 Happy Spring! Let’s hope that the sun decides to have a permanent presence, and that rain takes a vacation. Enjoy your weekend, and I encourage you to visit a new business or park in Auburn while you’re out and about.
We know how great our parks are in Auburn, so it’s wonderful when we get a shout out from outside our city. Check out the best South Sound Playgrounds - you might see a town you recognize in the number one spot!
 I received a great letter this week about one of Team Auburn members. Herman Mozee from our Street Division went above and beyond, in my opinion, and that of the gentleman that he helped. Here’s an excerpt from that letter, "Late Friday afternoon, I returned to my home to discover that a pine tree in my yard had uprooted and blown over…covering not only the power box on my property, but also the sidewalk and portion of the street. As I sat mulling what I was going to do next…at 70 I am no longer a chain saw user…up drove Herman, your best representative ever.” Herman not only cleared the street and power box, but he helped cut up the tree and stacked the wood for the gentleman. Herman finished the job at 11:00pm, and when thanked, simply said, “That’s why we’re here.”
Our Community Development & Public Works Director Kevin Snyder and I went to our Maintenance & Operations facility this morning to personally thank Herman (pictured above). We might just have to start a campaign “What would Herman Do?” to acknowledge those that go above and beyond!
What would you do?
Medical and recreational marijuana were topics of discussion in our state legislature this year, but no bills were passed. Recreational marijuana was legalized last year by a vote of the people, and numerous agencies have been taking up the topic to determine how many facilities will be allowed, where they will be allowed, and how they will be taxed. Your Auburn City Council voted last year to place a moratorium on allowing marijuana-related businesses to locate in our city. With that moratorium came the requirement that we would continue to review options. Our Planning Commission will be reviewing the topic and providing advice to City Council in the near future.
Auburn voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana at slightly over 53%. Here’s my question: Would you approve the placement of a marijuana related business in Auburn, and if so, where (how close to schools, homes, etc.)? Let me know what you think!
For those that would like to see the feedback from last weeks question on future development ideas, you can view that here.
 Around City Hall
This week I met with Mary Jean Ryan and Suzanne Dale Estey from Community Center for Education Results (CCER)/Road Map Project. CCER is a region-wide effort aimed at improving education to drive dramatic improvement in student achievement from cradle to college and career in South King County. Their goal is to double the number of students in South King County who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020.
Seven school districts participate in the Road Map Project: Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, Tukwila and Seattle Public Schools (only south Seattle schools are project participants). They represent an incredibly ethnically and linguistically diverse student body. In recent years, poverty and homelessness have increased in the region. Our region was featured as a case study in the book Confronting Suburban Poverty in America, published by the Brookings Institution in 2013. Launched in 2010, when more than 500 individuals and organizations committed to working together to close the region's achievement and opportunity gaps, the Road Map Project received a big boost at the end of 2012 when the U.S. Department of Education awarded the project $40 million in "Race to the Top" funds. The Auburn School District – with the amazing leadership of Superintendent Dr. Kip Herren – is doing great things to better the education of our kids. I was so proud to hear Mary Jean say, “Auburn defies stereotypes.” Yes we do, and yes we will!
New Business in Town!
Councilmember Yolanda Trout and I joined Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce members for a ribbon cutting at Serenity Massage & Wellness at 220 “M” St NE, owned by April Parker. Even with all of the people in attendance, it was so peaceful and calming that it was difficult to leave.
We are Published!
Recently, I received a copy of a book “Images of America – Auburn.” The book uses vintage images to share our history. It was released on March 3, and includes over 200 images of days past in our city. Hilary Pittenger is the author of the book, and she is the curator of collections at the White River Valley Museum at our Les Gove Community Campus. Copies of this treasure can be found on line at Arcadia Publishing or by calling 888-313-2665.
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