Here are last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council toplines, before we move on to the reports on multiple stories covered tonight: City Councilmember Mike O’Brien (photo right, with Delridge District Coordinator Ron Angeles) was the featured guest. After a few general remarks about his months in office, he fielded questions – first one about replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s Central Waterfront section; he said he still thinks a surface option would be best, adding that transit is also an important part of the solution. His point about using transit for shopping and errands was challenged by David Ellinger from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, explaining that the transit system does not work efficiently for areas like West Seattle. O’Brien had mentioned that Metro was working on finding transit solutions recognizing that parts of the county differ – Seattle’s needs are not the same as North Bend’s, for example – but Ellinger stressed that leaders like O’Brien must understand there are major differences between neighborhoods within Seattle, as well. O’Brien also was asked about the potential of service/facility cuts in the Parks Department, but said that like everyone else, he is waiting to see the mayor’s list of mid-year cuts, and will wait till then to comment. OTHER TOPLINES: Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James presented the same basics information about crime stats – including a rise in car prowls – that he’d announced at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council the night before (WSB coverage here). Pete Spalding of Pigeon Point and Nancy Folsom from North Delridge mentioned a recent uptick in area graffiti; Lt. James stressed the importance of reporting it to police … Patrick Dunn from Sustainable West Seattle talked about the WS Tool Library, opening June 12, and thanked DNDC for the letter of support which helped bring in a $20,000 grant to kick-start the program. He said they now have 300 tools, and are still seeking more … Dunn also talked about the Community Orchard of West Seattle, which is receiving a city grant; it’ll take a few years before the trees are producing, he noted, but in the meantime, there’ll be berry bushes, and educational programs to teach others about growing food … DNDC also heard from another grant recipient, Power of Hope, bringing youth together starting in spring of next year, for poetry, music, and community projects. … And they of course discussed the upcoming Delridge Day/Sustainable West Seattle Festival combo event that’s now under the ReFRESH Southwest umbrella (more info here), 1-5 pm June 5 at Delridge Community Center.

Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. TFN, its meetings will be preceded by Strategic Delridge at 6 pm, a chance for anyone and everyone who’s interested in helping shape the area’s future to take a longer-range look.