Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

City of Seattle seeking candidates for Human Rights Commission

Seattle – The Seattle Human Rights Commission is seeking to fill five Commissioner positions. The Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on human rights and social justice issues.

The Commission works with the Director of the Office for Civil Rights to end discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, political ideology, ancestry, age, marital and parental status, disability, Section 8 status, and retaliation. The Commission works to have an impact on the lives of people in Seattle through its policy work and community outreach.

"I am proud to work with the City’s Human Rights Commission," said Councilmember Harrell. "The Commission continues to play a vital role in hearing discrimination appeals and shaping the City’s dialogue on human rights for all Seattle residents."

Participation in the Commission requires a minimum time commitment of 10-15 hours per month. This includes attendance at monthly meetings held the first Thursday of each month in the evening, participation in committee work, meeting with city departments, lobbying the state legislature, and addressing human rights concerns.

The Commission also hears and adjudicates appeals of discrimination cases from the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. Commissioners are appointed to two-year terms and all appointments are subject to confirmation by the Seattle City Council. Commissioners must reside within the City of Seattle. The Commission is particularly interested in applicants with backgrounds in human rights, education, law, public policy, and advocacy. Commissioners serve without compensation.

To be considered, send a letter of interest and resume to felicia.yearwood@seattle.gov by May 31, 2012.

Or mail to: Felicia Yearwood
Seattle Human Rights Commission
810 Third Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104-1627

The City is committed to promoting diversity in its commissions. Women, people with disabilities, youth, sexual minorities, and people of color are encouraged to apply.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell's message to students:
Don't text and drive

Seattle – In an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving, Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Seattle City Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, met with students at Garfield High School this morning to discuss the issue.

The Peer Awareness Foundation and AT&T made available a driving simulator on campus to demonstrate how dangerous it is to text and drive. Students had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a real car and experience the dangerous impact of texting while driving through a pair of virtual reality goggles.

"Driving and texting is against the law. Fatalities related to distracted driving are among the highest for people under the age of 20," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. "Do not risk your life and the lives of others by thumbing lol, cul8r, ttyl, idk, gtg; no text message is worth the risk. Education is the answer for this national epidemic and we will work with teen drivers, families, and schools to stop this."

This educational program is part of AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign, a national effort to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving.

Below are some startling facts about texting and driving:

• Slower reaction time when required to brake:
• Unimpaired: .54 seconds to brake
• Legally drunk: add 4 feet
• Reading email: add 36 feet
• Sending a text: add 70 feet
• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field completely blind.
• Those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash.
• Some studies indicate that texting while driving is twenty times more dangerous than drinking and driving.
• One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day, or 3000 texts a month.
• One in three texting teens ages 16-17, say they have texted while driving.
• 48% of all teens ages 12-17 say they have been in a car when the driver was texting.

For more information, click here.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Nick Licata

Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata's response to draft plan
to support stable housing for the homeless

Seattle – City Councilmember Nick Licata, Chair of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture committee, released the following statement in response to the draft Communities Supporting Safe and Stable Housing Investment Plan

"I appreciate Director Dannette Smith's work in developing a draft Communities Supporting Safe and Stable Housing Investment Plan," stated Councilmember Nick Licata. "I'm happy that she continues to put to use the expertise and collective experience of our community partners in finalizing a plan that reaffirms Seattle's commitment to people who are homeless or may become homeless.

"As committee chair I look forward to working with Director Smith and housing advocates to help the people and families whose lives have been changed by homelessness."

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Tim Burgess

EVENT DATES
May 14, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
May 21, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Seattle City Council to host conversations on community priorities for the City budget
Let your voice be heard at one of the remaining Mondays in May

SEATTLE – Join the Seattle City Council for community conversations about the City budget and community priorities. Participants will engage City Councilmembers and neighbors in conversation centered on five thought-provoking questions about the future of our City.

Let your voice be heard at one of the following dates and locations:

Central Seattle
Monday, May 14, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway, Broadway Edison Building, Room BE1110

South Seattle
Monday, May 21, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Ave South

Three Mondays in May features the World Café format and are a chance to meet and engage your elected officials and neighbors in conversation, a place to learn about the basics of the City budget and choices faced by City policymakers and an opportunity to participate in the civic life of your home community.

These conversations are not a formal public hearing and do not require extensive knowledge of City politics, policy or history. The Council will hold public hearings on the 2013 City budget and Capital Improvement Program in the fall where members of the community will be invited to advocate for specific programs and services.

A flier that can be distributed with more information is available here. Discover other ways to let your voice be heard at City Hall at www.seattle.gov/council/budget.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Tim Burgess

Seattle City Council to host conversations on community priorities for the City budget
Let your voice be heard at one of three Mondays in May

SEATTLE – Join the Seattle City Council for one of three conversations in May about the City budget and community priorities. Participants will engage City Councilmembers and neighbors in conversation centered on five thought-provoking questions about the future of our city.

Let your voice be heard at one of the following dates and locations:

North Seattle
Monday, May 7, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way North, College Center, New location: Cafeteria

Central Seattle
Monday, May 14, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway, Broadway Edison Building, Room BE1110

South Seattle
Monday, May 21, 2012, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Ave South

Three Mondays in May feature the World Café format and are a chance to meet and engage your elected officials and neighbors in conversation, a place to learn about the basics of the City budget and choices faced by City policymakers and an opportunity to participate in the civic life of your home community.

These conversations are not a formal public hearing and do not require extensive knowledge of City politics, policy or history. The Council will hold public hearings on the 2013 City budget and Capital Improvement Program in the fall where members of the community will be invited to advocate for specific programs and services.

A flier that can be distributed with more information is available here. Discover other ways to let your voice be heard at City Hall at www.seattle.gov/council/budget.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Queue up your questions for the Seattle City Council
Councilmembers Burgess, Licata and O'Brien to appear on
May's City Inside/Out: Council Edition

SEATTLE – Take a moment to ask your questions of City Councilmembers. What should be the top priority for Seattle Public Schools new superintendent? What's the City doing to prepare for the upcoming plastic bag ban? How can residents get involved in this year's budget process? Whatever your questions, submit them now.

The May 8 episode of Seattle Channel's City Inside/Out: Council Edition will feature Councilmembers Tim Burgess, Nick Licata and Mike O'Brien answering your questions with host Brian Callanan.

Submit your questions for the Councilmembers by noon, Friday, May 4.

• Email: contact@seattlechannel.org
• Online: http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition/
• Twitter: @SeattleChannel
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SeattleChannel

Don't miss this opportunity to put your issues before the City's lawmakers. Send in your questions now and tune in to Seattle Channel, Cable 21, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday,
May 8 to hear the Councilmembers respond.

Follow SEATTLE CHANNEL on Facebook and Twitter!

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Jean Godden

Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden
takes up Utility Discount Program for low income and elderly
More change is needed to ensure access

Seattle – At the urging of Councilmember Jean Godden, the Libraries, Utilities and Center Committee today sent a letter calling for two changes to the Utility Discount Program (UDP).  These changes would immediately benefit low-income families and seniors who need assistance.

The letter, addressed to Ray Hoffman, Director of Seattle Public Utilities, and Dannette Smith, Director of the Human Services Department, calls for:

1. Changing the re-enrollment schedule for low-income seniors from once every 18 months to once every 3 years; and,
2. Making low-income discount rates retroactive to the date a certified application is received

"People who are fully qualified shouldn’t have to wait months for assistance," stated Godden. "Discounts should be retroactive to the date when a qualified customer submits the complete UDP application.

"Unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic delay seems like a high price for those in need to have to bear. Seattle can do better and should."

For more information please visit Councilmember Godden’s review of the program here. You can also visit the Utility Discount Program site.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Seattle City Council Committee to discuss drones in
Seattle and the issues they present

Seattle – Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, has called for a special briefing from the Seattle Police Department on the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAS/UAV), commonly known as Drones.

WHAT: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee and Seattle Police Department will discuss 1) implication of recent federal law, 2) Urban Areas Security Initiative grant funding history, 3) training, 4) UAS/UAV specifications, 5) SPD policy and the Seattle Police Intelligence Ordinance as it relates to privacy issues and video retention, and 6) maintenance and staffing.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Council Chambers, second floor
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO:Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh, Seattle Police Department
Officer Reuben Omelanchuk, Seattle Police Department
Jennifer Shaw, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Council President Sally J. Clark

Seattle City Council President at West Seattle Elementary to promote financial awareness for young people

SEATTLE – Join Seattle City Council President Sally J. Clark and Jump$tart Washington Coalition to promote financial education during Money Smart Week®.

President Clark will read "Rock, Brock and the Savings Shock," written by former FDIC Chair Sheila Blair, and lead a student discussion, with a group photo of the students.*

In addition to educating young consumers about money management and generating awareness of financial education available on a wide range of topics, elementary students will receive financial education lessons during the Third Annual Financial Literacy Reading Days.

WHAT:
Money Smart Week with Jump$tart Washington Coalition

WHO:
Council President Sally J. Clark
Jump$tart Washington Coalition

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
West Seattle Elementary
6760 34th Avenue Southwest  
Seattle 98126

*NOTE: Members of the media, please remember to contact the school regarding sending reporters/photographers/camera staff on campus grounds and photo permissions PRIOR to the event.

ABOUT: Money Smart Week® began 11 years ago as a coordinated effort of more than 40 Chicago-area organizations working together to promote personal financial literacy. Today, more than 30 states host Money Smart Week® events. Washington was the first West Coast state to participate, with its first Money Smart Week® in 2010.

For more information about events slated for Money Smart Week® Washington contact Jump$tart Washington Coalition President Amy O’Donnell at aodonnell@wscpa.org or 425-586-1140.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Seattle Channel receives record 21 Emmy nominations

SEATTLE - Mayor Mike McGinn today announced the Seattle Channel received 21 Emmy nominations from the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Art & Sciences (NATAS), a record number of nominations for the popular city-operated TV station.

The Seattle Channel's nominations include Station Excellence with the channel competing against Seattle's largest commercial stations, KING, KOMO, KIRO as well as two of Portland's commercial stations, KATU and KGW and Idaho Public Television.

"These nominations underscore the Seattle Channel's commitment to helping our city's residents connect with their local government and their community." said McGinn. "I congratulate the station on its work."

Nominations in the 49th annual Northwest Emmy's highlight the quality of several Seattle Channel series, including the public affairs program City Inside/Out with Brian Callanan, the documentary series Community Stories, the weekly arts show Art Zone with Nancy Guppy and several segments from the weekly magazine show CityStream. Also nominated are host Nancy Guppy and editor Peggy Lycett for Art Zone with Nancy Guppy and the channel's Seattle Speaks: Seattle Public Schools, a live, televised, interactive discussion in February 2011.

"Over 60 percent of Seattleites have seen the Seattle Channel and its coverage of local activities and great community stories," said City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. "The channel also upholds the city's commitment to open government by video archiving and streaming all Council meetings. This achievement is a reflection of the incredible staff at Seattle Channel who work hard every day to serve the residents of Seattle and provide inclusive programming that reflects the diversity of our neighborhoods,"

In 2010 and 2011, Seattle Channel received four Emmy's. In 2010, the station was named the best government TV station in the United States by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. The Northwest regional Emmy awards will be announced June 2. The NATAS region includes five states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Here is a listing of Seattle Channel's 21 Emmy nominations:

Station Excellence

Station Excellence - Seattle Channel • Seattle Channel • John Giamberso, General Manager

Arts/Entertainment - Feature/Segment

Rachel Flotard • Seattle Channel • Matt McNaghten, Producer/DP/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011191

Alternative Comics • Seattle Channel • Ralph Bevins, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3071109

Angela Sterling • Seattle Channel • Ralph Bevins, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011180

David Chatt • Seattle Channel • Valerie Vozza, DP/Editor • Kathy Tuohey, Producer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011188

Arts/Entertainment - Program Special

Art Zone with Nancy Guppy Series • Seattle Channel • Nancy Guppy, Executive Producer/Host • Sheila Mullen, Producer • Peggy Lycett, Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/

Historic/Cultural - Program/Special

Community Stories • Seattle Channel • Shannon Gee, Senior Producer • John Giamberso, Executive Producer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/CommunityStories/

Informational/Instructional - Feature/Segment

Robotics Club - CityStream • Seattle Channel • Vincent Pierce, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4071106

Bike Cops - CityStream • Seattle Channel • Cameron Wong, Producer • Ian Devier, Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3071121

O2 - CityStream • Seattle Channel • Vincent Pierce, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4051104

Sports - Feature/Segment

New Year's Challenge • Seattle Channel • Ian Devier, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4071039

Interactivity

Seattle Speaks: Seattle Public Schools • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Producer • Megan Erb, Producer • C R Douglas, Host/Producer • Roxeanne Vainuku, Online Correspondent • Matt Peterson, Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3381101

Public/Current/Community Affairs - Feature/Segment

Vision Loss Connections • Seattle Channel • Shannon Gee, Producer/Photographer/Editor • Ian Devier, Photographer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4071207

Public/Current/Community Affairs - Program/Special

City Inside/Out: Seattle Veterans Court • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Senior Producer • Brian Callanan, Host/Producer • Matt Peterson, Photographer/ Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061133

Community Stories - Goalball • Seattle Channel • Shannon Gee, Producer/Director/Photographer • Ian Devier, Photographer • Jill Freidberg, Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3171007

Politics/Government - Program/Special

City Inside/Out: Homeless but Hopeful • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Senior Producer • Brian Callanan, Host/Producer • Matt Peterson, Photographer/ Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061136

Interview/Discussion - Program/Special

City Inside/Out: Teen Sex Trafficking • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Senior Producer • C R Douglas, Host/Producer • Matt Peterson, Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061113

Documentary - Cultural

Community Stories - Dr. Ruby • Seattle Channel • Peggy Lycett, Producer/Photographer/Editor • Alesia Massingale, Producer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3171105

Documentary - Topical

Community Stories - Healing a Soldier's Heart • Seattle Channel • Lisa Hardmeyer, Producer/Director • Ian Devier, Editor/Co-Photographer • Virginia Bogert, Writer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3171005

Program Host/Moderator

Nancy Guppy • Seattle Channel, Art Zone with Nancy Guppy
http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/

Editor - Program

Art Zone with Nancy Guppy • Peggy Lycett • Seattle Channel
http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/

Seattle Channel presents programs on cable television (channel 21 on Comcast and Wave) and via the Internet to help citizens connect with their city. Programming includes series and special features highlighting the diverse civic and cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest's premier city. Seattle Channel's website (www.seattlechannel.org) offers streaming video worldwide and includes an archive featuring video on demand of all programs. The station is a Government Access Channel granted to the city of Seattle per federal law for the purpose of cablecasting government television programs. It is administered by the Seattle Channel unit of the city of Seattle's Department of Information Technology.

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Office of the Mayor