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 October 3, 2025
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As we move into autumn, I have been able to reconnect with family. We celebrated my father Henderson Quinn’s 75th birthday, a celebration which included Kent City Councilmember John Boyd.
Happy 75th to Mr. Henderson Quinn pictured here celebrating with his son De’Sean and family.
Kent City Councilmember John Boyd shared in the celebration too!
I also reunited with high school classmates Dr. Alexis Harris and her husband Eric Hampton at the UW Husky vs. Ohio game.
Garfield High classmate Dr. Alexis Harris and her husband Eric Hampton! Go Huskies!
The spirit of connecting with family and friends is more valuable than ever as we continue to receive news from Washington D.C. that is intended to create fear.
The Trump Administration’s attacks on “Blue,” democratically controlled cities continued this week. On Saturday, Trump ignored Oregon officials and announced the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland, calling it a wartorn hellhole.
“There is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state,” Kotek said during a virtual press conference Friday. Governor Kotek called the deployment what it is, "An abuse of power and a disservice to our communities and our service members."
Oregon has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the deployment. Earlier this year, federal courts ruled that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles has already been deemed illegal in federal court. As of the publication of this newsletter, a federal court deciding on the legality of the deployment was expected by Saturday October 4.
"The president should be trying to establish world peace," Harrell added. "The president should be helping us fund cancer research, helping us build safe roads, helping us protect our residents. They should be uplifting the immigrant and refugee communities."
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Click above to watch Mayor Harrell and Attorney General Nick Brown’s press conference
Seattle and the Washington Attorney General are creating a task force to plan and coordinate the response to unlawful actions by the federal government. Governor Ferguson is creating a new immigrant sub-cabinet and directing state agencies to review data collection, sharing, and retention policies.
The Mayor plans to issue an executive order to reaffirm Seattle’s commitment to protecting immigrant and refugee communities. Joined by fire department and police leaders, Harrell also said the order will preserve law enforcement’s “local control.”
Meanwhile, Trump and Secretary Hegseth are ramping up the idea of using U.S. military forces as law enforcement on American soil. The concept is a clear violation of the Posse Comitatus Act , which requires an act of Congress to the military for domestic law enforcement.
On Tuesday, top generals from around the globe were summoned by the Secretary of Defense for an in-person meeting where Trump pitched his latest idea of using the troops domestically against what he is now calling, “the enemy within.”
We are fortunate to have strong leadership in Washington State and you can be assured that state and local leaders are not only committed to protecting all Washingtonians against these attacks on our essential freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, but they are coordinated and proactive in the defense of all our rights.
As we previously reported here, the Washington Secretary of State has rejected the DOJ demand to provide sensitive personal data of Washington voters to the federal government.
I share these concerns and appreciate the leadership to protect residents of District 5 from unconstitutional use of federal force. We need to stand together to ensure all of us are able to live in peace.
The goal of the D5 e-news* is to share information about King County business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
*To translate this week’s e-news into another language, scroll down and click on the language of your choice. Whether you would like to read this e-news more easily or whether you are studying a new language, we are bringing you language technology to help us stay connected.
 This week:
University of Washington President Robert J. Jones and CM Quinn in UW Husky Purple!
On Saturday, I attended the University of Washington Husky v. Ohio State game. I had a chance to speak with UW President Robert J. Jones.
On Monday, my staff met to prepare for the upcoming two weeks including budget preparation and Strategic Climate Action Plan preparation. My staff also met with Executive staff regarding community outreach related to the Crisis Care Center on First Hill.
I then joined the Regional Water Quality Committee meeting where we discussed how to keep sewer costs under control and more predictable. We reviewed the Wastewater treatment capital expenditure plan, which includes multiple upgrades to protect water quality via the main wastewater treatment plant that serves District 5, South Plant in Renton.
On Friday, I met with the Government Relations Team regarding King County’s state legislative agenda – focusing on the issues we want to present in Olympia for the upcoming legislative session.
You are welcome to attend the following meetings. You are also invited to write emails, letters, or request appointments with your representatives to share your thoughts about the items on the agendas for these upcoming meetings. You can find a list of councilmembers here.
Monday, October 6, 9:30 am
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fiber optic cable installation agreements,
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low-carbon fuels data collection contract,
Tuesdays, October 7 and 14, 9 am-noon
I will be chairing the Transit, Natural Resources, Local Services, and Roads budget panel. This panel will review funding for Metro Transit, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Local Services, and Roads.
This budget panel will take public comment on October 14.
Tuesday, October 7 1:30 pm:
Council will be voting on legislation including:
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Final vote on legislation regarding the Rapid Ride I-Line
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Crisis Clinic Center Purchase and Sale Agreement: First Hill location (Seattle)
Wednesdays, October 8 and 15, 9 am:
The Law & Justice Panel chaired by CM Jorge Baron will review funding proposed for services including the sheriff, prosecutor, courts, and public defense.
This budget panel will take public comment on October 15.
Thursdays, October 9 and 16, 9 am-noon:
The Health, Housing and Human Services Panel chaired by CM Teresa Mosqueda review funding proposed for these services.
You are welcome to watch or participate in person or on-line. There will be a meeting dedicated to public comment on November 12, 2025.
My colleagues, staff and I will also be preparing for the review of the 2026-2027 King County Budget.
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If you have opinions on how the King County budget should be allocated, you are welcome to send me an email, give us a call, or come to a public meeting. Desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov, 206 477-1005
We welcome your comments. Here is a timeline and ways you can share your thoughts.
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I hope this information is helpful to you. I am committed to keeping you informed about what King County government is doing on behalf of District 5, including the cities of Des Moines, Normandy Park, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, and Tukwila. I want to make sure we stay connected as a community.
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila
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Organizing Your Community – funding available
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Our Democracy Depends on Active Citizen Participation
Did you know flooding is the most common natural disaster in King County?
As we move toward months with more rain and snow the chance of flooding increases. Just a few inches of floodwater can damage your home and create hazardous road conditions. Take the time to prepare now to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this flood season.
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Know the risk of flooding at your home, school, or workplace. Visit kingcounty.gov/FloodMap to look at flood risk maps. You can search for any address in King County.
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Get flood insurance. Visit floodsmart.gov to learn more about buying a policy and finding an insurance agent.
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Create an emergency plan and gather supplies in case you must leave or if services are cut off. Learn more at MakeItThrough.org.
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Identify alternate routes to and from home to avoid driving through roads with standing water. Check the My Commute map to see closed and restricted roads in unincorporated King County.
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The King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention and King County Sheriff’s Office are hosting a drive-thru gun buyback event Saturday, October 4 at the King County Fire District 20 in Skyway from 9 AM to 12 PM.
This event is a safe, voluntary and anonymous opportunity to dispose of unwanted firearms.
Gun buybacks are one of many ways residents can work together to reduce the number of firearms in our community and keep guns out of the hands of those in crisis or from being unintentionally misused.
Gift cards will be given in exchange for firearms and vary in amounts based on the type of firearm surrendered.
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$25 for antique firearms, junk guns, inoperable firearms, receivers/frames only, and bump-fire stocks
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$50 for muzzle-loading firearms manufactured after 1941
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$100 for rifles, shotguns, .22LR weapons firearms, and revolvers
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$300 for AR-15s, AK-47s, and machine guns
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$0 for toy guns, BB/pellet guns, homemade firearms, non-firing objects that look like firearms, ammunition, magazines, other ammunition-feeding devices, and firearm accessories including scopes, optical sights, lights, or other accessories attached to a firearm
It is always a good time to register to vote!
Please be sure to register and vote. You can register to vote up until eight days before the election which is on Tuesday, November 4.
You may do so online at the Washington Secretary of State website.
Requirements for voting in Washington are you must be a citizen of the United States, a legal resident of Washington and at least 18 years of age at the time of the election.
If you have a felony conviction, your voting rights are immediately restored at the time of your release. You may re-register to vote as long as you are not currently in jail or prison for that felony.
Registering to vote and voting remains safe.
A dog named Squeegee might help you see clearly
Squeegee is a happy, young 7 month pitbull puppy–
He is ready to bond with a family and to be trained on how to be a grown-up dog!
For more information about Squeegee and other great pets looking for a home, go to the Pet Adoption Center. Staff there will work to find a great match for every customer by providing information about each animal and ultimately allowing each adopter to make the final decision about what is right for their family.
The Pet Adoption Center is open Monday thru Friday: Noon - 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m. Adoptions end one hour before closing.
King County pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older living in the Regional Animal Services coverage area which – in District 5- includes unincorporated King County, Kent, and Tukwila.
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Found pets are reunited quickly with their owner. The Pet License office number is on the license. If someone finds your pet, they can call the number, get your contact information (even after hours) and reunite you and your pet.
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Your pet gets a Free Ride Home the first time it is found. Our staff will attempt to deliver your pet home to you immediately, skipping a trip to the animal shelter.
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Your pet gets a longer care period. When found, your licensed pet will be safely cared for at the Pet Adoption Center for a longer time.
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You and your pet get the Vacation Pet Alert. When you leave home on vacation, call 206-296-2712 or email us at PetLicense@kingcounty.gov to register where your pet will be while you are on vacation, who will be taking care of your pet, and where to reach you. We will call the correct number if your pet gets loose during your vacation.
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License fees support the return of hundreds of lost pets to their homes and help adopt thousands of homeless pets to new families every year. Pet license fees also fund investigation of animal neglect and cruelty, spay and neuter programs to reduce pet overpopulation, and community education services.
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Thank you for reading the 35th edition of our e-news. Please feel free to contact us and share information you have about your city or neighborhood at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
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De'Sean Quinn (he/him/his)
King County Councilmember, District 5
(206) 477-1005 Send me an email
www.kingcounty.gov/quinn
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