That long scroll of paper was a prop for SDOT reps to explain the forthcoming Fauntleroy Way “rechannelization” (approved last month) to anyone with questions at last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association-presented “neighborhood meeting” last night at Fauntleroy Church. SDOT was just there for questions – no formal presentation – but updates were presented on three other topics, and the theme for two could be described as “organize” – read on:

Debbie Goetz told the audience of about 40 that she was wearing 2 hats, one as city emergency preparedness rep, one as a Fauntleroy resident. As a citizen, she explained how she and her neighbors have organized a readiness plan in case anything like the December snowstorms happens again: Many were stuck at home for days like so many West Seattleites, unable to navigate their street. So now the neighborhood has its own storm-response plan including a list of who owns 4×4 vehicles and who will go around checking to be sure neighbors are OK.

From there, she put on her city hat and pitched an upcoming event that is meant to give any and all West Seattleites the tools they need to organize their own neighborhoods: SNAP classes (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) at West Seattle Library, 6:30 pm March 12, and at Fauntleroy Church on March 24, as well as a Fauntleroy-specific organizing event May 7th.

The message “organize if you want to get something done” also applied to ongoing issues of concern involving traffic from the Fauntleroy ferry dock, including speeding and early-morning summertime motorcycle noise. FCA’s ferry system liaison Gary Dawson said the group had met with Seattle Police long ago and were told the department didn’t have the resources to cover that area and other critical zones, but writing to, and meeting with, elected officials might make a difference. There also was a suggestion of starting a petition. Dawson also recapped the latest developments regarding the Washington State Ferries Long-Range Plan, which have been reported here – including the fact that Southworth ferries are still scheduled to continue sailing to Fauntleroy instead of the once-envisioned switch to downtown – and the governor’s proposal to disband the Ferry Advisory Committees as part of a “reform” plan that’s supposed to save money, though he said it’s difficult to see how chopping an unpaid volunteer group will save money; the only compensation he’s ever received is reimbursement for ferry fares if he has to go to Vashon or Southworth for a committee meeting.

Speaking of state funding, it’s still part of what the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency is counting on to help with the purchase of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse building and part of the site, according to a quick update from FCSA’s Kevin Wooley. As he had reported last week to the FCA board, the holdup right now is a lawsuit filed against the deal by the same group that has opposed all other Seattle Public Schools sales of “surplus property,” but he expects it to be dismissed when it comes up for a hearing in April.

This was a special neighborhood-information meeting presented by FCA, but it meets regularly monthly and the public is always welcome, 7 pm, second Tuesday of the month, The Hall at Fauntleroy (in the schoolhouse).