Construction at the Des Moines Marina will continue through Friday, Feb. 26th, with pile driving and carpentry activities going on from 8am to 8pm.

Here are details spelled out in a letter from the Marina folks:

Dear Marina Neighbors,

IMCO General Construction has received approval to perform pile driving and carpentry activities at the Des Moines Marina after normal working hours…through Friday, February 26.  The specific activities listed below all require the lower tide levels that occur during the evening hours this week.

Pile Driving adjacent to the Marina’s Guest Moorage Area:  8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In providing approval for IMCO to perform pile driving activities after normal working hours, City of Des Moines Development Services stipulated the following conditions must be met:

1. The construction site (pile driving area) must be completely shut down for the day, to include turning off the construction lighting, by 8:30 PM each night.
2. The contractor is required to comply with all noise requirements established by the City’s Municipal Code and WAC 173-60.
3. Construction lighting shall be directed away from the residential areas and limited to lighting need to safely illuminate the work zone as established by industry standards.
4. Daily noise monitoring reports demonstrating compliance with the City’s Municipal Code and WAC 173-60 must be provided to the City the next day following each night of work.

Concrete Pile Cap formwork (carpentry) on the waterside of the new bulkhead:  11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Based on a review of the tide charts and the nature of the proposed work, the City of Des Moines Building Official approved a modification to the City’s “Hours of Construction” provided the following conditions are imposed:

1. Construction lighting (see 3. Above)
2. When work will occur after 7 p.m., all efforts will be made to stage materials near the work zone prior to 7 p.m. in order to reduce the use of construction equipment required to utilize back-up alarms.
3. Compliance with State of Washington noise ordinances (WAC 173-60-40/WAC 173-60-50).
4. When work occurs after 10:00 p.m., the Contractor shall take periodic noise readings to ensure compliance with the requirements of WAC 173-60-040.

If you have any questions related to the extended hours activities that may be occurring this week, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

You may also wish to check for news and updates on the project website.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the construction of the North Marina Combined Projects.

Doreen Torseth
Contract Administrator
North Marina Combined Projects
City of Des Moines
206.212.6372 (phone)

by Ralph Nichols

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler recently presented to the City Council gifts that were given him during a trip to China late last fall.

But the mayor brought home a lot more than just gifts and a slide show of his travels in this ancient, now-booming country.

A multimillion-dollar development along Pacific Highway South backed by Chinese investors – agreed to during Sheckler’s highly productive trip – is now in the planning and permitting stage.

Ground breaking and the start of construction are expected to take place this summer if preliminary activity continues at its current pace.

The development, which will feature a hotel and restaurant and possibly retail space, will be located at the old state vehicle emissions testing site on the east side of Pac Highway not far north of Kent-Des Moines Road.

While in China, Sheckler also laid the foundation for an exchange program between Chinese community college students and students at Highline Community College.

And now there is the promise of even more. He reported at the Feb. 11 City Council meeting that representatives of business investors in China and Russia, with billions of dollars to invest, “are very interested in Des Moines.”

“The word’s out” about Des Moines – and the marina. “The word’s definitely out there,” Sheckler said. “They’re saying, ‘Where have you been?’ People are discovering that this (waterfront city) is a jewel. It’s very exciting.”

Sheckler began planning his China trip (Nov. 13-22) two years ago, not long after the prospect of developing a sister-city relationship with Changle, a coastal city in the Suzhou province of South China, was first discussed.

After corresponding with Changle Mayor Lin Wengang, Lin invited Sheckler to meet with him there. Sheckler was accompanied by Des Moines investor Matt Chan, who plans to build the Watercrossing development on the southeast side of the Pac Highway-South 216th St. intersection.

“I was there to visit him” and discuss a sister-city relationship, Sheckler noted. But he also went to China with plans to pursue an exchange-student arrangement and “to develop interest in investment in Des Moines.”

Even before he was “warmly received” by Lin and Deputy Mayor Lin Jian Xiu – to whom he presented gifts paid for by himself, as well as accepted their gifts – Sheckler had met with Zedong Ye, a property developer, and Mr. Zhang, an industrialist. Both had visited Des Moines and Tacoma last summer and liked the Waterland city.

Ye and Zhang had been told in advance that Sheckler and the Des Moines City Council are “very progressive in economic development” and wanted to meet with him.

In their culture, the initial meeting often determines whether a deal will be agreed to, and their cordial relationship at this dinner resulted in a green light for the Des Moines project. An advance team already in Des Moines was told to begin the pre-application process with the city, and the hotel project has been moving forward since then.

“I went over there to meet the mayor of Changle and to meet with others to get development going.” Mission accomplished.

Establishing a sister city relationship, according to custom, will take time, but the process has now begun. Discussions are in progress for an exchange student program in Des Moines. And ground breaking for the hotel is just a few months away.

That’s a pretty big long-term payoff for the city – which paid none of Sheckler’s expenses. He covered his round trip to Beijing and his hosts covered some of his expenses in China.

“But the key thing is the city didn’t have to pay for it. What I did on my own time and my own dime is my own business,” Shecker said, recalling that “certain naysayers” in the community criticized the cash-strapped city during the budget-setting process last fall for allegedly paying for his China trip.

He added, “The fact is, the city is the beneficiary, but the trip didn’t cost them a penny.”

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article was written by Des Moines resident Dave Markwell, who says "Days like this exist everyday in our great little Waterland town. Enjoy where we live. Put your feet on the pavement and truly feel how great it is to live here!"]

Story by Dave Markwell
Photos by Michael Brunk

The day belongs to the dogs. They claimed it early and aren’t letting go. The tic-tac reveille call of toenails on hardwood signal that their day has begun and kills any hope I have of finding my way back into that great dream I was having.

I get up.

This morning I succumb to my better nature and let the dogs out. Some mornings I don’t. I can fake sleep with the best of them and when the dogs come calling I have achieved some truly masterful performances. The problem I have in my house is that my wife is an equally accomplished sleep-feigner. This morning she breathes deeply and slowly and moves her eyeballs slightly inside their lids as if in R.E.M. I am unconvinced, but get up anyway. As I glance back at her from the door, I catch the bare hint of a smile and know I have been duped.

She wins this battle.

In the kitchen, I stand in my underwear and put coffee in the machine as Diego, our lab/dachshund mix dances around gleeful in his success at my awakening. He knows he’s going for a walk. The lab/dachshund mix is something I have considered and have no good answers to except that some serious motivation or lack thereof must have been present for such an act to occur. I walk back into the bedroom to get dressed and make a little too much noise opening drawers, ensuring that my wife is definitely not asleep.

I saddle up Diego with his leash and try to control his enthusiasm as he jumps and bucks and twirls like a bronc in his enthusiasm. We head out the door. My town is asleep. Marine View Drive is empty and shops are closed. One restaurant is open, Jacks. Every town has its Jacks. It is where the old-timers gather to discuss important things, like fishing and more fishing. As Diego and I walk by, one smell hits me hard, bacon. Bacon is one item that can inspire me to dance like Diego getting ready for his walk. This morning the sweet, smoky goodness drifts in the air like God’s own aftershave. “I WILL be having bacon today.” I think to myself and repeat as a mantra for several blocks.

As I stroll through the marina, I greet my buddy Jimmy, a Marina worker, as he begins his workday. I look at the boats and fantasize about warm summer days sitting in guest moorage drinking a beer after cleaning my imaginary twenty-five pounder. This fantasy carries me around Anthony’s and by South Marina Park, where I begin a new daydream. This dark, chilly winter morning, I desperately long for a quiet summer Saturday morning browsing through the Farmer’s Market with my family before getting some morning ice cream at Auntie Irene’s.

As reality sets back in, I see a light on. It is coming from my local attorney friend, Brian’s, office. It appears that he has either been disrupted this morning as well or is behind on some work, or possibly getting ahead on some work, a foreign concept to me. I wave to him, but get no response. He looks pretty intense and engaged in his project. Sensing an opportunity, I walk through the planter bed and bang on his window. I have never actually witnessed an electrocution. But Brian’s reaction is what I imagine one looks like. His head jerks up, eyes wide, his hands instinctively grip the arms of his chair and he shakes violently for a couple of the longest and best seconds of my year. I wave, as does Brian, him only using one finger. Diego and I carry on, the day having improved dramatically.

A couple of blocks from home, square in the center of town, right in front of the barbershop, Diego’s back starts to arch and I get nervous as I know what’s coming. I look desperately around for a patch of grass for him to make his deposit. Seeing none, I just let him go. Sometimes I can drag him to a better spot than the middle of the sidewalk, but this morning we are in no man’s land. He hunkers down and lays a prodigious trophy. I say trophy because if it were a fish it would be hanging on the wall in the den of some great man’s home. Diego is not a small dog, but this seems a bit out of proportion to me. Sometimes I hate my dog.

My own enjoyment of the morning after the Brian episode somewhat diminished after Diego’s episode, I make a beeline for home. As I walk up the driveway, I sense that perhaps karma has smiled on me. Nearing the front door, I try to control my excitement so as to not be disappointed. Alas, as I enter my home, my dream has come true and as I walk to the kitchen my wife stands at the stove cooking bacon. I feel blessed and have forgiven any previous resentment and look forward again to the remarkable potential of the day.

[Do you have an opinion about life in Des Moines? Would you mind sharing it with our nearly 7,000 per month Unique Readers? You can either send it as a Letter to the Editor or a Guest Column – email us here, and thanks for Reading!]

Good things are happening in Des Moines!! Good people are doing them!!

I say this as a reminder that all news is not bad!! We have problems, certainly, but we also have plenty to feel good about. We have people that care about this town. This is a fantastic jumping off point for constructive dialogue about what type of town we want to live in, as so many issues hang in the air. Budget problems, economic development questions and even a parade, seem to stir strong feelings. This is great!! It demonstrates that people are thinking about this town. I applaud ANY strong opinion, even if I can’t stand that opinion. If it comes from a place of concern for Des Moines, I am grateful and I thank people for caring.

With that in mind, the recent war of words regarding a parade has inspired me to throw my own opinion into the hat. The parade “debate” speaks to where we place value. It represents what kind of town we want to live in. It is about more than money, as plenty of people would do it and have done it for free, maybe not the police, but certainly many others. A parade and other events are about reconstructing a livable city. Des Moines has become so lame, it truly borders on unlivable. Those words break my heart, as I am a child of this town and love it more than anyone I know. Des Moines needs fun stuff to do. This need is not a superficial, fickle, immediate-gratification-regardless-of-consequence type of desire. Events foster a sense of community and belonging to something that connects people. It connects residents to local businesses and neighbors to one another. More than anytime I can recall, in the forty years I have lived here, Des Moines needs to get connected. These connections matter. These connections are connected to quality of life. A town without these vital connections and a high quality of life is a town people don’t want to live in. The beautiful thing is that we can manifest and determine our quality of life by engaging with each other having some fun. This is great. It is a cause for hope that a genuine win/win is possible! As the folks lined the streets last summer, I was reminded of what Des Moines can be, a true community, a place where people can come together and enjoy this town and feel proud to be a part of it.

Value is here.

On a warm day in July, I watched my five-year old daughter walk the parade dressed up as an eggplant, following the Farmer’s Market entry. My wife was an apple and my ten-year old son carried a pitchfork, frankly unnerving me a little bit. The memory of this day is priceless. It is priceless to me and it is priceless to my kids and many other kids and parents and residents that set-up their chairs early to sit in the summer sun and watch our parade. This has value. It is real. It is tangible and it matters. I can think of nothing this town needs more than opportunities for people to get together and feel good about living here.
There are problems in this town. There is no money. This is understood and undeniable. What we do have is interested, passionate people with big hearts and creative minds willing to set to task making good things happen. This has value, as well. A town with a strong service base and folks that can and will support events that create a sense of community is a good investment. A town that people want to live in is a good investment for OPM. We need it.

Recognizing, promoting, encouraging and prioritizing this as a part of any economic development plan is vital to shaping Des Moines future. It is not all about the feely-goody. Fun and feeling good about Des Moines is good business!!

I am including a letter I e-mailed around a few months prior to last year’s Anniversary celebration. It created some buzz and stirred opinions and seems timely given the current debate. I named it, ironically, the “Waterland Manifesto”. The irony exists in taking fun very seriously and the value in making great memories for ourselves and our kids. We need to do more of that in our terrific little water town.

My Waterland Manifesto by Dave Markwell

"Am I the only one that misses the Waterland Festival?" - Dave Markwell

I’ve been very conflicted recently with my own feelings of allegiance to the Waterland festival and my involvement in and support of the current events scheduled for the citizens of Des Moines. I struggle with whether or not I might be an anomaly. Am I the only one that misses the Waterland Festival? Am I clinging to the past and not giving the future a fair shot? Am I really not as progressive as I think by continuing to pine for the Waterland week?

Growing up as a kid in Des Moines, I looked forward to two weeks out of the year, Christmas and Waterland. Waterland was the highlight and exclamation point on every summer that I can recall. From sitting on my dad’s shoulders watching the parade, to spending the night on my uncle’s boat on L dock all five Waterland nights, to the first time I rode my bike to Waterland with my buddies and no parents, to “accidentally” getting to second base on the Skydiver in the eighth grade, to the annual reunion of high school friends who invariably would show up on Friday night, to being both the first and last person in the beer garden on the same day (once), to setting up, tearing down, guarding the gate, picking up garbage, being a vendor, sponsor and parent of kids enjoying the same things I did, my memories and experiences are not just Waterland memories. They are my life’s memories. They are the best thing there is. I am not the only one that has these memories. Anyone growing up in Des Moines has their own vault of great Waterland days. It is a collective joy shared. From Wednesday fireworks, to Thursday kid’s day, to the funny boat race, arts and crafts, B & E Tri-tip, Lions Club corn on the cob, barbershop quartet to old time rock and roll and the Seafair pirate ship cannon blast during the parade, Waterland had something for everyone. The cool, salty breeze on a hot summer evening mixing with the whistles and screams of the games and rides made it perfect. It defined community event. It was of, by and for Des Moines located in the heart and soul of Des Moines, the marina. The Waterland Festival was not perfect, but it was ours. It was something that residents of Des Moines could be a part of and enjoy. People were there as families. Local businesses were set up and people met one another and friends were made, some lifelong.

It was a showcase of the best Des Moines had to offer. People came and saw and had fun. In a landslide, the good times far outweighed the bad.

Granted, the last few Waterlands were shaky. Organization, security and accountability were issues as were money and politics. However, I hold that the good experiences still triumphed over the negative by far. My question now is why can’t it be great again? Des Moines is at the cusp of a fantastic renaissance with new restaurants and businesses cropping up, as well as new families moving in. How could Waterland be bad? It is a huge event with opportunities for every business, community group or interested person to get involved. It provides the best venue around to highlight and truly showcase all that Des Moines has to offer. With the 50 year anniversary coming up, there is not a better event to celebrate the occasion. Waterland represents the good things in Des Moines history and could really help define and highlight its hopes for the future. I believe that the combination of the new, enthusiastic and engaged citizens with the tried and true veterans of Waterlands past could create magic. We know where the problems were. How can we fix them? Solutions exist.

Many creative, talented minds also exist in this town. It is time to revisit Waterland and explore the potential. It is real and it is great and totally consistent with what every person who lives here, works in, or serves this town wants. Knowing what the problems were allows a great chance for some changes to help mitigate the issues. Having a couple years break allows an opportunity to reshape the event in ways that will make it something everyone will be proud to get involved with. It can be done. More memories of kids sitting on their dad’s shoulders watching a parade in their hometown are just waiting to be made, hopefully by my kids.

Thanks for indulging my thoughts and I hope to see you at the next parade as the Pete’s Towing truck train marks the grand finale. It’s about the coolest thing there is.

–Dave Markwell

by Brenda Anders

It is that time of year again – time to start planning for our community summer events.

As you may or may not know, the current economic situation and major construction projects within the city of Des Moines have dictated that many events be cancelled this year, including:

• Classic Car and Wooden Boat Show
• Italian Concourse Car Show
• Waterland 5k Run
• Waterland 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

The good news is that there will still be many fun things to do in Des Moines this summer. There are many groups busily planning events for you and your families to enjoy, including:

• Fireworks over Des Moines! Brooks Powell / Powell Homes is dedicated to making this event happen and is seeking additional funds to privately cover the costs of city staffing needs
• The Des Moines Farmers Market, every Saturday (June 5-October 30), south end of the marina
• Waterland Music Series, dates and times TBD, Des Moines Arts Commission
• Des Moines Parks and Recreation’s Camp Khaos (Kids Having An Outrageous Summer), new location due to construction, Des Moines Field House Historic grandstand and ball field rededication, Des Moines Field House
• Missoula Children’s Theater, July
• Trash to Treasure (swap meet style), August, hosted by Des Moines Senior Activity Center

The Waterland Parade has NOT been officially cancelled. Yet.

There is a group of people, led by Anna Bjorneby, dedicated to making it happen with help from donations and private funding. The question is this:

Will residents and the business community support a parade?

Council Member Carmen Scott had this to say:

“This information is needed quickly by the people who would be putting on the parade in order to secure support and entrants. It is important to know if the parade is important to our residents. What does it mean to them? Parades require a level of staff support from the city. Your comments and response to the blog poll and/or email to council@desmoineswa.gov will give council members a good update on what importance the Waterland Parade has to our community.”

Here is where you can help. Parade planners and city council members need to know where the community stands on this. Due to time constraints, this is perhaps your only opportunity to be heard regarding a 2010 Waterland parade.

Please vote using our non-scientific Poll below this story, or on the sidebar. Feel free to also share your thoughts about the parade and what it means to you, your family and traditions by leaving a Comment below:

[2009 Waterland Parade Photo by Gene Achziger; buggy photo courtesy Des Moines Historical Society; 2009 Photo courtesy Carmen Scott]

by Ralph Nichols

Des Moines councilman Bob Sheckler was elected to a fourth consecutive term as mayor at the city council’s first meeting of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 7.

Councilman Dave Kaplan, who was re-elected to the council in the November election, was chosen as the city’s mayor pro tem.

Sheckler, who was elected on a 5-2 vote of council members, was nominated by Kaplan.

Scott Thomasson then nominated Matt Pina, who declined to be considered “for a variety of reasons.”

Newcomers Pina and Melissa Musser were sworn in and seated on the council at the start of the meeting.

After Pina stepped aside, Councilman Dan Sherman nominated Thomasson.

Voting for Sheckler were Kaplan, Musser and Pina, along with Councilwoman Carmen Scott and Sheckler. Sherman and Thomasson voted for Thomasson.

Kaplan was nominated by Scott, and Thomasson then nominated Musser. Sheckler, Kaplan, Pina and Scott voted for Kaplan, while voting for Musser were Sherman, Thomasson and Musser.

In recent years, Sheckler and Kaplan frequently have been on one side of a number of contentious issues, with Sherman and Thomasson on the other.

Assistant City Manager Lorri Ericson introduced Marion Yoshino, the city’s new economic development manager, to the council.

Yoshino, a Normandy Park City Council member, small business owner and 14-year resident in the area, will serve in this capacity on a pro bono basis.

“We have all witnessed the unfortunate recent closures of many of our small businesses,” Yoshino said. “It’s hard to see what’s going on around us.”

But, she continued, Des Moines has “the most spectacular beauty,” and noted the similarity here with waterfront settings in Bellingham and Kirkland where local businesses are doing relatively well even in the down economy.

“Our small businesses deserve this now,” Yoshino said. “If we all pull together we’re going to have a fantastic place.”

As if setting a new tone at the beginning of a new year, community activist and volunteer Brenda Anders, in the only comment from the public at the meeting, expressed support for the new council in its work ahead and declared, “I love Des Moines, Washington. This is a great place to work, a great place to live, a great place to play.”

Des Moines’ annual holiday bonfire will be held at Des Moines Beach Park this Wednesday, Dec. 16th, beginning at 6:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines annual holiday bonfire

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 16th; Bonfire from 6:30-8:00 pm; Performance from 7:10-7:30 pm

WHERE: Des Moines Beach Park, located at 22030 Cliff Avenue South.

INFO: Holiday revelers will warm by a bonfire and enjoy complimentary cookies, coffee, and cocoa while Argosy’s lighted Christmas Ship anchors offshore to perform traditional holiday songs.

Choir and schedule are subject to change and the bonfire is weather permitting.

For bonfire information, call the Des Moines Park and Recreation Department at 206-870-6527.

For boat parade and Christmas Ship information, call Argosy at 206-623- 1445.

(Photo courtesy Jana Klietsch)

Saturday morning (Dec. 5th), we received an email entitled “Response from the Men and Women of the Des Moines Police Guild, who protect our community” regarding possible budget cuts by the city, and while this is a story we’ll be covering more in-depth over the next few days, we thought it was still relevant enough to post today.

Here’s what they sent:

Between March and April of 2009 the Des Moines Police Officers Guild entered into contract concessions negotiations with the City of Des Moines. The Guild agreed to a one time surrender of a funded annual benefit, saving the City in excess of $70,000.00.

On November 12, 2009, in an unprecedented event, the City and the Mayor met with the Guild in an effort to re‐open concessions negotiations on the existing contract. The City and the Mayor believed they could save currently occupied Police Officer positions from layoff only if the Guild were to concede to an annual reoccurring cut in wages, amounting to approximately $62,000.00. The Guild countered again with a one time surrender and agreed to respond back to the City by no later than 12/03/09.

On November 19, 2009, City council, in absence of the Mayor, voted and passed a motion to eliminate four (4) currently occupied Police Officer positions, one (1) Sergeant position. In addition to the three (3) currently vacant positions which were earlier eliminated.

Their budget cutting actions were retaliatory based. Their cuts were discouraged by our Chief of Police and deeper than those proposed.

The Guild has sent an informational mailing to the public in an effort to inform them of the potential danger in a reduction of police services.

Also, here’s a poster they included:

The Des Moines City Council voted unanimously at their Oct. 8th meeting to oppose Initiative 1033 on the November 3rd ballot.

I-1033 would limit the annual growth in revenue that cities, counties and the state could use to provide services under a formula based on inflation and population growth. Revenue from both taxes and fees above that limit would be used to reduce property taxes the following year.

The resolution adopted by the Council said “the initiative will undermine the ability of the state, counties and cities to provide services to constituents.”

It continued, “the effect of the limitation is exacerbated during the recession, as the Initiative does not address the impacts of a recovery following and an economic downturn.”

City Manager Tony Piasecki said a fiscal analysis indicates that under I-1033, Des Moines would lose almost $1 million over the next four to five years.

In less than two years, the City already has experienced a decline in revenue of almost $3 million, Piasecki noted. As a result, Council reduced 2009 general fund expenditures by over $1 million. Another round of cuts totaling about $2 million now must be made to balance the 2010 budget.

Mayor Bob Sheckler said, “Typically as a Council we don’t take positions on ballot issues, but we made an exception in this instance.

“One of our greatest concerns is that I-1033 doesn’t take into account the fluctuations in revenue that smaller cities experience,” he said.

“For example, revenue from a large development, including permit fees, sales taxes and utility taxes, may have to be used to reduce property taxes citywide rather than to pay for the additional services required by that development.”

by Bob Sheckler
Mayor, City of Des Moines

November’s election for three City Council members comes at a critical time in Des Moines. First and foremost, our city faces a $2 million revenue shortfall. By the time the Council members elected in November take office in January, the 2010 budget will have been adopted.

The new Council must deal with multiple impacts from sharp budget cuts that, by law, must be made by Dec. 31 – and with a struggling business community buffeted hard by the lingering recession.

This is why, for the first time ever as mayor, I find it of major importance to endorse publicly the candidates who, I believe, can best serve Des Moines during these hard times and will best guide Des Moines to a brighter future.

Having observed two of these candidates during my six years as presiding officer of the council, and having observed all candidates on the ballot at every campaign forum held during the last two weeks, I endorse strongly:

• Matt Pina for Position 1
• Carmen Scott for Position 3
• Dave Kaplan for Position 7

As City Council members, both Carmen and Dave do their homework, study the issues, and make reasoned and deliberate decisions – based on logic rather than emotion – to provide a local government that enhances the safety, quality of life, and economic well-being of all our citizens and businesses. As a past Highline School Board member, Matt has shown that he will bring the same kind of advocacy for our city to the next Council.

And, from the perspective of a presiding officer, I would have done exactly what Councilman Dave Kaplan did – run against Councilwoman Susan White in her bid for re-election. On too many occasions she comes unprepared to Council meetings. She also has jeopardized the City several times by stating her opinions during public hearings before all testimony has been received. Des Moines both needs and deserves better.

Councilwoman Carmen Scott has a breadth and depth of proven experience that is difficult to find on a council in a city this size. By contrast, her opponent had no actual experience before running for City Council – and has seemed inept when it comes to city issues in her answers at candidate forums.

Matt Pina has incredible experience from his years on the Highline School Board. It is obvious at the candidate forums that he understands the critical issues facing our city and comes prepared – essential attributes for a council member. On the other hand, his opponent, too, is lacking in actual public experience and awareness of the issues.

One only would have had to listen to these people during candidate forums in the past two weeks, when the contrasting qualities of the candidates have become readily apparent.

It is important to note, again, that the next City Council will deal not with “window dressing” and “feel good” issues. The recession that has impacted every state, county and city has stalled plans for development of several projects, large and small, in Des Moines, and depressed local economic growth. As a city, we now must continue to plan for new development, new growth, and renewed economic vitality.

Regrettably, some in our community – council members, candidates, and citizens – do not share this vision. They cling to a “no-growth, status quo” attitude that, if allowed to expand, would relegate Des Moines to second-class status, thereby diminishing the quality of life for all residents and downgrading the economy for our local businesses.

Dave, Carmen and Matt, however, are leaders we can count on to help us weather this economic crisis and move into a better future, not by looking behind as some would prefer to do, but by always looking ahead and moving the city forward.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us a Letter to the Editor by clicking here, and pending our review, we'll most likely post it.]

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Guest Editorial by Des Moines resident Greg Fox:]

by Greg Fox

With the recent public outcry that the city has no money and needs new development downtown, the question that many (including several councilmembers which is a bit puzzling) have asked is:

WHY IS THERE NO NEW DEVELOPMENT?

I believe there are a number of reasons why – let’s look at a few:

1. LACK OF WATER:
   Water District 54 supplies the water to the downtown area. After years of lying (as in not telling the truth) it was discovered that the water district has done no upgrades to its water system for some time. They have continually told the city and the fire department that water is not a problem (they still stand by that statement), but, in fact, there is a definite lack of water. The fire department has made the statement that if there were a major fire downtown, the fire department could possibly suck the water lines dry and collapse the system. Kind of scary if you really think about it. In order to build in the area, the buildings have to be a much higher fire rated construction (read that as more expensive-at least 50% more cost than if there were enough water). The city has known this for some time now (years). This was discussed by the council several times, but to no avail. It was put on the back burner before the last election and since there is no new development planned, it is not now an issue.
2. NO POWER:
   Puget Sound Energy supplies the electricity to the area. Much of the downtown area has only single phase power available. What this means is that the equipment (elevators, lights, heaters, air conditioners etc…) in the buildings is not as efficient (and costs more to operate) and the equipment is much more expensive (or not available) than if three phase power were there. PSE has said that it would cost approximately $100,000 to upgrade the electrical grid in the downtown area and they were not going to pay for it.
3. CITY REQUIREMENTS:
   The city zoning regulations allow for only a maximum of three stories above grade in the downtown area (a council person lives just above the downtown area and is insistent that the rules be enforced to the letter as he does not want his view of the sound impeded). The zoning code also requires that the buildings are to be mixed use (the bottom floor is commercial and the upper floors are residential with parking underground). Then there are those pesky noise reduction requirements (such as special sound reducing glass which is at least 50% more costly than normal glass) that the FAA requires and is strictly enforced by the building department.

What all of this means is that the cost of construction is much higher than in Seattle or other adjacent communities. The developers know this and go somewhere that is more builder friendly and less expensive to build. Thus no new development!

There is no easy or inexpensive or fast fix to this dilemma. What the city needs to do is take the water away from District 54 and give to another water district that will upgrade the system (this has been explored and another water system was willing and capable of upgrading the water lines). They also need to get PSE into action and install a new system capable of meeting future demands.

Also, ease up on the zoning requirements. Many developers have stated that one or two additional stories would make the difference between being economically viable or not.

Is the view more important? Or the loss of parks and rec and other city services?

You decide, it’s your city!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Waterland Blog strives to serve the community of Des Moines by posting frequently-updated, relevant news stories, events and other information, as well as serve as a Forum for civil discussion amongst its residents. It is in this spirit that we encourage our Readers to email us their own stories or "guest editorials," and as long as they meet our standards and are not libelous, we'll post them. Readers are also encouraged to leave Comments below each story. Thanks for your continued support!]

Story by Janet Grella
Photos by Scott Schaefer

On a warm and sunny fall Friday afternoon in Des Moines, nearly 400 people rallied at the Mt. Rainier pool for a SOS (Save our Swimming) meeting, complete with one of the world’s fastest women swimmers, Ariana Kukors, along with one of the oldest, Des Moines’ own 104-year old Faith Callahan.

What do these two women have in common? They both train at the Mt. Rainier Pool. To honor them, Mayor Bob Sheckler presented them with certificates commemorating their achievements.

After the appropriate speeches and acknowledgments, Ken Spencer, pool manager and coach for King Contry Aquatics took to the pool, fully clothed as part of an impromptu fundraiser.

USMC private and pool supporter Chris Burrage told the audience that he credits “my father and the Mt. Rainier pool for making me what I am today.” Chris has just returned home to Des Moines from boot camp. “Every community deserves a pool, and this community will fight for this pool,” he added, to roars of approval from the crowd.

Willie Salmond, Jr., chairperson for the committee to Save Our Swimming, told The Waterland Blog that beginning Saturday (Oct. 10th), volunteers will start doorbelling and distributing literature about the pool and their cause.

The audience of both young and old enjoyed an old fashioned BBQ outside, while there was an open swim for anyone who wanted to take a dip.

One banner said it all, for the supporters of SOS:

If Prop. #1 doesn’t pass, the pool will close forever on December 31.

Here’s a photo slideshow by Scott Schaefer of the event:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

by Jack Kniskern
Special to The Waterland Blog

The Concours d’Elegance Italian Car Show took place a few Sundays ago at the Des Moines Marina, and days prior I met a woman named Janie at The Reuben, where she was hanging a poster to advertise the event.  She shared that they prefer the Des Moines Marina to any venue they had previously tried in Seattle. Despite the rain, many attended and hope many more will again next year.

A flower merchant at the Des Moines Farmers’ Market shared that he sold more flowers in Des Moines than at the Seattle Pike Place Market. The market is growing in size and significance, and it is important that we the citizens of the Des Moines Community not only visit this lively community activity, but also patronize it with our purchases – so please make a point to come down every Saturday to the South Marina Park between 10am and 2pm, and remember that the final day is Halloween (Oct. 31st).

Above comments suggest that the Destination Des Moines concept is catching on. Wednesday night concerts in Des Moines Beach Park, and the Flute Quest held with workshops at Saltwater State Park and concerts at Highline Community College were great successes. Continuation and expansion of events such as these can have significant impact on the Des Moines Community.

The city of Des Moines is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The city and it’s citizens should also solidify common aspirations for the next 50 years. Here are three important topics suggested for serious deliberation,.policy making, and decision making:

• How to best save, preserve and operate the Mt Rainier Swimming Pool?
• How to determine and implement the best future use of the Des Moines Elementary School site and buildings?
• How to best contribute to the purification of th waters of Puget Sound?

Community Betterment Teamwork is suggested as the process for addressing community betterment issues. This writing is offered as a starting comment to the Waterlandblog. It is suggested that a hierarchy of communication can grow on the blog, in ways yet to be determined.

Finally, the Waterland Blog itself has great potential to grow as a community betterment tool, and help to feature and cultivate ASPIRATIONS FOR DES MOINES.

More thoughts to follow…

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Jack Kniskern is a retired Architect and longtime Des Moines Rotary Club member. He designed many buildings in Des Moines, such as the City Council Chamber Building and Auntie Irene’s. Jack also participates in the Rotary Dictionaries by the Dozens project which has given every third grade student in Des Moines a dictionary every year for the past five years. Jack got his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University off Washington and Master of Architecture degree from MIT. We are happy to have him as our latest Contributor to The Waterland Blog! Read more about Jack here.]

UPDATE WED. 9/2/09: King County Elections certified results for the Aug. 18th primary election, and the final results for Des Moines City Council show that it’ll be Anne Farmer versus Matt Pina for Position #1, and Dave Kaplan vs. Susan White for Position #7.

The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3rd.

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters:  5,083 / 15,431 • 32.94%

City of Des Moines Council Position No. 1:

• Anne Farmer:  1,871 • 39.13%
• Matt Pina: 1,701 • 35.58%
• John D. Burdine: 1,193 • 24.95%
• Write-in: 16 • 0.33%

City of Des Moines Council Position No. 7:

• Susan White: 1,535 • 31.77%
• Dave Kaplan: 2,568 • 53.15%
• Chris Alexander: 710 • 14.69%
• Write-in: 19 • 0.39%

Don’t forget to look for your mail-in ballots sometime soon, and be sure to mark you calendars for the election, which is Nov. 3rd.

Candidates for the “Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District Commissioner Positions” (try saying that three times quickly) have been formally announced by the King County Elections Board:

• Position No. 1: Gene Achziger
• Position No. 2: Eric Kasnick
• Position No. 3: Bernadette Barrett
• Position No. 4: Marty Martinson
• Position No. 5: Nancy N. Kuehnoel

It appears that all will run unopposed. The special filing period for these positions ended Friday, Aug. 28th.

This new “pool district” will create a property tax of up to 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, so a home valued at $300,000 would pay an additional $60 per year to fund the pool. According to city documents:

“Des Moines Resolution 09-095 proposes creation of  the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District coextensive with the City’s boundaries pursuant to 35.61 RCW, including the authority to levy a general tax on property within the District each year not to exceed twenty cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, for the purpose of acquiring and operating a pool facility. A five-member board of commissioners, elected at large, shall govern the District.”

Here’s the language used in Resolution No. 1109:

RESOLUTION NO. 1109: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DES MOINES, WASHINGTON

Establishing November 3, 2009 as the date for an election on the question of the formation of a Metropolitan Park District within the City of Des Moines to generate funds for acquisition, maintenance, operation, and/or capital improvement/construction expenditures for a pool facility within the boundaries of the City of Des Moines, and on the election of the five initial Metropolitan Park Commissioners.

WHEREAS, RCW 35.61.010 provides that a metropolitan park district may be created for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities. A metropolitan park district may include territory located in all of one city, when created, and

WHEREAS, in December of 2002, Des Moines and the City of Normandy Park entered into an Interlocal Agreement to assume ownership of the Mt. Rainier Pool from King County in order to continue operation of the Pool as the Mt. Rainier Pool Owners, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the original agreement between King County and the Highline School District, the terms of which were continued under the ownership agreement entered into by Des Moines and Normandy Park, the ownership of the Mt. Rainier Pool reverted to the Highline School District on March 6,2009, and

WHEREAS, in March of 2009, the Highline School District and the City of Des Moines entered into an ILA for the continued operation of the Mt. Rainier Pool until December 31, 2009, and

WHEREAS, the City of Des Moines and the Highline School District do not have the resources to continue to manage, maintain, and operate a Pool, and

WHEREAS, Mt. Rainier Pool or another pool facility provides a benefit to the citizens of Des Moines as a multi-generational facility that serves as one center of our community, one that provides health and recreation benefits to all ages, strengthens the community, and enhances the quality of life, and

WHEREAS, the continued operation beyond December 31, City, and City Council strongly supports that the of the Mt. Rainier or other Pool facility 2009 would be in the best interest of the

WHEREAS, after consideration of various alternatives, the Council has recommended formation of the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District, organized under chapter 35.61 RCW, to acquire and operate the Mt. Rainier or other pool facility; now therefore, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES MOINES RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

Sec. 1. requested to be November 3, 2009 electors of the Request for election. An election is hereby held within the City of Des Moines on Tuesday, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified City, for their ratification or rejection, a Resolution No. 1109 proposition creating the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District.

Sec. 2. The boundaries of’ the proposed Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District are coextensive with Des Moines city limits pursuant to chapter 35.61 RCW.

Sec. 3. The Director of Records and Elections of King County, Washington is requested to conduct this election on the November 3, 2009 ballot.

Sec. 4. The Director of Records and Elections of King County is requested to include a ballot measure that shall allow the election of five Metropolitan Park Commissioners of the District, as set forth in RCW 35.61. 050, and to set, announce and hold a special filing period for those positions.

Sec. 5. The City Clerk is directed to certify to the Director of Records and Elections of King County, Washington by a date no later than August 11, 2009, acopy of this resolution and the proposition to be submitted at that election in the form of a ballot title as follows:

• This PROPOSITION NO. FORMATION AND FUNDING OF DES MOINES POOL METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT Des Moines Resolution 09-095 proposes creation of  the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District coextensive with the City’s boundaries pursuant to 35.61 RCW, including the authority to levy a general tax on property within the District each year not to exceed twenty cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, for the purpose ofacquiring and operating a pool facility. A five-member board of commissioners, elected at large, shall govern the District.
• For the formation of a Metropolitan Park District to be governed by a five-member board of commissioners to be elected at large.
• Against the formation of a Metropolitan Park District.

ADOPTED BY the 23rd day of July, City Council of the City of Des Moines 2009 and signed in authentication thereof 2009.

City Council of the City of Des Moines.

If you’d rather wade through this actual document in all its glory, click here to view a PDF.

We know that community pools are vital to cities, so it might make sense for interested Des Moines residents to attend a “Save The Pool” rally tonight (Monday, Aug. 31st) from 5pm to 7pm at the Evergreen Pool, which is located at 606 SW 116th St in White Center.

Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember and candidate for the executive position, says that the pool will close Tuesday, Sept. 1st, and stay closed until a new management deal is completed.

Evergreen Pool’s budget was cut by the county, and its future appears to be sinking fast, unless something is done soon…so be there to show your support for your neighbors!

by Janet Grella

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler chose the occasion of the parade volunteers’ party at Bj and Anna Bjorneby’s house on Saturday night to announce that he is “100% committed to a parade next year in Des Moines.”

Sheckler went on to ask the parade chairperson (50th Birthday Parade plus other assorted Waterland Parades) to head the effort.

Anna Bjorneby accepted without hesitation.

Both announcements were greeted with rounds of applause from the 40 or so volunteers, friends and family in attendance.

“Now we just have to decide what to call it,” said Sheckler. Anna suggested the “Anna Bjorneby parade,” while the mayor was fixed on calling it the Waterland Parade. “Whatever we call it, it will be great with Anna in charge” quipped our mayor.

Mayor Sheckler added that the 2010 parade will have to go in front of the city council for a vote when the budget planning for 2010 starts in September of this year. This news of a council vote will not stop Anna and her hard working volunteers, who also plan to start planning next year’s parade next month.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Waterland Blog Sales Diva and sometimes reporter Janet Grella was a guest of the Bjorneby's on Saturday night. She attended as a guest, not a reporter, but found this news just too good for our readers to pass up.]

PHOTO CREDIT: Carmen Scott

Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department was awarded a grant of $579,083 from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Outdoor Recreation Account, Trails category.

The grant was awarded by the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB), and will be used to pave the final mile of the Des Moines Creek Trail, a 2.5-mile, gravel bicycle and pedestrian trail that connects three park systems:

• The 70-acre Des Moines Creek Park
• The 22.5-acre Des Moines Beach Park Historic District and Tidelands
• The 14-acre Des Moines Marina

The trail travels through old growth forests and areas with salmon spawning grounds and a fish ladder, by two historic landmarks and a mountain bike facility, before ending at the waterfront. This trail project provides the much anticipated waterfront link, connecting Des Moines neighborhoods, recreation facilities and schools, SeaTac, SeaTac Airport, a future light rail station, and the South King County Regional Trail System to the Puget Sound in downtown Des Moines.

The city will contribute $589,960 in federal funding, cash, cash donations, and a voter-approved levy. (08-1635)

There were 35 applications submitted for consideration in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation 
Program, Outdoor Recreation Account, Trails category. Each project went through an evaluation 
process prior to being recommended for funding. The RCFB Board approved funding for projects on 
Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Funding for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Outdoor Recreation Account, Trails category comes from the sale of state general obligation bonds. Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department will leverage local contributions totaling $589,960.00 with grant monies to implement the project.

Total estimated project cost is $1,169,043.00. RCFB is the state’s administrator of the grant program.

by T.M. Sell, Ph.D.
Special to the Waterland Blog

On the eve of an important primary election in Des Moines, we should consider the question of economic development within the city.

Economic development is always a subject over which reasonable people can disagree, even in a city such as ours, where reasonable people sometimes appear to be in short supply.

But the bottom line is that since the end of the car-tab equalization fund, which propped up the budgets of cash-poor cities such as Des Moines, the city has been chronically short of cash, all the while carrying a frankly deserved reputation as a very difficult place to do business.

One school of thought is that Des Moines is fine the way it is, and anybody who wants to do business here should:

A. Pay heavily for the privilege

B. Not impact the (non-existent) parking problem (if you don’t have any businesses, how is there a parking problem?)

C. Not disrupt anybody’s view of the water.

This school of thought argues that a planned development in the Pacific Ridge area between Pacific Highway South and Interstate 5 should not have been given any tax breaks, which the City Council approved earlier this year.

So great was the outcry from the losing side in this debate that they went out and recruited a slate of candidates to take out the evil people responsible for this travesty of justice.

Opponents of the development argue that the tax breaks will push the taxes onto the rest of us. Even so, they are quite happy to ask you to raise your property taxes to maintain a swimming pool that the city can’t afford to operate.

The city should have the pool – a lot of people use it. It should have after-school programs for kids; it should have open and well-maintained parks; it should have enough employees to do all the things a city is supposed to do.

The reason it can’t is because Des Moines has a woefully inadequate tax base. Statewide statistics show that Des Moines has the lowest per capita sales tax receipts of any city over 20,000 in the entire state, and the second lowest above 10,000. We also rank low in property tax receipts.

So Des Moines needs some business. Downtown right now is an attractive mix of nail salons, espresso stands and vacant lots; Pacific Ridge meanwhile leads the city in police calls. Shopping in Des Moines largely means driving to Burien or Federal Way.

And the city is tough to do business with, to the point where I don’t think hardly anybody on the council understands. For example, some city council members thought that as a condition of giving Highline College (my employer) a building permit for redeveloping the Marine Science and Technology Center in Redondo, the college should have to build a parking garage.

Now there is a parking problem in Redondo, but it’s on nights and weekends, when the college facility typically isn’t open. One council member thought the college should build a bridge from the MaST to Salty’s. Apparently, the college is sitting on a vast pot of money which we are free to use to solve the city’s problems.

A couple of years ago when the college was building its new Instructional Computing Center, a city engineer proceeded to demand that the college put in a sidewalk on a street off campus that had no relation to the college or the computing center. I approached a city councilman about this ridiculous request, which violated state law, and his only response was “He’s a good city employee.”

The college is a large institution and we can look out for ourselves. And we do our part. Over the last decade, millions of dollars in building fees from the college have helped the city balance its budget.

But we’re not building anything right now, and the city is going to have to look elsewhere for funds. The cash cow is out to pasture.

Which brings us back to Pacific Ridge. The 11-acre parcel where the development would go right now generates little revenue for the city – it’s a mobile home park and other underused properties. I know that sounds cold – the people who are there are as important as anyone in the city – but we don’t have enough money to be as comforting to everyone as we might like.

So the notion that tax breaks for an area that isn’t generating much revenue now will somehow cost us money is simply untrue.

Furthermore, as it is unlikely that everything will be built at once, the tax breaks won’t all come at once, further spreading out whatever tax burden might marginally occur from the development.

And let’s face it – nobody’s going to build up there without some inducement. And the size of this inducement isn’t going to bankrupt the city any faster than it’s already going bankrupt. And it is.

Opponents of the development point to the difficulties that similar mixed-use projects are having in Burien, Tacoma and Bellevue. Hello? We’re in a recession. Everybody’s having problems. Do you think that’s going to last forever? At worst, if the market is so bad there’s no money to be made, the developer won’t build and the tax break will never accrue.

The line of logic used in opposing this kind of project is not NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) – it’s BANANAs (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone).

Somewhat understandably, there’s a group of people within the city who like it the way it is: A relatively quiet bedroom community without much going on.

The problem with that model is that it doesn’t work. The city cannot afford to be what it has been, a city with a pathetic tax base, a city that has as many vacant lots and empty storefronts as it has actually operating businesses. We can’t afford to provide the services people say they want without some businesses in town that pay taxes (and maybe even employ people).

In actually trying to get some new development in Des Moines, the City Council majority is not selling Des Moines by the pound. They’re saving it by the dollar.

Whoever you vote for, in the primary and the general election, ask them this:

How are you going to make Des Moines a city that can support itself again?
Because right now, it can’t.

(T.M. Sell, Ph.D., is professor of political economy at Highline College and has lived in Des Moines for more than 20 years.)

A big shout out to Matt Pina, our newest advertiser. Matt’s running for Des Moines City Council position #1. We sat down with Matt at The Reuben last week to find out more about Matt and why he’s running.  His website www.electmattpina.com says it all:

I am running to help Des Moines become the city its residents long for it to be. The citizens of this community recognize that they are fortunate to live in an area that has beautiful views, easy access to anywhere and a comfortable lifestyle. In fact, Des Moines is one of the few cities between Seattle and Tacoma with large amounts of public, easily accessible, walkable, beach and waterfront property. However, with all that we have in location, we struggle to redevelop our downtown corridor and the Pacific Ridge. Our local businesses are challenged as they work to establish and maintain a strong enough base with which to prosper. Finally, our citizens, young and old, continue to share their thoughts and hopes for the future while waiting patiently for visible progress.

My campaign is not based on criticism; I understand how difficult it is to solve many of the challenges faced by a smaller city in the shadow of an airport. I also appreciate the work current council members have done in this very challenging economic time. With my track record and reputation of bringing citizens, business and electeds together to solve difficult community issues, I believe I can help Des Moines move forward.

Matt’s a very passionate guy. He’s passionate about his family, Des Moines and music, but not necessarily in that order! He’s lived in Des Moines most of his life. He moved here when he was 6. That’s when his parents relocated from Normandy Park.

As a product of the Highline School District (class of ‘79 MRHS), he went on to serve eight years on the Highline School Board (5 as a board officer). He’s proud that “we accomplished everything we wanted/needed to do and all the promises made were fulfilled.”  He stepped down in December of 2007. “I thought it was a humbling experience to be elected, but it was even more humbling to receive the accolades from the community when leaving the board,” he said.

Matt tells WLB that he and wife Michelle have known each other since seventh grade, and when they re-connected a few years after high school, it was ‘Instant Karma’. They were married on September 11, 1982 and settled in Des Moines. They have one son, Derek (named after Derek and The Dominos), who’s a student at Central Washington. He plans to spend part of this coming school year at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. Derek has continued the Pina family tradition of community service by volunteering with the John Knox Presbyterian youth group during high school, to build houses for the poor in Mexico.

Matt is a graduate of Central Washington with a degree in Business Administration/Finance. He’s worked as an IT-guy most of his career and is currently working for Alaska Airlines as the Manager of Applications Quality Assurance supporting www.alaskaair.com and other IT groups.  It’s exactly this background that he plans to bring to the council to “promote efficiency and help find ways to increase the effectiveness of our city government and its operations.”

And about his music, Matt plays bass guitar in a band called “Uncle Ernie.” He’s played bass since Junior High School. He’s passed his passion for music to his son who also plays bass guitar.

Matt concluded our interview with ”I want to see the Des Moines Waterland community be the best it can be and my commitment will be to help it get to there.”

Matt’s endorsements include:

• Bob Sheckler-Mayor of Des Moines
• Julia Patterson-King County Council
• Tina Orwall-State Representative
• John Welch Superintendent, Highline Public Schools
• Dave Upthegrove-State Representative
• Dr. Joe McGeehan–Superintendent Highline Public Schools 1994-2005
• Berney Dorsey-President Highline School Board
• James D. Langston-Vice President of Des Moines Historical Society
• Jim and Vicky Polhamus
• Melissa Musser
• Bill and Joanne Craig
• Jean Moeller
• Bill and Robin Garner
• Mark Grothe
• Ed and  Norma Pina
• R&R Construction

by Janet Grella

As most people know, this Saturday (July 18th) will be the “big” birthday day for Des Moines, with celebrations from morning to night, culminating in The Waterland Parade (a sanctioned Seafair event), but not without an immense amount of work on the part of a group of very hardworking volunteers.

I was pleased to join their last meeting on July 15th as they efficiently and effectively tied up all loose ends.

The committee is chaired by Waterland Parade vetern Anna Bjorneby and co-chaired by a very capable Fran Woodward. Other volunteer committee members include BJ Bjorneby, Lila Thomsen, Donna Hake, KB Beisle, Jerry & Cathy Reese, Pat Nardo, Jack Kniskern, Joel Girouard and Joe Spears.

DECORATING DES MOINES:
While most of us are enjoying our day at the Marina with all the birthday activities and the Farmers Market, Joel Giroudard and his band of merry balloon artists will be creating magical balloon arches and decorating the reviewing stand, located on Marine View Drive across from EC Computers.

STAGING:
Parade participants should gather at the main parking lot at Highline Community College off 240th at 4pm. There will be signage and balloons directing participants to the staging area. Staging experts from the Seafair Marshalls as well as Lila Thomsen and her group of local volunteers will help assemble the parade participants for their trek down 240th to Marine View Drive!

KIDS PARADE:
The parade will start with the Junior Parade at 5:30. Anybody under the age of 14 can join the fun! There is no pre-registration for this event. Participants should meet in front of Vickie Bergquitst’s State Farm Insurance office at 230th and Marine View Drive at 4:30. (Behind Taco Time). The ‘Red Robin’ from Red Robin’s restaurant will be leading the Junior Parade down Marine View Drive.

PARADE AGAINST HUNGER:
The Des Moines Food Bank will follow them, collecting much needed food and money starting at 240th at 5:45 pm. Bring your non-perishible food for them to collect.

THE WATERLAND PARADE:
The big 50th B-day parade will start promptly at 6pm. This year there are 63 entries and over 600 participants. Among the VIPs and participants will be the Seafair Pirates–batten down your hatches when they appear. Miss Seafair and the Seafair Princesses, and the Award winning surprise float built by Jerry and Cathy Resse (it won the “Best Float” in Kent’s Cornucopia Parade just last weekend). Plus you’ll see the staff of Waterland Blog live blogging and taking pictures of the crowd from their perch atop an Airport Towing tow truck. They’ll be three marching bands from Mt. Rainier, Kennedy and Sumner High Schools.

There are over 50 volunteers that will make sure this Waterland Parade go off without a hitch. From the VIP reception at Landmark on the Sound, to the volunteer “Pooper Scoopers” for the horse drawn carriage, Des Moines and its volunteer community has come together to culminate in a spectacular 50th Birthday celebration.

And a word of advice from the chairman of the Parade Committee – “If someone tells you to do something – listen to the police!”

And a final word for participants…plan a way back to the college, as the parade ends at city hall.

Our readers need to reach out to the volunteers who started this parade proccess in January of this year and thank them for a ‘job well-done.’

Sponsors of the parade should also be thanked:

• Bjorneby’s CARSTAR (a WLB Advertiser!)
• Hertz Rental Car
• Pete’s Towing
• Emerald City Balloon

Saturday morning (4/25), Des Moines was overtaken by eager and helpful volunteers, young and old alike, wearing orange vests and gloves, filling up their trash bags as Destination Des Moines‘ annual “Earth Day Clean Up” got underway.

Photographer Michael Brunk was on the scene, and he captured some great moments, as evidenced in this slideshow:

Click to View Slideshow

Des Moines’ Transportation Gateway Project is the focus of an informational open house Tuesday, April 14, from 5pm to 8pm in the city’s Senior Activities Center, located at 2045 S. 216th Street.

The public is invited to view and discuss with city Public Works Department staff plans for improvements to two major arterials – 24th Avenue South from South 208th Street to South 216th Street, and South 216th Street from Interstate 5 to 20th Avenue South.

Both 24th Avenue South and South 216th Street need to be widened to accommodate planned growth in the North Central and Pacific Ridge neighborhoods that will generate new jobs, retail and business opportunities for Des Moines.

The city needs to convert these streets from rural to urban standards to meet the increased traffic that will result.

These improvements will involve widening approximately 1.3 miles of the arterials to five or six lanes, including the addition of turn lanes; building curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes; and installing traffic signals, drainage, and planter strips.

Funding for the engineering work will come, in part, from a state Public Works Trust Fund loan, as well as development fees and arterial road funds through the city’s Capital Improvement Program.

Major developments planned in Des Moines’ North Central and Pacific Ridge neighborhoods – Des Moines Creek Business Park, Waterview Crossing and other retail development – are expected, when completed, to generate over 35,000 daily vehicle trips on adjacent streets.

Current plans call for the development of 1.1 million square feet of business park, 450,000 square feet of retail space, and 1,600 housing units. In addition, adjacent property in SeaTac recently added a warehousing development with direct access to major streets in Des Moines.

Eventually, these projects are expected to add 2,200 to 3,300 jobs in the community, including 1,200 to 2,100 family-wage jobs. The business park also will add 90 acres of development to the city tax rolls.

The city has already vacated right of way, surplused deeded streets, and vacated underlying plats and subdivisions within the proposed Des Moines Creek Business Park in preparation for its development.

Design of the Transportation Gateway Project improvements also will facilitate future access to the regional transportation system, including King County Metro Rapid Ride in 2010 and, later, Sound Transit Light Rail along Pacific Highway South through Des Moines.

The open house will give members of the public an opportunity to meet one on one with city staff to discussing the scope of work and address individual questions and concerns.

For more information, visit: www.desmoineswa.gov, or download a PDF of the presentation here.

Persons with questions or comments are urged to contact Len Madsen, Project Manager at gatewayinfo@desmoineswa.gov.

Congressman Adam Smith invites all residents of the 9th District to attend a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 7th from 7pm to 8:30pm at SeaTac City Hall Chambers, 4800 S 188th Street (map below).

The purpose of the town hall meeting is for Smith to meet with constituents to listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress.

Space is limited so please RSVP if you are able to attend by calling (253) 896-3775 or 1-888-SMITH09.

The 9th District includes Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park, Burien, Tukwila and other parts of King, Pierce and Thurston Counties. The Ninth Congressional District is a classic suburban district, covering the cities and other communities of the South Puget Sound region.

View Larger Map