Councilmember Bob Ferguson meets with Crista seniors to discuss county issues

Crista residents got front-row seats for a discussion of King County government as Metropolitan King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson spent an afternoon at the Crista Senior Community meeting with residents and taking questions.

During his April 25 visit, Ferguson spoke first with a group of about 20 independent living residents and then had a fireplace chat in the Derrill Meyer Family Room with over 40 assisted living and independent living residents.

“It is not always possible for seniors in our community to attend town halls, or to quickly communicate with me by e-mail as many of my younger constituents do,” said Ferguson. “Spending the afternoon at Crista was a great way to bring our regional government directly to folks who are interested and engaged in politics, to learn from their perspectives, and to answer their questions.”

Ferguson, who chairs the County Council’s Operating Budget Committee, explained how the county’s $4.9 billion budget works, and spoke about the current budget crisis. He answered questions related to the possible implementation of all-mail voting in 2009 and explained some of the recent reforms in the elections division. Citizens raised questions about the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Metro bus service, Sound Transit, and shared their input on other transportation issues. Ferguson also answered questions about King County’s negotiations with the Port of Seattle over the future of the 47-mile BNSF Eastside Rail Corridor which Ferguson and his colleagues hope to develop into a multi-modal transportation corridor for trail users and mass transit riders alike.

Ferguson was also able to wish Claire Schelke happy birthday on her 100th birthday. Claire and her family moved to Seattle from New York in 1947. Ms. Schelke and Ferguson shared stories about Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill, where they have both lived. Ms. Schelke moved into the Cristwood independent apartments in 1984 and into the assisted living apartments five years ago.