Written by I’ve always loved this little number from Guys and Dolls.
Renton’s draft Shoreline Master Program continues to generate comments and controversy
A couple months ago I wrote about the complex and controversial process of developing a significant update to Renton’s Shoreline Master Program.
As this plan makes it’s way through Planning Commission, Planning and Development Committee, and eventually the Renton City Council (which has received one briefing so far), it seems that the controversy has not abated… at least, not if I judge by the correspondence and comments I have been receiving.
Far and away the most correspondence has come from lakefront property owners concerned about possible losses of use and value to their property, non-conformance of currently conforming docks and bulkheads, increased set-back requirements, and other issues.
At the council briefing on this topic a couple weeks ago, I had asked for further clarification about how Renton’s proposed rules compare to nearby cities. I made the comment at that meeting that it would seem to me that our approach should be compared to Mercer Island’s, since we are sitting on opposite sides of a common channel. Note: After writing this, I received a comment that the Mercer Island plan was rejected by the State Department of Ecology. (see comments below)
The council received the following memo two days ago on this topic from our staff. Click on each image to enlarge it… and then you may have to click it again to read it in your browser.
Memo page 1
Memo page 2
Comparison Table
Comparison Table Notes
For those of you interested in this subject, you can find city documents and meeting schedules here.
I look forward to further discussion on this topic. Meanwhile, our Renton City Council Planning and Development Committee is working hard to process your comments and inputs.
New Facebook group forms to combat prostitution in Renton
A new Facebook group has recently sprung up, called “City of Renton; Behind the Curve on Prostitution” Here is a link.
The new group is sharing information about suspected locations of prostitution activities, and pushing for increased resources to combat them.
We do take prostitution crimes very seriously at city hall. While some may mistakenly believe that this is mostly a victimless crime, there is actually a great deal of sexual/physical abuse and human trafficking associated with it. In addition, violators run down neighborhoods and set-back economic development efforts.
I’ve addressed this in previous journal entries, such as this one here
The city has been addressing prostitution in a number of ways. Our police have been raiding locations where the crime occurs, and arresting prostitutes, their pimps, and their customers. More recently we’ve been testing some new tactics such as contacting all the parties with financial interest in real property where this crime occurs, such as mortgage holders (banks), to let them know when their properties have become sites for prostitution and subject to police actions, code enforcement actions, or other litigation; we are working with these stakeholders to get repeat-offenders evicted from their locations and from our city.
We are open to any other ideas on how to combat this problem, and perhaps some will come from the new Facebook group.
Backlog of blogs I want to post; some birthday activities delayed me a few days
I’m in the midst of posting several new articles. I got delayed by some fun birthday activities and a few other obligations. Here is one birthday photo that is a little scary.
There are not even 48 candles, and it still looks like it could burn the house down
As a reminder, I am exactly the same age as the Space Needle. Here is the cover of LIFE Magazine from two days before my May 6, 1962 birth:
Our city, region, and our state have dodged a bullet with the Howard Hanson Dam
By now, most people in the area are familiar with the GREAT news that the risk of flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam has been diminishing. As a reminder, the abutment of the dam was leaking; I described it in detail in the photo-journal entry here .
The Renton Reporter covers the most recent development in this story here . Thanks to hard work from many, many people, Senator Murray was recently able to secure 44 million dollars to install a temporary fix to the dam to prevent flooding in the near term. Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers is working on designing a permanent fix that will cost about half a billion dollars.
These developments are enormous for the security of our region, as a flood in this area could have done many billions in damage and immense human misery.
Our own Mayor Denis Law represented us expertly to help obtain this money. He was back in Washington DC a couple weeks ago meeting with numerous federal agencies, elected representatives, and White House staff to help obtain money for the interim fix. Public officials from all levels in our region were there with him, and their solidarity and good planning helped us get this funding and avoid catastrophe.
Senator Murray speaks at a recent news conference announcing the procurement of 44 million dollars for the interim repair of Howard Hanson Dam. (Renton’s Mayor Law is standing on her right side.)
Thanks for all the birthday wishes!
I’m enjoying my birthday today, and I think all of you that have sent me birthday greetings.
I have to admit, I was a little worried today when the stock market almost seemed to turn my birthday into an infamous day on Wall Street. As it turned out, the unprecedented sharp drop followed by an equally unprecedented sharp rise only succeeded in letting a little helium out (and left investors a little dizzy), but May 6 has come out okay.
I’m staying in the stock market, but I’m not sure if TD Ameritrade pitchman Sam Waterston is making me feel any more confident with his new banner:
Is it just me?…
Anyway, I have plenty of great birthday plans left. I’m soon headed down to emcee a talent show, and then drinks with friends. I’ve got more city stuff to write about, and I’ll try to get some stories posted this weekend.
It’s so great having our daughter Katie back in town
We’ve been having a great time with our oldest daughter Katie and her husband Brandon since their return from Japan. Cathy has one of her favorite shopping-buddies back! Yesterday, they came back from Ross (at the Landing) with some cute coffee shirts which gave me a nice photo.
Three generations of Guthries entertain at Kent’s Showare Center
Arlo Guthrie’s concert in Kent last night was an inspiring celebration of family just as much as a wonderful celebration of folk music. Here he performs with his children, their spouses, and his grandkids.
Arlo Guthrie sings with his three daughters, all accomplished musicians carrying the flame from their legendary grandfather Woody Guthrie.
Forty-one years after Arlo Guthrie’s performance at Woodstock, the American folk-singer is as vital and relevant as ever. Last night Arlo, his children, and his grandchildren put on a beautiful sing-along performance at Kent’s Showare Center.
Arlo Guthrie’s son Abe covered the Keyboard through the show, and his three daughters played major performance roles on guitar, ukulele and auto-harp. His grandchildren, ranging from adult to as young as two, played many other instruments from bass to tambourine. In-laws rounded out the band and added additional music styles. And of course, everybody sang.
Arlo explained that this Kent performance was their third-to-last stop on a special family tour that begun last October. The family was looking forward to being home, but was also going to miss the time they have spent together as an extended family on the road. It was obvious that they are a big, loving family, and it was simply heart-warming and uplifting to see the three generations perform together. There were times in the show when it seemed like Arlo was entertaining his kids and grandkids just as much as he was entertaining the audience. Arlo Guthrie still tells funny, funny stories, recites poems, and makes up crazy song verses like his famous father Woody Guthrie did. Arlo’s story-telling is arguably what propelled him to fame with Alice’s Restaurant.
After their next two stops, Arlo Gurthrie will be returning to his home in rural Massachusetts, where he performs and socializes regularly at the church where Alice once lived during the Alice’s Restaurant days. His children are all accomplished musicians in their own right, and they have been producing albums on their own. His youngest daughter Sarah and her family just released Go Waggaloo, an album of kids music, and Cathy and I picked up a copy after they performed some of their tracks from it.
The family ended the show on a very high note with the family singing Woody Guthrie’s best known song ever “This Land is Your Land, ” Arlo stopped the song mid-way to explain that his mother once heard this song performed in China, by children, back in the 70s. The family has since heard it sung all over the world, with some countries, like Canada, changing the words to reflect their own geography “from the Arctic, to the great lakes”. When Arlo hears another nation sing it without changing the words, he figures they are referring to the LONG way around the world when they sing:
“From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me”
After a standing ovation, the family offered an encore with “My Peace”, another beautiful and spiritual song that uses lyrics written by his father Woody, put to music by Arlo.
They will be performing in Bellingham tonight, and then hopefully Arlo will be back this way on tour again in a couple more years.
I last saw Arlo Guthrie perform a year ago in Wichita Kansas, when I was on a business trip and his band stayed in the same hotel. Here is a link to my journal entry about that.
For those who want to see more photos, click below.
Honey Creek trail almost fluoresces light green in its spring foliage
My wife Cathy on a recent ride on Honey Creek trail (photo by Katie Jones)
Any time of year, Renton’s Honey Creek trail looks like it could be in the Hoh Rain Forest. This time of year is especially bright green and heavy with fresh foliage.
The trail can be reached by walking or riding a non-motorized vehicle down Devils Elbow road, from either the Renton side (NE 27th Street) or the King County side (SE 95th way). The Renton side of Devils Elbow road takes off from Kennydale Memorial Hall.
Made in America: MSNBC showcases Boeing Renton factory as ultimate example of American success
Another freshly-minted 737 leaves Renton for Boeing Field
How cool is this!? MSNBC has chosen Boeing, our city’s largest employer, and our own Renton factory as a shining example of American business staying on top. We are extremely fortunate to have Boeing in our region and our city. I’m lucky to work there.
Here is the MSNBC story . Be sure to watch the video– there is some great footage of the inside of the factory.
In this journal entry I roughly estimated that from a value standpoint, typical Renton airplane production compares to making about 2,500 new cars per day. And the existing 737 backlog, not counting future orders, extends for about 7 years. This highly successful factory, squeezed between the Landing, Lake Washington and the Renton Airport, pumps billions of dollars into our local economy.
Extreme concern for missing Lindbergh High School senior Kathy Chou
Lindbergh high senior Kathy Chou has been missing for nine days, and her family and friends are desperate to find her. Police are also very concerned.
KIRO TV ran a story tonight which you can read or watch on video here .
Everybody please continue to keep an eye out for Ms. Chou, and let the Renton police know immediately if you have any clues to her whereabouts.
Waste Management and the Teamsters reach agreement on five year contract!
Great new from the Teamsters and Waste Management tonight. A contract agreement has been reached, so there is no more risk of disruption to our garbage service. Here is the email we received this evening from Waste Management;
_______________________________
From: Robinson, Susan [srobinson@wm.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:58 PM
To: Don Persson; Greg Taylor; King Parker; Marcie Palmer; Denis Law; Randy Corman; Rich Zwicker; Terri Briere
Cc: Jay B Covington; Gregg A. Zimmerman; Lys L. Hornsby; Linda R. Knight; Preeti Shridhar; Kathleen Johnston
Subject: WM & Teamsters Reach Agreement!
Dear Mayor Law and Renton City Councilmembers,
I am pleased to announce that Waste Management and the Teamsters reached agreement tonight on a new five-year Union contract. The Union leadership will fully recommend that their members approve the new contract at a ratification vote scheduled for this Sunday.
The contract offers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers, and recognizes the valuable service that our drivers provide in our local communities.
I want to thank you all for your support during the past month. We are glad to put this behind us and to focus on our daily operations.
Collection service will be on schedule the rest of the week!
Regards,
Susan Robinson
Waste Management, PNW and British Columbia
Phone: (206) 264-3073
Cell: (206) 915-9183
Great News! Renton Civic Theater is working to save Renton’s Summer Teen Musical!
The actors, directors, stagehands, producers, staff and their supporters at Renton Civic Theater have entertained us and made our city a nicer place for over two decades. Their shows, which include both original productions as well as familiar favorites, are outstanding.
Tonight they have moved a step closer to making yet another huge contribution to the city of Renton…they are working to save Renton’s Summer Teen Musical.
At Renton Civic Theater’s request, and consistent with city policy for non-profits seeking to contribute to the public good, Renton City Council agreed to waive fees for six nights of performance for a summer teen musical, this June and July, at Carco Theater.
Renton Civic Theater has asked for this waiver as part of a plan to ensure that the “show goes on” for Renton teens who enjoy participating in our annual summer musical.
As a reminder, council had made the bleak decision to eliminate city funding for this musical after city revenues had dropped and we had to prioritize what was left for public safety and programs used by greater numbers of people. But all of us on council hated to make the cut. This cut was especially painful given that this year will be the 25 year anniversary for this program.
Renton Civic Theater is working to save the day, by putting together a plan to keep this musical in operation.
Anyone who wants to help can do so by buying tickets for Renton Civic Theater’s excellent productions. Season tickets are an especially outstanding entertainment value.
And if the team at Renton Civic Theater is successful at bringing back the teen musical this summer, be sure you buy tickets for that summer teen production. Our city has some extremely talented youth, and they never fail to put on an excellent show. And with the Renton Civic Theater sponsoring them, their talent will continue to grow and their shows will flourish.
Velda King Mapelli, killed in a bike collision on Cedar River Trail, was active, athletic, vital
There is a column in yesterday’s Seattle Times with more information about Velda King Mapelli, the Renton hiker tragically killed in a bike collision on Cedar River Trail. She was an active senior, accustomed to walking many miles at a time on Renton’s trails. Click here to read the column.
The body of a Renton Man was found in Cedar River
Sadly, the body of Jerry Seldon, a Renton man who had been reported missing, was discovered in the Cedar River. The Renton Reporter has a recent story on this tragic loss here .
Those of us in city hall extend our condolences to Mr. Seldon’s family and friends.
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