 Photo Credit: Nick Wagner/ Seattle Times
Happy New Year and I hope you had a chance to connect with friends and family over the holiday season. I know I felt the need to recharge and it’s more important than ever to be able to show up as our full selves during times like these. With the kidnapping of a foreign leader, attacks on our Somali community, abduction of Seattleites by masked and unidentified men, and the actual murders committed by ICE – our community is reeling. I’m here to say that we will not stand back, we will not stand by, we will only stand up. We will stand up for our values here in Martin Luther King Jr. County, we will stand up for our rights, and we will stand up for each other! As ICE agents continue to cover their faces and attempt to act without accountability, it’s clear they want to act as secret police, a dangerous step in the authoritarian play book. I’ve been coordinating with local officials to insulate our local community against this federal administration’s efforts to divide and dehumanize us, and while our tools are limited, we are thinking creatively about novel ways to use them.
This is a fight that won’t be easy, but we will hold bad actors accountable to the extent the law allows here locally. We will not allow them to distract us from the goal of continuing to make life better and more affordable for the people who call this county, MLK County, Home. We’ve got a long year ahead of us but together we can show those who are scared, those who are wondering if anyone is going to do something in the face of these atrocities that we have their backs, that we are fighting back and that we won’t back down.
A new year means new Committee assignments. I will continue to serve as Chair of the Health, Housing and Human Services committee which meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 9:30.
I would also be honored if the Board of Health membership again selected me to serve as chair. The Board of Health meets at 1pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted.
I’m thrilled to have been appointed by Executive Zahilay and confirmed by my King County Council colleagues to serve on the Sound Transit Board! Light rail holds incredible opportunity for shared prosperity, climate resilience, and access to opportunity for communities across the region. Representing a King County district that encompasses diverse communities home to current and future Sound Transit stations—from Chinatown-International District and SODO to Downtown, Capitol Hill, and West Seattle—I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work on issues like transit access, affordability and equity in light rail planning, complementing existing community assets and ensuring that our systems remain safe, reliable, and accessible to the communities we serve—and delivering on light rail expansion across the region! I’m grateful to Executive Zahilay for the opportunity to serve on the Sound Transit Board at such a crucial moment for our region.
I’m also a member of the following committees:
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Committee of the Whole, Vice Chair - 4th Tuesday of each month at 9:30am.
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Budget and Fiscal Management – 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 9:30am
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Employment and Administration – 1st Tuesday of each month at 2pm.
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Local Services and Land Use – 3rd Wednesday of each month at 9:30am
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Government Accountability and Oversight – 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:30am
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Law and Justice – 1st Wednesday of each month at 9:30am
The King County Council also serves as the board of directors of the King County Flood Control district. The County is working hard to help those who have been impacted by the recent floods. Last month saw tragic floods hit across the county including in District 8. Parts of Tukwila are still recovering after the failures of the levee along the green river. King County has resources for Flood Recovery at this link: https://kingcounty.gov/flood-recovery
Local Restaurants including D8’s own Driftwood are partnering to support local farmers who are currently dealing with the impacts of the floods. If you are wondering how you as an individual can help this is one option. Good Farmer Fund raffle - https://givebutter.com/GoodFarmerFundEvent
There is also assistance available through our state partners. Governor Bob Ferguson is urging people whose homes were damaged December’s historic flooding to apply for $2.5 million in state assistance to help with their immediate needs.
Those who suffered damage during the storm are encouraged to submit an Unmet Needs Assessment Form. Impacted individuals should visit SAHelp.org and enter their zip code to start the process. After filling out the form, case managers will determine eligibility for Household Needs Grants, which help cover costs associated with recovery to include short-term housing, small home repairs, and food replacement. The Salvation Army is partnering with the state to help people find assistance. In-person assistance is available at Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs), listed below:
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Auburn Library (1102 Auburn Way S) – Friday, Jan. 2 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 3 (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
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King County Library System Administrative Office (960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah) – Sunday, Jan. 4 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
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Carnation Library (4804 Tolt Ave) – Monday, Jan. 5 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Those who may be eligible for a Household Needs Grants must:
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Live in an eligible county – Currently King, Snohomish, Skagit, or Whatcom;
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Show that their primary residence was destroyed or seriously damaged (water has reached the electrical outlets on the home’s first floor) by flooding events between December 5 and December 22, 2025.
 Today the Council is considering the re-appointing of Tamer Abouzeid as the Director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO). We have seen an outpouring of support in letters and calls of support for Director Abouzeid’s re-appointment. They come from a combination of community members, City Councilmembers, accountability offices across the state and current and former staff members. All speak of Director Abouzeid in extremely high regard.
These calls and letters align with a high standard of work that has been corroborated through the OLEO annual reports every year of Director Abouzeid’s tenure as well as his performance evaluations. One letter states, “Tamer brought independence, integrity, and a clear commitment to transparency and accountability as well as a dedication to expand the office so it could more thoughtfully engage in the roles set out by the ordinance [creating OLEO]. He was supportive and encouraging, as well as bringing innovation and expansion of potential avenues OLEO had not been able to go down because of staffing limitations.”
Director Abouzeid has undoubtedly increased the productivity of OLEO and brought it closer to its intended purpose. He oversaw recommendations that helped increase the number of fully reviewed internal investigations by over 120% and created a new independent investigations team for the first time at OLEO. OLEO helped institute a comprehensive Community Guidance Framework that thoroughly and substantively incorporates community orgs into the policy review and recommendation process -- this is among the most meaningful avenues for direct community input into policing policy that I have seen.
That his staff reached out to us on their own accord to speak in support of him says a lot – who better to speak to Director Abouzeid’s impact than his direct reports? OLEO staff are just as important as having a strong leader at the head of the organization. One letter of support states, “during Tamer’s leadership, OLEO expanded its responsibilities to include independent investigations into KCSO incidents. This development did not happen by accident; it required thoughtful planning, consistent leadership, and a principled approach to public accountability. Tamer’s guidance ensured that the expansion strengthened the office’s independence and credibility.” A strong and independent oversight body is critical, especially in this tumultuous time as trust in government is justifiably low given what we are seeing at the federal level.
January is MLK Jr. Month Proclamation
 In this space I will typically share a short blurbs about proclamations we do at Council. This time, as we proclaim January as Martin Luther King Jr Month here in the only County in the Country named after him I feel as though it's appropriate to share the entire text of the proclamation with you all here. I also want to congratulate my newest colleague, Councilmember Rhonda Lewis (D2) on leading her first proclamation.
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born on January 15, 1929, devoted his life to the movement for civil rights, and his leadership was fundamental to the movement’s success in ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 1971, three years after his assassination, cities and states across the U.S. began declaring holidays to honor Dr. King, and in 1986, a federal holiday was created to celebrate his birthdate as a national event, which is observed annually on the third Monday of January; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, the King County Council approved an ordinance declaring King County to be the namesake of Dr. King, and in 2005, state legislation was approved to memorialize the Council’s decision; that same year, Councilmember Larry Gossett led the effort to change the County’s logo to a design depicting Dr. King; and
WHEREAS, while a student at Morehouse College in 1948, Dr. King observed: “The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals,” and concluded, “We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”; and
WHEREAS, residents throughout King County continue to uphold a commitment to the established legal order, the civil rights embedded therein, and moral, values-driven education which reflects the vision and reforms inspired by Dr. King in how we engage in public service, treat our neighbors, and raise our children; and
WHEREAS, the employees of King County organize an annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy, which will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with the theme “Mentorship”; and
WHEREAS, King County government re-commits today and every day to continuing Dr. King’s work until it becomes an anti-racist/pro-equity organization, serving a region where all can thrive;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council and the King County Executive, proclaim the month of January 2026 as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Month in King County.
Korean American Day Proclamation
 Korean American day is observed annually on January 13 to commemorate the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. Today, over 2.6 million Korean Americans live across the country, including 45,000 who reside in King County, making this county one of the largest and most vibrant Korean American communities in the Pacific Northwest. Recognizing Korean American day offers an opportunity to honor the legacy, sacrifices, and achievements of Korean Americans; to celebrate their ongoing contributions; and to reaffirm King County’s commitment to equity representation and belonging for all residents. Thank to you Councilmember Fain and Councilmember Barón for bringing forward this proclamation recognizing Korean American day.
Honoring Ken Jennings
 This Seattle resident was honored last week by the Council led by Councilmember Von Reichbauer for his dedication to cancer research and for working in as many regional references as possible while hosting Jeopardy. Who is Ken Jennings?
 Click the picture above to see the coverage and the special KCTV introduction for Ken Jennings to the Council Chambers!
 The State of Washington has given us a powerful tool to help seniors remain in their homes. If you are 61 years old, own your home, and make less than $84,000 a year you can apply for an exemption that can potentially save you thousands of dollars on your property taxes. I strongly encourage you to apply online here: Senior Exemption Portal
 Last year we heard directly from the working people who power our creative economy about the importance of Harbor Island Studios. I joined union members from IATSE Local 600, IATSE Local 488 and Sag-Aftra and Washington Film Works and film producers from Create 48, post-production experts and folks from the Seattle Film Institute for two visits last week to learn more about the property and brainstorm ways we can secure the future of the site. More to come on this!
 West Seattle is home to some really incredible small businesses and I got the chance to join them at the West Seattle Chamber's regular luncheon. I shared what i've been working on over the last two years and what I'm looking forward to tackling in the year to come. It was great to hear what the chamber is focused on as well in 2026. Big thank you to Rachel Porter the Executive Director for inviting me and facilitating a wonderful conversation.
 The Center for Active Living, located in the Alaska Junction in West Seattle is a great place to gather especially at their rainbow bingo parties. When I visited last year, they invited me to come back and talk with their current events group. I took them up on their offer and joined for a lively discussion last week.
What to do if you see ICE
With recent events, I wanted to share this guide of what to do if you see ICE in your community from the advocates at the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network or WAISN.
Final Phase of Road Improvements on 16th Ave SW
 The third and final phase of the Road Services Division’s Pedestrian Safety Improvements and Traffic Calming Project on 16th Ave SW between SW 100th St and SW 107th St will began on Monday, January 12, 2026. It's expected that this work will continue through May 2026. Crews will be onsite on weekdays from 7 am to 5 pm.
The final phase of this project includes:
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Adding a bike lane in each direction. Crews have already added a center turn lane and one traveling lane in each direction.
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Building curb extensions at SW 104th and SW 106th streets to make it safer for people to cross the road.
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Adding new signs and other safety features between SW 100th and SW 107th streets.
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Adding more parking spaces the number of spots will go up from 43 to 46. View the parking changes to see where parking will be.
Work begins on the west side of 16th Ave SW and SW 104th and SW 106th Streets. Traffic will be flagged around the work zone when necessary. Emergency vehicles and transit will have access through the work zone.
Roads with a single travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane have slower, calmer traffic. This is important for pedestrians and cyclists because slower vehicle speeds make traveling on roads safer, reducing the risk of injury and death.
- Fewer travel lanes make it safer to cross the street and allow room for sidewalk curb extensions and buffered bicycle lanes.
- Sidewalk curb extensions reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
- Extra space, or buffer zone, on both sides of the bicycle lane provides a dedicated place for non-motorized traffic.
Previous phases included:
- Phase 1: March/April 2025, King County crews replaced an aging drainage system under the intersection of 16th Ave SW and SW 104th Street.
- Phase 2: July/August 2025, contractor crews working for King County paved 16th Ave SW at night to lessen traffic impacts to the area.
For the most up-to-date information, please check MyCommute. Additional project information can be found on the project website.
Getting Ready for World Cup 2026
 Thank you to the Seattle 2026 World Cup Host Committee for joining the monthly White Center Business Alliance meeting to share how small businesses can get ready for the games coming this year. If you are a small business and wondering how you can prepare, you can find more information here.
Calling all artists! Create a Metro bus shelter photomural
Metro is teaming up with Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) in a call for images to be installed as public art in our bus shelters. https://kingcountymetro.blog/2026/01/13/calling-all-artists-create-a-metro-bus-shelter-photomural/
4Culture Grants and Calls Due Dates
ONGOING - Open 4Culture (on break February 1-March 31) Crisis and Transformation Emergency and Unforeseen Touring Arts Roster Incentive Program Public Art Calls
Earning learning Facilities Funding Opportunity
In partnership with DCHS, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. opened a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) that aims to increase access to high-quality early learning opportunities by providing up to $3,000,000 for renovation, expansion, purchase, long-term lease, or new construction of non-home-based child care facilities in King County. Applications are due Friday, January 23, 2025, at 8:59PM. Details about this opportunity, including links to the application portal are currently posted on DCHS’ Cultivating Connections Blog.
Investment in infrastructure maintenance and capital projects development for Early Learning Facilities is a major focus of the PSTAA Implementation Plan for the Investment of PSTAA Proceeds. To read the Plan and to learn more about PSTAA’s investments, please visit the PSTAA landing page on the DCHS website.
RFP Document PDFs available in:
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Train Dreams is an incredible movie nominated for Golden Globes and several other accolades. It was also filmed here in Washington State including scenes filmed at D8's very own Harbor Island Studios. If you haven't had a chance to watch this incredible film, it's now available on Netflix. |
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Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
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