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[Ken]

repost of info from a main page caucus thread:

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A note on the process of the Dem caucus.

This week I called the caucus hot line for clarification on the age of participation issue. I remember in 04 there was mention of 17 year olds being able to caucus but it was pretty much a moot point since I could not even get any of the 18 to 25 set to show up at 9 am on a Saturday no matter what kind of game they talked…

But this year we are seeing a serious increase in the youth turnout in many places across the country.

One aspect of the Dem caucus being used exclusively to choose the delegates rather than the state sponsored primary, is that the parties make the rules. The Republicans seem to be following the state primary rules for the caucus since they are using both for delegates.

The Dems are free to accept caucus input and even votes from those who are 17 now but will be 18 on or before the November general election.

Question 5 of the FAQ makes it semi clear that 17 year olds that will be able to register to vote by November, will be able to vote at the caucus.

Who can participate in their caucus? All registered voters and those who will be 18 at the time of the presidential election can vote at their caucus. You can register to vote at the caucus location and vote in the caucus. Others who are not registered can participate but can not vote.

Those I have talked to at the caucus hot line are interpreting the above somewhat ambiguous language to allow 17 year olds (who according to the Sec of State CANNOT register until they are 18) to fully participate in the caucus.

So If you know any one who will be 18 and a precinct resident and otherwise eligible to vote in November, make sure and bring them along to the caucus

Faq page:

http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=266

Addenum note: This years caucus starts at ONE PM on Saturday afternoon so even those who might have stayed up a bit too late on Friday can attend. I am pretty sure there will also be FREE COFFEE :)

[Kayleigh]

This election cycle is far too important to be determined by personality (real or imagined personality characteristics) or even race or sex.

Edwards was a trial attorney; he knows how to broker deals. He also was a U.S. Senator; he’s no stranger to how the system works. That he will compromise his ideals is a given; all politicans do to some extent. But he has less motivation to than Hillary or Obama; check out his campaign contributions:

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.asp?id=N00002283&cycle=2008.

I understand that we have needed a woman president for roughly 200 years. (shhhh, I think women are the stronger sex! ;-)) But her being a woman does not earn my forgiveness for her vote for the Patriot Act, or her serving on the Wal-Mart board, or her record of corporate campaign contributions:

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00000019&cycle=2008

[AdamOnAlki]

As a life-long West Seattle resident (except for those four-years away at college) I have become a little bit startled by the seemingly large growth in homeless in West Seattle. Growing up, it was incredibly rare to run across a person lacking abode while walking through The Junction, but it seems that is no longer the case. This is not a slam against that segment of our population, as I actually have a very large heart for those vagabonds, but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this shift?

[JoB]

call me sexist if you will. I suffered enough from the effects of sexism in my life to feel justified in turning the tables a little.

but… it’s not just about her sex.

Sometimes it’s not just about campaign promises either. I admit Edwards sounds great. I love his idealism.

But let’s be real. Our government doesn’t consist of just a president… they can only lead if they can get the congress to follow. Edwards will have to compromise his idealism if he wants to get anything accomplished.. just like any candidate will. What shows us that he will know how to do that and still deliver on any of his goals?

With Hilary, you get what you see. Someone who understands corporate America. Someone who understands how deals in congress are brokered. Someone who knows she will have to pay as much attention to the appearance of compromise as to the compromise itself to get anything done.

And someone the American press will watch like a hawk.

and, oh yeah, she’s a chick;-) is that cool or what!

[WSMom]

Hi KatherineL:

Do you have any suggestions of where I can find some horse, cow or rabbit manure? I have used your composting method for the past few years with good results. In addition to your advice, I occasionally will ask the grocery store for bags filled with greens from the produce dept. to add to my compost bin. The extra lettuce leaves and etc make the worms reproduce like crazy. I also get coffee grounds from Starbucks and Tully’s to add to the mix. I have not added manure though, and if I could get some I would.

[WSB]

Here’s our preferred methods.

The King County Parcel Viewer will tell you the address of a site if you don’t know it, the owner, the zoning, when it last sold, etc. Handy if you are looking something up in relation to your own lot.

http://www.metrokc.gov/GIS/mapportal/PViewer_main.htm

Once you have an address — or a parcel number — you can look things up through the DPD website.

go to

http://seattle.gov/dpd

click “search by address”

When the address comes up on a results page, click it, and it will show you if any permits have been applied for, etc. You may know all this if that’s where you got the plat info.

But this is my favorite DPD research page for individual parcels:

http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/dpdgisv2/parceldatasearch.aspx

Besides some of the same info you get from King County Parcel Viewer, this will also tell you some of the environmental characteristics etc. of a site. That may give you a hint as to whether there is some challenging factor on the land you’re researching.

[Aim]

Charlabob, I’ll be the middle aged woman with the red cane. I’ll be sure to say hello if I see you out and about, if you’ll do the same.

Anyone else have any identifying characteristics they want to share so we can spot one another out in the neighborhood, at the grocery store, whatever?

[Ken]

Sue: The link above might answer some of your questions. Sorry you will miss the caucus. The caucus process is harder on absentee issues in this state than it is in a few others if I remember correctly.

Here is the detailed answer for those who might have to miss the caucus but want to participate anyway.

From the FAQ on the Dem site (since they say it better than I do…

Can I vote absentee or by proxy in the Caucuses? No. There are only three reasons you can vote in the caucuses without being there. If you serve in the military, have a medical condition that prevents your attendance, or for religious reasons cannot attend your caucus, you can request an affidavit from the State Party. To find this affadavit, go to http://www.wa-democrats.org/caucusinfo and download the Caucus Surrogate Affadavit Form. This must be returned to the State Party by February 1st. No one else can vote without being there. You can become a delegate without attending your caucus. College students registered at their home address but living away from home cannot vote but can become a delegate using the process described below.

Link to FAQhttp://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=266

The caucus has some strict time allotments and some that are soft. In general normal sized precincts will be done in about two hours.

Getting there early or at least on time will be best especially for those in large precincts since the sign-in process can become a bottleneck when turnout is as big as expected.

next: ok your precinct has no PCO. Yes that means one of your neighbors will have to volunteer at the caucus to run it. They will then appoint a secretary and a tally clerk. (assuming there are at least three people from your precinct)

More details and a You tube video of the step by step are at the state party page above.

Even though you might have to miss the caucus, if your precinct has no PCO, then you should consider becoming the PCO yourself. Candidate organizations urge their supporters to become PCO’s where possible. You can be appointed after filling out a short form at a district meeting and run for the position next year. It is a rare precinct that has contested PCO elections since it is an unpaid party position, but this year also included replacing a 34th district Senator and a Rep in which case ONLY PCO’s were allowed to vote for the replacements.

Here is the PCO handbook in html format

http://www.democracyforwashington.com/civicspace-0.5/?q=pcohandbook

For more info on caucus history,

this article is pretty easy to read.

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2008/01/questions-about.html

I see my link code is now being turned into alternate text. editing to re add full urls.

[Ken]

I just noticed the last two questions…

Add

Kids that are not likly to cry or run around and/or get bored are probably fine. Our grandson would be banned after a few minutes.

I think the SCC page states something like.. well let me go look at it…

Washington State residents who are not qualified to register to vote because of

age or citizenship shall be allowed to participate in the platform and resolution

discussions, but not vote on the election of delegates or alternates, nor may they

be elected as delegates or alternates

I think that indicates that any interested student smart enough to be interested in presidential politics, can not only attend, but take part in the discussions and even speak for a candidate if they like, if time allows and there is no representative of that candidate hogging the discussion time.

Go to http://www.wa-democrats.org/ for all the details normal people can stand. And it your really really interested here is a

pdf of delegate selection document in all it’s obtuse glory

This is the official document, or one of them that is used as a resource for those running the caucus. There is also a Caucus Hotline at (206) 583-4345 or e-mail grassroots@wa-democrats.org. This us a statewide number. I am awaiting a bit more clarity on an age related question myself. More on that later.

Sue’s question in next post.

[charlabob]

I’ve been frozen and thawed, and thawed is better — when we first moved here in 2000, we depended on an existing posse (of people who relocated before us.) We have a great social life, are busy, and didn’t notice the freeze. If anything, I would say people were more superficially friendly (when I walked the dog, looked lost, etc.) Now I’m temporarily disabled (looks worse than it is) and strangers practically run up to help me load groceries, pick up something, figure out how to get somewhere. I spent 20 years in the Boston area and Seattle feels much more “normal”. BTW, as a NONrunner, I’m never sure if I’m supposed to say “hi” to people who run by my house. So I do if they look at me (or wave). I do say hi to folks who are walking dogs.

My sweetie and I will try to come on the 3rd. I’ll be the crone with the purple cane. :-)

[Anonymous]

Hi Bonnie,

We have 4 kids and the youngest is 7 1/2 and she has never walked to school or home by herself. I only brought this subject up because so many people in our neighborhood and at school have been talking about it and I wanted to see what the general census was is all.

I believe it does depend on the child and their maturity, every child matures at different times. I drive our 2 younger kids the older two walk or take a bus.

I too think about those stories that have come up and it does not help with all the sex offenders in and around the area. But I also don’t want to get paranoid. Like anything you have to use precautions and have a safety plan, which we have.

[Jerald]

I don’t think I’m considered overprotective by most people, but I’m not comfortable with my daughter walking alone even in high school, although I don’t forbid it. If she has to walk to the bus stop alone on dark winter mornings, I stand on the sidewalk and watch until she’s joined others.

In middle school, my kids walked lots of places, but in groups.

I feel they’re safer on busy streets or buses than alone in our quiet neighborhood.

Also, I believe in having a cellphone at the ready.

[Anonymous]

Are you referring to safety? And by alone, do you mean without you but with other kids, or completely alone. Also, are you talking about a block away where you can still see your child or a mile. In elementary, our kids could only walk with other kids in the neighborhood. Middle school was a mixed bag. My son was never bothered, but even up through high school my daughter was approached by men in cars. The neighbors and neighborhoods were all safe, it was the few jerks that troll near schools that was the problem.

It’s a fine line between being over protective and just trying to keep them safe. And no, I’m not afraid of swear words. It’s 40 year olds telling my 12 year what he’d like to do to her. We got them cell phones at an early age to be able to call police or us or just look like they were talking as that seemed to be a deterrent. In middle school my daughter had to walk with her brother, a friend, or take the city bus which is full of kids in the am by the way. People don’t understand that this wasn’t a once in awhile issue. My daughter and her friends were approached, followed slowly, and had sexual comments yelled at them frequently. Again, it wasn’t the words, they’ve heard them all and have probably said most of them. It was the fear some of these guys caused.

So you just do your best to teach them all the safety rules and precautions. The buddy system. When and how to call police. Not to stop for or approach any car. And even a silly simple thing. My daughter practiced screaming. Much to the animals dismay, she got quite good and felt empowered by the ability. Sometimes just telling kids it’s okay to make a ruckus if they feel unsafe, is all it takes.

And now that I’ve made you paranoid enough to just drive them to school, which I did most days anyway, I’m off in search of that latte myself.

[Ken]

While the legal aspect may be tilted in the business owners favor, (those gears do grind slow) This “smells” like a political issue that our city council members should be made aware of. Perhaps by registered letter. If he does have a city contract, he might be in violation of the terms of that contract which, as far as I know, can get examined pretty damn quick when some politicians are annoyed.

If you have exhausted all legal means at your personal level as a homeowner, don’t leave the political aspect out of it.

http://www.seattle.gov/council/committees/planning_comm.htm

Oh look. There are some newly elected members on the Planning, Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee

and the Chair Sally Clark, I suspect, needs a chance to counter the charges of “too business friendly”.

They were all very friendly when they were asking for endorsements from the 34th district. Some of them even got it.

Tom Rasmussen has a great staff and a good record of being responsive to neighborhood issues even when he is running unopposed.

[Ken]

Are you familiar with the basic tools of IMAP and parcel view on the county web site?

http://www.metrokc.gov/gis/mapportal/iMAP_main.htm

A starting point only since the info is sometimes months out of date and typos are years getting fixed. But a good tool none the less.

[Jack]

I live in the Westwood area of West Seattle. We have lived here for a long time. We like our neighborhood and chose to live here because it was residential and not commercial.

In October of 2005 our neighbor relocated his business to his home. He is a contractor who pumps raw sewage. He also contracts with the city to water Seattle public property. This means he has LARGE vehicles, stinky hoses, many employees, an office separate from his home (one of those mobile construction trailers), people coming and going ON OUR street that is ZONED residential. The mobile construction trailer apparently is not considered a violation because it can be “moved easily” and is “temporary”. If it didn’t have wheels he would be in violation and be considered “permanent”.

This does NOT make for a nice place to live. I thought it was a temporary situation. It is not. After about a year of what I thought was temporary, in November 2006 I contacted the DPD and made a complaint. He was in violation of the city code and was cited. He took this case to court and lost. The judge said he was in violation. BUT, he is still operating his business.

What makes me so angry is that we are rewarding him with a City Contract and he is allowed to violate the CITY code without having to give up his city contracts.

I have contacted the DPD (Dept. of Land Use whose is job it is to stop him), King5 News, my district Representative, Parking Enforcement, City of Seattle business licensing, Labor and Industry, ground water protection service, the Seattle Times, and more. There has not been ONE thing done except give my neighbor a citation. He has received one citation and has failed seven inspections. I was told by the DPD it has taken some cases up to 10 years to resolve. There are only a couple of inspectors for the entire city who investigate over 4000 complaints a year.

My other neighbors have complained as well. NOT just me. If everyone was fine with it I would rethink my concerns but my neighbors keep asking me what more I know and when this guy is going to move his business.

If I had wanted to live next to a large industrial business I would have lived down by the Port of Seattle. I live in West Seattle, which is considered to be a residential neighborhood. I would like it to keep it this way.

Is there anyone out there who knows how to stop this effectively without resorting to poor behavior? I would love it if the entire WS blog complained to the DPD to keep WS what it should be! Here is the link http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Enforcement/Code_Compliance/Filing_a_Complaint/default.asp Case # 1010691 if you are so inclined. He is violating Zoning Codes and Parking Codes.

The WS Blog is such a wonderful place to find support and advocacy. Thank you for this venue.

–Name Withheld for fear of retribution. (This gentleman can be rather intimidating)

[Sue]

Charles, my husband spends considerable time in coffee shops with his laptop. He works from home, and for a change of scenery he goes to a different coffee shop a few times a week. I wouldn’t say he’s “squatting” because he is buying things throughout the time there – it’s not like he buys a small drink and nurses it for 4 hours – he’s buying food, drink, refills throughout that time. There are also places like Skylark which has wifi, and he’s buying a full lunch there. His laptop doesn’t have the greatest battery (no control over that – it’s company issue and they think it’s just fine) so he gets only about 2 hours out of it and requires a plug. I do have to say, however, that he definitely wouldn’t stand on a table to plug in his laptop. :)

[credmond]

Jimmy G, Al, others,

–

The 54 serves a larger transit ridership because it goes through more neighborhoods than the 21. Metro chose the 54 for reasons which included the overall population served. Metro also knows that the 21 is due upgrades.

–

The new Rapid Ride service is “new” money and as soon as it’s implemented, circa 2011, the existing 54 service hours can be completely redirected here in WS. That’s probably enough hours to expand the 21 to 20 minute service, lengthen the service day for the 22, and probably increase the 128 to 20 minute service also. That’s what Metro plans to go over next year, this year they’re working on the alignment and station locations. That’s where the energy should be focused now.

–

Does RR improve the 54 service corridor? or does it improve some other service corridor? The present alignment includes the option of intersecting the RR service with the 21 or saving maybe three minutes and getting on the Fauntleroy Causeway directly. Most of us on the advisory board are arguing for the intersect even though it will “waste” 3 minutes. Anyway, send your comments in and attend one of the meetings next week – WSB has it on the events page. Metro is listening, honestly!

[credmond]

I usually go to coffee shops to meet folks and talk, with or without a computer. But, my computer battery lasts about 4 hours and I’m never gonna be in a coffee shop for 4 hours on a computer. I just wonder if these folks actually plan on spending 4 hours there. Why would you need to plug the battery-powered laptop in? That’s sort of squatting, isn’t it? Is that more or less rude than standing on a table? Also, if there’s a preponderance of laptop types (Bauhaus CapHill, Ladro WestSea – both noon to evening rush) I usually hang at another local favorite. Coffee shops have a rhythm. What we still don’t have in WS is a good hot south-of-the-border cocoa shop combined with a good south-of-the-border chickory coffee shop (maybe a combo package of Aztec and Cajun – some great music and design choices here…)

[TheVelvetBulldog]

Erik – Depends on the seagulls you keep company with.

[Aim]

Barb, She also gives you a FULL hour. She puts it “this is your hour, you’re paying for it. How would you like to spend it?” So you can ask her about ANYTHING you might have wondered about. She’s simply awesome. I have to see my doc a lot, due to medical issues I have, so I am really picky about having a good one.

[JoB]

We are also a renters and to be fair i have to tell you that i just followed cinnamon’s link to affordable housing and it probably isn’t realistic.

depending upon the size of the house and the amenities (does it have a view, is it near a park, schools, are you going to allow pets, etc>>>) rents here are higher than those posted.

you might try housingmaps.. just put them in google. that is where i found our current rental.

I think a lot of people who are transferring into the area use that system. It works really well… as does a good old fashioned sign.

You might want to consider a real estate service if you aren’t going to want to manage the property yourself… they do charge a percentage of the rent as a fee, but they do most of the work screening renters and some of them even arrange repairs for you. Just check out the contracts really carefully.

Too bad i won’t be looking for another place for at least 6 months… good luck!

[flowerpetal]

Without wavering, I can confidently recommend Dr Lloyd Tucker and his staff. His office is at 4150 California Ave, just north of the Post Office in the Junction. 937-8253. Not only is Dr. T. kind, and exhibiting the best chair-side manner, he is also extremely knowledgable and up to date with periodontics and implants. I love his staff too!

[missaudreyhorne]

Hm, when I went to WSHS 9 years ago we were allowed in McDonalds and yes, we skipped school and hung out there. And we were NOT allowed in Safeway after my freshman year, nor were we ever allowed in Jack in the Box unless someone had a car and we could go through the drive thru. And I don’t blame them. Even if we weren’t “thugs” we were loud and obnoxious.

Also, the reason we were stopped from going into the Safeway was because of theft. And believe me, I knew more than a few people who stole loads of stuff from there…so there really is good reasoning behind it.

Plus, I think it is kind of nice that kids don’t have those two fast food places to choose from because really that is probably all they’d choose and that just isn’t healthy.

[Anonymous]

I just called McDonalds in the Admiral area and was told that this policy of kids not in McDonalds is due to alot of the kids skipping school. And yes, you are riht that this policy also could include adults.