Several weeks ago an oil train derailed in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood. The derailment happened under the Magnolia bridge and alongside a bike path. The outcome truly could have been a disaster but the incident occurred without injury or destruction of property. For years I have been expressing concern about the risks to neighborhoods that are […]
Category: Past Councilmembers
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Statement on Parks Proposition 1 from Councilmembers Bagshaw, Godden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/7/2014
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Statement on Parks Proposition 1 from Councilmembers Bagshaw, Godden
SEATTLE - Seattle City Councilmembers Jean Godden and Sally Bagshaw released the following joint statement in response to this afternoon’s vote count on the proposed Seattle Park District, in which 'yes' votes lead 53.17% to 46.83%:
"Although the results are not final, they are promising, and we are confident in the success of this measure. Seattleites agree that our parks deserve a stable, long-term funding source. With voters' approval, we can begin catching up on maintenance, restoring community center hours and ensuring equal access to parks throughout the city. Most importantly, this proposal is a sustainable way to address the ever-changing needs of Seattle parks. This is our legacy."
Proposition 1, which all nine Councilmembers support, would create a Metropolitan Parks District run by City Council and overseen by a broad-based citizens advisory committee.
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Women in Business: Spinnaker Bay Brewery
When you think of a brewmaster, you probably envision a rotund Germanic fellow with a Walrus mustache. But not at Spinnaker Bay Brewery, a thriving new enterprise in Hillman City. The lively brew pub is 100 percent woman-owned and operated, arguably the only completely woman-owned brewery in the state.
Elissa Pryor and Janet Spindler
I sat down last week with the owners, the brewer Janet Spindler, and the accountant, Elissa Pryor. Elissa explained the division of labor: “Janet makes really good beer and I cook the books.” The partners both are sailors and they derive the names of their distinctive brews from nautical terms. (The list might include Fraid Knot™, High Heel™, Don’t Panic Porter™ and … Continue Reading »
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First Annual Report on Rental Housing Inspection Program
The program is intended to identify substandard housing and ensure that all rental housing in Seattle is safe and meets basic housing maintenance requirements.
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Council Calls for End to Blood Donation Ban for Gay and Bisexual Men
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/6/2014
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council Calls for End to Blood Donation Ban for Gay and Bisexual Men
SEATTLE - City Council sent a letter to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday requesting an end to the lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men. The Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle Mayor Edward Murray and the American Medical Association have each made similar requests.
An excerpt from the letter reads, "Denying gay and bisexual men the opportunity to donate blood based on their sexual orientation is an outdated and discriminatory practice. We've advanced in our medical knowledge of HIV transmission and know transmission depends on behavioral risk factors. Donor screening for gay and bisexual men should be the same as for all other people and be based on a risk assessment of behaviors, rather than on sexual orientation."
"Sexual orientation shouldn't dictate whether someone is able to help save a life," said Councilmember Sally J. Clark. "Any other person would be screened based on a risk assessment of their behavior. We're only asking that gay and bisexual men also have that opportunity."
"The current ban should be repealed," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. "It undermines the understanding of HIV risks and reinforces stereotypes and fear."
"On behalf of the City of Seattle LGBTQ employees for Equality, SEqual, we are encouraged by the action of the City Council to raise awareness of the FDA's discriminatory policy excluding gay men and women that have sexual contact with bisexual men from giving blood. For nearly 30 years our gay city employees have been unable to donate blood at City co-sponsored blood drives because of this federal policy. It is long overdue that the FDA enacts a policy based on science and risk factors, not fear and ignorance. Thank you, Seattle City Council, for recognizing this inequity," said Aretha Alexander and Travis Taylor, Co-chairs of SEqual.
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Supporting Digital Equity
The City has awarded 23 organizations a total of $320,000 in Technology Matching Funds.
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Night Out Against Crime
Tomorrow night is the annual Night Out Against Crime, where block parties around the city bring neighbors together and strengthen community efforts to prevent crime. The police department reports that more than 1,400 neighborhood groups organized for Night Out last...
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Women in the Workplace: North East Seattle Together (NEST)
There’s a retired chef in Northeast Seattle who, not so long ago, gave up driving. But he still manages to get to the grocery store once a week. And he has help with some of his other chores and needs, thanks to a new organization, a nonprofit that enlists seniors, recruits volunteers and has created a “virtual village.”
NEST members gather for a summer cookout
I first heard about the village idea from Debbie Anderson, a former director of senior programs at Overlake Hospital. Anderson is president of the board of directors of NEST, an acronym for North East Seattle Together. She shared her vision with me two years ago.
What we need, … Continue Reading »
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Are You Out to Lunch?
Summer weather should be enjoyed. Here's one way to do so, especially if you work in downtown Seattle.
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A Good and Honorable Man
The passing of former Mayor Paul Schell this past weekend came as quite a shock because he was such an active, engaged and passionate leader. Above all, I knew Mayor Schell to be a good and honorable man. He was...