[nfbwatlk] Fw: [District1] Councilmember Bob Ferguson's E-News - February 2009 (http://your.kingcounty.gov/mkcc/members/ferguson/news/09_FebEnewsoutlook.htm)
Jacob Struiksma
lawnmower84 at hotmail.com
Fri Feb 27 06:18:19 UTC 2009
Councilmember Bob Ferguson's E-News - February 2009
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Ferguson
To: Jacob Struiksma
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 3:23 PM
Subject: [District1] Councilmember Bob Ferguson's E-News - February 2009 (http://your.kingcounty.gov/mkcc/members/ferguson/news/09_FebEnewsoutlookhtm)
Councilmember Bob Ferguson on the Web: www.kingcounty.gov/ferguson
Bob's E-News
February 2009
Edition 48
In this issue:
· Sims to Serve in Obama Administration
· Alaskan Way Viaduct Project
· Save the Dates for Town Hall Meetings
· District One Outings
· Bob in the News
· Regional Municipal Jail Update
· Funding Opportunities
Watch my video introduction to this enewsletter:
Rather read my letter? Video transcript available here.
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Sims to Serve in Obama Administration
I want to congratulate Executive Ron Sims on his momentous selection to serve as deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be selected by President Obama to serve in this capacity is a tremendous honor and acknowledgement of his years of service here in King County. Once Executive Sims is confirmed, the Council will appoint an interim Executive pending the election of a new County Executive this November.
Read more:
. Sims leaving for HUD job; wants "caretaker" to replace him - Seattle Times
. Sims picked for HUD; successor debate begins - Seattle PI
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Alaskan Way Viaduct Project
The Council's Committee of the Whole, which I chair, was briefed (requires free version of Windows Media Player) on the Alaskan Way Viaduct project in late January. The briefing focused on Governor Gregoire, Executive Sims, and Mayor Nickels' proposal to replace the viaduct with a bored tunnel.
As part of that proposal, the Executive proposed a 1% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) on vehicles registered in King County. The MVET would fund additional transit service both during and after tunnel construction. MVET funds would also provide a new source of revenue for Metro, whose primary funding source is sales tax. Because of the recent drop in sales tax revenues, Metro is facing a significant budget shortfall and existing service is in jeopardy if new funds are not secured.
I have concerns about using MVET dollars to fund transit. In any event, to institute an MVET, the legislature must first grant King County the authority to impose it. Several Council members, myself included, have emphasized that any MVET taxing decision should be made by the voters.
Currently, all decisions about the viaduct replacement and any potential MVET are in the hands of the state legislature. I will keep you updated.
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Save the Dates for Town Hall Meetings
I want to invite you to my upcoming town hall meetings:
· The Council will be in Renton for a special town hall meeting on protecting public health and the risks of possible cuts to the Department of Public Health. The agenda is being finalized and will be available shortly. In the meantime, details include:
Date:
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Time:
6 p.m. - Public reception
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Program
Location:
Valley Medical Center
Medical Arts Center Building
400 South 43rd Street, Renton
· Kenmore Mayor David Baker will join me on March 24 to answer your questions about the King County Ferry District and possible passenger ferry service from Kenmore to Seattle. I hope you are able to attend.
Date:
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Kenmore Mayor David Baker will join us March 24.
Time:
6:30 p.m. - Public reception
7 - 8:30 p.m. - Program
Location:
Northshore Utility District Building
6830 Northeast 185th Street, Kenmore
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District One Outings
· I was recently a guest at the Maple Leaf Community Council (MLCC) meeting in North Seattle. As a resident of Maple Leaf, I always enjoy meeting with my neighbors. My wife Colleen and I brought our one-year-old twins, Katie and Jack, so they could attend their first community meeting!
I had the opportunity to address questions on topics ranging from the special election for the King County Director of Elections and the proposed use of taxpayer dollars to pay for the Husky Stadium renovation, to the recent Metro fare increase. For more information about MLCC, you can visit the MLCC website.
· I attended a Haller Lake Community Club (HLCC) meeting to discuss issues related to county government and answer questions. We discussed Northgate park and ride issues, the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan, and the King County Executive appointment process. You can visit the HLCC website for more information about the organization.
At community meetings, such as here in Kingsgate, I always enjoy talking with constituents.
· Recently, I spoke at the Kingsgate Highlands Divisions 3 and 4 Homes Association annual meeting. King County is the local government for this neighborhood, which is located in unincorporated King County. We primarily discussed a proposed municipal jail site located near this neighborhood and the possible annexation of this area into either Bothell or Kirkland.
· I attended the monthly North King County Mayors Meeting in Kenmore. The mayors representing Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville meet regularly over lunch to discuss issues of interest concerning their cities and the county.
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Bob in the News
Check out these two articles:
. First, the North Seattle Herald asked me to write an op-ed about my experience at President Obama's inauguration.
. Second, the Washington State Bar News published my article "County Budgets and the Crisis in Our Courts."
Enjoying Inauguration Day with Colleen.
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Regional Municipal Jail Update
I am hearing from many of my constituents about the proposed municipal jail sites in Shoreline and the Kingsgate area of unincorporated King County. As a King County Councilmember, I had no role in the site selection process. This issue impacts both ends of my district and I am committed to keeping you updated on this issue.
My office is communicating with constituents about the site selection process being conducted by Seattle and the cities in north and east King County. These cities are working to build a new municipal jail and have announced six proposed sites. We are sending letters to District One constituents who live near the proposed sites and I also spoke at a community meeting in Kingsgate about the potential site near their neighborhood.
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Funding Opportunities
. King County Housing Repair Program
The King County Department of Community and Human Services is sponsoring a housing repair program that offers no interest loans and grants to low- to moderate-income residents. Assistance is available to keep homes safe and in good repair, including health and safety repairs, energy-related work and building preservation. For more information, visit King County Housing Repair Program or call (206) 263-9095.
. 2010 Conservation Futures Fund
This year King County will distribute approximately $8 million to fund public open space land acquisition in Seattle, unincorporated King County, and the suburban cities. These funds are dedicated specifically for this purpose and, by law, cannot be used for any other purpose.
The application process has just opened. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 26, 2009. For information, please contact David Tiemann, staff liaison for King County Conservation Futures Citizen Committee at david.tiemann at kingcounty.gov.
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About my E-Newsletter
Councilmember Bob Ferguson on the Web: www.kingcounty.gov/ferguson
I hope you enjoy my updates! Please review my recent e-newsletters.
To remove yourself from my e-newsletter list, send an email to fergusonenews at kingcounty.gov and copy "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
To subscribe to my e-newsletter, send an email to fergusonenews at kingcounty.gov and copy "Subscribe" in the subject line.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at bob.ferguson at kingcounty.gov.
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Phone: (206) 296-1001 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165
Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272
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