rat City Rollergirls Live and Silent Auction

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 31st from 6 to 10 p.m.

WHERE: South Lake Union Naval Reserve Building, located at 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle (map below)

TICKETS: Brown Paper Tickets: Click Here to Order Online!

HOST: Auctioneer, Laura Michalek

Some of the auction items up for bid include products/services from:

• Alexis Hotel
• Alki Kayak Tours
• ART
• Artcore Tattoo
• Big Dipper Waxworks
• The Big Picture
• Big Wheel Bingo
• Bike Works
• Circa
• Custom Crash Cut Ducati
• EB Foote Winery
• Fado Irish Pub
• Fast Girl Skates
• Fifth Ave Theater
• Fresh NW Designs & Wine Girl Wines
• Gold Class Cinemas
• Hitchcock
• iClick
• Il Terrazzo Carmine
• Ivars
• Jones Soda
• Lightform USA
• Museum of Flight
• Old Thyme Aviation
• Personal Services
• Pole For The Soul
• Pop Cap Games
• Seattle Ski Shuttle
• Second Use
• Sin In Linen
• Sports Memorabilia
• SubPop Records
• Three Dollar Bill Cinema
• Tiger Tail
• Wahine Sport
• Wing It Productions
• Zulu Nyala

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Last May, Feds ambushed a Boulevard Park restaurant called the El Flamingo for a major drug bust that netted about 40 pounds of cocaine, a pound of heroin, guns, methamphetamine and about $240,000 in cash.

Wednesday, a second man was sentenced for being part of a crime ring that was run out of the Mexican restaurant:

JAVIER GASTELUM-INZUNZA, 29, of Auburn, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison and three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine.

GASTELUM-INZUNZA was arrested in May 2008, as part of “Operation Pink Tiger.” The operation took its name from the original target of the probe who went by the nickname “Tigre,” and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in distinctive pink cellophane.

GASTELUM-INZUNZA was found with more than $118,000 in cash at the time of his arrest. The money and two vehicles were forfeited to the government. U.S. District Judge James L. Robart imposed the sentence.

Alonso Rojo-Lopez, 21, of Burien, Washington, was sentenced last month to 46 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Oscar Manuel Vargas-Feliz, 32, of Federal Way, Washington, was sentenced in October 2008, to 30 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Gustavo Rojo-Melendez, 18, of Burien, Washington, was sentenced last month to 19 months in prison for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The case was investigated by the King County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI.

King County released $36 million in housing grants Wednesday, including money to help first-time home buyers in White Center.

Here’s the pertinent info relevant to the Dub-C:

Homestead Community Land Trust: Operating support to provide assistance to approximately eight first time homebuyers in White Center.

Award: $30,000 in HOME funds.

Contact: Sheldon Cooper, Executive Director, Homestead Community Land Trust, 206-263-1277 ext. 113

So…if you’re looking to buy your first home in White Center, there ya go!

The White Center Blog would like to welcome its latest Advertiser: Highline Athletic Club!

You know how lucky we are to have the Highline Athletic Club in the neighborhood? It’s just been named as #10 on About.com’s Top 10 Athletic Clubs in the Seattle area, and guess what readers: #s1-9 are in Bellevue & Seattle. As a matter of fact, after 21 years in Burien, HAC is still the only club that has a pool (heated to 84 degrees) and a gymnasium where members can play basketball or the very popular pickle ball. It also has a Pilates Reformer Studio, which you won’t find in the south end, except of course at the Highline Athletic Club.

We recently sat down with General Manager Dona Forrester to find out what’s so special about HAC. Dona’s been with the club for 16.5 years and GM for 10.5 years. She drives in every day from Maple Valley…so you know she’s gotta love her job at the club. Why? Because HAC has fantastic owners, great staff & clientele and offers a first-class facility.

Dona, an avid marathoner, has run in 12 marathons – 4 of them being the Boston Marathon. That’s why it makes sense for Dona to train prospective marathoners for the upcoming June Rock ‘N’ Roll Seattle Marathon. Training for the ½ marathon & full marathon will begin in February. This program is available for members and non-members. For more information email her at dona@highlineathleticclub.com. Haven’t heard of this marathon? It will be held on Saturday June 27th and will become a SeaFair signature event and will help kick-off this summer festival. The route starts in Tukwila and will feature 70 live bands and finish at Qwest Field. Will Dona be running? The verdict is still out.

In the WCB tradition, we ran through a hands-on exercise routine with personal trainer Karen S. on some of the equipment—after stretching, of course. Luckily for us, each new membership comes with three sessions with a personal trainer. This particular session focused on the outer body (joint and leg and arm muscles), next we’ll work on those (hopeful) washboard abs, or the inner body.

If the equipment doesn’t suit your needs, there are over 50 “GroupX” classes. These Body Training System classes have been carefully designed to deliver simple, fun and effective social exercise experiences independent of barriers like gender, age or fitness levels.

At Highline Athletic Club, Dona and her staff are continually creating new ways to help members gain a lean and healthier body. New this January (starting January 19) is “4 Weeks 4 Ways” which is a diet and exercise program meeting once each week for four weeks. Participants will explore four popular diet plans. They will take the “best of the best” from each diet and exercise program that fits their lifestyle needs. Expect to receive recipe tastings, recipes, weekly plan education and personal calorie and exercise calculations.

For more information, contact Deb at debbie@highlineathleticclub.com or call the club at 206-246-9000. This program is available to members and non-members.

If you feel that time has come to join a gym, Dona feels that before you make the decision check out what the club provides:

• Is the location convenient?
• Is it clean?
• Does it offer everything you want?
• Are you comfortable in the environment?
• Is the staff friendly?
• Are the trainers educated?
• Do they offer assistance in getting you started?
• How busy are the areas you want to use during your workout time?
• Does it have a variety of amenities to choose from like a gym, swimming pool, steam/sauna, Jacuzzi, indoor running track, showers and lockers?

To visit the Highline Athletic Club, simply stop in and they will be happy to show you the facility, located at 125 South 156th in Burien (see map below). If you’d like to set up a specific time or would like to try the club on a free guest pass email Dona at dona@highlineathleticclub.com to set an appointment.

Join by the end of January for ZERO enrollment fees (regularly $140-$200). Dues are month to month, no contract, no sales pressure.

This is an exceptional offer from the friendly folks at HAC – stop by and see them, or click their Ad to check out their website.

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Children from West Seattle’s Lafayette Elementary School, once attended by the White Center Blog’s own Mark Neuman, held a very successful food drive for the White Center Food Bank, with over 2,100 items donated last week.

Here’s more from their press release:

The Lafayette Elementary student council had a new idea this year while planning their annual food drive for the White Center Food Bank. They held a competition to see which class could collect the most items and kept track of the donations by teacher on a bulletin board in the front lobby. The donations quickly filled the collection barrel and started to fill the school’s front lobby.

All of the classes participated, but two classes led the competition: Ms. Rollin’s class collected the most items (251) and Mr. Beal’s class (203) came in second place.

Over 2,100 items total were collected school-wide.

Last week, the White Center Food Bank team had to make two van trips to transport all of the collected food down to their facility in White Center.

Lafayette’s student council sponsors two community service projects a year–one in winter and one in spring. James Morrison, Macy Crooks and Shelby Walker (in the photo) were the student council officers in charge of promoting the drive, keeping track of how many items were brought in, and updating a bulletin board daily to monitor our success. A huge thank you to these student leaders, Mimi Armistead (staff lead for Lafayette’s student council) and to all the generous Lafayette families who donated food.

Since this effort was so successful, Lafayette is going to continue collecting food for the White Center Food Bank (with a goal of a barrel a month) for the rest of the school year.

Lafayette Elementary is a Seattle Public School located at 2645 California Ave. SW. in West Seattle. For more information about Lafayette or their ongoing partnership with the White Center Food Bank, please contact Virginia Turner at 206-252-9500. For more information about White Center Food Bank, check out their web site at: www.whitecenterfoodbank.org; you can also donate directly online here.

Way to go kids!

Delila Leber, a teacher at White Center’s Mt. View Elementary School, sends us this notice about their Jan. 21st informational meeting on their dual language program.

Here are the details:

Local families are invited to attend Mt. View Elementary School’s informational meeting about the new dual language program we will be starting next year in Kindergarten.

If your children speak Spanish or English and you are interested in a program where they would become bilingual, please arrive by 6:00 p.m. on January 21 for more information.

Snacks and childcare will be provided.

Mt. View Elementary School is located at 10811 12th Ave SW (see map below).

Please call (206) 631-4500 with any questions.

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by Nicholas Wolfe

About 100 Highline residents and local public officials, angry and frustrated with flight operations involving the third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport, voiced their complaints to Port of Seattle representatives at a special meeting of the Highline Forum on Thursday.

While noise and pollution from low-flying commercial jets using the new runway – and the negative impact these have on property values – are significant concerns, their primary grievance is that the port either reneged on assurances to the community that it would have limited use as a backup landing strip in inclement weather or misrepresented the actual intent for its operation.

The disagreement between the airport’s residential neighbors and the port over use of the third runway was highlighted in an exchange between State Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, and Sea-Tac Managing Director Mark Reis.

A pre-construction supplemental Environmental Impact Statement said the third runway would be operated “in bad and good weather conditions” along with the other two runways to maintain air traffic flow, Reis noted.

“During poor and good weather, this is increasing the efficient operating capability of the airport during peak hours,” he added. “We never said it would be used in bad weather only.

But, countered Keiser, “The community was led (by the port) to believe that the third runway would be used in cases of bad weather when safe landings created a need (for its operation). That was the premise that the Environmental Impact Statement. Now here we are with the third runway in operation.

“The premise seems to have changed from being used as a foul-weather type of facility. It’s been shifted, and I am very concerned about what that does to the process on the EIS,” she said.”

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler, co-chairman of the Highline Forum, told Reis, “The senator and I are on the same page here.” During the decade-long debate over the third runway, he recalled, port representatives “brought to the ACC (Airport Communities Coalition) over and over that it would be used for arrivals only in bad weather…. That’s what the port has been saying.”

The Highline Forum, comprised of the cities of Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, Tukwila, SeaTac and Federal Way, the Highline School District, and the port, was organized after construction of the third runway got underway to promote cooperative relationships between Sea-Tac and neighboring cities. It replaced the Airport Communities Coalition that for a decade tried to block the third runway and secured environmental regulations for airport operations.

Earlier, Sheckler asked Reis, “Is it fair to say that the third runway is going to be used as a fully functioning runway?” “Yes,” Reis replied. Since it became operational on Nov. 20, Sea-Tac has used two runways in bad conditions and all three in good weather.

But Federal Aviation Administration, not the airport, directs air traffic – including the use of runways, Reis and Stan Shepherd, manager of airport noise programs, both said. The port manages general operations at Sea-Tac, including noise control and mitigation in impacted neighborhoods.

Three FAA representatives were in attendance as observers.

Sheckler also quizzed Reis about how long it will take for the impacts of third runway operations to be fully mitigated by the port. Although it could take between three and five years, Reis said, “The public process does not need to be drawn out too long.”

The supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which was prepared in 1997, estimated that by 2010 almost 28 percent of all flights arriving at Sea-Tac would use the third runway. But according to data from the port, 44 percent of inbound planes landed on it through Dec. 17. This, port officials said, reflects the low visibility that generally occurs in November and December, and that this figure is expected to go down in the spring and summer months.

Reis said the port “did the best we could to project what was going to be the noise associated with operation of the runway,” and that the FAA now is looking for ways to reduce its impact, including not using the runway between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and not landing older, noisier jets on it.

Dr. Dagmar Cronn, president of the South Park Neighborhood Association, said residents in her community “are unhappy or shocked about the increase in noise. Suddenly they noticed more planes and more noise overhead.” She asked that mitigation be provided by the port to offset the decline in home values and the disruption of sleep patterns and the quality of life.

“The noise is unacceptable,” said Benjamin Stark of Des Moines. Asking where the money for mitigation will come from with mounting deficits in both the federal and state governments, he suggested, “It seems to me that the thing to do is just shut it down.”

Several residents described how third runway flight operations have destroyed their ability to live normal lives in their homes and deflated the value of their property.

Reis said the port will continue to study its impacts on the surrounding area. In the meantime, he cautioned residents, the third runway will be in full operation from April through late October while Sea-Tac’s first runway is completely rebuilt.

by Nicholas Wolfe

The Port of Seattle committed “fraud” by misrepresenting its actual plan for use of the third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport until after the controversial addition went into operation on Nov. 20, CASE (Citizens Against Sea-Tac Expansion) president Brett Fish of Burien charged at a meeting of the watchdog group Wednesday evening.

“I know that’s a strong term, but I don’t know what else to say….”

“A lot of heads should roll down the third runway,” Fish declared as he criticized port officials for using it 24/7 as a primary runway, even in good weather conditions, despite repeated pre-construction assurances that it would be used only in bad weather – and then primarily for landings to prevent flight delays. “They lied about not using it as a main runway…. Do we want to become a jet ghetto? I don’t think so. It’s our job to turn this thing around.”

And the first step in turning things around, both Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler and Fish emphasized, is for Highline residents who are experiencing negative impacts from third runway flight operations to speak out at a public meeting of the Highline Forum with port officials at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 8, at the port office on the mezzanine level of the main terminal at Sea-Tac. Parking will be validated upon request.

Sheckler also is co-chairman of the Highline Forum, which is comprised of the cities of Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, Tukwila, SeaTac and Federal Way, the Highline School District, and the port. The forum – which replaced the Airport Communities Coalition that for a decade tried to block the third runway – was organized after construction got underway to promote cooperative relationships between the Sea-Tac and neighboring cities.

“I never expected to be before you again on third runway issues. At least I hoped I wouldn’t be,” Sheckler told CASE members. But now it’s “very, very clear how it’s operating,” he observed. “It’s like a main runway … it’s obvious to me that the third runway will continue to be used as a main runway. So the focus needs to be on mitigation.”

In the past, Sheckler continued, “the port has been fairly good on addressing issues of mitigation. But this is really a big one…. When the third runway was built, they never looked at it in terms of impact by its use as a main runway…. We need to ask them, ‘What are you going to do about it?’”

Noting that “we were caught off guard” by the immediate use of third runway as a main rather than a backup runway – which Highline communities had been assured it would be – he added, “We weren’t prepared for this. The first thing we have to do now is see what the port’s response is. We hope to find that out” at Thursday’s meeting. “I want everyone to remember to ask, ‘Why did you tell us that?’”

Asked by one community resident about the possibility of suing the Port – and even the Federal Aviation Administration – for damages, Sheckler replied, “That’s what I’m hoping to avoid. I hope the port does not have a short-term memory loss…. But if the third runway becomes a major issue … there’s going to be hell to pay for it.”

While CASE membership is comprised of veterans of the anti-third-runway fight, an outspoken newcomer is Miriam Bearse of Burien, who moved to the city late last year. “We weren’t aware of the third runway when we bought our home,” she said. But the impact on their lives has “been astounding…. That roar (of jets flying low overhead). The whistling. It sounds like it’s getting so close…. No matter how hard I try, it strikes fear in me.

“That the port should be able to go back on their word is incredible,” Bearse declared. “I don’t think that we should stand for it.”

She said a meeting for affected homeowners and renters only, at which the possibility of legal action against the port will be discussed, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the SeaTac Community Center (full details here).

Burien Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, who lives close to the third runway, said noise from flight operations “is an increasing problem” that rattles her windows to the point that she is concerned they will break eventually. “We need to do something soon.”

Beyond the possibility of such damage, Clark is concerned about the negative impact on the value of neighboring homes. Her house “was devalued by $20,000 by King County” due to the second runway at Sea-Tac. “Now I expect its devaluation to be even greater.”

The impact of devaluation doesn’t stop with individual homeowners. “Property devaluation also impacts local cities and the Highline School District,” she noted, “because lower valuation results in less property tax revenue.”

One member of the audience noted that a port representative had told a long-time resident, who complained about the noise, “It’s your fault for living there.”

Another exclaimed, “Since the state is out of money and the feds are out of money, why don’t we just shut the goddamn runway down?”

But, observed a third, there is little community residents can do because the “jet airplane mobsters” operate under laws passed by Congress.

Both the port and the FAA are expected to study the impacts of the third runway – a process that could take months if not years. “In the meantime,” Fish suggested, “have them back off on the use of the third runway and do what they said they would.”

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The White Center Blog would like to welcome its newest Writer, Nicholas Wolfe, to our team. Wolfe is an investigative journalist who will be covering community issues. Look for more of his coverage of the third runway noise issue soon!]