by Just 21 votes separate 34th Legislative District candidates Mike Heavey and Joe Fitzgibbon after a second day of counting ballots cast in the Aug. 17 primary election.
Fitzgibbon gained more than a hundred votes in the updated totals released by King County Elections on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 18) to virtually erase Heavey’s slim election-night lead.
But whoever emerges as winner in this neck-in-neck race will walk away with little more than bragging rights. As the clear front runners, Heavy and Fitzgibbon, both Democrats, will advance beyond the top-two primary and face each other in the Nov. 2 general election.
Ballots cast by 27.49 percent of voters in the 34th Legislative District have been counted. Unreported is how many of its 75,415 registered voters mailed in ballots.
Heavey now has 33.43 percent of the vote, with Fitzgibbon at 33.32 percent. Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy is at 18.47 percent, and Democrat Marcee Stone has 14.27 percent.
The two finalists seek to replace Sharon Nelson as state representative from Position 2. Nelson is unopposed in her move to the Senate, where she will replace former Sen. Joe McDermott. He easily won his contest for the King County Council and will face Diana Toledo in November.
Reached Wednesday morning (Aug. 18) by The B-Town Blog, Heavey reflected on his campaign that now has seven more weeks to go, noting, “I’ve been working since six months ago. There’s no rest for the weary.
“I’m very positive and I’m really humbled by all the support I got. It wasn’t a fluke. I did a lot of hard work from door belling to phone banking to visibility. It paid off.”
Fitzgibbon said “it’s just really gratifying to see all the hard work that we put in during the last five months paid off, and that our message has resonated with the voters of the district. I wouldn’t be surprised if I moved into the lead in the next day or so.”
Fitzgibbon has been a legislative assistant to Rep. Nelson, and also a King County Council legislative aide. He is chairman of the Burien Planning Commission, and was a member of the Burien Shoreline Advisory Committee.
Heavey is director of Outreach and Constituent Relations for the King County Council, focusing on public safety, crime and youth violence. Previously he worked at Expedia.com in fraud and identity theft prevention.
Despite their apparent similar positions on major issues that will confront the next Legislature, both say voters will have a clear choice.
Joe Fitzgibbon on election night. Photo by Mark Neuman.
“I think things look very good. People have known the Heavey name for years, and I have only gotten my name out in the last few months. If we keep doing what we’re doing, I’ll be in a strong position.
“Mike’s a good guy and has been working hard, but one of the big differences is that I have a track record of service to our communities. I’ve demonstrated a stronger grasp of the issues, a better grasp of what’s going on in state government for our communities.
“On most big issues, Mike and I have had similar positions. We differ on a matter of style. I hope that will come out in the fall campaign.”
Heavey:
Mike Heavey. Photo courtesy his website.
“I think the voters will have a clear choice come November. It will be my job to articulate those differences and it will be up to the voters to decide who they want to represent them in Olympia.
“On paper and in personality, there are some striking differences between us. I’m confident that at the end of the day, the voters will make that decision.
“The biggest issue is the state budget. The question is, do the residents of the 34th District want someone acting in the Legislature on behalf of all the citizens of the state, or acting for only a select few?”
Neither McElroy nor the Stone campaign returned calls from The B-Town Blog for comment.
King County Elections posted its “early returns” Tuesday night (Aug. 17) around 8pm, and with between 22 – 24% of the mail-in ballots counted, it looks like a neck and neck race between Mike Heavey and Joe Fitzgibbon (32.8%) for 34th Dist. State Rep. Pos. #2, and Joe McDermott (59.3%) and Diana Toledo (19.97%) for King County Council, Dist. #8.
Keep in mind that these are preliminary results, and the final tally won’t be released until Sept. 1st.
STATE REP. DISTRICT No. 34 – POSITION 2:
| Joe Fitzgibbon | Prefers Democratic Party | 5,065 | 32.80% |
| Mike Heavey | Prefers Democratic Party | 5,185 | 33.58% |
| Geoffrey Mac McElroy | Prefers Independent Party | 2,910 | 18.84% |
| Marcee Stone | Prefers Democratic Party | 2,191 | 14.19% |
| Write-in | 91 | 0.59% |
In the King County Council, Dist. #8 race, Joe McDermott is at 59.3% and former King County employee Diana Toledo is at nearly 20%. Normandy Park’s Shawn McEvoy is at 13%.
METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 8:
| Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: * | 23,990 | / | 109,557 | 21.90% |
| County Council District No. 8 Unexpired 1-year Term |
| Diana Toledo | 4,182 | 19.97% |
| Tim Fahey | 1,481 | 7.07% |
| Joe McDermott | 12,421 | 59.30% |
| Shawn McEvoy | 2,732 | 13.04% |
| Write-in | 129 | 0.62% |
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT NO. 7
| Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: * | 90053 | / | 419100 | 21.49% |
| United States Representative Congressional District No. 7 |
| Bob Jeffers-Schroder | Prefers Independent – No Party | 5624 | 6.75% |
| Bill Hoffman | Prefers Democratic Party | 3598 | 4.32% |
| Jim McDermott | Prefers Democratic Party | 64258 | 77.16% |
| Scott Sizemore | Prefers Democratic Party | 2034 | 2.44% |
| Don Rivers | Prefers Democratic Party | 2814 | 3.38% |
| S. Sutherland | States No Party Preference | 3150 | 3.78% |
| Write-in | 1803 | 2.16% |
Results can change of course depending on which areas get counted when, and we’ll be posting updates as they are released by the county.
In other interesting races (at least to us), here are some early returns:
United States Senator:
- Sen. Patty Murray: 140,192 • 57.98%
- Dino Rossi: 68,501 • 28.33%
- Goodspaceguy: 707 • 0.29%
United States Representative Congressional District No. 7 :
- Bill Hoffman*: 3,598 • 4.32%
- Jim McDermott: 64,258 • 77.16%
* We went to West Seattle High School with Bill Hoffman; note to Bill: next time, choose a weaker opponent!
If you forgot to mail your ballot in, you can still drop it off until midnight tonight at the Riverton Heights Post Office (located at 15250 32nd Avenue South Seatac, WA 98188-9996 – (206) 241-7061).
by Voters in Burien, Normandy Park and North Highline will help decide the only two contested races in the Highline area on the Aug.17 primary election ballot.
Ballots must be postmarked by next Tuesday, Aug. 17, or deposited in a King County Elections ballot drop-box by 8 p.m. that day.
There are no contested legislative district or local primary races in Des Moines.
A contest that has gained high-profile status is the race for the King County Council seat from District 8, which includes Burien, Normandy Park and North Highline.
The eventual winner in November will complete the unexpired term, with one year remaining, which was vacated by Dow Constantine after his election last fall as King County Executive.
And that outcome, depending on who is elected, may significantly alter the complexion of the county council.
Constantine’s replacement, former Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago, did not file for election to that post.
The quartet of candidates includes:
- Tim Fahey, a South Park carpenter who is basing his campaign on the need for immediate action to build a new South Park bridge and the failure of the county to replace the structure before it was permanently closed to traffic.
- Normandy Park City Councilman Shawn McEvoy, who has served as mayor and is a small business owner, and who cites his environmental record for protected critical areas in and surrounding the city.
- State Sen. (and Rep.) Joe McDermott of West Seattle, currently representing Burien, White Center, West Seattle, and Vashon and Maury Islands, who is running on his 10 years in the Legislature. He is endorsed by Constantine.
- Diana Toledo of West Seattle, who says her experience from 15 years as a county enforcement coordinator, animal cruelty investigator and licensing supervisor will help her reform and restore financial responsibility to King County government.
Fahey and Toledo both oppose the proposed .02-cent sales tax increase that advocates say is needed to avoid layoffs of sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors and court personnel next year. They maintain that savings can be found within the county budget to avoid those cuts.
McEvoy and McDermott both support the sales tax measure.
In the 34th Legislative District, which includes Burien and North Highline, Democrats Joe Fitzgibbon, Mike Heavy and Marcee Stone, and Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy are running for State Representative, Position 2.
The winner in November will replace state Rep. Sharon Nelson, a Democrat who is running for the State Senate to fill the office vacated by McDermott.
- Fitzgibbon, who is chairman of the Burien Planning Commission, has been a legislative aide to Nelson and also a King county Council legislative aide.
- Heavey currently is director of Outreach and Constituent Relations for the King County Council, and has worked in fraud and identity theft prevention for Expedia.com.
- McElroy owns Mac’s Triangle Pub in White Center. A military veteran, as a member of the White Center Chamber of Commerce he is involved in community development.
- Stone, a legal administration professional who has worked for several law firms, has been a professional actor and a local political activist.
We’d like to welcome our latest Advertiser, Shawn McEvoy, running for King County Council, District 8.
Here’s what Shawn would like us to share with our Readers:
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I’d like to share a little about myself with you; perhaps you’ll gain some insight into why I’m running for King County Council and why I care so much about good government.
Shawn McEvoy
I grew up in Normandy Park and pretty much have lived here all of my life. I’ve seen when things didn’t work in this city and community and how things deteriorated. I’ve been involved in my community and city government because I care and because I feel I can make a real difference and I have. Whether it’s been serving as the Mayor and Council member for the city of Normandy Park, or as President and board member for the Normandy Park Community Club (Cove), I have always made great strides in improving the quality of life for my community and city. I’m proud of the many accomplishments and honors I’ve received for our successes.
The proof of my commitment to good leadership and government is easy to verify. During my twelve years on the board of trustees for the Normandy Park Community Club as President and Board member, add to that, eight years as Mayor and Councilmember for the city of Normandy Park, my service was completely voluntary. That’s right, even though elected, we are not paid a thing for our services. In volunteering I believe it is perhaps the truest form of leadership and democracy.
Our success is because we act in a non-partison fashion. I’m here to tell you non-partisanship works. I believe one of the problems we have today is that politics is getting in the way of solving problems and making progress. Career politicians at the County level are the problem not the solution. That is why our citizens of King County voted to have a non-partisan Council. Instead of career politicians, we want council members that work together on the problems of today and are focused on our future, not theirs.
I can make a difference at the County level. I have the experience, skills and the abilities to help solve the problems of political bickering, as well as help solve King County’s other problems. I can bring real change to the County Council. I’m endorsed by the 11th District Democrats, many Independents and Republicans. I’m rated Very Good by the Municipal League of King County. Because you want a moderate with an excellent environmental record, great leadership skills, strong council experience, and impressive regional involvement, I’m asking for your vote and I’m looking forward to earning your trust.
More information on Shawn is available at his website: http://friendsofshawnmcevoy.com.
[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by over 51,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
UPDATE 5:45pm 7/21/10: We’ve added Audio, as well as Photos of the event as shot by Michael Brunk, to the bottom of the story:
All four candidates for King County Council District 8 agreed at a July 20 forum that county government must become more efficient, more effective, and related better to suburban cities.
Beyond that, Tim Fahey, Joe McDermott, Shawn McEvoy and Diana Toledo offered varying approaches – some pronounced, others marginal – on how to improve the way the county operates.
Sponsored by The B-Town Blog, the forum was moderated by KIRO radio talk show host Dave Ross. A panel of Journalists, including this Reporter, along with T.M. Sell, Phd, Professor of Journalism at Highline Community College, and George Erb, Editor of the Puget Sound Business Journal. Questions were also offered up by several of the 35 or so attendees.
The four will square off in the Aug. 17 primary election, with the top two vote-getters facing each other in November.
Current District 8 County Councilwoman Jan Drago, who was appointed to replace Dow Constantine after he was elected King County Executive last year, is not seeking election to that office.
Fahey, a carpenter who resides in South Park, was motivated to run because of the closure of the South Park Bridge after years of failure at all levels of government to replace it.
McDermott, from West Seattle, has served in the State Legislature since 2001 and was appointed State Senator in 2007. He ran unopposed for the seat in 2008.
McEvoy is a city councilman and a former mayor of Normandy Park.
Toledo is an enforcement coordinator for King County, where she has worked for 15 years.
“King County has been a little dictatorial with the way they treat the suburban cities,” Burien City Councilwoman Kathy Keene noted when the forum opened to questions from the audience. “How will you work with us so we can do our job better or be a better partner with you?”
[Note: Candidate responses will be presented in the order they answered specific questions.]
Fahey – “King County does not know better for Burien what’s good for Burien. You guys can make decisions for yourself.”
McDermott – “I want to continue to work with the cities, not come and tell you what to know.” Former State Rep. and former Mercer Island City Councilman Fred Jarrett, now Constantine’s deputy executive, is helping the county build relationships with the cities.
McEvoy – Cities need to be an “equal partner … a regional partner” with the county, which needs to maintain regular contact with the cities.
Toledo – “There is no doubt that over the past decade or more, King County has exhibited an arrogance that turned the cities off by shoving things down their throat. There is evidence that this is shifting” and the county “needs to continue to be part of that shift.”
White Center resident Liz Giba wanted to know their positions on future annexation of the remaining North Highline unincorporated area by either Burien or Seattle:
McDermott – “The key is there is going to be a public vote” and the county should remain neutral. “It’s up to the public in the area to decide.”
McEvoy – The determining factor should be “what is best for the citizens of the region. White Center would be far worse off going to Seattle … Burien is the best fit for White Center.”
Toledo – “Burien is the best choice for the North Highline area. As a council member we should have an opinion and should voice that opinion.”
Fahey – “I fully and actively am in support of annexation by Burien.” North Highline “needs would be better served” in Burien than in Seattle,” and the area would remain free of the “yoke of Seattle’s business tax.”
Will they vote for or against the 0.02 percent sales tax increase to help fund public safety that the current county council approved on July 19 for placement on the November ballot?
Toledo – I will vote for public safety. I will vote for protecting our people. But I will not vote for it [the tax increase] … I’m particularly disturbed by the characterization of the sales tax [increase] as it’s for public safety.”
Fahey – “Certainly not a sales tax increase. We need to find where wasteful spending is going on.” A lot of King County deputies disagree with Sheriff Sue Rahr “that she can’t cut her budget” without cutting officers.”
McDermott – “I support it. It’s a small increase that will bring in $59 million in 2011 and $80 million in 2012. The choice is between that and cutting 60 deputies and 12 prosecutors.”
Artwork by Michael Owsley.
McEvoy – “I’m not a big fan of tax increases but I would say this is vital … it’s a temporary tax increase.”
What would they do with Metro Transit in light of a new study by the Washington Policy Center, which found that Metro got sales tax increases in 2000 and 2006, by 2009 had collected 20 percent more from those tax hikes than it needed, but had implemented only a third of the new bus service promised while diverting 60 percent of this revenue into bus driver salaries for average raises that are two times the rate of inflation.
Fahey – Metro bus service is “heavily subsidized” and commuters “should be willing to pay $5 per ride … as a union person, I always hate to see this come down to the union.” The popular ride-free-zone in downtown Seattle not only reduced Metro revenue but attracts “undesirable people” and creates “a law enforcement problem.”
McDermott – Initiative 695, which was approved in 1999 to limit car tab fees to $30, “is to blame” for a lot of revenue lost to Metro and other transit agencies. “We need to build relationships with other transit agencies” throughout the state … we need to hold people accountable. I want to be careful not to blame public employees but hold costs down.”
McEvoy – In addition to what the Washington Policy Center found, another Metro program to increase suburban bus service – the 40/40/20 plan – “has not been allocated as stated … it’s time for Seattle to pay its fair share” for bus service … we need to look at efficiencies and consolidation.”
Toledo – “This question highlights why I’m running for the county council … what does real reform, real accountability mean?” Although it’s hard to comment on the salary increases for drivers, the report shows a need “to cut some at the management level.”
What is the single most effective thing that can be done to help business in King County?
McDermott – “Provide all the things that people value,” including “transportation to work and from work” and getting supplies to businesses and products out.
McEvoy – “We need to foster an environment conducive to small business” and “initiate public/private partnerships to encourage small businesses.”
Toledo – “We need to cut red tape … and look at ways to create jobs that will bring in more taxes.”
Fahey – “Transportation and access to businesses obviously is paramount. Government cannot generate enough jobs.”
Citizens want all of the services government can provide for free. So what services should be cut?
McDermott – “The easy things to take out have been picked off a long time ago. We need to look at what government no longer needs to do.”
McEvoy – “We do need to examine central services. We need to make sure service levels match budget levels. There are probably some inefficiencies … no one thing is glaringly obvious … if junior programs get whacked, I’m sorry.”
Toledo – The county needs “to seek out more private partnerships … I have seen individuals collecting six-figure salaries, not because of what they know but who they know. We spend millions of dollars on audits and when the problems are not fixed a couple of years later, we ask for more audits … we need to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.”
Fahey – “The cornerstone … is eliminating the [county] Department of Transportation … except to analyze roads and prioritize projects. Let the county fund projects … [and] replace all sercie work with union low-bid contracts.”
Is it the role of local government or the private sector to develop jobs?
Fahey – “The highest priority of elected officials is concern about jobs … everything said about unemployment is true – it’s dispiriting and sags your initiative … this government needs to get out of the way and make it easier for business to do business here … and hire people.” Examples of interference by government are cumbersome permitting and business licensing processes.
McDermott – “The public sector definitely has a strong role to play in job creation.” Ways to do this include Sound Transit development, building a new South Park Bridge, and apprenticeship programs.
McEvoy – It is “imperative for local government to be involved in economic development. It is in King County’s interest to build a strong economy” through infrastructure that helps “small and disadvantaged businesses” and encouraging “a quality of life that builds a strong workforce.”
Toledo – With a $60 million [county] budget shortfall, we need to look at ways to help get us out. Unless the sales tax and property tax [revenues] go up, the gap will increase.” Red tape and overregulation are “detrimental … we definitely need to provide for public safety … but when it goes too far it impedes economic activity.”
Instead of increasing taxes to cover his state’s budget shortfall, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is taking on public employee unions to get them to renegotiate contracts and reduce pay raises and benefit packages. Should King County adopt this approach?
Toledo – We can find money by cutting wasteful spending. Our priorities are out of what in King County? Why cut sheriff’s deputies when there are other priorities?”
Fahey – “I admire Gov. Christie. I definitely would like to see contracts re-examined. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for people in government service for taxpayers to hold them to a different standard” including heavy cuts in middle management that would save King County “tons of money.”
McDermott – “The perception that public employees have not paid a price is in error … over 10,000 state employees were laid off” in the last two-year budget cycle. “It’s not the council’s role to unilaterally reopen union contracts” already approved.
McEvoy – “People want more government for their money, not more money for government. But it’s not the council’s place to reopen contracts. I agree that we need to cut mid-management.”
Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the forum as shot by Michael Brunk:
Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow
AUDIO: Here’s an MP3 of the raw audio from last night’s forum. Please note that it is incomplete, only because of some minor technical glitches that stopped the recorder; however, it contains one-hour and 36-minutes of audio of the event:
| Jul |
| 20 |
| 7:00 pm |
Our sister site The B-Town Blog wants to remind our readers of its next Candidates Forum, featuring the contenders vying for Dow Constantine’s former seat on the King County Council.
It will be this Tuesday, July 20, from 7pm to 8:45pm at the Highline School District’s E.R.A.C. Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W. in south Burien, across the street from Azteca Restaurant and just north of Hi-Line Lanes.
Moderator for the evening will be longtime local reporter and radio talk show host Dave Ross. Ross’s show airs 9am to noon Monday through Friday on 97.3 KIRO-FM.
All four candidates for the seat have been invited and all four have agreed to attend.
They are:
- Diana Toledo, former King County employee.
- Shawn McEvoy, former Normandy Park mayor and current Normandy Park city council member.
- Joe McDermott, current 34th district state senator.
- Tim Fahey, professional carpenter and South Park resident.
The forum format is to have area journalists ask questions for the first 45 minutes or so, followed by questions from the public. There is no admission charge and anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.
The 8th District council seat everyone is duking it out for is currently held by Jan Drago. Drago is not running for election.
The primary is August 17. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters later this month. The two candidates garnering the most votes advance to the general election in November.
by Mark Neuman
Diana Toledo is a self described “proactive” person. That particular proactive quality may have preserved her young candidacy for a seat on the Metropolitan King County Council.
Toledo, a former King County employee, told The White Center Blog that “my blowing the whistle on gross mismanagement and waste of taxpayer money” in King County government resulted in her being laid off May 1 after 15 years of county employment.
“I was no longer included in policy-making meetings and I realized I was being pushed out,” she said. “My position in management was cut in fake budgetary reorganization. I was told about the position cut while I was on fully protected family medical leave after the birth of my baby.”
Shortly thereafter, Toledo decided to run for Dow Constantine’s former seat, now held by the appointed Jan Drago, who has opted not to run for election.
Toledo, her husband Jerry and brother David, and “lots of grass roots supporters” spent the recent three weeks collecting signatures of about 1,500 voters to get her name on the August 17 primary ballot.
“I lost my voice collecting signatures,” she said.
Diana Toledo and family.
A minimum of 1,277 valid signatures had to be turned in by 5pm this past Friday, June 11, to qualify for the ballot. The signatures would waive the necessity of paying a filing fee, which, Diana Toledo said, is $1,277.47.
Before filing “we crossed off about 30 signatures due to coming from voters outside the 8th District,” she said. “We turned in about 1,467 signatures on Friday (June 11) at about 10am.”
Four hours later, three hours before the filing deadline “the lady from the county elections office called to say we didn’t make the cut due to signatures not matching” original voter signature cards.
“They only went through 900 signatures. The look of someone’s signature can easily change over, say, 20 years,” Toledo said.
“I am a proactive person. We’d been told anywhere from ten to twenty percent of signatures get tossed out for various reasons. So I left a check with the elections office to cover the filing fee in the event we didn’t make the signature cut.”
Leaving that check kept her name on the ballot.
Diana Toledo began working for King County selling pet licenses door-to-door while a student at the University of Washington.
“I worked my way up the system,” said Toledo, whose work involved business license inspections.
“In 2006, I was brought in to fix the the animal cruelty investigations program and to repair the county relationship with the animal welfare community,” Toledo said.
“I would like to see what can be done to save the South Park bridge,” which will be closed June 30. “We need to be fiscally responsible. Twenty thousand cars will be diverted daily and many small businesses will be impacted,” she said.
“When I was a baby we were just a stone’s throw from the South Park bridge. My brothers used to fish from under the bridge.”
King County Council District 8 includes Normandy Park, Burien, parts of SeaTac and Tukwila, North Highline, West Seattle, and Vashon and Maury Islands.
Also running for the non-partisan council seat are State Senator Joe McDermott, Normandy Park City Council member Shawn McEvoy and South Park resident and professional carpenter Tim Fahey.
The all mail-in primary election ballots will be sent to voters by July 28. The two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the November 2 general election.
If any of you are still awake after last year’s election goofiness, well it’s starting again.
The November 2009 Burien ballot included a proposal for a $25 vehicle license fee to pay for road improvements. It was hidden under a fully-owned subsidiary called the Transportation Benefit District.
I loudly opposed the license fee in print and blog. Then the vote was nearly 75% AGAINST the license fee. Apparently, rejection doesn’t bother this council. Apparently, the Burien City Council has forgotten the landslide support for $30 license tabs?
After the resounding defeat of this “hand in your wallet”, I predicted the Council would be back with a license fee that did NOT require voter approval. And here it is. I really hate to be right.
So, on April 26th, the Council voted to impose a vehicles license fee that DOES NOT require voter approval. Under the law authorizing the fully-owned subsidiaries called Transportation Benefit Districts, a public hearing is required to impose a fee – even one that doesn’t require voter approval. That hearing is a mere formality. If you have a comment, it is also just a formality. The council has already decided to impose the license fee. This time the fee is $10 – why $10? Two reasons: they can impose it without voter approval, and you are unlikely to make an issue about $10. Talk about cynical.
Last fall, the license fee would not have been assessed on vehicle owners in the yet-to-be-annexed North Highline area – they were not yet Burien citizens. Now that those 15,000 folks are proud Burien citizens and will be subject to the license fee.
So, the mere formality hearing is scheduled for June 21st. I urge the 75% of voters who rejected the $25 license fee to also reject the $10 license fee. Show up and be heard. If the council adopts the license fee despite overwhelming opposition (it’s a tradition with the Burien Council) surely the public outrage will be enough to force a vote through citizen referendum. We did that in 1996 to repeal the city’s first utility tax: we can do it again.
- Stephen Lamphear
Burien Councilmember 1998-2005
Another candidate has filed for the King County Council seat for District 8, joining Normandy Park’s Shawn McEvoy and State Sen. Joe McDermott – lifelong Seattle resident and 15-year King County employee Diana Toledo threw her hat into the ring on Thursday (June 3).
Deadline for filing is Friday, June 11th, so there’s still about a week left.
The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 17th, and will be conducted by mail (King County Elections began conducting all elections by mail in February, 2009).
Toledo sent us the following press release Thursday afternoon:
Filipino-American Candidate for King County Council – District 8
The daughter of a Filipino immigrant who earned his U.S. Citizenship serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Conflict and an American mother who operated a neighborhood food-bank to help struggling Seattleites in the 1970’s; Life-long Seattle resident and 15 year King County employee Diana Toledo has entered the race for King County Council.
King County Council District 8 includes Burien, Normandy Park, parts of SeaTac and Tukwila, North Highline, West Seattle, and Vashon and Maury Islands.
Diana’s platform is focused on 3 issues; 1) Fiscal responsibility in King County Government. 2) Local Business incentives and Job creation. 3) Safe streets via youth outreach.
Diana and her husband Jerry (a small business owner), and their children live in West Seattle where they are active in community programs, church, and public service.
www.VoteTOLEDO.com.
Contact:
David Toledo, Director of public relations
206-333-8118
“Friends of Diana Toledo”
4701 SW Admiral Way, #39
Seattle, 98116
by Normandy Park City Councilman Shawn McEvoy says it’s time the Highline area is represented by someone who lives here, and not in West Seattle.
So McEvoy, now serving his second term as an elected member of the city council (he was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2002), recently announced that he is a candidate for the county council from District 8.
The district includes Normandy Park, Burien, the western reaches of SeaTac and Tukwila, North Highline, West Seattle, Vashon and Maury Islands.
McEvoy makes an obvious point.
Former District 8 King County Councilman Dow Constantine, who was elected county executive last fall, lives in West Seattle. So does his replacement to the District 8 seat, former Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago.
District 34 State Sen. Joe McDermott, who is not seeking re-election so he can run for Drago’s seat, also lives in West Seattle – as does District 34 State Rep. Eileen Cody.
“I think the voters [in these districts] outside of West Seattle feel under represented, even ignored,” McEvoy said. “The political process is heavily skewed to West Seattle. We want representation …
“I have the qualifications, I have the experience, and I can do a better job than the other guy,” he continued. “I understand the issues of King County, the problems and challenges facing King County, and the issues in District 8.”
His time on the city council – including serving four years as Normandy Park mayor – also gives him the “demonstrated experience to develop a responsible budget, the demonstrated experience to respond to public concerns, and demonstrated leadership skills.”
King County Council District 8 includes White Center, North Highline, Burien, Normandy Park, the western reaches of SeaTac and Tukwila, West Seattle, and Vashon and Maury Islands.
McEvoy also points with pride to his “strong environmental record,” including salmon habitat recovery efforts in Miller Creek and the Cove that received national recognition from Trout Unlimited.
He is on the steering committee for Water Resource Inventory Area 9, which is responsible for Chinook salmon protection in the Duwamish/Green River watershed.
A five-point “immediate action plan” is the framework for McEvoy’s campaign:
- Better communication by King County government with the public.
- Enhanced county partnerships with the cities.
- Ensure that “service levels and funding match. “If we haven’t got the money, don’t spend it.”
- Stabilize funding of county services.
- “Work with county employees to solve problems” from budget-cutting job furloughs to streamlining the way services are provided “to make the county better to work for all of us.”
These address what McEvoy called King County’s “image and relationship problems with mayors, city councils – and citizens,” who see county government as “bloated, dictatorial, inefficient and Seattle-centric.”
In the interview, which took place before this week’s county council vote on a proposed sales tax increase and then a proposed property tax “reallocation” to help fund the sheriff’s and prosecutor’s offices and the courts, McEvoy said, “I’m a strong believer in public safety.
“When [Sheriff] Sue Rahr and [Prosecutor] Dan Satterberg tell me it’s important to have these funds [generated by a 2-cent increase in the sales tax], I believe them.”
Asked about contracts negotiated by public employee unions, which include pay raises and benefit increases at a time the county is facing another multi-million-dollar revenue shortfall, McEvoy added he would “certainly support a study to see if public contracts are in line with the private sector … or not.
“Whether we look to the unions as a first place to cut, [the cost of county government] is still an open question. But public safety and public health are, to me, number one.”
Noting a recent Puget Sound Regional Council projection that the area will experience a lot of growth by 2040, McEvoy said more roads probably will be needed.
He added his interest in “quicker buses” that provide service every 10 minutes to provide “a good, cost-effective people mover.”
Although he was “initially skeptical of light rail,” McEvoy said “it has started to make sense to me … we need to look at all [transportation] options and go with what makes sense.”
But county residents “don’t see much in return” for the taxes they pay the county,” he continued. A “classic example” is the way Metro bus service was reallocated. Although more routes were supposed to go to the county rather than Seattle, “it hasn’t worked out that way.”
[PHOTO CREDIT: City of Normandy Park]
On Thursday (May 20), former Normandy Park Mayor and current city councilmember Shawn McEvoy announced that he’s running for the King County Council seat in District 8, against State Sen Joe McDermott.
This is the seat currently held by Jan Drago, who was appointed last year but is apparently not planning to run again this fall.
District 8 serves the communities of Burien, North Highline Burien, White Center, West Seattle, Vashon/Maury Islands, Normandy Park, SoDo, International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, West Beacon Hill, and portions of SeaTac, Tukwila and West Hill.
Keep in mind around election day that this McEvoy should not be confused with Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy, who’s running for State Representative Position #2, currently held by Sharon Nelson.
Here’s a press release we received from McEvoy’s friend Ian Gunsul:
May 20, 2010
Shawn McEvoy, former Mayor and current City Council member of Normandy Park, citing a strong sentiment from voters for a non-partisan King County Council, announced he is running for the King County Council seat in District 8.
McEvoy’s experience since 2002 as a non-partisan mayor and councilmember in an otherwise politically divided city is proof that non-partisanship works.
By focusing on finding common ground; working together through challenges; communicating, coordinating and cooperating; allows communities to get through the tough issues and focus on the future.
Shawn McEvoy wants voters to know that he is a candidate that is not locked into one party’s ideals and agendas.
by Mark Neuman
Receiving about two-thirds of the votes cast, Marcee Stone earned the endorsement of the 34th District Democrats last night (May 12), in the race to replace Sharon Nelson as State Representative, Position 2.
The 34th District covers most of Burien, and all of Vashon and Maury Islands, White Center and West Seattle.
Contender Joe Fitzgibbon came in second with the remaining votes.
Candidate Mike Heavey, in the early minutes of the meeting, surprised many by withdrawing his name from contention for the coveted endorsement.
“I am still in the race,” Heavey told The White Center Blog. “With respect to the 34th District Democratic organization, I could see I did not have the degree of support that Marcee and Joe had. So to streamline the (endorsement) process and keep the meeting moving, I took my name out.”
Heavey said he has more “cash on hand” than each of his opponents have and that he intends to advance into the general election.
The primary election is August 17. Mail-in voting begins in late July.
“I wish we’d gotten the endorsement. But this is just one of many endorsements I am seeking." - Joe Fitzgibbon
Fitzgibbon told The White Center Blog “I wish we’d gotten the endorsement. But this is just one of many endorsements I am seeking. It’s onward and upward. I’ll be knocking on doors and working to win the primary.”
Regarding Heavey’s removing his name from endorsement contention, Fitzgibbon said “Mike made a very practical decision. The 34 District organization is a group who has known each other a long time. He knew it would be an uphill fight for him (to win the endorsement).”
Stone told The White Center Blog Wednesday night “I am very happy to have won this endorsement. I could not have done this without the help of many wonderful supporters and volunteers.”
A fourth candidate in the race is local businessman and Navy veteran Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy. He is running as an independent.
Contacted by The White Center Blog Thursday (May 13) McElroy said “I congratulate Marcee on her endorsement. I welcome her as the top contender, and I’d like to express my enthusiasm for lively debate and the opportunity to serve the people of the 34 th District through the democratic process.”
State Rep. Sharon Nelson is running for the State Senate from the 34th District.
| May |
| 6 |
| 7:00 pm |
The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will be holding its monthly meeting this Thursday night, May 6th, beginning at 7pm at the North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street.
Also, they will be holding their annual election on Thursday, May 20 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the same location; a list of candidates and who can vote is on their website here.
Here’s the agenda:
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL
North Highline Fire Station 1243 SW 112th St. Seattle, WA 98146
AGENDA: May 6, 2010
- 7:00 p.m. Call to order
- Flag salute
- Roll call
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of minutes
- 7:05 p.m. Public announcements
- 7:10 p.m. Public comment – 3 minutes for individuals
- 5 minutes for groups
- 7:15 p.m. KCSO – Report
- 7:25 p.m. Rachael Levine – White Center Library Guild
- 7:35 p.m. Dick Thurnau – Friends of Hicks Lake
- 7:45 p.m. Election Candidates
- 8:00 p.m. Treasurers Report
- 8:05 p.m. Corresponding Secretary Report
- 8:10 p.m. Committee Reports
- 1. Governance
- 2. Arts and Parks – Flower Planting & Movies in the Park
- 3. Public Safety
- 4. Housing and Human Services
- 5. Public Outreach
- 6. Transportation
- 7. Steve Cox Memorial
- 8.20 p.m. Old business
- 8:25 p.m. New Business
NHUAC MEMBERS: Pat Price – District 1: Teresa Vert, Heidi Johnson – District 2
Jessica Stoneback – District 3: Ron Johnson, Christine Waldman – District 4: Douglas Harrell, Russ Pritchard, , Rebecca Lopes – At large.
COUNCIL OFFICERS: President – Christine Waldman Vice President – Douglas Harrell
Treasurer – Ron Johnson Corresponding Secretary – Jessica Stoneback
On Saturday morning (May 1), numerous residents and dignitaries gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at White Center’s Evergreen Community Aquatics Center, marking the official grand re-opening of the pool, which was closed by the county last August.
On hand with large, oversized, fully-functioning sharp scissors were King County Executive Dow Constantine, Rep. Sharon Nelson, Burien Mayor Joan McGilton, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, Evergreen Aquatic General Manager Joel Schweiger, Rep. Eileen Cody, and Greg Duff, former President of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.
After the ceremonies, the pool was opened to all for a free swim.
The next free swim will be after the White Center Spring Cleanup on Saturday, May 15th (more info here).
Here are Photos taken by Michael Brunk at Monday’s re-opening:
Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Slideshow
Also, our friends at KING5.com have posted this video report:
by Candidate filing for this year’s primary and general elections doesn’t begin for another month, but the four hopefuls for state representative from the 34th Legislative District, Position 2, are already on the campaign trail.
And Joe Fitzgibbon, Mike Heavey, Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy and Marcee Stone brought their campaigns to Burien on Tuesday April 27 for an exchange of views on a variety of issues in a forum moderated by KVI/KOMO Radio talk show host John Carlson and sponsored by The B-Town Blog.
They are running to replace Rep. Sharon Nelson who, in turn, is running to replace state Sen. Joe McDermott, now a candidate for King County Council, Position 8.
The first question focused on Washington’s bottom line: with an anticipated revenue shortfall of $2 billion next year, where would they cut the state budget? Especially if voters again pass an initiative to require a 2/3 majority vote in the Legislature to raise taxes or impose new ones?
Stone said she does not believe in cutting “essential services” including health care and education. “I believe in tax reform,” but Initiative 1077 to establish an income tax on high earners “does not go far enough,” she added. “It doesn’t address the sales tax.”
“Clearly we have to prioritize spending, McElroy said. “We have to listen to our constituents.” He noted that there is “no objective measurement of success” for spending on education.
Heavey rejected the premise that voters are going to re-institute the supermajority requirement for tax increases, which would let the legislature fill the revenue gap with new taxes.
“The Legislature cut $4 billion from the budget in the last two years,” Fitzgibbon said. “I don’t think there are many places for us to cut from. I don’t think the voters will ask us to cut another $2 billion.”
Asked what programs they would cut, only McElroy suggested a specific target. Because “you can’t spend money you don’t have,” he would “cut state environmental programs right off the bat for two years.”
Stone said she would eliminate tax incentives to large corporations like Boeing and Microsoft.
But Fitzgibbon said he “will not vote for any budget that cuts state spending another $2 billion.”
Heavey defended education funding but offered no specific program cuts.
Fitzgibbon said his first legislative priority would be comprehensive tax reform. He supports I-1077 and, “if it is not successful, we need a backup plan.” That would include a state value added tax (VAT) and a tax on polluters.
Heavey said he would make full funding of public schools a priority and indicated that he, too, supports I-1077.
“I would streamline the process to give greater information to small businesses … that helps keep small businesses in businesses,” McElroy said.
Stone’s top legislative priority would be a pro-union move to exempt employees from attending “meetings imposed by their employer.”
None of the four supports enactment of a Washington law similar to the measure recently enacted in Arizona, which mandates state enforcement of federal immigration laws to stem the tide of illegal immigrants and denies state benefits to persons who are there illegally.
During her response on this subject, Stone paused to object “to the conservative tone of the questions” being asked.
McElroy said such a state law is “not pragmatic” and “would cost more than it’s worth.”
Saying he did not support the Arizona law, Heavey added, “We’re a nation built on immigrants … every Nazi movie begins with, ‘Show me your papers.’”
Fitzgibbon thinks the law is unconstitutional because of racial profiling, and that it will be overturned in the federal courts.
Each candidate also expressed support for increased funding for mass transit, primarily light rail, while indicating no interest for increasing highway traffic lanes to reduce congestion.
Responding to Burien City Councilwoman Kathy Keene’s inquiry about a $1.50 per barrel of oil tax to pay for stormwater control required of local governments, which was considered during this year’s legislative session, Fitzgibbon replied “it is absolutely the right thing to do to ask polluters to pay.”
Heavey also said “it is absolutely the right thing to do.”
Stone said the state needs “to make sure we have a way to take care of this runoff … I have no problem with taxing … corporate profits.”
McElroy, however, said if such a program is mandated by the federal government, “then the federal government should, by God, pay for it.”
Asked by former Burien City Councilman Stephen Lamphear if they support removing the state sales tax exemption for providers of professional services, Stone said yes, Heavey indicated his support, and Fitzgibbon gave it a “qualified yes” to avoid a pyramid effect. McElroy said “leave the exemption where it is.”
The deadline for candidate filings with King County elections is June 11. In-person filing begins June 7, filing by mail begins May 21, and filing online begins the first Monday in June and continues through the following Friday.
AUDIO: Here’s the audio of the forum in its entirety (running time is 1-hour and 25-minutes; click the “Play” button to listen):
PHOTOS: Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the evening, as shot by Scott Schaefer:
Click to Play Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow
| May | Jun |
| 1 | 13 |
King County’s Countywide Community Forums (CCF) is seeking participants for their upcoming Round 5 of forums, with “Public Trust: Customer Service and Public Engagement,” as the main theme, beginning May 1 and continuing through June 13.
The objective is to highlight efforts to improve how county government responds to citizens through the use of technology and traditional means. For the first time forums will be offered for 6 weeks throughout King County between May 1 and June 13, 2010. To register and find a forum near you, go to CommunityForums.org or call toll-free at (800) 369-2584.
“The issue of public engagement and open government continues to be a major area of interest for county residents,” says Matt Rosenberg, director for CCF, “This next round of forums will take a more comprehensive look at how people interact day-to-day with county services and employees, and whether people believe an initiative like this can make county government more responsive and accountable.”
“King County government must continue to increase government accessibility and transparency,” says Council Chair Bob Ferguson. “I am pleased to participate in this important conversation with our constituents and am looking forward to receiving their feedback.”
Titled “Public Trust: Customer Service and Public Engagement,” the CCF Opinionnaire® survey for Round 5 is the result of a comprehensive process involving the County Executive, Councilmembers, the King County Auditor, community leaders, and King County residents.
Forum participants will be asked to rate their experience with county employees and services, and register their concerns and opinions about how best to access information or provide feedback to county officials. Results of the CCF survey will be tabulated and released to the public and media in early July.
Results from past Rounds are available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/auditor/communityforums
Over 1,800 people have registered to serve as a Citizen Councilor since the program began in 2007. In 2009, the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2.org) recognized CCF as an innovative project designed to encourage civic engagement.
Unlike a traditional public forum, CCF meetings are small, 4 to 12 people. Each forum lasts about two hours, includes a discussion and a survey, and begins with the viewing
The CCF program uses no taxpayer funds and is free to participants. Anyone living or working in King County is welcome to participate. The program is overseen by the King County Auditor’s office and is managed by the volunteer leadership of Dick Spady, co- founder of Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants Inc., and his sons John and Jim Spady.
To register as a volunteer Citizen Councilor, attend a small group meeting, or host a meeting, go to www.CommunityForums.org or call (206) 296-1633, toll-free (800) 369- 2584, or email CommunityForums@KingCounty.gov.
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