Election | The B-Town (Burien) Blog TEST https://btb.nwlens.com Burien News, Events, Politics, Arts & more Thu, 27 Dec 2018 22:37:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://btb.nwlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/cropped-BTBExtraLogo1-32x32.png Election | The B-Town (Burien) Blog TEST https://btb.nwlens.com 32 32 VIDEO: 33rd District Candidates Gregerson, Lamb face off at Forum Wed. https://btb.nwlens.com/video-33rd-district-candidates-gregerson-lamb-face-off-at-chamber-luncheon/ Wed, 03 Oct 2018 23:57:47 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=132477

From our sister site I Love Kent:

A Candidate Forum for the 33rd District was held at the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s October Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Rep. Mia Gregerson faced off against challenger Anthony Lamb in the forum, which was moderated by Carmen Goers from Heritage Bank and held at the Golden Steer Steak n’ Rib House in Kent.
Washington’s 33rd Legislative District represents areas of east Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Des Moines and parts of Kent, Tukwila, and Renton:

Here’s an edited (for time) video of the forum, from our live video stream from I Love Kent’s Facebook page:

Also, here are their candidate statements from the King County Elections website:

Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
(Prefers Democratic Party)
Elected Experience: Mia served on the SeaTac City Council and as SeaTac Mayor. She has served two terms in the State House of Representatives
Other Professional Experience: Over 20 years of experience as a mid-level care provider and a business manager in the dental field.
Education: A.A., Business, Highline College; B.A., History, University of Washington.
Community Service: She spends much of her time visiting constituents, community based groups and business partners to learn about regional and local issues.
Statement: I believe my job is focusing on the basics: championing public schools, making our economy work for families, improving transportation and ensuring Olympia is accountable with your tax dollars. That’s why I helped pass “Breakfast after the Bell” so kids aren’t hungry at school, voted for new transportation investments including finishing 509, increased civic participation by sponsoring the Voting RIghts Act, passed a bill to give families more child care options, and secured funding for the new Kent YMCA, Crime Victim Compensation Program.
Endorsed: State Labor Council, Congressmember Adam Smith, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and more…
Contact:

Anthony L. Lamb
(Prefers Republican Party)
Elected Experience: After many years of living here, I’m running for office as a first time candidate because I’m concerned about the growing problems in our district and state
Other Professional Experience: Employed Full-Time providing technical assistance in the aerospace industry. I’ve learned to work as a team and get things done. Previously, I was an independent contractor, so I understand what business owners need.
Education: Pacific Lutheran University, B.S. in Biology
Community Service: Currently, I’m the PCO for my precinct in Kent. I’m also an active member at my church, River of Life Fellowship.
Statement: Are you fed up with higher property taxes and car tab fees? I am too and will also vote against the job-killing Head Tax and state income tax.
It would be nice to add a state holiday on Good Friday. I support School Choice for parents wanting a better education for their children. This can be done at a lower cost to taxpayers. We need family friendly policies. More needs to be done about the drug addiction, homelessness, and violent crime in our communities. I’m asking for your vote, because you deserve better results.
Contact:

]]> ELECTION FINAL: Highline Public Schools Levy passes by almost 17% https://btb.nwlens.com/election-final-highline-public-schools-levy-passes-by-almost-17/ Sat, 24 Feb 2018 00:14:36 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123170 On Friday afternoon, King County Elections posted the final, certified results of the Feb. 13 Special Election, and the Highline School District Levy passed by 3,191 votes, or 16.68 percent:

Highline School District No. 401 Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy
Measure Vote Vote %
Yes
 
 
 11,164 58.34%
No
 7,973 41.66%
Total Votes (not including write-ins) 19,137
]]> 'Respect Washington' officially classified as hate group by SPLC https://btb.nwlens.com/respect-washington-group-officially-classified-as-hate-group-by-splc/ Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:23:16 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=123007

The direct mail letter sent out by ‘Respect Washington’ in Oct., 2017 listed names, addresses, alleged crimes and a map of illegal ‘alien & gang criminals.’

‘Respect Washington,’ the anti-immigrant organization that tried to repeal Burien’s ‘sanctuary city’ ordinance last year, was officially classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center this week.

The group was added to SPLC’s ‘hate map,’ joining other racist groups active in the state like the KKK, American Front, The Right Stuff and others:

In October 2017, ‘Respect Washington’ sent out a flier to residents that listed alleged crimes committed by immigrants between 2008 and 2017. The controversial flier was sent via direct mail to around 3,600 area residents who signed their petition, and it included a map showing the names, addresses and alleged crimes committed by “undocumented immigrants” in the Burien area.

This mailing was strongly denounced by then-King County Sheriff John Urquhart, Executive Dow Constantine, Burien City Manager Brian Wilson, Highline Public Schools Superintendent Susan Enfield and many others.

This direct mail piece became a key element in the November City Council election, with numerous rallies, peace marches and public scrutiny that likely turned the tide in favor of the more “progressive” slate of candidates who won.

‘Respect Washington’ was founded by a West Seattle resident named Craig Keller, who received $25,000 from US Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by John H. Tanton, a Michigan man many have described as racist.

The flier also openly endorsed Burien City Council candidates Debi Wagner, Darla Green, Joel Manning and Patty Janssen – all of whom lost the election.

Read our extensive previous coverage of this issue here.

]]> ELECTION RESULTS 3: Highline School Levy increases approval to over 58% https://btb.nwlens.com/election-results-3-highline-school-levy-increases-approval-to-over-58/ Fri, 16 Feb 2018 05:28:46 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=122754 The third round of results for Tuesday’s Special Election were released on Thursday, Feb. 15, and the Highline School Levy has grown to over 58% approval.
School Levys are passed with a simple majority in Washington State, so this one’s pretty much done:

Highline School District No. 401 Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy
Measure Vote Vote %
Yes
 11,096 58.31%
No
 7,932 41.69%
Total Votes (not including write-ins) 19,028

NOTE: The next round of results will be released Friday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m., and final certification will be Feb. 23.

]]> ELECTION RESULTS 2: Highline School Levy passing by nearly 58% https://btb.nwlens.com/election-results-2-highline-school-levy-up-to-nearly-58-approval/ Thu, 15 Feb 2018 00:19:40 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=122691 The second round of results for Tuesday’s Special Election were released on Wednesday, Feb. 14, and the Highline School Levy has grown to nearly 58% approval:

Highline School District No. 401 Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy
Measure Vote Vote %
Yes
 10,247 57.94%
No
 7,438 42.06%
Total Votes (not including write-ins) 17,685

Here’s a video message sent out by Superintendent Susan Enfield:

NOTE: The next round of results will be released Thursday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m., and final certification will be Feb. 23.

]]> ELECTION RESULTS 1: Highline School Levy passing with over 57% approval https://btb.nwlens.com/election-results-highline-school-levy-passing-with-over-57-yes-votes/ Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:16:30 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=122661 The first round of election results are in for the Feb. 13 Special Election, and it looks like the Highline School District’s Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy is passing.
“I am grateful to voters for their support of our students and schools. Local funding for our schools is critical,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “It allows us to provide the quality education our community expects for our children, which goes beyond the minimum funded by the state.”
The levy bridges the gap between what the state funds and the education Highline provides students. The approved levy pays for critical needs, including teachers, staff, school nurses, safety and security officers, counselors, social workers, special education, Camp Waskowitz and athletics.
Initial returns show the Levy with a 57.67% approval:

Highline School District No. 401 Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy
Measure Vote Vote %
Yes
 
 
 8,730 57.67%
No
 6,409 42.33%
Total Votes (not including write-ins) 15,139

Learn more about what the levy pays for at highlineschools.org/levy.
NOTE: The next round of results will be released Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.

]]> With just a few days left, some ballots for Tuesday's election delayed https://btb.nwlens.com/with-just-a-few-days-left-some-ballots-for-tuesdays-election-delayed/ Thu, 08 Feb 2018 19:39:09 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=122459 Not all ballots for the February Special Election were mailed on time due to an error at the state level.
Remaining ballots were mailed Wednesday, Feb. 7, and the voting deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 8:00 p.m.
A levy supporting Highline Public Schools is the only measure on the ballot locally. This levy pays for needs not yet fully funded by the state. You can read more about the levy on Highline’s levy webpage.
If you do not receive your ballot by the end of this week, email King County Elections at Comments.Elections@kingcounty.gov or print your ballot online at OBMP (Online Ballot Marking Program).

]]> Jimmy Matta wants to be the Mayor for all of Burien, not just factions https://btb.nwlens.com/jimmy-matta-wants-to-be-the-mayor-for-all-of-burien-not-just-factions/ Tue, 06 Feb 2018 01:05:16 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=122353
By Jack Mayne
The new mayor sat down with this reporter last week to talk about his views for the future of Burien and to allay fears of those worried that a first Latino mayor will be a disadvantage to its city.
“I don’t think you can create change until you bring some kind of unity to the community, ’til we can have community input what the growth to Burien looks like,” he said, noting that as mayor he chairs the Council meeting but does not set policy for the city – that is set by other Councilmembers.
He says as mayor he represents the citizens of the entire city, and considers his job as giving “people a place to come and voice their views” and ensuring that Councilmembers have a place to discuss the views of the constituents they represent, including those who may believe he’s the wrong person for the job or question his ethnic heritage.
Proud American
“I’m a proud American, I was born here and I want what everybody else wants,” Matta said. “It is where my child feels safe, a place where I can raise my family, a place that is affordable. I want a place where my mother and family members, who are aging, have an ability to live in the city and not be moved out because of raising taxes” as they have fixed incomes.
“When I moved to Burien it was a retirement place and people lived on fixed incomes and it changed. We have young families coming in starting to have children. We are building new schools.”
Matta said that when he first moved to Burien it was hard to get school levies passed, but levies and bonds are passing and that is “investing in our futures.”
He said that during the election campaign he heard from many people about problems such as homelessness, personal property theft, crime and mental health.
The city’s sanctuary ordinance is an individual’s concern and the view is now that it is controlled by the Burien City Council.
Police not controlled by city
“No, it is not controlled by the Council,” he said. “We obtain (police) services from King County on contract so we don’t have our own police department. King County is going to regulate their every day business in rules and regulations of what their officers can and can’t do under the sheriff’s purview,” Matta said. “Now we have the right to sign a contract or not sign a contract but we need policing in our community. We are not a big enough city with enough funds to have our own police department.”
“I think the sanctuary city ordinance was more having the (Burien city) staff not be able to ask people their religious backgrounds.”
Matta added that the background of that request was because a former SeaTac interim city manager wanted to “start a registry of Muslims” in early in 2016 when SeaTac’s then-interim City Manager James “Donny” Payne asked the staff geographic-information systems coordinator to undertake a special project to gather data showing where Sunni and Shiite Muslim residents lived. Payne at the time said a “tactical map” of Muslim residents from census data would be useful “in case he needed to go into the neighborhoods to ‘make the peace,’” a later report of the issue said. Payne left SeaTac shortly after. No such registry was ever attempted in SeaTac and it was universally condemned by SeaTac city Council and staff.
“If you violate the law that hurts someone, you steal someone’s property, you are involved in domestic violence, you are drinking and driving — that is why we created laws in this country, making sure that we can curb people’s attitudes. We want to be sure we can project the fabric of the community.
“At the same time, we have had a broken immigration system in this country for a long, long time,” Matta said, “whether you are for max deportation or whether you are for general amnesty or just wanting to protect the DACA children, at the end of the day, I do think that, in our communities, we have a community that someone is in some kind of domestic violence … with a significant family member, they are able to call the police, or, if my child is walking down the street and someone hurts my child, and somebody who is undocumented sees that, I would like them to be able to pick up the phone and not be scared.”
Can’t help ‘my heritage’
“I can’t help that I am a brown man with black hair and I speak Spanish, that my heritage is Guatemalan, I can’t help that. I can’t change it. I am am American. I was born here, I love this country. I love Burien, I love this community. I want to make sure I make the right decisions for the community as a whole.
“I think I have been pigeonholed as ‘here’s a guy for Latinos, here’s a guy for undocumented people, here’s a guy that wants to break the law,’” Matta said. “I’ve heard those suggestions and perspectives, but, at the end of the day, I have a family. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my family, just like I wouldn’t want something to happen to someone who might be racist or intolerant of me.”
Matta said there is no reason why children should suffer any backlash or violence and “are as adults are here to make sure that our children’s dreams become a reality” and Burien’s businesses flourish. He said he will talk to and take in information from all aspects of the city’s population, and wants to visit all areas of the city to get to understand needs and desires of the people.
Celebrate good Burien people
“Let’s celebrate the good people who are in Burien. I think what has happened is Burien has gotten a broad brush of it is infested with gangs, infested with homeless, impacted with criminals,” the mayor said. “That is not the case. I have lived in Burien for 20 years and its got great people here.”
“We have a lot of great people in Burien and we need to celebrate that,” Matta said. “We can sit here and point to everything that is bad but that is not bringing a solution to the problems.”
He said he is still viewed as a Latino and not as the mayor, noting that people in a restaurant wondered if he was a cook or a dishwasher, not the mayor of the city.
“Being the first one is tough,” Matta said. “In life, sometimes being first is tough, I know I have a higher bar” to overcome.
“All I can do is give it my best.”

]]> LETTER: 'It is not the experience of the mayor, it is the agenda and priorities…' https://btb.nwlens.com/letter-it-is-not-the-experience-of-the-mayor-it-is-the-agenda-and-priorities/ Thu, 25 Jan 2018 23:03:24 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=121929 [EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The B-Town Blog nor its staff:]

Dear Editor,
It is not the experience of the mayor, it is the agenda and the priorities of the Council Members that matter.
A lot of people seem to be concerned about the level of the experience of the new mayor of Burien, Jimmy Matta. I believe Jimmy Matta is a personable politician who can operate well as mayor of Burien.
What really matters is the agenda and the priorities of the Council Members. From the first council meeting it appears to be very clear that especially two new councilmembers are influenced by a former councilmember that does not even live in Burien anymore. Lauren Berkowitz with her Demand Change Now agenda is having a big influence on the priorities of the new council. She considers the new councilmembers her puppets and jokingly refers to it as the Burien City Clowncil, but this can become reality before you know.
I would say all the people that are disappointed that Nancy Tosta did not become mayor stop complaining, but pay attention to the actions of your other newly elected councilmembers and by whom they are influenced.
My message to Jimmy Matta is congratulations and welcome as the new mayor of Burien. I hope you make this a better city by looking at the priorities of the Burien citizens.
– Matthys van Leeuwen

[Have an opinion or concern you’d like to share with our ~100,000+ engaged monthly Readers? Please send us your Letter to the Editor via email. Include your full name, please cite your sources, remain civil and – pending our careful review – we’ll consider publishing it.]

]]> Ballots for Feb. 13 Special Election will be arriving soon; school levy on ballot https://btb.nwlens.com/ballots-for-feb-13-special-election-will-be-arriving-soon-school-levy-on-ballot/ Thu, 25 Jan 2018 18:25:06 +0000 http://b-townblog.com/?p=121899 Ballots for the Feb. 13, 2018 Special Election will be arriving soon.
The only item you’ll find on your local ballot is for the school levy, which is not a new tax – it replaces the current levy, which is set to expire at the end of 2018:

Highline School District No. 401 
Proposition No. 1
Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy
The Board of Directors of Highline School District No. 401 adopted Resolution No. 23-17, concerning a proposition for a replacement levy for education. This proposition would authorize the District to meet the educational needs of students by levying the following excess taxes, in place of an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, for support of educational programs and operation expenses not funded by the State of Washington:

Collection
Year		 Estimated
Levy Rate/$1,000
Assessed Value		 Levy
Amount
2019 $1.50 $47,329,540
2020 $1.50 $48,749,426
2021 $1.50 $50,211,909
2022 $1.50 $51,718,266

all as provided in Resolution No. 23-17. Should this proposition be approved?

  • Yes
  • No

According to Highline Public Schools:

Our Levy: Less Money, Still Critical
Highline voters will be asked to renew an educational programs and operations levy in February 2018 to replace an expiring levy.
There is a gap between what the state funds and the education Highline provides to students. Levy funds make up the difference. 
The levy pays for staff and programs not yet fully covered by the state, like teachers, instructional assistants, special education, school nurses, security, extended learning time, athletics, Camp Waskowitz and other critical needs. Some examples are:

  • Additional teachers and support staff beyond the minimum staffing funded by the state. This allows us to have smaller class sizes and more teachers and instructional assistants working with our students.
  • Educational help for students with special needs, since state and federal funding does not cover the full costs.
  • Outdoor education experiences at Camp Waskowitz, including sixth-grade camp
  • Extended learning opportunities for students who need extra help
  • Athletic programs
  • School nurses (State funding pays for only three school nurses to serve our entire district; we pay for 15 nurses who serve medically fragile students as well as general health and safety needs.)
  • Teacher training days
  • School security officers

The state education funding plan passed by the legislature is a step in the right direction, but it is a work in progress. The state Supreme Court has ruled that the state is not yet fully covering all basic education costs.
Much of the new state funding comes from shifting some property tax dollars that now go directly to local schools from the state; the state will then redistribute those dollars back to school districts.
Even if voters pass a replacement levy, we will see a net reduction in funding after 2018—unless the legislature makes changes to the current funding plan.
The new levy tax rate is estimated at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed home value, compared to the 2017 tax rate of $3.38 per $1,000.

More info on the school levy is here, and below is a video starring B-Town Blogger Cassidy Huff:

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