Thanking our local veterans for their service
Dear fellow King County employee,
For more than a century, our nation has dedicated November 11 as the day to recognize the brave members of our country’s armed forces, past and present. They placed their own lives at risk to defend freedom here at home and around the world. Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor and thank them for their service.
King County is home to some 115,000 veterans of all ages. Almost 1,200 of our King County colleagues are veterans, working alongside us in every department and every branch of our government. So far this year, 94 of our colleagues have recorded military service hours with the reserves, national guard, or active duty, continuing their service to our nation. Thank you all.
Our goal is to ensure that every returning veteran has the support they need to achieve a safe, healthy, and productive life when they come home. The programs and services that King County offers are one way we do that. In August, King County voters approved for the fourth time the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) with the highest approval rating in the levy’s history.
The VSHSL supports veterans, servicemembers, and their families, and funds the King County Veterans Program. It sustains and expands innovative partnerships and programming, comprehensive case management, and behavioral health counseling for veterans and their families and caregivers. This includes the operation of the two King County Veterans Program sites at Northgate and Tukwila and provides in mental health counseling to veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
We demonstrate our support for local veterans not just through words but through our actions. It’s one way we honor their service: giving back to those who have given so much.
Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11. Please join me in thanking our veterans and active duty personnel for their courage, commitment, and ongoing contributions to our country and to our community.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine (he/him/his)
King County Executive
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King County International Airport preparing for winter weather
Cross-posted from Plane Talk
With freezing temperatures already hitting the region this fall, King County International Airport (KCIA) is getting ready for the winter ahead. Airport staff held the annual review of the Snow and Ice Control Plan (SICP) late last month and is readying equipment.
Airport staff are in close contact with the Northwest Weather Service to stay abreast of severe weather forecasts. As soon as adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice are forecast, Airport Operations activates the SICP and notifies airport leadership. The Airport Duty Manager continuously monitors airfield conditions and coordinates staffing for the Snow Control Center as needed. Airport Maintenance supervisors coordinate and prepare equipment, staff, and supplies.
KCIA recently acquired new snow removal equipment, including five Multi-Tasking Equipment (MTE) vehicles. The state-of-the-art equipment uses a 20-foot-plus plow, a mid-centered broom, and rear blower. Training is underway and the MTEs may be partially deployed by this winter season.
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Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention celebrates 2023 award recipients
“For those who do not work inside the jail or juvenile detention, these can be somewhat mysterious places. For those who do know the jail and detention, we often see people when they are at the lowest point in their lives.”
That statement from the opening remarks by Alan Nance, Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) at their annual awards ceremony underscores the importance of the work each and every one of the people in DAJD do every day to provide a safe and secure environment.
“Our annual awards recognize examples of bravery, heroism, and a commitment to excellence in our field,” Nance continued. “These awards help to show our appreciation for those frontline personnel who literally are called to save lives every day. These truly are Community Heroes!”
There are approximately 800 DAJD employees and over 150 were honored at the 2023 Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony at the Carco Theatre in Renton on Nov. 1. The awards are given in several areas that showcase the professionalism, dedication, and courage these employees possess:
- Life Saving
- Meritorious Service
- Meritorious Achievement
- Distinguished Service
- Certificates of Achievement.
King County Executive Dow Constantine expressed his high regard for the entire DAJD staff, saying “Despite all the challenges, you continue to innovate, continue to succeed, continue to change lives, as many of these awards will attest.”
The Executive went on the thank the staff for serving the community with “consummate professionalism” and for “taking pride in doing a very difficult job and doing it tremendously well.”
See a list of all the recipients here.
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New departure times and flyer for Walking Bus pilot program
King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times from the King County Courthouse to King Street Station and Colman Dock via the Pioneer Square light rail station.
In this pilot phase, which started Monday, Nov. 6, King County employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each weekday evening walking from the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse to the King Street Station and Colman Dock via a stop at the Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way. The meeting location for both routes is the Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the courthouse.
Download this flyer for routes and departure times. These changes have been made based on feedback to provide a safer commute and more effectively serve customers and will allow FMD to better manage security resources. We will continue to monitor usage during the pilot and make adjustments as necessary.
Meeting location: Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the King County Courthouse
Walking time to King Street Station via Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson & Yesler: 5-10 minutes
To King Street Station – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 4:10 p.m.
- 4:33 p.m. train (northbound)
- 4:35 p.m. train (southbound)
To King Street Station – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 4:35 p.m.
- 4:55 p.m. train (southbound)
To King Street Station – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 5:05 p.m.
- 5:20 p.m. train (southbound)
- 5:35 p.m. train (northbound)
Walking time to Colman Dock via Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way: 12-20 minutes.
To Colman Dock – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 4:05 p.m.
- 4:30 p.m. sailing to Vashon Island (King County Water Taxi/foot ferry)
- 4:25 p.m. sailing to Bremerton (Kitsap Transit/foot ferry)
- 4:45 p.m. sailing to Bainbridge Island (Washington State Ferry/passenger/car).
To Colman Dock – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 5:05 p.m.
- 5:30 p.m. sailing to Bremerton (Washington State Ferry/passenger/car)
- 5:30 p.m. sailing to Vashon Island (King County Water Taxi/foot ferry)
- 5:40 p.m. sailing to Bremerton (Kitsap Transit/foot ferry)
- 5:45 p.m. sailing to Bainbridge Island (Washington State Ferry/passenger/car).
For additional information, please contact the FMD Security emergency dispatch center at 206-296-5000 or FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov.
The Walking Bus pilot program is in addition to security escorts offered by FMD Security Officers, who can escort you for several blocks from downtown buildings to Goat Hill Garage or immediate vicinity bus stops. Due to staffing resources, FMD Security cannot provide additional escorts in the 4 to 6 p.m. timeframe. Plan to use the walking bus program for escorts during that time.
Please contact the FMD Security emergency dispatch center at 206-296-5000 or FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov to arrange for a security escort whether coming into work or leaving work. Advance notice for a Security Escort is appreciated. You can learn about the many employee transportation and safety programs on the Future of Work Personal Safety site (employee access only).
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Administrative professional recognitions now available for July through September
The Administrative Professionals Program is excited to announce the Administrative Professional Recognitions for the 2023 third quarter, from July through September. These 10 individuals have been recognized for their excellence as administrative professionals at King County. View the recognitions here.
The list includes: Catalina Corvalan, Marni Donnely, Shenathan Burtdon, Linda Eaves, Ithica Nolan-Williams, Susan Felchlin, Alison Hoffarth, Stephanie Scappini, Viviana Ramirez-Carrillo, and Bryan Baird.
Thank you to the Administrative Specialists, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and others who keep King County operating. Please consider taking a moment to recognize an Administrative Professional on your team, so we can give them a shoutout in the upcoming fourth quarter. For more information about the Administrative Professionals Program, visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.
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Power of giving: Better together
The Employee Giving Program helps King County employees support a multitude of causes from arts, culture, and humanities to mental health services, and more. We have been doing this for 35 years and it is amazing to see the positive impact King County employees can have by working – and giving – together. We can make a difference and are better together!
Check out this video below to learn more about the Employee Giving Program and be a part of the change!
You can make your campaign pledge here. Pledge today!
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Regional Veterans Court seeks vet mentors
Now in its 11th year, King County Regional Veterans Court (RVC) strives to increase effective cooperation between federal, state, and local veteran’s service agencies and the criminal justice system. RVC’s mission is to address the underlying issues that have resulted in veterans being referred to the criminal justice system.
This Veterans Day, RVC is seeking additional veteran mentors to work with RVC participants. “Mentors help to continuously support and uplift the veterans they partner with as each vet undertakes the rigorous RVC program requirements,” says Terrell Carrington, RVC Mentor Program Coordinator for King County District Court. “The most important thing a mentor does for the vet is just being there.”
Terrell recruits mentors from numerous veteran services organizations throughout the Puget Sound Region. He works with RVC participants and mentors to find a match that works for both parties. In evaluating a mutually beneficial pairing, Terrell considers the vet’s and mentor’s ages, gender, military branch and rank, and period they served.
“I know how tough it is to re-adjust to civilian life,” says Terrell, a former Army staff sergeant. “Our mentors show vets in the RVC program that it is possible to overcome any number of challenges – and, the mentor gets to experience the joy of helping a comrade succeed.” If you are a vet or know of a vet who would be a good RVC mentor, you can email Terrell at TeCarrington@kingcounty.gov.
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Vehicle Maintenance Community Connection for women, binary, and non-binary folks seeking VM members
The King County Vehicle Maintenance Community Connection (VMCC) group is building community among the women, trans women, and nonbinary people in Metro Transit’s Vehicle Maintenance (VM) Division.
The mission is to build a sustainable and structured support group where measurable outcomes build community among the women in VM to deconstruct loneliness. The group seeks to understand what it would take to support the current women in VM, and prepare to support future women hired into VM. The group also provides education about the resources available for personal and professional growth. Together, members in the group develop a sustainable, positive workplace culture built on equity and diversity within VM, and foster a safe confidential space of sisterhood to share, grow and support one another over time. The VMCC also partners with other King County groups and departments to achieve this vision.
Join the VMCC in our upcoming pilot meetings for a place to belong:
- Monday, Nov. 6, from 9 to 10:50 a.m. (morning session) at Ryerson Base, 2nd floor classroom
- Thursday, Nov.16 from 9 to 10:50 p.m. (evening session) at Atlantic/Central, 2nd floor classroom
For more information and special accommodations, please contact Margaret Brubaker at Margaret.Brubaker@kingcounty.gov or Stephanie Richardson at SRichardson@kingcounty.gov.
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Annual Giving Drive: Reasons 15 – 22 to give
We are in the fifth week of the Employee Giving Program’s (EGP) Annual Giving Drive and are making great progress. King County has a strong history of supporting and uplifting arts, culture, and humanities that reflect creativity, shared history, and diversity of perspectives. There is a plethora of organizations that create spaces and places that build cultural wealth, connect across differences, and tell stories of vibrant communities. We’ve highlighted a few EGP organizations that are pillars in King County that specialize in arts, culture, and humanities, including a shout to Bob Ross and his “happy little trees.” Read more.
You can find more EGP participating nonprofit organizations online or in the 2023 King County EGP Nonprofit Giving Guide.
You can make your campaign pledge here. Pledge today!
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County supported businesses still thriving
Many small businesses and restaurants struggled to stay open and some unfortunately shuttered during the lockdown and restriction period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small and locally-owned restaurants are the essence of local communities, fostering growth, providing jobs, and contributing to the unique character of their neighborhoods. King County Local Services responded during the pandemic by offering relief funding to numerous small businesses in the county. We were pleased to see that four of the seven restaurants recommended in this recent Seattle Times article received COVID-19 relief funding from King County.
It’s rewarding to know that these White Center restaurants are still active and being recommended for their excellent food. The recommendations come from a former James Beard award winner, Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, whose restaurant, Tomo, also received an award in 2022 for $30,000.
Of the seven restaurants he recommends, six are in unincorporated King County (White Center) and four received Small Business Grants between 2020-2022 to help with recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The restaurants are:
- Best Roasted Corn & More – $30,000 (2022)
- Crawfish House – $30,000 (2022)
- Carniceria El Paisano – $30,000 (total 2020 and 2022)
- Taqueria Los Potrillos – $5,000 (in 2020)
We saw the world pivot during the pandemic and establishing a process for COVID-19 relief funding was a big lift. DLS employees deeply involved in this grant effort included Michael Morales (Economic Recovery Specialist), GarMin Chan (Administrator II), and Jillian Scheibeck (CFO).
White Center is a unique and thriving community and is filled with many locally-owned restaurants. Spending a few hours at the Southgate Roller Rink and enjoying a delicious meal at any of these restaurants will give anyone the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of White Center. We, at King County, are proud to know that these businesses were able to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and are still thriving.
Employee News 