Have a say on reserved permit parking for Transit customers 

Crossposted from Metro Matters  Metro and Sound Transit want to hear from customers on a proposed new parking option at regional park-and-rides, many of which are full or nearly full by early morning as demand for transit grows.  The two agencies seek public feedback on a parking permit system for customers who want to pay for reserved spaces at some park-and-ride facilities. Permit parking is already available for carpoolers who drive together to select park-and-rides. This proposal would expand that program to offer permits to solo drivers as well. Drivers without permits would still… Read More

Op-ed: Our antiquated tax system can be changed and made fair for all

In a joint Seattle Times op-ed with King County Assessor John Wilson, Executive Constantine calls on the Legislature to create a fairer tax system. Here is an excerpt:  “Hiking property taxes in Democratic King County was the former Republican state Senate majority’s parting gift — a neat solution to addressing the Supreme Court’s order to better fund schools statewide. While next year the taxes may actually decrease in other areas of the state, higher property values in King County mean that won’t be the case for most of our region’s homeowners. But,… Read More

Public Health program provides education for caregivers, opportunities to succeed for children 

Promoting the health and development of children, families and child care staff is a priority for King County. Multiple programs are dedicated to healthy and safe environments for children to ensure their education and well-being. One standout program is the Child Care Health Program within Public Health. The program includes a team of public health nurses, a dietician, mental health consultants and a community health worker who delivers Child Care Health Consultations (CCHC) to child care providers throughout the community. This team has been providing these CCHC services in King County for over 30 years. “In my work I can… Read More

Film from King County Sheriff’s Bundy investigation files digitized for major network documentary 

In January, the King County Archives provided material for use in a new major network documentary about serial killer Ted Bundy.  Among the King County Sheriff’s Office investigation files are three reels of 16mm film taken using a home movie camera. The Archives received assistance from colleagues at the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections to digitize these films.  The films are of a Rainier Brewery picnic at Lake Sammamish July 14, 1974, on the day that Bundy abducted two woman from the beach in broad daylight. The first film shows the… Read More

Use SeeClickFix to report maintenance issues in our parks! 

Crossposted from King County Parks Plog  See a construction issue, a downed tree, or graffiti in our parks? Let us know! King County Parks uses SeeClickFix to track maintenance issues in our parks and we want to hear from you. The process is very easy so just follow these three simple steps:  See: With 200 parks, 175 miles of trails and 28,000 acres of open space we’ve got a lot to take care of. Snap a picture of a maintenance issues you see in our parks like a broken bridge or litter.  Click: Report the issue… Read More

Metro explores new ways to provide mobility 

Crossposted from Metro Matters  Not everyone who needs transit lives near a bus stop. And not every area has the right mix of infrastructure and housing to support traditional bus service. So Metro is exploring several new ways to connect more people to transit and improve mobility options for customers who need them.  Metro recently launched the Des Moines Community Shuttle/Route 635, in partnership with the City of Des Moines, to connect workers commuting to Des Moines with the Angle Lake light rail station. It is one of the ways Metro is working… Read More

National magazine spotlights King County employee and journey to WTD lab 

Suzanne Potts, a Laboratory Specialist in the Wastewater Treatment Division at South Plant, was recently featured in a profile piece in Treatment Plant Operator magazine.   ‘Studying to be a dentist didn’t light a fire of enthusiasm for Suzanne Potts, but it did ignite her love of chemistry and the laboratory. She switched to environmental science.  An associate degree in environmental science from University of Washington enabled Potts to work for an environmental analytical lab. When it closed in 1994, Potts found what she thought was a temporary job at the King County Wastewater Treatment Division South Plant in Renton, Washington. “What… Read More

We need a fair tax system 

Executive Constantine lays out his vision for a fair, simple, stable tax system In a democracy, where the people are the sovereign, we collectively choose to raise the funds to collectively do things together that we can’t do alone. And together with our neighbors we decide whether to raise the funds to educate our children or to pave our roads or to keep our communities safe. I think we can all agree on this point. Taxes should be fair. Now, what is fair depends on where you stand, obviously, but I would… Read More

Public Health director Patty Hayes recognized in Seattle Met magazine 

In Seattle Met magazine’s latest edition, Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle and King County, was recognized as one of “30 More Women Who Run This City” alongside Melinda Gates, Ana Mari Cauce, Jenny Durkan and U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. The article states “Before Hayes received both statewide and national awards for her work in public health, she was a nurse. She’s now taking the helm on a work group to create King County’s first safe injection sites.” Read more at Seattle Met.

Celebrating Black History Month in King County for 2018

King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February to be Black History Month in King County. “Black History Month is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States,” Executive Constantine said in his Proclamation. “I urge all County residents to join in this observance.” You can read the Executive’s full proclamation below.