 Photo: City of Bellevue
Happy Independence Day! This year is particularly meaningful as we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, a milestone that gives us an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history and to look forward to our future.
Democracy must be learned by each generation and, while we are facing challenges in our country, this is a moment we can take to recommit ourselves to learning about and investing in our government. Our local governments have a major impact on people’s everyday lives and I am committed to making King County a beacon of good government, where we make decisions based on evidence and model responsible stewardship of public trust and dollars.
If you want to get involved in King County government, there are lots of options! You can tune into King County business via King County TV, testify at Council meetings, or send a message directly to your councilmember so they can learn about your priorities. Democracy gets stronger the more people are involved, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions or ideas.
Brightwater Treatment Plan in Woodinville
Wastewater treatment is one of the most important functions King County performs, ensuring that when you flush the toilet, the water is “cleaned” so that our rivers, lakes, Puget Sound and the water that comes out of your tap is clean. As Chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee, I want to ensure our wastewater system works so well that you never have to think about it.
We need major investments in our wastewater system to keep it running smoothly and adapt to a growing population and a changing environment. King County is the wastewater treatment provider for unincorporated King County and 34 contractors, serving two million people within a 424-square-mile service area. The system is composed of five treatment facilities, five sewer overflow facilities, 26 regulator stations, 48 pump stations, and almost 400 miles of sewer and reclaimed water lines. The scale of equipment needed to keep this system working is colossal.
Much of the system is aging and upgrades to ensure that it continues to function well for the health of our people, animals, and the environment requires a continuous cycle of equipment maintenance and replacement. This is one of the greatest cost drivers for your monthly sewer rates. It is not the most glamorous part of government work, but it is vitally important—our collective health depends on it.
 Photo: City of Bellevue
The City of Bellevue is now accepting applications from performers and cultural groups for the Bellevue International Festival, which will take place on Saturday, August 8 at Crossroads Park. This annual celebration highlights the rich cultural diversity, artistic expression, and global traditions of Bellevue’s community.
Bellevue welcomes submissions from individuals and groups offering performances that:
- Celebrate cultural traditions or global artistic practices
- Are engaging, family-friendly and suitable for a public audience
- Demonstrate artistic quality and cultural authenticity
- Support an inclusive, multicultural environment
- Fit safely within festival staging and technical capacities
Apply by Friday, July 24!
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