Daw to manage external relations

David Daw will lead the King County Department of Local Services' effort to engage and collaborate with King County’s unincorporated communities.

The Seattle native attended Evergreen State College in Olympia and studied economic development in both Central America and Africa. After earning his bachelor’s degree in public administration and intercultural communication, he co-founded The Initiative Newspaper, which ran stories about positive community action and provided resources and information about the local African-American community.

For the next 15 years, Daw's work focused on connecting communities and building the capacity of King County organizations and residents. He served as South Seattle Community College’s Student Organization Coordinator, the White Center Community Development Association’s Neighborhood Revitalization Manager, and the South King Council of Human Services capacity building manager and director. He comes to Local Services from a post as the King County Housing Authority's senior manager of resident services, SW region.

In all of these roles, his approach has been consistent: It’s about people. The Department of Local Services, he says, has to “create platforms that allow all residents access to information and resources in an equitable way, and continue to build relationships and trust with communities.”

Permitting Division has new deputy director

King County Local Services recently welcomed Mark Rowe as Deputy Director of its Permitting Division.

This is somewhat of a homecoming for Rowe, who had two prior stints with the county. He spent six years as a registered environmental health specialist for Public Health-Seattle & King County before joining AT&T Broadband, where he managed the teams that established high-speed data and voice networks in Washington. In 2003, he rejoined Public Health as its emergency preparedness program manager, then served as section manager for Food Protection and Water Recreation Facilities.

Most recently, Rowe served in senior leadership roles with Amazon.com Corporate, first as a global food safety senior manager for Amazon Fresh, Prime Now, and Treasure Truck, then as a senior food safety manager for Retail and Operations Integration.

In both the public or private sectors, Rowe says he’s been dedicated to improving an organization’s systems. Efficient, value-adding systems support staff, increase engagement from those delivering the service, and ultimately help optimize customer service.

“I believe people come to work wanting to produce good work,” he says. “If there’s a problem, I’m a big believer that it’s more about the process than the people.”

Fun fact: Rowe used to compete in triathlons. As a lifelong swimmer and runner, he used to train about 20 hours per week for events.

Skyway community members are invited to attend the Skyway-West Hill Land Use Plan Community Forum on Saturday, June 1, at Dimmitt Middle School (12320 80th Avenue S, Seattle).

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with two back-to-back sessions (see schedule below).

Participants will learn about, and comment on, draft land use and zoning changes proposed for this community.

Schedule

Session 1
10 a.m.: Visit info stations, ask questions, share your thoughts
11:30 a.m.: Presentation and closing remarks

Session 2
12 p.m.: Visit info stations, ask questions, share your thoughts
1:30 p.m.: Presentation and closing remarks

Language interpretation will be provided in Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Disability accommodations available with advance request.

Questions? Email AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-3800.

View/print an event flyer: English | Soomaali | Español | Tiếng Việt

According to King County Water and Land Resources, many #OrcaHeroes are helping preserve a clean, beautiful environment through their daily actions.

This kind of hero helps keep our waters and Puget Sound clean and orcas healthy. Every action adds up—cleaning the pollution that comes from our homes, neighborhoods, and businesses.

A measles outbreak has infected people in several western Washington counties. The measles vaccine is very effective, and most people are immunized. However, measles is extremely contagious, and before people know they have measles they can transmit it to people who are not fully immunized.

If you think you might have measles

Call your doctor, nurse, or clinic right away. Before you go to the doctor's office, call to tell them  you might have measles. This will allow them to take steps to avoid exposing other people. Stay away from other people until at least four days after the rash starts or a test proves you don't have measles.

Learn more about measles, including places where infectious people have visited, at www.kingcounty.gov/measles/cases.

The following workshops are free and open to all King County residents, but please note that registration is required.

Thursday, June 6, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fall City
King County Library Meeting Room
33415 SE 42nd Place

Thursday, June 27, 6:30-8 p.m.
Boulevard Park
King County Library Meeting Room
12015 Roseberg Avenue S

4Culture is hosting listening sessions across King County to help them better understand the cultural health of our region.

They'll be in Fall City on Wednesday, June 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fall City Library (33415 SE 42nd Place). If you live in Fall City, you're invited to come tell them what's working and what's not as you engage with culture.

Learn more/RSVP

Since Jan. 1, more than 1,000 Solid Waste Division customers have used the Cleanup LIFT discount. This program makes it more affordable for low-income customers to dispose of materials at King County’s recycling and garbage transfer facilities. To receive the discount, customers just have to show their ProviderOne, EBT or ORCA LIFT card when entering a facility.

Eligible customers receive $12 off the cost to dispose of garbage, refrigerant-type appliances, yard waste and clean wood. The discount is good for each type of material, every visit.

The discount is only available to King County residents who live outside the cities of Seattle and Milton, which are part of separate solid waste systems. This service is not available to businesses.  

Learn more

June Local Services days on Vashon

Bong Santo Domingo from the King County Department of Local Services will be on Vashon Island on the following Tuesdays: June 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for customer service. For more information, contact him by email or call 206-351-8071.

The summer road construction season will soon be heating up. The best way to keep up with county road construction projects in your neighborhood or along your commute is by signing up for Road Alerts.

You’ll get updates on all county road construction sent directly to your phone or email inbox.