Make Your Voice Heard in the 2023 Primary Election!
July 2023
Dear Friend,
In these final days before the August 1st election, over 30% of the total ballots for the entire election will be turned in – is yours one of them? Drop off your ballot as soon as possible at your local City Hall, library or other drop box location! Check out this link to find the drop box nearest you. Or return your postage-free ballot in your mailbox to make sure it is counted.
If you aren't yet registered to vote, need to update your registration, need a replacement ballot, or need to use an accessible voting device, you can do so at satellite vote centers on July 29th, July 31st, and August 1st (Election Day).
Also, did you know that King County Elections now has an easy way to track your ballot? The ballot alert program allows voters to sign up through Elections’ online ballot tracker to get text or email notifications about when your ballot is mailed, when it’s received, and when the ballot can be counted. Sign up for the King County Ballot Tracker Here!
Remember, Election Day is Tuesday, August 1st, and ballots must be in by 8 PM. Make sure your voice is heard!
As always, if you’d like to meet or talk about anything, please reach out by email, sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov, or phone at 206-477-1003, and we’ll find some time to connect!
All the best,
Council Briefings & Actions!
The Council has been working hard this month – here’s the work that matters most to District 3:
If you are interested in joining us for a meeting to make a comment or just listen in, click on any of the following links: Full Council Meeting; Budget and Fiscal Management; Committee of the Whole; Government Accountability and Oversight; Employment and Administration; Labor Policy; Law, Justice, Health and Human Services; Local Services and Land Use; Transportation, Economy, and Environment; Regional Transit
Celebrating July Proclamations and Holidays!
July has been a month filled with many festivals, parades, and community events across our District! We kicked off the month celebrating the Fourth of July, a day where we celebrate our independence and freedom as Americans. There were celebrations across District 3, including the Lake Sammamish Fireworks Show, Carnation 4th of July Celebration, Issaquah Down Home 4th of July Parade, Sammamish Fourth on the Plateau, and Snoqualmie Red, White & Boom Fireworks! Later in the month, Redmond hosted their annual Derby Days and North Bend celebrated their Block Party downtown. Finally, just last weekend there was a great showcase of the arts in Duvall at the 2023 Sandblast Festival of the Arts! Our community in East King County has been having lots of fun this summer, and I’m excited to join more of these upcoming celebrations!
Out in the Community!
(Left): We got a tour of the Northshore Senior Center and talked with Executive Director Nathan Phillips on ways that we can support our senior community; (Right): Stopped by North Bend’s Rio Bravo for lunch today and met the whole team!
 (Left): Met with the Socially Conscious Artists Foundation (SCARF) as we talked about ways that we could engage our diverse communities through the arts; (Right) Visited the Sammamish Botanical Garden Society’s local garden in Sammamish where they grow fresh produce!
Town Halls across District 3!
Carnation Town Hall: Thursday, August 17th
We are excited to host an in-person KC D3 Carnation Town Hall on Thursday, August 17th at 6:30 PM at Miller’s (4597 Tolt Avenue, Carnation WA 98014)! Join us as we get to know each other and work together to ensure that Carnation communities are best positioned to thrive! We will be joined by Carnation Mayor Jim Ribail, KC Creative Economies Director Kate Becker, KC Behavioral Health Director Isabel Jones, and a KC Environmental Preservation Director! Space is limited, so click "Going" on the Facebook event and sign up for the event here so that we have all the needed seats (kiddos welcome)! Questions? Call: 206-507-9860
Previous Town Hall: Redmond
At our most recent Town Hall it was wonderful to hear from our Redmond residents at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village. Our guest speakers joined us to talk about creative economies, environmental preservation, and behavioral health initiatives in Redmond and our region. You can watch a recap of that Town Hall here!
Annual Property Value Update from KC Assessor John Wilson
Homeowners - you may have recently opened your mailbox and found your annual property value postcards. The annual process of property valuation in King County is underway. Here are a few highlights on property values and property taxes from Assessor John Wilson:
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Results from the area reviews we have completed show that after reaching all-time highs in Quarter 2 of 2022, residential property values are correcting downwards throughout King County in 2023.
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As usual, different regions are seeing different results. Values dropped 22% in Sammamish, but only by 8% in Queen Anne.
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In addition, values of commercial office buildings fell by 15% to 20%, reflecting the impact of a transition to less in-office work activity.
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The housing market is still healthy in King County, but it cooled considerably in 2023, bringing values down.
For more information, check out the King County Assessor’s website here.
Assessor Wilson also joined us in Sammamish for a Property Tax and Valuation Town Hall recently, where we heard from the King County Assessor's team and community members. You can watch a recap of that Town Hall here!
Visit a Local Farmers Market!
With King County’s abundant greenspace and farmland, you are never far from farm fresh, local food. And now Farmers Markets are back! 38 farmers markets are open across King County right now, including several in District 3.
King County Farmers Markets offer a variety of local produce and artisan foods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, cheeses, milk, jams and jellies, wines, sauces, breads, seafood, and plants and flowers. Plus, they’re a lot of fun to visit!
Find a Farmers Market near you today!
Celebrating Creative Economies with the Harbor Island Studios Opening
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to join my colleagues on a tour of Harbor Island Studios, our region’s first sound stage! This previously underutilized warehouse has been renovated as a strategic investment for King County for our creative economies. With leadership from Executive Dow Constantine and his Film Advisory Board, these new production studios will provide our film industry the infrastructure it needs to gain an edge with two nearby competitive film regions, British Columbia and Oregon.
Most importantly, these impressive studios can accommodate a wide variety of projects, from feature films to commercials. Many of these projects pay union wages to local carpenters, electricians, prop masters, costume designers, and other trades, thus generating jobs and stimulating business in the creative economy. Learn more about Harbor Island Studios here.
Grant Opportunities this Quarter!
Do you know of an impactful organization that's looking for funding? Our District 3 Team has resources for you! Every month we share a Grants Newsletter that highlights upcoming grant opportunities over the next few months, and there are several grant opportunities that are available now! Investing in our local non-profit organizations and supporting innovative ideas through funding is critical to ensure that each of our communities can thrive, now and into the future!
Snoqualmie Spotlight!
Check out where the spotlight is shining on a Snoqualmie business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity this month! We hope you have a chance to visit these fantastic community contributors – and remember to Go Local!
The Black Dog Arts Cafe is a staple in the Snoqualmie community, serving delicious food and drinks in a great atmosphere! Their mission is to serve healthy, handcrafted food in an environment that promotes and supports the arts, promoting culture in the community! Along with their extensive coffee selection and large vegan menu. The Black Dog features live music, open mic nights, and a theater! Make sure to visit them at 8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. For any questions, you can visit their website, send an email to blackdogsnoqualmie@gmail.com, or call 425-831-3647.
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For years the Snoqualmie Stewardship Program has coordinated habitat restoration in the Snoqualmie Valley to help maintain the economic viability of farms and forestland while helping landowners restore fish and wildlife habitat. The program coordinates hands-on restoration, educational activities and community participation in the Snoqualmie Valley. Make sure to visit their website, and for any questions, send an email to info@stewardshippartners.org, or give them a call at 206-292-9875.
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The City of Snoqualmie has been hard at work in engaging the community this summer! This week, they hosted their Music in the Park at Snoqualmie Community Park, and so many residents joined to enjoy the sunny day. In addition, Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) won a VISION 2050 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), recognizing their role in connecting communities throughout the Snoqualmie Valley. The City of Snoqualmie wrote a letter of support as part of the PSRC application process! If you have any questions, make sure to stop by Snoqualmie City Hall at 38624 SE River St, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 or visit their website. For any questions, send an email to info@snoqualmiewa.gov, or give them a call at 425-888-1555.
About Town!
With so much going on across our District 3 cities and towns, we want to ensure that you know about any upcoming major events, parades, festivals, and activities. Below is a short list of some upcoming events this summer!
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Tuesday, August 1st: First Responder and Safety Demonstrations, Food Trucks, Kids Activities, Live Music, and more!
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Saturday, August 12th, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Pancake Breakfast, Community Parade, Live Music, Fair, Local Food and Drinks, and more!
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Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th (Time TBA): Live Music, Fun Run, Chili Cookoff, Parade, and more!
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Friday, August 18th and Saturday, August 19th (Time TBA): Pancake Breakfast, 5K Run, Train Rides, Parade, and more!
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Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th (Time TBA): Live Music, Vendors, Parade, and more!
If you know of any upcoming events that you’d like us to highlight in next month’s newsletter, please share them at osman.salahuddin@kingcounty.gov.
Stay Connected!
Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook account and Twitter page to stay up-to-date on everything we are working on together!
Finally... a reminder that I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and talk. Just reach out to our team member Robby at Robby.paige@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003 and Robby will set us up!
 Sarah Perry
King County Council
District 3
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