White Center’s own Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy, owner of the Triangle Pub and now a candidate for the 34th District Legislative seat being vacated by Sharon Nelson, released a statement about the closure of the South Park Bridge on Monday (Mar. 15th).

The bridge, which, as we reported Feb. 17th, will be closed at the end of June because the latest round of federal stimulus money grants did NOT include any for it, and according to the King County website:

Several studies have shown that the condition of the bridge warrants major rehabilitation or replacement.

Here’s Mac’s statement:

“The planned South Park Bridge closing is a glaring example of how voters in our legislative district are being under represented. My issue is not with the legislators who represent our local districts. Nor is it with their representatives, who “informed” the residents of South Park that their bridge is being closed on June 30, 2010. My issue is primarily with the fact that there is currently NO PLAN to mitigate the effects of the bridge closure on South Park, White Center, Burien, West Seattle, Tukwila or Seattle.

“We elect officials whom we expect will represent our interests. We vote for taxes that will pay for the programs that we believe are important. Our system of government is based upon the idea of representation and in this particular instance the voices of the people were not heard. In spite of a groundswell of community concern, there is no bridge, no plan, and currently no help being offered.

“In this moment it is important that we insure that our elected officials come up with a plan for how traffic is going to be routed, how emergency services are going to be provided, and how Seattle and Tukwila are going to work together to develop a traffic plan for everyone’s benefit. Whether I am elected or not, I pledge to work with our communities to come up with a plan to mitigate the closure of the South Park Bridge. It is time for solutions and results. We can deal with politics later.”

Our friends at the White Center Community Development Association alert us to an upcoming educational business seminar on small business tax, funding and financing on Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm at Chase Bank (1616 SW 100th Street).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Educational seminar on small business tax, funding and financing.

WHEN: Monday, March 15th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Chase Bank Meeting Room, located at 1616 SW 100th Street in White Center.

INFO: From a flier:

Do you own or think of owning a business in White Center? Do you have business tax-related questions?

Are you interested in finding out about funding/financing sources to start/operate your business?

Would you like to pick the brain of an expert in business development and a couple of CPAs?

You are invited to: AN EDUCATION SEMINAR ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX, FUNDING & FINANCING

Presented: Cornerstone Funding Company

Location:    Chase Bank – Meeting Room

Address:    1616 SW 100th Street

Date & Time: Monday, March 15 6pm – 8pm

RSVP is required by emailing Nhan Nguyen at nhan@wccda.org or call 206.694.1082 Ext. 166.

Courtesy Whitewater Aquatics Board of Directors President Ed Marrs comes this update on the status of Evergreen Pool, which closed Sept. 1st:

Negotiations between King County, Highline School District and Whitewater Aquatics Management, LLC (WWAM) continue regarding pending repairs and maintenance to the Evergreen pool, and takeover of the management of the pool by WWAM. King County has agreed to make renovations to the pool, but asked WWAM to have access to $100,000 in seed money to absorb the costs of re-opening the pool.

To date, WWAM has contributed $30,000 and last week they received contributions or pledges from WhiteWater families for another $8,000. Some families are pursuing corporate gifts or grants from their employers (they are a non-profit, so any contributions are tax-deductible).

Whitewater’s goal is to have the necessary funding in place so they can take over and re-open the pool on January 1st, 2010.

Aside from avoiding the problems of pool closures faced by other swim clubs (including Des Moines’ Mt. Rainier Pool), Whitewater has a unique opportunity to assume complete control of the operation, a position rarely afforded other clubs. As such, they’ll continue to offer the same family-friendly schedules and practice frequencies.

According to Marrs, Whitewater has two issues that they need help from the public with:

1. “The king county council has said that in the Executive budget to the rest of the council there is money for some capital improvement projects.  It is imperative to us that this money is approved as is.  In past pool transfers, capital improvement money has been passed along to the group that has taken over the pool.  We need to get the public to e-mail the King County Council and let them know that this money in the budget needs to passed.  Here’s a link to a page where people can give input to the council:  http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/budget/Testify_Online.aspx
2. WhiteWater Aquatics is in a unique position.  We are the first group to take over operation of a pool without the backing of a city.  The county is asking us to have approximately $100,000 in reserve to re-open the pool.  This money will be used for advertising, payroll, and supplies to get us going until we get money coming in from our programming.  To this end we are going to need financial support directly from the community.  We are asking citizens and businesses to donate to our management group.  We are a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible.  If for some reason we are unable to reopen the pool we will return all donations.  I have attached a letter we are sending out to the public:

Dear Friends of Evergreen Pool,

As you know, the Evergreen pool was closed on August 31st. Due to budgetary shortfalls, King County has decided to mothball the pool. We are very fortunate to have a second pool in Tukwila for the community’s use; however, it too is slated for closure in December, 2010.

A team of dedicated Whitewater Aquatics members have been working hard evaluating all of the possible solutions for keeping the Evergreen pool open and available to the community. When comparing the Evergreen Pool to successful pool management plans, it became apparent that there was unrealized potential with the Evergreen Pool. Our plan would be to operate it as a community pool with a more efficient business plan by:

• Utilizing streamlined swim lessons
• Efficient group usage and special groups’ access that maximizes staff time.
• And most importantly, an ongoing advertising and marketing outreach

Together, these operating strategies would generate a profitable revenue stream that other successful pool management plans have achieved.

We have formed a non-profit company Whitewater Aquatics Management, LLC (hereafter known as WWAM) to try and save Evergreen! We presented a detailed business plan to King County and the Highline School district where WWAM would assume management of the Evergreen Pool no later than January 1, 2010. The King County council is requiring WWAM to have access to $100,000 in seed money to ensure the long term viability of the pool.

We have secured a $30,000 loan but we need to raise $70,000 more to meet our goal. We are currently exploring several fundraising options including community fundraisers and grants but these things take time and will be utilized for ongoing operational costs in the future. We are faced with a short time line to get the pool up and running for January 1, 2010 so we are asking our membership and the community for donations to help achieve this goal. We ask that you share this letter with any other potentially interested parties.

We would ask that you donate as generously as you can and have the following giving levels:

• $100-$250-Friends of Evergreen
• $250-$500 -Patrons of Evergreen
• $500-$1,000 -The Evergreen Circle
• $1,000 and above – The Evergreen Gold Club

By giving at these levels, you will be acknowledged by name on a giving wall that will be on display at Evergreen. In addition you will be invited to a reception and re-opening event.

Clearly we understand that these are difficult times, but our hope is to encourage everyone to give at whatever level they are able. No donation is too small; if everyone can give even a small amount we will be able to reopen this pool. This donation is tax deductible as Whitewater Aquatics is a non-profit organization. Each person is encouraged to review our business plan which is available upon request. In the event the Evergreen Pool management transition does not occur, the money will be returned to you promptly.

Please make all checks payable to WWAM and mail all donations to:

WWAM
PO Box 46517
Seattle, WA 98146

Please include your name, mailing address, phone number and an email address. If you would like your donation to remain anonymous please indicate that along with your donation.

You will promptly receive an email confirmation of your donation along with a receipt for tax purposes.

Any questions can be directed to Bryan Hastings at (206) 291-7141 or Head Coach Joel Schweiger at (951) 218-1790.

Sincerely,
WhiteWater Aquatics Management

On Wednesday, Sept. 9th we first reported how community-service group ACORN is trying to help save Maria Morales’ White Center house from foreclosure by staging a phone bank today (Fri. Sept. 11th) starting at 3pm at their Burien headquarters (located at 134 SW 153rd St. Suite D).

According to ACORN Head Organizer/Director Alex King, you can either just show up at their Burien offices at 3pm, or YOU can help try and save Maria’s house from the comfort of your own office or home – RIGHT NOW (between 9am-4pm):

1. Call Sen. Margarita Prentice at (360) 786-7616, and ask her to pass mandatory mortgage mediation and to help save Maria’s home.

2. Call Litton at (713) 218-4592 and when asked provide the following information:

Loan #: 0014555239

Name: Maria Morales

“My name is _______and I am calling in support of ACORN member Maria Morales asking you to NOT sell her house and to modify her mortgage NOW.”

[Wait for their response]

“We will continue to call and do actions until Maria’s loan is modified and you start modifying all the other modifications you have. Thank you.”

We’ll be at the ACORN offices later today, and will post photos and an update later, so stay tuned and let’s see if we can garner up some serious people power to help our neighbor!

ACORN, a community organization of low- and moderate-income families headquartered in nearby Burien, is seeking area residents to help take action to save a White Center home from foreclosure this Friday, Sept. 11th starting at 3pm.

Volunteer “Foreclosure Fighters” are needed at ACORN’s Burien office (located at 134 SW 153rd St. Suite D, Burien) to help resident Maria Morales from losing her home Friday, when a grassroots phone bank will place calls to Litton Mortgage, Morales’ lender.  Volunteers are needed to make phone calls demanding Litton work with Maria and modify her loans.

Members will also call Morales’ State Legislator Margarita Prentice to request her to take action on the foreclosure crisis.

“I am a single mother and this is all I can offer to my children. I want to do everything I can to keep my home,” said Morales.

Tens of thousands people in Washington state are losing their homes. Neighborhoods are in tatters and the economy is in ruins while financial institutions like Litton and Goldman Sachs are taking tax dollars and giving away huge bonuses. They are refusing to do even the bare minimum for homeowners by modifying mortgages that qualify for the Obama foreclosure plan.

Morales and other ACORN Foreclosure Fighters were stymied June 30th as they tried to confront the Goldman Sachs financial firm in downtown Seattle. Ms. Morales (whose mortgage is held by Sach’s Litton and scheduled for sale on Sept. 25th) was actually locked out of the building. ACORN members believe this to be the lender’s general attitude regarding their mortgage clients.

ACORN Foreclosure Fighter members, allies, and struggling homeowners, outraged at not only the treatment of their members, but also the ongoing foreclosure crisis that is tearing apart families, neighborhoods, and the economy, will take grassroots action to save members’ homes this Friday. In March, President Obama announced Making Home Affordable, a $75 billion effort to prevent 4 million foreclosures. However, many who SHOULD qualify are not receiving modifications from their lenders.

ACORN members believe their legislators missed an opportunity to prevent foreclosures in the last legislative session. ACORN is starting the fight to win real statewide reform this Friday.

ACORN is the nation’s largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, with over 450,000 member families organized into neighborhood chapters in 100 cities across the country. Since 1970 ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to our members. Our priorities include: better housing for first time homebuyers and tenants, living wages for low-wage workers, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, and better public schools. ACORN is an acronym, and each letter should be capitalized. ACORN stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

To volunteer, call ACORN at 206-723-5845, or email Theresa Guerrero here ASAP; for more information on ACORN, visit their website: http://www.acorn.org.

There will be a “Save The Pool” rally tonight (Monday, Aug. 31st) from 5pm to 7pm at the Evergreen Pool, which is located at 606 SW 116th St in White Center.

Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember and candidate for the executive position, says that the pool will close Tuesday, Sept. 1st, and stay closed until a new management deal is completed.

Evergreen Pool’s budget was cut by the county, and its future appears to be sinking fast, unless something is done soon…so be there to show your support!

As we first reported Tuesday, the Highline School District is facing major budget cuts, potentially having to lay off the equivalent of 228 full-time Teachers.

According to the school district, the RIF (Reduction In Force) will impact 152 full-time and 114 part-time teachers for a total of 264 individuals, or 228 full time equivalent teachers.

We sent an inquiry to John Welch, Superintendent of the school district, and received his response which we’ve posted below (it can also be seen on the district website as a PDF here):

Message to the community
April 22, 2009

Dear Neighbors:

As you probably know, the state is dealing with a budget shortfall of $9 billion. As a result, the legislature will likely make deep cuts to education funding. At Highline Public Schools, we anticipate budget cuts of $8 million for next school year due to state funding cuts. We have already made significant reductions in the current school year; we must now make some very difficult choices for next year.

I have already announced $2.2 million in cuts—elimination of 10 administrator and manager positions, a freeze on administrator and manager pay, and elimination of 20 math and literacy coaching positions.

We still must make cuts of around $6 million. We have identified a list of budget reduction options, and we are asking staff and the public for feedback. You will find the list published on at www.hsd401.org. I invite you to participate in one of the community budget forums being held in the next week:

• Thursday, April 23, 6pm – 8pm: Pacific Middle School
• Saturday, April 25, 9am – 11am: Hazel Valley Elementary
• Monday, April 27, 6pm – 8pm: Evergreen High School campus

We are working very hard to minimize direct impacts on students. But since 70% of district spending is on employees, it is impossible to sustain cuts this deep without cutting staff—both teachers and non-teaching staff.

In our earlier projections based on the governor’s budget, we did not anticipate the need to lay off teachers. Since then, the state budget shortfall has grown significantly, and the state House and Senate have published their budgets, which contain much deeper cuts to public education funding. As a result, we now anticipate a reduction in force (RIF) of 152 full-time and 114 part-time teaching positions.

This is a worst-case scenario. We anticipate we will be able to call back at least some of these teachers.

I had very much hoped to avoid a reduction in force. I regret that we will lose even one teacher. And I recognize that even for those who will be called back to work, the RIF notification is stressful. However, until the legislature finalizes its budget and we know how many teachers are retiring or moving out of the district, we cannot be certain of our staffing needs. This is an unfortunate place to be, and I am asking both staff and the public to be patient as we work through this process.

The school board faces some tough decisions. Your input will help inform their decision-making. Together, we will work to create a budget that meets the needs of students as best we can with the resources we have available.

If you can’t attend any of the three meetings above, you can always send in an anonymous comment by clicking here.

Highline Public Schools serves over 17,000 students in 35 different schools (18 elementary, 4 middle and 13 high schools), ranging in an area from White Center to Des Moines.

More information, including specific budget cuts, is available on the Highline Public Schools website.

Ever since we first created our exclusive, continually-updated, White Center-centric Jobs Section last September, we’ve done what we can to help both area residents and local businesses who need help, so it was only natural today when we found the following three job listings to share them with our Readers.

All are with the Highline School District at the Evergreen Campus (located at 830 SW 116th Street), with an application deadline of next Friday, March 27th; application info is included at the bottom of each listing:

1. HOMEWORK HUB SUPERVISOR:

Position Description: To provide program oversight for after-school tutors, volunteers, high school students, and activities of the Evergreen Homework Hub.

Note: The Evergreen Homework Hub is a new program on the Evergreen Campus. This position is a contract position from April-June 2009 with the possibility of a more permanent position during the 2009-2010 school-year.

Essential Functions:

• Supervise volunteers and tutors during program hours
• Assist in the recruitment of volunteers and tutors for the Homework Hub
• Supervise students and apply appropriate behavior management
• Complete required reports and maintain accurate records and documentation
• Maintain communication and relationships with school day and after-school staff
• Assist in supervising enrichment activities while on site
• Assist in providing periodic training sessions for tutors, volunteers, and CSC staff to increase competency in working with students
• Help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying
• Help students develop self-confidence, raise self-concept, and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work
• Help students develop a high level of motivation in academic areas
• Assist students in achieving a better understanding of specific subject material and in improving academic capabilities in designated areas as needed
• Help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success
• Serve as a role model for students being served

Qualifications/Skills Required:

• Ability to use computers for entry into database, spreadsheets, word-processing and network software, including email; proficient use of telephone systems with voice mail; ability to use copy machine
• Strong and effective organizational and time management skills
• Working knowledge of age-appropriate education expectations and knowledge of student behavior management
• Ability to supervise volunteers; communicate effectively via oral and written communication; ability to work effectively with other team members; good people skills and personal judgment
• Ability to work under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; creating a safe learning environment for all participants
• Comfortable serving ethnically diverse populations of youth and adults
• Bilingual skills preferred
• Proficient in language arts and high school level math
• Experience working with ages 14-18
• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with youth and adults
• Willingness to conduct special activities as needed
• Willingness to comply with established school district and Community Schools Collaboration policies and procedures
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Working Environment:
This job is primarily performed within school buildings in a generally clean and healthy environment. Work hours will vary from 15-18 hours per week, primarily afternoons; includes school early release days; includes meetings and trainings as scheduled by Community Schools Director; reports to Site Manager

Experience:
At least two years experience working with middle or high school aged students in educational or recreational setting. Experience with program management; experience working with multicultural, multilingual students and families preferred.

Education:
AA degree in job related field, such as Education, Social Work, or Recreation. Experience may substitute for educational requirements.

Compensation and Hours: $16-$18/hour; 15-18 hours/week approximate; April-June; There are no benefits for this position.

How to apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Chera Amlag, amlagco@hsd401.org by Friday, March 27, 2009. For questions, call 206.248.5474.

2. MATH & SCIENCE SPECIALIST:

Position Description: The general responsibilities of the Math & Science Specialist Tutor is to provide individual and small group tutoring to students in the Evergreen Homework Hub with an emphasis on Math and Science support. Other assistance might include: reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, formulating ideas for papers/assignments, or working on solutions to problems.

Essential Functions:
•Provide academic assistance to students in the Homework Hub, either in a group or individually, particularly to students requesting math and science support.
•Attend periodic training sessions given by Community Schools Collaboration staff members to increase competency in working with students.
•Help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying.
•Help students develop self-confidence, raise self-concept, and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work.
•Help students develop a high level of motivation in academic areas.
•Assist students in achieving a better understanding of specific subject material and in improving academic capabilities in designated areas.
•Help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success.
•Serve as a role model for students being served.
•Work with Homework Hub Supervisor to provide evaluations and other reports as requested by CSC staff.

Qualifications/Skills Required:
•Comfortable serving ethnically diverse populations of youth and adults
•Good listener; good oral/written communication skills
•Bilingual skills preferred
•Proficient in high school level math and science
•Experience working with ages 14-18
•Comfortable tutoring one-on-one as well as leading small groups
•Ability to work independently and on a team
•Ability to maintain a professional relationship with youth and adults
•Willingness to comply with established school district and Community Schools
Collaboration policies and procedures
•Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Working Environment:
This job is primarily performed within school buildings after-school in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Compensation and Hours: $10-$13/hour; 8 hours/week; April-June 2009; There are no benefits for this position.

How to apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Chera Amlag, amlagco@hsd401.org by Friday, March 27, 2009. For questions, call 206.248.5474.

3. LANGUAGE ARTS & SOCIAL STUDIES SPECIALIST:

Position Description: The general responsibilities of the Language Arts and Social Studies Tutor is to provide individual and small group tutoring to students in the Evergreen Homework Hub with an emphasis on Language Arts and Social Studies support. Other assistance might include: reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, formulating ideas for papers/assignments, or working on solutions to problems.

Essential Functions:

• Provide academic assistance to students in the Homework Hub, either in a group or individually, particularly to students requesting language arts and social studies support.
• Attend periodic training sessions given by Community Schools Collaboration staff members to increase competency in working with students.
• Help students develop positive attitudes towards learning and studying.
• Help students develop self-confidence, raise self-concept, and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work.
• Help students develop a high level of motivation in academic areas.
• Assist students in achieving a better understanding of specific subject material and in improving academic capabilities in designated areas.
• Help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success.
• Serve as a role model for students being served.
• Work with Homework Hub Supervisor to provide evaluations and other reports as requested by CSC staff.

Qualifications/Skills Required:

• Comfortable serving ethnically diverse populations of youth and adults
• Good listener; good oral/written communication skills
• Bilingual skills preferred
• Proficient in high school level language arts and social studies
• Experience working with ages 14-18
• Comfortable tutoring one-on-one as well as leading small groups
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with youth and adults
• Willingness to comply with established school district and Community
• Schools Collaboration policies and procedures
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Working Environment:
This job is primarily performed within school buildings after-school in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Compensation and Hours: $10-$13/hour; 8 hours/week; April-June 2009; There are no benefits for this position.

How to apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Chera Amlag, amlagco@hsd401.org by Friday, March 27, 2009. For questions, call 206.248.5474.