Dear Neighbors:

This fall, I am privileged to chair King County’s $4.8 billion budget process. The King County Executive provided the Council with his proposed 2008 budget on October 15th and I expect the Council to review and finalize the budget by Thanksgiving. As you might imagine, this is a big job and one that I take very seriously.

For more information about the budget, check out the 2008 King County Budget website at www.kingcounty.gov/council/budget. You can participate in the budget process by submitting e-testimony on your budget priorities.

Councilmember Bob Ferguson with Megan Drews whose idea was selected for the new name of the county office building.

On a lighter note, the Council recently selected a name for the new County office building in downtown Seattle. I initiated a contest inviting students in seventh, eighth and ninth grades to suggest names. You can read about the result here.

As always, I welcome your calls, letters, and e-mail correspondence. However, budget season means dozens of meetings and tight deadlines, so it may take me a little longer than usual to get back to you with a response.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Autumn!

Bob Ferguson
King County Councilmember, District 1

Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan Adopted!

The King County Council recently adopted the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan taking us one step closer to implementing the wrap-around treatment and prevention we need to save lives and keep our community safe from repeat-offenders. I sponsored legislation calling for the Action Plan last year because I believe it is unacceptable that our King County Jail has become a default mental institution second in population only to Western State Hospital.

As chair of the 2008 King County budget process, I am working to ensure that funding is included in next year’s budget. You can read an editorial from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer regarding this proposal here.

Economic Development Summit for North King County Draws Capacity Crowd

Panel members for the North King County Economic Summit included state Reps. Mark Ericks and Maralyn Chase, Kenmore Mayor Randy Eastwood and Deputy Mayor Dave Baker, Shoreline Mayor Bob Ransom, Lake Forest Park Mayor Dave Hutchinson; Woodinville Mayor Cathy VonWald, Shoreline city manager Bob Olander; Bothell assistant city manager Manny Ocampo, and Marc Baldwin.

I strongly support economic development in District 1, and recently facilitated the North King County Economic Summit. King County was the presenting sponsor of this important local conference, which brought together local business owners and government officials. Read the article from the Shoreline Enterprise here.

The keynote presentation, panel discussion and summary of the survey results will be televised on KCTV, Channel 22. For more information about this program, including the employer survey results, visit this link or contact David Endicott at davidendicott@forwardshoreline.us or (206) 409-3275.

Council Budget Leaders call for Funding Gang Suppression Unit

Gang-related crime increased 165 percent between 2005 and 2006 and at least 85 recognized gangs currently operate within King County. Sheriff’s deputy Steve Cox was killed in the line of duty last December by a convicted gang member. It is clear that gang activity is a real public safety threat.

I worked with my colleagues to support funding a gang suppression unit in the King County Sheriff’s Office. The Council unanimously backed this measure.

Citizens ranked Law, Safety and Justice as their top budget priority during our Citizen Engagement Process last spring. As Chair of the Council budget process I will work to make sure that safety measures like the gang suppression unit are supported without undermining other vital county law enforcement responsibilities.

“Retired” County Vans Help Human Service and Recreation Providers Serve Our District

Every year, the County Council has the exciting opportunity to seek applications from area non-profit organizations and local governments for the keys to three retired Metro Vanpool vans. I am proud to announce that Northshore Family Center in Bothell, Outdoors for All in Seattle and the Shoreline Parks Department have all qualified to receive surplus County vans this Fall.

The vans will improve the quality of life for low-income and disabled residents of North King County by opening up exciting opportunities like outdoor trips and summer camp to people who otherwise couldn’t participate due to lack of transportation. The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Enterprise and Woodinville Weekly covered the news. Congratulations to each organization!

Trail Dedication and Parks Bond Project Complete for Shoreline

Interurban Trail Dedication. The Shoreline portion of the Interurban Trail is finally done! I was honored to help cut the ribbon with city and state officials. The Interurban Trail is a three-mile non-motorized transportation system developed along the former Interurban Rail Line. Owned by Seattle City Light and used as an electrical power transmission corridor, the 100-foot-wide former rail corridor runs from Seattle to Everett, roughly parallel to Aurora Avenue.
		Bob joins Shoreline City Mayor Bob Ransom, Deputy Mayor Maggie Fimia, State Rep. Ruth Kagi, and Shoreline Councilmembers Ron Hansen and Keith McGlashan in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the Interurban Trail Dedication.

Shoreline Parks Bond – South Woods. The City of Shoreline celebrated official ownership of the South Woods property. South Woods was the primary “Open Space” project funded by the 2006 Shoreline Parks Bond. Funding of the purchase of South Woods came from $6 million in the Parks Bond and $890,000 in Conservation Futures funding from King County. The South Woods Preservation Group was honored for their tireless work in preserving this 16 acre mature lowland forest rarely found in an urban setting.
		Parks Bond co-chairs, Shari Tracey (of my staff) and Bill Clements with the "no longer needed Private Property" signs. The signs were removed in celebration of the City's ownership of South Woods.

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Phone: (206) 296-1001 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165
Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272