News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about the “Good Eggs” Breakfast with King County Executive Dow Constantine, the Completion of White River HESCO Installation, the Inaugural Class of the Job Training Program for Formerly Homeless in King County, the 2024 Pac-12 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, programs, events, health updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

On this day, 48 years ago, an assistant to then Governor Dan Evans was a witness to an incident that the governor sued SeaWorld for. What incident was this?

(Answer is at the bottom).




“Good Eggs” Breakfast with King County Executive Dow Constantine

King County Executive Dow Constantine was the guest speaker at our February “Good Eggs” Breakfast meeting. Dow spoke to the importance of collaboration in order to solve the problems facing our region, highlighting how partnerships between King County and local cities help government work better. Examples of county/city collaborations include the soon-to-be established Crisis Care Centers and the continued partnerships that come from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services programs. Special thanks to Dow’s daughter who let him skip driving her to robotics class to attend our breakfast.



(Top) With Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly, Pacific Mayor Vic Kave, Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and Algona Mayor Troy Linnell; (Bottom left) With Federal Way Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, and Auburn School District Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati


Completion of White River HESCO Installation

Last month, 1,400 feet of HESCO barriers – wire and fabric baskets filled with sand – were installed on the White River upstream of the A Street Bridge to reduce near-term flood risk in the area. The HESCOs are essential as the White River carries significant amounts of sediment down from the mountains which slowly fills the river channel over time, causing unpredictable changes in flood levels during the flood season, posing risks to public infrastructure, nearby businesses, and more than 100 residential properties.

King County, in its role as service provider to the King County Flood Control District, worked with the City of Auburn to secure permits for this project, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided the HESCO barriers. Installation began on January 16th and site cleanup was completed on February 5th.



Completed HESCO barrier installation adjacent to residential parcels on the right bank of the White River upstream of the A Street Bridge


Port of Seattle Allocates $5M to fix Soundproofing in Homes Near Sea-Tac Airport

The Port of Seattle Commission unanimously approved a $5 million pilot program to fix previously funded soundproofing equipment in homes near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that has since failed and resulted to damaged drywall, moldy windows and rotting wood frames. Read more in The Seattle Times article here.


Graduates of the Inaugural Class of the Job Training Program for the Formerly Homeless in King County

As part of the State Encampment Resolution program, which launched nearly two-years ago to clear encampments along state rights-of-way and connect people to services, a training opportunity is being provided to help people experiencing homelessness be part of the workforce. To run the program, the Washington State Department of Transportation collaborated with outreach workers from CoLEAD/PDA, job trainers with ANEW, and staff at a homelessness response organization called i2-strategies.

The four-week pre-apprenticeship course provided by ANEW to the inaugural class included classroom and hands-on instruction to earn certificates in safety training, traffic control flagging, operating forklifts, and other construction-oriented skills. The program also emphasized the importance of being punctual and accountable to be part of a team—including that drug and alcohol abuse don’t fit into that future. Read more in the KOMO News article here.


2024 Pac-12 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships

It may be cold and gray outside, but it always feels sunny at the King County Aquatic Center (KCAC) in Federal Way. A special thanks to Mike Dunwiddie and the many others who work there for maintaining the aquatics center for special events and general public swimming!

Markel Leonard, who is overseeing the 2024 Pac-12 Women’s Swimming and Diving (Men’s and Women’s) Championships, has done a great job of making the last ever Pac-12 Swimming and Diving Championships successful. To view the winners of this season, click here.

With Markel Leonard and NCAA finalists from WSU


2024 Wastemobile Season Kicks Off

King County's Wastemobile is collecting hazardous waste at 19 scheduled weekend events around the county, making it easy and safe for you to drop off household hazardous waste for free. Some of the common items that will be collected at these events include batteries, oil-based paint, antifreeze, and pesticides. To view the complete schedule, click here. For additional information about a Wastemobile event near you, email haz.waste@kingcounty.gov or call the Haz Waste Helpline at 206-296-4692.




Veteran Outreach and Resource Programs

A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to provide outreach and resources to King County veterans, military servicemembers, and their respective families who will benefit from connection to and provision of community resources. Applications are due by March 20th, 2:00 PM. For more information, click here. For questions and additional information, Contact Evan Brennan, Veteran Initiatives Manager, at ebrennan@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-8504.


South King County Tool Library Offers In-person Workshop

Spring cleaning is fast approaching and South King County Tool Library now has two branches – Federal Way and Auburn – where you can borrow tools and attend classes and events like the one below. For more information about the tool library and future events, click here.

Tax Relief Programs for Seniors and People with Disabilities

In 2019, the State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5160, which expanded the qualifying income thresholds for the property tax exemption and deferral programs, subject to adjustment by March 1st every fifth year thereafter. In 2020, seniors and persons with disability with 2019 annual incomes below the $58,423 threshold (for King County) were eligible for property tax relief. If you applied for a property tax exemption in the past but didn’t qualify, please consider applying for 2024 since the allowable income levels have increased substantially to $84,000. For more information, click here.

• Visit the King County Assessor’s website
• Email exemptions.assessments@kingcounty.gov
• Call 206-296-3920 for exemptions or 206-263-2338 for deferrals
• You may also apply online at https://senior-exemption.kingcounty.gov

Alumni Corner

While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference. Previously featured alumni included: Chris Cho, Tom Pierson, Bailey Stenson Gordon, Agnes Wooters, Jim Ferrell, Jackie Schneider, Megan Rage, and Thomas Efrem.

This week’s featured District 7 alum is Jenny Faubion. As a University of Washington (UW) undergraduate, Jenny worked in my office as a legislative aide from 2003 to 2004, prior to attending UW Law School. In 2006, while at UW Law, Jenny was appointed as the student representative on the UW Board of Regents by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

“I learned so much in my time working with Pete: the importance of communication, asking questions, listening and staying curious, following up and following through, remembering who you work for (the people!), and celebrating the successes of community members are all hallmarks of working in Pete's office.”

After law school, Jenny clerked at Washington’s Division 2 Court of Appeals in Tacoma, and for the last 12 years, has practiced law at Cairncross & Hempelmann, where she is a Partner and the Practice Group Leader of the Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights practice group.

An avid Husky fan (volleyball and football), Jenny loves traveling the world with her husband and two daughters, hiking, and maintaining Washington's trails, serving her community through work with various organizations including pro-bono work with the King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinic, and serving as a board member for the Washington Trails Association. Thank you, Jenny!


Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Senior Center | FUSION Décor Boutique | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Rotary Club of Federal Way | The Salvation Army


Girl Scout Cookies

Samoas or Thin Mints?!?! I am fortunate to have both after continuing my longstanding tradition of buying from Julieta, daughter of John and Amalia, who always provides the "exception" to my diet. In addition to Julieta, Auburn Councilmember Hanan Amer is also a long-time promoter of girl scout cookies!

The Girl Scout Cookie program helps many develop valuable life and entrepreneurial skills and make communities better.

Since 2021, all cookies are both Kosher and Halal certified, with the addition of vegan and gluten-free varieties as well. Buy the cookies, share the cookies, and support your local girl scouts!



With Auburn Councilmember Hanan Amer and King County Executive Dow Constantine


Redesigning Retirement: The New Age of Aging

According to a Harvard Business Review article, people who are 65 or older now represent the fastest-growing segment of labor force, followed by people aged 35-44. Since the pandemic began, labor-force participation has gone down, while job creation has gone up. With the retirement of Baby Boomers, high employee turnovers, rapid advances in technology, low employee engagement, shift to remote/hybrid work and so on, many organizations are having to fill institutional knowledge and vital talent gaps.

People who represent large portions of important workforce segments are on the cusp of retirement – roughly 10,000 Americans reach age 65 daily and by the end of this year, every Baby Boomer will be 60 or older. While these statistics are concerning, the good news is that many of them are looking for ways to spend their time productively, by continuing to work after retiring from their regular jobs.

Altogether, more than 10 million Americans who are 65 or older are currently employed, and that number is projected to rise to nearly 15 million by 2032, about 27% of those between 65-74 are working or actively looking for jobs today. They represent the fastest-growing segment of the labor force, compared to 20% in 2002.


Kent COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Kent COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic (Kent Public Health Center, 25742 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030) will close after Saturday, March 30th due to a decrease in federal funding. The clinic is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (closed 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM for lunch). Park and Vax: If you need to be vaccinated in your car, call 206-477-6950 to schedule a Park and Vax appointment. Drops-ins are welcome, but please make an appointment if possible: kingcounty.gov/kentvaccine.


Contacts

Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn| Federal Way| Kent | all of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Daylight Saving Time begins March 10

Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Washington will be in effect on March 10th, at 2:00 AM.

While there are state and federal bills that either propose permanent daylight savings time or the removal of it to keep standard time, a decision is left to be made, which leaves residents no other option but to move the clock forward one hour on Sunday.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

On March 7, 1976, 48 years ago, six Puget Sound orca whales were captured and kept in a pen in Budd Inlet near the capitol in Olympia. This was witnessed by former Secretary of State Ralph Munro, then assistant to former Governor Dan Evans, who had been sailing with his friends and wife Karen at the time. Munro reported that Don Goldsberry and his crew, commissioned by SeaWorld, had used speedboats, an aircraft, and explosives to capture the whales in violation of the terms of their collection permit.

Upon learning this issue, Gov. Evans sued SeaWorld, and all the orca whales were eventually released. Additionally, with action by former Washington Attorney General Slade Gorton, a Seattle district court ordered SeaWorld to give up its permit-granted right to collect orca whales off Washington.

According to The Seattle Times article, there were only 71 southern residents left by the time the three ended the capture era in Washington state. About 50 whales were sent to aquariums around the world. Of the southern residents captured, all are dead today with the last one, Lolita, dying at the Miami Seaquarium last August 2023.



Photo source: Washington State Archives Facebook

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