It was an election that didn’t get much attention, but it happened Tuesday (March 16), and on Wednesday (March 17), the King Conservation District announced results of its public election for board of supervisor position.

From our estimates, only 4,232 registered voters bothered to vote in this election.

Here’s the release from the King Conservation District:

Max Prinsen of Renton has been elected to a three-year term as a member of the King Conservation District (King CD) board of supervisors following a final canvassing of votes cast in the district-wide election held March 16, 2010.

The final vote tallies for elected board position included:

• Prinsen (1,772)
• Mara Heiman of Auburn (1,488)
• Mary Embleton of Seattle (519)
• Kirk Prindle of Seattle (402)
• Teri Herrera of Redmond (51)

The unofficial election results will be certified by the Washington Conservation Commission at its business meeting in May. Prinsen will be sworn in at the June 14th King CD board meeting.

The 2010 vote total of 4,232 marked a major increase over the 2,757 ballots cast in the 2009 election and reflects successively larger turnouts in King CD elections over the past five years, according to Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Knutsen.

“The higher level of activity at the polls this year can be attributed to increased interest in the King CD, including our voluntary conservation and stewardship efforts with private landowners, and enthusiastic campaign efforts by candidates,” said Knutsen.

King CD, working with Bellevue-based election administrator Election Trust, provided seven polling locations across the district (which includes most of King County). The election is held in accordance with Washington Revised Code RCW 89.08.

The all-volunteer, five-member board includes three elected members and two who are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. All supervisors serve three-year terms. As public officials, their responsibility is to ensure that the King CD meets its legal and public trust obligations.

The board of supervisors conducts regular public meetings to oversee the district’s budget and provideguidance and oversight to district staff.

Supervisors are expected to help identify critical resource conservation needs in their district, communicate with the public and seek feedback about conservation programs from district residents.

The King CD provides information and technical assistance programs that are available to all landowners within the district’s boundaries on a voluntary, non-regulatory basis. It is hands-on, site specific, action and results oriented; and it initiates community outreach activities that include workshops, education programs, site visits, farm plans, and consultation on land, water, and wildlife management.

As one of 47 conservation districts in the state, the King CD is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by the State of Washington and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission.

For more information on the King Conservation District, visit www.kingcd.org.

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.”

The King Conservation District (King CD) will be holding a district-wide election for an open seat on its board of supervisors this coming Tuesday, March 16.

King CD, working with Bellevue-based election administrator Election Trust, will be providing seven polling locations throughout the district.

Candidates for the position include:

• Mary Embleton, Seattle
• Mara Heiman, Auburn
• Teri Herrera, Redmond
• Kirk Prindle, Seattle
• Max Prinsen, Renton

For a list of voting locations, hours of operation and candidate backgrounds, visit www.kingcd.org.

Registered voters who reside within the district, which encompasses most of King County, are eligible to vote in the election, with the exception of residents of cities that do not fall within the King CD’s boundaries (Federal Way, Enumclaw, Skykomish, Milton and Pacific). Voters must present proper identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or birth certificate.

The all-volunteer, five member board includes three elected members and two who are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. All supervisors serve three-year terms. The board of supervisors conducts regular public meetings to oversee the district’s budget and provide guidance and
oversight to district staff.

The King CD provides information and technical assistance programs available to all landowners within the district’s boundaries (most of King County) on a
voluntary, non-regulatory basis. The district provides grants for conservation-focused projects and programs, and initiates community outreach activities that include workshops, education programs, site visits, farm plans, and consultation on land, water, and wildlife management.

As one of 47 conservation districts in the state, the King CD is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by the State of Washington and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission. The election is held in accordance with Washington Revised Code RCW 89.08.

Further information on conservation district elections and procedures throughout the state can be found at www.scc.wa.gov/index.php/Elections-and-Appointments.

For more information on the King Conservation District, visit www.kingcd.org.

On Thursday (Feb. 25), former South Seattle Community College teacher and King County webmaster Sabra Schneider threw her hat into the 2010 election ring, announcing that she’ll be seeking the 34th District House Seat (Pos. #2) being vacated by current Rep. Sharon Nelson.

So far, Schneider will be facing Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy, owner of the Triangle Pub in White Center. The filing deadline is June 11th, and the primary is Aug. 17th.

Schneider has most recently worked as Webmaster for kingcounty.gov, and according to an interview with The Seattle P-I, where she was named “Geek of the Week“:

…my job involves everything to do with the front end. I write, design, edit, lightly code, manage projects, give advice (sometimes good) and coordinate social media. It’s a surprisingly awesome job, bringing government information to citizens using technology. I’ve always been passionate about intersection of public work and technology and feel lucky to work in a place that encourages innovation.

I also teach communications at South Seattle Community College and have been faculty there for more than 10 years.

Here’s Schneider’s press release in all its glory:

SABRA SCHNEIDER TO SEEK 34th DISTRICT HOUSE SEAT

Today, former South Seattle Community College teacher Sabra Schneider announced her intention to seek the 34th District House Seat being vacated by current Representative Sharon Nelson. Schneider, a resident of Arbor Heights in West Seattle, currently manages online communications for King County.

“Now more than ever, we need legislators who will make education and family wage jobs  a priority in Olympia” said Sabra, 36. “My background in government communications coupled with a decade of teaching the work force of the future makes me uniquely qualified to take on the challenges facing citizens across the 34th District and across our state.”

Sabra Schneider has been a leader in King County’s efforts to increase efficiency and transparency through the innovative use of technology and community partnerships. Sabra has been instrumental in emergency communications, working closely with other local governments to ensure citizens have the most up-to-date information, during the most critical times. A strong proponent of transparency and accountability in government, Sabra is currently helping to organize the Open Government Northwest conference at the end of March.

Prior to serving in King County government, Sabra worked for 10 years as a teacher at South Seattle Community College (SSCC) in West Seattle where she developed a two year degree program in computing technologies. The program has helped graduates go on to family-wage jobs in technology careers. While at SSCC, Sabra also worked with the Seattle Jobs Initiative to build and deliver a fast-track technology program for low-income job seekers.

As a 15-year union member, fighting on behalf of working class families in the 34th District will be a top priority for Sabra in the legislature. Sabra helped bargain the current contract enjoyed by members of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 17. While working at South Seattle Community College, Sabra was a member of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 1789.

King County Elections released its final certification of the Feb. 9th election, and the ending tally on Proposition 1 – the King County Library System “Library Levy” – results in a 4.18% victory, approving the measure:

KING COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 240,852 / 647,133 • 37.22%

Proposition No. 1:

• YES: 124,429 • 52.09%
• NO: 114,435 • 47.91%

The language for Prop. 1, according to the Voter’s Pamphlet:

The Board of Directors of the King County Rural Library District adopted Resolution No. 2009-11 concerning an increase in the District’s regular property tax levy. In order to provide continued funding for the normal operation and maintenance of the King County library system, this proposition would authorize the District to restore regular property tax levy rate to $0.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value for collection in 2011, and to increase the levy in each year thereafter as allowed by chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this proposition be approved?

This means that residents of King County can now expect a small tax increase to help continue funding KCLS libraries.

King County Elections reminds us that voters have until this coming Tuesday night (Feb. 9th) to get their ballots postmarked to be counted as part of the special election.

As we reported Jan. 28th, the ballot drop box that was located at the White Center KCLS Library is no longer there, so in order for your vote to count you have to either mail it in or drop it off at one of two area drop boxes (see addresses below).

Nearly 1.1 million ballots were sent to all active voters three weeks ago and ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday in order for them to count.

All voters should follow these guidelines when voting their mail ballot:

1. Carefully follow all instructions, and review your ballot from top to bottom and front to back.
2. Take your time when signing your voter oath. The signature on every ballot envelope is verified before your ballot moves toward being counted.
3. Respond immediately if you are contacted by King County Elections. You may have forgotten to sign the return envelope or your signature may not match your voter registration record.
4. Make sure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day (Tuesday, Feb. 9th). Ballots without postage can be returned to a ballot drop box until 8 p.m. on election night. Please note: King County Elections has reduced the number of available ballot drop boxes. The nearest ballt drop boxes are located at:

• Seattle, King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., 98104
• Tukwila, King County Elections Headquarters, 9010 East Marginal Way S, 98108

5. Ballots can be dropped off during business hours at one of King County’s three accessible voting centers, without the cost of postage.
6. Track your ballot! Visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections to track your ballot online at three points as it is processed.

Accessible voting options:

• Voters with disabilities can cast a private and independent ballot using an accessible voting unit at the following locations on Monday or Tuesday:

King County Elections, 9010 East Marginal Way S, Tukwila, 98108
Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Election Day: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Room 121, Bellevue, 98009 and
Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St, Seattle, 98104
Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Election Day: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Equipment at the accessible voting centers provides an audio and touch-screen ballot in English and Chinese. With large font, high contrast and a key pad device, voting is made easy for voters with disabilities.

For more information on Tuesday’s election, visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections or call 206-296-VOTE (8683).

We’re not quite to the point of voting securely over the internet, but last week, King County Elections announced that it is now offering audio versions of its voters’ pamphlet at its website, meaning you can now rock out to ballot descriptions on your iPod.

Voters can now download the King County voters’ pamphlet as a FREE MP3 file or do air guitar to it online. King County Elections has provided a limited number of audio recordings of voters’ pamphlets in the past, but now this feature is available for everyone, 24/7/365 at their website.

“We’re trying to improve services to voters who need them in order to vote privately and independently,” said Sandy McConnell, Elections Operations Manager. “This new service also provides convenience to many voters who prefer to listen to an audio version of their pamphlet.”

The audio voters’ pamphlets, along with the text versions, are located on the Elections website here. Audio ballots are also available to support voting at all three accessible voting centers.

Here are direct links to the rockin’ MP3s, with pertinent ones boldfaced:

• A Letter from the Director
• Ballot drop boxes and accessible voting centers
• Voter information
• Reading your voters’ pamphlet
• City of Renton Proposition No. 1
• King County Rural Library District, Proposition No. 1
• Seattle School District No. 1, Proposition No. 1
• Seattle School District No. 1, Proposition No. 2
• Federal Way School District No. 210, Proposition No. 1
• Vashon Island School District No. 402, Proposition No. 1
• Tukwila School District No. 406, Proposition No. 1

Election Day is Tuesday, Feb. 9th.

WCB Reader and White Center Library Guild member Rachel Levine alerted us to this the other day – the King County ballot drop box that used to live outside the White Center Library has been removed by the King County Elections office.

This means that if you were counting on using this drop box to physically submit your ballot for the upcoming Feb. 9th election, you’d better make other plans – like mailing it in or traveling to one of the other two remaining drop box locations in downtown Seattle or Tukwila.

Ironically, one of the main issues in this election is Proposition 1, which seeks an increase in the King County Library System’s regular property tax levy.

Levine is also dismayed at the library system’s controversial attempt at holding on to Puget Sound Park, despite Burien’s approved annexation of that area.

According to the county, drop box removals are part of a new budget-cutting measure, where all but two ballot boxes have been removed; here are some details from their website:

King County Elections, like all departments, was asked by the Council and Executive’s Office to look closely at our operations. We identified opportunities to reduce non-mandated services, that would not jeopardize the integrity of the elections process. The County Council had to carefully weigh the benefits and costs of many services that citizens want and depend on and, as a result, the decision to eliminate most ballot drop boxes was made.

In 2010, the ballot drop box at Election headquarters will remain in service, as will the box at the King County Administration Building in downtown Seattle, due to the high volume of use and its association with the seat of County government.

All ballots must be returned at a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. or postmarked by Election Day (in this case, Feb. 9th).

Ballot drop boxes:

• Seattle, King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., 98104
• Tukwila, King County Elections Headquarters, 9010 East Marginal Way S, 98108

Other options:
Ballots can be dropped off during business hours at one of King County’s three accessible voting centers, without the cost of postage.

Ballots returned via the U.S. Postal Service require one first class stamp. For more information on U.S. Postal Service collection boxes or postage rates, visit their website.

Here’s Rachel’s original letter to King County Elections:

—–Original Message—–
From: elections@kingcounty.gov [mailto:elections@kingcounty.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:04 PM
To: Elections, Comments; Hsu, Jeff
Subject: Contact us message

Submitted from: http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/aboutus/contactus.aspx

Submitted at 12:04:04 PM, on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Name: Rachael Ann Levine

Subject: Voting

Description: I have already called in my concern that the ballot box was removed from the White Center Library location. Ironically, we have only one issue on the local ballot, and that is Proposition 1, which seeks an increase in the King County Library System’s regular property tax levy.

Several people have come into the library, seeking to drop their ballot as before. Now, they need to get a stamp and mail the ballot.

I have been told that the rationale for the removal of this ballot box was a “budgetary” one. Frankly, I question decisions that do not place
the highest priority on the socio-economic situation in a community. The basis for “successful” elections, in my view, is not the lack of
discrepancy in the ballots counted, as important as that is, but the accessibility and consequently participation in voting.

This community is already incensed about the way in which a sale of part of Puget Park to KCLS was attempted before the voter approved annexation of this property to Burien was completed. It is hard for some to realize that KCLS is separate from KC government. Yet, we can see how the decisions in one jurisdiction can profoundly affect those in another.

Meanwhile, thank you for the your hard work in providing an election system in which we can have confidence.

Also, if you haven’t voted by mail before, here’s a video that ’splains things:

Vote by mail in King County: Process video from King County Elections on Vimeo.

According to The Seattle Times, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced Wednesday (Jan. 27th) that he wants to ask White Center residents in November if they want to be annexed to Seattle.

Since Burien’s annexation of the southern North Highline area goes into effect April 1st, we’re presuming McGinn is targeting the remaining area north of there and south of the Seattle city limits, which holds approximately 20,000 residents.

Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin confirmed that he anticipates the council will now vote to put the measure on the November ballot.

Last year, Seattle was at odds with Burien after then-Mayor Greg Nickels claimed the White Center area and beyond for his city – ever since Countywide Planning Policies, a regional offshoot of Washington’s Growth Management Act, called for King  County’s unincorporated urban areas to be included in cities by 2012.

The council will discuss the idea at a 9:30am meeting this coming Monday, Feb. 1st, at City Hall.

So…what do YOU think? If it were put on the ballot today, would you vote FOR or AGAINST annexing the rest of White Center to Seattle? Please take our Poll below, and add Comments if you have ‘em:

Monday afternoon (Jan. 4th), the King County Council appointed former Seattle City Council President Jan Drago to fill the District 8 seat, taking over from when Dow Constantine became Executive.

Drago won by a unanimous vote after Rep. Joe McDermott’s election stalemated in a 4-4 tie and Councilman Larry Phillips suggested a vote for her.

There were four finalists for the position: McDermott; state Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwila; Drago; and Rep. Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island.

Drago, who failed to make the general election for Seattle Mayor, claims that she will not run for re-election in November 2010.

At one time, four of the 11 original candidates for this vacancy were from this (Dr. Arun Jhaveri, Lucy Krakowiak; Kathleen Quong-Vermeire, and Shawn McEvoy), as well as two members of the original selection committee (Joan McGilton and Doug Osterman), but in the end none of our peeps got very far.

According to Drago’s Seattle City Council website bio:

Jan Drago has been a member of the Seattle City Council since January 1994, following her election in November 1993.

Prior to her election, she had been a small business owner (Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Shoppes franchise owner, (1980-1991) and a school teacher (1973-1978).

She is a graduate of Douglass College, Rutgers University (B.A., Psychology).

She and her husband Noel are the parents of four sons and two grandsons.

Here’s the council’s official press release:

The Metropolitan King County Council today gave its unanimous approval to the appointment of former Seattle City Council President Jan Drago to fill the vacancy created in County Council District 8 when Dow Constantine was sworn in as County Executive.

“I am honored to be selected to serve the people of District 8,” said Drago shortly after her swearing-in by Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer. “I look forward to working with the Council and the communities and neighborhoods that make up the district on the challenges that we face this year.”

Drago will act as a caretaker in District 8, serving until the certification of the Nov 2010 general election when the new Councilmember for the district will be sworn in.

“Jan Drago is an experienced public official and policy-maker, and I look forward to working with her,” said Council Chair Bob Ferguson.

“Jan will make a wonderful addition to the King County Council,” said council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “She knows the issues facing District 8 and will hit the ground running to serve her constituents well.”

“Jan Drago has a distinguished career serving our community, having been elected to serve Seattle residents four times,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “I am confident she will represent the citizens of District 8 well until they have the chance to elect their permanent representative this fall.”

“The residents of King County will benefit from Jan’s experience, especially when it comes to addressing the 2010 budget,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.

Drago served on the Seattle City Council from 1994 through 2009, having served as Council President for four years and as Chair of the Council’s Budget Committee from 1999-2003. Drago, a graduate of Rutgers University, was a small business owner and school teacher prior to joining the Seattle City Council.

“I was looking for an independent minded person who could work with all of my colleagues,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “With Jan Drago we get that and a wealth of local government experience as well. I’m pleased to welcome her and look forward to working with her between now and November.”

“Jan Drago is an experienced local leader and I look forward to welcoming her as a colleague on the King County Council,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson.

“I look forward to working with Jan Drago on the many complex issues facing King County, “ said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “I am sure that Jan will serve her constituents well over the next 11 months.”

“All the candidates we considered were very qualified,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “We are fortunate to have such talented, informed leaders to choose from. After working with Councilmember Drago at the City of Seattle, I am confident that she can hit the ground running and offer her considerable government and business experience to the County. We appreciate her budget expertise and familiarity with the issues facing King County.”

Drago was selected out of the 11 applicants who applied to replace Constantine. All of the applicants were interviewed by a 12-member advisory committee of community leaders and elected officials who live or work in Council District 8. The advisory committee sent the Council Drago as well as the names of three other candidates:

· Rep. Zack Hudgins—State Representative from the 11th District
· Sen. Joe McDermott—State Senator from the 34th District
· Rep. Sharon Nelson—State Representative from the 34th District

The committee stressed Drago’s proven ability in budget, transportation and labor matters, her strong regional relationships and the potential to strengthen partnerships with the city of Seattle because of her time on the city Council.

UPDATE 5:45pm 1/4/10: Late this afternoon, Councilmember Larry Phillips released this statement, chock full of political irony:

“I made it clear on December 14th with my vote for Senator Joe McDermott that I strongly support him as the best representative to fill the District 8 vacancy. He has an impressive show of support from the people of District 8, has demonstrated leadership as a state senator tackling many of the most pressing issues for our community, and is a historic choice as the first openly gay person to serve of the County Council. I hope to have the opportunity to serve alongside Senator McDermott this fall.

“The council deliberated for many hours over Senator McDermott’s appointment, but—despite having my vote and the vote of three of my colleagues—Senator McDermott was unable to garner the five votes on the Council needed to secure the appointment. Councilmember Jan Drago, who along with Senator McDermott was endorsed by a group of District 8 citizens who vetted the potential candidates, was supported by four other Councilmembers on December 14th while I remained loyal in my support of Senator McDermott.

“The Council has remained at an impasse for the three weeks that followed, with no end in sight. The bottom line is that four votes plus four votes equals zero representation for District 8, and that is unacceptable. It’s is time to end the impasse and end the disenfranchisement of District 8 citizens. They deserve representation as the Council begins taking up business in 2010.

“Councilmember Drago has been elected by the citizens of this community four times, has strong Democratic credentials, and is willing to represent District 8 as a caretaker until the November election. So although Senator McDermott remains my first choice to represent District 8, today I joined my colleagues in supporting Jan Drago for the District 8 appointment.”

If you haven’t yet mailed your ballot in, since today (Tuesday, Nov. 3rd) is election day, King County has drop boxes throughout the county that provide voters with a way to securely return ballots without the cost of postage.

The nearest drop box is located at the White Center Library, which is at 11220 16th SW. Drop boxes are open 24 hours a day, there’s no charge, but they close at 8pm tonight (Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3rd).

Of course, you can also just make sure your ballot is postmarked Nov. 3rd by going to the post office before it closes, but that’ll cost you 42 cents; plus, ya never know if your ballot will be lost…

Here’s more info on the ballot drop boxes from King County Elections:

How do I use a ballot drop box?
Carefully follow the instructions on the ballot envelope. Place the ballot in the security envelope, seal all envelopes, sign the outer envelope, and deposit your ballot packet into the box.

How do I know my ballot is secure?
Ballots are collected regularly from each drop box by King County Elections. Two official elections workers will use a chain of custody process to transport all ballots.

Ballot packets are delivered to the Elections facility where they are processed with other returned mail ballots. The signature on every ballot is checked against the voter’s registration file and if it matches, the ballot moves forward.

Here’s the list of nearby drop-off boxes (more are listed at the King County Elections website):

• White Center Library: 11220 16th S.W., Seattle, 98146
• Delridge: 5405 Delridge Way SW, 98106
• Tukwila, King County Elections Headquarters: 9010 East Marginal Way S, 98108
• Des Moines Library: 21620 11th Avenue S., 98198
• Federal Way Library: 848 S 320th St, 98003

If you’ve mailed your ballot in and want to check on its progress, you can do so online by clicking here and following instructions.

[Original Artwork by Danielle Burton.]

UPDATE 4:30pm WED. 9/2/09: King County certified the Aug. 18th election results Wednesday (Sept. 2nd), and the final tally for Burien’s annexation bid for the southern North Highline Area has the following returns, from over 39%% of the 6,384 ballots sent out – 55.56% “For” and 44.44% “Against”:

“North Highline South Annexation Area Proposed Annexation to the City of Burien”

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 2521 / 6,384 39.49%

• FOR ANNEXATION 1380 55.56%
• AGAINST ANNEXATION 1104 44.44%

It was pretty obvious from even the earliest returns, but now that it’s official, Burien’s cityfolk can pop open the champagne (‘cept for a certain city manager), breathe a sigh of relief and get to work for their new residents!

And all new Burienites should get busy communicating with their new city councilmembers here – let them know what’s on your mind and what you want your new city to do in your ‘hood!

With over 19% of the votes tabulated so far, the results of the North Highline Fire District Commissioner, Position #3 are:

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 2,718 / 14,011 19.40%

• Peggy Noble: 520 •  21.73%
• David Lawson: 739 •  30.88%
• Ray Austin: 1,122 • 46.89%
• Write-in: 12 • 0.50%

The North Highline Fire District (originally named King County Fire District #11) was founded in 1942 and currently serves approximately 40,000 citizens in a 9-square mile area located south of the Seattle city limits.

Its service area includes both a portion of unincorporated King County and the City of Burien. There are 35 paid and 48 volunteer firefighters who provide fire suppression and rescue services from two fire stations, which are staffed 24 hours a day.

As of 9pm on Tuesday, Aug. 18th, Burien’s annexation bid for the North Highline Area has the following returns, from just over 23% of the 6,384 ballots sent out – nearly 59% “For” and 41% “Against”:

North Highline South Annexation Area Proposed Annexation to the City of Burien

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 1,491 / 6,384 • 23.36%:

• FOR ANNEXATION: 862 – 58.84%
• AGAINST ANNEXATION: 603 – 41.16%

As more returns are tabulated, we’ll update the results, so be sure to check back often.

by Mark Neuman

We spoke recently with Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive.

Ross, a Medina Democrat, managed a political miracle, if you will, seven years ago.

The 48th District (Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland) had not sent a Democrat to the House in over 100 years. Ross got himself elected.

“That was back when it wasn’t fashionable to be a Democrat on the east side. It was hard work. I raised and spent about a quarter of a million dollars. I knocked on eight thousand doors. I worked pretty hard.”

Was there a particular selling point?

“Sure. I’m competent. And I care about public education, the paramount duty of the state legislature.”

We asked Ross about one of his opponents for King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. In a recent direct mail piece Susan said she, if elected, would establish a transportation czar.

“Susan seems to be confused about the powers the King County Executive actually has.

“For her to come in and say she is going to have a czar that takes over the functions of the cities and the state is a fundamental misreading of what the King County Executive is actually allowed to do.

“The job of Executive is a complicated one with a lot of moving parts and a $5 billion budget.

“Unless we coordinate our transportation with our land use we are making the problem worse.”

Ross recently received the endorsement of the Seattle Times.

“Of course it makes you feel good that they (the Times) share your belief that you are competent to do the job.

“Next to the Seattle Times endorsement, I am most proud of the endorsement of the Eastside Business Alliance. This is a group of various chambers of commerce who know their business doesn’t succeed if they don’t have quality education for their kids, or if they don’t have roads.

“Our economy and quality of life depends on us making the wisest use of limited transportation dollars. We are one county, one region, and we should act like it.

“The solution to improving the business climate isn’t always to cut taxes. Making the system fairer and easier to comply with could have much more impact. More service, less overhead. Simplifying and regionalizing how King County does business with its businesses is one way the county can potentially save businesses thousands and thousands of dollars.

“We can simplify the permitting process for builders and contractors. Instead of making a business owner waste time traveling throughout the county to revisit city permitting offices, King County can provide a regional office where businesses can manage their permits at one location.

“Many cities in King County are already doing this and there’s no reason we can’t provide such a service countywide.”

“I propose that King County provides a simple web service for businesses to apply for licenses and calculate and pay business taxes. One tax return, one tax bill.”

Regarding recent budget cuts Ross said “I think we probably need more prosecutors. It’s not a place I would have cut. I also wouldn’t have cut into the public defenders.

“There are normal times and there are special times. This is a special time, because of the unprecedented downturn in the economy.”

Ross said he expects voters of North Highline to approve annexation on August 18.

He supports annexation because with it “There will be somebody to answer residents’ phone calls.”

ACORN will be hosting a summer candidate forum for the five Seattle Port Commissioner candidates on Sunday, Aug. 9th at 2pm.

The forum will take place in a neighborhood backyard at South 124th Street and 12th Ave South, with an old fashioned summer picnic-like atmosphere.

Candidates scheduled to participate include:

• Rob Holland
• Max Vekich
• Tom Albro
• Al Yuen
• John Creighton

This forum will give the community a chance to hear answers to prepared questions and to ask a few questions of their own.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Boulevard Park ACORN sponsors Seattle Port candidate forum

WHEN: Sunday, August 9th, beginning at 2pm

WHERE: South 124th Street and 12th Avenue South

INFO: From the ACORN press release:

In an effort to learn more about the people who may become the next Port of Seattle Commissioners, Boulevard Park ACORN, one of many active neighborhood-member groups of ACORN, is sponsoring a Port of Seattle Candidate Forum.

For the past two-and-half years King County ACORN has worked to improve the air quality in neighborhoods near the Port of Seattle and get those improvements into the Port’s clean air standards. King County ACORN has fought to bring the plight of the truckers who work at the port to light and improve their working conditions. Many of the truckers are ACORN members.

The forum will be held on Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 PM. The location is S 124th Street and 12th Avenue S. It will be held outdoors in a big neighborhood backyard with the BBQ grill cranking out hot dogs. Soda pop and chips will be available. A donation is requested to help cover the cost. For more information call the ACORN office at 206-723-5845.

ACORN is the nation’s largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families with over 350,000 member-families organized into 800 neighborhood chapters in 103 cities nationwide. Since 1970, ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to our members, including 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.