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Updated
October 18, 2006
October 11th, 2006, Meeting
Official Minutes
Informal Notes and Photos
Agenda
Chair Ivan Weiss's Message for October
Official Minutes
October 11th Meeting
Click here for a copy of the minutes in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF - 61kb).
Minutes of the 34th District Democrats
Meeting of 11 October 2006.
130. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm. Alan Munro led the flag salute.
131. The agenda was approved. The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
132. Chair’s Report (Chairman Ivan Weiss)
132.1 There will be a fundraiser for Maria Cantwell Saturday at 1:30 PM at the home of Richard and Molly Reed on Vashon.
132.2 The Maggie awards will be on October 20th. The district has a table set aside. Cost is $100 per ticket, $75 for PCOs.
132.3 The White Center Food Bank will be holding an auction and dinner on October 21st. The 34th has set aside a table, as has the West Seattle Democratic Women. If you would like more information, contact Stephen Lamphear or Beth Grieser.
133. First Vice Chair’s Report (First Vice Chairwomen Tanya Aguilar)
133.1 There are three events where we need volunteers. These are:
133.1.1 A phone bank at the Machinists Hall on Tuesday, October 17th to get out the vote (GOTV) for candidate Tomas Villanueva, running for State Senator in the 15th District. This is the sister district we have been providing in-kind support to for the past few months. There are lots of “Sleeping Democrats” for Tomas and we need to get them out to vote for Tomas.
133.1.2 There will also be a trip to the Yakima area on October 28th to directly GOTV canvass for Tomas.
133.1.3 Tomas is also having a big GOTV event in the 15th District on Saturday, October 21st (the same day as the White Center Food Bank Autumn Dinner). Please contact Tanya Aguilar for information on all 3 events.
134. Coordinated Campaign –John Ehrman spoke to the need for us all to work very hard to GOTV in the 34th District in such a pivotal year. We need lots of volunteers for phone banking and on Election Day.
135. PROGRAM
136. Speaker Laura Hendricks, Henderson Bay Shoreline Association
136.1 The speaker made a presentation on the explosive growth of aquaculture and the impact it is having on our State’s shorelines. She presented a number of slides showing these aquaculture farms, particularly in Totten Inlet, where 30 miles of the 33 miles of shoreline in this area are now used for aquaculture. Little to no permitting is required for these farms. There is no unbiased and clear science on the impacts of such intensive aquaculture. Her group, along with People For Puget Sound and other groups are working on both legal and political strategies to have the Department of Natural Resources (who licenses aquaculture firms) commission studies to measure the impact of this industry. She encouraged the membership to speak out and raise awareness on this issue.
137. Speaker JW Tuner, Preserve Our Islands
137.1 Mr Turner informed the membership on the history of the Preserve Our Islands Group, a group is sole focus to block the development of a massive gravel mining operation on Maury Island by Glacier Sand and Gravel. The proposed operation would cover 224 acres and extract more than 35,000,000 tons of gravel, equivalent to 10 million dump truck loads. This proposed work will come within 15 feet of a sole source aquifer and contain a dock that will stretch out 400 feet into Puget Sound. The area in and around the proposed mine is critical habitat for the endangered orca pods of Puget Sound. Currently, Preserve Our Islands has a case pending in State Supreme Court to deny the release of a shoreline permit to Glacier Sand and Gravel. They have successfully enjoined the project, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court decision. Mr. Turner encourages the membership to contact the Governor and express your outrage over this proposed mine. There is good support from congressmen , 34th District electeds, our County Representative and other politicians, but there is not yet the active support of the Governor.
138. RESOLUTION
138.1 A resolution was introduced by Joseph Bogaard¬ calling for serious consideration of removal of the Snake River Dams by our Washington State delegation. Consideration should also be given to financial mitigation for affected communities. The motion was tabled for consideration later in the fall.
139. ENDORSEMENTS
139.1 Seattle Proposition 1 - A motion was made to endorse Seattle Proposition 1, a proposition to increase property taxes to support work on roads, bridges and other transportation corridors. The motion passed.
139.2 Seattle Referendum 1 - A motion was made to endorse a yes vote on Referendum 1. A yes vote would codify the recent legislation passed by the City Council setting standards for operation of adult entertainment clubs. The motion failed. A motion was made to endorse a no vote on the same referendum. It passed.
140. CONTRIBUTIONS
140.1 Contributions to Campaign for 34th District Representatives. A motion to contribute $1,000 to the election campaigns of Representatives McDermott and Cody passed.
140.2 Contribution to Darcy Burner Campaign. A motion to contribute $1,000 to the election campaigns of Darcy Burner in the 8th Congressional District passed.
140.3 Contribution to no on I-933. A motion to contribute $750 to no on I-933 passed.
140.4 Reconsideration of Campaign Contributions to representatives McDermott and Cody. A motion to reconsider the approved motion to contribute $1,000 each to campaigns of Representatives McDermott and Cody passed, due to Representative Cody’s correspondence that she does not need the contribution for this fall’s campaign. A further motion to contribute $1,000 to only representative McDermott passed.
140.5 Contributions to other campaigns and initiatives. A motion to contribute $200 to the campaign of Peter Goldmark in the 2nd Congressional district, $50 to the campaign of Senator Maria Cantwell, and $750 each to the no on I-920 campaign and the yes on I-937 campaign passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter Sive ,
Acting Secretary
Informal Notes and Photos
Click any photo to enlarge it.
Agenda
Meeting of Wednesday October 11th
The Hall at Fauntleroy
9131 California Avenue S.W.,
West Seattle, Washington
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS
"All The Democracy You Can Handle"
• 6:30 PM - Social - drinks provided, please bring potluck food to share
• 7:00 PM - Call to order, flag salute, approval of agenda, minutes, treasurer's report. See also the King County Democrats' report from September.
• 7:05 PM - Chairman's report.
Program 1: Health and Environment of Puget Sound
• From Gig Harbor, Laura Hendricks of the Henderson Bay Shoreline Association will inform us of the alarming expansion of shellfish farming in the South Sound, complete with "before and after" slides.
• J.W. Turner of Preserve Our Islands will be on hand to update us on Vashon Island's long-running battle to stop Glacier Sand and Gravel from mining away Maury Island
Program 2: Endorsements for the General Election
The endorsements we could consider are show below. A more detailed program will be posted about October 1st.
• Proposition 1: "Bridging the Gap", an increase in property taxes for transportation improvements and maintenance in the City of Seattle. The Executive Board recommends endorsement of this measure, so only a simply majority is required to pass it. See more information below and also see City of Seattle website for more info.
• Resolution to Support Wild Salmon and Steelhead Recovery in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. See full text below.
• King County Proposition: Transit Now, a one-tenth of one percent sales tax increase to improve bus transit in the County. See also: www.peoplefortransitnow.com/ and www.transportationchoices.org/ .
• To see other endorsements we've already made, go to the endorsements page.
Business meeting
• 8:35 PM - PCO appointments, old business, new business, good of the order
9:00 PM - Adjourn
Discussion of Seattle Proposition #1: "Bridging the Gap"
At the last meeting of the Executive Board, City Council Member Richard Conlin spoke to us about the importance of this proposal which will be on the November ballot. The Board recommended, by a vote of 7 to 4, that this proposal be endorsed. Because the Executive Board recommended endorsement, the percentage needed for endorsement by the full membership is a simple majority. It was suggested that both the pro and con positions be explained in the newsletter.
Phase one "Bridging the Gap" property tax level would run for nine years until 2015 and would raise $365 million for paving streets, seismic repairs for bridges, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit projects. It would cost the owner of a $400,000 home approximately $155 the first year, increasing one percent per year the next five years. Other revenues would come from a commercial parking tax and a business tax of $25 per employee. This proposal is 18% less than the Mayor's original proposal which many thought too expensive. It requires voter approval before the second phase would take effect in nine years, and provides for a citizen review panel that would report to the City and the public about the success of the program.
Here's where the money would go in 2008, the first year:
• $21.2 million for paving city streets
• $8.5 million for pedestrians, bikes and safety
• $7.5 million for transit, freight and pedestrian corridors
• $6.3 for bridges and structures
• $4.2 million for signs, signals and safety
• $2.7 million for sidewalks, trains, walkways and stairways
• $1.1 million for trees and landscaping
Projects that would specifically benefit our area would be transit, pedestrian, bicycle and safety improvements in the West Seattle Corridors of Fauntleroy, Avalon and Alaska. Widening and rehabilitating South Spokane Street viaduct creating a dedicated transit-only lane as well as a generalpurpose lane from the structure down to Fourth Avenue into downtown Seattle.
Statement: PRO
Because of the Tim Eyman initiatives and I-695, funding for much needed transportation projects has dried up and much of the maintenance has been left undone. The money isn't going to come out of thin air and it's time to move on with these projects.
Statement: CON
While these projects are important, the tax proposed to fund them is particularly hard on retirees making Seattle a difficult place to live unless you have money. It changes the face of the city we love. While this proposal is for nine years, that is only Phase In reality, it's a 20 year tax.
Resolution in Support of Wild Salmon and Steelhead Recovery in the Columbia and Snake Rivers
The following resolution was submitted by Joseph Bogaard at our September meeting and will be considered at our October 11 meeting:
Whereas, fishing cultures, livelihoods, economies, and recreation along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to California, and east to Idaho and Montana, have been dramatically affected by the precipitous decline and subsequent listing under the Endangered Species Act of anadromous salmon and steelhead in the Snake River Basin;
Whereas, rigorous scientific review has demonstrated most of this decline is due to cumulative impacts of the Federal Columbia River Hydroelectric System, and, that retiring Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite dams on the lower Snake River and returning this river to a natural condition is the most effective measure to avoid extinction and recover Snake River salmon and steelhead stocks;
Whereas, wild Snake River salmon and steelhead are an irreplaceable genetic resource that continue to play a vital ecological role even at their currently depressed levels. If these runs are allowed to vanish, the foundation of the interior northwest's ecosystems will be severely undermined;
Whereas, the federal government's recovery efforts have failed repeatedly to produce a legal, science-based recovery plan, have misspent billions of ratepayer and taxpayer dollars on ineffective measures, and failed to reverse or even stop declining populations of Columbia Basin salmon;
Whereas, extinction will prove even more costly, and recovery will restore these fish to their rightful place in the cultures, economies, and hearts of Pacific Northwest peoples;
Whereas, numerous studies and reports have concluded that we can replace the modest services currently provided by the four lower Snake River dams with cost-effective alternatives while protecting the interests of our regions communities and economies;
Therefore let it be resolved, that the Democrats of the 34th Legislative District find the extinction of wild Snake River salmon unacceptable, and recommend that our Washington State delegation members explore the removal of the four dams on the lower Snake River, the measure deemed most effective by numerous scientific analyses to recover wild anadromous fish in the Snake River Basin to sustainable fisheries levels. The members of the 34th District Democrats also strongly encourage careful consideration of any adverse impacts of this recovery option on affected individuals and communities.
Next Meetings:
• November 8th - Debriefing and Discussion of the November 7th General Election Results
Message From the Chair, October, 2006:
We Walk and Chew Gum
Yes, we are having an election. Yes, we are canvassing our precincts and phone banking in our District. Yes, we are donating generously to the candidates of our choice and working on their behalf, in our own and other Districts, and in other parts of the country.
Yes, we are going to rallies against the war in Iraq. Yes, we are calling our Senators and Representatives and demanding that they not stand for legislation that allows torture, or suspension of habeas corpus, or warrantless wiretapping of American citizens who have been charged with no crimes.
Yes, we are battling for affordable health care, affordable housing, full funding for education at all levels, a living wage for all workers, the right to organize, the stability of public and private pensions, full reproductive freedom for women, and the right to adopt children or marry the spouse of our choice for all citizens, bar none.
But while we're doing all those things (and I have no doubt that everyone who reads this is doing at least *some* of these things), nature won't wait.
Just as our civil liberties and our very civil society are under attack, so is the beautiful, life-giving Puget Sound around which we live.
Because the 34th District Democrats can walk and chew gum at the same time, we are hearing, at our October meeting, less than one month before the election, from two speakers, one from our own District, who will alert us to attacks on our precious marine environment.
From Gig Harbor, Laura Hendricks of the Henderson Bay Shoreline Association will inform us of the alarming expansion of shellfish farming in the South Sound, complete with "before and after" slides.
Hendricks, who will present graphic evidence of the effects of geoduck tubes on Totten Inlet and Carr Inlet beaches, reports that expansion of shellfish farming has occurred with very little public input or oversight, much less any effective regulation.
If that seems a little far afield, J.W. Turner of Preserve Our Islands will be on hand to update us on Vashon Island's long-running battle to stop Glacier Sand and Gravel from mining away Maury Island, an effort that almost all of our District's elected officials support - and we're working on the Governor.
We'll have resolutions and ballot measures to endorse, or not, and reports on our members' far-flung activities. See you Wednesday, October 11, for "all the democracy you can handle."
Ivan Weiss
Chairman, 34th District Democrats
206-463-4647
"When they're working, we're working
When they're sleeping, we're working."
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