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SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: Tukwila School District update, pgs. 4-5
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Chamber CEO has backs of businesses EDITOR@ TUKWILAREPORTER.COM
Carol Kolson, a banker with nearly 30 years in the banking industry and ac-
coffeewith tive in the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, is the chamber’s new president and CEO.
Kolson started her job April 8. She was picked from a pool of 40 applicants after a three-month search. Kolson replaces Lynn Wallace, who was hired by the Renton Chamber of Com-
Carol Kolson is the new CEO and president of the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce. Dean A. Radford, Tukwila Reporter
merce as its new president and CEO. Kolson said her strength is a “deep knowledge” of the business community and “understanding of what small business owners need and are looking for to grow their business.” Kolson worked for HomeStreet Bank for 13 of the 28 years she has been in banking. She was the bank’s business development director and her territory was the communities that make up the chamber – Tukwila, Des Moines, SeaTac and Burien. Her previous and current
jobs are “really very similar and that’s building good long-term relationships with business owners,” she said. Kolson has been a member of numerous chambers, but she has never served as a chamber CEO or staff member. In essence Kolson will advocate for her chamber members on local and state issues and beyond and make sure they have the knowledge they need to succeed through expanded and focused training. “We are looking to provide valuable information
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and tools to business owners here,” she said The chamber is looking to hire an employee who will sell chamber memberships. Right now, the chamber has about 350 members and one of Kolson’s goals is to increase that number. She’s well-known already in the region, pointing out that when she walks into a meeting no introductions are necessary because she’s already developed working partnerships with the community and businesses, she said. Kolson has served on the Southwest King County Chamber Board of Directors in the chair position, Golf Tournament chair, Funding and Events Committee and the Ambassador Committee. She says she takes an active role on whatever committee she serves. “I give 101 percent of myself,” she said. She’s active in the community and has won awards for her volunteer service. Kolson is a member of the Tukwila Historical Society and has chaired events for DAWN and Habitat for Humanity. She has taught financial literacy classes for several non-profits in South King County. She won the DAWN 2012 Hero Award, Southwest King County Chamber 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award and the Seattle Rotary 2007 Service Above Self Award. She helped organize the chamber’s silent auction to mark the chamber’s 20th anniversary and planning is already under way to mark the chamber’s 25th anniversary next year, she said. Kolson has worked in Marysville, Camano Island, Everett and Bellevue as a banker. She was born and raised in Johnstown, Pa., and has lived in the Seattle area since 1981.
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Nancy Coogan new school chief into a position within the Seattle Public Schools that allowed her to reach a diverse population of more than 10,000 students. The Tukwila School District has about 3,000 students and is one of the most diverse in the nation. She also worked closely with the Seattle School Board to develop a five-year strategic plan, made headway in special education compliance, and serves as a member of Seattle University’s Youth Advisory Board and the Professional Education Advisory Boards of Seattle Pacific University and City University. In a statement posted on the Tukwila School District website, Coogan, current executive director of schools for the central region of Seattle Public Schools, shares her
BY MICHELLE CONERLY M C O N E R LY @ K E N T R E P O R T E R . C O M
The Tukwila School Board thought Nancy Coogan’s energy and experience were an attractive combination, leading to its decision to choose her as the new school district superintendent. Mark Wahlstrom, school board president, noted Coogan’s many years in an administrator position within Seattle Public Schools as a “key” factor to choosing her – that and her commitment to children. “When we’re making decisions, we’re making decisions for kids,” Wahlstrom said. “(And) that’s her reputation. She’s definitely done some good work (and) is wellrespected.” Coogan’s background as a teacher and principal culminated
School officials on leave Two experienced administrators have been named as interim replacements for two key administrators in the Tukwila School District who were placed on paid administrative leave. Nina Melencio, former director of human resources, was placed on paid administrative leave on Feb. 26. She was replaced by Carole Burger. Linda Sebring, former director of finance and operations for the district, was placed on paid leave on March 5. Sebring was replaced by Ron Ellis, who’s done similar finance work for the Renton, Bellevue, Federal Way, and Snoqualmie Valley school districts for more than 30 years. He will fill the position until July. Mike Patterson, the school district’s attorney, said talks are under way about whether Melencio and Sebring will return. The final decision will be left up to the superintendent and the school board. A reason for placing the two administrators on leave was not given in the letters informing them of the decision. The letters state: “Placement on leave is not and should not be construed as disciplinary in any fashion.”
latest date on which the board will call a special meeting to vote on the contract will be April 23. Wahlstrom said one of the first steps the school board and Coogan will take once she’s fully assumed the position of superintendent will be to draft a transition plan, understand the leadership styles of both school board members and other administrators and come to an agreement on various protocols. “Whenever you get a new team member, especially someone controlling the schools, it’s nice to have communication in place,” Wahlstrom said. Wahlstrom also hopes that the appointed interim superintendent, Mellody Matthes, stays with the district in some capacity, praising
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her for the effort she and the current administration have put into the district over the last year. “I am appreciative of the work of the admin team this year under Dr. Mellody Matthes,” Wahlstrom wrote in an email. “They have worked extremely hard to restore confidence and open communication channels with the staff and community during this transition year. Dr. Matthes has honored herself and the district with her courage and honesty as she has worked to focus attention on the kids of the district and their needs. It has not always been an easy job. There are a lot of challenging issues that we have faced.” The district began looking for a new superintendent in December after former superintendent Ethelda Burke resigned last June following an investigation into complaints filed by nine district employees on the basis on racial discrimination.
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excitement about being chosen as the next superintendent. “With great enthusiasm and complete dedication, I’m honored to accept the board’s offer to join you July 1 as superintendent of the Tukwila School District,” Coogan said. “I will work tirelessly with staff to serve Tukwila students and families. This is a humbling appointment, and I want to assure you that my commitment to work on your behalf is unwavering. I look forward to meeting and working with each of you.” Coogan declined an interview with the Tukwila Reporter until her contract is officially signed. According to Wahlstrom, the school board hadn’t “exchanged any formal language on the contract” last week, but believes the
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newCEO
The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce has a new leader for this chamber for Tukwila, Des Moines, SeaTac and Burien
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landbuy
The City of Tukwila wants to fight crime on Tukwila International Boulevard and may buy motels and shops in its battle
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poolopening
The community will mark the opening of the refurbished Tukwila Pool with a big celebration on Saturday
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coverstory
Cooking with kids can be a lot of fun and they learn so much in the process, from buying ingredients, to preparing them and finally how to clean up
13 Tukwila’sstory tukwila reporter Pioneer Joseph Foster was the key figure in the early development of Tukwila
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school connection Tukwila School District #406
APRIL 2013
Cascade View receives Tukwila was THERE! 2012 Washington Achievement Award in Math! WE Day Seattle 2013!
Students from Foster High School and Showalter Middle School were a part of history yesterday. March 27th 2013 the first WE Day in the United States was here in Seattle WA. WE Day Seattle in the Key Arena was packed with 15,000 students across the state of Washington who were honored, empowered, and praised for volunteerism and fundraising in their communities for a cause they are passionate about. This once in a lifetime opportunity gave our students not only the courage to stand up against injustice, inequalities, homelessness, abuse, bullying, and apathy but also to encourage each other and believe in themselves. With guests like Martin Luther King III, Jennifer Hudson, Pete Carroll and Seahawks, Governor Jay Inslee, Martin Sheen, Mia Farrow, Spencer West, and so many more encouraged our students to lead not only with words but by action was amazing! Do you want to know what was more amazing than that? The fact that our students walked away from this experience feeling EMPOWERED and INSPIRED, believing that THEY CAN make a dierence in this world locally and globally. Their minds were twirling ideas and they chatted about what campaigns they WILL DO to take the steps to show us that THEY WILL take action against hunger, homelessness, and bullying on the bus back to the district. If you would like to see more about our WE Day experience please go to: WE Day | Q 13 Fox News, King5 News WE Day Seattle, Free the Children WE Day Seattle, Seattle Seahawks WE Day, WE Day Sponsor Amway, WE Day Seattle Times. If you missed out on the WE Day Event and the live webcast, you wonĘźt want to miss the inspirational “Road to We Dayâ€? video featuring clips from We Day Seattle. It airs on Joe TV (channel 22/25) on Friday April 12 at 8 p.m. Pacific, and again on Fox Q13 on Sunday, April 14, at 5 p.m. Pacific.
THANK YOU FREE THE CHILDREN for WE Day Seattle!
school connection is presented by the Tukwila School District
Tukwila School District #406 www.tukwila.wednet.edu 206.901.8000 4640 South 144th Street Tukwila, Washington 98168
Awards have been combined with the awards and accountability criteria in the ESEA FlexJCJMJUZ 8BJWFS 5IF i)JHI 1SPHSFTTu DBUFHPSZ replaces the “Improvement� category from previous years. State Superintendent Dorn praised this new collaboration. “Schools and communities expect state and federal governments to work together on accountability,� he said. “We’re grateful that the Flexibility Waiver has given us a chance to align our accountability efforts with the federal government’s expectations. This will streamline both systems over Washington Achievement Award is based on time and provide a better picture of how our test scores of many student groups, graduaschools are doing.� tion rates and closing gaps The award-winning schools will be honored OLYMPIA — April 2, 2013 — A total of 381 during an award ceremony on April 30 at schools are receiving Washington Achieve,FOUXPPE )JHI 4DIPPM JO $PWJOHUPO JUTFMG BO ment Awards for 2012. Award-winning award winner for “Math� and “Closing Achieveschools were notified today via email by State NFOU (BQT u Superintendent Randy Dorn and State Board of About the awards Education Chair Jeff Vincent. Washington’s School Achievement Index The Washington Achievement Awards, now rates all schools according to specific outin their fourth year, are sponsored by the comes and indicators from 2010 to 2012. Office of Superintendent of Public InstrucThe five outcomes are student performance tion and the State Board of Education. Award in statewide assessments in reading, writing, winners are selected using the state’s Achievemath and science tests, as well as the school’s ment Index and the Elementary and Secondary extended graduation rate, which includes Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility Waiver. those students who took longer than four “We’re thrilled that the Achievement Awards years to graduate. have come to mean so much to schools and Those outcomes are each measured using districts across the state,� Vincent said. “It’s four indicators: important to us at the state level to ensure 1. achievement of students who are not that our work benefits everyone, and the from low-income families; award and index do exactly that.� 2. achievement of students who are from Schools are being recognized for being top low-income families; performers in seven categories: 3. achievement of a school when compared r 0WFSBMM &YDFMMFODF to “peers� (schools with similar student charr -BOHVBHF "SUT acteristics, such as the percentage of students r .BUI who have a disability, are learning English, are r 4DJFODF designated as gifted, come from low-income r &YUFOEFE (SBEVBUJPO 3BUF POMZ BXBSEFE families, and are mobile); and to high and comprehensive schools) 4. improvement in the achievement of all r $MPTJOH "DIJFWFNFOU (BQT students combined from the previous year. r )JHI 1SPHSFTT 5JUMF * FMJHJCMF PS The average of the resulting 20 measures participating schools only) comprises the overall index. This year the Washington Achievement
Congratulations to Cascade View Elementary School students and staff for their accomplishment in receiving the “Overall Excellence in Math� 2012 Washington Achievement Award. Please see the full article from the Office of Student and Public Instruction below. The full list of honored schools can be found at the OSPI website.
381 Schools Win State’s Highest Honor
Board of Directors: Mark Wahlstrom, President, 206.243.9855 Steve Mullet, Vice-President, 206.244.7553 Mary Fertakis, 206.767.6053 Dave Larson, 206.244.2313 Alicia Waterton, 206.248.4302 Interim Superintendent: Dr. Mellody Matthes, 206.901.8006
www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » APRIL 2013 ›
Tukwila School District #406
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APRIL 2013
Foster High School’s “FIELD OF DREAMS” Five years ago, three young ladies, Veronica, Michelle and Merilee were asked as 8th Graders to play summer fast pitch softball with the Foster team. At that time these incredible girls called “Ronnie” and “The M&M’s” were promised that someday they would be able to play on a field located at Foster High School so they could share their experience with other students and improve the participation in fast pitch softball. JD Hill, Foster AD asked Coach Rex Cox to take over the team as Head Coach and they quickly had to adjust the girls to playing at a field off campus. They had to catch rides right after school to Tukwila Community Center for practice and games. This left them no time for after school activities with peers, study hall or other school social clubs. They quickly learned that their desire to play fast pitch for Foster required a lot of self-sacrifice and dedication. Coach Cox made several attempts to bring the Foster fast pitch team back to the Foster campus but due to the economic down turn finding additional resources were a challenge Coach Briggs came aboard and continued to have conversations with team captains for four years, up to today with our current captains, those three young ladies mentioned. A decision to approach the School Board one more time before they graduated was made and the School Board and Interim Superintendent asked us to put a proposal forward for consideration. With the help of several administrators, faculty, the AD and parents we had several meetings and submitted a proposal that was accepted and the “Field of Dreams” became reality. Out Senior Captains attended the meetings and once again the excitement of bringing Foster fast pitch back to the campus is in the air. Contractors are working as hard as they can to get the field ready for play prior to end of this season so we can cut the ribbon and hear the words, “Ladies....lets play ball” ring out and eco off the Foster High School buildings and a loud cheer from the students and faculty of Foster High School welcoming “Ronnie” and the “M&M’s” back to their own home field.
Congratulations to Thorndyke Elementary School’s “Reading Rebels” The Global Reading Challenge is a reading competition for 4th and 5th graders run by King County Library Systems (KCLS). KCLS selects 10 books for participating students to read. Students are then tested on their knowledge of the books by competing against each other in teams. There are four competitions: school-wide, district wide, regionals, and the Grand Challenge. We are very proud of how well Thorndyke Elementary School’s “Reading Rebels” did in this year’s competition. The Thorndyke team won the school, district, and regional challenge, earning the right to compete in the countywide Grand Challenge. The Grand Challenge was between the top 4 teams from 56 schools in 10 school districts; over 2,000 students participated in all. Although the “Reading Rebels” did not win the Grand Challenge, they deserve a lot of recognition for being in the top 4 in King County! Their feat is especially impressive because, as one librarian noted at the competition, nearly all of the “Reading Rebels” are English Language Learners, very different from the make-up of the other top teams. The Reading Rebels are: Shukri D., Ryan M., Eleanna., Hibaq O., Samantha S., Furtuna T., and Lucy T.. We are also very proud of the team’s coaches, Librarian Mary Djaboury and 2nd grade teacher Lauren McClelland. This year was their first year coaching, and they are really looking forward to next year’s competition! Go “Reading Rebels!”
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City may fight crime by buying properties search options to sell or use the land, and return to the council for direction. The council included $400,000 per year for a crime reduction project in the 2013-14 budget. Speck said that fund could be used to acquire as much as a $5 million bond to be used for buying the properties. “If the cost is over $5 million, we’ll have to find extra money,” Speck said. “We have not done that yet. We also could sell the property.” The proposed land purchases are separate from the Tukwila Village project. But a couple of the properties are adjacent to where the city has an agreement with
BY STEVE HUNTER SHUNTER@TUKWILAREPORTER. COM
The city of Tukwila proposes to devour crime rather than just taking a bite out of it. Mayor Jim Haggerton and city staff have recommended that the City Council approve a proposal to buy seven commercial properties along Tukwila International Boulevard, demolish the crimeinfested motels and find other uses for the land. The properties include the Boulevard, Great Bear, Knight’s Inn, Jet Inn and Spruce motels as well as the Cash America Pawn Shop and the Sam Smoke Shop. The motels and shops stretch along the boulevard from South 141st Street to South 146th Street. “We’re done and fed up with the crime,” said Derek Speck, city economic development admin-
“It’s a very specialized action. It can be a very sensitive issue.” Derek Speck, Tukwila’s economic development administrator
istrator during a phone interview. “The properties need to get cleaned up.” City crime-trend reports over the last five years rank the properties as among the highest in Tukwila for felonies and misdemeanors. The area also ranks high over the last year in the number of calls for police service. There’s been crime problems since the area annexed more than 20 years ago, Speck said. The council will consider the proposed ordinance to give the city authority to buy the properties through condemnation at its 7 p.m. Monday, April 22 Committee of the Whole meeting. The council is scheduled to discuss the issue, take public comment and then reconvene later the same night in a special meeting to vote on the ordinance. “It’s all in the name of crime reduction,” Haggerton said. “In our strategic plan we adopted in 2012 one of the highest priorities was to reduce crime with special emphasis on Tukwila International Boulevard.” The city adopted the urban re-
The City Council will consider a staff recommendation to purchase seven commerical properties along Tukwila International Boulevard and tearing down the motels because of high crime. Steve Hunter, Tukwila Reporter
newal area that includes the commercial properties in 2000 under a state law that allows municipalities to purchase, redevelop, and sell properties in blighted areas in order to revive those areas for public benefits. Community renewal law allows municipalities to use eminent domain to acquire the properties at fair market value to the property owners. “It’s a very specialized action,” Speck said about the use of eminent domain. “It can be a very sensitive issue.” Speck said city studies proved blight in the area in the late 1990s that led to the formation of the urban renewal area. “You have to find there is blight,” Speck said. “Once you do, you don’t have to go back and find blight. We have a plan now that we are implementing.” Speck has talked to three of the seven property owners. All of the owners received written notification about the city’s proposal to buy the land. “The three I talked to seemed positive about it and willing to sell at a fair price,” Speck said. “With eminent domain, you have to pay fair market value.” The seven properties could cost anywhere from $8 million to $13 million, Speck said. If the council approves the ordinance, staff will conduct appraisals for the cost of purchasing the properties, re-
“The timing is right. We’re about to break ground on Tukwila Village and the library is finalizing plans to expand.” Jim Haggerton, Tukwila mayor
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Potential Property Purchases 1 Great Bear 2 Boulevard 3 Spruce 4 Knights Inn 5 Jet Inn 6 Sam Smoke 7 Pawn shop
This aerial map shows the urban renewal area boundary and the seven properties the city proposes to buy along Tukwila International Boulevard. The city would demolish the business buildings in order to help get rid of the high crime along the highway. Courtesy, City of Tukwila
a developer to turn city-owned land into a mixed-use development that will include a new King County Library System library, apartments, a neighborhood police resource center, retail, restaurants, public meeting space and an outdoor plaza. “The timing is right,” Haggerton said. “We’re about to break ground on Tukwila Village and the library is finalizing plans to expand. We expect to have groundbreaking in a month or two. And I felt the timing is right with the crime statistics.” The city used its power of eminent domain to buy and demolish old single-family homes that were illegally converted to apartments on a portion of the proposed Tukwila Village. Tukwila’s urban renewal area is generally bounded by South 140th Street, 42nd Avenue South, South 146th Street, and 37th Avenue South. “Hopefully, before the end of 2013 we will see some real positive action up on Tukwila International Boulevard,” Haggerton said.
www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » APRIL 2013
viewpoint ›write staff regional publisher polly shepherd publisher ellen morrison
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tukwilacommentary
Tukwila schools ready to go forward These past few months have been difficult ones for the Tukwila School District. But the district is poised to move forward under new leadership with the selection of Seattle educator and school administrator Nancy Coogan, who has been chosen as the district’s new superintendent. As of this writing, the Tukwila School Board hadn’t yet voted on a contract for Coogan, which formalizes her hiring. Let’s hope there are no snags. One of the finalists for the job, Mellody Matthes, has served as interim Tukwila superintendent. For the past several months, she has written a column for the Tukwila Reporter about the district and what is required to educate Tukwila’s kids. It was important commentary and helped guide
the school community through confusing times. Coogan will find herself involved in some key staffing decisions soon. The district is searching for a repl acement for Forrest Griek, who is resigning effective June 30, as principal of Foster High He Dean Radford School. wants to spend more time with his family. Two front-office managers, the school district’s human-resources director and its finance director, have been placed on paid administrative leave. The action wasn’t disciplinary nor was a reason given, but it creates an opportunity
for Coogan to look at her frontoffice personnel. The school district was shaken early last year when several employees filed a federal racial-discrimination lawsuit against the district. Then-superintendent Ethelda Burke was at the heart of the complaint. She resigned last summer. A second lawsuit was filed earlier this year, maintaining that not enough has been done to resolve the issues raised in the first one. Clearly, district leadership still has work to do to ease racial tensions among employees in the district. Now, Coogan steps in, bringing with her an impressive resume of education leadership and classroom experience. She’ll be able to build upon efforts already started in the district to address the is-
sues raised in the two lawsuits. Coogan has steeped herself in improving student achievement in the Seattle School District, a district like Tukwila’s that has a diverse student population. She’s an advocate for children. So, now, the district will move forward with a new superintendent. The difficult times are by no means over. And it seems to me that Matthes still has a strong role to play; before she took the interim job, she was the district’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. She, too, is committed to student achievement. Let’s welcome Coogan to Tukwila and support her in whatever way our role allows us to do. Dean A. Radford is editor of the Tukwila Reporter. He can be reached at editor@tukwilareporter.com
publisher@tukwilareporter.com
editor dean radford editor@tukwilareporter.com
contributers steve hunter › reporter tracey compton › reporter michelle conerly › reporter circulation james kostoroski 253.872.6610
The Tukwila Reporter encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor (200 words or less) including your full name, address and phone number. HERE’S HOW To submit a letter to the editor, E-MAIL: submissions@ tukwilareporter.com FAX: 253.437.6016 MAIL: 19426 68th Ave S, Ste. A, Kent, WA 98032
City’s finances handled competently When times are tough, people offer a lot of ideas about what the city should or should not do. It’s a good time to look back at what the city administration and council did when it became clear that the Great Recession was going to hit Tukwila hard financially. State law requires a balanced budget. In the 2009/2010, the administration instituted a hiring freeze and a 3 percent budget cut in all departments. A wage freeze was initiated with all non-unionized department heads then expanded to all non-unionized employees. This affected about 44 employees. The City Council adopted a three-legged stool paradigm to address the revenue Chuck Parrish shortfall in the2011/2012 biennial budget. The three legs were program/service reductions, cost of compensation and increased revenues. It was known that there would be increased demand for service with annexations. The SCORE
jail facility had to be funded at $700,000. The Howard Hanson Dam problem reared its ugly head. So far it has amounted to $1.7 million in contractor costs, not including staff time. The city was looking for about $4 million in cuts to programs and services, $3 million in new revenues and $1 million cut in health care. The Neighborhood Resource Center was closed; Citizens Academy was dropped; educational outreach was reduced; the annual dump pass disappeared. Parks and Recreation was hit hard with approximately $500,000 in the first year and
another $500,000 in the second year with the anticipated closure of the pool. Parks and Recreation pre-school was dropped; hours reduced; time spent in park maintenance reduced; events were eliminated or revised. About 75 percent of general budget revenues goes to compensation. Twenty four full-time equivalents went unfilled, including seven layoffs. One 40hour employee or a couple of 20hour part time employees equal one FTE. The Police Department moved employees around from the traffic and major crimes divisions to reduce staff. The fire-
fighters gave up their contracted Cost of Living Adjustment for one year. This was a big help. There were decreased contributions to the self-insurance fund as calculated by the city health benefit consultant. The Revenue Generating Regulatory License (RGRL) tax, aka head tax, was implemented in 2011 bringing in an average of $1.7 million annually. The residents voted to reverse a decision by the city council to close card rooms. This saved about $1.7 million annually. Property taxes were increased by an average of one percent as allowed by state law. Various parks and recreation fees were increased. The cumulative effect was almost 6.5 percent reduction in cost of operations in 2011 and just a .32% increase in 2012. While there is always room for improvement, residents can feel confident that city finances arehandled competently. Tukwila Reporter columnist Chuck Parrish can be reached at editor@tukwilareporter.com.
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APRIL 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com
Raising money
Pool’s re-opening party Saturday Celebrate the grand re-opening of the Tukwila Pool with a ribbon cutting, tours and water demonstrations on Saturday, April 20. The ribbon cutting is at 10 a.m. followed by tours and water demonstrations. Water safety activities and open swims are scheduled from 1-5 p.m. as part of the nationwide April Pool’s Day event. Kelly McCormick-Robertson, a two-time Olympic diving medalist and friend of Malcolm Neely, Tukwila Pool aquatics coordinator, will participate in the ribboncutting ceremony. She won a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles and a bronze medal in the 1988 Summer Games in South Korea. She grew up in California but now lives in the Seattle area with her husband and is the diving coach for the Federal Way School District. Parking is limited at the pool lot, so overflow parking will be available at Showalter Middle School and the Tukwila Village site. The pool reopened last month after a $1.66 million renovation
Sena Lewis is one of dozens of kids learning to swim at Tukwila Pool. City of Tukwila, file photo
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paid for when voters approved in 2011 the formation of a Metropolitan Park District to fund the pool and the capital improvements through a property tax levy of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or about $36 per year for the owner of a $240,000 home. The improvements included a new pool liner and tile as well as new deck flooring around the pool. New fans, motors, dampers and controls improved the air handling systems and the humidity. The locker rooms feature new floor tile, lockers, toilets, sinks and showers. Tukwila took over ownership of the pool in 2003 from King County after county officials decided to get out of the pool business. The pool, 4414 S. 144th St., opened in 1973 funded by the 1968 Forward Thrust bond issue to expand county parks and recreation. For more information, go to www.tukwilapool.org. To register for April Pool’s Day activities, call 206-267-2350.
Sustain Tukwila Pool (STP) committee is hosting a “Walk the Plank” fundraiser for the Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District swimming scholarship fund during the Tukwila Pool grand re-opening on April 20. Attendees can buy tickets for $1 each and designate those tickets to go in a jar for preselected plank walkers who are most of the Metropolitan Park District commissioners and Mayor Jim Haggerton. The plank walker with the most tickets in their jar at 12 noon on April 20 will walk the plank – more commonly known as the diving board. To raise more money when the winner is announced, he or she can be saved if the total amount in their jar is matched, by anyone. Then the next person becomes plank walker. The goal is to raise $500 for lessons For more information contact sustaintukwilapool@ gmail.com or 206-495-1454.
Pajama Bowl on tap Mattress retailer Sleep Country will host its Pajama Bowl to raise money for foster kids on April 28. The event, which draws thousands of pajamawearing participants nationwide, will start at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m., at Acme Bowling and Billiards, 100 Andover Park W., Tukwila. It is a fund-raising event
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to generate money for “the little extras local foster kids often go without” organizers said in a press release. The company is making this year’s festivities a dualcity event and pajama-clad Portlanders will participate in a similar event in that city on April 21. Teams of four to five bowlers are asked to raise a minimum of $250 or $50
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per person. All of the funds raised will go to the retailer’s foster organization partners. The funds support activities for foster children like learning to play an instrument, participating in school sports or attending a summer camp. Previous Pajama Bowls have raised more than $615,000 for Northwest foster children. “We are thrilled by the growing success of this fun, family friendly event,” said Terry Horsley, vice president of brand strategy for Sleep Country. “Participants can give back to their community, knowing that 100 percent of the donations they collect directly impact a foster child’s life. This paired with the fun had at the event makes the Pajama Bowl something our communities look forward to each year.” Prizes will be awarded for bowling skills and the best family friendly pajamas. For more information and to register, visit www. pajamabowl.com.
www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » APRIL 2013
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tukwilarecreation Key to 5K is stretching, hydration, grit electrolyte replacement drink, meaning no sugar has been added, she said. An example is coconut water. After a run, the best bet to hydrate is a glass of water, she said, and eating whole foods – unprocessed, real food, she said. Trina Cook will drink water before the run this Saturday. She’ll stretch before and after the event to prepare and cool down her muscles. Since walking with her co-workers twice a week, Cook has noticed her endurance has improved. She plans to continue running even after the Couch to 5K program ends this week, on the trails or at the Foster High School track. “I don’t know if I can run the whole way, but I am going to do it,” she said of the race.
BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM
Trina Cook is brand new to running, but she’s gearing up for the Healthy Earth Healthy You 5K Run and Walk in Tukwila on Saturday, April 27. “I used to say that I couldn’t run to the mailbox without getting shin splints,” said Cook, 41, a police information analyst for the Tukwila Police Department. As of last week, about 60 people had signed up to walk or run or both in the 5K run and walk along the Green River Trail. Trina Cook Registration is continuing online and participants can sign up on the day of the race, too. Those who pre-register can pick up their race packets 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the REI store in Southcenter. REI is one of the run sponsors. Cook is a member of a group of City of Tukwila employees who are been “training” for the run/walk and even afterward in the city’s Couch to 5K wellness program. Stephanie Gardner, a parks and recreation analyst, has teamed up with Steve Batz, an athletics and general programs specialist for the city, to coordinate the program. Gardner has offered some commonsense advice for experienced runners and novices such as Cook about what to eat and drinking before and after a run or walk. “In a nutshell, every body is different;
“I used to say that I couldn’t run to the mailbox without getting shin splints.”
Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425255-3484, ext. 5050. Trina Cook has been preparing for the Healthy Earth Healthy You 5K Run and Walk for several weeks. She says she’s ready. Dean A. Radford, Tukwila Reporter
finding what works best for each body type will be key,” she says. For a longer run, to make a body feel good, the suggestion is carbohydrates two to six hours before a run and protein one to two hours after a run. The carbs boost energy and the protein helps repair muscles, she says. She suggest avoiding processed foods, saying “it is very easy to get caught up” in energy drinks, supplements and foods. “Water is great before and after a run,” she said, and avouch drinks with lots of sugar and caffeine. An electrolyte replacement may be beneficial, she said, depending upon the person and level of fitness. While running, the best way to keep hydrated is to drink water or a “healthy”
Still time to sign up The Healthy Earth Healthy You 5k Run and Walk is Saturday, April 27, on the Duwamish-Green River Trail. Registration is available online at active. com (search for Healthy EARTH) or at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. The cost is $20. There are additional fees for those who register online. Participants can sign up on event day, too. The run/walk begins at 8 a.m. at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd
Ave. S. The starting area is located just over the 42nd Avenue Street bridge. Free use of the Tukwila Community Center locker room and shower facilities is included in the race fee. After the event participants will have the chance to plant a tree or shrub at the Duwamish River restoration project near BECU in Tukwila. Sponsors of the run/walk are the City of Tukwila, BECU, REI, Forterra and NUUN.
10 ‚ APRIL 2013
www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Âť APRIL 2013
ÂŤ www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com
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TUKWILA CITY PAGES The city of opportunity
T he community of choice Preventing springtime burglary/thefts As our weather gets warmer, folks start leaving windows and doors open to let fresh air into the house. Unfortunately, along with the breeze this can also let thieves into your house. Here are a few ways to prevent unwanted guests: t -FBWF XJOEPXT PQFO POMZ about 1 inch, placing a strong stick in the track of the window to prevent it from being opened any further. This includes upper-story windows, since agile thieves have been known to enter through windows which were left open even high off the ground. t $POTJEFS JOWFTUJOH JO B TUSPOger, more secure screen door when it comes time to replace your traditional screen door. t .BLF TVSF UP DMPTF ZPVS DBS windows completely when you park your car, even in your own driveway. t %P OPU MFBWF ZPVS HBSBHF EPPS open unless you are working inside the garage or on the driveway. t *G ZPV BSF PVUEPPST XPSLJOH JO your yard, make sure you have a key in your pocket and keep all the entry doors locked.
The City of Tukwila adopted its first Strategic Plan in December 2012. The community-led planning process established a Vision for the future of Tukwila – the city of opportunity, the community of choice – and five aspirational goals: Goal 1: A community of inviting neighborhoods and vibrant business districts Goal 2: A solid foundation for all Tukwila residents Goal 3: A diverse and regionally competitive economy Goal 4: A high-performing and effective organization Goal 5: A positive community identity and image Each year City Council and staff will identify priorities and actions to bring the City closer to realizing the Strategic Plan’s Vision and Goals. For 2013, the City will focus on our selected six priorities. Crime Reduction along Tukwila International Boulevard [Supports Goal 1] The City is launching a coordinated effort across many City departments to reduce crime along Tukwila International Boulevard. The effort includes increasing police presence; breaking ground on the Tukwila Village project and facilitating other desired development; and improving the appearance of the area by increasing bus shelter cleaning, litter pickup and graffiti removal. An Improved Environment for Community Livability [Supports Goal 1] Tukwila is committed to improving its environment for residents, businesses and visitors. In 2013, the City will strengthen efforts to prevent undesirable activities, and plan safer walking routes along Tukwila International Boulevard. The City will also work to ensure that properties and activities meet established community standards. FREE HEALTH FAIR AND SCREENING Saturday, April 27 – 9:00am to 2:00pm in the Bartell Drugs parking lot 14277 Tukwila International Boulevard
Updated Plans and Policies Aligned with the Community’s Vision [Supports all Goals] Through the strategic planning process, the community gave clear direction for the City’s future. In 2013, the City will begin updating its plans and priorities to align them with the community’s vision. Throughout this process, the City will continue to engage community members to ensure it meets their needs and expectations. Improved Access to City Services and Decision-Making [Supports Goals 4 & 5] In 2013, the City will utilize new tools and approaches for engaging the community. This includes increasing the range of languages the City uses to reach out to the community, as well as creating more meaningful opportunities for community members to participate in the City’s decision-making. Council, Staff, and Partners Engaged in a Shared Commitment to the Community’s Vision [Supports Goals 2, 4, & 5] In this first-year implementation, the City is working to align staff and department goals to the Strategic Plan and make wise investments to supplement our staff’s skills. The results will be improved organizational performance that will benefit our residents and businesses alike. For more information about the City’s goals and priorities, please contact the Mayor’s office at Mayor@TukwilaWA.gov or call 206-433-1850.
Healthy snacks provided – Mid-day program Screenings provided: Glucose* ♌ Cholesterol* ♌ Blood pressure ♌ Body mass index Meet providers: Dental/medical ♌ Health insurance ♌ Social services ♌ Physical activity Health professionals will advise you of your risk of chronic diseases and refer services * For best results, do not eat or drink for 8-12 hours before screening based on your screening
City honors exceptional staff serving Tukwila’s citizens
Details in coming in May, sign-up begins in June.
Tukwila’s citizens are fortunate to have a team of City employees who share a common goal – providing the highest level of professionalism to the community they serve. Each year, every City department recognizes the outstanding performance of individual employees. Many staff members have 20+ years of service to the City, bringing a depth of knowledge and experience to their workgroups. Department employees nominate fellow workers who have demonstrated “above-and-beyond� performance during the previous year. Award winners are then selected by and recognized within their own departments.
2012 Tukwila Employee Award Recipients are recognized at April 1 City Council meeting Pictured (left to right): Mike Villa, Excellence in Action Award; Richard Takechi, Finance Dept.; Mayor Haggerton; Ana Le, Mayor’s Office; Jamie King, Mayor’s Award (also Parks and Recreation Dept.); Tami Eberle-Harris, Information Technology; Dana Almberg-Dideon, Outstanding Customer Service Award; Mary Hulvey, Community Service Award; Amy Shaffer, Municipal Court; Ben Hayman and Jeff Johnson, Fire Dept.; Bill Devlin, Police Dept.
In addition to departmental acknowledgement, awards are presented for meritorious achievement recognized as Excellence in Action, Community Service, and Outstanding Customer Service. These three awards are City-wide – all employees can nominate someone from any department. The recipient of a fourth award - the Mayor’s Award - is determined solely by the Mayor. The nominations are reviewed and recommendations made to City administration, which then presents the awards. On April 1 Councilmembers, City administration, fellow employees, families and friends had an opportunity to congratulate the recipients in a more formal venue at the City Council meeting.
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The grand reopening of the Tukwila Metropolitan Park District Pool on April 20 means it’s time for you and your family to take the plunge! Opening for volunteer on City’s Human Services Board Are you interested in making a meaningful contribution to your community? Would you like to learn about human service needs and resources in the Tukwila community, and better understand how the City selects which programs to fund for assisting people in need? Tukwila’s Office of Human Services is looking for a City resident to join the Human Services Advisory Board.
Strengthened Financial Fundamentals [Supports Goal 4] The City is a steward of public funds and the public’s trust. In 2013, the City will look at some key city expenses – including staff compensation, utilities and identified services – to find ways to be more efficient and provide more value to our citizens and business.
Call Tukwila’s Crime Prevention Program at 206-431-2197 for information about other ways to keep you and your family safe.
Save these dates for Tukwila’s Community Garage Sale August 17–18, 2013
$06/$*- .&.#&34
This year’s priorities are set to move toward City’s Vision
t *OWFTU JO B MPDL GPS ZPVS HBSEFO shed door; the items inside are tempting targets for thieves.
Does your spring cleaning already have you thinking “I need to have a garage sale�?
MAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Kathy Hougardy
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It takes many hands to keep Tukwila clean On Saturday March 30, twenty residents and employees of local businesses volunteered to take part in the monthly trash clean-up organized by the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee (TIBAC). Over 300 pounds of trash were collected that day, adding to the aggregate total of 40,000 pounds collected by the organization along Tukwila International Boulevard over the past seventeen years. As the weather finally begins to hint at spring, TIBAC is looking for more members of the residential or business community to join the volunteer clean-up activites. For more information about this group, please visit www.TIBAC.org, or contact the Tukwila Mayor’s Office at 206-433-1850. Tukwila Parks and Recreation presents a
The Board meets every two months, for one or two hours during the day, in the Office of Human Services at 6300 Southcenter Boulevard. Experience with human services is helpful, but not required. As a citizen representative, you will be joined by six other members who bring a wide range of experience on human service issues. Come with an open heart, curiosity, and eagerness to contribute. For more information or to receive an application, please contact Evie Boykan at 206-433-7180.
Community Center Open House
Transportation provided to and from the event 5:30 pick-up and 7:30 drop-off at Tukwila Elementary Schools For more information, call 206-768-2822
Wednesday, May 1 6:00 to 8:00PM Come try all the great activities we offer – FREE!
Local Improvement District No. 33 – Tukwila Urban Center Access " -PDBM *NQSPWFNFOU %JTUSJDU -*% JT B TQFDJBM BTsessment district in which new construction or improvements directly benefit the property owners in B TQFDJGJD BSFB -*%T NVTU CF BQQSPWFE CZ CPUI UIF local government and the property owners that will benefit from the improvements. Created under the sponsorship of a municipal government, they can be paid for with a variety of funding sources including grants, local government funds, private funds, and special assessments on the property owners in the -*%
owner, and a special assessment on property owners in the district. On February 19, 2013, Tukwila’s City Council accepted the project as complete. At the time of the construction bid award, total project costs had been estimated at $24.1 million, with a special assessment of $10.5 million to district property owners. The improvement project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, with actual final project costs of $21.8 million, and the special assessment to property owners at $9.9 million.
*O /PWFNCFS UIF $JUZ PG 5VLXJMB DSFBUFE -*% District No. 33 -- bounded on the west by I-5, on the east by Green River, on the north by I-405, and extending south to the 19200 block of Southcenter Parkway. The improvement project was a major reconstruction of Southcenter Parkway allowing better traffic flow to improve access to Tukwila’s Urban Center. The work also reduced traffic congestion found at the Strander Boulevard/Southcenter Parkway intersection, the Klickitat Drive/Southcenter Parkway intersection, and the northbound I-5 off-ramps.
Now that the project is complete, drivers can see several changes along Southcenter Parkway. The southbound lanes are now 20 feet lower than before, a new bridge connects Klickitat Drive to the northbound lanes of Southcenter Parkway, and sidewalks and landscaping were improved. The enhanced signalization directing the traffic flow enables a larger volume of vehicles to move through the intersections, more easily accessing I-5 southbound or Highway 518 toward the airport, and allowing southbound traffic to travel through the intersections unaffected by Klickitat turns.
Construction began on March 28, 2011 and the roads were reopened on October 13, 2011. The project was funded with Federal and State grants, traffic impact fees, City funds, a donation from a major property
'PS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO BCPVU -*% %JTUSJDU /VNCFS or property assessments, please contact the Tukwila Finance Department at Finance@TukwilaWA.gov, or call 206-433-1838.
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ouncil oice
The Value of Council Chats by Kathy Hougardy, 2013 Council President
During Tukwila’s recent Strategic Planning process, community feedback included a desire by citizens to have broader interaction with elected officials. As a way of making ourselves accessible to the community we serve, the City Council instituted monthly “Council Chats� in 2008, giving Tukwila citizens a chance to visit with a Councilmember in an informal setting. Currently the chats are held on the second Saturday of each month, from 10:00AM until noon, at Billy Baroo’s Restaurant in the Foster Golf -JOLT DMVCIPVTF 5IFSF T OP TFU BHFOEB GPS UIFTF DIBUT JU JT NFBOU UP be a time when citizens can discuss any subject of their choice regarding the City. It also provides an opportunity to meet fellow citizens who have an interest about things happening in Tukwila. These get-togethers provide the Council with valuable insight regarding issues in the community that may not be on our “radar.� Residents bring up questions about a variety of subjects such as safety and code enforcement issues in their neighborhood, the possibility of creating a disc golf location, the status of Tukwila Village, or what special events are coming up on the City’s calendar. When Councilmembers are unable to answer a question, they will provide the contact information of a City staff person who can offer assistance. As a way to reach a broader base of residents in Tukwila, the Council workplan this year includes establishing Council chats at other locations, in addition to the monthly chats at Billy Baroo’s. Check out your Hazelnut newsletter, the City’s website at www.TukwilaWA.gov, and upcoming issues of the Tukwila Reporter for details about these Chats. We welcome you to share your ideas on how the Council can be more involved in your community. Email us at Council@TukwilaWA.gov, or call the Council Analyst at 206-433-1834. Your input is appreciated and vital to fulfilling this important 2013 strategic planning goal.
Council Chat
Council Chat is a chance to stop by and informally talk with one of your Tukwila City Councilmembers about anything on your mind regarding your community. Come join the talk from 10:00AM to 12:00PM at FOSTER GOLF CLUBHOUSE Next Chat: 13500 Interurban Ave S May 11
Summer Reading Book Drive Benefitting Tukwila’s elementary-age students at Cascade View, Thorndyke and Tukwila Elementary Schools To help encourage kids to read during their summer break, please bring your new or “lightly-used� age-appropriate book donations
Between May 1 and May 31 to Tukwila City Hall, Tukwila Community Center, Tukwila School District Administration Building, or Southwest King County Chamber Office. Questions? Call Joyce Trantina at 206-433-1868 Presented by Tukwila’s Equity & Diversity Commission
Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more‌ get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov!
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APRIL 2013 ÂŤ www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com
coverstory
Kids cook with big smiles, helping hand On the cover Kirstin May of the Tukwila Community Center helps Faisal Sulayman cut B GSVJU QJ[[B BT $IBSMFF 4FCSJOH MPPLT on. Photo by Tracey Compton, Tukwila Reporter
›› TheRecipe Fruit pizza t CPY TVHBS DPPLJF NJY t QBDLBHF P[ DSFBN DIFFTF t DVQ TVHBS t CMVFCFSSJFTu XBTIFE BOE IVMMFE t TUSBXCFSSJFT XBTIFE IVMMFE BOE halved t HSFFO HSBQFTu XBTIFE BOE IBMWFE (MB[F JOHSFEJFOUT t DVQ 0SBOHF +VJDF t UBCMFTQPPOT TVHBS t UBCMFTQPPOT DPSOTUBSDI 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Mix cookie dough, following the directions on the box. 3. In a bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar with a mixer and spread over the cookie when it’s cool. 4. Arrange the fruit slices on top of UIF QJ[[B BOE USZ NBLJOH B QBUUFSO PS design. (FU BO BEVMUuÂĂ™T IFMQ BOE DPN CJOF UIF HMB[F JOHSFEJFOUT JO B TBVDF pan. Bring ingredients to a boil until thickened. $BSFGVMMZ TQSFBE UIF HMB[F PWFS UIF GSVJU QJ[[B ,FFQ UIF QJ[[B SFGSJHFSBUFE VOUJM SFBEZ UP FBU UIFO TMJDF MJLF B QJ[[B
BY TRACEY COMPTON TCOMPTON@TUWILAREPORTER.COM
Summer time is quickly approaching, which means kids’ camp season is almost here. The Tukwila Community Center for the first time will offer specialty camps for kids, including a Cooking Camp in August. This month’s “Local Flavor� recipe comes from a cookbook the center uses for such adventures with kids in the kitchen. The Cooking Camp is designed to give kids, in third through fifth grades, a hands-on experience, working in the kitchen. They will learn basic cooking skills, interesting facts about ingredients and nutritional information. “Usually during our Camp Tukwilly, they do a cooking project once a week,� said Kirstin May, youth and teen coordinator at TCC. “So we’re going to try and expand on that.� The community center gets about 100
Nine-year-old Faisal Sulayman is ready to dig into a fruit pizza he helped prepare with other kids in Tukwila Community Center’s Early Birds program. Tracey Compton, Tukwila Reporter
youth and 40 teens a week in their regular summer camp programs. “The first day of camp, we’ll decide what they’re going to make, kind of what they want to learn,� said May of the Cooking
Camp. “Then we’ll go to the store and buy the ingredients and kind of make it as much hands-on as we can.� When cooking with kids, May offers this advice: “I would make sure they know the rules of the kitchen and keep them engaged. The more they can do, the more successful the cooking project will be.� The fun will be in letting the kids be a part of selecting the food in the store and showing them how many ingredients are called for in the recipes, she said. The class has a limit of 20 participants and will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 12-16. The cost is $185 for nonTukwila residents and $140 for residents. For more information, check the summer recreation guide on the Tukwila Community Center’s web site, http://www.tukwilawa.gov/recreation/recbrochure.pdf.
(From left) Samantha Sebring, Aanya Havens, Kirstin May, Isabella Kehoe, Charlee Sebring, and (at bottom) Faisal Sulayman revel in their creation. Tracey Compton, Tukwila Reporter
www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » APRIL 2013
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tukwila’sstory
Joseph Foster set the stage for all to come For nearly half a century in the latter 1800s, early Duwamish Valley pioneer Joseph Foster left a legacy of public service not only locally but for Washington Territory. His homestead became the center of a community now encompassed by Tukwila. He worked tirelessly throughout his lifetime on matters that helped shape the future of Washington. In his day he was well known and respected throughout the Northwest. Joseph Foster was born near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 10, 1828. When Foster was still a young child, the family moved to Geauga County, Ohio. When he was 14, Joseph apprenticed to become a tailor and in due time became a journeyman working as a tailor for about eight years. He left tailoring to work for a time on steamboats in the Great Lakes. While in Wisconsin, Joseph, 24, and his younger brother Stephen decided to “go west” first to the gold fields and then spent some time in southern Oregon working as farmhands. Ready for adventure, the Foster brothers traveled west on the overland
Joseph Foster Tukwila Historical Society
trail arriving in Vancouver on July 1, 1852. After a short time working some of the placer mines for gold, they came north to Puget Sound and arrived on Elliott Bay in April 1853. Joseph staked a claim on the shores of the Duwamish River along present day Interurban Avenue South. By the mid 1880’s he had accumulated 440 acres of land with most of the farm land rented out. In 1858, at age 31, Joseph Foster was elected the
representative from King County to the Washington Territorial Legislature which marked the beginning of his outstanding public service that extended to 1886. He was elected to the Legislature for 11 terms, serving in both the upper and lower houses for the total of 22 years. Among his successful bills are the establishment of a military road from Seattle to Fort Colville via Snoqualmie Pass, the location of a territorial university at
›› EVENTS
during a diphtheria epidemic in 1877. Two more children were born Joseph Thomas in 1879 and Hillory Adams in 1880. The Fosters were pillars in the local community where their greatest longterm tangible influence can be seen in education. Joseph energetically promoted education and learning. In 1892, he helped established the Foster School District (present-day Tukwila School District) and helped build the first school on land that he donated. An intangible but important legacy left by Joseph Foster was a model of public service and community spirit which has been an inspiration to many civic and community leaders. In a tribute to Joseph Foster written 50 years after
Seattle rather than Olympia which became the University of Washington, and the Foster sponsored Washington Territory Woman Suffrage bill in 1883. On June 11, 1865, Joseph Foster married Martha Jane Steele, Duwamish Valley pioneer, who drove one of her family’s wagons over the Oregon Trail from Missouri in 1864. Martha was described as a comely, dark-haired, serious-eyed woman with great mental and physical abilities and a strong resolute character. She shared intellectual and political interests with her husband Joseph. Martha accompanied Foster to Olympia when the Territorial Legislature was in session. The couple’s children Charles, Rosetta and Emily all died in a single week
his death, C.T. Conover wrote, “Foster was a typical pioneer, who knew his way around.” Foster was all that and more. He was a visionary who took time and energy away from his personal interests and profit and gave them freely and generously to benefit the common good. The fruit of his work done in the 19th century will continue on into 21st century and beyond. Tukwila’s Story is written by Louise Jones-Brown. She is acting director of the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center and treasurer for the Tukwila Historical Society. For hours and arrangements for a tour, please call 206/244-HIST or email: tukwilaheritagectr@ tukwilahistory.org.
Join us April 6th for our first-ever Pear-centric food crawl. Businesses highlight pear and locally produced fare for your enjoyment. $25/person prior to event day
Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m., Highline Historical Society presents a Military Road Sesquicentennial Program at Tyee High School, by Michael Vouri, National Parks Service at San Juan Island and author on Pickett and the Pig War. Saturday, June 8, 1 p.m., Tukwila Historical Society and Tukwila Arts Commission presents a Military Road Sesquicentennial Program presentation, “Territorial Voices” A Civil War Reader’s Theater by Lorraine McConaghy, author and historian. Program made possible by Humanities Washington. Free admission. Aug. 17 and 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tukwila Community Garage Sale, Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S. Martha Jane Foster. Tukwila Historical Society
$30/person on event day VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET NOW!
THE FUN CONTINUES WITH OUR MONTH LONG PROST TO PEARS!
We proudly produce more organic pears than anywhere in the country. Our restaurants, stores, wineries, and B&B’s will offer foods and gifts highlighting all things pear. Check out our pear-map of town, music events, winemaker dinners, ale-fest, and sweet spring blossoms!
SENSATIONAL SPRING EVENTS: April 6 ~ Leavenworth International Film Festival April 6 ~ Icicle Creek Chamber Players April 6, 7, 12, & 13 ~ Pear-fection at Wedge Mountain Winery April 13 & 14 ~ River Haus Concert Series April 19 ~ JJ Hills Fresh Grill Winemaker Dinner April 20 ~ Leavenworth Ale-Fest April 20 ~ Earth Day Community Fair April 27 ~ Pear Cooking Class and Dinner at Mt Springs Lodge
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APRIL 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com
City approves pact for 17-story complex BY STEVE HUNTER SHUNTER@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM
The Tukwila City Council approved an ordinance to authorize a development agreement to allow a proposed 17-story hotel and apartment complex to exceed the current zoning heights and to feature residential units, which are not allowed under existing zoning.
The building would be the highest in the city at about 180 feet tall and comprise approximately 170 hotel rooms and 280 residential units, according to city documents. The developer wants to build the towers at 223 Andover Park E., the former Circuit City site. The current zoning limit is 115 feet tall. Mercer Island developer Omar Lee told the council at a March 11 public hearing
that his team is in the very early stages of preliminary design. With the zoning change, Lee said he can move forward with a feasibility study. He added that similar mixed-use developments close to shopping and transportation have been successful in downtown Bellevue and Seattle. The council voted 6-0 on March 18 to approve the ordinance. The agreement includes a minimum of 250 residential units
Sentencing set in murder BY STEVE HUNTER SHUNTER@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM
The sentencing date has been continued to May 31 for a Tukwila teen who pleaded guilty in March to seconddegree murder for the 2012 stabbing death of a 17-yearold SeaTac girl. Kolby Jordan Clark, 19, was scheduled to be sentenced April 12 in King County Superior Court in Kent. The May 31 sentencing is before Judge Lori Smith at 1:45 p.m. at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center. Clark faces a sentence range of 12 to 20 years in prison. The state’s recommendation is 16 years, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Clark remains in custody at the county jail in Kent. Even though Clark was 17 at the time of the incident, he was charged as an adult under state law because seconddegree murder falls under the serious violent offense of a Class A felony. Jasmyn Tully was found in an apartment in the 11600
block of 42nd Avenue South by Tukwila Police officers at about 3 a.m. March 17, 2012, unconscious and suffering from stab wounds, according to Tukwila Police. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle by Medic One but died a short time later. Officers questioned Clark, who lived at the apartment. Police arrested Clark and booked him into the King County Youth Services jail for investigation of second-degree murder. Tully had a stab wound to her neck, as well as defensive wounds to her right hand, according to charging papers. Both Tully and Clark had been spending the night at the apartment rented by other residents. Clark had left the apartment when police arrived, but officers found him about 15 minutes later several blocks from the apartment walking on the street without any shoes. He had a cut to his left wrist. Clark initially claimed he had been attacked by a man. The teen later told detectives he had killed Tully, according to court documents. Clark said after Tully fell asleep, he felt an urge to hurt someone.
Principal process begins The first-round interviews for the new Foster High School principal began this week. Forrest Griek, who has been Foster’s principal for two years, announced last month he will resign, effective June 30, in order to spend more time with his family. Representatives from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the company conducting the search, are almost finished choosing the 10-member interview team comprised of school staff, students, parents, and administrators to
conduct the first-round interviews for the new principal. Janet Barry from HYA&A told the Tukwila Reporter they are screening the 13 applications submitted and will select six candidates to interview on April 17. From there, the interview team will choose three of the six to be interviewed by the new superintendent, Nancy Coogan, who will then, by the end of the month, select and recommend to the school board her choice for the new principal.
Counseling service to hold anniversary dinner Consejo Counseling and Referral Services will celebrate 35 years of service to the Latino community, with an anniversary dinner and dance gala in Tukwila. The event, “2013 Adelante” will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., April 27, at the Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S. The evening features food and
music from band Cambalache Salsa. Tickets are $75 and include dinner, dancing and a complimentary pass to the Museum of Flight. For more information, visit the organizations web site at http:// www.consejocounseling.org/.
Free health screening is April 27 The Tukwila community is invited to attend a free health fair and screenings on April 27. SeaTac and Tukwila-based Global to Local Initiative and Bartell Drugs are hosting the event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bartell Drugs store, 14277 Pacific Highway S., in Tukwila. Twenty local health organizations and companies will be represented. Attendees can receive free health screenings, information and resources. Tests for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, hearing, vision and mammograms will be offered. Games and health snacks will also be provided for kids. At noon, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith and other officials will give the keynote address on Global to Local and Bartell’s partnership and efforts in the community. For more information, call 206-3701426 or visit www.globaltolocal.org/news.
and a maximum of 450 residential units, according to city documents. The apartments must be designed to easily convert to condos. Developers plan to build one building with two, 17-story towers, one for the hotel and one for apartments. Lee must submit building permits by Dec. 31, 2015 or the development rights expire.
EarthCorps, city team up to clean up Codiga Park EarthCorps and the City of Tukwila are hosting an event for the public to help restore Codiga Park, along the Duwamish River. The project is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 20 at the park, 50th Place S., in Tukwila. The area is a restored tidal wetland that provides shelter and food for wildlife like ospreys, great blue herons, bald eagles and juvenile salmon, organizers say. Volunteers are asked to perform restoration site maintenance, remove invasive plant species and possibly plant native trees, shrubs and ground cover. Volunteers will work alongside EarthCorps’ Sound Stewards. On a monthly basis, the stewards monitor and maintain Codiga Park to promote healthy native plant growth. EarthCorps is a Duwamish Alive member organization that supports enhancing the habitat for people and wildlife in the Duwamish River Watershed area. For more information, visit http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php or call 425-577-9595.
Tukwila to hold TCC open house The City of Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department will host an open house May 1 to showcase the activities offered at the Tukwila Community Center. The event is 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the community center, 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila. The city will offer a chance to try the activities the city offers. The open house is in conjunction with the Refugee Women’s Alliance and the Somali Community Services Coalition. Transportation is provided to and from the event, with pickup at Tukwila elementary schools at 5:30 p.m. and drop off at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 206-768-2822.
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APRIL 2013
Let’s be Water Wise! April 22, 2013 - EARTH DAY
Celebrate Earth Day by checking out these tips that will save water & money Inside Your Home
Outside Your Home
t Repair leaky toilets, faucets and pipes.
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APRIL 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com
CELEBRATING EARTH DAY Earth Day:
The History of A Movement Each year, Earth Day - April 22 -- marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news. Although mainstream America remained oblivious to environmental concerns, the stage had been set for change by the publication of Rachel Carson's New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment for the modern environmental movement, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries and, up until that moment, more than any other person, Ms. Carson raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and public health. The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media; persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservationminded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the land. As a result, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.
The Naked Gardener - Going Natural in the Yard Going naked in the garden means going natural - the way nature intended your garden to grow. We live in one of the most naturally beautiful and green places in all the world. Loose your inhibitions because there is no need to over-fertilize, spray pesticides or over water to create a lush and lovely landscape. You can become a naked gardener just by peeling off the layers of confusion and getting down to the naked truth.
Not all stars have problems with drugs and drinking. Our local nurseries are full of pestresistant plants that never need spraying and survive on rainfall alone. I can even promise you a rose garden without pesticides if you choose the right type of rose. Some of these diva plants also have fantastic figures - without having to go under the knife for special Marianne Binetti pruning or be put on expensive diets. Learn Columnist how to use colorful nandinas, dwarf conifers and amazing foliage plants that offer drama without the drinking and other demands of constant care. It is time we honored these well-behaved, garden super heroes by planting them more often.
The Compleat Home Gardener
Here‚ are three seminars that celebrate the truth about gardening naked:
You can have a Northwest Garden without a sprinkler system. Going Natural with Lawns and Landscapes At the root of naked gardening is good soil that holds moisture and a mulch that seals in moisture. Instead of digging in pipes for a sprinkler system, dig in compost, bark chips and learn to layer your bare soil with grass clippings and other natural soil improvements. Lawns can also look lovely without a sprinkler system. Just say no to the low mow, leave the clippings on the grass, aerate more often and use a slow-release lawn food that feeds the soil. Our soils are naturally acid so learn the naked truth about apply lime and growing the right grass varieties for a more carefree lawn. Natural lawn care also means tips on using the right mower, how and when to cut the lawn and using the laws of nature to control the weeds. Free seminar on “Northwest Gardens without Automatic Sprinklers” on June 1, 10:30am in Issaquah at Blakely Hall and Saturday May 4 at 10am at Skyway Water and Sewer District. Phone 201.772.7343 for more info)
Unbeatable Plants: Create Drama without the Drinking or Chemical Dependency Going naked with no-fuss, no-water plants can make a dramatic statement in the garden. This means star-quality, focal point plants such as graceful Japanese maples, brightly-colored barberries and dramatically different yuccas that make a real exclamation point even when contained in an urn or pot.
(Free seminar on “Unbeatable Plants” Tuesday, April 30, 6pm at Bellevue City Hall phone 425.453.1810 for more info)
Transform your Dry Shade into Lush Beauty: Nudity in the Dark Large trees mean dry shade and our native fir and cedar trees suck the moisture away from traditional, shade-loving flowers. This makes homeowners think they must add more water and more fertilizer to garden under trees. Not true. Consider the bare fact that our forests are covered with lush growth under huge trees because Mother Natures wants a garden in the shade. Look to the natural beauty of native sword ferns, Oregon grape, huckleberry and even moss-covered boulders. The rest of the world pays big bucks for our native plants and are delighted at how little water our native plants require and how well they thrive in the shade. To light up the dark corners of your garden consider springblooming bulbs such as snowdrop, cyclamen and dwarf daffodils that bloom during dark winter days and grown into large healthy colonies when allowed to dry out during the summer. Hellebores, Japanese anemones and lamiums are other flowers that bloom even under the canopy of evergreen trees. Naked gardeners know that shaded areas are the worst place to try and grown a lawn. Learn about lawn alternatives and you will have a garden in the shade that will be happy to go natural. (Free seminar on‚ “Transform Your Dry Shade into Lush Beauty” Saturday, May 18, 10am Issaquah at Tibbetts Creek Manor Phone 425.837.3412 for more info)
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APRIL 22, 2013 C O LO R M E
Earth Day Celebrations
Welcome to the Garden Party
Fact or Fiction?
Earth Day Challenge Each year on April 22, people come together all over the world to celebrate Earth Day and do what they can to help protect and preserve the earth. Some clean up areas, while others look for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle at home and work. Here are some questions about conservation. How many can you answer correctly?
The City of Tukwila is hosting the Garden Party and Tour 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 13. It’s a chance to see some of the great gardens in Tukwila. Admission includes tours of the private gardens, snacks and refreshments and musical entertainment. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 day of the event. Watch for more information as the event draws near.
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
Taking a bath instead of a shower saves water. Fact or Fiction? Turning off the lights when leaving the room saves energy. Fact or Fiction? Plastic grocery bags cannot be recycled. Fact or Fiction? Plasma TVs use less energy than most other TVs. Fact or Fiction? The less packaging a product has, the better it is for the environment. Fact or Fiction? 6) Turning off the water while brushing your teeth does not save much water. Fact or Fiction? 7) Recycling paper saves trees. Fact or Fiction? 8) Compact fluorescent lightbulbs use more energy than incandescent lightbulbs. Fact or Fiction? 9) Computers cannot be reused. Fact or Fiction? 10) The more times a product can be refilled, the better it is for the environment. Fact or Fiction? Answers: 1) Fiction, showers use less water than baths, 2) Fact, 3) Fiction, 4) Fiction, plasma TVs use more energy than most other TVs, 5) Fact, the less packaging there is to throw into the trash, the better, 6) Fiction, turning off the water while brushing your teeth saves about three gallons of water a day, 7) Fact, paper is made from the pulp of trees, 8) Fiction, compact fluorescent lightbulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, 9) Fiction, many organizations take old computers to repair or refurbish and donate to others, 10) Fact, the fewer containers there are to throw into the trash, the better
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APRIL 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com
PA I D A D V E RT I S E M E N T
Savvy Gardener Classes Begin! Time off to aoff great Cascade for the for Savvy Classes Time to to get get your your planting spring planting to astart! greatJoin start! Join Cascade theGardener Savvy Gardening and discover how to create beautiful, healthy healthy and water lawn and garden. Classes and discover how toacreate a beautiful, andwise waterwise lawn and garden. There are dozens of classes from which to choose in many locations, and they’re all free of charge. The Savvy Gardener Classes will inspire you and give you practical advice on creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes that are good for you and the environment.
Learn from popular gardening experts including Marianne Binetti, Peggy Campbell, Ladd Smith, Greg Rabourn and many others.
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“waste” a wonderful Toilet Leak Detection Turn Dye your Strips in theinto Mail — Watchsoil forbuilder! Yours! Do Compost: Grass clippings, leaves, stalks, dead plants, twigs up to pencil diameter, and most weeds. As part of national Fix a Leak Week, March 18 – 24, Cascade Don’t Compost: Weed seeds and invasive weeds like ivy (they resprout!), diseased plants, pet waste, Water Alliance will send Toilet Leak Detection mailers towith weed or bug killers, or food waste. clippings treated The Toilet Leak nearly 100,000 homes in Cascade’s service area. Detection mailers include Yardthan waste composting systems The average American home can waste more 10,000 dye strips andbins simple These include simple piles, holding bins made of plastic, wood, or wire, and multiple where you gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping instructions to check the move and turn the compost regularly to speed up the process. It takes 6 to12 months for soil creatures to faucets, and other household leaks, which can significantly toilet for leaks. change most yard waste into finished compost. raise a homeowner’s water and wastewater bills. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day. Last year Secrets to success residents in Cascade’s service district saved Forabout faster 40,000 composting, keep your pile as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Chop up stalks and twigs. gallons per day by fixing leaking toilets. Mix “green” materials like grass clippings with “browns” like fall leaves and stalks.
Select the Right Plants for a Beautiful, Trouble-Free Garden When you grow plants in the appropriate conditions, they thrive with minimal care. By choosing plants well adapted to each garden situation, you save time and money, reduce maintenance, help prevent pests and diseases, and leave more clean water for salmon and other wildlife. s Get to know your site. Learn about the conditions in each part of your garden—you can choose plants that will thrive in each area. s Dream a garden. Decide how you want to use your landscape, and consider all the ways plants can help you create it. s Create a plan to fit your site. Identify plants that will thrive with little maintenance in each situation.
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They Represent You Cascade Board Vice President: Jim Haggerton Mayor, City of Tukwila
Cascade Board Alternate: Verna Seal City Council member, City of Tukwila