Voice of Vashon - The Brown Briefly
The Brown Briefly Crew
This week I was a guest on the Brown Briefly radio show part of the Voice of Vashon. It was great to talk about housing, water taxi service and much more happening on the Island.
White Center D8 Day
My team and I recently held a D8 Day in White Center to meet with advocates and small business owners in one of the unincorporated areas of District 8.
Nepantla Cultural Arts
Nepantla Owners Jeff and Judy Photo Credit - Genna Martin
Nepantla is a wonderful space highlighting Latinx artisans and marginalized communities. There is so much wonderful art and culture being made right now in our district and I visited with the owners Jake and Judy to find out more about what’s going on.
Boys and Girls Club at Nacho Mama
Owner of Nacho Mama Debbie along with Marty and Isiah of the Boys and Girls Club of King County
I sat down with Marty and Isiah of the Boys and Girls Club of King County at Nacho Mama's to discuss their efforts to increase public safety in White Center by building trust and relationships with youth who too often feel like people don’t care about them. I'm looking forward to building a partnership that will help all our kids know that not only do we care about them but that we are investing in their success and their futures.
Acts on Stage
The Cast of KingX and Michelle Lang-Raymond and isiah Anderson Jr. who directed the play.
This D8 Day wrapped up with a tour of Acts on Stage which is a great example of art happening everywhere we make space for it. They just finished up their show KingX: The Meeting, but be on the lookout for upcoming performances. Thank you Michelle Lang-Raymond and Isiah Anderson Jr. for welcoming us into your space and sharing the incredible work you are doing.
Malcom X - The Opera
Most of my team and I standing in front of a redlined map of Seattle in the lobby of the Seattle Opera.
I also got the chance to see X: The Life and Times of Malcom X at the Seattle Opera. Thank you to Chrstina Scheppelmann and her entire team for hosting us and putting on such an incredible and moving experience.
Laborers' 242 Ground Breaking New World-Class Training Facility
Federal, State and Local elected leaders joined with Labor Leaders to celebrate the new training facility.
My office also joined many of our elected leaders in celebrating the ground breaking of Laborers' 242 new Training Facility in collaboration with their employers. Having this local training facility in Des Moines will help local 242 attract and retain more people into good union jobs who live in South King County. I'm always proud to partner with them to bring more women and people of color from our local communities into programs like this.
Transit Appreciation Week
This week marks Transit Appreciation Week and it isn't just because I myself am a transit rider, that I recognize the importance of the work these folks do every day. Here are several ways you can join me in thanking the people who help move us forward:
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File a commendation (note the 4-digit coach number, route, and time).
- As you board or leave transit, say, “Thank you!” or “I appreciate you!” or “You’re the best!”
- Post a shout out to Metro employees on social media, tagging @kcmetrobus on Twitter and Instagram, and @KCMetro on Facebook. Use #ThanksMetro
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Download this sign and wave it at your bus stop or take a photo and post on Metro's Twitter page.
- Hand out thank you notes!
ATU 587 HQ Visit
ATU Local 587 Presidetn Ken Price and local leadership
My Appreciation of our Transit Workers goes beyond just this week and earlier I met with the hard working folks of ATU 587 to hear what they are seeing every day driving our buses and light rail and what they need to help keep all of us safe as we make our ways home.
4Culture Opportunities
As 4Culture begins to launch Doors Open they are beginning to hire for needed positions. They are currently accepting applications for an Evaluator and a Program Manager. Additional positions will be opening in the coming months.
Additionally, the Free Public Access program application is also open. This grant closes on March 27. If you know of an organization that provides free or reduced access, let them know that this might be an option for them.
Flood Reduction Grant Program - Now Open
The Flood Reduction Grant Program applications are open! This grant program targets medium and small local flood reduction projects in King County. The Flood Control District is offering funds in four grant categories:
- Original Flood Reduction
- Urban Streams
- Coastal Erosion/Coastal Flooding
- Culvert Replacement/Fish Passage
For more information or help with the application process, check out the Flood Control District’s informational page; for any questions that may go unaddressed, please contact Kim Harper at Kim.harper@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-6079.
Women's History Month Event
Council will host its annual educational panel discussion for Women’s History Month. This year's theme is Empowering Women who Power the Economy, an event that will dive into the role of women in our economy.
The panelists sharing their experiences this year are:
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Shaunie Wheeler James (she/her), Deputy Executive Secretary-Treasurer, MLK Labor Council
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Lalita Uppala (she/her), Executive Director & Community Program Director, Indian American Community Services
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Ilona Lohrey (she/her), President & CEO, Greater Seattle Business Association
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Sharmila Swenson (she/her), Vice President, Public Affairs & Social Impact, Symetra
The presentation is open to all. The first 15 minutes are set aside for a meet and greet, including light snacks.
- Thursday, March 21 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- King County Chinook Building, Rooms 121/123 (401 5th Avenue, Seattle)
- King County TV live stream begins at 11:30 a.m.
I'm co-sponsoring this event with Councilmembers Claudia Balducci, Sarah Perry, and the Legislative Branch Equity and Social Justice Team.
Expanded Water Taxi Service and Ferry Funding
The state legislature recently passed funding to expand water taxi service to Vashon thanks to the leadership of 34th LD Rep. Emily Alvarado. This is in addition to increased funding to help address the crisis we are seeing with our ferry system. We still have work to do in order to ensure reliable access on and off the Island, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.
Our friends at Islanders for Ferry Action penned a very thoughtful Op-Ed found here:
Inspiration and gratitude from IFA | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber (vashonbeachcomber.com)
Burien in the News
Many of you have reached out asking about the new Camping Ban ordinance in Burien and the King County Sherriff’s response. We are including a statement from Burien Councilmember Moore below as a Guest Feature so you can hear her thoughts on the situation and links to news sources below. We will continue to track this issue and beyond that, work collaboratively on solutions that help house and shelter residents across the county and in District 8.
Hello from Councilmember Sarah,
Normally, when I encounter a difficult situation, I go out in my garden and prune some trees or pull some weeds. The process of making many small decisions usually helps me sort out my thoughts around the bigger things I am thinking about. Today I had several glorious hours in the garden, but my mind is no more settled.
This has been a painful news cycle for Burien, by turns shocking, tragic and contentious. Instead of writing about it in detail, I will share links to some of the stories shared in the B-Town Blog: including a letter from CM Garcia and myself, information on a King County Sheriff’s response to the newest camping ordinance, fatality among the unhoused folks living in Burien, testimony by Police Chief Boe. This is a partial list, but contains links to previous articles. My sincerest gratitude to the B-Town blog for being the one independent, unbiased news source for Burien.
I would like to share my deepest condolences to all who knew Randolph Neil Humiston, who died this week in downtown Burien. I hope that everyone engaged in conversation about the unhoused crisis uses this moment for self-reflection and recommitting to find a solution. While I continue to advocate for more mental health care, more substance use treatment and more shelter space - and ultimately more housing - I will also advocate for the short term stability of a dedicated, staffed location where unhoused individuals can stay 24/7, such as the tiny home village under discussion. The destabilizing effect of moving daily can push an already challenging life into a cycle of deterioration. I will support any plan that offers stability, even in the near-term.
Thank you for signing up for the #TeresaTuesday Newsletter. We will send you regular updates every other week. If you’d like to reach out or have an issue we can help with, please reach out anytime.
Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
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