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February 2009
Dear
Neighbor,
Serving
you as Chair of the King County Council in 2008, my highest
priority was, and continues to be, making your government
as responsible, accessible and accountable as possible. Maximum
government involvement is the key to effective democracy,
so I invite you to write or call me with your ideas and opinions.
2008
was a year of ups and downs. King County was not immune to
the financial strains facing our entire nation. King County,
much like our own families, has had to cut back by carefully
considering how to prioritize spending. In spite of the budget
constrains our government was faced with, we had some great
successes last year.
In
this e-newsletter I’ve outlined the highlights of 2008,
as well as critical components of the 2009 budget. It’s
important for you to have this information so you’ll
be aware of how your government is serving you.
Sincerely,
Julia
Patterson
King County Councilmember - District 5
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New
Bus Service
In
September, King County launched new bus routes servicing
the communities east of Kent and Renton, such as Kent
East Hill, the Meridian Valley neighborhood, and Panther
Lake.
Funding
for the service comes from the voter approved "Transit
Now" ballot proposal, expanding bus service throughout
the County. The increased service answers some of
South King County's request for more transit. Other
south county neighborhoods will see additional service
in 2009. For more information and travel times, you
can visit Metro's
website or call (206) 553-3000 or toll free at
1(800) 542-7876. |
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Trails
On
December 9th, I unveiled a plan giving pedestrians
and bicyclists the ability to travel from Lake Washington
to Puget Sound on a proposed 16.9-mile regional trail
connecting the cities of Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac,
Burien, and Des Moines.
The
proposed "Lake to Sound Trail" offers new opportunities
for commuting, recreation, and access to major light
rail stations and transit hubs. |
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Animal
Care
The
King County Council continued efforts to improve conditions
at the Kent and Bellevue animal shelters. In April,
I announced with the King County Executive that we
would make significant improvements to the Kent shelter.
These
improvements will reduce the spread of disease, increase
the medications available, and add temporary staff
to help adopt and care for animals. Moving forward,
the Council will explore options for how we can best
provide medical treatment, spay/neuter, behavioral
training, and adoption opportunities for our animals. |
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BNSF
Corridor: Rails with Trails
The Port of Seattle made a historical investment last
spring when it secured the Burlington Northern Santa
Fe (BNSF) Eastside rail corridor for public ownership.
I
led King County in the purchase and acquisition of
a 26 mile easement for trail development along the
corridor.
The
corridor runs from Renton to Woodinville and was purchased
below market price. King County and the Port of Seattle
are committed to using the corridor to its fullest
potential, which means rails with trails. With high
congestion levels on I-405 between Renton and Bellevue,
this rail corridor remains an option for future high-capacity
transit. Trail development along the corridor will
also provide an additional commuting option and a
new place to exercise and recreate. |
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2009
Budget
On
November 24th, the King County Council voted to approve
the 2009 budget prioritizing public health, public
safety, and quality of life for the residents, while
maintaining the County’s financial health. Since
King County anticipates another budget shortfall equaling
$93 million, our budget challenges are not yet over.
However, I worked with the Council to protect programs
important to the residents of South King County.
The
Council secured funding for all Sheriff's Deputy storefront
offices, critical to protecting unincorporated areas
of South King County. In addition, we protected funding
for Superior Court's Drug Diversion Court and United
Family Court Services and for District Court's award-winning
Mental Health Court and Relicensing Court. All public
health centers, including those in Kent and Renton,
received full-year funding and will remain open in
2009. |
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