Tukwila Reporter, November 18, 2015

tukwila reporter 11 • 2015

MR. MAYOR Allan Ekberg is the City of Tukwila’s new mayor Election coverage, pages 2,3

coverstory | page 10

FIRE UP:

TUKWILA LOOKS AT JOINING REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY SCHOOL CONNECTIONS: Tukwila School District update, pages 14-15

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Symphony sets holiday concert Rainier Symphony associate conductor, Tigran Arakelyan, opens this season’s holiday concert Friday, Dec. 11, with Dvorak’s Carnival Overture.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the Foster High School Performing Arts Center, 4242. S. 144th St., Tukwila.

The opener will be followed by Peter Hope arrangements of “The Holy and the Ivy,” “In Dulci Jubilo,” “What Child is This,” “Silent Night” and other familiar carols.

This year the orchestra will be joined by the Foster High School Choir for the first time. The choir will sing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World,” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah, with the orchestra.

Tickets are: Adult: $17, Student/Senior: $12, Age 12 and under: Free, 10 percent discount for groups of 10 or more. More information is available online at www.rainiersymphony.org.

2015election

Separate pool board overwhelmingly OK’d

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

A holiday giving program for local children in need.

This program relies on generous citizens who are interested in purchasing new gift items for the young in our community.

You can truly make a difference in the life of a local child.

TOY COLLECTION EVENT Also accepting cash and food for the Tukwila Pantry

10AM SATURDAY –4PM November 21

The Tukwila Pool has taken another step in its evolution with the approval by Tukwila’s voters in the Nov. 3 general elections of a separately elected commission to oversee its operations.

The initial tally in the general election showed Proposition 1 passing with 65 percent of the vote, ensuring a victory. In the Thursday, Nov. 12 tally, the vote was 67 percent yes to 33 percent no. Election results are certified on Nov. 24.

The Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District’s Proposition 1 asked Tukwila’s voters to create a five-member Board of Commissioners to oversee the pool district, which until now has been done by the seven-member Tukwila City Council in an ex-officio capacity.

Besides creating the new board, voters also elected the first five commissioners,

four of whom ran unopposed: Vanessa Zaputil, Ellen Gengler, Christine Neuffer and Jeri Frangello-Anderson. In the only contested race, David Puki was beating Michael Robert Neher with 70.61 percent of the vote.

The City of Tukwila had already transferred ownership of the pool to the park district.

Voters in 2011 approved the formation of a metropolitan park district to fund the pool and these capital improvements through a property tax levy of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or about $36 per year for the owner of a $240,000 home.

The levy will keep the pool operating for the next 20 years.

Tukwila took over ownership of the pool in 2003 from King County after county officials decided to get out of the pool business. The pool opened in 1973 funded by the 1968 Forward Thrust bond issue to expand county parks and recreation.

Community Resource Center (between JOEY Restaurant and Dukes Chowder House) If you or your business would like to share in the Spirit of Giving, contact Stacey Agmata at

206.768.2822 or stacey.agmata@tukwilawa.gov THE SPIRIT OF GIVING IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN:

Pool commissioners to consider tax levy

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

A COMMUNITY HERITAGE AND CULTURAL EVENT

Stories of Arrival

Refugee & Immigrant Youth Voices Project Tukwila Parks and Recreation together with Project Feast invite you to an evening of stories, music and food as we celebrate the diverse heritage of Tukwila residents.

Foster High Students share their journey of leaving their home country and arriving in a new country. Listen to live poetry readings, chat with local service providers, and sample a variety of bite-sized dishes prepared by Project Feast graduates.

An Evening of Stories, Music & Food

Dec 17 • Thur • 5:30-8:30pm Tukwila Community Center, Banquet Hall

The Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District commissioners will hold a public hearing Thursday, Nov. 19, on the district’s tax levy.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Valley View Sewer District conference room, 3460 S. 148th St., Tukwila.

The commission is proposing to increase the property tax levy the maximum amount allowed – 1 percent. To do so, it needs to show there is a “substantial need.”

The commission also will hear a number of reports.

Until the independently elected commissioners take office on Jan. 1, the members of the Tukwila City Council will continue to serve as the district commissioners.

Incumbent Kate Kruller wins re-election to council

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

In the only contested City Council race, incumbent Kate Kruller easily outdistanced challenger Charles Richard (Dick) Tyson in her re-election bid for the Tukwila City Council.

As of Thurday, Nov. 12, Kruller had 1,707 votes or 71 percent to Tyson’s 679 votes for 28 percent.

City Council members Kathy Hougardy and Dennis Robertson were unopposed.

In the only contested Tukwila School Board race, District 2 incumbent Steve Mullet beat challenger Kevin O’Brien Gaw, 1,255 votes or 62 percent to 762 votes or 38 percent.

School Board members Dave Larson and Dana Scott were unopposed.

The elections office will continue to post new results until the final results are certified on Nov. 24.

i 3

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » NOVEMBER 2015

2015election

Allan Ekberg elected mayor; transition begins

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

Allan Ekberg is getting briefings from city administrative staff as he prepares to take over as Tukwila’s new mayor on Jan. 1.

Ekberg’s comfortable lead over fellow City Council member De’Sean Quinn following the initial results Nov. 3 in the mayoral race wavered only a little in later results.

A week after Election Night, Quinn and Ekberg talked by phone, with Quinn offering his congratulations and both pledging to work together on the city’s business.

“I look forward to working with him in the future,” Ekberg said in an interview.

Ekberg called the campaign competitive but not contentious. Now, he wants Allan Ekberg, newly elected Tukwila mayor to put the campaign behind and move on.

“I want to work toward the future,” he said.

Ekberg’s reaction to winning was “way subdued,” he said, but “this week it’s hitting me that I got this.”

His co-workers at BECU in Tukwila, where he is a senior IT project manager, dressed up his cubicle and he couldn’t get inside until he did a formal ribbon cutting. His transition from BECU will continue through year’s end.

Ekberg will have half-day weekly meetings with city administrators through November and then more frequently in December. He’s also meeting with Mayor Jim Haggerton, who is finishing his second term in office.

“Everyone’s goal in the administration is to make sure I am up to speed and running fast.”

“Everyone’s goal in the administration is to make sure I am up to speed and running fast,” he said.

Quinn thanked his supporters who worked “so hard” on his campaign for mayor.

“Ballots are still trickling in but they show that Tukwila has chosen Allan Ekberg as the new mayor, he said. “Although we worked for Allan Ekberg a different outcome, I congratulate Allan on the win and will continue to work collaboratively with him on the City Council to help build a great future for Tukwila.”

And Quinn said he will continue to be a council member who “fights for every resident in the city.”

“I am proud of the campaign that many residents helped

De’Sean Quinn

me run and the positive messages that we used highlighting the opportunity in front of us,” he said.

As of Thursday, Nov. 12, Ekberg had 1,446 votes, or 53.42 percent, to Quinn’s 1,250 votes or 46.18 percent. The turnout was about 36 percent of Tukwila’s 8,169 registered voters.

The count will continue, with the certification of the results on Nov. 24. The latest results are available online at www.kingcounty.gov/

elections.

Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425-255-3484, ext.

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Long-time Tukwila resident Allan Ekberg has been elected the city’s mayor, beating fellow City Council member De’Sean Quinn.

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Roll on, Duwamish, roll on, is exactly what that river does, despite man-made changes that have straightened out its beautiful curves.

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Students in Foster High School’s civics class, after much research, have written an open letter to the new mayor of Tukwila.

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gobulldogs

The Foster football team made it into the district playoffs this season; the boys basketball team will go into its season led by a new coach.

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Tukwila is undergoing an intensive process to decide whether to ask voters to approve annexing to the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority.

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tukwila’sstory

Ever-changed Duwamish still fulfills mighty role state Supreme Court as well as the site becoming the latest annexation by the City of Tukwila. Once the lawsuit was settled and the dredging was avoided, the plans were set for the new development which became known as Southcenter.

The present-day Duwamish River has seen more than 160 years of changes to the land surrounding the wandering course through Tukwila and is still at the “Crossroads” of the past, present and future.

BY LOUISE JONES-BROWN P R E S I D E N T, T U K W I L A H I S TO R I C A L SOCIETY

The bridge near Heppenstall’s store crossed over the Duwamish River at Foster Point. Tukwila Historical Society Lake Washington at the same time, the Black River was totally erased from existence.

In the 1940s, the Port of Seattle revealed plans to straighten the re-

mainder of the existing Duwamish all the way to the Renton Junction to establish a cargo terminal in the Valley. This project was met with a lawsuit filed by local landowners in the

[ COOGAN from page 5]

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It’s that time again — the season when we are deliberate about counting our blessings and giving thanks. This school community gives me so much hope and joy that my Thanksgiving plate will be heaped with gratitude. My just-begun student advisory panel, my recent meeting with our Bhutanese community, the masterful student-led Candidate Forum in October, the time I spent substitute teaching in kindergarten classes this fall (I now know many many verses to “Wheels on the Bus”!) — these are the types of memories I will

Louise Jones-Brown is president of the Tukwila Historical Society. The society operates the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S., Tukwila. Reach the center by phone at 206-244-HIST (4478) or via email at tukwilaheritagectr@tukwilahistoryorg

bow my head over this holiday season.

There is one huge feat in particular that we can all celebrate collectively. The state just released graduation-rate information, and Foster High had significant — and I mean significant increases. We had an almost 15 percentage point increase for all students, with 25-plus percentagepoint gains for English Language Learners, Hispanic students and specialeducation students. Dozens more teenagers are leaving our school system each year with the key necessary to unlock their successful future: A high-school diploma.

I am proud beyond words. The grad-rate increase was not accidental; it’s due to intentional shifts in instruction, systems, and expectations at the high school, which have required hard work by staff and students alike.

and the results are clear.

The thanks go beyond the school’s walls, too. Thank you to every involved parent, guardian, sibling, and community member — the road to graduation is a partnership that takes wrap-around support from everyone. Thank you to our teachers and staff members at the elementary- and middle-school levels and across departments — you provide the foundation of knowledge, skill, and citizenship that launch our students successfully into high school.

Not to diminish the celebration about our graduation rate in any way, but I also want to take a step back. Graduating in four years is the goal for every student, but it’s not the only measure that counts. Our students come to us with many many varying levels of preparation for school.

We often get teenagers who have not been in a formal

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Foster educators have reexamined their curriculum and instructional practices, they are dedicated to tracking students in danger of going off track toward graduation, they have expanded credit opportunities, they continually hold college- and career-focused events, and so much more.

But there’s something even more fundamental. They believe fiercely in the potential of every student.

Especially when a teenager comes to school with almost unimaginable challenges (poverty, language barriers, trauma …), Foster staff members look at them and say, “Yes, you can!”

YES, YOU CAN! Our students want the same bright future as their peers across the nation; they just need the support, belief, and vision to get there.

Thank you, Foster students. Thank you, Foster staff. You are working your Bulldog tails off,

Here is the calender for the Tukwila Historical Society for the rest of the year: • Nov. 19, 7 p.m.: Regular monthly member at the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S., Tukwila.

• Dec. 17, 7 p.m.: Annual holiday meeting at the Nelsen family residence, built in 1905, 15643 West Valley Highway, Tukwila. RSVP by calling the Tukwila Historical Society at 206/244-HIST (4478) as food and beverages will be provided.

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The photograph featured this month is a view of the bridge built in 1939 to allow vehicle access to the area called Foster Point. This view was in danger of being erased within a couple of decades.

The first pioneer settlers, Luther Collins along with Jacob and Samuel Maple in 1851, established their land claims with access to the Duwamish River. The Duwamish people had been using it for thousands of years with villages and food sources located along the river banks. Industries began to change the river in the late 1800s and by 1909 plans were made to shorten the Duwamish’s original 13 1/2 miles to a mere 4 1/2 miles.

Dredging the new waterway began in 1913 and with the lowering of

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » NOVEMBER 2015 i 5

viewpoint editor dean radford editor@tukwilareporter.com

425.255.3484, ext. 5150 circulation jay krause 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

HOUSING The Comprehensive Plan mentions that the quality of the housing in Tukwila is something that must get improved. We read this section of the Comp Plan in

EDITOR’S NOTE I am sharing my space this month with the students in Andrea Gamboa’s civics class at Foster High School and our columnist, Chuck Parrish.

The students wrote their powerful message to the new mayor as the votrs were still being counted. And Chuck may help you get over any lingering campaign angst.

Dean A. Radford early October, but most of us have known that this is an issue long before October, because many of us call these apartments our home. People should not have to resort to living in apartments in Tukwila that are absolutely filthy, unkempt and also unreasonably overpriced. We hear about these apartments from our classmates, our friends. Knowing that they have no choice but to live in these harsh conditions [ more STUDENTS page 13 ]

Campaign is means to an end Don’t like hardball or negative campaigns? Get used to it. If they don’t work with you, they work with your neighbor. Campaigns are about winning, not fighting the good fight and losing. They are not new to Tukwila. A professionally run campaign is aware of how we think, how we react and what encourages or discourages us to vote. The campaigns are run accordingly.

Are you questioning the overall judgment of a candidate because you did not like their campaign? Consider letting that go. There is no evidence of a correlation. Campaigns are a means to

an end. Governance is a completely different thing.

Time will tell.

Turnout for the recent election was, once again, pitiful. Something between 30 and 40 percent. Those who do not vote are usually young or undereducated or apathetic. Is that you? One thing we know. We make choices by what we do and what we don’t do.

If we don’t vote, we allow others to decide for us. So we can’t complain, right? But, hey, we can do better.

School-related elections are coming soon. Will you vote or let someone else decide for you?

Tukwila Reporter columnist Chuck Parrish can be reached via email at chuckparrish2009@gmail.com.

Nancy Coogan

publisher@tukwilareporter.com

Dear Mr. Mayor, We are seniors from Foster High School’s civics class who have been given the opportunity to write an open letter to you. Throughout the past several weeks, we students have been empowered by the election. This is something that not many people our age felt, especially about a local election. Being able to truly dissect Tukwila’s Comprehensive Plan, being the leaders of the Candidate Forum and having open-ended conversations with our classmates about the issues in our city have made a huge impact on our thinking. As of now, although we do not know who you are, whether you are Mr. Ekberg or Mr. Quinn, we still want you to pay close attention to these issues and we want you to address them during your time in office:

It’s that time again — the season when we are deliberate about counting our blessings and giving thanks. This school community gives me so much hope and joy that my Thanksgiving plate will be heaped with gratitude. My just-begun student advisory panel, my recent meeting with our Bhutanese community, the masterful student-led Candidate Forum in October, the time I spent substitute teaching in kindergarten classes this fall (I now know many many verses to “Wheels on the Bus”!) — these are the types of memories I will bow my head over this holiday season.

There is one huge feat in particular that we can all celebrate collectively. The state just released graduation-rate information, and Foster High had significant — and I mean significant increases. We had an almost 15 percentage point increase for all students, with 25-plus percentage-point gains for English Language Learners, Hispanic students and special-education students. Dozens more teenagers are leaving our school system each year with the key necessary to unlock their successful future: A high-school diploma.

I am proud beyond words.

The grad-rate increase was not accidental; it’s due to intentional shifts in instruction, systems, and expectations at the high school, which have required hard work by staff and students alike. Foster educators have re-examined their curriculum and instructional practices, they are dedicated to tracking students in danger of going off track toward graduation, they have expanded credit opportunities, they continually hold college- and career-focused events, and so much more. But there’s some

COMMENTARY

publisher ellen morrison

Open letter to new mayor

Chuck Parrish

regional publisher polly shepherd

Savor holidays, grad rate

COMMENTARY

iwrite staff

tukwilacommentary

[ more COOGAN page 4 ]

6 h NOVEMBER 2015

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Tukwila news every day: Tukwilareporter.com Finding the Connection • Since 1989 •

Senior running back Alvin Noa (11) scores his final touchdown as a Foster Bulldog in the district playoff game Nov. 6 at Foster’s Werner Neudorf Stadium. Senior quarterback Zane Jacobson (16) motions his approval in the background. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Bulldogs blast into postseason

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BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

The Foster Bulldogs ended the regular football season with a Seamount League 4-2 record and a trip to the postseason as the 2A No. 1 seed from the league.

That No. 1 seed meant Foster hosted a football playoff game at Werner Neudorf Stadium for the first time in about 30 years, by some recollections.

But the Bulldogs lost the playoff game 29-12 against the Franklin Pierce High School Cardinals in a hard-fought, emotional battle.

Senior quarterback Zane Jacobson and senior running back Alvin Noa made big offensive plays, including Noa’s impressive touchdown run in the third quarter.

Senior defensive back Kobae Fulton was all over the field.

Before the game, Coach Elijah Ruhl

said he was “extremely proud of our team and the opportunity to represent Foster and the Tukwila community” in the playoff game.

Foster was assured of a district playoff appearance with a victory over the Renton Indians Oct. 2. The Bulldogs then lost on Oct. 16 to the Lindbergh Eagles, then the 2A No. 1 wseed.

But on Oct. 30, the Eagles lost to the Indians, leaving the three 2A schools [ more BULLDOGS page 7 ]

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Âť NOVEMBER 2015 i 7

New basketball coach sees fast young boys team

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

The Foster High School boys basketball team has a new coach, James Johnson, a 1999 graduate of Federal Way High School, who has coached high school and select teams.

Johnson, a paraeducator at Foster, replaces Isaac Tucker, who coached the boys team for three seasons.

Hired as the coach last James Johnson spring, Johnson has had his players doing conditioning and working out in the gym since early October. “Early assessment is we are young with quick athletes,� he said. “If we work together and play hard, we can shock a lot of teams.�

The Bulldogs’ first game is Dec. 1 against Seattle’s Chief Sealth High School.

[ BULLDOGS from page 6] with identical 4-2 records. With no time for a tie-breaker before the first playoff game, a drawing determined the seeding.

Foster was drawn first, then Renton, then Lindbergh. “I think that the parity in the league is a

Johnson, who grew up in Federal Way, played forward and center for Federal Way High School. He had a “challenging� high school career, twice tearing his ACL, he said. “Luckily, I played for great coaches,� he said, Jerome Collins at Federal Way and Jasen Baskett with Emerald City Basketball Academy.

He played a year at Olympic College, then moved to Clark Atlanta University, a small Division 2 school in Georgia, where he played for three years. He played wing, started the last two years, and was a cocaptain.

He earned a degree in mass communications and is now working on a Masters in Teaching degree. He was hired as a para educator late in the summer.

He’s coached at Roosevelt, Kennedy Catholic and Mercer Island high schools.

Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425255-3484, ext. 5150.

sign of improvement in the Seamount and I am extremely proud of our kids. Any of the three 4-2 teams would have been well deserving of the first seed, but we are very excited that it is us,� said Ruhl.

The Bulldogs ended the season 4-2 in league play and 4-6 overall.

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City of Tukwila • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Online: TukwilaWA.gov

TUKWILA CITY PAGES

MAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Kate Kruller

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Work at Duwamish Hill restores park site’s natural character

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On Tuesday, November 10, the City of Tukwila honored Veterans Day at an event held at the Tukwila Community Center. Attended by former and current members of the military, guest speakers from a variety of branches of the service addressed the crowd. Filling out the event were a Color Guard from Foster High School, and two members of the FHS band who played Taps to bring the ceremony to a close. The City of Tukwila would like to thank and recognize every Veteran in our community.

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0 3,)2+1""/ 4&1% 1%&0 -/,$/ *Ǟ 6,2ȉ)) /" "&3" 1/ &+&+$ 1% 1 ,,010 6,2/ 0(&))0Ǟ 4%&)" * (&+$ !&/" 1 &*- 1 ,+ 1%" )&3"0 ,# % /!4,/(&+$Ǟ ),4Ȓ&+ ,*" &+!&3&!2 )0 +! # *&)&"0 0 6,2 %")- 1%"* (""- *,/" ,# 4% 1 1%"6 " /+ǽ , )" /+ *,/" +! $"1 &+3,)3"!Ǟ -)" 0" 3&0&1 ,2/ 4" site: UWKC.org/TaxVolunteer.

Spirit of Giving

by Kate Kruller, 2015 Council President

Did you know there is a way to become a City Councilmember without a campaign or a public election? %" 2(4&) &16 ,2+ &) 4&)) % 3" 3 + 6 "$&++&+$ &+ +2 /6 Ç—Ç•Ç–Ç› " 20" 1%" 6,/Č’ ")" 1 4&)) " )" 3&+$ %&0 ,2+ &) -,0&1&,+ 4&1% 14, 6" /0 )"Ćž ,+ 1%" 1"/*Ç˝ +!"/ 0%&+$1,+ 1 1" ) 4Çž 1%" ,-"+ 0" 1 *201 " Ćœ))"! 3& + appointment by the Tukwila City Council. In January, your City Council will work through an appointment process to select the most qualiĆœ"! -"/0,+ 1, ',&+ 1%"* 0 ,2+ &) *"* "/ &+ ǗǕǖǛǽ %"/" 4&)) " #,2/ -% 0"0 )" !&+$ 2- 1, this appointment: 1. The City of Tukwila will post the job description and open the application period fol),4&+$ 1%" "/1&Ćœ 1&,+ ,# 1%" /" "+1 "+"/ ) )" 1&,+ 1 1%" "+! ,# ,3"* "/Ç˝ Ç—Ç˝ %" 2(4&) &16 ,2+ &) 4&)) /"3&"4 1%" --)& 1&,+0 +! &+1"/3&"4 .2 )&Ćœ"! --)&cants. Ç˜Ç˝ %" 2(4&) &16 ,2+ &) 4&)) --,&+1Çž 6 * ',/&16 3,1"Çž 1%" *,01 .2 )&Ćœ"! --)& +1 to the open seat. Ǚǽ %" --,&+1"" 4&)) 1 (" 1%" 1% ,# Ć›& " +! "$&+ 0"/3& " 0 &16 ,2+ &)*"* "/ for the duration of the term. )1%,2$% 1, .2 )&#6Çž --)& +10 +""! ,+)6 " /"$&01"/"! 3,1"/ +! /"0&!"+1 ,# 2(4&) #,/ at least one year, the City Council takes this ap-

-,&+1*"+1 3"/6 0"/&,20)6ǽ %" --,&+1"" 4&)) " granted authority to participate in passing laws, )"36&+$ 1 5"0Ǟ 0"11&+$ "*-),6"" ,*-"+0 1&,+Ǟ -2/ % 0&+$ +! 3 1&+$ -2 )& -/,-"/16Ǟ /"+!"/&+$ 0, & ) 0"/3& "0Ǟ "01 )&0%&+$ -,)& &"0Ǟ conducting hearings and more. &16 ,2+ &)0 !, +,1 * (" -,)& 6 &+ 3 22*ǽ 1 takes collaboration on ideas from many sourc"0Ǟ &+ )2!&+$ 01 ƛǞ &1&7"+0ȉ $/,2-0Ǟ !3&0,/6 committees, chambers of commerce and others. It is the Council’s responsibility to consider 1%" *"/&10 ,# " % &!" +! 1%"+ --/,3"Ǟ *,!ify or reject it. The City Council will be looking #,/ --)& +10 1% 1 /&+$ /")"3 +1 "5-"/&"+ "Ǟ knowledge and abilities that are a good match for all of this crucial work.

+ !!&1&,+ 1, ,+! 6ȉ0 1")"3&0"! ,2+ &) *""1ings, Councilmembers spend many hundreds of hours behind the scenes in committee or work session meetings, researching and processing information in preparation for upcoming agen! &1"*0Çž / Ćž&+$ +! Ćœ+ )&7&+$ -/,-,0"! -,)&cies or laws, representing Tukwila in regional af# &/0Çž +! * (&+$ -2 )& --" / + "0 1 "3"+10Ç˝ --)& +10 0%,2)! % 3" 3"/6 Ć?"5& )" )"+! / 1, ,**,! 1" 1%"0" 1&3&1&"0Ç˝ Most of all, applicants need to demonstrate a )" / - 00&,+ +! !"3,1&,+ 1, 1%" -",-)" 1% 1 )&3" %"/"Çž 4,/( %"/" ,/ 3&0&1 ,2/ &16Ç˝ 1 &0 4&))ingness to work hard to address what needs im-/,3"*"+1 +! -/"0"/3" 4% 1 &0 )/" !6 $/" 1 ,21 2(4&) 1% 1 * ("0 !&Ć›"/"+ "Č‚

Toy Collection Event Saturday, November 21 – 10:00AM to 4:00PM Westfield Southcenter, south parking lot Please bring new, unwrapped toys – make a difference in the life of a local child

Also accepting cash and food for the Tukwila Pantry

Your gift can help retired Police service dogs %" ))"6 "1&/"! ,)& " ,$ 00, & 1&,+ Č› Čœ &0 +,+Č’-/,Ćœ1 ,/$ +&7 1&,+ 4%,0" $, ) &0 1, Ćœ+ + & ))6 02--,/1 -,)& " 0"/3& " !,$0 &+ 1%"&/ /"1&/"*"+1Ç˝ %" 01/"+2,20 Çž 4,/( 1 ("0 1,)) ,+ 1%"&/ ,!&"0Ç˝ % 0 + ,2+1 1% 1 $&3"0 1%" % +!)"/0 ,# 1%" /"1&/"! !,$0 *,+"6 1, ,3"/ *"!& ) &))0Ç˝ %" #2+!0 ,*" -/&* /&)6 #/,* 1%" sale of their popular police dog photo calendars, along with dona1&,+0 1, 1%" 00, & 1&,+Ç˝ "1&/"! 2(4&) Çž &+, /" "+1)6 02 2* "! 1, + "/Çž +! 1%" %")-"! %&0 # *&)6 ,3"/ 1%" !" 10 1%"6 &+ 2//"! -/,3&!&+$ /" #,/ &+,Ç˝ + " "* "/ 1%" Ç—Ç•Ç–Ç› +&+" )"+! /0 4&)) $ &+ " 3 &) )"Č€ 6,2/ -2/ % 0" 4&)) * (" 4,+!"/#2) $&Ćž #,/ + +&* ) ),3"/ +! %")- /&+$ 1%" 00, & 1&,+ȉ0 ,2+1 ) + " ( 2-Çž "+ )&+$ 1%" 02--,/1 ,# ,1%"/ /"1&/"! Çž0Ç˝ " /+ *,/" ,21 Č€ $, 1, " ,,(Ç˝ ,*ČĄ ČĄÇ˝

Council Chat Speak with a Councilmember about what’s on your mind!

Billy Baroo’s at Foster Golf Links 13500 Interurban Avenue S 10:00͛ͧ to 12:00 ͨ͊͊ͨ

Next Chat: Dec. 12

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Sparkle in 2015‌ sign up for Tukwila’s second annual Holiday Lights Contest! /HDUQ PRUH DQG ÀQG RXW KRZ WR HQWHU 7XNZLOD:$ JRY +ROLGD\/LJKWV SGI

Become a tax preparation volunteer

Tukwila honors those who have served this country

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Sound Transit planning for future: potential Tukwila projects in the mix ,2+! / +0&1 &0 2//"+1)6 "3 )2 1&+$ +" /)6 Ç–Ç•Ç• -/,'" 10 1% 1 4&)) " 4%&11)"! !,4+ " /)6 +"51 6" / 1, #,/* ǘǞ 1%" )),1 *" 02/" $,&+$ "#,/" 3,1"/0 &+ ,3"* "/ ,# ǗǕǖǛǽ + )2!"! ,+ 1%" ) /$"/ )&01 /" #,2/ -/,'" 10 1% 1 ,2)! % 3" -,0&1&3" impact in the Tukwila community if they make the Ćœ+ ) )&01Çż Boeing Access Road Light Rail Station – The City has been working for years to fund the station at ,"&+$ "00 , !Çž 4%& % 4 0 -/,'" 1 ,/&$&+ ))6 )&01"! &+ ,2+! ,3" +! --/,3"! 6 1%" 3,1"/0 &+ ǖǞǞǛǽ %&0 6" /Çž 01/,+$ , )&1&,+ % 0 !"3"),-"! /,2+! 1%&0 01 1&,+ +! &+ )2!"0 /"0&dents (in Tukwila as well as other areas near the station), employers and other organizations. The , )&1&,+ &0 01/,+$)6 !3, 1&+$ #,/ 1%" &+ )20&,+ ,# 1%&0 -/,'" 1 ,+ 1%" Ćœ+ ) )&01Ç˝ Boeing Access Road Commuter Rail Station Č” )though Sound Transit’s planning process treats this as a separate project from the light rail station )&01"! ,3"Çž &1 4,2)! " &+ 1%" 0 *" ), 1&,+ +!

4,2)! 0"/3" 0 01,- #,/ ,2+!"/ ,**21"/ &)Ç˝ %" , )&1&,+ !"0 /& "! ,3" &0 )0, !3, 1&+$ for this project.

Bus Rapid Transit on I-405; Burien to Lynnwood – While this project is currently somewhat less !"Ćœ+"! 1% + 1%" ,1%"/0Çž 1%" $, ) 4,2)! " 1, -/,3&!" 1/2" 20 -&! / +0&1 Č› Čœ #/,* 2/&"+ 1, 6++4,,! 2- 1%" ȒǙǕǚ ,//&!,/Ç˝ %/,2$% !"!& 1"! ) +"0Çž ,+ / *-ČĄ,Ć› / *- +! ,1%"/ &+-

3"01*"+10Çž 1%" ,**21" 1&*"0 #/,* 0,21% &+$ County to points on the eastside and north could be dramatically reduced.

Parking Study and Potential Parking Expansion at the Tukwila International Boulevard Station Č” ,2+! / +0&1 "5-" 10 1% 1 1%" 0&$+&Ćœ +1 !"* +! 1 1%" 2(4&) +1"/+ 1&,+ ) ,2)"3 /! 1 1&,+ Č› Čœ 4&)) )"00"+ ,+ " 1%" +$)" (" 01 1&,+ ,-"+0 +"51 6" /Ç˝ ,4"3"/Çž 1%" &16 +! $"+ 6 % 3" + $/""*"+1 1% 1 &#Çž Ćž"/ +$)" (" ,-"+0Çž parking at TIBS does not become easier, Sound Transit will need to fund construction of addi1&,+ ) 0- "0Ç˝ +" ,# 1%" -/,'" 10 ,+ 1%" ) /$"/ )&01 #,/ &+ )20&,+ &+ ǘ 4,2)! #2+! 1%&0 012!6Çž -)20 1%" "3"+12 ) ,+01/2 1&,+ ,# 1%" - /(&+$ 01/2 12/" &# the study indicates it is needed. ,2+! / +0&1 "5-" 10 1, * (" Ćœ+ ) !" &0&,+ +"51 6" / ,21 1%" 0")" 1"! -/,'" 10Ç˝ &*&) / 1, 4% 1 1%"6 !&! ,+ 1%" !/ Ćž )&01 " /)&"/ 1%&0 6" /Çž 1%"6 4&)) 1%"+ "+$ $" &+ /, 201 -2 )& &+3,)3"*"+1 "Ć›,/1 "#,/" Ćœ+ )&7&+$ 1%" ǘ )&01Ç˝ ,4"3"/Çž !"&0&,+0 /" "&+$ * !" +,4 1% 1 4&)) % 3" $/" 1 &*- 10 ,+ 4%& % -/,'" 10 *,3" #,/4 /!Ç˝ ,*munity members interested in supporting these projects are encouraged to reach out to members of the Sound Transit Board and relay their support #,/ 1%"0" 1/ +0&1 "+"Ćœ10 1, ,2/ ,**2+&16Ç˝ !!&1&,+ ) &+#,/* 1&,+ + " #,2+! ,+)&+" 1 SoundTransit3.org and BoeingAccessRoadStation.org.

Later this month, the City of Tukwila Parks and Recreation Depart*"+1 4&)) Ćœ+&0% 2- 4,/( ,+ % 0" Ç— ,# 24 *&0% &)) /"0"/3"Çž #,20&+$ ,+ 1%" +,/1%4"01"/+ "!$" ,# 1%" ǖǕǽǚȒ /" - /(Ç˝ %&0 "Ć›,/1 continues the successful partnership between the City, Forterra, and /&"+!0 ,# 1%" &))Çž 4%& % 02 "00#2))6 -/"0"/3"! 24 *&0% &)) &+ ǗǕǕǙǽ % 0" Ç— &+ )2!"0 1%" " ,),$& ) /"01,/ 1&,+ ,# Ç˜Ç˝Ç˜ /"0 1% 1 /" "&+$ 1/ +0#,/*"! &+1, 2)12/ ) ) +!0 -"Çž 0%,4 0&+$ Ćœ3" !&01&+ 1 ),4) +! % &1 1 /" 0 Č” 4"1) +!Çž *" !,4Çž -/ &/&"Çž 0 3 ++ % +! 4,,!) +!Ç˝ %"0" + 1&3" -) +10 +,1 ,+)6 % 3" 1/ !&1&,+ ) 2)tural uses for the ancestors of the region’s indigenous people, but are also used by contemporary tribal members and others interested in traditional cultural practices.

The plants were selected in consultation with the Muckleshoot and 24 *&0% /& "0Çž 0 4")) 0 *"* "/0 ,# 1%" ,/1%4"01 1&3" *"/& + 0("1 " 3"/0 00, & 1&,+Çž +! &+ )2!" "! /Çž 0("1 0"!$"Çž tules, camas, oak, beargrass, crabapple, salmonberry and others.

The project also includes a large-scale granite art installation – Puget ,2+! )&0% " 0,+ ) ,2+! !"0&$+"! 6 "11" +0,+ Č” 1% 1 -/,3&!"0 #, ) -,&+1 +! "+1/ ) $ 1%"/&+$ -) " #,/ 1%" % 0" Ç— /" Ç˝ %" -/,'" 1 2!$"1 &0 Ę?ǛǗǕǞǕǕǕ +! 4 0 #2+!"! 1%/,2$% $/ +1 #/,* 1%" 0%&+$1,+ 1 1" "/&1 $" -&1 ) /,'" 1 2+!Ç˝ -) +1&+$ +! stewardship grant was also awarded to the project by the King Coun16 ,+0"/3 1&,+ &01/& 1Ç˝ %" &16 +! &10 - /1+"/0 ,+1&+2" 1, 0""( !!&1&,+ ) $/ +10 1, !"3"),- (&,0( ,+ 1%" 0&1"Çž &+ /" 0" 1%" *,2+1 ,# &+1"/-/"1&3" 0&$+ $"Çž !! "+ %"0Çž +! 2$*"+1 1%" % 0" Ç— planting.

24 *&0% &)) /"0"/3" )/" !6 0"/3"0 0 ("6 ), 1&,+ #,/ "!2 1&,+ ) -/,$/ *0Ç˝ 1 &0 + &*-,/1 +1 !"01&+ 1&,+ #,/ 0 %,,) Ćœ")! 1/&-0Çž - /1& 2) /)6 $&3"+ 1%" ,21!,,/ ) 00/,,*Çž +! % 0 ""+ %2 #,/ 3,)2+1""/ /"01,/ 1&,+ "3"+10Ç˝ %" ,*-)"1&,+ ,# % 0" Ç— 4&)) /&+$ *,/" 3&0&1,/0 +! "3"+10 1, 1%" /"0"/3"Çž - /1& 2) /)6 0 %,,)0 +! other organizations wishing to learn more about indigenous cultures.

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Fire Department takes part in Operation Warm + ,+! 6Çž ,3"* "/ Ç—Çž 1%" "+1&/" &+!"/$ /1"+ ) 00 1 %,/+!6(" )"*"+1 /6 4 0 -/"0"+1"!

4&1% / +! +"4 , 10Ç˝ -"/ 1&,+ /*Çž &+ - /1+"/0%&- 4&1% 1%" +1"/+ 1&,+ ) 00, & 1&,+ ,# &/"Ćœ$%1"/0Çž &0 -/,$/ * 1% 1 %")-0 # *&)&"0 /,00 1%" + 1&,+ 6 -/,3&!&+$ 4&+1"/ , 10Ç˝ ,/(&+$ &+ ,)) ,/ 1&,+ 4&1% 1%" 2(4&) %,,) &01/& 1Çž 2(4&) &/" #, 20"! 1%"&/ "Ć›,/10 1 %,/+!6(" )"*"+1 /6Çž 4%& % % ! 1%" $/" 1"01 +2* "/ ,# 012!"+10 4%, 4,2)! "+"Ćœ1 #/,* 1%&0 -/,$/ *Ç˝ +2# 12/"! &+ *"/& 6 2+&,+ 4,/("/0Çž 1%" ǜǚ - /( Č’016)" , 10 #" 12/"! %,,!Çž 7&--"/ +!

211,+0Çž +! *" &+ 3 /&"16 ,# ,),/0Ç˝ %&0 "3"+1 4 0 )0, + ,--,/12+&16 #,/ )" /+&+$ "5-"/&"+ "Çž +! Ćœ/" -"/0,++") -/,3&!"! Ćœ/" 0 #"16 !"*,+01/ 1&,+ #,/ 1%" 012!"+10Ç˝ ,+"6 1, -2/ % 0" 1%" , 10 Č” Ę?ǗǞǛǚǗ Č” *" #/,* -"/0,+ ) !,+ 1&,+0 6 *"* "/0 ,# 2(4&) &/"Çž 1%"&/ #/&"+!0 +! # *&)6Çž +! 1%" /"* &+!"/ #/,* 2(4&) &/"Ćœ$%1"/0 , ) Ç—Ç•Ç?Ç?Ç˝ %" %,-"0 /" 1% 1Çž 6 / &0&+$ 4 /"+"00 +! &+1"/"01Çž "3"+ *,/" , 10 + " -/,3&!"! +"51 6" /Ç˝ Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more‌ get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov!

10 h NOVEMBER 2015

« www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

coverstory

FINANCING THE RFA

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@ TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

The City of Tukwila has developed estimates that will allow city residents and business owners to compare the operational and capital costs of retaining its own fire department vs. consolidating with the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority (RFA).

The details of these estimates are available online at tukwilawa.gov homepage, Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee.

The RFA raises revenues for operations and capital costs in two ways.

One is property tax at $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the second is a fire benefit charge, which is based on square footage and other factors.

The city raises revenue through general property taxes which got toward providing fire and other city services such as the Police Department and typically asks voters to approve a property-tax levy to raise money for capital costs for such items as facilities, equipment and vehicles.

Here are the 2015 estimates, based on a home assessed for tax purposes at $266,000, the medium value of a Tukwila house, and 2,640 square feet: WITHOUT THE RFA • Tukwila property tax: $756 • Property tax for fire capital projects: $124 (based on 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation • RFA assessment: $0 • Total yearly cost: $880

Firefighters from several South King County fire departments, including Tukwila, SeaTac, Renton and the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority work together Nov. 3 at an exercise to extricate a victim from an overturned car at Renton’s headquarters fire station. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Tukwila weighing the pros, cons of joining regional fire authority

BY DEAN A. RADFORD

WITH THE RFA: • Tukwila property tax: $258 • Property tax for fire capital projects: $0 • Kent RFA assessment: $617 • TOTAL: $875 PROPERTY TAXES Joining the RFA will free up the portion of the city property-tax revenue that went to provide fire services and fire capital costs. The City Council is currently going through what’s described as a “transparent” process to consider how much of those available property taxes to spend – if the city annexes to the RFA. For the example above, the property tax is $1,235, if the maximum is spent and it also includes the RFA assessment.

ON THE COVER Tukwila firefighters, from left, Mark Crowley, Mike McCoy and Jim Brooks battle a flammable liquids fire at the fire training center near North Bend. Al Metz/Burien Fire Department.

DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM

T

he City of Tukwila and its residents and businesses are going through an intensive process to determine whether to ask voters to consolidate the city’s fire department with the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority.

The timeline calls for the Tukwila City Council to vote by year’s end to move forward the process to annex to the RFA. The city would then hold open houses in January at fire stations, reach out to the business community and hold a public hearing and final vote in February on whether place the issue on the April ballot.

“We will be able to answer questions about what does this mean to me,” said Moira Bradshaw, the city’s project project manager for the annexation, at the open houses.

The city has promised extensive outreach to the public about the annexation and transparency in what would happen with local property taxes that no longer pay for fire services.

There’s an additional step in the process before the City Council places the annexation on the ballot. The RFA has to formally agree to accept the annexation if it’s approved, so Tukwila’s voters know that the RFA have agreed to

the “marriage.”

If voters approve the annexation, the City of Tukwila would become part-owner of the RFA and have three seats on the nine-member governing board, filled by Tukwila City Council members. Kent and Fire District 37 will each have three elected officials on the board.

Fire service would transfer from the Tukwila Fire Department to the RFA on Jan. 1, 2017, following several months of working out details, including the transfer of property taxes.

The annexation comes with pros and cons and financial considerations, which a steering committee has been analyzing for the past several months. The committee will consider on Nov. 18 its recommendation to the City Council.

A

mong the pros are more firefighters and equipment to fight fires, reduced overtime costs with more firefighters to cover shifts and economies of scale in purchasing trucks and equipment that should reduce costs.

Among the cons are the council assuming another regional role on the RFA’s governing board, Tukwila’s community identity diminished due to loss of “Tukwila” firefighters and equipment and slightly higher costs to residential taxpayers, with some paying more and

some less for fire services.

Businesses could pay more for fire services because the fire benefit charge is based on square footage and other factors that include such risks as toxic or flammable material stored at the business.

The annexation to the RFA is also another example of the region coming together to provide emergency services more efficiently and at less cost. Already there’s a regional jail and a regional emergency-dispatch center.

“And now we are going to be part-owners of a much-larger, regional fire-protection model,” said David Cline, Tukwila’s city administrator.

G

enerally speaking the annexation has the support of Tukwila’s firefighters, who regularly jointly train with firefighters from the RFA and throughout the region. Such training helps firefighters from various agencies learn to work and communicate together.

Dawn Judkins, president of Tukwila Firefighters, IAFF Local 2088, sits on the steering committee. Her goal, she said, is not to steer the committee in any direction but as city employees the goal is to be responsible financially for citizens.

She also said consolidation would fix some [ more FIRE page 11]

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » NOVEMBER 2015 i 11

WWW. DUP ONT M US E UM. COM

Tukwila firefighters practice extrication techniques at an region-wide exercise in early November. Dean A. Radford/Tukwila Reporter

Annexation election would occur in April if City Council decides to move forward other source of revenue is property taxes, at $1 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. of the department’s inefficiencies, pay for A capital plan developed as part of the needed capital projects and add leadership annexation discussion calls for spending stability after four years with an interim $47.7 million on fire facilities, paid for fire chief. mostly by Tukwila taxpayers and by devel“We are looking to have something peropers through impact fees. manent in our department, As a member of the two no matter what it is,” said Judcommittees, Thornton has kins, who is a fire department toured the Tukwila’s fire stacaptain. tions – and Kent’s – and Capt. Dave Woelber, a spoken with firefighters. Aftraining officer with the Kent ter comparing the facilities, Fire Department, said fireThornton said, annexation fighters support the consoli“makes all the sense in the dation because it brings them world.” together as one department, But he also said the comeven closer than training tomittee knows residents and gether, providing all aspects businesses will have concerns of customer service. about any change.

“We’re all under one gov“And we hope to take care David Cline, erning authority that makes Tukwila city administrator of that by either small group the decisions for the organior large group or media efzation for customer service in forts and for the people who a more consistent manner,” he are on the committee to respond to those said. concerns,” he said. There are several ways to do so, he said. ongtime Tukwila resident Jerry Thornton is a citizen member of the ne reason for annexation is that RFA steering committee and of a the fire benefit charge is based on committee that’s looking at the city’s facilsquare footage and on the cost to ity needs for new fire stations, City Hall, provide services, unlike property taxes, the municipal court and the police depart- which take into account only the assessed ment. value of the land and property. The benefit Based on his reading, the steering com- charge will better reflect the cost – and risk mittee seems favorable to recommend- – of providing fire services to a particular ing the annexation go to a vote, although property. there are members who have had quite a “The fire benefit charge assesses the cost bit to say and those who have not, he said. of fire protection to the heavier uses,” said “I know a lot of us think it’s a good idea,” Cline, Tukwila’s city administrator, such as he said. commercial businesses with a warehouse, The city has placed on hold its decision for example. how to rebuild or relocate its four aging Another “good thing” is that “revenues fire stations, which are vulnerable to earth- that are collected in Tukwila for capital to quakes and substandard conditions, until replace the fire stations will stay in Tukwila after the annexation vote. and be used for Tukwila,” he said. “So that’s If the city annexes, money to pay for fire kind of a nice benefit that Tukwila is not station and equipment needs would come going to subsidize Kent and Kent is not gofrom the RFA’s fire benefit charge that all ing to subsidize Tukwila.” properties would pay. The fire benefit charge also pays for fire services; the RFA’s [ more FIRE page 13 ]

[ FIRE from page 10]

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12 h NOVEMBER 2015

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Enjoy a gobble, gobble at the pool | We’re all in

BY DAVE PERKINS A Q UAT I C S M A N A G E R

As the temperature starts to drop outside, we here at the Tukwila Pool want to remind everyone that swimming doesn’t have to stop when summer is over. We keep our pool temperature at 84 degrees so there is no excuse not

to come in and enjoy the warm water even if it’s rainy and 40 degrees outside.

There are many programs to take advantage of this fall and winter. We have water aerobics classes, swimming lessons for both children and adults, lap swim, family swim and open swim. We also have a swim team that calls Tukwila Pool home.

So if you haven’t stopped by or it has been awhile since your last visit, we encourage you to come in and check out what we have to offer. Our friendly staff will gladly answer any questions you have.

Our Third Saturday event for November is the Turkey Races 1-3 p.m. Nov. 21 at the pool.

There will be a turkey rally, turkey cannonball, turkey toss and tur-

key slide.

Registration for our next session of Swimming Lessons start Nov. 18, so don’t miss out! For a full schedule of the programs we offer please come in and pick up one of our brochures or you can visit us on line at www.tukwilapool.org.

Additionally, if there is an activity you would like to see of-

fered at Tukwila Pool we want to hear about it! Please call Dave Perkins at 206-267-2350 or email dperkins@tukwilapool.org.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and hope to see you all in the water soon!

Dave Perkins is Aquatic Manager, Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District, 4414 S. 144th St., Tukwila.

Vaughn in custody without bail

BY DEAN A. RADFORD DRADFORD@TUKWILAREPORTER. COM

The South Park Bridge carries 20,000 vehicles a nearly 3,000 heavy-duty trucks each day. King County

South Park Bridge project best in nation The South Park Bridge carries 20,000 vehicles a nearly 3,000 heavy-duty trucks each day. All photos by King County.

The South Park Bridge construction project continues to receive national awards for design, preservation, and engineering a year after King County Executive Dow Constantine led the opening celebration, according to a King County press release.

The latest recognition comes from Roads & Bridges magazine, which named it the best bridge project in the United States for 2015.

Many of the awards King County and its contractors have received for the South Park Bridge praise the drawbridge’s energy-efficient design that can raise both 3.5-millionpound drawspans with the same amount of energy it takes to drive a Toyota Prius, according to the release.

The South Park Bridge provides a key link for Tukwila drivers to get to Boeing Field

and south Seattle.

With two piers capped by brick-surfaced control towers and a sweeping bascule design, the new bridge recreates the look of its predecessor, which was torn down in 2010 due to safety concerns. King County Department of Transportation managed the project.

The new bridge carries 20,000 vehicles and nearly 3,000 heavy-duty trucks each day as well as an estimated 10 million tons of freight each year, including aerospace parts to local Boeing facilities.

Constantine created a public-private partnership to fund construction of the new drawbridge, which is a key industrial corridor connecting communities along the Duwamish River.

“Award-winning construction projects like South Park Bridge demonstrate our ability to deliver results,” said Executive Constantine.

“National recognition for our infrastructure

projects is important because it shows that, even in an era of federal gridlock and budget shortfalls, we can get the job done.”

The latest award from Roads & Bridges honors projects that excel at meeting project challenges and positively impacts its region.

In describing why they selected it as the nation’s No. 1 bridge project, editors said: “Erecting a new structure in the face of a treasured progenitor is a daunting task in the best of circumstances. Those surrounding the construction of the South Park Bascule Bridge were beyond extreme—this project towed narrow lines of strict operational quality, and did so amidst input from residents. In this sense, the new South Park Bascule Bridge is more than a bridge; it is a connector of communities on both shores of the Duwamish.”

A Tukwila man with “hatred” tattooed across his forehead and wanted following a shooting at Tukwila Police officers and detectives in August is now in custody and facing numerous charges.

Kevin Michael Vaughn, 26, is being held without bail in the county jail in downtown Seattle.

Total bail has been set at $321,000 on the charges against him.

Vaughn was arrested in Lynnwood Oct. 15 on numerous warrants. Tukwila Police detectives weren’t involved in that operation, but they have been close to arresting him ever since they arrived at his Tukwila house on Aug. 27 to search for him.

Tukwila officers nearly caught him Sept. 22 when he was spotted in front of Foster High School on South 144th Street in an orange Mustang by a school resource officer. Vaughn led a Tukwila officer on a pursuit in excess of 100 mph, until the officer terminated the chase.

The officer was injured in a collision with another vehicle during the pursuit, according to Tukwila Police Commander Eric Drever.

He went back to duty While at the property, the detectives and officers were fired upon at least seven times by two motorcyclists southbound on Interstate 5, who could see the house from the freeway, according to Drever.

The two motorcyclists had first ridden by the house, then fled to the freeway after seeing the officers, according to Drever.

Task force investigators are working their case to submit to prosecutors on the search of Vaughn’s house and the shooting, which could include federal charges.

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » NOVEMBER 2015 i 13

Students ‘see the great potential that Tukwila holds’ [ STUDENTS from page 5 ] is extremely unsettling. We cannot even comprehend how it must feel to do your homework in your home, while having tons of roaches running around. It is morally unacceptable to just let these apartments not keep their facilities upto-par. Mr. Mayor, we need you to hold them accountable and make them maintain their housing. If Tukwila is meant to be the best city, apartments in these conditions should not exist. Not only are these apartments of low quality, but they are priced a lot more than their value.

PAC HIGHWAY/TUKWILA INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD: At the Candidate Forum, we had several questions about PAC Highway. One of the goals in the Comprehensive Plan is to ensure

“The number of times that you get catcalled by drivers and other pedestrians is alarming and frightening.” that Tukwila International Boulevard is a walkable corridor with places to live, work, shop and play. This is precisely what the students want for the Highway.

As of now, the majority of us feel unsafe walking on those sidewalks. Imagine being a young girl, walking on the sidewalks of PAC Highway. The number of times that you will get harassed and catcalled by drivers and other pedestrians is alarming and frightening. How would we possibly be able to enjoy all the new amenities that come with the upcoming Tukwila Village if we do not even feel safe roaming through these streets?

SAFETY: Mr. Mayor, you should emphasize to the City Council how impor-

“We would be truly ashamed of our city if it has to take an injury or even a life to take these vital safety measures.” tant it is to have safer roads for pedestrians. Many of us, students, walk to school.

There are some areas in Tukwila where we have no choice but to walk directly alongside cars because there aren’t any sidewalks. An example is the street in be-

tween the trailer homes and the Samara apartments on 141st street. This street is extremely narrow and hardly even has room for two lanes. Students walk right next to these moving cars because there aren’t any sidewalks. Another issue is the fact that we have an insufficient number of crosswalks. This is a safety hazard because students and other pedestrians decide to cross the street unlawfully. The street in between Foster High School and the Foster library has only one crosswalk.

We would be truly ashamed of our city if it has to take an injury or even a life to take these vital safety measures. We should not put this problem on the backburner until one of our classmates, or anyone else for that matter, gets hurt.

TRANSPORTATION: What is the point of having resources without being able to access them? We find ourselves wondering that many times regarding our city’s transportation system. The majority of students do not drive. If we are working toward having all these great assets and programs in our city, we need to have an adequate transportation system.

People think that Tukwila is a convenient place to live in because the Link light rail is at our front steps. But the truth is that it is not at our front steps. Tukwila is such a small city, but the transportation system makes everything not accessible and very far away. Unfortunately, the light

“It is important that the students are kept in mind when creating change in this system because we heavily depend on public transportation.” rail is more beneficial to those who are commuting from outside of Tukwila and not those who live in Tukwila. Moreover, many other locations are difficult to access for students. Many of our friends are unable to join a new club or activity at the Tukwila Community Center because they live in places which do not have an adequate transportation system. It is important that the students are kept in mind when creating change in this system because we heavily depend on public transportation.

SCHOOLS: As the overseer of the city, you should build a stronger alliance with the school district. Work alongside the School Board to help achieve goals, such as the in-school mental health counseling that students in our district need.

Some things are harder to achieve, but

having you there collaborating and helping to advocate for the district will be very powerful.

ENVIRONMENT: Today, kids and teenagers – and even adults – are shackled to their technological gadgets. Because of this, there has been a nationwide emphasis on spending time outdoors and immersing yourself in the environment.

Mr. Mayor, we need the residents of Tukwila to fall in love with the environment and the beauty that nature holds. Rather

“We need to preserve our ecosystem to make sure that Tukwila will even exist for our children and children’s children.” than viewing pixelated images of beautiful green scenery on our smartphones, why can’t we have an equally beautiful place here, in Tukwila? We need to preserve our ecosystem to make sure that Tukwila will even exist for our children and our children’s children. To achieve this, our city needs people to be more engaged in the environment and the importance of being green. We need residents to see areas like the Duwamish/ Green River as an asset to the community. An idea that we suggested was hosting fun city gatherings by the river so that people can begin to even appreciate our natural environment, and eventually take it upon themselves to compost, recycle and go green. Make them fall in love with the environment so they can understand why we need to take care of it.

After reading this, you may think that we are too painfully optimistic and dream of some unattainable utopia.

However, we just see the great potential that Tukwila holds. Although many other cities have failed to conquer the issues that we have mentioned, we truly believe that Tukwila can be the leading city to go above and beyond. We are sure that you, Mr. Mayor, hold just as high of a standard as we do. The last thing that we want to hear is that these things are too difficult to accomplish. Our last request for you is to not forget about us. Whether you are Mr. Quinn or Mr. Ekberg, you spent your entire campaign reaching out to the unrepresented – the youth, the immigrants, the elderly. Once you are officially in office, please continue to preserve these bridges that you have helped create. We are more than just a vote in your favor.

Thank you.

Sincerely, The students in Andrea Gamboa’s civics class at Foster High School.

RFA steering committee The members of the Regional Fire Authority Steering Committee include: Tukwila City Council • Joe Duffie • Verna Seal Tukwila administration • David Cline, city administrator • Chris Flores, interim Tukwila fire chief Fire union members • Dawn Judkins, president, IAFF Local 2088 • Alan Codenys, Tukwila firefighter • Merle Brooks, Tukwila firefighter Residents • Jessica Jerwa • Jerry Thornton • Kathleen Wilson Business • Roxanne Knowle, Senior Real Estate Manager, CBRE • Mark Segale, Segale Business Park • Genevieve Christensen, Westfield Non-voting Kent RFA Members • Mike Denbo, Fire District 37 commissioner • Jim Schneider, Fire Chief Kent RFA • Ray Shjerven, president, IAFF LOCAL 1747 Tukwila staff • Moira Bradshaw: moira.bradshaw@tukwilawa.gov; 206 431-3651 • Vicky Carlsen: Vicky.carlsen@tukwilawa.gov; 206433-1839

[ FIRE from page 11] The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority was created in 2010. In recent years, Tukwila has looked at new models to provide fire services, including joining the RFA. But the option was put on hold while the RFA negotiated a contract to provide fire services to the City of SeaTac. “Another major difference now vs. then is that the Kent RFA has been up and running for five years and it wasn’t in 2010. It was just starting out. So we have a much better understanding of what to expect,” Bradshaw said. “They have that solid history of five years of operations.”

Questions still remain, including: • What will the RFA call itself if Tukwila annexes? Most agree that including the Kent Fire Department in the name wouldn’t be appropriate.

• Where would new fire stations locate if Tukwila joins the RFA? According to Cline, the city already has a new location for headquarters station No. 51 on Andover Park East – the bottom of the hill at South 180th Street in Southcenter. Stations 52 and 53 likely would be rebuilt in the same locations. And, because they are relatively close together, Tukwila’s Station 54 across from Foster High School and SeaTac’s Station 47 could co-locate at the same location. A regional fire service offers the chance to locate fire stations where they serve two areas, in this case Tukwila and SeaTac. • Will “Tukwila” appear on firefighter gear, equipment and fire stations, which would be owned by the RFA? That’s a concern of some members of the Tukwila City Council. Cline points to what happened in SeaTac, the contract city: Gear says Kent, equipment says SeaTac. Bradshaw said the name on the fire stations is to be determined, but no matter the name, she said most people “are going to call it the Tukwila fire station.”

14 h NOVEMBER 2015

« www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com

school connection Tukwila School District #406

NOVEMBER 2015

Foster High’s graduation rate skyrockets with culture of “Yes, you can!”

The recent release of statewide achievement data shows significant jumps in the graduation rate at Foster High School, with increases of almost 15 percentage points overall and more than 30 percentage points for Hispanic and Special Education students.

“I am incredibly proud of our Foster students and educators,” said Superintendent Nancy Coogan. “A diploma is the gateway to the future, and it takes great perseverance, resiliency, and self-motivation for many of our students to make it to graduation.”

While the graduation spike is due to a long list of intentional shifts in Foster’s instruction and expectations, Principal Pat Larson points to the top of the white board in her office where “Priorities = Kids + Teachers” is front and center.

“That’s it, right there,” she said.

“Every kid has a reason for being here, and it’s our job to say, ‘Okay, how can we help you?’ It’s our job to say, ‘We believe in you,’ and to keep saying ‘Yes, you can—yes, you can!’—whenever they hit a roadblock.”

Yes, you can. These words are visible throughout Foster, in morning announcements, and in presentations. Most importantly, the mantra is beginning to become engrained in students’ minds. As one of the most diverse high schools in the nation, the majority of Foster’s students come from backgrounds—refugee camps, poverty, marginalization—that can create formidable self-doubt.

During a recent visit from the state’s House Education Committee, a panel of Foster students shared their hopes for the future as well as their daunting challenges: Parents detained by immigration authorities, homelessness, no experience or assistance at home regarding college because, for many students, they are the first to even graduate high school…

Senior Eyerusalem Mesele summed up their feelings: “We want and seek all the same opportunities as other high-school students, but we are underresourced,” she said.

What does “Yes, you can!” look like in action? After an already long day of teaching and problem-solving, every educator regularly comes together to handwrite postcards to mail home to individual students praising successes, big or small. Staff often scramble to help students overcome the basics of survival: Food when it runs out at home, shelter to prevent families from going homeless, warm clothes in the winter, and support for social/emotional issues—rooted in trauma—when daily struggles prove too much. Civics teachers organize on-site forums with city leaders, police, and political candidates to make sure students understand the power of their

voice in the local community.

Students are connected with (often diverse) mentors in the professional community, who help them understand the path they can take to have a successful career.

And, always, staff members seek to understand what is happening in each student’s life, and they ask them to envision a bigger future.

Larson spoke about a recent interaction with a student who expected scolding or discipline when she came to the principal’s office. Instead, “Before she could leave, I had her say, ‘I am strong.

I have a voice. I am educated or I am in the process of becoming educated …’”

Larson said.

“We talked about how she was more than her circumstances.”

Foster’s success over the past two years may be rooted in advocacy for every student—but it has taken a lot of hard work changing structures, instruction, and support systems to actualize their collective belief. Here are some of the major initiatives: • Using Race to the Top grant funds to create an early-warning indicator system to catch

2015 Comparison of Graduation Rates 2014 4-Year Graduation Rate*

2015 4-Year Graduation Rate*

Percentage-Point Change

All Students

55.1%

70.0%

14.9

Asian

47.8%

72.3%

24.5

Black

61.0%

66.1%

5.1

Hispanic

43.5%

75.0%

31.5 -33.3

Multi-Racial

100.0%

66.7%

Native American

100.0%

100.0%

0

50.0%

54.5%

4.5

Pacific Islander White

67.6%

69.0%

1.4

Students in Poverty

51.5%

68.3%

16.8

Special Education

20.0%

55.0%

35

English Language Learners

29.0%

54.5%

25.5

*The state’s Actual Adjusted 4-Year (On-Time) Cohort Graduation Rate is a measure of all of the students who entered their high school as freshmen and graduated four years later. Students who enter the school after freshmen year are included in the calculation. Students who left with a confirmed transfer to another school are removed from the calculation.

at-risk students before they are in trouble of failure; add an ontime graduation specialist to monitor students’ progress toward their diploma; and create a college- and career-specialist position at the middle school.

• Creating many opportunities for students to retrieve credits during summer and throughout the school year using an accredited online program, Red Comet.

• Emphasizing college and career readiness through activities such as participation in DiscoverU Week, reinstituting the annual College and Career Fair, and helping each student take an assessment to determine their aptitude and interest in certain career fields. The College and Career Counselor’s strong leadership and presence is a part of the daily culture at school.

• Adding an assessment coordinator to track students’ graduation test requirements.

• Adding more Advance Placement courses, doubling enrollment, and providing a summer “AP Boot Camp” to help prepare students for these college-level courses. (Foster’s AP Calculus scores were significantly above the state and international average!)

• Partnering with organizations like Highline Community College and Youth Source for alternative learning programs for older students who need a combination of high-school credit and opportunities for job certification/degrees.

• Having every student take the PSAT or SAT college-admission test during a school day in the fall.

• Overhauling the discipline philosophy and procedures; outside of extreme incidents, students are not barred from classroom learning and/or the opportunity to make up school work.

• Implementing Common Core State Standards, with support from an expert consultant in English.

• Advocating at the state level to create an assessment to grant credit to bilingual students, and subsequently having all qualifying students take the assessment. (Foster had the highest number of students earning a bi-literate award in the state!)

• Intensely focusing on struggling math students—analyzing data, sharpening instructional practices, and developing common assessments aligned with the Common Core. (Foster was recognized as being in the top 1 percent in the state for showing student growth in math!)

• Aligning curriculum and instructional practices within departments and grade levels to create successful transitions.

• Emphasizing AVID (collegepreparation program) strategies during advisory periods to increase students’ awareness and control of their success in high school and beyond. (100 percent of students enrolled in the official AVID program graduated and are bound for post-secondary education!)

• Extending the after-school program by adding para-educator support and extra time during peak study times.

• Expanding traditions, celebrations, and support groups to help all students feel like they belong: adding an all-inclusive cultural assembly at homecoming; creating a Black Student Union, Asian Culture Club, and Educating Pacific Islanders Club (EPIC); and continued support for MeCHA (Latino), the GayStraight Alliance, and other clubs.

www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » NOVEMBER 2015 i 15

Tukwila School District #406

2010 Technology Levy in action: A substantial investment in 21st-century classrooms and jobs of tomorrow Did you know the community’s investment in the 2010 Technology Levy has resulted in almost $20,000 of high-tech equipment and learning resources for EVERY classroom in the district? Here’s what we have been able to provide: •Chromebooks (almost 3500) •Chromebook charging carts (200) •SMART Projectors (185) •Digital document cameras (more than 200) •Audio systems with teacher and student microphones (175) •Teacher laptops (more than 200) •Staff and student desktops (more than 250) •WIFI in all of our schools and facilities •Switches and servers running all of our mission-critical systems and services •Professional development for teachers •Instructional coaches to support classroom teachers’ use of technology (2014 and 2015) •Tech-support staff WOW! Our students are learning in 21st-Century classrooms, preparing for jobs of the future.

The district’s Technology Levy is set to expire next year, and a replacement measure will be on the February 2016 ballot. It will focus on teacher training to use technology in innovative, student-specific ways as well as enhancing and modernizing technology equipment.

For more information, visit the district’s homepage, www.tukwila. wednet.edu.

Foster’s theater students present “Alice in Wonderland” Follow Foster High’s theater students down the rabbit hole! They are presenting “Alice in Wonderland” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, at the school’s Performing Arts Center, 4640 S. 144th St. Tickets are available at the door, $4 with an ASB card and $5 without.

NOVEMBER 2015

Seeking a school board member: Make a difference in the lives of local children!

The Tukwila School District is now accepting applications for its vacancy in School Board Director District 4 (the area around Thorndyke Elementary). If you are a registered voter in Director District 4 and interested in serving the students of this community, please consider applying!

School board members provide oversight of the school district and make decisions about curriculum, learning goals, superintendent performance, and resources and expenditures.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact Maria Gonzales-Millsap, school board executive assistant, at gonzalesmillsapm@tukwila.wednet.edu or 206-901-8006. Maria can also confirm your residency in the borders of Director District 4.

To apply, fill out an application (available at the Administration Building, 4640 S. 144th St., Tukwila or on the district’s homepage, www.tukwila.wednet.edu). The deadline for receiving applications is Dec. 7. The school board will conduct interviews on Dec. 14 and appoint the new school board member soon after.

Firefighters like the heat— especially when it comes to keeping our children toasty over the cold winter months! On Nov. 2, Tukwila firefighters brought a brand-new coat to each kindergartner at Thorndyke Elementary as part of Operation Warm.

In partnership with the International Association of Firefighters, Operation Warm allows firefighters to counter a different type of community safety need—childhood poverty and health/wellbeing.

Looking at tiny preserved brains of snakes, frogs, and mice? It’s pretty awesome, according to fourth-graders at Cascade View Elementary. They were fascinated during the “Sense, Think, Move: Exploring Brain Functions” lesson presented by the mobile Science Adventure Lab on Oct. 29.

The Science Adventure Lab, ran by Seattle Children’s Hospital, is dedicated to developing the next generation of scientists and promoting children’s health by advancing science education.

Last year, the Science Adventure Lab came twice to Cascade View. Based on pre- and post-visit surveys, fourth-graders showed significant jumps in scientific content knowledge (20 to 30 percentage points); even better, 75 percent of students said they enjoy learning about STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/ Math) subjects and 66 percent said they would like to do a STEM job in the future.

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WINNER

tukwila

WINNER

tukwila

WINNER

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56,8*-" t 4&"5"$ t %&4 .0*/&4 AWARDS

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TUKWILA • SEATAC • DES MOINES AWARDS

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FINALIST

tukwila

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tukwila reporter

100

$

15425 53rd Avenue South | Tukwila, WA 98188

Celebrate your

g Everythin toward is geared ild’s your ch and comfort t enjoymen

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The Star

www.macadamcourt.com

restrictions apply and while supplies last

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Your Child’s

13534 Macadam Rd, Tukwila 98168

that can be used towards your next dental visit.

Winners and Finalists!

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WINNER

SMILES@SOUTHCENTER GIFT CARD

Best of Tukwila

WINNER

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TUKWILA • SEATAC • DES MOINES AWARDS

206-992-1271

FINALIST

1445562

Congratulations

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WINNER

Check out our new addition

tukwila reporter

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BESTOF2013 BESTOF2014 BESTOF2015

SEATAC

20402 International Blvd

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TUKWILA • SEATAC • DES MOINES AWARDS

TUKWILA

17250 Southcenter Parkway

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1445820

tukwila

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16 h NOVEMBER 2015