Recently, King County Executive Dow Constantine spoke about his “Blueprint For Reform” in a speech to the King County Council where he laid out “a host of immediate and long-term challenges.”

He challenged the Council and the public to:

• invest… in a 21st century transportation infrastructure,
• protect… our health and the most vulnerable in our communities,
• maintain… excellence in public safety and justice for all,
• and partner… with our cities and regional governments, [and] business and labor leaders, to focus on creating jobs and opportunity.

Next, referring to his draft of the first-ever King County Strategic Plan, he cited four elements of his reform:

1. Service excellence
2. A quality workforce
3. Wise financial stewardship
4. A robust public engagement

And now, a public Opinionnaire® Survey through SocialCapitalReview.org has been issued about his “Blueprint for Reform,” where citizens are being asked to take a survey online here.

According to a press release from SocialCapitalReview.org:

One of the under-reported items of the Executive’s “blueprint for reform” is the element for “robust public engagement”. We focus on this element of reform at our new Social Capital Review blog and are highlighting a special online survey to gage the public’s reaction to specific quotations from his speech.

The special Opinionnaire® survey was created by the Forum Foundation “in the spirit of public service to the citizens of King County”. It is based on the same tools used by the Countywide Community Forums — an existing public engagement program from the King County Auditor’s Office that has been used since 2008 for critical feedback from anyone who lives or works in the county.

Registration of King County Citizen Councilors is at CommunityForums.org.

So, if you could spare a few minutes, and like to have your opinion heard, we encourage you to take the survey by clicking here.

Artists who live in/near White Center, as well as those who “love” the greater/unincorporated area are invited to a Community Artist Meeting facilitated by White Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 16th at 7pm at Proletariat Pizza, located at 9622-A 16th Ave SW (206-432-9765).

This meeting is intended for ALL artists, including those involved in music, dance, film, theater, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed media, new media, and more; including young, old, in-between, students, emerging, established and others.

Basically, if you live ’round these parts and love art of any kind, you’re invited!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Community Artist Meeting facilitated by White Center for the Arts.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Proletariat Pizza, located at 9622-A 16th Ave SW, Seattle; (206) 432-9765

INFO: From an email:

Who is invited? Artists who live in and those who love the GREATER White Center Area/ Unincorporated King County, and a little bit outside that line. That means ALL artists. Music, dance, film, theatre, visual, 3-D, photography, written, mixed-media, young, old, in-between, student, emerging, established, etc.

What is this about? This is about continuing the conversation about art and it’s impact in White Center. About creating your opportunities. What do you want/need from your community in order to further your work/goals? What can you give to your community to help strengthen it? White Center for the Arts is opening the line of communication. This is not a formal, stuffy meeting, but the third meeting of many where your voice can be heard, where new connections can be created, and we can figure out how to best accommodate you, the artist, in our own neighborhood.

If you can, please RSVP so that we know how much pizza to order for you!

CONTACT: Shelli: crimsonpark@whitecenterforthearts.org.

King County Parks has officially unveiled what they consider a “very groovy” new playground at White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park, which is located at 1321 SW 102nd Street.

Here’s the verbiage taken directly from the county’s website:

The new playground at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center is now officially OPEN!

Featuring some very groovy Scandinavian-designed equipment for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12, there are slides, swings, and lots of spinny things.

And of course, safety surfacing so you don’t get hurt when you fall down and go boom.

Enjoy!

As you may recall, Steve Cox was the King County Sheriff’s officer who was was killed in White Center in the line of duty in December of 2006. Formerly White Center Park, the park was re-opened in Cox’ honor in 2007.

Here’s a pic of the “very groovy” playground, courtesy King County Parks:

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.

The Washington State Department of Health this week issued a warning against eating soft Mexican cheese products made by a Yakima company after a Washington resident was confirmed with listeriosis. The affected products made by the Yakima-based Queseria Bendita (see photo) are subject to a voluntary recall.

According to the state’s website:

Health officials linked the illness of a pregnant woman in King County to cheese products contaminated with Listeria. Samples taken from stores and from the plant confirmed the bacteria. The woman was ill in January and has since recovered. The baby was delivered without complications; however, the disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be very serious.

Microscopic view of "Listeria monocytogenes" from Wikimedia.

Healthy people infected with Listeria may have diarrhea or flu-like illness — fever, headache, muscle aches. It can result in bloodstream infection or meningitis. People with weak immune systems or other health conditions are at higher risk. Women who are infected during pregnancy may pass it to their babies. This can result in early delivery or stillbirth. Pregnant women and their newborns are 20 times more likely than healthy adults to get a Listeria infection.

Queseria Bendita has announced the recall of three different types of cheeses (www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm201350.htm) – Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson. These products are sold in stores, and also supplied to many restaurants in the Pacific Northwest (www.oregon.gov/DHS/news/2010news/2010-0219a.pdf). Health officials urge anyone who has these products not to eat them (www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2010_news/QuesBendList-sp.pdf).

Listeriosis (www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/factsheet/listeriosis.htm) is mostly a foodborne infection caused by Listeria bacteria. Listeria is often found in soft cheeses, including feta, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, bleu, and Mexican–style cheeses. It’s commonly found in raw milk and other ready-to-eat foods — smoked fish, vegetables, salads, and items purchased at store delis. The bacteria may also be found in hot dogs and other processed meats.

There are some steps everyone can take to reduce the risk of acquiring a Listeria infection:

• Avoid unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk (including cheese).
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
• Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
• Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

The Department of Health recommends people avoid eating certain foods and practice safe food handling. Information on food safety (www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/food/safetytips.html) is on the state health department’s Web site.

Online, there are several other tips on how to avoid listeriosis available here..

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.

On Wednesday (Feb. 17th), King County Executive Dow Constantine vowed to continue pursuing federal funding for replacement of the county’s South Park Bridge, located just down the hill from White Center.

Constantine will need to do this because the latest round of federal stimulus money grants does NOT include any for this bridge, which is now scheduled to be closed down at the end of June.

According to Publicola:

“The latest round of TIGER (federal stimulus money) grants … includes $30 million in funding for the $200 million Mercer project … they skipped over a request from King County to replace the deteriorating South Park Bridge, which links South Park and White Center to the Duwamish industrial area and downtown Seattle across the Duwamish River.”

“I am very disappointed for the people of King County that our application for federal stimulus funding to replace the South Park Bridge was not approved,” Constantine said in a statement.

Constantine also added:

“While the bridge competed against a lot of other worthy projects, replacing this key transportation link is imperative to the economic health of affordable, diverse neighborhoods and the hundreds of industrial businesses that depend on direct vehicular access to State Route 99 and Interstate 5. It may not be a glamorous or high-profile project, but it’s one that is vitally important to our economy and our society.”

“I am determined to pursue funding for this project through future TIGER grant cycles, the jobs bill, other federal appropriations, and the state Legislature. I thank Senator Patty Murray and the Washington delegation for their unwavering support of federal funding for this project. It’s my hope that their hard work will keep the South Park Bridge near the top of the list in future funding cycles.”

“I will also keep working with the King County Council to explore funding options that can provide a local match to federal funding opportunities for this and other unfunded projects around the county.”

“Under the Road Services Division budget adopted by the Council last fall, the bridge is scheduled to be closed at the end of June, and eventually removed.”

And not to be out-disappointed, Councilmember Jan Drago released the following statement Wed. afternoon:

“I was disappointed to learn that the South Park Bridge project did not receive any federal stimulus grant money. While I am glad to see that the hard work and coordination at all levels of government did reap some rewards by way of $30 million in federal dollars for the Mercer Street project—a critical regional connection that will bring much needed jobs and economic stimulus to our area—we have scores of other infrastructure projects in King County and throughout the Puget Sound region that lack funding.

“I look forward to working with the King County Executive, my fellow Councilmembers, the city of Seattle and our state and federal leaders on solutions for the South Park Bridge project that will protect the safety of all drivers, and provide freight capacity for the Duwamish area.”

King County Councilmember Drago represents the communities of West Seattle, North Highline, Vashon and Maury islands, Burien, Normandy Park, SoDo, International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, West Beacon Hill, and portions of SeaTac, Tukwila and West Hill.

Thursday’s update from King County Elections on Proposition 1 – the King County Library System “Library Levy,” has increased its “Yes” lead to 3.5%, up from 2.26% yesterday:

KING COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT”

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 224,563 / 647,133 • 34.70%

Proposition No. 1:

• YES: 115,269 • 51.75%
• NO: 107,477 • 48.25%

We’ll post further results as they are released (usually weekdays around 4pm), and the final tally won’t be official until Feb. 24th.

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?

King County Elections released an update for Tuesday’s election results, and it looks like Proposition 1, the King County Library System “Library Levy,” has increased its “Yes” lead to 2.26%, up from just over 1%; as of 4:15pm Wednesday, Feb. 10th, the totals are:

KING COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT:

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters:
200,780/647,133 31.03%

Proposition No. 1

• YES: 101,858 • 51.13%
• NO: 97,344 • 48.87%

We’ll post further results as they are released (usually weekdays around 4pm), and the final tally won’t be official until Feb. 24th.

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?

King County’s Department of Transportation will be closing the South Park Bridge daily from 7am to 7pm beginning Wednesday, Feb. 10th, and continuing through Saturday, Feb. 13th.

Workers will be conducting a “test pile operation,” and closure of the structure will be required. The 78-year old bridge is suffering from deterioration, and needs to be replaced.

In technical terms though, King County’s website clears it all up by saying that it’s going to…

Conduct a NEPA/SEPA EIS to study design and construction alternatives for the bridge.

The EIS will include an historical resource survey and documentation.

Conduct engineering design of the preferred bascule bridge alternative. Bridge replacement will follow the EIS and design if construction funding for this project is secured.

King County says they’re doing this work because the condition of the bridge “warrants major rehabilitation or replacement.”

If you’ve ever driven over it, or passed under it, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Beverly Park Elementary School (located at 1201 South 104th Street), is one of 11 schools honored for completing the first level of King County’s Green Schools Program.

It is one of four Highline School District schools recognized; the others include Gregory Heights Elementary in Burien, Madrona Elementary School in SeaTac, and North Hill Elementary School in Des Moines.

Each school received a “We are a King County Green School” banner, a certificate of recognition, a success story on the program Web site and mention in a press release issued by King County.

Participating schools receive assistance on how to conserve resources such as paper, electricity and water, and they are often rewarded with reduced utility and garbage disposal costs.

“Each of these 11 schools has involved its whole school community – students, teachers and administrators – in reducing garbage and increasing recycling,” said Dale Alekel, King County Green Schools Program manager.

Highline Schools honored include:

• Beverly Park Elementary School (unincorporated King County)
• Gregory Heights Elementary School (Burien)
  
• Madrona Elementary School (SeaTac)
• North Hill Elementary School (Des Moines)

These schools completed level one of the program by initiating or improving recycling practices and engaging in waste-reduction strategies, such as decreasing paper use. Success stories for each school are at this website.

According to the King County website, some of Beverly Parks’ achievements include:

Waste Reduction and Recycling:

• Beverly Park Elementary School increased its recycling rate from 33 percent to 38 percent.
• To compost food and yard waste, paraeducator Karen Eng spearheaded the creation of two outdoor worm bins. With help from the Green Schools Program, sixth grade students from teacher Rosanne Esposito’s class participated in a King County Green Team workshop on how to compost using a worm bin. Each lunch period, selected students collect food scraps and tend the worm bin.
• The school started recycling breakfast milk cartons and currently recycles approximately 150 milk cartons and 120 juice cartons per day. Custodian Archie Champion has led this effort.
• Recycling containers provided by the Green Schools Program were added to the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and food scraps.
• School staff placed recycling stickers on all recycling containers. Provided by the Green Schools Program, the stickers list what can and cannot be recycled.
• Beverly Park has adopted and promoted a double-sided copy policy which has helped decrease paper waste.

Participation in the King County Green Schools Program has grown each year. To date, 10 of King County’s 18 school districts have received assistance or are now participating, and in doing so they have increased recycling, reduced energy and resource consumption, and engaged students in benefiting the environment.

The program has helped more than 300 schools cut waste and save resources since its inception in 2003. By providing hands-on assistance, including school visits, tailored recommendations, help with outreach to students and staff, and recycling containers and stickers, the Green Schools Program provides schools and school districts with the support they need to set up and maintain effective conservation practices.

In addition to providing schools with the hands-on help they need, the program offers a website, www.kingcounty.gov/GreenSchools, with useful tools and resources.

Schools interested in receiving assistance to improve conservation practices can contact Dale Alekel at dale.alekel@kingcounty.gov.

The family of Mark Ebinger (pictured, left), 25, who was stabbed to death outside Good Time Ernie’s in Burien last November, has increased the reward offered to $10,000 in hopes of generating tips that will lead to an arrest.

Mark and his brother Peter, 24, were attacked outside the Burien bar on the morning of November 12, 2009. Mark died from stab wounds at the scene. Peter was stabbed numerous times, but survived.

Detectives believe there were several witnesses to the attack, and these witnesses might have information that could solve the case.

The homicide occurred outside Good Time Ernie’s Pub, located at 15747 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.

As our sister website The B-Town Blog reported on Dec. 28, 2009:

Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”

“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.

The Ebinger Family at the Dec. 28th press conference.

Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.

Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”

Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”

Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.

Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.

“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”

Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.

Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”

The investigation is still ongoing.

“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”

Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”

On The B-Town Blog’s original Nov. 12th report, there are now 105 Comments, which make for some very interesting reading – see it here – many comments are in scolding tones to those who were there that night but have refused to come forward to identify the suspect(s). Perhaps this higher reward will change that?

Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours), or 9-1-1.

Locked out? Lose your keys? Need to replace all of your locks? Don’t worry! There is a new locksmith in town: Seatown Locksmith, located just down the road in Burien, and serving all of King County.

When Highline Lock and Key closed their doors last year, former employee Maurice Bressack said, “There’s still a need for keys!” He put his plan into motion and opened Seatown Locksmith a few months ago, bringing another former employee, Dee Stewart, with him. Maurice worked at Highline Lock and Key for eight years. Before that he worked with his uncle in his mobile locksmith company for six years.

Seatown Locksmith offers fast, friendly, professional service. They have low overhead and low prices, but they are very high in customer service. They will respond to you any time of the day or night with their 24 hour emergency service.

What is the most expensive key you own? If you own a car that was made after 1996 it is your transponder key. If you need a replacement transponder key check out Seatown Locksmith’s prices – they will be lower than your dealership.

Do you have commercial properties? Seatown Locksmith can handle your commercial accounts. They do master keying, rekeying, lock replacements and more. They even offer monthly invoicing.

Whatever you need – residential, automotive, commercial, emergency – Seatown Locksmith is here in Burien to serve you anywhere in King County. Stop by and say hello to the friendly people at Seatown Locksmith: Maurice, Dee and Shiloh.

Seatown Locksmith
135 SW 153rd Street
Burien, WA 98148

Phone: 206-420-3426

Website: www.seatownlocksmith.com

Friend ‘em on Facebook here.

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by Ralph Nichols

Finally, it’s official – Burien will annex unincorporated southern North Highline on April 1. City Council members voted 6-1 at their Jan. 11th meeting to establish the effective date.

Their action came after a delay of almost two months in setting an effective date, which occurred when the city learned in late November of an eleventh-hour maneuver by former King County Executive Kurt Triplett to sell Puget Sound Park in the unincorporated annexation area to the King County Library System.

New county Executive Dow Constantine announced on Jan. 6 that King County will not sell the five-acre park at 1st Ave. S. and SW 126th St. and, instead, will cede it to Burien as part of annexation.

Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak cast the lone no vote against setting a formal annexation date. Krakowiak has continued to oppose annexation even after residents of southern North Highline voted by a large margin on Aug. 18 to become part of Burien.

City Manager Mike Martin told council members before the vote, “This is the long-awaited resolution … I’m very pleased to bring it to you.”

He said setting an effective date “was not a matter of pulling it out of thin air.” Rather, annexation on April 1 “allows the maximum amount of revenue to be provided to the City from King County while allowing time for technical work needed to make the annexation effective.”

That work includes conducting a population census of the annexation area, contacting businesses there, and working out transition details with the state Department of Transportation.

During public comment, Burien resident Ed Dacy urged council members to use their influence to discourage any move by the King County Library System to close the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries – both of which are in the annexation area – and consolidate them in a new facility.

The library system earlier hoped to acquire Puget Sound Park as a location for a consolidated library – although the library board, on which Krakowiak also serves as a member, has not voted to close the two community libraries that soon will be within the City of Burien.

A 2004 bond issue passed by King County voters included funding for replacement or remodeling of both the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries. That money remains untouched in the library system’s capital budget.

The future of these library sites will be discussed by members of the King County Library System’s Planning Committee at 12 noon this Thursday, Jan. 14, in the second floor meeting room of the Burien Library. The committee will take comments from the public during the meeting.

by Ralph Nichols

King County will cede the previously-contested Puget Sound Park to Burien when the city annexes much of the North Highline unincorporated area, county Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Joan McGilton announced Wednesday (Jan. 6).

The joint announcement ends a seven-week impasse between the city and county over the fate of the five-acre park at 1st Ave. S and SW 126th St, and clears the way for Burien to proceed with the final annexation process.

McGilton said annexation probably will take effect on April 1. The city council is expected to vote on that date at their Jan. 11 meeting.

Residents in the southern half of the North Highline unincorporated area voted by a sizeable margin last August to be annexed by Burien. The merger includes transfer of county property in the annexation area to Burien, which the city now will maintain, including streets and parks.

But city officials learned on Nov. 20 that former county Executive Kurt Triplett, in one of his final actions before leaving office, offered to sell Puget Sound Park to the King County Library System.

The library system, which was interested in building a new facility at that site and consolidating the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries there, signed a letter of intent to purchase the land for $600,000.

Burien lawmakers, however, were adamant that the park rightfully should go to the city as part of annexation. On Nov. 23, they postponed a vote to approve March 2 as the effective date and delayed annexation until this issue was resolved.

Constantine, who as a county councilman represented Burien, North Highline and West Seattle, inherited the conflict when he took office on Nov. 24. Before taking office, he asked Triplett not to proceed with the sale, and Triplett complied.

Earlier last year, Constantine twice wrote letters supporting Burien’s claim to Puget Sound Park if the city annexed part of the North Highline area.

“A deal’s a deal, and it was the city’s understanding of the annexation process that it would receive six parks from the County, including Puget Sound Park,” Constantine said in the joint announcement.

“After detailed discussions, I agree that transfer of the park to the city is the right thing to do and should occur as part of that larger annexation.”

McGilton told our sister site The B-Town Blog, “I am very pleased that King County understood what Burien was saying, that we needed to be a part of the process in order to acquire Puget Sound Park.

“We are very happy that our new King County executive listened to the concerns of Burien and ultimately agreed that this was the best possible outcome for the city of Burien, for our soon-to-be new residents in North Highline, and for King County as a whole.

She added, “This part of our community has been underserved by parks. We look forward to bringing Puget Sound Park up to Burien standards for the residents who use this facility.”

In the joint statement, McGilton noted the transfer of the park, which still needs to be approved by the King County Council, “sets the right tone for this new era in King County government. I thank the County Executive for his leadership to reach a fair agreement on the parks transfer.”

City lawmakers had made it clear they considered the attempt by King County to sell the park, which was in the works before Constantine took office, a breach of trust. City Manager Mike Martin declared at that time that annexation would not happen until Burien got Puget Sound Park as part of the deal.

The city council also delayed adopting budget amendments for 2010 that account for additional revenue and expenses due to annexation until the park issue was resolved.

by Ralph Nichols

Burien City Council members and Highline-area residents made their case on two issues of considerable local concern to trustees of the King County Library System (KCLS) at their Dec. 15th meeting in Issaquah:

1. Puget Sound Park is an asset that rightfully should go to Burien when the city annexes about half of the North Highline unincorporated area, perhaps in early March.
2. Neighborhood libraries in White Center and Boulevard Park should remain open and not be consolidated in a new library building, perhaps at Puget Sound Park.

And both matters should be discussed openly, with affected citizens given ample opportunity to express their views at conveniently located public meetings.

KCLS Director Bill Ptacek and several trustees responded that, until this meeting, they were unaware of the facts supporting Burien’s claim to the park, and of community concern about their neighborhood libraries.

They apparently lacked both information and perspective on these issues despite the fact that Burien City Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak is also a member of the KCLS Board of Trustees.

The comments were made during a scheduled public forum. No action was expected or taken. However, both Ptacek and trustees assured the representatives from Burien and North Highline that an involved public process will precede any decision on either the park or the libraries.

Puget Sound Park is located at 1st Ave. S and SW 126th St. just two blocks beyond Burien’s current northern city limit. Residents of the southern half of North Highline, which includes that five-acre site, voted in August to be annexed by Burien.

But before leaving office late last month, former King County Executive Kurt Triplett put in his 2010 county budget $600,000 from a planned sale of the park to the KCLS.

Triplett included that item after a letter of intent for the purchase of Puget Sound Park was signed by the library system in early November.

He also budgeted the one-time anticipated revenue to pay for maintenance of parks in other unincorporated areas of the county next year.

Burien city officials were never told by Triplett about the pending sale, learning of it only in a second-hand way on Friday, Nov. 20.

The new budget was approved by the county council on Monday, Nov. 23; new Executive Dow Constantine took office the next day.

In the past, Constantine has strongly opposed efforts by the executive’s office to sell Puget Sound Park.

Ptacek has expressed an interest in the library system acquiring the property and consolidating the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries, which would be closed, in a new facility at that location.

Asked earlier this week about this conflict, Constantine said, “Clearly we need to have an arrangement that works for the city of Burien … as well as for King County. We need to slow this process way down to hear from everybody.”

Constantine said the county is “entering into a conversation with the city of Burien” – something that was not done by Triplett – “with everyone at the table … to make the best of the situation that I inherited.”

Burien City Councilwoman Rose Clark told the library trustees, “I’m heartbroken that such a deal could be struck [by the county] with the library without anyone coming to us [the city council] and … the two libraries in North Highline that would be closed.”

“I had a lot of [negative] emotions when I learned the county wanted to sell Puget Sound Park. No one came to us to ask our interest … it was presented to us as a done deal.”

“I encourage you to have a good public process … before final decisions are made about the park and the neighborhood libraries,” added Councilwoman Kathy Keene.

“We have some real concerns,” Keene said. “The park needs to go back to the people where it belongs.”

“This kind of 11th-hour dealing by the county really gives the county a bad name in its dealings with the city,” Councilman Gordon Shaw declared.

“Many details remain unanswered should the library system eventually buy the park,” Shaw continued. “Would the library system build a new facility on part of the land and give the rest to Burien? Would it use the entire park? Would it leave the land undeveloped?”

“This whole thing doesn’t seem to be well thought out,” he said, voicing the hope that the issue is settled with the park going to Burien.

“Just to set the record straight,” Ptacek interjected, “I was led to believe there was communication … between the city and the county [executive’s office]….

“I was told if we were able to purchase the park, some of the money would go the city” for park maintenance along with the rest of that property for use as a park. “Now,” he said, “we hear that Burien considers this an asset….

“I assure everybody in this room that we will not proceed without a full public process,” Ptacek added, noting the letter of intent has expired so it no longer is an issue.

Burien “never asked anybody for money for [city] parks,” Clark advised the library trustees.

White Center resident Rebecca Wells said “to take away the White Center Library and move it to Puget Sound Park would be a prohibitive distance for White Center residents,” including students who use it after school.

Ed Dacy, a member of the Burien Parks Board, highlighted the importance of this park to east Burien, which is underserved by parks. Then, pointing to a wall map of the library district, he reminded the trustees that distances appear closer than they really are.

If the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries were consolidated, residents of both neighborhoods would have to take buses into downtown Burien and transfer – just a few blocks from the city’s new library – to get to another new library at the park site, Dacy said.

“To close both of these libraries would really be a disservice to both communities,” he concluded.

White Center Library Guild member Rachel Levine told the trustees that the 2004 library bond, which was approved by county voters, includes funds for new or remodeled libraries in both White Center and Boulevard Park.

“Maybe it’s not the most efficient or economic thing to have small community libraries, but libraries are part of the people infrastructure of a community,” Levine said. “People depend on them. So it was a shock to us to hear about a possible consolidation … [that] would be very inconvenient for many.”

She said people “still need libraries that serve the community, that are within walking distance, that are within biking distance, that are within busing distance.”

“The bottom line,” said Liz Giba of White Center, “is that there is a lot of poverty, a lot of people who walk to the library. To consolidate these libraries would really put at risk a lot of my neighbors and would really put at risk a lot of kids.”

Closing the two neighborhood libraries and using Puget Sound Park for a library “would take away three assets” from the Highline area,” Giba continued.

“Please do the right thing,” she urged the library trustees. “Please stand up for the people of White Center and Boulevard Park. Please show that you really do care.”