King County and surrounding cities host first discussion on homelessness
The OneTable campaign, announced last month, held it’s first workgroup meeting Monday to discuss ways to solve the regional homeless problem. The group comes from various backgrounds, including housing, behavior health and the criminal justice system, with leaders suggesting multiple ways to resolve the issue. “That is going be one of the main outcomes of this conversation,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “What we need to do and what we’re willing to do to get to that prevention side of the equation.” Monday’s meeting was highlighted in several news outlets. Here is a King 5 article entitled “King County… Read More
Two emergency notification systems to keep you safe
On Saturday, January 13, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency sent a false Wireless Emergency Alert by mistake, causing widespread panic among island residents, and bringing into question safeguards for issuing public emergency notifications. Early reports suggest human error was to blame. While King County and jurisdictions across our region administer similar public alert systems, we have safeguards in place to prevent this type of misstep. Strict procedures are in place and ongoing training is required of those authorized to issue emergency alerts. We will also look closely at Hawaii’s processes to see what else… Read More
DPD’s Lorinda Youngcourt elected to national steering committee
Congratulations! Lorinda Youngcourt, the King County Director of the Department of Public Defense, has been elected to the Steering Committee of the National Association for Public Defense. The Steering Committee is comprised of member-leaders who have risen to distinction through their contributions to the National Association for Public Defense NAPD. It guides the organization with a primary goal of shaping it into a self-sufficient and self-governing entity. Lorinda was a unanimous electee, and her term is effective as of January 18.
PSB deputy director receives rare boats and chance of a lifetime
Recently Michael Jacobson, the Deputy Director for Performance and Strategy with the County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PSB), was highlighted in a radio and online piece by KNKX. The piece, entitled “Almost 30 years In The Making, A Seattle Man Gets Ahold Of Two Boats From Taiwan,” shared Michael’s passion for the tatala, an indigenous boat from Taiwan. “It is made up of 21 pieces of wood that have been very carefully custom carved to fit together. There’s pegs holding these pieces of wood together. You see the puzzle shaped nature of this. There’s no… Read More
From the Hip: Christie True, Director, Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Let’s get growing: One million trees by 2020 As someone who has lived her whole life in the Evergreen State, I have always had a strong affinity for the trees that define our landscape and so much of our lives. As a kid I remember being amazed that you could determine the age of a tree by counting its rings. As a college student learning about our Native American history and the first settlers, I was struck by photographs of enormous Douglas firs that grew right up to the edge of… Read More
Enhancing service delivery in unincorporated King County
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I am announcing a proposal to create a new Department of Local Services that would enable us to provide more effective services to the 250,000 people who live in unincorporated communities in King County. Serving the people of this incredibly vast and diverse area is challenging, with its mosaic of rural communities, urban neighborhoods, farmland and forests, islands and mountains. Our employees work hard every day to deliver the services that residents rely on, even as General Fund revenues struggle to keep up with population growth… Read More
Celebrating our county’s namesake
Approximately 400 people attended King County’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at The Sanctuary in downtown Seattle on Thursday, January 11. The celebration acknowledged the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and emphasized the need to continue pursuing peace, equity and justice for all. The event featured keynote speakers King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, as well as a musical performance by King County employees. Deputies Michael Hepburn and Jill Higgins Hendrix from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney performed a medley of the songs “We Shall Overcome” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”… Read More
‘Tools to not only succeed, but to soar;’ Bus driver’s art honors Metro, MLK Jr.
Crossposted from Metro Matters To say that Heidi Barack loves working for Metro calls for all caps. She LOVES working for Metro! “I’ve never felt so welcome, or worked in a place where people wanted so much for me to succeed,” she said. Heidi is a transit operator and the artist behind two Martin Luther King Jr. portraits on display in the Metro General Manager’s Office. She was inspired to use bus transfer slips to create the portraits. “King County’s Martin Luther King Jr. logo is something we all stand for.” Heidi… Read More
Bloodworks Northwest is holding an Apheresis and Whole Blood Drive, January 19
On Friday, January 19 Bloodworks Northwest is hosting a blood and apheresis drive on the first floor of the Chinook Building, Room 123. The blood drive is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed between 11 to 11:45 a.m. Additionally, this is the last chance for all registered donors to enter in the Bleed for the Blue and Green Sweepstakes, winning a chance to meet Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner. To donate apheresis or blood: Make an appointment, click here or call 1-800-398-7888. To donate platelets or plasma: Make an appointment, click here or call 1-800-398-7888. For more information visit www.BloodworksNW.org/drives (Sponsor Code: 6500). Make a New… Read More
Executive Constantine releases statement on passing of Gov. Spellman
King County Executive Constantine released the following statement on the passing of Gov. Spellman, who served as King County Executive from 1969 to 1981. Executive Spellman ushered in the modern era in King County. In his twelve years as our first Executive, John Spellman led the transformation of King County into a strong regional government. He drove the construction of the Kingdome that brought us the Mariners and Seahawks. Gov. Spellman was an effective public servant who throughout his career led with honor and grace. I invited him to attend my State… Read More
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