by Ralph Nichols

Federal and state funding from earmarks and other targeted appropriations is critical for continued economic growth in Southwest King County, officials from three Highline cities said Friday (July 10th).

Burien Councilwoman Sally Nelson, representing Mayor Joan McGilton, along with SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape and Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton delivered annual reports on the economic state of their cities at the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel in SeaTac.

Burien Councilmember Sally Nelson spoke on behalf of Mayor McGilton.

“Earmarks have gotten a bad rap but the needs of local government depend on federal and state funding,” said Nelson. Yet, she recalled, Congressman Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, said at last month’s dedication of the King County Regional Library/Burien City Hall that the new building “is an example of earmarks at work.”

“We can’t do this alone,” agreed Shape. Local governments depend on funding by the federal government, he added. Haggerton noted that state law limits cities and counties to property tax revenue increases of 1 percent per year except on new development, and that much of this money goes for fire and police services and health care.

Focusing on current economic development in Burien, Nelson said the city’s Town Square “never would have happened without a changed (SW) 152nd Street – the redesign and rebuilding of Burien’s “main street” that preceded construction of new condominiums and street-level retail space in addition to the library/city hall through a public-private partnership.

SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape

For sustained economic recovery and development to happen, strong partnerships are needed, Nelson continued. Local economic development depends on “strong transportation systems, strong water and wastewater systems … managed and paid for by local government, but this will not happen without strong support by state and federal government.”

Planning and opportunity are meeting in SeaTac, which Shape described as “a transportation-centric city.” New development is taking place on the west side of Tukwila International Boulevard across from the light rail station, and will include both commercial space and multi-family housing. Planned at South 176th Street across International Boulevard from the light rail airport station is “a vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, entertainment and residential” developments, which will be easily accessible to light rail and air passengers as well as city residents.

Shape said updated zoning laws that encourage higher population densities in these areas along with easier permitting are encouraging these developments as well as other businesses to relocate to SeaTac. In addition, good fiscal management is helping SeaTac weather the current economic storm, he added. These projects have been in the planning stage for years, and “now is the time to implement them.”

Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton

Haggerton observed that while Tukwila is a small city with a population of only 18,000, it provides 42,000 jobs. And Westfield Southcenter Mall, which generates many of these jobs, is planning to develop the north side of the mall – with improved pedestrian access – in the wake of the recent expansion on the mall’s south side.

After five years, the Tukwila South project – a new non-central business district development on the current Segale property south of South 180th Street – is moving forward, he said. And a developer has been selected for the Tukwila Village project along Tukwila International Boulevard, which is expected to revitalize that area with new retail and housing.

Reminding chamber members that light rail service between Tukwila International Boulevard at Southcenter Boulevard and downtown Seattle begins this coming Saturday, July 18th, King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson (SeaTac) said this will usher in “extraordinary opportunities for economic development in South King County.”

In addition, it “will provide the opportunity for us to get out of our cars and go into Seattle (by light rail) to work, to go to a play, to go to a Mariners’ game. This is an exciting, exciting event … and the biggest investment in infrastructure, except for what the Port has done at the airport, in South King County.

Patterson, who also serves on the Sound Transit board, added that the grand opening for light rail service from Tukwila on to Sea-Tac International Airport will take place in December.

First it was SeaTac Airport’s new third runway, and now KOMO News is reporting that Sound Transit’s new Link Light rail system is too loud.

According to the story, some local residents are complaining that the new Light Link rail system is too noisy.

One resident even bought a decibel meter and measured the noise level near his house, with measurements as high as 88 decibels. An average vacuum cleaner runs between 75 to 80 decibels.

Sound Transit has apparently insulated a number of homes in the Rainier Valley, and has installed air conditioning units to others where it was determined that noise might disrupt residents during summer’s open-window months.

We’re not sure if a class action lawsuit lies in Sound Transit’s future, so keep your ears open.

Read the full story here.

The King County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a white, 1990s-model 4-door BMW 5 Series car (see included reference photos of a similar vehicle) driven by the suspects in a shooting that left an 18 year-old man dead on Wednesday night.

As we previously reported, the incident occurred about 11:30pm on Wednesday, June 24th. The victim was in the back seat of a car that was southbound on Military Road South. Four friends were with him in the car. A second vehicle began following the victim’s car but turned off at South 140th. As it did, several rounds were fired and the man was hit.

The men drove straight to Highline Medical Center in Burien, and the victim collapsed in the entrance to the Emergency Room. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The dead man is believed to be from California and was in the area visiting relatives.

If anyone recognizes the vehicle or has information on the shooting they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

We’d like to offer a “may the best person win” welcome to Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive, our latest Advertiser.

We recently met up with him at a local farmers market for a get-to-know-you chat.

“I’m an agent for change,” said Ross, who is in his fourth term in the Washington State House of Representatives, and worked at Microsoft for 17 years.

“I have the skills to make things happen.”

We asked Ross to talk about former Executive Ron Sims, namely the thing Sims did best while in office, and that which he did not do so well.

“You’d have to include the council in on my answer,” Ross responded. “They really work together. I’d say that they put us on the map environmentally in a positive way.

“But over the years the executive and council showed a lack of attention to financial reality.”

We asked what experience not commonly known about him would suggest he is ready to run the state’s largest county.

“Not many people know this, but I spend time now and again helping Habitat for Humanity,” he said, referring to the group that helps build houses for those who otherwise might not be able to afford one.

“I like to frame. If I can swing a big hammer, I’m happy.”

A hint of the style of a Hunter Administration?

“No,” Ross said with a laugh. “It’s just how I build homes for those who need them!”

Primary Election day is August 18th. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election in November.

For more information on the Ross Hunter campaign go to: www.RossHunter.com.

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Highline-area “Hams” will join with thousands of Amateur Radio operators who will be showing off their emergency capabilities over the weekend of June 27th and 28th.

Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America, including the California wildfires, winter storms, tornadoes and other events worldwide. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio – often called “Ham Radio” – was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled south to save lives and property.

When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio’s people are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications. On the weekend of June 27 – 28, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with the Highline area’s ham radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, hams from across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

This annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools and backyards around the country. Their slogan, “When All Else Fails, Ham Radio Works” is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

“We hope that people will come and see for themselves, this is not your grandfather’s radio anymore,” said Allen Pitts, W1AGP, of the ARRL. “The communications that ham radio people can quickly create have saved many lives when other systems failed or were overloaded. And besides that – it’s fun!”

In the Highline area, the Highline Amateur Radio Club will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at Marvista Park, 4th Avenue SW and SW 200th Street in Normandy Park on June 27th and 28th. They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes. The Highline area includes Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila as well as the North Highline unincorporated area.

There are over 650,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services program, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies, all for free.

The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. See what modern Amateur Radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!

To learn more about the Highline Amateur Radio Club, go to http://highlinearc.cfsites.org. To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.emergency-radio.org.

BECU staffers Truyen, Angela, David (branch manager) Tina in front of
their Neighborhood BECU location in Redondo.

Welcome Our Latest Advertiser: BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union)!

BECU is the largest credit union in Washington with assets of $8.2 billion with over 540,000 members. It is one of the top five financial cooperatives in the United States. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, BECU is owned by its members, and its earnings are returned to the members in the form of better interest rates and lower fees for services.

BECU “walks the walk and talks the talk” when it comes to giving back to the communities they serve. We interviewed the managers of the BECU offices in our coverage area to see if they’re ‘walking and talking’.

David Paice, Manager of Redondo BECU located at 25250 Pacific Highway South in Fred Meyer’s – right when you walk in the door! David was born to manage with BECU. He was 19 when he started there, and less that seven years later he was branch manager. He’s been with BECU for over nine years, and during this time he went to school and got his MBA. His thoughts on BECU:

“It’s a great place to work.BECU provides a great environment and culture for our employees and members. Finally we have a great involvement with our communities.”

And speaking of involvement, in addition to managing the Redondo branch, David has thrown himself into volunteering in the communities he serves. He’s most particuarly interested in education and the issues of children. A board member for the Des Moines Legacy Foundation which raises funds for both the Senior Activity Center and youth at risks. It is a not for profit organization entering it’s 10th year in Des Moines.

He is also on the Highline Community College Foundation Board. David’s been on the board of the Highline Fund For Excellence which raises money and awareness of the Highline School District. Currently he is co-chair of this years’ Highline Fund For Excellence awards program on May 29th.

He joined the Des Moines Rotary Club two years ago, and is an active participant in their Poverty Bay Wine Festival. Monies raised from this event help children and students in the area.

David is a product of the Highline School District, and owes a lot of what he’s achieved in life to his association with HSD. A Tyee grad, and former Burien resident, David and his wife recently relocated to house four blocks from the house he grew up in. Not on purpose, they liked the house!

After we left David and his BECU Neighborhood Financial Center in Kent/Des Moines, we journied North to the BECU Tukwila Financial Center, at 12770 Gateway Drive.

Branch Manager Tricia Singer was glad to show us around the facility. In this BECU center, there’s 29 tellers, and 31 consulatants. The drive-thru accommodates six cars (see photo below).

Tricia’s been with BECU for 6 years, and a branch manager for over a year. When it comes to serving her community her “passion is the Tukwila Food Pantry, which serves Tukwila, and parts of Burien and SeaTac.” She grew up on food bank food, so she understands its importance to a community. She’s on the board and volunteers with her 13-year old daughter. She’s also recruited several tellers and bankers to volunteer.

Repeating David’s sentiments about BECU being such a great place to work, she added that at BECU it’s all about the members.

“When we say we’re here for the members, we are. With any decision made we ask ‘what is the benefit for our members?’” Tricia added.

Tricia serves on the Employee Involvement Committee which encompasses the Annual Member Scholarships for high school graduates and undergraduates that last year distributed over $1 million to 500 receipients who excelled in academics, leadership and displayed a passion for helping others. She also works on the annual Ebay Auction for Children’s Miracle Netork, which will be held June 1 – 11.

A graduate of Evergreen High School, Tricia is a lifelong resident of the unincorporated Highline area.

In the Burien area you can find BECU banking ATMs at Fred Meyer and Five Corners. You can see David and his staff at the Redondo Branch, or visit Tricia at the BECU Banking Center 12770 Gateway in Tukwila.

Membership is no longer limited to Boeing Company employees and their families. All Washington state residents are now eligible to join BECU. The minimum deposit required to join is $5.

So, click on their ad, visit a branch, and start your relationship with BECU today!

Here are some pics taken Tuesday (May 19th) by Photographer Michael Brunk:

For more information, click here.

WHAT: 2009 Tukwila Residential Recycling Collection Event

WHEN: Saturday, May 16th from 9am to 3pm

WHERE: Tukwila Village Site – Corner of South 144 Street and 41st Ave South in Tukwila (one block West of Foster High School – see map below))

INFO: You may bring these items to be recycled:

• CARDBOARD: Please flatten. No wax coated cardboard.
• PROPANE TANKS: Residential tanks only. $5 charge (cash only).
• ALKALINE BATTERIES: AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D cell batteries only.
• LEAD ACID BATTERIES: Car, truck, marine, and motorcycle batteries accepted.
• PORCELAIN TOILETS AND SINKS: Toilet seats, hardware, and base wax rings must be removed. $5 charge (cash only).
• MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, & ANTIFREEZE: Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, steering fluid, crankcase
  oil, kerosene, and home heating fuel. Do not mix with antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or other substances.
• HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING: Clothing and miscellaneous household items in good condition. Mattresses will not be accepted. Furniture will not be accepted. Items in need of repair will not be accepted.
• REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERS: $25 will be charged for each refrigerator or freezer. $25 will be charged for each household air conditioner (cash only).
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: DVD players, VCRs, stereo equipment, computers, printers, mouse, keyboards, fax machines, scanners, and cellular phones. Computer monitors will be collected for a $10 charge (cash only). However, you can recycle your computer monitor for free – see the E-Cycle box for more information.
• TELEVISION SETS: TV sets with 36 inch or smaller screens and encased in plastic – $20 charge (cash only). TV  sets with larger than 36 inch screens, wood console, sets encased in wood, and big screen TV sets – $25 charge (cash only). Projection TV sets – $30  charge (cash only). However, you can recycle your TV set for free – see the E-Cycle box for more information.
• BULKY WOOD: Includes tree branches (minimum 6 inches in diameter), logs, clean wood, plywood, pallets, and other untreated and unpainted wood. No leaves, grass, small branches, sod, brush, painted, or stained wood. No peg board, particle or press board. Please lay a tarp under material for ease of removal.
• TIRES: Bias ply, steel belted, and studded tires accepted. Limit 6 passenger tires per household (18 inches and below) free of charge. $1.50 charge for each tire on a rim. $5 charged for each large truck tire and $15 charged for each truck tire on rim (cash only).  No oversized tires accepted.
• APPLIANCES AND SCRAP METAL: Auto parts, appliances, microwaves, stoves, engines and gas lawnmowers (drained of oil and gasoline), barbecues, iron, steel, aluminum, brass, copper and other ferrous and nonferrous metals. $5 will be charged for each water heater that still has insulation coating (cash only). Metals that are insulated, rubber or oil coated, previously or currently contain chemicals, paint, or hazardous materials will not be accepted. Light fixture ballasts and sealed drums will not be accepted.

Items not allowed:

• No construction/demolition debris
• No mattresses/furniture
• No plastic toys, hoses, etc.
• No window glass
• These household hazardous wastes:
• No oil based paint
• No pesticides/herbicides
• No household chemicals
• No cleaning products
• No fluorescent lights

For a PDF flier with info on this event, click here. For information call 206-431-3683.

Household hazardous wastes (but not latex paint) can be taken to the Household Hazardous Wastemobile or one of three household hazardous waste collection sites. Tukwila residents may use the South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 8105 5th Avenue South, Seattle. Open 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (except major holidays). Volume restrictions apply. For more information about volume restrictions and other household hazardous waste disposal options visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/ or call the Household Hazards Line Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm except holidays at 206-296-4692 or 1-888-Toxiced (869-4233).

Washington now has a FREE recycling program called “E-Cycle Washington” for computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions. Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov to find authorized E-Cycle Washington collection locations.  You may drop off computers, computers monitors, laptops, and televisions at no charge at the following E-Cycle Washington locations: American Electronics Recycling (18435 Olympic Ave. S. Tukwila, WA 98188), Goodwill Southcenter Store (1174 Andover Park West Tukwila, WA 98188), and RE-PC ( 510

Please note – drop  off  locations and charges may change and quantities accepted may be limited. Please also note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included.

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