Teacher walkout on May 19th: Chief Sealth IHS teachers/staff plan communty event outside school
One week from tomorrow, Seattle Public Schools will be closed because of teachers’ one-day walkout. Tonight, we’ve received this announcement on behalf of Chief Sealth International High School teachers and staff who say they will start the day with a two-hour event explaining and apologizing:
Seattle Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, May 19th, 2015 as Seattle Public School teachers voted overwhelmingly to walk out on a one-day strike. Teachers and staff of Chief Sealth International High School have chosen to spend that morning hosting community from 8:00–10:00 a.m. in front of the school. The purpose of the event is two-fold: Chief Sealth staff want to provide a face-to-face opportunity for our students, families, and community to learn about why school employees have voted to strike and to apologize to the families for the real disruption this will cause to their daily routine.
At issue is the ongoing and long-term quality of education that is due to our children and families in the State of Washington. In 2012, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the State Legislature was not meeting its constitutionally mandated responsibility to fully fund education in our State. In the two years since the Court’s ruling, each time the Legislature has reported on its progress, the Court has reprimanded them for not making any progress. After a hearing before the Court this past September, the Court:
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City Council campaigning: Filing week begins, with a new District 1 name; at-large forum set for Thursday
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:30 PM: This year’s much-contested, much-discussed City Council races are intensifying – here are three reasons why:
FILING WEEK: By Friday, we’ll know who’s in and who’s out – it’s filing week, and candidates have to either pay a fee or submit signatures, to finalize their candidacy.
AT-LARGE CANDIDATES’ FORUM THURSDAY: We’ve been paying most election attention so far to the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council race – but you’ll also be voting on two at-large seats, Positions 8 and 9. So far, per the city website, six people are running for #8, including West Seattle resident David Trotter, and three for #9, including West Seattleites Alon Bassok and Lorena González. This Thursday (May 14th), three south-end groups including the 34th District Democrats are presenting a forum for the two at-large seats at the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor; 6737 Corson Avenue S.), 7 pm (with pre-forum mingling at 6:30).
TWO DISTRICT 1 FORUMS AHEAD: The District 1 field is back to 10 candidates listed on the city website; as previously reported here, two forums are scheduled before the month’s out, 6:30 pm Monday, May 18th, at Fauntleroy UCC Church, presented by the Westside Interfaith Network and League of Women Voters, and 7 pm Wednesday, May 27th, in South Park.
P.S. We had to look this up so thought we’d share – the rules for campaign-sign placement.
5:48 PM UPDATE: Another candidate – potentially the 11th, if everyone else on the list makes it official by end of day Friday – for District 1: Arturo Robles.
2 updates, with 2 months to go until West Seattle Summer Fest
(WSB file photo)
Exactly two months from now, we’ll be in the midst of West Seattle Summer Fest 2015 – Friday-Sunday, July 10-12, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association (with co-sponsors including WSB). Two notes today as we look ahead to West Seattle’s biggest event of the year:
SUMMER FEST MUSIC LINEUP: Due out tomorrow!
SUMMER FEST COMMUNITY TENT: It’s application time for West Seattle nonprofits and community groups interested in FREE space in the Community Tent. The Junction Association explains, “We will select groups who strive to benefit, strengthen, and educate our community.” Here’s what’s available:
Friday/Saturday: 4-hour slots
10 am – 2 pm, 2 pm – 6 pm
Sunday: 3-hour slots
11 am – 2 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm
The Community Tent will be located on Alaska St, east of California. Tent, tables, and chairs will be provided. Participants are encouraged to set up their table & area with displays which reflect their mission and contributions to the West Seattle Community. They are welcome to bring props, brochures and such, which will entice folks to stop and chat about their organization. NO SALES, PLEASE.
Interested neighborhood non-profits or community groups who would like to be a part of the Summer Fest Community Tent, please e-mail Jenelle by June 27th at jenelle@wsjunction.org.
Shell @ Terminal 5: Pivotal week begins with federal approval of Arctic offshore-drilling plan; City Council resolution passage
(Monday midday image from Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce webcam, republished with permission)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:18 PM: In our update last night on the events surrounding the plan for Shell to bring its Arctic-offshore-drilling rigs (including Polar Pioneer, above, still in Port Angeles) to Terminal 5 in West Seattle, we described this as a “pivotal week.” And since that update last night, it’s become even more so: This morning, the federal government issued its approval for Shell’s revised plan to drill six wells in the Chukchi Sea this summer – read the announcement here. This comes just before the City Council is scheduled to vote during its 2 pm meeting today on this resolution expressing opposition to Arctic offshore drilling and asking the Port of Seattle to reconsider its lease with Foss bringing Shell vessels to T-5. (The Port Commission‘s meeting on lease-related issues is at 1 pm tomorrow.) Representing a coalition of anti-drilling groups, Earthjustice has reacted by saying, “The project Interior approved today is bigger, dirtier, and louder than any previous plan, calling for more sound disturbances and harassment of whales and seals, more water and air pollution, and more vessels and helicopters. It also runs the risk of a catastrophic oil spill that could not be cleaned in Arctic waters.”
3:33 PM UPDATE: The City Council passed the aforementioned resolution unanimously. City Councilmember Mike O’Brien said it’s not possible to just abruptly stop using oil, but “a just transition” must be worked on; Councilmember Kshama Sawant, whose amendment to the resolution also won unanimous approval, said that while the jobs created by the drilling-related work are important, the more important issue is that of oil executives’ profits – she accused them of “hoodwinking” people into thinking it’s the environment vs. jobs. And Councilmember Nick Licata said the environment is “changing rapidly” and a resolution like this is a “small step” toward action to try to slow that rate of change. The comment period before their deliberation and vote included Alaskan Natives who had come from areas close to the prospective drilling zone to express their support for Shell.
Revised transportation levy: What’s in it for West Seattle? Sign up today for WS Chamber lunch on Wednesday
(WSB photo from May 6th levy-revision announcement)
What’s in it for West Seattle? The next discussion of the revised city transportation levy is set for this Wednesday at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch meeting, 11:30 am at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, seen in our photo (above) speaking at last week’s announcement, will be there with at least one SDOT rep, updating the proposal announced last week. Today’s your last chance to register at the earlybird price, $25 members/$35 nonmembers – sign up here.
West Seattle Monday: See what’s up to start your week
(Male American Goldfinch, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
A new week! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 1-3 pm, it’s the twice-monthly meeting of this group at Providence Mount St. Vincent – info in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm on the second Monday means it’s time for the NDNC to meet, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
PLANT-IDENTIFICATION WALK: Been to “Soundway Park“? That’s the site of tonight’s free 6:30 pm plant-identification walk with the Nature Consortium. Check to see if there’s room (if there isn’t sign up for a future hike!). Meet at the trailhead. (14th/Holly)
AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR? 6:30 pm, weekly on-air “meeting” for the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club – featured here on Sunday. Info for tonight (and every Monday):
The West Seattle Amateur Radio Club (WSARC) weekly net @ W7AW Repeater, 441.800, input +5, tone 141.3. Echolink and IRLP are also available -see westseattlearc.org for more info. The repeater is located at High Point.
EVENING BOOK GROUPS: Both meet at 6:45 pm, all welcome. At Southwest Library, they’re reading “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers; at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, they’re reading the 2015 Seattle Reads book.
DENNY PTSA MEETING: 7 pm, the Denny International Middle School PTSA meets in the school library. (2601 SW Kenyon)
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