Like the video format? I invite you to check out all my YouTube videos.
Council Achieves 2010 Priority Goals
As 2010 Chair of the Council, I led a new approach to the Council’s annual work plan. We set specific priorities and goals to accomplish for 2010 and created an online scorecard to allow the public to monitor the Council’s progress on these goals.
The Council made significant progress on these goals in 2010 and completed the majority of them. Read more here.
Funding the Seawall Replacement
The Seattle Seawall is in a severe state of disrepair. The cost to replace the Seawall is expected to be approximately $300 million.
I worked with my colleague Larry Philips to obtain $4.25 million in 2011 funding for the Seawall from the King County Flood Control District. Additionally, we obtained an additional $24.75 million in the six year capital budget if the State Legislature can address tax suppression issues that threaten to eliminate the Flood District.
Last month, I had the honor of speaking at the annual Mental Health/Chemical Dependency Legislative Forum. Neil Scott, host of the national radio show “Recovery: Coast to Coast,” emceed the event.
State legislators, including Ed Murray, Ruth Kagi, David Frockt and Roger Goodman also attended. I appreciate their commitment to this important issue.
The focus of the event was on the impact of State cuts on mental health and chemical dependency programs in King County. You can read more here.
Remembering Norm Maleng
The next time you visit the King County Courthouse (516 Third Avenue, Seattle 98104), be sure to take a moment and see the new memorial for our late County Prosecutor Norm Maleng. It is located on the second floor, near the Fourth Avenue entrance.
The memorial, "Standing Tall," was created by artist Linda Beaumont. It is a wonderful addition to the Courthouse that honors a fine public servant. I joined family and friends of Norm Maleng for a moving ceremony to unveil the new memorial. You can read more here.
Increasing Transparency in Government
The Council recently adopted legislation I sponsored to provide guidance on King County’s use of social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook to stay in touch with the public. The legislation furthers the Council's goal of increasing transparency and trust in government by making sure the County's use of social media tools meets laws governing the retention of public records.
I was disappointed my colleagues did not support the portion of my proposal that addressed text messaging. Text messaging raises thorny public records issues because text messages are not “saved” and, therefore, are not easily recovered to respond to public records requests. I called for an analysis of how the County can best provide transparency when it comes to text messages, but that amendment failed. I will bring this issue back in 2011.
Bob and Colleen with their twins, Jack and Katie, scrubbing headstones at Evergreen Washelli Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Veterans Update: Moving Forward with a “Veterans Court”
I recently had the honor of speaking at a Veterans Criminal Justice Forum held at the National Guard Armory. Other speakers included Judge Brett Buckley of the Thurston County Veterans Treatment Court, which is modeled after mental health court and provides links to services for veterans to break the cycle of involvement in the criminal justice system. These Veterans Courts are beginning to be developed in other jurisdictions across the country, and I am pursuing a similar initiative here in King County. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Update: Creating a Risk Assessment Tool to Increase Public Safety
In my November e-news, I wrote about legislation I proposed regarding improvements to public safety. Specifically, the legislation calls for the creation of a risk assessment tool to assist judges in making the difficult decisions of which criminal defendants should be released into the community while awaiting trial. I discussed this proposal on Comcast Newsmakers, and you can view the video on YouTube.
Bob’s Bus Books
In law school, constitutional law was my favorite class. Not surprisingly, I enjoy books about the law and specifically, constitutional law.
I am currently reading Make No Law: The Sullivan Case and the First Amendment by Anthony Lewis. The book traces the history of the First Amendment with a focus on the landmark case New York Times, Co. v. Sullivan. Lewis is a Pulitzer-prize winning author, and I recommend Make No Law if you have an interest in the First Amendment.
Meeting with the new President of Cascadia Community College
Dr. Eric W. Murray, President,
Cascadia Community College
I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Eric Murray who is the new President of Cascadia Community College. He’s a young, dynamic leader, and I am excited about his appointment. Cascadia Community College is located in Bothell.
My wife, Colleen, is on leave from her work at Shoreline Community College while she is home with our young twins. I have a special interest in our community college system as a result of Colleen’s work.
