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Children and Family Justice Center Placed on August Ballot

The King County Council unanimously approved placing before the voters in the August Primary a property tax proposal to construct a new Children and Family Justice Center. If approved, this new facility would replace the aging Youth Services Center located at 12th and Alder St. in Seattle.

This new Children and Family Justice Center is the County’s central facility for cases involving children - juvenile offender cases, child abandonment, dependency cases, abuse and neglect cases, and cases involving runaways. All of these cases are highly stressful on the children and families involved. Additionally, the Center provides support for families navigating the juvenile justice system.

The legislation asks voters to approve a nine-year property tax levy lid lift of seven cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which would raise approximately $200 million for construction of the Children and Family Justice Center. The cost to the median homeowner in King County would be less than $25 per year. The revenue from the proposal would replace the three buildings on site—the Alder Tower, Alder Wing, and Youth Detention Facility. Five judges and 2 commissioners at the juvenile court handle 3,700 cases a year in the facility.

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Free Orca cards available!

For a limited time, new adult ORCA cards are available at participating Saar's MarketPlace locations in South King County. You pay no card fee when you add at least $5 in E-purse value or a monthly pass to a new adult ORCA card.

Visit a participating location:

Burien - 14905 4th Ave SW

Renton - 3208 NE Sunset Blvd

Seattle - 9000 Rainier Ave S

No fee ORCA cards are available Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saar's MarketPlace accepts cash, commuter bonus checks and transit checks. Supplies are limited, so hurry down to a Saar’s MarketPlace to take advantage of this great opportunity. Please note - Reduced Fare ORCA cards are not available at Saar's MarketPlace.

ORCA is accepted on: Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. For more information, visit: http://www.orcacard.com/ERG-Seattle/p2_002.do?m=42&i=1464&b=1

May is Lupus Awareness Month

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease where the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. It begins to turn against itself causing inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body. Specifically, the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs. At least 1.6 million Americans have lupus. More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country. There is currently no cure for lupus.

On May 26, 2012 Sisters Against Lupus (SAL) will host the 1st Annual "Together We Are The Cure" Lupus Walk at Liberty Park in Renton, starting at 9:30 a.m. This will be an incredible day of entertainment, games, vendors, face painting, prizes and lots of fun!! All are welcome to attend to give hope, to support, to inspire, to make a change and to find a cure.

For more information on Lupus click here

Councilmember Gossett Hosts Elementary Students at the County Council

I was honored to host 25 young boys and girls from three Elementary Schools: Martin Luther King Jr., Leschi, and Emerson in my District visit the County Council recently. The youth visited the Council to get a hands on understanding of government and to learn how their Council serves constituents. The students learned about the Council, met with staff, and toured the Council chambers. I had an opportunity to have lunch with the students and talk with them about their understanding of County government.

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Council honors Amalgamated Transit Union for 100 years of service to King County

The Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587, representing more than 4,000 bus drivers and transit operators, was recognized today by the King County Council for 100 years of serving public transportation needs in King County.

“I want to congratulate ATU, Local 587, on 100 years of advocating and representing the thousands of transit workers in King County,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett, who co-sponsored the presentation. “This union has a fine history of improving the working conditions and fighting for a livable wage and good benefits for its members. In both good and difficult economic conditions, Local 587’s leadership and members have worked with us to meet our budget and to keep the transit system serving riders in King County.”

Gossett to continue as County Council Chair in 2012

As part of its annual reorganization, the Council unanimously appointed me to serve another term as Chair of the Council. I am honored that my colleagues have given me the responsibility of directing the Council for a second term. I look forward to meeting the challenges and responsibilities of providing mandated services in King County, while supporting those in our community in crisis.

I will also serve as a member on the following committees: Government Accountability, Oversight and Financial Performance (GAOFP), Transportation, Economy and Environment (TrEE), Law, Justice, Health and Human Services (LJHS), and Regional Water Quality Committee (RWQ).