Election Day! I Miss the Polls

On Election Day, I'm nostalgic for the act of going to the polls. Is anyone else?

But now you must "mail" it or
take it to a drop box.

• I remember  the first time I voted at my old elementary school.
• I remember seeing the polls at that school as a child and seeing it as important.
• I remember my grandmother was an "election lady" at the polls.
• I remember working with my dad on election days to "get out the vote".
• I remember taking my kids with me to vote with, and having them enjoy "practice voting", for George Washington or Thomas Jefferson.
• I remember standing in line till after 8pm and still getting to vote!
• I remember the last time I voted at the polls in 2008, and meeting a black man there, who was so proud.
• I remember that night that my whole family (two sons) celebrated at the election night party.
• I remember standing on the street corners and asking folks to vote on election day.
• I remember seeing my neighbors at the polls.
• I remember feeling patriotic when I voted at the polls.


Voting is still great, but it just isn't as fun as it used to be. 

Shoreline's Urban Forest and "Tree City"

Monday, Nov 7th, the Shoreline City Council will again take up a topic that could make a difference in how our city is seen by residents and visitors. 

Local Park Steward Charlie Brown of
Briarcrest neighborhood has been
a watchdog for South Woods for many years.

Shoreline City Council will take up a proposal for "Tree City" designation.  You can download the Council packet here -  to see the details for tonite's agenda item and look up the staff report.

While a Tree City USA designation sounds good in concept, it is of little value unless it comes with some real, effective "teeth" or actual tree legislation designed to truly protect trees and increase our urban forest canopy.  The current proposal mostly talks about appointing the existing Parks Board as the "Tree Board". But it is curious to consider how the already busy Parks Board will have the time to deal with the complexities of tree issues as well. 

Shoreline's trees need help. They need a voice. A tree board may be a start, but hope it's not a really slow start and one with more backbone.

Save Richmond Beach Community Meeting This Sunday

The organization that has heroically stepped up to defend Richmond Beach on the Point Wells,BSRE proposal is hosting an important community meeting this coming Sunday, Oct 23rd.

Save Richmond Beach needs your support and voice. 

Sunday, October 23
4:00 to 6:00 p.m
Innis Arden Club House
1430 N.W. 188th Street 
Shoreline, WA 98177


The meeting (which is free) will be to update the community on our recent lawsuit filed againstSnohomish County and Blue Square Real Estate and to discuss why we have moved to a paid membership structure and where the funds will be used.

For more information, please register for the event or visit www.saverichmondbeach.org. 

Please let your friends and neighbors know about this meeting in case they haven't seen the notice.
 
Please share. 


The future of Richmond Beach is about the future of Shoreline. 

Richmond Beach Drive
How much traffic will it be forced to absorb?
How much traffic will then impact the rest of our city?

Richmond Beach - A Community Now In the Vortex of Possible Change

As one resident said recently, 

"Yes Richmond Beach IS Special."

View of Richmond Beach Village from the Bluff
with Madrone's Framing It
ph Credit - Janet Way

Richmond Beach residents all share one overiding reason for moving there. It's "quiet" and peaceful.

Almost a world apart from the rest of Shoreline and the surrounding urban area. 

But, because of the Point Wells "Urban Center" proposal, approved by Snohomish County, now under challenge by "Save Richmond Beach" organization and the Town of Woodway, many changes could be coming. 

That is unless the City of Shoreline unites with these groups and fights back.

Richmond Beach Dr towards Point Wells site.
Traffic could grow up to 8-10K trips per day
on this one lane road

Meanwhile in quiet Richmond Beach, lovely old cottages and yards glitter in the sunshine, seemingly unaware of the possible turmoil of the future.

Glittering Suncatcher Glass Art on Cottage Porch on
Richmond Beach Road

Hundred year old homes reflect our heritage, while newer homes large and small reflect the dreams of residents.

Spectacular fall color in laceleaf maple on
Richmond Beach front yard.

Many historic views abound in Richmond Beach. 

Magnificent Madrones frame sparkling late
afternoon from historic steps at Richmond Beach Park
where once stood the Richmond Beach School 

On the bluff overlooking Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
Madrones are backlit by stormy autumn sky

Saltwater Park is one of the most spectacular gems in Shoreline's Park System. With a wonderful beach

where families pick up rocks and shells to study the live beneath. 

Now the BSRE development proposes 3000 units of housing, and residents wonder what will become of the quiet on Richmond Beach Drive where skies and water put on a daily show.

October afternoon "sunburst" cloud formation at Richmond Beach Drive
Will 4-10,000 vehicles a day buzz by?

What will the future hold for our youngest residents and visitors. Will Richmond Beach remain a quiet place or will traffic jams keep residents from reaching work or home? 

The future is uncertain, but I believe that Richmond Beach is a special place worth fighting for.

Children standing below the "arcade" at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
looking out at the sunset over Puget Sound, in early September.

Despite Politics and Other Concerns of Humans, Beaver Pond Park (formerly Thornton Creek Park Six) Keeps on Buzzing with Wildlife

Northgate Resident, Bob Barta Observed Great Blue Heron at Beaver Pond Park on Thornton Creek at Northgate.

Great Blue Heron finds regular meals at Beaver Pond Park
on Thornton Creek
ph credit - Bob Barta

Bob Reports -
"Just a few minutes before taking this shot, the Heron caught a fist about 4 inches long and to other small fish. 

Wildlife is flourishing on Thornton Creek."

Last week I also caught some nice fall color at the former Th Cr Park Six which is now a rather big pond thanks to the clever beavers. 

Lovely Beaver Pond in the middle of
Northgate neighborhood!
ph credit - Janet Way

Postal Service Workers Unions Demonstrate at Rep Inslee's Office

Rep Jay Inslee's Office was the site of a rally by Postal Workers Unions Tuesday. 

Postal Workers Union members and supporters
gather in front of Shoreline Conference Center
to get out their message to Rep Inslee
Senator Maralyn Chase joined the rally (center).

The rally was sponsored by "Save America's Postal Service", a coalition of labor organizations

and unions including,  APWU, Letter Carriers, Mailhandlers and Rural Letter Carriers. About 40 people attended the rally.

They are rallying to get a message across to the public that the Postal Service, that the service is not "broke" as recently claimed in the media. Their website states -

Background: A congressional mandate is killing the U.S. Postal Service.

A 2006 postal reform law requires the USPS to pre-fund 75 years' worth of future retiree health benefits within just 10 years. At the behest of the Office of Personnel Management and the Government Accountability Office, and to make the law appear not to cost the government money (i.e., to be “revenue neutral”), Congress included in the law that destructive pre-funding mandate.

No other federal agency or private enterprise is forced to pre-fund similar benefits like this, especially on such an aggressive schedule.

They are touting their support for a bill introduced in Congress,

HR 1351. The Bill was introduced by Rep Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and now co-sponsored by Rep Jay Inslee.

Speakers from the various unions highlighted their concerns about the proposals by Postal Service management to end Saturday deliveries, raise rates, close offices and potentially lay off many workers.
A leader from WA State Labor Council gave a message of support.

Jeff Johnson, WSLC President
speaks in support of Postal Workers
at rally.

Inslee's staff, Mark McIntyre read a statement of support from the congressman who was not in the office
that day.

Rep Jay Inslee's staff member Mark McIntyre
spoke to the rally.

Markham McIntyre

Rep. Jay Inslee (WA-01)

http://www.house.gov/inslee

Mark.McIntyre@mail.house.gov

Office: 206-361-0233

To our local USPS letter carriers:

I want to thank you all for visiting my Shoreline office today. I apologize that I cannot be here in person, but know that I appreciate the actions you have taken to make your voices heard.

Our country is facing tough economic times, and if you read the recent news, it would seem that no organization is in more turmoil than the U.S. Postal Service. But that prognosis is partly based on incorrect information that has lead to pension fund overcharges. As you know, I am a co-sponsored of H.R. 1351, the United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011, which would directly address this issue. Despite what the media are saying, if Congress acts to correct this issue, the USPS will be on firmer financial footing and may not have to make the drastic cuts to jobs and services that are being threatened.

During these difficult times, we should make sure we close loopholes, end inefficiencies and fairly review the facts of our financial challenges before resorting to more cuts. I will continue to fight to protect the services that our citizens depend on and the people who provide those services, while honestly confronting our countries fiscal problems.

Again, I thank you for taking the time to come to my office to express yourself. As your representative, I applaud your participation.

   Sincerely,

____________________                               

JAY INSLEE                                                                         Member of Congress                       

Kudos to Save Richmond Beach for Standing Up to the International Developer!

Now that takes moxie!  
"I applaud the outstanding efforts and position of Save Richmond Beach organization and urge everyone who can to chip in to their effort!"  Janet Way


Today I also prepared a statement that I'll be distributing around town in the upcoming weeks.  

Puget Sound means a great deal to my family and to everyone
in our region. But it is especially important to the
residents of Richmond Beach.
We all stand with them as they face this crucial battle
on the Point Wells development.

TO:     Shoreline Residents

From:    Janet Way - 

Candidate for Shoreline City Council, Pos #4

RE:     Letter to Richmond Beach and surrounding neighborhoods on Point Wells development proposal.

The Point Wells proposal is a problem for our entire community

The fundamental problem with the BSRE Pt. Wells, LP (BSRE) proposal is the potentially huge impact to a unique 100 yr old neighborhood as well as the rest of Shoreline caused by an international corporation and Snohomish County imposing its will on our City, when we have no direct control over the outcome.  This is a violation of the sovereignty of our city and community and an “Urban Center” is not appropriate.  The developer and Snohomish are not playing fair!

I have stated quite clearly that I support the position and outstanding work of the Save Richmond Beach organization. I believe that the City of Shoreline should do everything in its power to fight this development, including joining the litigation if necessary.  They should not give up any leverage by agreeing prematurely to negotiate.  The developers should know that the City is willing to use every legal tool to protect Richmond Beach and keep our citizens safe from the massive impacts of this development.

If the City Council stands with the community and shows its willingness to use its power to litigate if necessary, then anything is possible, perhaps even funding for a regional park which would benefit all of us and restore the natural Puget Sound shoreline. 

I have fought international corporations in the past and triumphed, and in the end worked collaboratively with a visionary developer for a great outcome. I believe that strong council leadership and oversight is needed from the council now and in the future to guide this process to save Richmond Beach and our entire community from an inappropriate development and a horrendous traffic nightmare.

We need council members who are willing to stand strong with the community and insist on action to protect our community.  I stand ready to serve and insist on courageous actions to Save Richmond Beach. Anything less would be unacceptable.

Sincerely,

Janet Way

Candidate for Shoreline City Council, Pos #4

Paid for by Citizens to Elect Janet Way

Volunteer Labor Donated

www.janetway4shoreline.com