Councilmember Julia Patterson
Council District 5
516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1005 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 |
Equity and Social Justice Town Hall meeting
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| Councilmembers listened to presentations by expert panelist. |
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| Citizens were given the opportunity to address the Council. | Focusing on promoting fairness and economic opportunities for all, the King County Council held a town hall on March 24 at the Kent Senior Center. Nearly 300 people attended to learn about the new initiative put forth by King County: the Economic and Social Justice Initiative. The audience heard presentations from Dr. James Krieger, the Chief of Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention; Ngozi Oleru, King County Public Health, Director of Environmental Services; Mike Heinisch, Executive Director of Kent Youth & Family Services; and Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of New Futures.
After hearing experts speak about the impact one’s environment has on health, an in depth report on the equity and social justice initiative, and perspectives from service providers, the audience got a chance to discuss with one another what they had learned. They were then given the opportunity to ask the panelists and councilmembers questions. The evening adjourned with very informative public testimony.
Social inequities are problems that affect us all. If all people had access to the same opportunities for quality education, basic health care, good jobs, and safe and affordable housing, all residence of King County would reap the benefits – greater economic vitality, less expensive heath care, a lower cost criminal justice system and a better government through a more engaged and representative citizenry.
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