Tukwila Reporter, May 21, 2014

tukwila reporter 05 • 2014

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TUKWILA’S

BAT MAN

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SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: Tukwila School District update, pages 14-15

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Foster graduation June 13 DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Foster High School will graduate 190 seniors on June 13, one of its largest graduating classes ever. Commencement begins at 7 p.m. at Werner Neudorf Stadium at Foster. Each graduate will receive eight tickets; everyone, even small children, need to a ticket to attend.

Class valedictorian Lea Buenavista will speak; other student speakers hadn’t been selected as of late last week. School Board members Mary Fertakis and Alicia Waterton will hand out diplomas. Just a reminder that balloons and noisemakers are not allowed at the ceremony and must remain in vehicles or at the main entrance to the stadium. The senior picture is that morning at 8:30 a.m.

Tukwila Police officers, city officials and community members were among those talking with Foster students at the Career Day/College Fair April 24. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Students learn about careers Foster High School students got a glimpse of the future at a Career Day and Job/College Fair April 24 at the school. Students spent the second half of the school day listening to speakers from many walks of life who talked about their careers and what it takes to succeed in them. Nearly 40 companies, government

agencies and college and universities participated in the job fair in the Commons, including officers with the Tukwila Police Department. The officers helped Foster students try on their gear. The City of Tukwila and the Tukwila School District partnered to host the event.

BECU seeks ‘People Helping People’ nominations BECU is now accepting nominations for its annual “People Helping People Awards,” which recognize and honor BECU members and local non-profits supported by the membership in the Puget Sound area. Until the end of May, BECU members can nominate their favorite local nonprofits to receive one of 16 $5,000 Community Benefit Awards. All semi-finalists

will have a chance to receive an additional $5,000 People’s Choice Award. This award will go to the non-profit organization that receives the most popular votes during an open vote period from July 1-18 on BECU’s Facebook page. For more information on BECU People Helping People Awards, visit www.becu. org/awards.

OUR NEW MEMORY VILLAGE IS NOW OPEN Come visit the newest addition to our community. Delicious meals, exercise and outside garden trails, light-hearted moments, a range of activities and planned social events all make Memory Care at Normandy Park special. At Normandy Park we help each person enjoy their life to the fullest. Come celebrate the ART of LIFE!

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Normandy Park Senior Living 16625 1st Ave. South Normandy Park, WA 98148 www.artegan.com/normandypark 206-241-0821

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BY DEAN A. RADFORD

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2014

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Tukwila’sstory

Tukwila’s history for all to see, remember a photo gallery and map of the locations on the City of Tukwila website, www. tukwilawa.gov/heritagesites.html.

BY PAT BRODIN TUKWILA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

History can often be lost and forgotten without something of a lasting declaration that can tell the intransient story of days gone by, yet granting us the sense of perpetuity and prominence. An undertaking of this kind was accomplished recently in Tukwila with the addition of four bronze plaques depicting local Duwamish heritage that were securely fastened to existing concrete aggregate monoliths. This project was a collaborative effort of the Tukwila Historical Society, the Tukwila Arts Commission and the City of Tukwila. Two of the monument locations were originally conceived by former arts commissioner Bill Gorjance. His proposal and the inscription proofs had been rediscovered in 2013 for two of the locations. The “History of Southcenter” tells about the days of truck farming in the Southcenter retail zone along the Parkway and Andover areas. This monument is located behind Target at the entrance to Tukwila Pond Park. There is a vehicular access point from Strander Boulevard going south at the signalized inPlaque marks site of original Foster tersection near School. Tukwila Historical Society the Cheesecake Factory. The second monument is at the base of Old Brummer’s Hill on the northeast side of the intersection of South 144th Street and Macadam Road near the Sound Transit Light Rail. It shows the history of the Upper Foster neighborhood from 1907, a hub of community life for 52 years, but was displaced later by the construction of I-5. The Tukwila Foster Presbyterian Church was moved up the hill in 1969. The last two monuments are at the Foster Memorial Park and athletic fields near 53rd Avenue South and South 137th Street. The original Foster Memorial Park bronze plaque placed by the Tukwila Parks Commission in 1972 was stolen by vandals. It was replaced with the new-style plaque that has a stunning dark brown background and bright bronze lettering. The upper ballfield on South 140th Street about mid-block has a commemoration that was researched and compiled by the Tukwila Historical Society depicting the first Foster School house established in 1892 on land donated by Tukwila pioneer settlers Joseph and Martha Foster. Tukwila heritage sites including the “Riverboat Landings” along the Green-Duwamish trail and the Joseph Foster tree at Foster Golf Links will be added along with

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rememberus

Plaques and monuments will help Tukwila remember its history for generations, thanks to the work of the community.

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thewinner

Donna Simpson did what she set out to do during the holidays in 2012 – beat her breast cancer and get on with her life.

Society calendar • May 22 and 23, 7 p.m. Foster High School performance of “Military Road,” an original play about the Duwamish Valley during 1855 and 1856. This project is supported by the Tukwila Arts Commission with sustained support funding from 4Culture. • May 26: Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center will be Closed due to Memorial Day.

Pat Brodin is a long-time employee of the City of Tukwila, is a current member of the Tukwila Historical Society, and is the History Committee Chair of the American Public Works Association – Pacific Northwest Regional Section. The historical society operates the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S. The center can be reached by phone at 206-244-HIST or via email at tukwilaheritagectr@tukwilahistory.org.

• Aug. 9 and 10: Tukwila Community Garage Sale. The Tukwila Historical Society will participate in this year’s garage sale as a fundraiser for the Tukwila Historical Society. We are accepting donations of items in good condition to assist fundraising efforts. Call the center at 206-244-4478 for information

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thegraduates

Foster High School is ready to graduate another class; Supt. Nancy Coogan explains why these students are up to the task of conquering the world.

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bulldogsports

Foster’s boys soccer team and it track team are headed into the postseason, with high hopes of going all the way to the state tournaments.

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Rusty Trudeau knows a lot about baseball, including bats; he’s in charge of selling Baden Sports’ AXE bat, considered a revolutionary change.

tukwila reporter i19426 68th Avenue South i Kent, WA 98032 i253.872.6600 i www.tukwilareporter.com

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the headline, “Cancer: Your days are numbered.” Almost 365 days later, on DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Wednesday, April 30, she got the call Tom Simpson took the night off from from her doctor’s office that there was work so he could go on a date with his no sign of cancer in her body. The next wife Donna. They had reason to cel- night, she and Tom went on their date. Simpson’s fight against cancer was ebrate. joined by a strong support system of The Simpsons walked through Pike friends and family, to whom she gives Place Market in downtown Seattle much credit for her victory. And then and ate a nice dinner. Afterward, they there’s Jessica Allen, the physician liaistrolled the beach at Myrtle Edwards son at Rainier Cancer Center in TukPark. wila where Simpson They came home to received her radiation let the dogs out, but they treatments, who became didn’t want their date like another daughter to night to end. Simpson. They went to a late It was Allen who movie. stepped in during initial “We just wanted to be meetings with the surtogether,” Donna says. Donna Simpson geon at Highline HospiDonna was up the tal to help Simpson and next morning, working her family understand in grandson Kaylen’s exactly what Donna class at Midway Elementary School. faced in deciding a course of treatThey were sitting at his desk. And she ment. Allen asked the right questions said. that Simpson says she was too clueless “Guess what?” to ask. “What?” 8-year-old Kaylen asked. Allen has been at Simpson’s side ever “Grandma is cancer-free.” since. “Everyone needs to have a JesKaylen looked at her. “We beat it. We sica, ” said Simpson, 47, whose life had have no more cancer,” she tells him. “just been flipped upside down.” The biggest smile came across his Simpson decided to have a lumpecface. He jumped up and hugged his tomy, a decision that was validated Dr. grandma. It was the ending Simpson fought for James Brashears, the Rainier Cancer since the day before Thanksgiving 2012 Center’s radiation oncologist and mediwhen she was diagnosed with breast cal director. “The reason I like to say that Rainicancer. er Cancer Center saved my life is that A year ago, Simpson appeared on BY DEAN A. RADFORD

“I have too much to do to not beat cancer.”

tukwila reporter 05 • 2013

Cancer:

Your days are numbered!

The Tukwila Reporter is printed on pink paper this month to recognize Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!

SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: Tukwila School District update, pgs. 14-15

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ABOVE: Donna Simpson, who lives in the Burien area with her family, has endured surgeries and months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments to become a cancer survivor. AT LEFT: Simpson on the May 2013 Tukwila Reporter cover. Dean A. Radford/ Tukwila Reporter

The WINNER! With true grit and a loving support system of friends and family, Donna Simpson did what she set out to do – beat cancer

the cover of the Tukwila Reporter with

[ more WINNER page 5 ]

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She’s a strong advocate for mammograms [ WINNER from page 4] from Day 1 they were here for me from the minute I got diagnosed,” Simpson said. The lumpectomy – the day after Christmas 2012 – was followed by the removal of lymph nodes after tests showed the cancer had spread. In May 2013 Simpson had just finished her chemotherapy. It was followed by regular radiation treatments she finished in early September. Then the clock started ticking on the six months she would have to wait before tests were done to show whether the cancer was gone. The six months stretched longer because of the complications Simpson faced in her recovery. “If there is a side effect, I will get it,” she says. Simpson brought plenty of her own grit to the fight, too, a positive attitude bolstered by her support system and the motivation of knowing that her life stretched out before her. She wants people to know: “You have hope. You can beat this,” she says. Although Simpson is cancer free, she and her doctors will remain vigilant, with more frequent tests, including mammograms. She found her first lump and she’ll remain diligent in her selfexams. She’s a strong advocate of mammograms and she’s her own strongest advocate for what’s best for her health – she won’t be pushed into making a quick decision. “I will be more proactive,” she says, and she’d like to help others do so, too. Simpson has kept her legions of followers upto-date with regular “Dear Cancer Letters” on her Facebook page. She wrote her final one – “Dear cancer, Goodbye, I am done with you” – but she decided to wait to post it.

fighting back Donna Simpson is one of the many cancer survivors and their supporters who are fighting back. She participates in the Highline Relay for Life. She and the rest of Team Simpson are raising money to enter next year’s Susan G. Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure. This year’s Race for the Cure is June 1 at the Seattle Center. Information about the race and Susan G. Komen is available online at www. komenpugetsound.org. June 1 is National Cancer Survivors Day; information is available online at www.ncsd.org. Read and share stories of hope online at www. ihadcancer.com/dear-cancer

Simpson didn’t want cancer to invade one of her happiest of times, watching as her daughter Noelle married Daniel last Tuesday at Lake Quinault Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula. Tom walked Noelle down the aisle. With them were their children, daughter Jamie and son Jordan, grandchildren and their family and friends. Simpson had “a really hard time” finding a dress because “I don’t look like myself.” She lost her hair during chemotherapy and when her hair returned, it was dark and curly, not straight and blond. “But my big thing is I don’t care what I have to wear to the wedding, I am just happy to be there. I get to be healthy, my kids and grandkids have grandma. I have too much to do to not beat cancer,” she says.

Bhutanese blog helps tie community together BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Tukwila is known as one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Part of that diversity is myriad nationalities that have found a home in Tukwila. For example, about a quarter of the 400 or so Bhutanese families in Washington live in Tukwila. Bhutan sits on the eastern slopes of the Himalayas and is bordered on three sides by India. The Tukwila Reporter has introduced a blog written by brothers Tek and Allan Kafley, with support of fellow members of the Bhutanese and Nepali communities. The blog (bhutaneseupdates.blogspot.com) is called “Bhutanese Updates: Bringing us even closer.” Tek is a 2013 graduate of Foster High School, where Tek Kafley he helped found the Bhutanese Students Club. About 10 percent of Foster’s student population is Bhutanese, he said. Tek, 19, has lived in Tukwila since 2008. He was born in a refugee camp in Nepal, where he spent most of his early life. He attends Trinity College but will transfer to the University of Washington.

Nominations due for Foster Hall of Fame Nominations for 2014 induction into the Foster High School Hall of Fame run to June 1. Anyone who graduated from Foster High School at least 15 years ago is eligible. Send the name and graduation year of a nominee, the nominator’s name and contact informa-

tion, and a description of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to his or her career field and community to: Cynthia Chesak at chesakc@ tukwila.wednet.edu or Cynthia Chesak, Foster High School, 4242 S. 144th St., Tukwila, WA 98168.

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publisher@tukwilareporter.com

editor dean radford editor@tukwilareporter.com

425.255.3484, ext. 5150 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: editor@ tukwilareporter.com FAX: 253.437.6016 MAIL: 19426 68th Ave. S., Ste. A, Kent, WA 98032 STORY IDEAS: dradford@ tukwilareporter.com ONLINE CALENDAR: tukwilareporter.com

John Marchione is chairman of the Cascade Water Alliance and mayor of Redmond.

Last week marked the 60th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Walk into any Tukwila classroom today, and you will find it utterly unimaginable to believe that “separate but equal” was a guiding principal for public education only six short decades ago. We are a beautiful rainbow of faces and a mecca of backgrounds, languages, and ideas. We don’t merely abide by integration; we thrive because of our diversity. This is a particularly poignant historical milestone as our Foster High Class of 2014 gets ready to accept diplomas next month. I firmly believe that every one of our graduates is prepared to thrive, in ways that extend far beyond classroom learning. The New York Times has deemed the Tukwila School District to be the most diverse in the nation, and this type of true multiculturalism — where no minority is the majority — is perhaps the greatest life lesson in itself. We do not believe in separate and unequal, but equity and equality for each and every student, not just some. A Foster High School diploma bestows a much bigger view of the world and a more expansive belief in what is possible than any other diploma. Our goal as a district is to offer a worldclass education for every student. Our strategic plan highlights “one student at a time,” where our students are “equipped for a world of infinite possibilities.” When put under a microscope as being “different” or a model of diversity by outsiders, our graduates push back—this is their normal: Somali blending with Mexican blending with African American blending with Nepali blending with Caucasian … It’s simply no big deal, like being home in Tukwila. I guarantee they are learning at the same high levels as their peers across the state and nation, but they are able to imagine so much more than what we typically think of as the mainstream “successful” American lifestyle. Amongst our alumni, we have plenty of doctors and lawyers and professionals thriving and competing in our global society. Our graduates, however, have come face-to-face with so many adversities and have brought their values from different places on the globe to our community. As a result, their menu of post-high-school possibilities is much richer than other’s. Whatever path they select, they do so with intention and full awareness of a world filled with alternative choices. Yes, I am extremely proud of our graduates. Even if they don’t know it yet, they have shed their provincial blinders and expanded their future. Our Class of 2014 will be on the forefront of a global economy that is more and more interconnected. When they interface with other cultures for business or personal reasons, it will be, once again, no big deal, like being home in Tukwila. They will already understand that we are all more alike than unalike. Their natural adaptability and open-mindedness will be an asset that others struggle to come by through training or sparse opportunity. To our community, I hope you are proud of our graduates, too. We have full-ride scholarship winners, including two Act Six Leaders who have committed to making a long-lasting difference in this community. We have nationally recognized filmmakers, published poets, and accomplished athletes. We have children who came to us knowing not more Nancy Coogan

who live and play on the lake. At the same time, the White River is an important salmon-producing route with the potential to produce hundreds of thousands of salmon each year. Our commitment was to be a good neighbor and we offered our hand in partnership. We worked with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to ensure in stream flows for fish. We worked with the cities that surround the lake – Auburn, Bonney Lake, Buckley and Sumner – to ensure they had sufficient water for their future needs. We worked with the homeowners to ensure their beautiful lake would be full for their recreation. In December 2009, after years of discussion, Puget Sound Energy sold Lake Tapps to Cascade Water Alliance for its future water supply. Water is a vital part of keeping our communities viable. Clean water benefits us, businesses, the environment, the economy and recreation. Cascade its members now had a lake for future water supply and storage. During our first 10 years, we saw that throughout the region overall water demand was down. So instead of immediately developing Lake Tapps for water supply, we now have water supply agreements with Seattle and Tacoma. The result? Your 15-year-old Cascade Water Alliance has strong regional agreements and will continue to protect the provision of water supply now and in the future. Residents should rest assured that when they turn on their tap, there will be delicious water today, and as a result of our investments and planning, water for tomorrow as well. Happy Birthday, Cascade.

OUR SCHOOLS

John Marchione

publisher ellen morrison

Cascade Water Alliance ensures that each of you –more than 350,000 residents and 20,000 businesses – have clean, safe and reliable water every day. Our membership, consisting of the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Tukwila, and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts, work to produce water of the highest quality. While we want to share our accomplishments over the first 15 years, we also want to let you know how we are creating innovative regional partnerships. As a mayor of a growing city, I know that regional collaboration is not always easy to accomplish. Cascade is proud of its 15 years of regional cooperation that has resulted in water for today and tomorrow. But it’s more, it’s a consortium that looks at threats and risks facing the region now and in the future. As a cooperative effort, we rely on all the water providers in the region to address these challenges together. As we look back at Cascade’s 15year history, we know we couldn’t have gotten here alone. Cascade was created by our members in 1999 to obtain a sufficient water supply for our growing communities on the Eastside and in South King County. At the same time, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) was winding down hydroelectric production at its facility at Lake Tapps in Pierce County. Cascade’s journey to purchase Lake Tapps began. Lake Tapps receives water from the glacier-fed White River. The lake provides Cascade a large storage area for water to be used in the summer. Lake Tapps is also important to the surrounding community

COMMENTARY

regional publisher polly shepherd

Cacade Water marks Foster’s grads ready 15 years of success to take on the world

Chuck Parrish

viewpoint iwrite staff

tukwilacommentary

COMMENTARY

6 h MAY 2014

[ more GRADUATES page 7 ]

Think now about your end-of-life choices At the age of 57, life was good for Amy. Job, family, nearing retirement, it was all good. However, she had not been feeling well lately. Then Amy got the worst possible news. Her doctor informed her that she had terminal cancer and had less than six months to live. After some thought, Amy decided that she would like to go through the Death With Dignity process in order to have that option.

Her doctor could not or would not help her through the process. What a disappointment. She now had to find two new physicians that could verify her condition and would help. Unfortunately, Amy’s cancer was fastacting and, shortly thereafter, she had neither the mobility, the energy nor the will to pursue this course. Amy regretted that she had not asked her doctor about this sooner. It was too late. Amy died shortly

thereafter. Amy is a fictional character reflecting common, real-life events. I have spoken with my doctor and, when referrals are needed, I seek out those who will take care of me and support my end-of-life choices. How about you? Tukwila Reporter columnist Chuck Parrish can be reached via email at chuckparrish2009@gmail.com

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2014 i 7

Showalter honored for language program BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

The discussion is intense but the tenor polite as students in Jennelle Sigler’s AVID Excel class debate whether interfaith relationships are acceptable. It’s a real-life exercise because Sigler’s English Language Learners at Showalter Middle School come from numerous faiths from around the globe. But her students are here to hone their high-functioning English language skills by learning to paraphrase and summarize what others have said and to explain clearly their own views. “The ‘casual language’ is where a lot of our kids are stuck,” said Sigler. “We need to take them beyond that.” They are learning academic language. The AVID Excel program is one of the reasons why this spring Showalter received the state’s highest education honor, a 2013 Washington Achievement Award, in the category of English Language AcquisiHrang Lal, who is Burmese, reads at tion. a computer in the Read 180 class. Addressing the individual needs and progress of ELL students is known as differentiation. “We work hard to make sure every English Language Learner (ELL) is getting the right level of service and the right curriculum,” said Showalter Principal Brett Christopher. Showalter has two full-time ELL teachers with five classes each and a third ELL teacher with two classes, serving about 180 ELL students. About 35 students are enrolled in AVID Excel and about 90 are in the AVID elective classes. While AVID Excel reaches higher-performing students, Read 180 is an intervention program for students, and not always English Language Learners, who are reading at least two years below grade level. Read 180 is another reason Showalter won the state award. There are 60 students in Read 180 and 20 students in System 44, which teaches the building blocks of reading.

AT LEFT: Jennelle Sigler leads a Philosophical Chair activity at Showalter. ABOVE: Suzanne Hamilton works with small groups of reading students in the Read 180 class. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Suzanne Hamilton is teaching students new to the country or who have been here for a few years how to read English and comprehend what they are reading. “We are getting 12-year-olds that we have to teach very foundational skills that a typical native student learns through their elementary school,” she said. AVID, Read 180 and System 44 are part of the academic curriculum for Showalter’s English Language Learners. Showalter’s teachers continue to receive training in ELL strategies and receive ELL endorsements to help students in all content area. “It’s made a difference,” Christopher said. “We are getting smarter about how we serve all of our ELL students.” Sigler began this particular Philosophical Chair activity

[ GRADUATES from page 6] than two words of English who passed rigorous collegelevel courses. We have students graduating prepared to go right into rigorous career fields, such as aerospace manufacturing. And, we have those who take longer to graduate, and that is ok. To our graduates, I hope you are proud of yourselves. A high school diploma is the result of knowledge, goal setting, perseverance, and motivation. You have the tools to do whatever you want — now hold yourself accountable and to the highest standard and follow your dreams (just as if your counselors, teachers, administrators and all the other people who have supported you are right beside you). Believe in yourself. Be true to your values. Be kind. Vote. And pay forward any generosity you receive along the way. Wherever you came from, whatever your background—you are our future. I am counting on you! Congratulations to the Foster High School Class of 2014! You are the shining example of what public education aspired to be, 60 years ago to the date.

Every time you talk and play with your child, you’re building their brain! The first 5 years are when their brains grow the fastest. So doing little things with them

Sincerely, Dr. Nancy Coogan

now makes a big difference for

Dr. Nancy Coogan is superintendent of the Tukwila School District.

their future.

with the statement: Interfaith relationships are acceptable. These are the instructions: Everyone will have to choose a side – yes they are, no they aren’t. Then the convincing begins to change the minds on the other side. Those in the middle will have to choose a side, too. The “yes they are” side had the most students, but Sigler commended the smaller “no” side for its willingness to stand up and go, “I don’t think so.” In the Read 180 class, Hamilton and her instructional assistant Lisa Welch work with small groups of students to help them learn to read and comprehend what they are reading. The students rotate among stations, including one at which they sit at a computer and read a story.

8 h MAY 2014

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tukwilabriefs

Tukwila resident killed in rollover crash the Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with an extraordinary group of trustees, faculty and staff that is dedicated to the mission of transforming the lives of our students,” said Hanson. His retirement plans include gardening, travel and spending more time with family and friends. Plans for a search for a new president will be announced in the coming months.

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Officers to target distracted drivers Law enforcement officers, including Tukwila’s will be out once again searching for not only unbuckled drivers but distracted drivers as part of the annual “Click

Bow Lake transfer station recognized Dave West, owner of Simple Floors on the West Valley Highway in Tukwila, and two co-workers were sitting at their desks when a 1967 Buick rolled over in front of the windows. Dean A. Radford/ Tukwila Reporter

it or Ticket” patrols. In King County, during the recent distracted-driving campaign April 10-15, 836 cell phone and texting violations were written. Likewise, after the primary seat-belt law took effect in June 2002 seat belt violations initially increased and then the seat-belt use rate increased. That is why between May 19 and June 1, motorists in King County can expect to see extra seat belt and distracted driving patrols. Last year, during this same time period, officers on extra patrols statewide issued 2,963 seat-belt violations amongst the 11,666 motorists who were stopped. In King County, the Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Covington, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lake

Forest Park, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Port of Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Snoqualmie, Tukwila and Woodinville Police Departments as well as the Washington State Patrol will be teaming up and participating in these extra patrols, with the support of the King County Target Zero Task Force.

Renton Technical president to retire Steve Hanson, president at Renton Technical College since September 2009, will retire in December. “It has been an honor to serve as Renton Technical College’s president for the past five years. Our college has an outstanding reputation for its commitment to student success, as exemplified by our selection by

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King County’s redeveloped Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station was designed and built with sustainability in mind, and the U.S. Green Building Council has now certified Bow Lake with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. The new recycling and transfer station reopened to solid-waste collection in July 2012 after a multi-year rebuilding project on the site of an old landfill. Some of the sustainable design features that improve energy efficiency and help keep costs down include: • Translucent skylights and window panels that allow natural daylight into the building; • Harvesting rainwater instead of purchasing water for use in washing down the transfer station floors; and • More than 90 percent of the wood used was sustainably harvested through the Forest Stewardship Council. Recycling hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) notified Showalter Middle School that it is a 2014 Focus School, which will make it eligible for extra support and services to meet the needs students. A Focus School is one that is in the lower ranks

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A Tukwila man in his 70s died May 13 after his restored 1967 Buick drifted off West Valley Highway and rolled over. Tukwila Police officers identified the man; however, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office had not officially released his name as of late last week. Investigators do not believe excessive speed was involved; however, a medical condition may have contributed to the accident, according to Sgt. Doug Johnson, acting supervisor of the Tukwila Police Department Traffic Unit. The car came to rest at about 11:10 a.m. against the building housing Simple Floors in the 16700 block of West Valley Highway. The car scratched the glass but didn’t cause damage to the building. The business remained open. Simple Floors owner Dave West and two co-workers were working side by side at their desks, their backs to the windows and the highway. They heard a loud noise. “We all really quickly turned around and saw this car rolling right next to our window,” said West. A co-worker ran out to check inside the car. The driver, who was alone, had been ejected from the car. The engine also was wrenched from the Buick when it rolled over.

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of student achievement in Washington, according to a press released from the Tukwila School District. The designation was developed as part of the state’s waiver to provide flexibility from some of the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act. In April, the U.S. Department of Education withdrew the state’s NCLB waiver for the 2014-15 school year; OSPI, however, has decided to continue to identify Focus schools as a way to award extra support for students in need. In past years, the Focus designation could bring with it up to $20,000 for a school to implement its improvement plan.

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2014 i 9

tukwilasports Go to tukwilareporter.com for more sports coverage

Track runs hard toward state BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Alem Belete won the 1600 meter in Foster’s meet against Kennedy Catholic. She’s headed into the postseason. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Foster High School sent about 25 track and field athletes into the postseason, some with the potential to stand on the podium at the state tournament. The Bulldogs finished in the middle of the Seamount League pack this season but the emphasis has been on preparing individual athletes to compete after the regular season. The first step to state was the subdistrict tournament last Friday and Saturday at the Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner that’s also the site of the district tournament this weekend. The state 2A meeting is May 29-31 Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. Four of Foster’s athletes stand a good chance of placing well at state, according to Coach Louis D’Andrea.

Sierra Parsons is one of the top contenders in the state high-jump competition. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

They are Alem Belete in long-distance runs; Sierra Parsons, who is one of the top five high jumpers in the state; Emily Chanthatphone in the pole vault, and Shakila Omar in the 200 meter and 400 meter. The team is also filled with camara-

derie, said D’Andrea, “which is what we wanted.” “They are good people. They are good kids. They seem to be working hard and the results are evident,” he said.

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An ‘outstanding’ season BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

The Foster High boys soccer team finished one of its best seasons ever with a 1-1 tie with Evergreen. The Bulldogs’ Seamount League record is 9-2-3, putting them in second place behind Kennedy Catholic. The team is 10-2-3 overall. The Bulldogs headed into the postseason, seeded No. 3 at the district tournament last Saturday. (Go to tukwilareporter. com for the results.) The state tournament is May 30-31 at the Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner. Foster is one of the top 2A teams in the

state. Max Prep Sports ranks the Bulldogs 23 overall statewide. Junior forward Jalal Haji is one of the state’s top scorers. Rain pounded the two teams May 8 and relented only a bit when the seniors on the team were recognized for Senior Night with purple balloons and photos with family and friends. Seniors from the junior varsity team played in their final game. Junior midfielder Tanka Sangraula scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs with 5 1/2 minutes left in the first half. “It was an outstanding season,” said Coach Nasir Tura, one of the best in the last 10 years and a “huge jump” over last year.

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Seniors on the Foster boys soccer team were recognized at the game against Evergreen on May 8. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

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Foster grad helps lead an American revolution BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@RENTONREPORTER.COM

Rusty Trudeau knows baseball from all sides of the bat. He played for Foster High School in the 1970s and at Green River Community College; an injury cut short his college baseball career before he could swing a bat at Central Washington University. But baseball remained a part of his life. In the 1980s, he returned to Foster as an assistant basketball coach, then as a baseball coach. When he became head baseball coach, he gave up the basketball job. “I fulfilled my love of the game by coaching,” says Trudeau, who has lived in Tukwila since 1959 and is a 1974 graduate of Foster. He coached on and off at Foster for about 15 years. He remained involved at Foster, including working with volunteers to put up the batting cage at Foster’s home baseball field at Showalter when the “new” Foster was built in the late 1990s. It was at a basketball freethrow competition with his kids where he ran into the owner of Baden Sports, a sports-ball company, who was curious whether Trudeau would come to work for him. That was 16 years ago. So busy at Baden, Trudeau had to give up coaching. Today, Trudeau is helping lead a revolution in the shape of that most American of sports equipment, the baseball bat, a shape that hasn’t changed in 150 years. As Baden’s baseball/softball account manager, Trudeau oversees the sales of the AXE bat, which Baden, founded in Renton 35 years, has developed in a few short years. The bat is now selling to colleges and professional sports teams across the country. The bat is called the AXE bat because of its ax-like handle that

Hugh Tompkins, Baden’s director of research and development, explains the ergonomics of the AXE bat. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

by design puts the hitter’s grip in just the right position to power the bat through a swing. What it means for the player is this: “It allows them to unleash their maximum amount of bat speed and their maximum performance,” says Hugh Tompkins, Baden Sports Inc.’s director of research and development. Baden Sports is a name many young athletes will recognize because Baden is emblazoned across sports balls from basketballs to volleyballs to soccer balls to footballs to baseballs used by high schools and colleges across the country.

Baden is the official game ball of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association, so its balls are used at all WIAA-sponsored, high school events. Trudeau talks with players, coaches and schools about the AXE bat. “The bat teaches them the proper grip,” Trudeau said of its design. “It’s not a magic wand. We all wish it was. But it’s close to it.” What would become Baden Sports began with an idea to sell tennis balls in the mid 1970s. E.C. Schindler, father of Michael Schindler, the current CE0, agreed to finance a startup.

by the big-name T h e companies in offices were the U.S. and on Oakesdale found it lackAvenue, close ing. to the horse “It was unstables at Lonbelievable how gacres Racetrack where Rusty Trudeau, with the AXE bats, bad the gamemade of aluminum, maple and carball business E.C. Schindler bon fiber. was at that owned horses. point in terms About that time, tennis was on a “down- of quality,” Schindler said. So, the family, which still owns ward slide,” according to Michael Schindler, so the company con- the company, found a manufacturer in Japan. It’s balls and other sidered it’s next move. The Schindlers knew about equipment are manufactured in basketball; the elder Schindler Asia today. “We were committed to make a coached his kids and his son played at Seattle Prep. The ball that didn’t have all the out-ofSchindlers lived in Lakeridge dur- round problems and leakers,” he ing Michael’s high school years. said. And that’s where Baden’s purHe remembers a basketball game against Renton High School in suit of the perfect basketball bethe postseason when his friends gan, repeated again and again from their neighborhood show- with other sports balls. Timing played a critical part in ered him with cat-calls. The family business evolved Baden’s success, too. In the early into selling leather basketballs in 1980s, the coaches of women’s 1980, the Schindlers’ first foray college basketball were considerinto a high-end market. Eventu- ing switching to a smaller ball. ally, basketballs and volleyballs Baden had one. Michael Schindler had develbecame the company’s biggest oped a friendship with the assellers. It was also the time when the sociation’s president, who called Schindlers took a close look at the (from a pay phone) and asked the quality of other sports balls sold [ more AXE page 11 ]

Michael Schindler, CEO of Baden Sports, holds the prototype of the AXE bat. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

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No viable locations for marijuana business BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

There has been plenty of interest in profiting from marijuana in Tukwila, now that the once-illegal drug is legal in the state. But right now none of the applicants to become a producer, processor or retailer of marijuana in Tukwila meets all the local and state regulations to do so. The winner of the lottery to become Tukwila’s sole marijuana retail store is Raymond Eckler who uses the trade name Purple Dank on the application. Eckler is proposing to site his store at 18200 Andover Park West, which is a large land parcel just south of South 180th Street in Southcenter. However, the parcel is within 1,000 feet of a park, which isn’t allowed under state rules.

She said there are numerous applications to produce, process and sell marijuana in Tukwila; some comply with the state but only five complied with city regulations. None complied with both. “Right now, there is no viable location,” she said. However, that could change if the applicants submit applications for a new location, but the state has indicated that the review of a new location may not happen for six months. The Tukwila City Council would have to decide whether to add zones where marijuana uses are allowed. In April, MacGregor briefed the council’s Community Affairs and Parks Committee on the issues. The Liquor Control Board continues to review applications statewide. It expects to start issuing retail licenses no later that the first week of July.

Tukwila Police officers and chiefs, including Chief Mike Villa, participated in the graduation April 28 for youthful participants in the City of Tukwila’s DARE program. City of Tukwila photos

size of his company’s basketball: one inch smaller and two ounces lighter than the men’s ball. Soon after, the coaches adopted a new ball size that fit those dimensions. And at 5 a.m. the next morning Schindler and his four employees hit the phones, calling hundreds of college basketball coaches across the country over the next two months to let them know Baden had the ball (probably the only one) that fit the new size requirement. “We became a major factor at the game-ball level, virtually overnight,” Schindler said. About the same time, Baden (named by the Schindler family after the sports-minded city of Baden-Baden, Germany) moved to Federal Way. It returned to Renton about 18 months ago, to Lind Avenue Southwest,. The idea for the AXE bat came to Baden in a phone call to Trudeau. About four years ago, a man from back East asked Baden to take a look at this bat he had designed and patented. Trudeau asked what made it special. It has an axed-shaped handle. Trudeau was interested. He had had his players hit tires in practice with an ax to promote a position of power holding a bat. Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters of all time, swung an ax in the off-season. Trudeau kept the prototype in his office for about two weeks, holding it, then going back to work. Finally, he told himself, “I believe in it.” “I marched up to our owner’s office, showed him the bat and the rest is history,” he said. That prototype is on display in Schindler’s office. Tompkins spent months refining the bat, with repeated testing in a batting cage in the company warehouse. “Quite honestly, these guys are trying to break it,” said Trudeau, reaching maximum performance before it actually breaks – or cracks in the case of a carbon-fiber bat.

The AXE bat replaces the protruding knob on the handle, which basically got in the way of the hitter’s hands. Now, a hitter’s bottom hand holds an oval shape, while the top hand is on a round shape. A hitter’s grip is stabilized and the bat’s ergonomic design means that more of a hitter’s power transfers from the bat to the ball. (Details of how the bat’s ergonomics are available online at www.axebat.com.) The AXE bat is now approved for play at all levels of sports; Major League players can use an wood-version of the AXE bat. The current version of the AXE bat went to market in 2013, and this year, the full line and fully refined and developed knob of AXE bats is on the market. “Revolutionary is a very strong word,” said Trudeau. “But that is exactly what we are doing in the game of baseball that hasn’t changed much in 150 years plus.”

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Briscoe Park is across the Green River from the Eckler’s proposed site. Following Purple Dank in the Washington State Liquor Control Board lottery were Purple Haze, 18200 Andover Park West, Ganja Haven, 344 Upland Park W., and Boyden Investment Group, 15015 Tukwila International Blvd. Like Purple Dank, Purple Haze is within 1,000 feet of Briscoe Park. Ganja Haven and Boyden Investment Group are not in the two zones, Tukwila Valley South and Heavy Industrial, where marijuana uses are allowed by the city, according to Stacy MacGregor, an assistant planner for the City of Tukwila. Eckler has told the city that he is looking for another location in an approved zone to locate his store, according to MacGregor.

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TUKWILA CITY PAGES F City of Tukwila

CURBSIDE LOAD ZONE: Here’s how it works

ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL CURBSIDE CLEAN-UP

Single-family households must have their items placed at the curb by 7:00am on Saturday, June 21. Please have all material bagged, bundled or boxed. Appliances, furniture and large items will only be accepted if their collection has been scheduled by June 16. (See green section for scheduling information.)

Saturday, June 21 (one day only)

Trucks will make only one pass along each street to load items and haul them away.

Time: 7:00AM Don’t miss the City’s annual clean-up! This event – for Tukwila residents who subscribe to Waste Management garbage collection services – is designed to help single-family and duplex home residents of Tukwila dispose of bulky household items. Instead of hauling your junk to the transfer station, bring it to your curb for disposal.

If your items were not picked up on collection day: t $IFDL UP TFF JG UIF ESJWFS MFGU BO A0PQT UBH *G UIFSF JT B UBH JU will inform you of why a speciďŹ c item was not collected. t *G UIFSF JT OP A0PQT UBH BOE ZPVS JUFNT IBWF OPU CFFO DPMlected by 7:00pm, call Waste Management by noon on Monday, June 24 to schedule collection of any missed items. Questions? Visit WMnorthwest.com/Tukwila for more info. Waste Management, 1-855-885-9452; Tukwila, 206-431-2445

ACCEPTED ITEMS - YES Large Appliances, Furniture, Mattresses and Box Springs: By Appointment Only Appliances BSF MJNJUFE UP POF PG FBDI UZQF QFS IPVTFIPME JODMVEJOH SFGSJHFSBUPS GSFF[FS TUPWF EJTIwasher, washer, dryer, hot water tank, furnace. All fluids must be drained. For child safety concerns, you must remove the doors from all appliances. Furniture (no sofa beds), mattresses and box springs will be collected by appointment only. Drivers reserve the right to refuse an item not listed or too large to handle. Please call Waste Management by June 16 to schedule collection of your large items – 1-800-592-9995. Small Items: No Appointment Necessary Everything must be placed in bags or boxes for collection. Pick-up items must measure less than 3 feet by 3 feet and weigh less than 65 lbs.

ree workshop to be offered on controlling invasive knotweed

Invasive plants are trouble for Tukwila’s streams and the Green/ Duwamish River. One of the toughest invasive problem plants is knotweed, which is becoming all too common in the City. Fighting this plant is frustrating without effective methods and tools. Learn more about how to combat knotweed by attending this FREE workshop: What is Knotweed and How Can I Get Rid of It? Tuesday, June 17 – 6:30 to 8:30pm Tukwila Community Center 12424 - 42nd Avenue S, Tukwila Presented by King County’s Noxious Weed Program, this workshop will explain why this plant is so tough to stop and what it takes to control it. Register online at KingCounty.gov/weeds. For more information, contact: Sasha Shaw Sasha.Shaw@KingCounty.gov 206-477-9333, or Sandra Whiting Sandra.Whiting@TukwilaWA.gov 206-431-3663 Invasive plants choke out everything else. These plants are non-native weeds that negatively impact natural resources, agriculture, and human health. When growing along flowing water, they choke out native plants, increase erosion, and overwhelm riverbanks, reducing habitat quality for wildlife and fish (particularly salmon that depend on native insects and shade from overhanging trees and shrubs). Some of the invasive plants in Tukwila are poisonous. Invasive plants take over and spread readily through underground roots, stem fragments that put down new roots and seeds. They can be carried by flowing water, wind and birds to root in a new location. Invasive plants found in Tukwila include: t )JNBMBZBO CMBDLCFSSZ UIF DPNNPO CMBDLCFSSZ TFFO BMPOH TUSFBNbanks, in open fields and along streets) t &OHMJTI JWZ PGUFO HSPXJOH VQ USFFT BOE UBLJOH PWFS PVS OBUVSBM BSFBT t 1PJTPO IFNMPDL B IJHIMZ QPJTPOPVT plant that looks something like parsley) t (BSMJD NVTUBSE SFDFOUMZ GPVOE BMPOH the Duwamish River in Allentown)

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ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED – NO The following items will NOT be collected as part of the curbside clean up t #BHT BOE CPYFT MBSHFS UIBO GFFU CZ GFFU BOE greater than 65 pounds t &MFDUSPOJD XBTUF 57 T DPNQVUFST NPOJUPST keyboards, towers, printers, copiers, stereos, radios or cell phones) t .FSDVSZ DPOUBJOJOH QSPEVDUT UIFSNPTUBUT thermometers, uorescent light bulbs, mercuryadded batteries or switches) t "VUPNPUJWF XBTUF nVJET CBUUFSJFT CPEZ QBSUT batteries, or motor oil)

t $POTUSVDUJPO XBTUF DPODSFUF BTQIBMU ESZ XBMM masonry, rooďŹ ng, siding, insulation, structural metal, brush, sand, rocks, dirt, doors, ooring, wood) t )PVTFIPME HBSCBHF t )PVTFIPME IB[BSEPVT XBTUF For recycling and disposal information for these items and more, please call 206-296-4466, or visit KingCounty.gov/WhatDoIDoWith.

Most invasive plant infestations result from plants escaping from garEFOT :PV DBO IFMQ QSFWFOU OFX JOGFTUBUJPOT CZ t %JTQPTJOH PG XFFET JO ZBSE XBTUF CJOT JOTUFBE PG EVNQJOH UIFN JOUP the environment. t /PU QVSDIBTJOH and planting invasive plants (see King County’s Noxious Weed Program website for information). t 3FNPWJOH BOE or controlling any invasive plants on your property. Volunteers working to control knotweed

MAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT: De’Sean Quinn

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Help available for low-income homeowners

The City of Tukwila will begin construction this summer on a storm water pipe replacement project along East Marginal Deferred home mainteWay South, between S. 120th Place and S. 130th Street. The nance can cost homeproject involves installation of approximately 1,800 linear feet owners thousands of PG w TUPSN XBUFS QJQF XJUIJO UIF $JUZ SJHIU PG XBZ BOE $JUZ dollars later in urgent owned easements, to replace existing old pipe that is failing home repair. Why defer when you may qualify for Tukwila’s JO TFWFSBM TFDUJPOT XIJDI DPVME DBVTF MPDBMJ[FE GMPPEJOH BOE .JOPS )PNF 3FQBJS QSPHSBN *G ZPV BSF MPX UP NPEFSBUF property damage. income and have been in your home for a year, you may Construction, which is expected to last 120 days, will impact qualify for up to $2,000 in home repair grants, depending traffic flow through the area. The southbound and center turn on available funds. lanes will be closed for the duration of the project. A detour Funds are used for services which focus on maintaining the will be set up that directs traffic southbound via Interurban, safety and health of the occupants. This includes preserving Macadam Road, and South 130th Street. Local southbound the dwelling and/or conserving energy. Repairs are made to traffic will be permitted on East Marginal Way South between the housing structure only. Licensed bonded contractors are *OUFSVSCBO BOE 4 UI 4USFFU #VTJOFTT ESJWFXBZT XJMM CF assigned to work with homeowners to complete the repair open during construction. work. Preventive maintenance jobs are considered along If you have any questions regarding this upcoming project, please contact Project manager Ryan Larson at Ryan.Larson@ TukwilaWA.gov, or call 206-431-2456. Additional information on this project and all active City of Tukwila construction projects can be found on the City’s website. Please visit us at TukwilaWA.gov/PubWks/PWconst.html.

Summertime‌ and the livin’ is breezy‌ With the arrival of warm weather, northwest residents want to bring lots of fresh air into their homes. Just a reminder: most screen doors are designed to keep only flies out of a house, not a burglar. If you want to keep a door open for a nice CSFF[F DPOTJEFS JOTUBMMJOH B TFDVSJUZ EPPS XJUI NFUBM NFTI to replace a screen door. Prices for these doors range from around $90 up to $500, with good choices at all the price levels. Some things to look for when purchasing a security door:

with actual repairs. Priority for repairs are determined by the seriousness of the repair relative to other requests received. 'PS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO BCPVU UIF .JOPS )PNF 3FQBJS QSPHSBN DPOUBDU 5VLXJMB T 0GGJDF PG )VNBO 4FSWJDFT BU

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Tukwila Turtles win medals at Special Olympics meet The Tukwila Turtles Special Olympic Swim Team took home 29 medals and 15 ribbons from Regionals on April 19. Eight swimmers, including two from Showalter Middle School, qualified for the State meet to be held at the King County Aquatic Center on May 31. State qualifiers inDMVEF +PSEFO "NBOUFB :POOBUIBO #FSIBO .JDIBFM %J[PO +VMJB 'MPSFT Paul Kang, Kenneth Nishino, Evan Rhone and Phillip Thelin. Way to go!

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If you want to leave a window open when you are away or sleeping make sure you’re not providing a way for someone to enter your home.

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Tukwila Parks need your help During last year’s growing season and now during the spring of 2014, thieves have been helping themselves to newlyplanted shrubs at Codiga Park, located at 12535 - 50th Place South in Tukwila. When the plants just begin to flower, they seem to disappear within a few days. Over $300 worth of plants have been lost, and this theft goes on throughout the summer. Although Parks staff members are unsure when the perpetrators are taking the plants, Tukwila Police who patrol this area have been alerted to the matter. If you happen to see someone digging in the front beds of Codiga Park, or see other suspicious activity at Codiga or any other City park, please call 911 immediately. This is :063 park, funded with :063 money. Please help if you can.

Spring cleaning now, Tukwila Community Garage Sale in August! Tukwila’s annual Community Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10. Save those dates to hold a sale at your home at the same time as other residents UISPVHIPVU 5VLXJMB &BSO TPNF DBTI FNQUZ ZPVS DMPTFUT BOE TIPQ GPS CBSHBJOT :PV MM IFMQ used–but still useful–items find a new home, and reduce the waste that ends up in our landfills.

:PVS TBMF HFUT GSFF QVCMJDJUZ 5IF $JUZ PG 5VLXJMB XJMM BEWFSUJTF UIF (BSBHF 4BMF FWFOU JO UIF 5VLwila Reporter, and will publish a list of all sale addresses in the Renton and Kent Reporters, and t *G ZPV MFBWF B XJOEPX PQFO VTF B TUVSEZ TUJDL UIF UIJDLOFTT on the City of Tukwila website. Printed lists of sale sites will be available for pick-up at various of a broomstick) to block the window from being opened MPDBUJPOT JO 5VLXJMB :PV XJMM BMTP SFDFJWF B ZBSE TBMF LJU XJUI B TNBMM TJHO iIPX UPw UJQT GPS B any further. successful sale, and donation locations for useable items left over after your sale. t .BLF TVSF UIF XJOEPX DBO U CF MJGUFE PVU PG UIF USBDL XIFO Registration to hold a sale opens on June 1. Register on the City website, by phone, via email, left open. or by postal mail. Go online to TukwilaWA.gov/yardsale.html, or call 206-433-7178 for infor~ From Tukwila’s Crime Prevention Office - 206-431-2197 mation about the event or to sign up.

Tukwila City offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observation of the Memorial Day holiday

Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more‌ get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov!

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school connection Tukwila School District #406

Nominate an outstanding Foster grad for the Hall of Fame Do you know an outstanding Foster High School alumnus who is making a difference? Nominate him/her for this year’s induction into the Foster High School Hall of Fame! The deadline is June 1. Send the name and graduation year of your nominee, your name and contact information, and a description of your nominee’s outstanding contributions to his/her career field and community to: • Cynthia Chesak at chesakc@ tukwila.wednet.edu • Or Cynthia Chesak, Foster High School, 4242 S. 144th St., Tukwila, WA 98168

MAY 2014

The gift of books builds lifelong readers Kindergartners get 12 free books for summer reading Using that list, the kinderLittle readers got a gartners came the next day big surprise recently: during class to “shop” for Kindergartners at their 12 titles. Afterward, Thorndyke and Cascade they put their personal View Elementary got to nameplates in each book to pick out 12 free books, solidify the pride of ownwhich will be theirs on ership. Then each child’s the last day of school shopping bag was stored to take home and enjoy away—while excitement through the summer and beyond. builds and builds—awaiting The initiative is in distribution on the last day partnership with Page of school. Thorndyke kindergartner Najma Diriye Ahead, a nonprofit As one jubilant Thorndyke “shops” for her 12 free books. organization that builds kindergartner said while children’s literacy and picking out his titles: “These language skills in areas with high poverty through books are MINE? All of them? Oh, I can’t wait to get a simple concept: Give them books! When young them to read this summer!” people have access to high-quality, engaging books in The three-year program will expand to Tukwila Eletheir home, they naturally become readers. mentary next year, with the goal that every incoming During May, Page Ahead set up a huge selection kindergartner will receive 12 new books every year of books on portable shelves in each school. Parents through the end of second grade, beginning with this came to a preview night and worked with literacy exyear’s class. Ultimately, they will have their own home perts to preselect books best suited to their children. libraries with 36 personally selected books!

Laptops, smartphones, tablets: Connect at your local school Wireless access available to staff, students, and visitors Wireless Internet access is now available throughout Tukwila School District buildings, and anyone with an Internet-enabled device can connect. More than a nicety, this is really a necessity, according to Terry Hippenhammer, interim Director of Technology. “Wireless access has become common in our culture and is routinely expected by visitors to Tukwila School District,” Hippenhammer said. As more and more information is available online—and sometimes only online—the district has made it a priority to ensure accessibility. Students and teachers often need to go online during lessons to collaborate and look for resources. Families want the ability to connect with school tools like directories and grade/attendance records while they are on campus. Wireless access is paid for through the 2010 Technology Levy, which has revolutionized the district’s technology equipment and training. The levy has also provided significant other improvements. Emerging from a hodgepodge of outdated infrastruc-

tures, district buildings are now part of a high-speed wired network; every classroom has an interactive whiteboard and audio system; schools are moving toward one-to-one laptop devices for students; and educators are integrating technology into instruction in ways that significantly enhance and extend learning. Tukwila has a student demographic with large gaps in the educational resources that are available in homes, so one of its most important technology goals is to ensure equal access for all, Hippenhammer said. To connect to a school’s wireless network: • Students and employees will use TUK-BYOD, signing on with the same login information as on district computers. This is a secure connection with restricted, firewall-protected access to the Internet. • Parents and visitors will use TUK-Guest and must ask at the front office for login credentials. This is an open, non-secure connection.

Community judges needed for SENIOR SPEECHES Foster High School invites community members to help judge Senior Speeches. Past judges always say this is an extremely rewarding opportunity, getting to hear about our graduating students’ highschool experience and goals for the future. Judges are needed between 12-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, and 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 29. Contact Adrian Dowst, 206-9017932, to sign up.

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2014 i 15

Tukwila School District #406

MAY 2014

Breakfast in the Classroom served FREE, every day to every kid! By Craig Huckins, Tukwila School District Food Service Director In January, the Tukwila School District for every meal served to an income-elijoined a handful of other districts across gible student; we will now be able to get the nation in piloting a program to get all our maximum reimbursement because kids to eat the most important meal of almost 100-percent of eligible students the day—breakfast. Called Breakfast in the are participating. Classroom, what’s revolutionary about this Tukwila Elementary began piloting new model is that every student gets a Breakfast in the Classroom in January. nutritious meal each day during the first 10 Based on that success, we just launched minutes of class. the program at Thorndyke Elementary, The research is clear: Studies have shown and we plan to start the new school year that kids who eat breakfast before learning with Breakfast in the Classroom at Casare much more alert, behave better, and cade View. Then we will look at options for making breakfast universally available actually get better test scores. Early data inat our secondary schools. dicates that breakfast-eating students miss A typical Breakfast in the Classroom meal, Before Breakfast in the Classroom, Tukless school, show up on time, and make served daily to all students! wila Elementary served about 120 meals fewer trips to the nurse’s office for empty/ each morning—that encompasses only upset stomachs or headaches during the about 30 percent of students eligible for breakfast services. Now, day. It’s clear, then, why we need to make breakfast a priority for all the school serves more than 500 breakfasts daily. The meals instudents. The problem with our typical school-breakfast program clude cold items like milk and fruit as well as hot items like wholeis that most eligible students do not take advantage of it. Students grain rolls and breakfast sandwiches. must qualify based on their income, sign up, and show up 30 Principal Steve Salisbury said his initial concern—and that of his staff—was that Breakfast in the Classroom might take up too much minutes early to school to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Beyond the logistical challenges, impoverished students face a stigma from valuable class time. In practice, they have found that the teacher being singled out. With Breakfast in the Classroom, those obstacles is still able to do all of the same beginning-of-the-day activities (taking attendance, homework check, announcements …) so “the are removed. All students get breakfast, simply by showing up for impact on actual teaching time is negligible, and we have found class. One of the best parts? The breakfasts free to students, and we that the benefits of serving breakfast to four times as many of our expect the program to be almost cost neutral to the district. Bestudents offsets any minimal loss of teaching time,” Salisbury said. cause of our demographics, the scale of feeding all students for Sounds like a win-win! To learn more Breakfast in the Classroom benefits and implemenfree is not significantly greater than feeding only those who qualify tation, go to www.breakfastintheclassroom.org. for free/reduced breakfast. The federal government reimburses us

Please donate your Metro passes

Mexican dance students from Tukwila Elementary and Showalter Middle School helped the community celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a special performance at Southcenter Mall on May 4. The next day, they danced at Tukwila Elementary for first-graders, who had been studying Mexican culture and history.

Many thanks to community members who have donated King County Metro ride-free bus tickets to the district. They have been a tremendous help, allowing students to get to service agencies and job/ internships. But we still have need. This month, a single father of four came to one of our schools in desperation. He has been living in the local Tent City as he tries to stabilize his family here. He has no access to transportation to get his children to social-service and medical appointments. He needs assistance to be mobile, and his story is not unusual among our school families. You can easily help: Please consider donating your King County Metro free-ride tickets if you have a Chinook Book (chinookbook.net) or if you have not yet renewed your car tabs this year (you have the option of receiving eight free passes when do). Bring or mail any free-ride passes to Sara Niegowski at the Administration Building, 4640 S. 144th St., Tukwila, WA 98168.

Showing their pride: Seventh-grader Raquel Ibarra and her mother shared Mexican traditions and information during Showalter Middle School’s Cultural Fair in April. The event is an opportunity for students and families to display, celebrate, and appreciate their school’s diversity.

Facebook’s the place: Ask questions, see what’s happening in schools Connect with the Tukwila School District on a social level—you will get critical information/alerts plus access to the day-to-day happenings in schools. Here’s where to find us: www.facebook.com/tukwilaschools, www.twitter.com/tukwilaschools

www.youtube.com/tukwilaschools, www.flickr.com/photos/tukwilaschools

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Celebrating Our Successes

Investing in Our Future Cascade and its Members Celebrate 15 Years of Providing Safe, Clean, Reliable Water

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Water for today

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Celebrating Our Successes | 1999-2014 Water... it’s there when you need it and when you want it And because of the planning Cascade Water Alliance and its partners have done, it will continue to be. For decades. Fifteen years after establishment Cascade and its members celebrate successes and continue to invest in its future. Almost a century ago, water pipes were installed from Seattle to reach the growing “suburbs.” But in the 1990s, Seattle became concerned there wouldn’t be enough water for the growing region. To fill that need, 15 years ago, Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond and Tukwila, and the Sammamish

Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts came together to form Cascade Water Alliance. Over the last 15 years we’ve done just that. But what about the future? Cascade purchased Lake Tapps in Pierce County in 2009 for eventual municipal water supply. We continue to work with our regional partners to make sure the region is investing wisely in the future and planning together so we will all have water for decades.

Investing in Our Future Today Cascade Water Alliance is an integral part of regional planning in the Puget Sound region Planning today for tomorrow, Cascade’s investments will mean water for its members and customers for decades. Investing Wisely Cascade has a stable and successful financial and operating history because its financial policies promote stability, rate equity and efficiency. Using Water Wisely Saving water is as important as ever, because for each gallon of water saved today, it puts off for another day, year or decade major investments in new sources of water. This is an integral part of Cascade’s water supply strategy. Investing in Important Changes Cascade joined with other partners throughout the state to establish fire hydrant protections, and created a new municipal corporation law that helps provide essential services more easily and cost effectively. We are working to get even more efficient toilets and to make sure communities get lower interest loans to fund vital infrastructure projects.

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cascadewater.org 2 | Cascade Water Alliance 2014 Report to the Community

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Cascade at 15 Cascade is its members Cascade is made up of the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond and Tukwila and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts Together, over the past 15 years, we have been planning for a future with resilient water supply and sustainable revenues. Cascade invests in the future with its members for customers and the region. This includes: • Operating and maintaining the White River/Lake Tapps Reservoir project for eventual water supply; • Working with the Lake Tapps community and the four cities that surround the lake (Auburn, Bonney Lake, Buckley and Sumner) to make sure the lake is full and the cities have water for their future needs; • Working to protect fish habitat with in-stream flow levels in conjunction with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians; • Creating a reasonable water supply source for tomorrow by saving water today; and • Partnering with Seattle and Tacoma to use each drop of water wisely and to plan for the resiliency of the region’s water supply at a reasonable price for the future.

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Cascade’s seven members maintain and operate an extensive water supply system that brings water to your homes and businesses. Here’s just some of what they do every day to make sure your water is safe and clean, reliable and cost effective today and tomorrow.

Cascade Water Alliance 2014 Report to the Community

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Bellevue Overview: Bellevue has 25 reservoirs with a total of 42.3 million gallons storage. Its three operating areas provide storage, pressure zones, and pumping facilities to meet customers’ water needs. Challenge: Bellevue’s 2006 Water Comprehensive Plan identified that the West Operating Area will experience a shortfall in drinking water storage in 2016, driven by regulatory needs for emergency storage during water supply outages.

Bellevue Skyway Water & Sewer District

Potential Impact: If this problem remains unaddressed, Bellevue will be unable to grow and further enhance the vitality and quality of life. Solution: Bellevue Utilities reexamined underlying assumptions such as how the three operating areas interacted. It was determined that available storage was accessible in its East Operating Area through the construction of enhanced transmission and conveyance capacity and pressure reducing valves. Representatives Cascade Board Member: John Stokes Councilmember, City of Bellevue

Result: More effective use of existing water storage enabled Bellevue to enhance its cross operating system capabilities and improve its long term operational efficiencies system wide.

Cascade Board Alternate: Kevin Wallace Deputy Mayor, City of Bellevue

bellevuewa.gov

Issaquah Overview: Issaquah has more than 6,600 connections being served by 92 miles of pipe, four wells, 11 pipe stations, nine reservoirs and four treatment facilities. Challenge: Issaquah was faced with the need to construct additional storage in two separate operating zones to accommodate fire suppression storage requirements. Issaquah reconfigured its utility to change operating configurations so that only one storage reservoir was needed instead of two.

Issaquah

Potential Impact: An extensive process was held to locate a suitable site for the new reservoir. It was determined that the selected site could have a major impact on the adjacent neighbors, park and open space — both during construction and in the long term. Solution: Issaquah decided to upgrade one of its pump stations to pump the fire flow from an operating zone with sufficient storage to meet requirements.

Representatives Cascade Secretary/ Treasurer: Fred Butler Mayor, City of Issaquah

Result: This eliminated the need for a reservoir altogether, and saved more than $3 million for the rate payers — without sacrificing any level of service for fire suppression.

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Cascade Board Alternate: Nina Milligan Councilmember, City of Issaquah

4 | Cascade Water Alliance 2014 Report to the Community

issaquahwa.gov

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Kirkland Kirkland

Overview: Kirkland has more than 12,000 connections serving families and businesses within almost 10 square miles. The city is served by more than 170 miles of pipe, three pump stations, two reservoirs and almost 1,900 fire hydrants. Challenge: A major existing transmission main was old and fragile. This steel reinforced concrete cylinder water transmission main along NE 85th Street from 114th Avenue NE to 132nd Avenue NE is over 50 years old and has a history of breaks. It is approaching the end of its useful life. Potential Impact: With several breaks over the last seven years, emergency repairs have been costly and have had an impact on the overall integrity of the pipe. The city studied options for its replacement. Solution: In 2014, in coordination with other NE 85th Street Corridor projects, this fragile transmission main will be replaced. The replacement includes: Representatives Cascade Board Member: Penny Sweet Deputy Mayor, City of Kirkland Cascade Board Alternate: Doreen Marchione Councilmember, City of Kirkland

• • • • •

Upsizing 16 inch pipe to 24 inch ductile iron water main; Increasing capacity for fire suppression needs; Increasing capacity to account for past and future growth; Improving system reliability; Lowering maintenance costs through modernization of the water system infrastructure; and • Designing it to provide redundancy and flexibility in the water conveyance system. Result: Kirkland residents will have a new transmission main that will be able to supply two city master meters with water and approximately 25 to 30 percent of the entire Kirkland water system demand through this new transmission main.

kirklandwa.gov

Redmond

Redmond Overview: Redmond serves more than 18,000 meters, maintains over 325 miles of water main, has 4,000 fire hydrants, operates over 13,000 valves, stores over 30 million gallons of water in 10 reservoirs, and has five wells which produce 35 percent of its water. Challenge: Well #4 was constructed in 2002 and was designed to pump 650 gallons per minute (gpm). It has slowly been losing its pumping capacity over the last 10 years. Redmond pulled the pump and inspected it and the well screens after the well’s pumping rate was reduced to 325 gpm. Potential Impact: The pump column was corroded, caused by the low pH groundwater, along with low levels of iron and manganese in the groundwater. The well screen was being choked by iron fixing bacteria. Solution: The following actions were taken to address these challenges:

Representatives Cascade Board Chair: John Marchione Mayor, City of Redmond Cascade Board Alternate: Tom Flynn Councilmember, City of Redmond

• Rebuild the pump column with stainless steel parts to minimize corrosion; • Rehabilitate the well using hydro-pulsing technology, along with brushing to clean and open up the well screens; and • Change the operation parameters of the well to make sure the groundwater level stays above the well screens to minimize the chances of oxygen getting to the iron fixing bacteria. Result: These fixes will take about six months to complete. The changes in operating parameters, along with the fixes, will mean a higher and more consistent well pumping rate and safe, clean water for Redmond residents.

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redmond.gov Cascade Water Alliance 2014 Report to the Community

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Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District

Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District Overview: The District serves almost 17,000 connections with 336 miles of pipe, 12 operating wells, seven pump stations, eight reservoirs and seven treatment facilities. Challenge: Field operators were eager to be able to do their work more efficiently. Solution: As part of its automation plan, an effort was implemented to: • • • •

Automate current paper records for assets; Allow for proactive scheduling of maintenance work; Track costs to specific assets; and Simplify record-keeping.

In 2012, the District purchased the mobile application infraMAP® Software so staff can perform paperless inspections, operations, and maintenance of water and sewer assets in the field.

Representatives Cascade Board Member: Lloyd Warren Vice President, Board of Commissioners, Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District Cascade Board Alternate: Bob Abbott President, Board of Commissioners, Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District

Result: Originally designed to eliminate paperwork and make everyone’s job easier, the program has been perfected by the field personnel that use it every day. It improves overall productivity and optimizes resources by reducing job turnaround times, maintenance costs, and travel times. It simplifies asset identification via GIS and GPS, improves scheduling and optimization of work and field resources. It also provides electronic dispatches to devices in the field and revisions to scheduled tasks. And it automatically allocates time, labor and material costs to jobs performed for timely reporting and updating of the District’s annual operations work plan.

spwsd.org

Skyway Water and Sewer District Overview: Skyway has approximately 3,300 water connections serving an area covering nearly two square miles. The District has six reservoirs, four water pump stations, eight pressure zones, 40 miles of water main and more than 500 hydrants. Challenge: Skyway Water and Sewer District is located in unincorporated King County between the cities of Renton, Seattle and Tukwila. As a low income, unincorporated community without significant commercial activity or tax base, public infrastructure in the area has largely gone unimproved for many years. There are many areas where the water mains are in excess of 50 to 75 years old, are undersized and cannot support additional development or connections, or are comprised of outdated materials.

Skyway Water and Sewer District

Potential Impact: Emergency repairs to water mains are costly and the overall integrity of the distribution system continues to decline. Representatives Cascade Board Member: Jon Ault President, Board of Commissioners, Skyway Water and Sewer District

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Cascade Board Alternate: C. Gary Schulz Vice President, Board of Commissioners, Skyway Water and Sewer District

Solution: Along with programmed main replacements, the District targets replacement of water mains in coordination with projects constructed by neighboring jurisdictions. Upon short notice, the District constructed approximately 550 lineal feet of ductile iron water main to replace an existing asbestos cement pipe that was in conflict with construction of the King County Renton Avenue South Pedestrian Improvements. Result: Construction of the new main extends the useful life of the water distribution system, reduces the liability associated with operating substandard facilities, eliminates emergency maintenance and repair of an aged main, and improves the overall reliability of the system.

skywayws.org 6 | Cascade Water Alliance 2014 Report to the Community

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » MAY 2014 i 23

Tukwila Overview: Tukwila provides water to more than 2,100 connections, 43 miles of pipe, one pump station and one reservoir. Seattle granted Tukwila its first water in 1927. Today, only 15 percent of Tukwila water is sold to single and multi-family residents, while 85 percent is for commercial, industrial, schools and government use. Challenge: Water main failures over the last 10 years in the Andover Park commercial and retail areas east of Southcenter Mall have brought attention to the type of pipe and age of material installed.

Tukwila

Potential Impact: Nearly all the water systems south of Interstate 405 were installed in the 1960s when the Tukwila Central Business District was first developed. It was made of cast iron pipe. Two recent major failures were the result of system pressure on that old pipe. Representatives Cascade Board Vice Chair: Jim Haggerton Mayor, City of Tukwila

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Cascade Board Alternate: Verna Seal Councilmember, City of Tukwila

Solution: These failures required Tukwila to determine new priorities for an antiquated cast iron system. A program is now underway to replace the aging cast iron with new, stronger pipe material for Tukwila’s high system pressure. Result: Constructing an upgraded 12-inch water main will ensure greater fire flow capacity and improve reliability along this important retail corridor.

tukwilawa.gov

Cascade Water Alliance 2014 Report to the Community

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Our water history... 1889

1999

2008

Washington becomes the 42nd state to enter the Union; without contracts or local representation Seattle provides water to local region

Cascade Water Alliance created with Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Tukwila, Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District, Skyway Water and Sewer District and Covington Water District (other original members who did not continue as members include Duvall, Mercer Island and Woodinville Water District)

Cascade signs agreement with Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe ensuring in-stream flows on the White River (White River Management Agreement); Cascade and Seattle amend declining block contract for additional water supply

2001

Cascade finalizes purchase of Lake Tapps from PSE; Cascade and the Lake Tapps community sign agreement ensuring lake levels (Lake Tapps Homeowners Agreement)

1982 Seattle enters into 30-year agreement with 27 regional water purveyors

1991 Formation of Tri-Caucus (Seattle, Suburban Cities Association and King County Water Alliance)

1995 Planning and development of new water supply sources to meet needs and governance issues

1996 Interim Water Group forms to create a new entity

1997 Multi utility agreement for developing Tacoma’s Second Supply Project (Tacoma, Seattle, Kent, Lakehaven Utilities District and Covington Water)

1998 Cascade Water Alliance organization planning complete; membership opens to agencies

Cascade and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) enter into agreement to jointly pursue water rights for Lake Tapps (PSE will cease century long production of hydroelectric power); Seattle offers water purveyors new 60-year full or partial requirements contracts

2003 Cascade signs declining block contract with Seattle for water

2004

2009

2010 Cascade issues environmental impact statement; Department of Ecology issues water rights; Cascade, Auburn, Bonney Lake, Buckley and Sumner sign Lake Tapps Area Water Resource Agreement ensuring the four communities around the lake will have water for the future

PSE halts all power production on Lake Tapps; the community’s goal is to save the lake

2012

2005

2013

Cascade and PSE execute term sheet related to Cascade acquisition of Lake Tapps; Seattle drops out of participation in Tacoma Second Supply Project; Cascade signs Tacoma Wholesale Water agreement

Cascade renegotiates contracts with Seattle and Tacoma in further regional partnerships

Cascade becomes a municipal corporation

2053 Expiration of Cascade supply agreement with Seattle

2013 Operating and Debt Service Budget

2013 Capital Budget

$ in millions ($40,336,218 total)

($16,725,000 total)

$15 $13

Seattle & Tacoma Longterm Water Agreements

Debt Service

$23.2 Water Supply & Operations

$.86 Planning

$.94 Conservation

$2.2 Administration

$.25

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Electronic Document Management System

520 112th Street, Suite 400 Bellevue, WA 98004

$.1

$1.3 White River/ Lake Tapps Improvements

BellevueIssaquah Pipeline Improvements

cascadewater.org

Design: Sarah Conradt | Photography: Mel Curtis

24 h MAY 2014