Rep John McCoy - "Cindy listens to the people and is a person of action."

Rep John McCoy Gives Cindy Ryu Strong Endorsement for King County Council


John McCoy represents the 38th Legislative District, which includes Marysville, Everett and the Tulalip Tribal Lands and other unincorporated areas. He is Chair of the House Committees on Technology Energy & Communications, Education, and State Government and Tribal Affairs.

He submitted the following letter of endorsement of Cindy Ryu for the King County Council appointment for the 1st Council District (to replace Bob Ferguson), to the King County Executive and King County Councilmembers:

_____________________________

To whom it may concern: 

Please accept this letter of endorsement on behalf of Cindy Ryu for the King County Council District 1 position. 

Cindy is hard working; she listens to the people and is a person of action. In the years I have known Cindy, I am continually impressed with her leadership and her can do attitude. She has positively served the citizens of this State and the constituents of her district. I commend her for her ability to work across diverse communities and bring people together for the common good. Cindy’s extensive experience in State and local politics will continue to prove beneficial for the people of King County. 

Although she will be missed, I have great confidence Cindy will continue to tackle the serious issues our State and local communities face with the same determination and tenacity as she did in Olympia. Without hesitation, I recommend Cindy Ryu for the King County Council District 1 position.

Sincerely, 

John McCoy 

State Representative 

38th Legislative District 

King County Council Appointment Process Ramps Up - 32nd Dist Rep Cindy Ryu Steps Forward

Who will replace Bob Ferguson on King County Council?

UPDATE: Please note a correction below on location and time of the 46th LD meeting and candidate forum. December 13th at Olympic View Elementary School.

After Bob Ferguson won the Attorney General race decisively, the next question is who will replace him in his King County Council District #1seat. 

Thus far at least seven people have stepped forward expressing interest in the seat.  The position is non-partisan.

Rep Cindy Ryu currently represents the 32nd Legislative District as legislator and has now thrown her hat into the ring. Cindy also served as Mayor of Shoreline and City Councilmember and President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce. Her district includes Shoreline, and parts of North Seattle, Edmonds and Lynnwood. She submitted a statement and applied for the position. 



Also stepping forward are:

• Seattle lawyer, Rod Dembowski
• Shoreline Councilmember Will Hall
• Shoreline Planning Commissioner Keith Scully
• Kenmore Mayor Dave Baker
• Assistant King County Ombudsman Chuck Sloan
• Democratic State Committeewoman and Legislative Activist Sarajane Siegfriedt

King County Executive Dow Constantine has established a process to select the next King County Councilmember. His office will appoint an "advisory committee" to review the applicants and send three names to the King County Council. All applications must be submitted by Dec 3rd, 5pm. Questions about the process should be submitted to kcexec@kingcounty.gov.

The 32nd District Democrats voted to endorse three candidates at their last meeting; Cindy Ryu, Rod Dembowski, and Keith Scully and forwarded those names to the King County Executive. The 46th LD will hold a forum for the candidates on Dec 13th at their special meeting, which will be held at the Olympic View Elementary School at 7pm.

Doe a Dear!

A deer was spotted near NE part of Shoreline, in Lake Forest Park
yesterday (Monday), according to Shoreline/LFP PATCH!
Shoreline resident Sonja Groset.

This is pretty remarkable! And a sharp eye and camera for Ms Groset!

Doe spotted in Shoreline
ph credit/ Sonja Groset

Last year a deer was also sighted in Lake Forest Park. Deer have also been spotted in Kenmore, and Kirkland in the last year.

We always appreciate reports of wildlife sightings, and efforts to improve wildlife habitat in the Shoreline area.

It's About Pride!

Yesterday the Pride Came Out Big Time in Seattle!

Governor Chris Gregoire was Grand Marshall
of the Seattle Gay Pride Parade.
She became a champion this year when
she came out for Gay Marriage and
signed it into law

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters of Gay Pride lined Fourth Avenue and cheered the many participants in the annual parade. Many elected officials and candidates joined them.

Excellent weather! Great participation and a banner year for Gay Rights.

Kathleen Drew is an enthusiastic supporter of civil rights
for all people. She is running for Secretary of State and
is the only Democratic woman running for statewide office.

KC Councilmember Bob Ferguson is running
for Attorney General and is a supporter of
Marriage for All.

Democrats were out in force!
Sen Maria Cantwell joined forces with the 2012
Obama Campaign. President Obama
recently declared his support for
Gay Marriage.

The Parade showcased the many faces of "Pride" including:

• US Military celebrating the end of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell).

All Branches of the Military represented including
Veterans for Peace

• "Washington Bus", which is a Coaliton representing all aspects of the voting populace

   and which seeks to elect progressive candidates 

• PFLAG supports Lesbian and Gays Family members

Major Corporations! Even Microsoft and Boeing were there in force!

Microsoft had a big contingent!

There were so many groups represented, including  Labor, Non-profits, City, County, School District and so many corporate sponsors for this major event. The organizers of Seattle Gay Pride are to be congratulated for an extremely well planned effort.

Humour and creativity all day long

Chief Diaz and Seattle Police marched and kept the
parade moving along efficiently.  The Chief recently
recorded a public service announcement for the
"It Gets Better Campaign."

Rat City Rollers!

Seattle City Council and many city departments participated

An amazing array of people and sights
showing pride

It was a day for Seattle to be Proud!

Shoreline's Trees: A Triumph of Hope Over Fear

Trees Represent Hope and Hope Is Alive in Shoreline

Old Madrones Frame and ARE the "View"
Above Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Last night, June 18th was a turning point for Shoreline's Trees. At the City Council meeting, four coucilmembers (Will Hall, Chris Roberts, Jesse Salamon and Chris Eggen) voted to protect trees.

They voted for some amendments in the Development Code crafted by the Shoreline Planning Commission. 

It is a significant victory for Shoreline's trees.

The major changes will be to require a permit for cutting a tree 30" in diameter or larger, AND for a 

provision which will be the cornerstone of a new policy. That is, no longer will any property owner be able to cut 6 trees in 3 years. Only those with lots of 1 acre in size. Smaller lots will be allowed to cut significant trees in smaller increments.

The Council agenda item is here and the public can watch the meeting online here. 

http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=71

There were over a dozen speakers and most spoke in favor of the Planning Commission amendments. Over 30 members of the public had sent comments to the council in favor of those amendments as well.

These new amendments to the Development Code cap a 10 year struggle to put in place protections for Shoreline's tree canopy. The Shoreline Preservation Society and others, including Thornton Creek Alliance, Interurban Trail Tree Preservation Society, and members of Sustainable Shoreline, and people from all over Shoreline advocated to better protect trees.

Councilmember Will Hall made the motion to move the Planning Commission amendments forward. There were some attempts to amend and some of the provisions were altered or removed, such as one that would have prevented pre-emptive cutting of trees for possible development before any proposal was submitted. According to one councilmember, this happened probably because the item was confusing.

But the heart of the ordinance, the provision to reduce the number of trees cut and protect 30" trees stands!

Southwoods Park, saved by the
passage of the 2006 Parks Bond

Longtime Briarcrest Neighborhood Association member, Bettelinn Brown testified that the community had voted by over 70% to protect trees such as Southwoods and the Kruckeberg Garden in 2006, in the 

Parks Bond measure and therefore it is clear that Shoreline residents want to protect trees.

Boni Biery, who is a Sustainable Shoreline boardmember testified about how many trees have been lost over the years surrounding her home.

There were implied threats made by some view neighborhoods that legal action could follow, and that remains to be seen.  But, other legal experts have asserted that under the Growth Management Act, cities and city councils are clearly permitted to take these actions. In related case law:

Upon review of a city’s planning decision, the Board “shall find compliance unless it determines that a [city] action is clearly erroneous in view of the entire record before the board and in light of the goals and requirements of the GMA.”  To find an action “clearly erroneous,” the Board must have a “firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been committed.”

So for now, Shoreline's trees have a shot at survival. Trees are a triumph of hope over fear for Shoreline.

May in Paramount Park - Peaceful Now, but What Will the Future Bring?

Of Paramount Importance - Back Again!

Been out of touch for a little while - but lot's going on. Will try to catch up on some local stories.
For now, here's a tour from today of our jewel of a park.


So beautiful sunshine today got the shutter going. Here are the results from our beautiful Paramount Park.

.

Devil's Club is tall and quite spectacular. It likes wetlands

Many of the plantings we put in years ago are now getting quite mature. Like this one.

Exciting to see our native Rhodadendron blooming nicely in a secluded place.

NW Native Rhodadendrons

And Littles Creek, (the best creek in Shoreline, according to the city's own description some years back), sparkles and glitters its way down towards Seattle. 

But, what will the future hold for Littles Creek, Paramount Park and our neighborhood.  Changes may be coming.

Stay tuned .........

Easter Green at Paramount Park!

A Delightful Easter Sunday in Our Neck of the Woods.

Lower pond at Paramount Park with spring raiment

A spring walk in our wetland restoration always reveals new things and old things with a new view.

"Swamp Lanterns" (Skunk Cabbage) and Oxalis (Shamrock)
next to Littles Creek

Early spring displays delicate flowers.

Salmonberry now in bloom

And new growth - Fiddleheads!

Bracken fern fiddleheads next to Upper Pond

And releflections, always a revelation.

Upper Pond spring relections

And trillium, a rare treat!

Shy Trillium showing it's head

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring from Paramount Park!