West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
8:06 PM: Three candidates running for the West Seattle/South Park seat on the Seattle City Council – District 1 – and two will advance to the general election in November. The first ballot count has just gone public, and incumbent Lisa Herbold leads with 48 percent, Phil Tavel next with 34 percent, Brendan Kolding with 18 percent.
8:24 PM: Here’s the results table:
Herbold – 7,048 – 47.95%
Tavel – 4,972 – 33.83%
Kolding – 2,610 – 17.76%
We just talked with Herbold at her party (Zeeks Pizza) and are headed for the Tavel party (Talarico’s). Photos and video later.
9:40 PM: We asked each candidate for their reaction to tonight’s vote. Both said they are “excited” about the campaign ahead:
Here’s a little historical context we noted earlier via Twitter:
HISTORY: In 2015, Herbold won her first term after what started with a nine-candidate primary. Results for D-1 in August 2015 were Herbold 30 percent, Shannon Braddock 28%, Phil Tavel 18%. Herbold won the 2015 general over Braddock by 39 votes.
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 7, 2019
Next round of results will be out tomorrow afternoon.
Along with the Seattle City Council District 1 results, we’re also tracking the six other decisions West Seattle voters were asked to make – toplines from the results just released:
SEATTLE LIBRARY LEVY: 73% approval
Yes – 79,722 – 73.0%
No – 29,479 – 27.0%
KING COUNTY PARKS LEVY: 67% approval
Approved – 174,400 – 67.25%
Rejected – 84,944 – 32.75%
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6: Harris and Mitchell lead
Leslie Harris – 6,898 – 53.41%
Molly Mitchell – 4,365 – 33.80%
Crystal Liston – 1,482 – 11.47%
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8: McDermott and Neher lead
Joe McDermott – 23,826 – 82.48%
Michael Robert Neher – 3,424 – 11.85%
Goodspaceguy – 1,445 – 5.00 %
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 2: Cho and Degginger lead
Sam Cho – 69,673 – 28.27%
Grant Degginger – 64,017 – 25.97%
Preeti Shridhar – 42,377 – 17.19%
Kelly Charlton – 28,813 – 11.69%
Dominic Barrera – 17,021 – 6.91%
Nina Martinez – 14,807 – 6.01%
Ali Scego – 7,842 – 3.18%
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 5: Felleman and Jacobson lead
Fred Felleman – 169,350 – 69.85%
Garth Jacobson – 52,508 – 21.66%
Jordan Lemmon – 18,649 – 7.69%
Next round of results, tomorrow afternoon.
6:32 PM: Night Out is here, and hundreds of block/building parties have begun! We’re starting our annual rounds at a park party – in White Center, at Steve Cox Memorial Park, and heading north from here. If you’re having a party, send a pic so we can include in our coverage – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302 – thanks!
6:45 PM: Thanks to Jon for that pic from his neighborhood’s party in the 4800 block of 46th SW. … Some parties have live music, like the one at 36th and Charlestown where Athena reports the tween musicians of OK-ish are getting ready to play:
Athena says this is only their second gig – their first one was opening for Carrie Akre at Easy Street! (added) Video of the musicians, who she says study with School of Rock:
6:57 PM: We stopped in Arbor Heights, where JoDean and neighbors are gathered for their ninth annual Night Out party:
We asked about the menu highlights: Fried chicken!
7:11 PM: Just visited the annual “South Park Putts Out” community Night Out party in the 800 block of South Thistle. Mini-golf is the highlight, including artist-designed holes:
We’ll add a few more photos later. More photos:
This party had an SPD visitor too, Community Police Team Officer Powell – police and firefighters are out visiting some of tonight’s events.
7:44 PM: The Seattle Police Pipes and Drums just performed at the 36th/Dawson block party. Video later. Video:
Group photo, too:
Meantime, this aerial view was just texted from the 34th SW party between Andover and Charlestown:
We have one more stop to make before we have to switch gears to election-night mode …
8:03 PM: Thanks to Walter for inviting us to visit his neighborhood party at 48th/Dawson (above)!
10:30 PM: Adding more of your photos – first, from Pete Spalding, the big annual party on Pigeon Point:
Pete reports:
We had well over 100 Pigeon Point neighbors come out tonight. We had a visit from SPD in the form of Lt Steve Strand and former precinct commander Steve Paulsen. We also had a visit from Engine 36.
They let all of the kids climb all over the fire truck. Then we had a large contingent of DOC officers pay us a visit as well. In one of the pictures you will see that one of our neighbors was helping the kids make rocket ships out of construction paper and then they were launched into the air.
What a great neighborhood we have with so many caring folks that came out to meet their neighbors tonight.
From Michael Taylor-Judd in North Delridge:
Engine 36 stopped by their party too:
From 41st SW, Gary Potter reports “a fun group, from the newest neighbor to the oldest”:
Clay Eals sent this photo from Palm Avenue, taken by Pamela Quadros:
As the photo shows, their party had SPD visitors. Now over to 40th/Edmunds, a texted photo:
Also texted, this view from 55th/Dakota:
Thanks again for all the community contributions!
(WSB photo)
If you use Washington State Ferries, you’ll want to know about the fare increases approved today by the Washington State Transportation Commission. They include:
-On October 1st and then again next May 1st, vehicle fares will go up 2.5 percent and passenger fares will go up 2 percent
-Also on May 1st, a 25-cent increase to help fund building a new ferry
The commission also gave WSF the go-ahead to test two programs, a special passenger fare for low-income people, and “Good To Go,” already used to collect highway/bridge tolls. No details yet when/where those pilot programs will happen.
The city estimates up to 18,000 Seattle homes still use oil heat, and just announced a plan to try to reduce that number. From the announcement just sent:
To help combat the global climate crisis and fulfill a key commitment of Seattle’s 2018 Seattle Climate Strategy, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced today her plan to speed up the conversion of Seattle’s homes that burn oil for heat to cleaner electric heating.
Oil heat is the least efficient, most expensive, and most polluting form of home heating in Seattle. Converting Seattle homes to highly efficient electric heat pumps is another step to help Seattle become carbon neutral by 2050.
Mayor Durkan is transmitting legislation to City Council that if enacted would 1) impose a tax on heating oil starting July 1, 2020 on heating oil providers and 2) a requirement for heating oil tank owners to decommission or upgrade all existing underground oil tanks by 2028. Revenue from the tax will provide rebates and grants for Seattle homeowners to energy efficient electric heat pumps. ..
The tax of $0.24/gallon will fund rebates and grants for nearly 3,000 households to help them make the switch. Low-income homeowners will be fully refunded for the upgrade costs; approximately 1,000 low-income households are estimated to be eligible for a fully funded conversion. …
There are as many as 18,000 oil-heated homes in the City of Seattle. Converting those homes to clean electricity is expected to reduce Seattle’s climate emissions by 433,000 metric tons over 10 years. That is the equivalent of taking nearly 90,000 passenger cars off the road for a year. …
A typical 500-gallon oil tank costs a household $1,700 per year. An electric heat pump is more than twice as efficient as an oil furnace and a conversion from oil would save the average household about $850 every year compared to oil heat systems.
Most of Seattle’s oil heat tanks were installed between the 1920s and 1950s and are now an increasing liability as the steel tanks deteriorate, causing oil to leak and damage soil, property, and potentially ground water.
City of Seattle departments including Office of Sustainability and Environment, Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, will be directed to develop the criteria and plan for old oil tanks by July 1, 2020.
In addition to supporting conversion to energy efficient heat pumps, the proposed legislation also supports workforce development for workers in the oil heating industry. A portion of the tax revenue will support workforce training and business planning support for affected heating oil service providers.
Imagine yourself in that scene – in the shade, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, on a warm summer night. That could be you this Thursday during the next free concert presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. This week, it’s the “Gypsy Jazz” sound of Ranger and the Re-arrangers – here’s a sample of their style:
As always, the concert will run 6:30-8 pm; bring your own chair, blanket, etc., family, friends, neighbors, picnic dinner, etc.! The lawn runs along Walnut south of Lander.
In our ongoing coverage of afternoon/evening Metro bus backups on 1st Avenue S. as West Seattleites try to get home from downtown, we reported Friday on SDOT‘s plan to try tweaking traffic signals in hopes that will help. What the SDOT announcement didn’t say, however, was when that will happen. So we followed up. Today, a reply from SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson: “The changes to signal timing will be implemented within two weeks.” Meantime, Metro has posted its take on the situation, recapping the SDOT plan and saying that while many riders have suggested re-implementing the routing used during the Highway 99 closure, that would be impractical.
(Monday sunset, photographed by Jim Borrow)
By dusk tonight, the first round of election results should be in. So that’s where we begin:
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY: Here’s our complete guide to today/tonight, as voting ends (8 pm) and vote-counting begins (results around 8:15).
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Though it’s foggy now, we’re expecting it to clear away for sunshine and warm temperatures, so the city says the pools WILL be open: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park (738 S. Sullivan) is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
NIGHT OUT: More than 200 block/building parties all over West Seattle, part of the annual national Night Out to build community and strengthen safety. Times vary – some start in the 5 pm hour, some run as late as 9. Remember that some neighborhood streets will be closed to through traffic. Some parties are on this map. Send us a pic of yours tonight – westseattleblog@gmail.com, text to 206-293-6302, or tweet @westseattleblog – thanks!
PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS BEGINS: 6 pm, first of four sessions at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Preregistration required – our calendar listing explains how. (4217 SW Oregon)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at air-conditioned Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
OPEN MIC: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, hosted by Joey Vargas. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE MORE … on our complete calendar!
From Queen City Futsal, which launched in West Seattle a year ago:
West Seattle-ites! Queen City Futsal is gearing up for fall season and we’d love to have more players from our community!
After taking the summer off to let our players enjoy the short-lived Seattle sun, we will be returning this fall for our 4th season! In addition to the coed divisions that we’ve been offering thus far, this season we will be offering the VERY. FIRST. EVER adult women’s futsal division here in Seattle and can we just say, we cannot wait!
Games will be played Sundays at the Salvation Army gym in West Seattle.
For a little glimpse into what Queen City is all about, you can check out THIS VIDEO from one of our past seasons. We’re all about having a good time, inclusivity, and of course, playing the beautiful game. We’re focused on creating a space to help build community and to combat that infamous Seattle Freeze.
For more information and/or to register your team or as an individual, go HERE!
If you have any questions at all, we’re just a quick email away at queencityfutsalsea@gmail.com.
We’re also looking to partner/include other West Seattle businesses in our growing community, so if you’re a business owner in West Seattle, or know a business that might be interested, hit us up!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts. One reminder:
NO WATER TAXI SERVICE THIS WEEK: No service on the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes this week because of the downtown dock move. But the Route 773 and Route 775 shuttles ARE running.
If your ballot is already in the hands of King County Elections, or on the way, good going! If not … you have just hours left to vote. Here’s everything you need to know, starting with a last look at who and what’s on your ballot:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1: We’ve covered this race from the first filing to the last (pre-primary) forum. The district includes West Seattle and South Park; Councilmember Lisa Herbold is seeking a second 4-year term, challenged by Phil Tavel and Brendan Kolding. The top two finishers will advance to the November election.
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8: Incumbent Joe McDermott is running for re-election. He also has two opponents, Goodspaceguy and Michael Neher.
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6: Also a race with the incumbent and two challengers. Leslie Harris , the board’s president, is challenged by Crystal Liston and Molly Mitchell. District 6 includes West Seattle and most of South Park.
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION: Two positions, elected countywide, are on this ballot. 7 candidates are running for Position 2 (which incumbent Courtney Gregoire is leaving) – Dominic Barrera, Kelly Charlton, Sam Cho, Grant Degginger, Nina Martinez, Ali Scego, and Preeti Shridhar. For Position 5, incumbent Fred Felleman is running for re-election, with two opponents – Garth Jacobson and Jordan Lemmon.
TWO LEVIES: You are being asked to approve or reject two levies – the King County Parks and Open Space levy and the Seattle library levy.
HOW TO GET YOUR VOTE IN: If you’re going to mail your ballot, do it early enough that you can be assured it’ll be postmarked today. More foolproof – take it to an official county dropbox. There are two in West Seattle (High Point and The Junction) and one in White Center, as well as dozens of others around the county – maybe one close to where you work. The map and list are here; the dropoff deadline is 8 pm. You also have accessible voting options including four centers where you can vote until 8 pm.
NOT REGISTERED? NO PROBLEM! Our state now has same-day registration – but you have to do it in person, and those aforementioned four centers are where to do it in King County.
THE FIRST RESULTS: King County usually announces just one round of results on Election Night, around 8:15 pm. You’ll find them here when they’re available. (And of course we’ll publish them too.)
ELECTION NIGHT PARTIES: Want to spend Election Night with the council candidate you’re rooting for? Here’s where they’ll be:
*Brendan Kolding – Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW)
*Lisa Herbold – Zeeks Pizza (6459 California SW)
*Phil Tavel – Talarico’s (4718 California SW)
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