| Aug |
| 22 |
| 12:00 pm |
WLB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a totally-remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in McMicken Heights with views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.
This home features hardwood floors, six-panel doors, tile bathrooms, rounded corners, new furnace, windows and much more.
There’s a large family room off the living room that leads to huge covered deck overlooking a fenced back yard, along with raised gardens and breathtaking views!
Here are the details:
WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, Aug. 22nd, from Noon – 3pm.
WHERE: 4846 S 170th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188
INFO:
- List Price: $274,950
- Listing #: 107062
- Beds: 4
- Baths: 1.75
- Year Built: 1948
- 2-car Garage
- Approximate House SqFt: 1,840
- Lot Square Footage: 11,325
Interior Features:
- Ceiling Fan(s)
- Dble Pane/Strm Windw
- French Doors
Site Features:
- Cable TV
- Deck
- Fenced-Partially
- High Speed Internet
- Outbuildings
Marketing Remarks:
Total remodel 3 years ago, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with Mt Rainier, Valley and Cascade Mt views!
Home features hardwood floors, 6 panel doors, tile bathrooms, rounded corners, new furnace, windows, electric & plumbing.
Large family room off the living room leads to huge covered deck overlooking fenced back yard, raised gardens and breath taking views!
Deep 2 car garage with opener and shelves.
Lot of extra storage, private setting in back yard.
Click here to see the full, detailed listing.
Click here to view all of Prudential Northwest’s Open Houses.
[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
by Jack Mayne
The Seattle-Tacoma International Taxicab Association (STITA) lost another round in its fight to retain a contract with the Port of Seattle to be the sole provider of cab service leaving the airport, a contract it has held for about 20 years.
The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday (Aug. 5) declined to review an appeals court decision upholding the Port of Seattle’s award of the outbound taxi service contract to Yellow Cab. The Court also dissolved a stay preventing a new contract between Yellow and the Port and, within moments of the high court’s decision being announced Friday morning, the Port signed a new contract with Yellow that will take effect on Nov. 1
Chris Van Dyk, the principal of the Bainbridge Media Group and the person who authored the Yellow Cab bid, issued a news release Friday:
“You will be pleased to know that . . . the Washington State Supreme Court denied certiorari (review) of the STITA appeal of the temporary injunction that had been issued, blocking contract signing between the Port and Yellow, in this case,” Van Dyk wrote. “Accordingly, the Port of Seattle has signed the contract for outbound taxicab services with Puget Sound Dispatch dba Yellow Taxi Association, and Yellow will begin outbound on-demand (curbside pickup) taxicab service at SeaTac on Nov. 1, 2010.”
The original STITA contract was supposed to have ended on August 31, but was extended by the port for 60 days because of the legal battle, plus the fact Yellow would need time to redeploy cabs to the airport and to make other arrangement to take over the service, said Perry Cooper, spokesman for the airport.
Despite the setback, STITA attorney Michael Goldfarb of the Seattle firm of Peterson Young and Putra, said the case was still a long way from being over.
Goldfarb says he plans to file a motion in another suit involving cab service at the airport. STITA will allege the contract signed between Yellow and the Port is illegal because there were “significant changes: made after the contract outlined in Yellow’s original bid.
“Our position is that the Port negotiated wholesale changes to the agreement and any such changes were never approved by the Port Commission (in a public meeting),” said Goldfarb. “We will ask the (King County Superior Court) to nullify the contract,” the attorney said.
“Even though the important issues raised by this first case won’t be heard by the state’s highest court, we still have a strong position in a second case,” said Jesse Buttar, STITA spokesman. “We still look to the Port to restore the public trust in this contract and process.”
| Jul |
| 25 |
| 1:00 pm |
WLB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s featured Open House for this week is a totally-remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.
This home features hardwood floors, six-panel doors, tile bathrooms, rounded corners, new furnace, windows and much more.
There’s a large family room off the living room that leads to huge covered deck overlooking a fenced back yard, along with raised gardens and breathtaking views!
Here are the details:
WHEN: Open House will be this Sunday, July 25th, from 1pm to 4pm.
WHERE: 4846 S 170th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188
INFO:
- List Price: $274,950
- Listing #: 107062
- Beds: 4
- Baths: 2
- Year Built: 1948
- 2-car Garage
- Approximate House SqFt: 1,840
- Lot Square Footage: 11,325
Interior Features:
- Ceiling Fan(s)
- Dble Pane/Strm Windw
- French Doors
Site Features:
- Cable TV
- Deck
- Fenced-Partially
- High Speed Internet
- Outbuildings
Marketing Remarks:
Total remodel 3 years ago, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with Mt Rainier, Valley and Cascade Mt views!
Home features hardwood floors, 6 panel doors, tile bathrooms, rounded corners, new furnace, windows, electric & plumbing.
Large family room off the living room leads to huge covered deck overlooking fenced back yard, raised gardens and breath taking views!
Deep 2 car garage with opener and shelves.
Lot of extra storage, private setting in back yard.
Click here to see the full, detailed listing.
Click here to view all of Prudential Northwest’s Open Houses.
[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website read by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
Story and photos by Michael Brunk
On Wednesday, July 14, workers and local dignitaries joined together to celebrate the “topping out” of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s new consolidated rental car facility. When the new structure opens in spring of 2012, it will house all rental car related operations for the airport.
The ceremony, which by most accounts dates back to ancient Europe, marks the completion of the building’s basic structure. After the mandatory speeches, the dignitaries and labor representatives each signed the large steel beam that acted as a back drop for the day’s ceremony.
Bedecked with a banner representing the Iron Workers Local 86, an American flag on one end and an evergreen tree on the other, the beam was lifted by one of the large tower cranes and “flown” around the job site before being maneuvered into place on top of the structure.
With the final piece of structural steel in place, the construction project is around the half way point with a lot of work remaining in order to meet the scheduled opening date in early 2012.
Speakers at the event included Dave Soike, the Deputy Managing Director of Sea-Tac Airport, Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton, SeaTac Mayor Terry Anderson, rental car industry spokeswoman Lorie Tallarico, King County Labor Council AFL-CIO board member Lee Newgent, and Jack Beaudoin, Vice President and General Manager for Turner Construction.
All of the speakers emphasized the degree of cooperation and coordination required across multiple agencies, including the Port of Seattle, City of SeaTac, and the construction company and labor unions, for the project to move ahead and be successful despite roadblocks along the way.
The project was paused in December 2008 when economic conditions deteriorated. Construction resumed in July 2009 after the Port approved the sale of $317 million in revenue bonds to help fund the $419 million project. Almost the entire cost of the project will be paid back by fees paid by rental customers.
In the meantime, over 3,000 family-wage jobs will be generated over the life of the project and the City of SeaTac will collect nearly $2 million in tax revenue.
Much was made of the focus on minimizing the environmental impact. Turner Construction General Manager Jack Beaudoin stated that 95% of the materials used in constructing the facility were recycled, and that nearly 99% of construction waste leaving the site is being recycled. Beaudoin also declared the structure will be “salmon safe” with 85% of the car wash water reclaimed, filtered and reused. LEED certification is also being pursued for the facility
Once the new rental car facility opens, it will bring together operations that today are located at the airport and scattered across several off-site locations. In the process it will increase the number of companies providing cars from the five available at the airport today to a total of eleven. It will also free up more than 3,200 parking spaces in the main terminal garage.
Photographer Michael Brunk attended today’s ceremony and assembled the following slideshow. Click on the images to advance.
Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow
| Jul |
| 29 |
| 12:30 pm |
The Port of Seattle announced Monday (July 12) that, due to requests received at the last workshop, they’re holding a technical session on the “Part 150″ airport noise study on Thursday, July 29th from 12:30pm – 1:30pm at Sea-Tac Airport.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Port of Seattle “Part 150″ Technical Session.
WHEN: Thursday, July 29th from 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
WHERE: Sea-Tac Airport’s Office Building’s Beijing Conference Room on the mezzanine level.
INFO: To download the session agenda, click here (PDF file).
From a press release:
In response to requests at the last Part 150 Noise Compatibility Public Workshop, a technical session regarding detailed noise modeling and input data topics will be held on July 29 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Sea-Tac Airport. Led by Vince Mestre, the Part 150′s noise analyst task leader, the meeting will be held in the Airport Office Building’s Beijing Conference Room on the mezzanine level.
Participants at the session will have the opportunity to discuss the mathematics and detailed data used to measure as well as model aircraft noise levels in the vicinity of Sea-Tac Airport. Participants will also discuss sound propagation effects associated with different types of meteorology. The discussions will be informal and focus on questions raised by the participants.
The comprehensive report from the June 9th public workshop is now available at Sea-Tac Airport’s Part 150 Web site.
by Jack Mayne
The Port of Seattle has been accused by a taxicab company of violating the state open meeting act and seeks to have the Port restrained from signing a contract with Yellow Cab for exclusive cab service from the airport.
The legal dispute over the taxi contract for travelers arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport could make finding a taxicab impossible after the August 31 end of the current contract. The Port of Seattle and the Seattle Tacoma International Taxi Association, better known as STITA, say some sort of service will be found but no discussions have been held with any cab provider, say spokesmen for both sides.
Court orders sought by STITA and other cab companies have prevented the Port from signing a new contract with Yellow Cab as recommended by the Port staff. For 20 years, STITA has held the contract to provide all taxi service leaving the airport, but the Port was stung last year by a state auditor’s report dinging the Port for not making enough money on the contract.
The Port and STITA say there were no discussions about increasing income to the Port. Instead, for the first time last year, the Port issued requests for proposals, which resulted in Port staff recommending the contract be awarded to Yellow Cab.
STITA and other area cab companies have gone to court to stop Yellow from getting the contract, claiming various problems with the way the bid were evaluated.
In the latest filing, STITA is asking for the court to issue an injunction restraining the Port from signing a new contract with Yellow Cab because it violated the open meetings act by adopting changes in the provisions of the contract in a closed door meeting and without giving bidders notice of those changes. The changes should have been discussed in a public and open meeting, says attorney Michael A. Goldfarb on behalf of client STITA.
“Everything points to the Port of Seattle to go back to the drawing board, and clean up this mess,” says Jesse Buttar, a STITA spokesman. “We’re not asking for them to give us the contract, but to give us a level playing field. This has been stacked against STITA from the beginning.”
STITA says it also plans to appeal another case to the State Supreme Court to continue an injunction preventing the port from signing the Yellow Taxi contract. If the Court starts its summer recess before acting on the appeal, the injunction against a new contract could result in no contract for cab service being in place after the current one expires.
Story & Photos Courtesy Carmen Scott
Des Moines Historical Society
Many of the pioneer families of the Des Moines, Burien, Sunnydale, SeaTac and Highline areas are represented at the historic Hillgrove Cemetery, located on South 200th Street a few blocks east of Des Moines Memorial Drive.
Last Thursday (May 27), several teams of young students from the Puget Sound Skills Center, under the Direction of Fire Services Instructor and Battalion Chief John Madson, spent a hard day at work mowing hip high grass, weed whacking, trimming, raking, and removing overgrown vegetation.
By day’s end, the grounds were walkable and ready for Memorial Day visitors.
An observer will see a great many long-term local names:
The Markwells, who operated an early Mill in Des Moines.
The Drapers, who founded and operated the Draper Children’s Home orphanage.
Rilda Martin Moses, Valedictorian of the 1912 Des Moines High school Graduating class, and as Mrs. Moses, she was still teaching kindergarten classes at Des Moines, into the 1960s.
One Johnson gravestone remembers a wife and mother who lived only from 1872 to 1906, 34 years.
Another remembers Jennie Yeisley, 1865 – 1890 At Rest.
Memorial day presents an opportunity to remember the pioneers of yesteryear, and appreciate all they did to forge a future for us, the generations that followed.
The Memorial Day clean-up efforts were arranged by Jim Lingwood, representing the Hillgrove Cemetery Board, and by Jim Langston, representing the Des Moines Historical Society.
A special thanks goes to the city of SeaTac for loaning the use of their grounds-keeping tools and equipment.
Here are more photos of the event:
Also, here’s a Sound Slideshow of Hillgrove Cemetery, as Produced by Scott Schaefer last Fall:
Click to Play Scott Schaefer’s SoundSlideshow
The Seattle Southside Visitor’s Center held its Grand Opening last Thursday, May 13th, at its new digs in SeaTac, and on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony were dignitaries from Des Moines, Tukwila, SeaTac and Kent.
The event included a ribbon cutting by Program Director of Seattle Southside Visitor Services Katherine Kertzman as well as speeches by Mayor Bob Sheckler, SeaTac Mayor Terry Anderson, as well as other local public officials.
According to their website, the Seattle Southside Visitor’s Center:
We are the leading tourism and marketing organization in South King County. Seattle Southside Visitor Services (SSVS) –a program offered jointly by the Cities of Des Moines, Tukwila, SeaTac and Kent – is responsible for competitively marketing the area as an ideal travel destination for tourists who wish to explore Western Washington.
Scott Schaefer was also on hand, mostly to nosh on the free food and enter raffles (he didn’t win anything though…), as well as take the following photos:
Seattle Southside Visitor Services Program Director Katherine Kertzman cuts the ribbon, as Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler and Tukwila City Councilmember Joan Hernandez look on.
SSVC Program Director Katherine Kertzman, left, and Business Relations Coordinator Meilee Anderson watch the festivities.
The sparkling new facility is located at 3100 S. 176th Street in SeaTac.
SSVC Staff were all smiles as the big day went off without a hitch.
Dozens of local businesspeople, residents and dignitaries showed up to support the new center.
Bowls of colored chocolate candy brightened up tables full of "Tourism Matters" buttons.
The Ink Stop's Barbara Panush, left, and Tamara Mackey of Heartland Payment Systems.
For more information on the Seattle Southside Visitor’s center, click here.
| May |
| 13 |
| 4:00 pm |
Seattle Southside Visitor Services, the official tourism department for the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Kent, will be holding its Grand Opening event for a new visitor center in SeaTac on Thursday, May 13th from 4pm – 8pm.
This event will feature ribbon cutting and welcome speeches by Mayor Jim Haggerton of Tukwila, Program Director of Seattle Southside Katherine Kertzman and other local public officials.
If you wish to attend, you are encouraged to RSVP by Monday, May 10 by calling 206.575.2489.
Seattle Southside’s New Visitor Center is located at 3100 South 176th Street in SeaTac.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Grand Opening Event for Seattle Southside Visitor Services’ new Visitor Center. Event to feature ribbon cutting and welcome speeches by Mayor Jim Haggerton of Tukwila, Program Director of Seattle Southside Katherine Kertzman and other local public officials.
WHEN: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 4-8 p.m.
WHERE: Seattle Southside’s New Visitor Center, located at 3100 South 176th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188
INFO: On Thursday, May 13, Seattle Southside Visitor Services will host a Grand Opening Event for the new Visitor Center located in the City of SeaTac. The Grand Opening Event will coincide with National Tourism Week and will feature a ribbon cutting and welcome speeches by Mayor Jim Haggerton, Program Director of Seattle Southside Katherine Kertzman and local public officials. Guests will enjoy wine tasting, appetizers, music performances and prize giveaways that include an Apple iPad.
In March 2010, Seattle Southside relocated the Visitor Center to its new location in the City of SeaTac. At this location, the Visitor Center will have greater visibility and access to airport travelers and hotel guests visiting the region. It also offers flexibility for future growth and better transportation access for volunteers and interns from Highline Community College and South Seattle Community College, both of which have hospitality management and tourism programs.
More information on Seattle Southside is available at their website here.
| Apr |
| 15 |
Today (April 15) is Tax Day, and tardy filers throughout the area are scrambling to get their returns done and postmarked in time.
If you’re one of the tardy filers, we recommend getting yours mailed in at your local post office by closing time (usually 5pm) to get it postmarked for today.
However, if you’re really tardy and are on the verge of desperation, the nearest post office to do a drive-through drop-off is the Riverton Station located in SeaTac at 15250 32nd Ave. South (see map below).
The Riverton Heights office is open until midnight, but because each return must be postmarked, if you show up at 11:55pm yours may not make it.
“It’s going to be a zoo here tonight,” said an unidentified postal employee over the phone this morning. “And I recommend folks try to come by by 7pm at the latest. If you show up at 11:55pm, you may not make it in time.”
You read that right folks – if you’re going to send your return in today, try to get to the Riverton Heights post office by 7pm.
The only other post offices collecting mail until midnight today are in Tacoma, Everett and Wenatchee.
According to the IRS website, if you don’t think you’ll be done in time, you can always file for an extension, using Form 4868 (link is to a PDF file). The extension gives you an additional six months, until Oct. 15, to file the tax return.
Here are some other tips:
- Make sure your tax return has sufficient postage. First-Class postage is 44 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce.
- If you are mailing a number of additional forms and schedules with your return, the envelope is likely to weigh more than one ounce.
- The IRS will not pay postage due, so make sure you’ve bought enough postage. Mail with insufficient postage is returned to sender. If you are in doubt about how much postage to apply, use a lobby scale, the scale on an APC (Automated Postal Center) or ask a postal clerk for assistance.
- If possible, mail your return using the pre-addressed envelope provided by the IRS. If you must prepare another envelope, make sure the address is legible and include your return address.
- When mailing your return at a post office not on the list for late pickup, check the times posted on the blue collection box to determine the last scheduled pickup time.
- Remember, postage can be purchased at any Automated Postal Center (APC). Check usps.com for a location near you.
The Riverton Heights Post Office is located at 15250 32nd Avenue South; Seatac, WA 98188-9996; Phone: (206) 241-7061:
View Larger Map
| Apr |
| 17 |
| 10:00 am |
We’d like to welcome our latest Advertiser to The Waterland Blog: Matt Griffin YMCA, which is inviting Kids and Families to participate in “YMCA Healthy Kids Day” this Saturday, April 17th.
This will be a free Health Fair, open to the public with games, activities and health resources, along with a live performance by local TV/dance stars Massive Monkees!
Here are the details:
WHAT: Matt Griffin YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day.
WHEN: Saturday, April 17th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: Matt Griffin YMCA, located at 3595 S. 188th St. in SeaTac, WA 98188
ACTIVITIES: Lots of fun, free activities, including:
- Massive Monkees from “America’s Best Dance Crew” TV Show
- Health Screenings
- Pacific Science Center
- Inflatable Obstacle Course
- Balloon Artist
- SeaTac Fire Truck
- Carnival Games
- Free Henna Tattoos
WHY: Healthy Kids Day is more important than ever this year. The amount of time American children and teens spend watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Internet has increased dramatically – to nearly eight hours a day. Experts say that school-age kids need at least one hour of physical activity every day to be healthy – an amount which nearly two-thirds of our nation’s youth are not getting.
INFO: Every spring, YMCAs around the country invite children and families to participate in Healthy Kids Day, a free event to promote health and wellness for kids and families. Come to the Matt Griffin YMCA this Saturday and participate in its first annual Healthy Kids Day event.
VIDEO: Wondering why some folks think the Massive Monkees are cool and possibly worth showing up to see? Check out this video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjFffevbgQg[/youtube]
[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
The Kent Police Department has created a website showcasing photos of 160 recovered stolen items including electronics, wallets, purses, backpacks, stereos, baby clothes and even a wedding dress; some of which may have been originally swiped in the Des Moines/South King County area.
According to police, a man and woman who are suspected of breaking into more than 100 cars have been busted. Now, they want to return the stolen items to their rightful owners.
The suspects were apparently caught when they used stolen credit cards at local businesses. Police then followed their trail and recovered the stolen stuff in a storage locker as well as at local pawn shops.
According to the website:
Suspects Mode of Operation:
Type of crime: Vehicle prowls (car break ins)
Method of entry: Break window or force door lock
Types of vehicles: Different types and styles but they favored FORD F-series trucks
Property targeted: luggage, purses, laptop computers, GPS units, assorted tools, backpacks, cameras, MP3 players, I-Pods, cell phones, CD players, car stereos, jewelry, anything of value.
Estimated time range of criminal activity: Past 3-4 months
Focus area of vehicle prowl activity: Kent, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, South Seattle, Unincorporated areas of South King County. Collateral areas that may have been impacted as well are: Des Moines, Federal Way, Auburn, Bellevue.
If you were the victim of a car break-in between Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010, your stolen items may be in police custody – check this website now and see if you recognize anything; if you do, contact Officer Bateman at (253) 856-5894 or via email: kbateman@ci.kent.wa.us.
The recovered stolen property includes (click on links below to see individual pics):
Is this your Pirate Stuff? The Kent PD might have it...
- Laptops
- Cell phones
- MP3 players
- Car Stereos
- Unusual, miscellaneous stuff like:
Some items have been claimed and returned, but most are still in evidence and awaiting rightful return to their owners – so check out the website here.
| Mar |
| 17 |
| 5:00 pm |
The Clarion Hotel in SeaTac will be holding a special St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed & Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank next Wednesday, March 17th from 5pm – 8pm at their location at 3000 South 176th Street in SeaTac.
Cost is $10 in advance for adults ($13 at door); Students & Seniors $7; or $25 for a Family Pack.
All proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank, so come on down, have some good spaghetti and help your hungry neighbors.
Here are the details:
WHAT: St. Patrick’s Day Spaghetti Feed and Auction fundraiser for the Des Moines Area Food Bank.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 17th, 5:00PM-8:00PM.
WHERE: Clarion Hotel, located at 3000 S. 176th St. in SeaTac.
COST: Adults $10 in advance, $13 at door; Students & Seniors $7; Family pack $25.
INFO: Proceeds go to the Des Moines Area Food Bank.
RSVP: Please call 206-676-3742 to RSVP, or click here for more information.
In the continuing saga of STITA vs the Port of Seattle, on Monday (Feb. 22nd), the Washington state Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the cab company by granting a temporary injunction against the Port of Seattle’s planned contract with Yellow Cab/Puget Sound Dispatch.
This means the Port cannot sign the planned contract “until further order of the Court” (click here to download/read the order as a PDF file), which could happen in April.
STITA’s request to expedite the appeal was granted by Commissioner Mary Neel. The Commissioner’s order states that this case will be heard by a three-judge panel “toward the end of the April 2010 term,” meaning that this ongoing SeaTac soap opera is far from over.
Members of STITA, who filed the original lawsuit against the Port of Seattle on Jan. 29, were obviously pleased with the decision.
“We are thrilled that the court stopped the Port from proceeding with an illegal contract,” said Jesse Buttar, a STITA member and spokesperson. “We’ve only ever asked for a fair process and a legal contract and now we hope the Port has finally listened and will re-do its flawed bidding process.”
Here’s more info from STITA’s press release, issued late Monday afternoon:
STITA, a non-profit co-op with one of the greenest cab fleet in the country, was created in 1989 by the Port of Seattle to exclusively serve the airport and provide reliable service to airport users. Now, after an unfair proposal process, STITA and its approximately 450 members and drivers will essentially be put out of business. They have the airport contract through August 2010.
STITA’s lawsuit claims that the Port’s bidding process violated state law by requiring bidders to commit to pay an unfair concession fee of at least 10 percent of their airport-based revenues to the Port. This revenue system violates the Airports Act, which says airport concession fees must be based upon the actual cost of operations and be reasonable and uniform. Previously, the Port had charged a per-trip fee to taxis based on the airport’s actual cost of services provided to the cabbies.
Additionally, the lawsuit contends that the Port’s new concession fees violate the King County Code and takes away from the King County Council’s authority to set “just and reasonable” taxi meter rates.
Despite protests from STITA to the Port about these glaring problems with the process and the proposed contract, the Port has so far declined to re-do its flawed contract bid.
A second lawsuit against the Port and Yellow Cab by Farwest Taxi was filed on Feb. 12.
Read our previous coverage of this ongoing legal battle here.
If you read The Waterland Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the Des Moines area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).
And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.
Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:
- JOURNALIST/EDITOR with WordPress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
- SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, excellent traffic, our websites’ content speaks for itself, and we’re finding that selling Ads is easy – we just need more feet on the ground!
Here’s some more info:
- We prefer to find local folks who live in the general area.
- We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
- We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
- You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
- You can set your own hours.
- This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
- These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
- Your work will be seen on not just here on The Waterland Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
Requirements:
- Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll set you up with an email account).
- Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
- For Sales Reps – please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
- You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
- You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
- You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).
To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!
As the owner of Shuttle Express, a provider of passenger service at Sea-Tac International Airport, I have been following the Port of Seattle’s recent decision to replace STITA (Sea-Tac International Taxi Association) with Yellow Cab. How could the Port make such a poor decision and why? Even though I compete with the taxis, I feel the need to speak up. When there is such an injustice to the traveling public, questions need to be asked.
Working at Sea-Tac for 35 years, I have firsthand knowledge of airport operations and STITA Taxi. Knowing STITA’s reputation, I thought they would surely be chosen for the new contract for the taxi concession. I was astonished to hear the Port’s decision. The structure of the RFP caused a bidding war, and the Port plans to award the contract to the highest bidder, Yellow Cab. How could they base their decision purely on money and not reputation and quality of service?
Shuttle Express and STITA operate within a few feet of each other so I know their operations and service level. STITA taxi owners maintain their vehicles and have invested in a green fleet, all while making a living wage. And, STITA provides good service, much better than any other taxi service in Seattle.
As a competitor, it would be to my advantage to say nothing and compete against a lesser provider. But I can’t watch this play out without saying something about the Port’s injustice to STITA, and more importantly to you, the traveling public. I have no issue with the Port opening the concession to competitive bid, but its selection based on who will pay the most money rather than service and safety is wrong.
Jim Sherrell is the Owner of Shuttle Express.
More money for the Port may sound good, but in reality the over-inflated fees that Yellow agreed to pay the Port are way off base. There is no way Yellow can use the minuscule taxi fees to fund reservations, dispatch, accounting, marketing, safe vehicles, insurance, advertising AND also pay the Port an exorbitant fee to use the taxi curb. What expenses will the Yellow taxi drivers have to cut to still be able to put bread on the table? Will you feel safe when you climb into that taxi knowing they cannot meet their financial obligations and still make a living?
So why would the Port prioritize getting more money above safety, service and other important factors? What seems obvious is the Port wants more money. Who is eventually going to pay the Port more money? Sure, first it will be the poor taxi drivers. Next, the taxi drivers will ask regulators to allow increased fees. In the end, YOU, the traveling public will be paying the difference with higher taxi fares.
Now ask yourself, is the Port operating in the interest of the traveling public, or is it merely trying to squeeze more money from taxi drivers and you, the passengers?
Will the publicly elected Port of Seattle Commissioners recognize this flawed RFP bid for what it is and correct this radical mistake? My experience during the last thirty-plus years tells me that when the Port Commissioners know the facts and hear from their voters, they will make the correct decision to award the RFP fairly, based on service and safety for the traveling public rather than strictly money from fees.
It’s up to you, the traveling public, to let the Commissioners know your feelings on the issue to have it corrected: www.portseattle.org.
- Jim Sherrell
Owner, Shuttle Express(Jim Sherrell is the owner of Shuttle Express, serving the Seattle region since 1979)
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]
On Wednesday (Feb. 27th), STITA and Farwest taxi companies sent letters to Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna, urging an investigation into the Port of Seattle.
This follows a recent, fast-paced rash of two lawsuits filed against the Port for its alleged mishandling of switching cab vendors over from STITA to Yellow Cab (read our previous coverage here).
The letter to the State Auditor asks him to investigate the Port’s handing of the entire on-demand taxicab RFP (Request For Proposal) process, which resulted in the two recent lawsuits.
The letter to Attorney General McKenna requests not only for an investigation of the Port, but also of lobbyist Chris Van Dyk, who is accused of collusion in the RFP process.
“It’s time for the auditor and the attorney general to step in,” said STITA spokesperson Jesse Buttar in a statement. “We hope they will take a careful look at the allegations against the Port.”
We got in touch with Perry Cooper, Media Officer for the Port, who said:
“Understand we have just received this and will review our records again…
but we are still emphasizing that we are confident the RFP and bidding process was fair, open and transparent.
We have reviewed our approach continually throughout a thoughtful and thorough RFP and bidding process.
We are aware of no facts that would support allegations of collusion.
At no time during the process did anyone file an official complaint.
We were not aware of these allegations until the suit was filed.”
Both letters are enclosed below, and are available also for download here (both as PDF files):
- Letter to State Auditor Sonntag (PDF File)
- Letter to Attorney General McKenna (PDF File)
The Port of Seattle is apparently being sued by a second taxi company – this time by Rainier Dispatch (aka Farwest Taxi) for ignoring collusion.
This is the latest twist in an ongoing legal war against the embattled Port of Seattle, and Rainier/Farwest is now the second taxi company to claim the Port’s process for selecting a new on-demand airport taxi contract is illegal (as we’ve covered previously, the first was STITA).
According to a press release we received Tuesday, Feb. 16th:
Farwest Taxi filed a lawsuit last Friday (Feb. 12th) in King County Superior Court against the Port of Seattle and Yellow Cab, its former partner in a joint bid for the airport contract. The lawsuit claims the Port’s proposal process was illegal. The lawsuit says lobbyist Chris Van Dyk drafted the bid for Yellow Cab, the winning bidder for the on-demand airport contract. Then he turned around and used that insider information to draft a less competitive proposal by the No. 2 bidder, a joint venture between Yellow, Farwest and Orange Cab.
“The Port of Seattle and Yellow Cab should be ashamed of this whole process,” said Gurcharan Dhaliwal, president of Rainier Dispatch. “Yellow Cab and Chris Van Dyk took our bid information and used it to make sure they came out on top, and the Port looked the other way.”
According to the lawsuit, Van Dyk knew trade secrets of the two other bidders in the joint venture, and used that proprietary intellectual property to ensure Yellow Cab submitted the top bid. In addition, in its legal filing, Farwest says it explicitly told Yellow representatives that it did not want anyone who drafted the joint venture proposal to also draft a proposal for any of the three individual members. They said they were assured that would be the case.
The Port’s own RFP states: “One or all responses will be rejected if there is reason for believing that collusion exists among Proposers, and no participant in such collusion will be considered in future proposals for concessions at the Airport.” [RFP, 13.4.1, p. 6]
This latest lawsuit follows on the heels of a well-publicized lawsuit filed by the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association (STITA) on Jan. 29. STITA, which has the exclusive taxicab contract at Sea-Tac Airport through August 2010.
Like STITA’s lawsuit, Farwest Taxi’s lawsuit requests a court order barring the Port of Seattle from officially signing a contract with Yellow Cab. It also seeks an order disqualifying Yellow Cab from future re-bids of the airport contract.
STITA members were encouraged that another taxi company – even one of their competitors – saw the same foul play and are now suing the Port and Yellow Cab.
“Here is yet another reason for the Port to hold off on signing the illegal contract with Yellow Cab,” said Jesse Buttar, a spokesperson for STITA. “We hope the Port takes the opportunity to go back and review this whole process. This illegal process directly affects the 450 families who make up STITA. We just want a fair shot at the airport contract.”
A copy of this lawsuit can be downloaded here (as a PDF file).
| Mar |
| 11 |
| 6:00 pm |
Together with the King County Sheriff’s Office, Burien and SeaTac Police are continuing their twice-yearly “Citizen’s Police Academy” program with an orientation on Thursday, March 11th, and classes on Wednesday nights from 6pm-9pm.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Citizen’s Police Academy Training
WHEN: Starts Thursday, March 11th and continues through April 24th. Classes are held on Wednesday nights from 6pm to 9pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.
Classes will run for 13 weeks, plus a graduation ceremony including a certificate of completion and pictures with police staff. A light meal will be provided for students. There are presentations by many of the Sheriff’s Office Units and several opportunities for hands-on experiences, plus a field trip to the King County Communications Center.
The training sessions are held twice a year in the spring and fall. The sessions require approximately 20 hours to complete. There is a minimal fee for tools supplied to students, enabling them to build their own emergency response kit.
WHERE: Initial meeting is at the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Station, which is located at 15100 8th Ave SW in Burien; subsequent classes will be at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.
COST: FREE!
INFO: From a press release:
Graduates of the Citizen’s Police Academy will have a better understanding of the law enforcement role in the criminal justice system and an appreciation for the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s complex society. They will also be better able to assist offices in improving their neighborhoods and communities.
The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations or workplaces in basic preparation and response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.
SeaTac and Burien Fire and Police Departments partner in offering this eight-week training held on weekday evenings, with a Practical Fianl Exercise held on a Saturday. Sessions require approximately 20 ours to complete. There is a minimal fee for tools supplied to students, enabling them to build their own emergency response kit.
Training is designed to cover the following:
- Disaster Preparedness
- Fire Safety
- Disaster Medical Operations (Triage, Treating Life Threatening Injuries, and Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene.)
- Light Search and Rescue
- Team Organization
- Disaster Psychology
- Terrorism
Graduates will also be eligible for the Ride-Along program, in which you can spend up to an entire shift riding with an officer.
This course is an unforgettable experience and it’s completely free for anyone who lives or works in the cities of SeaTac or Burien!
There are two sessions each year and they fill up fast, so register early with your local Community Service Officer.
If you are interested in attending the next session and would like an application sent to you by mail, please contact CSO Mechee Burnett at mechee.burnett@kingcounty.gov or 206.973.4917 (you can also download a PDF application here).
- SEATAC: If you are from the SeaTac area, please contact: CSO Eloise Kruger: 206-973-4915 or ekruger@ci.seatac.wa.us
- BURIEN: If you are from the Burien area, please contact: CSO Nicki Maraulja: 206-296-3333 or nicki.maraulja@kingcounty.gov
| Feb |
| 24 |
| 5:15 pm |
The first in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24th at Mount Rainier High School (22450 19th Ave. South in Des Moines) beginning at 5:15pm.
So if you have something to say about airport noise, this would be the place to air your thoughts and hope that the Port of Seattle hears you.
Doors open at 5pm, with the program beginning at 5:15pm.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Public workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s “Part 150 Noise Study” program
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 24th beginning at 5:15pm
WHERE: Mt. Rainier High School, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines
INFO: From a press release:
The Part 150 Study will look at ways to reduce aircraft noise impacts on communities. Throughout the study, the public is invited to participate in the solution and recommendation process through active engagement in a series of topical workshops.
The February 24th workshop will include a brief presentation followed by facilitator-led, small-group working sessions designed to gather the public’s input on refining the scope for the Part 150 Study. So, please review the meeting agenda and come prepared with ideas.
Visit the dedicated Part 150 Study Website – the single location for all documentation connected to the study.
| Feb |
| 21 |
| 2:00 pm |
The Highline Historical Society will be presenting “Soldiers in Petticoats: The Struggle of the Suffragettes” at the SeaTac City Hall on Sunday, Feb. 21st, beginning at 2pm.
Local actress Tames Alan will return, dressed in full period costume and acting in character, to talk about the struggle of American women to gain the right to vote.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Highline Historical Society’s “Soldiers In Petticoats: The Struggle of the Suffragettes”
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 21st beginning at 2pm
WHERE: Sea-Tac City Hall, located at 4800 S 188th Street.
COST: This is a FREE event.
INFO: From a press release:
In the authentic clothing of a suffragette, Actress Tames Alan returns to talk about the struggle of American women to gain the right to vote. In 1867, the passing of the 14th Amendment defined “citizen” as “male,” thus denying women the right to vote. On this 100th Anniversary of women’s right to vote in Washington State, learn how American women adopted the militant tactics of English suffragettes to earn the right to vote and regain citizenship in their own country. Discover how the suffragettes influenced child labor laws, the use and dispersal of birth control, the Temperance movement, and the right of women to earn a college degree.
This engaging program is free.
It is brought to the community by the Highline Historical Society with the support of Humanities WA.
Immediately followed by a reception for the elected women of Highline.
Tames Alan is an actress, historian, and fashion history teacher who has combined her skills to create Living History Lectures for people of all ages. Since 1986, she has been touring her programs throughout the United States and Canada, where she is known for in-depth research and a lively presentational style. Tames studied theater and history at Willamette University in Oregon and theater at the American Conservatory Theater and the Dell Arte School in California. She taught fashion history at the Art Institute of Seattle, and is a historical consultant to museums, libraries, and historical festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest.
For more information, visit the Highline Historical Society’s website here.
In a fast-paced legal tennis match, after briefly having its restraining order denied, a State Court of Appeals Commissioner issued a stay late Monday in STITA Cab’s lawsuit against the Port of Seattle.
This means that, pending any other legal maneuvering, the Port will not be able to sign a contract with Yellow Cab.
Earlier Monday, King County Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez denied a restraining order filed by STITA to block the Port from signing the contract with Yellow Cab.
The contract for on-demand taxi service at Sea-Tac airport won’t be awarded until the court determines if the Port acted illegally. Judge Gonzalez heard STITA’s case Feb. 4th, and issued his decision Monday afternoon.
After Gonzalez’ initial ruling, STITA immediately took the case to the State Court of Appeals, which agreed to issue a stay – meaning the Port cannot sign with Yellow Cab until the legal issues are resolved.
The commissioner is expected to consider the merits of the case this week.
“We’re thrilled with this late-breaking win,” said Jesse Buttar, STITA cab owner. “We know we have a case. We just want a fair shot at the airport contract.”
On Jan. 29, STITA filed a complaint asking the court to halt the Port from signing a contract that violates state law. STITA seeks a fair and legal proposal process in which all bidders can compete on a level playing field.
In its lawsuit, STITA contends the Port’s bidding process violated the state Airports Act because the Port discontinued its prior practice of charging fees to taxicabs based on the airport’s actual cost of services provided to the cabbies. Instead, it required bidders to commit to pay an unfair concession fee of at least 10 percent of their airport-based revenues. This violates the Airports Act, which says airport concession fees must be based upon the Airport’s actual cost of operations and be reasonable and uniform.
STITA contends the Port’s bidding process caused a predatory bidding war among taxi companies which not only was illegal but will be financially devastating to the King County taxi industry.
STITA’s lawsuit also contends that the Port’s new concession fee violates the King County Code, which requires the King County Council to set the taxi meter rate at a level that is “just and reasonable.” The Port’s new concession fee cuts directly into the county’s taxi meter rate and prevents cab operators from receiving the gross receipts that they legally are entitled to receive.
The exclusive taxicab contract was held by STITA for 20 years in a no-bid deal. After a harsh rebuke from the State Auditor over its contracting processes, the Port of Seattle issued a “Request for Proposal,” or RFP, for the first time last fall.
Yellow Cab won the award with a bid of $18.3 million, which is $8 million greater than the bid STITA submitted. Yellow Cab was named a defendant in the lawsuit, along with the Port of Seattle and other taxi associations.
In issuing his denial, Judge Gonzales noted that the RFP allowed for prospective bidders to file complaints, or injunctions, to any portion of the RFP document; Gonzales said, “The Plaintiff had the opportunity to file a complaint during the process, and they did not. They only complained when they did not win the bid.”
Stay tuned folks, because this legal match is far from over.
| Feb |
| 20 |
| 10:00 am |
State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, both Democrats from Des Moines, along with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), will host a Community Jobs Forum on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 10am to Noon at the Kent City Hall.
Stepping out of the traditional “town hall” format, the three lawmakers put together a Community Jobs Forum to give constituents an opportunity to connect with state and nonprofit agencies that do job placement, training, counseling, and similar services.
Legislators will speak briefly about state efforts to spur job creation and get the economy back on track. The rest of the event will be free time for attendees to visit tables from the participating agencies and speak one-on-one with the legislators.
Here are the details:
WHAT: 33rd District Community Jobs Forum
Rep. Tina Orwall
WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
WHERE: Kent City Hall – Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Avenue South, Kent
WHO: 33rd District legislators: Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Karen Keiser.
Confirmed participating agencies include:
- WorkSource
- Port Jobs
- Highline CC
- Green River CC
- Renton Technical College
- The Veterans Conservation Corps
- US Census Bureau
This Community Jobs Forum is a free event, and all South King County job seekers are encouraged to attend.
The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent and Tukwila.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Waldref at (360) 786-7201 or Waldref.Jennifer@leg.wa.gov.
| Feb |
| 24 |
| 5:00 pm |
A public workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s Part 150 Noise Study is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24th, from 5pm – 7pm at Mount Rainier High School, which is located at 22450 19th Ave South right here in Des Moines.
The Part 150 Study looks at ways to reduce aircraft noise impacts on communities. Throughout the study, the public is invited to participate in the solution and recommendation process through active engagement in a series of topical workshops.
For more information, visit the dedicated Part 150 Study website here that has been established as the single location for all documentation connected to the study.
Up to six additional public workshops will be held throughout the Part 150 Study process. This first meeting will introduce and orient the participants to the Part 150 process as well as further “scope” the study itself. In order to do that, the consultants will facilitate small group discussions with the participants to talk about their concerns and what they are hoping to see included in the study. Records of these sessions and the input received will be kept and factored into the study. The Port will soon launch an advertising campaign publicizing the meeting and they will make sure the members of the Forum get additional information.
Public workshops are not the only vehicle that will be used to engage the public. The Port wants to make sure community leaders, such as the members of the Highline Forum, and the general public has ample opportunity to review the status of the project and offer their thoughts and recommendations. The Port will be providing just that at the regular Highline Forum meetings. In addition, the Part 150 Study team will be available to attend a City Council meeting or meet with the representatives of a specific neighborhood or organization.
There will be a public hearing and comment period at the end of the process. More information will be provided at that time when there is a fully developed set of recommended actions.
More info available at these links:
According to the Port’s Part 150 website:
The Part 150 Study process is designed to identify noise incompatibilities surrounding an airport, and to recommend measures to both correct existing incompatibilities and to prevent future incompatibilities. For Part 150 Study purposes, noise incompatibilities are defined as residences or public use noise-sensitive facilities (libraries, churches, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals) within the 65 Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) noise contour.
The purpose for conducting a Part 150 Study is to develop a balanced and cost-effective plan for reducing current noise impacts from the airport’s operations, where practical, and to limit additional impacts in the future.
Among the general goals and objectives addressed by a Part 150 Study are the following:
- To reduce, where feasible, existing and forecasted noise levels over existing noise-sensitive land uses;
- To reduce new noise-sensitive developments near the airport;
- To mitigate, where feasible, adverse impacts in accordance with Federal guidelines;
- To provide mitigation measures that are sensitive to the needs of the community and its stability; and
- To be consistent, where feasible, with local land use planning and development policies.
Specific goals for this Part 150 Study include the following:
- To address noise issues related to the third runway;
- To conduct the process in an open and engaging way; and
- To look for opportunities that have not been thought of versus re-visiting old issues.
This study will identify existing and future flight corridors, develop aircraft noise exposure maps for current and future conditions, evaluate air traffic control procedures that could be implemented to reduce noise exposure over residential areas, consider land use controls that could be established to reduce future incompatible land uses from being developed within high noise areas, and evaluate means to mitigate noise impacts within high noise exposure areas.
It is anticipated that the Part 150 Study will be completed in late 2011. After completion, it will be submitted to the FAA. The review period by the FAA is typically 6-9 months.
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