by Kirby Lindsay, posted 4 May 2011
On April 25th, the Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) held their annual meeting, at History House, with committee reports, an election of their 2011/12 Board of Directors, and guest speakers City Councilmember Tim Burgess and State Representative Reuven Carlyle.
Words from a State Representative
“The scale of our state deficit is so far beyond the bounds,” Representative Carlyle stated at the start of his comments, “it is just a jolt.” Difficult cuts and choices will need to be made, he said, “I think we need to have these kinds of uncomfortable conversations,” which he described as, “a lot of teachable moments.”
He described the Department of Natural Resources budget as being ‘eviscerated’, the miss-start among Senators who want to dictate what King County Councilmembers (and KC voters) can do as an overstep of representative government, and mourned the loss of tourism income due to an inability to reap those opportunities. He also humorously described his own maneuver – research into how much of taxes collected state-wide come from King County (42%) and how much of that income is spent in the County of King (28%.) “My only point,” he explained, “I think we are living in a time when if we don’t have those conversations, we do a disservice to ourselves.”
He frequently referenced education, and the needs of higher education. “Half the budget is public schools,” he stated, yet Washington State ranks 48th in the nation in the issuance of baccalaureate degrees. In response to an audience question, he described a “huge disconnect” between academic standards to be met by a student to graduate public high school, and admission requirements for freshmen at the University of Washington. He also encouraged voters to support the City of Seattle Families & Education Levy, expected on the ballot this fall.
Words from a City Councilmember
“Representative Carlyle faces a bigger challenge than we face at the City,” Councilmember Tim Burgess prefaced his comments, “but we still face a lot.” He also encouraged voters to support the Levy which, he said, “provides the extra services that our most academically at-risk students need.” During questions he defended the decision to almost double the levy amount, and said, “We are confident that it will pass in Seattle.”
When speaking to the City budget in general, Councilmember Burgess admitted some City programs cannot achieve – and are not meant to achieve – measurable outcomes. Yet, for those that can be measured, he wants to see reviews done, to move money from underperforming programs to those that do make a difference.
He spoke of the need to support our police, and to protect our transportation system. He mentioned passage of the South Downtown plan, by the City Council, that day, and the decision to make wage theft – by companies that either don’t pay, or short pay, for work done by employees, often immigrants and the undereducated – a gross misdemeanor.
The future of the shuttered Aurora Motels came up during audience questions. Three motel properties were shut down in 2010, and Councilmember Burgess credited the Chronic Nuisance Act, passed by the Council, as a powerful tool that made it possible. As to what could, and will, be done with the properties, the Councilman didn’t know. He did suggest a full-scale plan be set for the Aurora Corridor – one that would consider options for up to two blocks on either side of the roadway – to include rapid transit, pedestrian and bike use, and up-zoning.
Words from the Floor
After thanking, and saying farewell, to the elected officials, FNC President Norma Jones facilitated the annual election of the Board. The slate, as presented, was accepted unanimously, with Linda Clifton, George Heideman, Norma Jones, Elfriede Noble, Erik Pihl, Dic Selin, and Toby Thaler being re-elected to the Board. Shawn Mulanix returned for election as the Treasurer, Stephanie Pure re-gained the post of Vice-President and Matt Gasparich stepped in as the newest FNC President.
After this, several committee chairs gave reports, including Toby Thaler on the topic of Land Use. He said that the FNC has probably reached the end of litigation on the North Seattle Transfer Station project (read the FNC Highlight Reel for Mar 2011.) He also announced that FNC members who had filed on the Fire Station #9 project “withdrew the appeal.” Instead, they’ve entered into discussions with City representatives about a redesign of the project, to try to save the historic structure, “but the lot is too small,” Thaler repeated a few times.
The meeting ended with comments by Gasparich, who led a round of applause of thanks to Jones for her leadership over the last two years. He then asked about moving the monthly FNC meetings to the Fremont Abbey, and presented a draft list of FNC projects for the Board to consider. At the next meeting of the FNC, to be held May 23rd, at 7p, at History House, he urged a decision on the meeting location, and a list of projects for the Council to pursue over the coming year. Everyone is welcome to attend that meeting, and give input – and maybe even find a way you want to get involved this year! See you there?
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.