by Kirby Lindsay, posted 15 February 2013
The February 2013 Fremont Arts Council (FAC) meeting of the Committee Of the Whole (COW) provided some practical lessons in why community involvement isn’t just a good idea, but a necessary expense of time – if you want a community that reflects your values.
1. 1-Min Announcements
The meeting opened with a 1-minute announcements about upcoming community activities – Moisture Festival, ‘5 X Tenn (Or So)’ at Stone Soup Theatre, Net//Works at Fremont Abbey Arts Center, and the Beard & Stache Festival. Public meetings like this one provides attendees with information about events like these, and attending the events makes their continued existence much more likely.
2. Fremont Siphon Project
Judy Clarridge, a representative from the Fremont Neighborhood Council (as well as a local resident, member of the Fremont Baptist Church and the Fremont Historical Society,) attended the COW specifically to ask FAC members for help make the King County Fremont Siphon Replacement Project more reflective of our community.
Clarridge attended a public workshop, on January 12th, for input on designing a large piece of property being acquired for the Siphon Project. She noticed that the meeting had no FAC representation, and feared that without it, the final design might lack a creative, colorful and quixotic Fremont flavor.
The property will contain a small structure for odor control apparatus, and an access pad to the new microtunnels that will convey wastewater from a large area of North Seattle, plus parts of Shoreline, Lynnwood, and even Kenmore.
Clarridge mentioned that at the workshop someone made a lighthearted suggestion to include a viewing porthole into the finished siphon tunnels. This idea inspired the creative minds at the COW, and several enjoyed the suggestion as it would bring a ‘transparency’ to our wastewater process.
Clarridge encouraged FAC members – and anyone interested in a final design of features that could be a part of Fremont for the next 100 years – to contact Adair Muth about the project, at adair.muth@kingcounty.gov. In the spring King County will host another meeting for input on proposed designs – and this may be one of the last chances to make this project Fremont-esque.
3. 25th Annual FAC Solstice Parade
The next Solstice Parade takes to the streets of Fremont at 3p on Saturday, June 22nd. At the COW, again, attendees discussed the date (this year, the Parade and the Fremont Fair take place on Solstice weekend, but not Father’s Day weekend,) and time (scheduled later due to realistic concerns about traffic tie-ups.)
Thousands may show up early for the Parade – some by a week and others by only four hours – but not those who are active in our community.
Of course, everyone in the know will be asked to let those not as involved. Especially when FAC Board Members acknowledged that the recent resignation of Tessa Hulls as Operations Manager (her replacement is being sought) will delay getting an update to the date and time on the website.
The Board has elected a Solstice Parade Coordinator – Leslie Zenz, for her fourth year – and agreed to partner with Honk Fest West (a “nucleation point for marching bands,” according to Board President Rodman Miller) for the 25th Annual Solstice Parade!
4. An Introduction for ‘The Knights Of The Badger’
Two Fremont residents attended the COW (and thereby, became members of the COW, however temporarily) and were able to get answers to a carefully considered list of questions for their ensemble for the Solstice Parade.
They plan to build, thanks to sponsorship by Fremont’s Outlander Brewery, a giant wooden badger to be wheeled by Monty Python-esque knights, during the Parade on June 22nd (at 3p – remember?)
By taking part in the COW, they got answers and plenty of practical advice from practiced Parade veterans – while also helping the FAC conduct its business.
5. Board Elections, In March?
Over the next few weeks, the FAC will hold elections for the Board, to close at the March COW. To vote, you must be a FAC member in good standing as of February 12th. To serve on the Board, you must be a FAC member in good standing, and submit a nomination by February 19th.
The current FAC Board hopes to get candidates anxious to actively influence the organization. (Read the candidate requirements on the FAC website.) The future of the FAC, and Fremont, can be determined by its Board, for the good or the bad of it.
However, in this organization, those who attend COW meetings – like the one in February and the next one on March 12th – hold influence over the Board. For instance, the Board may decide which activities the FAC will pursue, but the members of the COW either step forward to support their choices, or don’t, which is the difference between a beautiful dream and a fun reality.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member of the Board – or the organization as a whole – can write to board@fremontartscouncil.org They can also attend the next COW on Tuesday, March 12th at 7:10ish at The Powerhouse at 3940 Fremont Ave N.
Remember, everyone can be a member of the Committee Of The Whole – just show up, and that’s all it will take to get active!
Related Articles
- (news item) Highlights from the January Arts Council COW Meeting
- by Kirby Lindsay, January 14, 2013
- A Date For The Solstice Parade
- by Kirby Lindsay, August 27, 2012
- Penny Mabie Provides A Positive Process
- by Kirby Lindsay, December 29, 2012
- Plans Advance For The Siphon Replacement
- by Kirby Lindsay, November 12, 2012
©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.