THE VOICE - March 2009
The Newspaper of Neighborhood House
Housing authorities received a much-needed boost to their building programs when President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law on Feb. 17. For Seattle Housing Authority, this will result in a grant of $17,069,888. For King County Housing Authority it will be $7,442,556.
The stimulus package included $4 billion for building projects by housing authorities across the county. By comparison, the annual amount provided by Congress for the Public Housing Capital Fund was $2.3 billion in 2007.
At a press conference on Feb. 17, Seattle Housing Authority Executive Director Tom Tierney joined Senator Maria Cantwell (DWA) in praising the effects of the stimulus on affordable housing. “This funding will allow us to get started right now on projects that will get people to work and house hardworking low-wage people, seniors, and disabled people,” said Tierney.
Of the $4 billion, $3 billion is being distributed to public housing authorities by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD announced on Feb. 25 how much each housing authority will receive. The decision was arrived at by using the same formula used for regular capital fund amounts.
In order to be eligible, projects must be “shovel ready.” This means that they must be started within 120 days and completed within three years. The Seattle Housing Authority developed a list of projects like this totaling more than $45 million. This list became part of the agency’s annual plan as “possible projects that SHA may submit” for stimulus funding. The Board of Commissioners approved this addition to the agency’s annual plan at their meeting on Feb. 17.
The list of possible projects included improvements in public housing high-rise buildings—Bell Tower, Denny Terrace and Jefferson Terrace. Other projects could include upgrades to Scattered Sites housing and to apartments at Tri-Court. These upgrades would make the housing more accessible to people with disabilities. Finally, the list included redevelopment projects at High Point and Rainier Vista.
Housing Authority staff members are working on a proposal to the Board of Commissioners with their recommendations of projects to fund. The Board will make the final decision about which projects will use the funding, most likely in March or April.
The remaining $1 billion will be given out through a competitive process. HUD will favor projects that use the funds for partnerships with the private sector. HUD also wants to use the competitive funding for renovations and investments in energy conservation.
Seattle Housing Authority will ask HUD for some of the competitive funding. These grants will be made by the HUD Secretary by Sept. 30.
The stimulus bill included funding for other affordable housing programs. The Low Income Tax Credit program was awarded $2.5 billion. This funding will help the program work for housing developers during the current credit crunch. If developers have projects that are ready to go, this funding can help them get started without having to wait for a tax-credit investor to participate.
Ron Sims announced Feb. 2 that he was accepting the No. 2 position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), leaving his position as King County Executive to join the Obama administration.
Sims, who had served as county executive since 1996, would become HUD’s deputy secretary. His nomination is pending confirmation by the Senate.
“Ron’s track record as an innovative leader with an exciting vision for the future of our nation’s communities makes him the perfect deputy secretary candidate as we tackle the nation’s housing crisis amidst the biggest economic downturn in decades,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said in a statement.
Sims made the announcement after nearly two weeks of speculation that he would leave his post for a job in the Obama administration.
“There is no leader more committed to our communities than President Obama; and no champion superior to Secretary Donovan, who is charting a new, aggressive course for HUD,” Sims said in a statement. “I am truly humbled to be asked to join this team.”
At the same time he lamented leaving his role as executive.
“Leaving King County government will be very difficult for me,” Sims said. “In my mind and heart, I see and feel the work that needs to be done to complete the transformation of this region into the best place in the world.”
Sims will not resign his position until the HUD appointment is confirmed by the Senate.
Sims’ departure leaves open the race for King County Executive in 2009. In the meantime, it is up to the King County Council to nominate someone to fulfill the remainder of Sims’ term. He has said he would like a caretaker to move into his position — someone with no ambition to run for the office in 2009.
Dow Constantine, chairman of the King County Council, supported Sims’ proposal.
“I will sit down immediately with my colleagues to create a non-partisan process to choose an interim replacement to serve the remainder of Executive Sims’ term,” Constantine said. “It is the voters of King County — not this Council — who this November will select an Executive to serve them for the next four years.”
King County Councilman Larry Phillips has announced his intention to run for county executive in the 2009 general election.
Local political leaders offered their congratulations to Sims.
“While it is bittersweet to see my friend Ron leave our great state, he will be a wonderful representative of the Northwest in the other Washington,” Governor Chris Gregoire said. “This is a challenging time for the housing sector and Ron is the right person to ensure people have stable affordable housing during these difficult times.
His diverse array of skills and dynamic spirit will make him an invaluable advocate for HUD.”
“Ron will bring years of experience and a passion for community development to his new position,” said Senator Patty Murray. “We have worked side-by-side to improve affordable housing opportunities and reduce homelessness in King County, so I know he will jump into this national role with both enthusiasm and know-how. And that is exactly what this agency needs.”
Sims’ move to HUD comes with a pay-cut — he had made $186,000 annually as county executive, and will receive a $177,000 salary as deputy secretary of HUD.
Sims was appointed county executive in 1996 when then-Executive Gary Locke was elected as governor. Sims was elected to the post in 1997 and again in 2001 and 2005. His appointment to HUD comes as he was preparing for his own bid for a fourth full term as county executive.
As deputy secretary, Sims will manage HUD’s 8,500 employees and $39 billion operating budget.
Seattle Housing Executive Director Tom Tierney is supportive of Sims’ nomination. “We have worked closely with Ron Sims and know him to be a passionate advocate for low-income people and their housing needs.”
By Lynn Sereda
Section 8 Tenant
On Feb. 24, more than 500 people from all over the state came to Olympia for Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day.
Housing and Homelessness Advocacy day is sponsored by the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA) and The Washington State Coalition for the Homeless. The morning part of the program was held at the United Church of Christ, near the State Capitol buildings.
This year, Advocacy Day organizers presented a three-person panel of people whose personal stories were directly related to the types of action that sponsoring organizations urged the legislature to take.
One panelist talked about how Washington’s General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) program (a state program providing $339 a month to adults unable to work, primarily due to a disability) provided him a safety net that literally kept him off the street. With housing stability provided, case management is able to work on long-term solutions.
A young woman on the panel then talked about her experience as a foster child. At 18 she had to suddenly fend for herself because she was no longer under the care of the state.
WLIHA is urging the state to ensure the success of the Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act to develop plans and policy changes to ensure that DSHS no longer discharge foster children into homelessness.
A similar request is also being voiced in regards to the Department of Corrections discharging felons who have served their sentences directly to the streets, where chances are more likely that they will re-enter the prison system again.
While GAU funding might not seem directly tied to creating affordable housing, many people noted that it does function as a program literally keeping many from falling into homelessness.
A discussion of the importance of GAU noted that once a person becomes homeless, it often becomes more expensive for the state, as people often become ill and seek emergency room care, or they are swept into the criminal justice system, where a bed in jail costs much more money.
GAU, which is in danger of being eliminated due to the budget shortfall, seemed to be one of the top priorities of the day. The fact that GAU is a state program that receives no federal funding makes it very precarious.
Nancy Amidei, an emeritus professor from the University of Washington School of Social Work gave an introduction to advocacy training. Amidei gave a very detailed presentation on how to talk to a legislator about an issue and provided a
packet of helpful materials.
Amidei noted that the keys to effective
advocacy are to introduce yourself, state
which group or groups you belong to and,
if possible, the number of people the group
represents, mention the legislative district
you belong to, and of course note that you
are a dedicated registered voter.
After this introduction, you should
mention which bill you would like your
representative to support and briefly explain
why you think it is important for them to
support the bill.
Written materials supplied in the packets
contained summaries of some of the proposed
housing bills, along with brief “bullet
points” which were of immense help in
preparing the advocates to speak effectively
when meeting with their representatives.
Amidei said that a personal story can also
be effective in persuading a legislator to
support legislation, provided that one is able
to keep their story focused and brief.
How successful was Housing and Homelessness
Advocacy Day? At The Voice
press deadline, much of the legislation has
not come to the floor for a final vote, meaning
some bills may have changes written
into them or may not be moved to the floor
in time for a vote.
The best way you can find out what
happened is to go to the Washington State
Legislature Web site at www.leg.wa.gov.
If you know the bill number or a few key
words, you can type it in on the bill tracker
and find out what happened.
Even though these are tough times because
of the recession and budget shortfall,
Amy Clark, Director Of Communications
for the WLIHA, was upbeat about Housing
Advocacy Day.
“It was….incredibly successful. There
were more tenants and people directly
impacted by affordable housing legislation
present this year,” she said. “There were
people from 47 of the state’s 49 legislative
districts present. When average people
impacted by the housing situation come and
tell their stories, that is when the legislators
really listen.”
Pap screening, HPV vaccine prevent cancer and save lives
By Public Health-Seattle & King County
A new public education campaign is aimed at reducing cervical cancer rates among local Vietnamese and vision public service announcements in Latina women. These populations suffer from higher rates of cervical cancer and lower rates of screening for the illness.
Cervical cancer is a serious illness.
However, with prevention options available
for women today, the odds for staying
healthy are better than ever. Many women
benefit from cervical cancer screening
and vaccine, but some aren’t aware of
their choices.
The new Public Health campaign urges
all women to get screened and vaccinated
and enlists mothers to take helpful for
their daughters.
“Regular pap screenings for women are
a proven cancer prevention success, and
the HPV vaccine is an important vaccine
for girls and young women,” said Dr. David
Fleming, Director and Health Officer
for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Our new campaign shares this valuable
information with Latina and Vietnamese
women who have had lower screening and
higher cervical cancer rates.”
Most health insurance plans pay for Pap
tests and HPV vaccine. Schedule an appointment
with your health care provider.
You have affordable options. If cost or
lack of insurance is a problem, call the Community Health Access Program at
1-800-756-5437.
Nationally, 9,700 women are diagnosed
and 3,700 die of cervical cancer every
year. In King County, 60 new women
are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 12
women die annually. Pap screening tests
for women and the Human papillomavirus
(HPV) vaccine for females aged 9-26 are
proven ways of substantially reducing
a woman’s risk of developing cervical
cancer.
About the new campaign
Public Health’s targeted public education
campaign, entitled Take Care of Yourself,
Take Care of Her, encourages mothers
to make an appointment for their own Pap
test and their daughter’s vaccination.
The campaign, which runs through
early 2009, includes print advertisements
in Vietnamese, as well as radio and television
public service announcements in
Spanish.
In addition to the campaign, Public Health continues to work with community
partners at the International Community
Health Services (ICHS) and CASA Latina’s
Women’s Leadership Council to raise
awareness about the HPV vaccine and the
Pap test. Trained peer leaders are educating
groups of Latina, Vietnamese, Korean,
Chinese and Samoan women about cervical
cancer, how to prevent it and where to
find local resources for services.
About Pap tests
Pap tests check for abnormal changes in
cells on the cervix, which is the opening to
the uterus. Abnormal cells can be treated,
which prevents cervical cancer from
developing. Health professionals recommend
that women start Pap test screening
three years after first sexual intercourse or
by age 21, whichever comes first.
In 2006, 82.4% of King County women
18 and over had a Pap test within the past
three years, similar to the national average.
However, some women have lower
screening rates, including immigrants, women without health insurance, Latinas,
and Asian-Americans.
HPV and HPV vaccine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the
virus that causes cervical cancer by infecting
the cervix. HPV is among the most
common sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs); 75 - 90 percent of all people who
have sex will likely have HPV at some
point in their lives.
While the infection does not usually last long, it sometimes causes changes which can develop into cancer if not treated. HPV vaccine protects against two types of Human papillomavirus that cause 90 percent of all genital warts and two types of HPV that cause 70 percent of all cervical cancer. HPV vaccine works best before women are exposed to the virus through sexual activity, and is recommended for all girls 11-12 years of age. Girls and women up through 26 years of age can also benefit from the vaccine.
More information
Public Health’s campaign:
www.kingcounty.gov/health/cancer
Cervical cancer:
www.cancer.gov/
cancertopics/types/cervical
HPV vaccine:
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/
By Miranda Taylor
SHA Resident
Inexpensive homemade meals and snacks
involve preparation time, but taking the time
will make us look, feel and act better!
Cheap fast foods and snacks are poor
food choices: we will pay later. Whole,
organic good food choices allow our bodies
to heal faster from daily wear and will truly
nourish us.
If we are truly nourished, we will not
feel as intensely interested in dangerous,
packaged snacks. Dry, packaged snacks
are hard on our bodies. The body prefers
moist, whole foods.
Some people think that wholesome organic
food is for people with lots of money.
Not true!
Especially if we do not have money, sickness
in the family is difficult. Healthy food
will keep our motors well tuned, helping us
get up in the morning feeling well and lasting
throughout the day, month and year.
No genetic modification (GMO), pesticides
or hazardous fertilizers are used on
organic crops (see www.safefoodandfertilizer.org). So investing in organic ingredients
allows us to prepare our own inexpensive
but healthy meals.
Starting with snacks, we need to satisfy
a real need for fat, sweets and whole salt.
It is human to desire variety. Make or have
enough different snacks at home, so you
have a variety to choose from.
Some healthy snacks, such as a bag of raw
almonds or carrots, require no preparation.
Five nuts are a snack for people who need
energy but want to lose weight.
Almonds contain calcium that builds
bones, protein and fats that give us strength.
Carrots are a sweet sensation in a live food.
Chew thoroughly.
Carrots contain sugars, vitamins, fiber,
and even important fatty acids. Homemade
sweet rice dessert wrapped in foil from our
freezer has more nutrients than store-bought
chocolate, candy and chips.
Olives are an excellent salty treat. By
replacing junk food, we save money and we
feel and look better.
Meals can be equally simple to prepare.
In our homes, we should be able to find a
few whole grains.
One container in our refrigerator should
have a cooked grain that we can quickly
prepare into a snack with olive oil, organic
butter, vegetables, beans or organic meat.
Like all foods, whole grains taste better
if fresh, which is why storage-tolerant white
rice is cheaper. Yet quinoa, millet, wild rice,
amaranth and teff are some grains that contain
more healthful nutrients and fiber than
white rice. Quinoa is the most protein-rich
grain, for example.
Legumes are the protein staple for vegetarians,
though eggs offer excellent protein
for pregnancy or nursing. Any animal products
in the United States should be organic
or we will be consuming higher levels of
toxins and hormones that are not recommended
for children through reproductive age
people.
Organic cheese, like organic butter,
is healthy and affordable when used as
a flavorful condiment. But unlike most
store-bought prepared foods, which need
to be made with storage-tolerant fats (such
as hydrogenated vegetable oil), homemade
foods can be prepared with healthy fats.
Examples of healthy fats include unrefined
oils, olive oil, sesame oil, walnut oil,
organic coconut oil, or any oil that is not
hydrogenated.
Fresh chopped leafy greens or frozen
vegetables of many colors provide fibre and
nutrients that promote strong muscles, bones
and brains. Add these vegetables to every
meal of the day.
Vegetables can be chopped, and added
to the rice or grain, or steamed with salt as
a side dish.
One of the concerns with whole foods is
that there is a lot more chopping and cutting
before we eat them. We need to have a set
of good knives, and they don’t have to be
expensive.
Between downtown and the Spokane
St. Bridge, at 2963 First Ave. S. in Seattle,
Dick’s Restaurant Supply has well-made (in
the USA by Dexter Russel), white plastichandled
knives that are very sharp, easy to
hold and use. They are excellent knives.
The chef knife is $13.95. The small paring
knife costs only $3.55. These are the only
two knives I use in my kitchen.
In steering away from junk food, we can steer back to our traditions, using whole foods. Good fats, whole salt and desserts that our grandmothers recognized are still recommended by nutritionists.
When we plan dinner, there is a difference between cheap and healthy food, which we prepare ourselves, and cheap and unhealthy food, which ends up costing us more because we pay for it with our health.
Keep this in mind: by planning our weekly meals and snacks, we can eat meals that are tasty and truly nourishing.
Miranda Taylor is on the High Point Neighborhood Association board, and is an acupuncturist and an herbalist in the community. www.TaylorGoodHealth. com, (206) 932-4371.
Lentil Minestrone, serves 4 to 6
This soup is Deborah Madison’s favorite soup in her cookbook: Vegetarian Preparation Cooking for Everyone. She writes that “It’s better when cooked ahead of time,
but add the cooked pasta and greens just
before serving so that they retain their
color and texture.”
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus
extra oil to finish
2 cups finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ cup chopped parsley
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup diced celery or celery root
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup French green lentils, sorted and
rinsed
Aromatics: 2 bay leaves, 8 parsley
branches, 6 thyme sprigs
9 cups water or vegetable stock
Soy sauce or mushroom soy sauce to
taste
1 bunch greens — mustard, broccoli rabe,
chard, or spinach
2 cups cooked small pasta — shells, orecchiette,
or other favorite shape
Thin shavings of Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Heat the oil in a wide soup pot with
the onion. Saute, stirring frequently, until
lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes.
(Miranda’s note: Do not allow oil to
smoke since that creates carcinogens.)
Add the tomato paste, parsley, garlic,
vegetables, and 2 teaspoons salt and cook
3 minutes more. Add the lentils, aromatics,
and water and bring to a boil. Lower
the heat and simmer, partially covered,
for 30 minutes. Taste for salt and season
with pepper. If it needs more depth add
(mushroom) soy sauce to taste, starting
with 1 tablespoon. (The soup may seem
bland at this point, but the flavor will
come together when the soup is finished.)
Remove the aromatics.
Boil the greens in salted water until
they’re tender and bright green, then
chop them coarsely. Just before serving,
add the greens and the pasta to the soup
and heat through. Serve with extra virgin
olive oil drizzled into each bowl, a generous
grind of pepper, and the Parmesan
cheese.
Last month, we talked about ways to respond to ongoing criminal activity. We discussed the importance of calling 911 each time you witness or suspect criminal activity. We also talked about working with neighbors and your community police team officer.
This month, “Be Safe” will discuss another strategy for neighbors who witness criminal activity: logging your observations as they occur. Logging does not replace calling 911. But it can be a useful tool to document neighborhood crime problems.
Setting up a log is simple. You can keep it on your computer, in a notebook, in a digital device, or write it on a calendar: whatever works best for you.
It is important to include the location, time and date of each incident that you observe. Include a description of the event and any individuals and vehicles involved.
Write down what you did. Did you call the police? Did the police respond quickly? Did the police give you an incident report number? Did you notify the property manager, (if appropriate)? Did you tell a neighbor? Did your neighbor see or hear the same incident?
You can also record how each incident affected you. Did the incident frighten you or make you angry? Did you have to leave somewhere because the incident made you feel unsafe?
See the chart below for an example of what a log might look like.
Logs can help the police and the SHA management office identify any crime patterns in the community so they can assign staff to problem areas more effectively. When you have finished filling up a page, give a copy to your Community Police Team Officer and (if appropriate) to your property manager. Always keep a copy for yourself.
Remember the purpose of logging is to record illegal activities, not to record the activities of people you dislike or disagree with. The police do not enforce civil codes, community standards, or get involved in neighbor-to-neighbor disputes.
If you are interested in learning more about witnessing and reporting ongoing crime activities, contact Kelly McKinney (206-323-7084) and Allan Davis (206-3237094) at Seattle Neighborhood Group.
Stimulus money coming to Washington state
Washington state stands to receive several billion dollars to fill budget gaps and maintain service levels. According to a preliminary analysis by Senator Patty Murray’s office, Washington state will receive $812 million to help avoid cutbacks in education spending, $500 million for road and bridge construction, over $2 billion to defray increasing Medicaid costs, and $66 million for job training initiatives.
Congress and the President hope the influx of funds will quickly create and preserve jobs, as well as help local areas fill funding gaps and maintain social services.
The multibillion dollar package is not a cure-all, however — elected officials are warning constituents that while the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will certainly help states and cities fill funding gaps and hopefully stem job losses, there will be no quick fix to the current economic crisis.
The bill also funds homelessness prevention programs with an additional $1.5 billion and provides $2 billion to help areas where foreclosures threaten neighborhood stability.
By Anza Muenchow
Special to The Voice
The days are noticeably longer — probably four more minutes of light each day now. Spring is coming and the soil is warming enough to begin planting some crops. Take time in selecting the seed varieties that are best suited for our Northwest maritime climate.
How important is it to consider the particular genetics of a seed? You want good production, but you also want good taste and nutrition. Many conventional seed producers grow for crops that need to maintain “freshness” while traveling hundreds (thousands?) of miles and sitting in a grocery store for a few more weeks.
These are not qualities that a home gardener cares about. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer seed companies to supply our small farmers and gardeners. Many of the long time, tried and true, home garden varieties are not being grown by seed companies anymore, which depend on sales to the large corporate farming operations.
I am increasingly concerned as the small seed growers are bought up by Monsanto and other corporations, and then they stop producing the varieties that small farmers and gardeners have depended on for years. Sadly, I’ve said goodbye to many of my old favorites and am constantly searching for new varieties to replace them.
I do save many seeds, but I don’t have enough knowledge or time to manage the natural hybridizing in my small garden setting. Perhaps this should be a larger focus of my gardening in the coming years.
Where do local growers look for the seeds grown or specialized for the cool summers we have in the Northwest? Some recommended seed companies are: Fedco and Johnny’s (from Maine) and Territorial and Abundant Life (from Oregon).
The Territorial seed catalog is especially useful for its growing instructions. This catalog includes the planting instructions, harvesting tips, and a good description of the pest management issues that impact the different crops we grow in the Northwest.
For example, we have carrot rust fly and spinach leaf miner, whereas eastern gardeners fight the Japanese beetles, tomato horn worms and corn ear worms.
These seed catalogs offer many organic seed choices, too. A new small local seed company is Uprising Seeds. Though Uprising Seeds doesn’t have many seed varieties, I enjoyed reading their catalog and feel confident about the sources they have chosen for supplying their seeds.
Suppose you are at a local store and they have a good sale on seeds from Midwest or Atlantic seed companies. For the price, it may be worth trying some of those seeds. But you will need to adjust the instructions. “Days to maturity” for most crops will be much longer than it says on the seed packet, especially the flowers or fruiting crops such as peppers, squashes and pumpkins.
If the seed packet says 90 or 100 days, then you may not be successful, unless you plan to grow it in a greenhouse.
For organizing seeds, I use a small file box with monthly folders in it. When I buy or collect seeds, I organize by month so I remember to get my crops started on time. For the plants that can’t be directly sown and need to be started indoors, I have another section in my file box for those seeds I start indoors to transplant out later. These include some favorite tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
This month you may want to start these crops indoors: lettuce, chard, broccoli, bok choy, kohlrabi, peppers, and tomatoes.
At the end of March, you can direct seed outdoors beets, carrots, rapini, cilantro and mustards. The early broccoli starts can be planted outside by the end of March also.
As I write this article, I am still waiting for a soaking February rain to water in the peas we planted. But the days have been dry enough to start preparing the beds, turning in some good compost and incorporating lime to increase soil pH, especially for the Brassica beds. Enjoy the start of the 2009 growing season.
Anza Muenchow is a farmer and a volunteer with P-Patch. You can reach her by e-mail at mahafarm@whidbey.com or on the Internet at www.mahafarm.com.
Community Notes
Experience nature with National Park program
The Northwest is a land of remarkable natural beauty, and there are a number of recreational opportunities available through our state and national parks.
The National Park Service, through a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, is encouraging underserved families to take advantage of national parks in the region.
The National Park Service and Seattle Parks and Recreation have planned a variety of programs to engage and connect families to the outdoors. The six-phase program culminates with an overnight camping adventure at Mount Rainier National Park.
Participants will learn more about urban and national parks and their history. Topics covered will include proper camping behavior in parks, park values and caring for park resources while enjoying and learning about nature.
Youth and families from underserved communities are encouraged to apply for this program, which runs from April 24 to Sept. 20. Families and youth ages 6 to 15 with limited opportunities to explore parks are invited to attend all phases of the program.
Informational sessions will be held at selected Seattle Parks Community Centers throughout March:
South Park Community Center, 6 p.m. March 4 Hiawatha Community Center, 6:15 p.m. March 10 Delridge Community Center, 6 p.m. March 11 Southwest Community Center, 6 p.m. March 18 High Point Community Center, 6:15 p.m. March 19
For more information, contact Brad Carlquist at brad_carlquist@nps.gov or 206-220-4229, or Sheila Brown at sheila. brown@seattle.gov or 206-684-7415.
Seattle police chief tapped as drug czar, former Gov. Gary Locke picked for commerce
The Obama administration last month tapped Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as director of the Office of National Drug Policy, a position commonly referred to as “drug czar.”
By accepting the position, Kerlikowske joined King County Executive Ron Sims as the second prominent local official to take a job with the new administration.
Kerlikowske, 59, was appointed chief by then-Mayor Paul Schell in 2000.
Gary Locke’s appointment as commerce secretary increased to three the number of Obama administration officials with strong ties to Washington state.
Locke, a Democrat, was a two-term governor, serving from 1997 to 2005.
He was President Obama’s third choice for the position. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdrew from consideration in light of a federal investigation into a business deal in his state and New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg, a Republican, bowed out after citing philosophical differences with the administration.
“I am thrilled and honored that Ron has agreed to be considered for this role,” Donovan said. “He is the perfect person to help HUD return to national leadership on metropolitan planning. Together, we will work with President Obama to ensure HUD is doing all it can to help the nation’s communities recover from today’s economic realities and to better position them for the future.”
Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance hosts advocacy workshops
By Jim Bush
SHA Resident
Recently, a number of SHA residents
and other community advocates participated
in a series of workshops facilitated by
Michael Kelly, a mobilization coordinator
from the Washington Low Income Housing
Alliance (WLIHA), an organization
that works with various city, county and
state officials on legislative policies as
they relate to issues concerning low-income
housing and how to ensure there are
enough units to meet the demand, given
the current economic climate.
During these workshops, people were
given a lot of valuable information, including
how to effectively provide input
to elected officials and other government
decision-makers on issues that may be
relevant to a constituency’s needs.
Other topics included how to get more
people involved in the advocacy process
and how to interact with local news media
(newspapers primarily) to advocate for a
particular point of view on a given issue.
A number of key points were made
during the first session, especially when
it came to establishing contact with state
representatives.
The state Legislature meets for 65 days
(short session) in even-numbered years
and for 105 days (long session) in odd-numbered
years; the reason for the longer
session is to develop and pass the state’s
biennial budget, which must be balanced
and adopted by a certain time.
While many people may think this may
be the best time to provide input on certain
issues, legislators are much more available
to meet with their constituents when the
legislature is not in session because, in
addition to their legislative duties, they
work full-time in the legislative districts
they represent.
Therefore, it is probably best to contact
them in their district offices, which are
located within their legislative district,
since they can more easily meet with you
and your constituency group when they’re
closer to the people they represent.
How do you contact elected officials?
Each one has at least two ways to do so
— by phone and by mail. Many also have
email addresses and/or Web sites, which
are the preferred methods of getting in
contact with them.
Contact your legislator
While the state Legislature is in session,
you can go to Olympia and visit
your elected representatives in person,
making it possible to give them a personal
perspective on the issues you want to talk
to them about.
If you want to go to Olympia with a
group to speak with your legislators, there
are many organizations, such as WLIHA,
which sponsor advocacy days specific to
particular issues.
Another way to provide input is through
the Legislative Hotline, where people can
leave messages for their state representatives
(in the House and Senate, as well
as the Governor’s Office), find out about
pending bills (and where they are in thelegislative process) and request copies of pending legislation.
The numbers to call are 1-800-562-6000 (voice) or 1-800-635-9993 (TTD).
If you’re not sure who your elected representatives are, you can get that information, along with Olympia phone numbers and email addresses through the Hotline or by going to www.leg.wa.gov.
Contact information for each legislator can also be found in the 2009 edition of “They Represent You,” a publication produced by the League of Women Voters (LWV), which has contact information for all city, county and other elected officials, as well as Washington State members of Congress and the Senate.
Copies of this valuable document are available through the LWV office by calling 329-4848 or sending an email to info@ seattlelwv.org.
When contacting government officials, try to keep your message simple and germane to the current issues being discussed. If you are advocating a certain position and the person you are contacting is not actively involved in the discussion on that issue (they’re not on a committee that is working on that issue), it may be necessary to provide that individual with some background information on why the issue is important to you and why you are advocating your position on it.
If the person being contacted is actively involved in the discussion (they are part of a committee discussing a particular issue), you should urge your point of view be considered as a part of the discussion, along with providing the same background information.
In fact, if you are contacting a representative about a certain piece of legislation that is being considered, it helps to have the bill number (or ordinance number in the case of city legislation) available.
Share your passion
Do you have an issue you’re passionate about? Let people know! The more people you bring into the loop on your issue, the more effective your input will be, meaning more action will be taken (by the decision makers) to address your issues.
In fact, it is quite advisable that you get your network of friends, family members and colleagues to join you in contacting elected and appointed representatives to advocate the points of view you are wanting to express.
Elected officials need to hear from constituents on what they’re doing, whether it’s being done right or could be done differently. When providing input, ensure the information you provide is factual and based on relevant information.
If you have any statistics or testimonials available to back up your comments (this is strongly advised, by the way), make this information a part of your original testimony or have it available as a separate document you can send later.
Robert Canamar assisted in the writing of this article.
Get out and advocate! The following
are lobby days scheduled in Olympia
during March.
March 5 — Toxic Free Legacy Coalition
Lobby Day
Contact Anna Davis, adavis@watoxics.org, 206-632-1545
March 5 — Washington CAN!
Lobby Day
Contact Maru Mora Villalpando, maru@washingtoncan.org 206.389.0050
March 10 — Healthy Washington
Coalition Lobby Day
Contact Fatima Morales, fatima@washingtoncan.org 206.389.0050
March 12 — Equal Rights Lobby
Day
Contact equalrightswashington.org,
206-324-2570
March 13 — Hispanic/Latino
Legislative Day
Location: State Capitol campus, Olympia,
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact www.hispaniclegislativeday.org/wahld/
March 16 — ACLU Washington Lobby
Day
Contact 206-624-2184
March 17 — Faith Advocacy Day:
Fund Families First
Location: United Churches of Olympia,
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Contact Amanda Martinez, martinez@thewac.org, 206-625-9790
March 19 — Statewide Domestic
Violence Lobby Day
Washington State Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
Location: United Churches of Olympia
Contact: Christine Olah, christine@
wscadv.org, 206-389-2515
March 20 — Hunger Action Day
Children’s Alliance
Location: Columbia Room, 10 a.m.
Contact: Margy Boll, Margy@childrensalliance.org, 1-800-854-KIDS
March 25 — Washington State Senior
Citizens’ Lobby Day
Location: Columbia Room
Contact: Karen Bowen, seniorlobby@qwestoffice.net, 360-754-0207
List compiled by SHA Resident Kristin
O’Donnell
By Kristin O'Donnell
SHA Resident
Trip number one to Edmonds: Left
downtown Seattle at 1:30 p.m., arriving in
Edmonds at 2:45 p.m.
The Senior Center thrift shop is closed.
The Senior Center is closing. The Visitor
Center is closed. The museum will close in
15 minutes. The bakery is closed. More than
a few downtown restaurants have closed for
the day. It is starting to rain.
I drop into a coffee shop by the ferry
landing, get soup and coffee and read the
newspaper. It is seriously raining. It is
getting dark.
I walk the two blocks to the Edmonds
transit terminal and catch the bus back to
Seattle. Memo to self (and other travelers):
starting early is better, especially in winter.
And check the weather forecast.
Trip number two to Edmonds, starting
at 9:30 a.m. this time: I now have both the
Sound Transit and the Community Transit
schedule books (available on the buses and
also at Metro offices at Westlake and on
South Jackson Street).
Community transit schedules are excellent,
with clear detailed maps, including not
only the routes but also surrounding streets – no need for another map!
My first stop (off the bus at Fifth and
Dayton) in Edmonds is the Visitor Center
(next to the Museum at 118 Fifth Ave. N., to
pick up walking guides to historic buildings
and public art.
Then on to the Edmonds Historical Museum
(recommended donation is $2). The
museum is small, located in an old library.
There’s a display of toys ranging from 19th
century doll dishes to Star Wars action
figures — that pretty much guarantees
nostalgia for most visitors. The museum
volunteers were very helpful.
Then a quick stop at City Hall across
the street for more brochures and maps.
Then lunch at the deli recommended by
museum staff, and a stroll through town
to the waterfront, visitor maps in hand. In
Edmonds “historically significant” isn’t
very old or very fancy and it is still a place
where the gift, antique and craft shops and
art galleries have not yet pushed out the
dentist’s offices, shoe repair places and
dry cleaners.
But there are enough shops to make
browsers — especially craft or antique
loving browsers — happy.
Edmonds’ wonderful place is the waterfront.
North of the ferry landing there’s a
park with an underwater reef where scuba
divers are often visible (and whales and
porpoises, sometimes).
The South County Senior Center is south
of the ferry dock. It has a view of the Sound,
the ferry and the Olympic Mountains, and
is surrounded on three sides by a park with
paths, benches and access to the sandy
beach, a great place for beach-walking,
sunset watching or a picnic.
The Senior Center also has a Thrift Store
— the Edmonds transit center is in front of
the Senior Center.
Lunch: Some under $7 possibilities:
At the Senior Center lunch is served at
noon; sign up at 11 a.m. $2.50 for eligible
seniors, $5.15 for others. Senior Center
members praised the food, but it wasn’t
a good menu for a vegetarian.
Edmonds Community College Café
(the bus stops there on the way into Edmonds)
has an interesting menu.
Downtown: the usual lunch restaurants,
bakery sandwiches, teriyaki and
burrito places. Terminal Caffeine by the
ferry landing has good soup and sandwiches,
and Petosa’s Family Grocery
at 550 Fifth Ave. S. (recommended by
Museum and Visitor Center staff) has a
great Deli — the lines at lunch are long,
and it is worth the wait.
Getting there and back: Sound Transit
bus 511 leaves from downtown on Fourth
Avenue approximately every 30 minutes
seven days a week. (If you are leaving
from the north end of Seattle the 511 also
stops at 45th N.E. next to the freeway).
Schedules are available on the buses,
and the fare is $2.50 adult/ $1.75 youth/
$1.25 senior and disabled.
Get a transfer — At Lynnwood Park
and Ride, transfer to Community Transit
bus 110 (fare $1.50/ $1 /$0.50 — you should
get credit for your Sound Transit transfer).
The 110 bus is usually waiting at the
Park and Ride. Get off at Fifth and Dayton
for downtown Edmonds, Railroad Avenue
(end of the line) for the Senior Center and
waterfront.
Another route to Edmonds — Metro 358
to Aurora Village connects with CT 131 at
Aurora Village. The trip cost less (especially
if you have a Metro Pass), takes longer and
you get to see a lot of Aurora Avenue and old
Highway 99 with its motels, used car lots
and thrift stores (a Deseret Industries, a St.
Vincent De Paul, and two, yes, two Value
Villages). If you get off the bus for thrift
stores, this can be an all-day trip.
The connection between the 131 and
358 at Aurora Village may require a 25-
minute wait.
Accessibility — All buses and streetcars
have lifts or flat floors; Edmonds has curb
cuts in the right places. Some of the older
downtown buildings have steps at the entrance.
The Visitor Center is not accessible,
but many maps and brochures available
there can be picked up at City Hall. Getting
down to the beach is possible, but sand,
gravel and slopes are challenging.
CLASSIFIEDS
The Marketplace of The Voice
• Weekly Hiring Events
These services are FREE and open to the public. Translation services are available upon request.
Visit our website: www.worksourceskc.org.
Locations Auburn: 253.804.1177 Renton: 206.205.3500 Rainer: 206.721.6000 Seattle Downtown:
206.436.8600 North Seattle: 206.440.2500 Redmond: 425.861.3700 South Seattle
Community College: 206.764.5304
Do you have a couch or other item you want to sell? Take advantage of the free person-to-person classified advertising in The Voice by filling out your 24-word ad below. Remember, write only one word per line and don’t forget to include your telephone number in your ad! Mail your ad before the 18th of the month and it will be included in the next month’s issue.
Write your ad here (one word per line)
check the classification: ❑ items for sale ❑ autos for sale
❑ items wanted ❑ services
mail to: PPC, 4000 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133 fax: 206-461-1285 e-mail: classmgr@nwlink.com w/subject line “The Voice”
Translated Articles from The Voice
KHAI THUẾ MIỄN PHÍ
Đã có việc giúp khai thuế miễn phí từ nay đến hết ngày 15 Tháng 4 ở một số địa điểm, nhă72m trong Chiến Dịch Khai Thuế Miễn Phí của cơ quan United Way. Dịch vụ khai thuế miễn phí này dành cho các gia đình kiếm được mức lương dưới $42,000 một năm.
Qúi vị không cần làm hẹn. Nhưng vì ở nhiều nơi có đông người đến khai, do đó qúi vị nên đến sớm trước giờ khai thuế để được phục vụ.
Việc giúp khai thuế được cung cấp bởi các nhân viên tình nguyện nói đuợc nhiều ngôn ngữ và được xác nhận bởi Sở Thuế Vụ.
Sau đây là các giấy tờ qúi vị phải đem theo khi đi khai thuế:
Mẫu W-2, mẫu 1099 và các giấy tờ chứng minh mức lương nhận được từ sở làm và các nguồn lợi tức khác
Bản sao giấy khai thuế năm trước nữa, nếu có
Số An Sinh Xã Hội hay số thuế vụ , ngày sinh của tất cả mọi người trong mẫu đơn khai thuế
Tên người giữ trẻ, địa chỉ, số nhận dạng thuế vụ.
Các giấy tờ khác mà thấy cần cho việc khai thuế
Nếu qúi vị muốn tiền bồi hòan gở thăng vào trương mục ngân hang của qúi vị, phải đem theo số trương mục ngân hang.
Để biết thêm thông tin về việc khai thuế miễn phí, xin gọi cho 2-1-1 hoặc gọi số 1-877-211-9274 hoặc vào trang mạng unitedwayofkingcounty.org/taxhelp.
Ma rabtaa in Canshuurtaada laguugu xareeyo Bilaash
Hay’adda United Way of King County waxay qaadey olole ku wajahan sidii ay qofafka iyo qoysaska sameeya in ka yar $42,000 sandkii ay lacag la’aan gug xareeyaan canshuur cleiska sanadka 2008. Caawintu waxay ka socotaa dhamaan goobaha ay xafiisyadda ku leedahay United wey ee degamada King County.
Uma baahnid in aad ballan dhigato, laakiin maadaama ay goobaha qaarkood buusxaan, isku dey inaad horey u imaato si aad u hesho adeega aad doonaeyso.
Canshuuraha waxaa idinka caawindoona shaqaale billash waqtigooda u hurey kuna hadla luuqado kala duwan ayna shahaado siisay Hay;adda canshuuruhu (IRS).
Waxaad soo qaadataa:
• FoomamkaW-2ga,1099ka iyo dhamaan cadeymaha helitaanka dakhli eed ka heshay goobaha aad ka soo shaqaysay iyo ,meelaha kale ee lacagi kaa soo gashay.
Hadii aad u baahan tahay war-bixin dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan caawimaada canshuur celiska, fadlan laxiriir ama wac:21-1 ama1-877-211-9274 ama aad aaladda interneetka oo cinwaankeedu yahay: Unitedwayof kingcounty.org/taxhelp.