Constantine mourns the loss of Seattle Mariners legend Dave Niehaus
“The timbre and cadence of his calls had a musical quality that will echo in our collective memory for many seasons to come."

Agreement reached for King County to acquire Maury Island gravel site for permanent protection
The longest remaining piece of undeveloped Puget Sound shoreline in King County would be permanently protected under an historic agreement signed by King County Executive Dow Constantine and the CalPortland Company – and facilitated by Cascade Land Conservancy – for public purchase of the Maury Island gravel site.

Executive names new Director of Customer Service to improve resident interactions with County government
King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Natasha Jones as his new Director of Customer Service. Jones transitions to the role from her former position as Deputy Communications Director in the Executive’s Office.

Stable source of funding and reforms for Metro Transit urged by regional task force
A 28-member task force representing a broad coalition of transit stakeholders from throughout the region has unanimously agreed on key recommendations that include working with the Legislature on a more stable source of funding for public transit, and setting priorities that guide how decisions are made on service reductions or service growth.

More than 90 percent of all King County employees would forgo COLA for 2011 under new proposal
More than 90 percent of all King County employees would be joining to waive their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2011 under a proposal from King County Executive Dow Constantine to freeze the COLA of all non-represented employees.

King County and Metro’s transit union reach tentative agreement on new three-year contract that includes no cost-of-living increase for the first year
King County Executive Dow Constantine and the leadership of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, which represents approximately 3,800 Metro employees, today announced they have reached tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that includes no wage increases or cost-of-living adjustment in the first year.

King County Sheriff’s captains and court protection marshals vote to forgo COLA for 2011
Two unions representing captains and court protection marshals in the King County Sheriff’s office have agreed to forgo their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year, as a result of negotiations guided by King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Second Open Data Workshop brings together developers and local government to foster innovation
Software developers and interested residents in King County are being asked to help shape the future of the open data web site at www.kingcounty.gov/opendata. Tomorrow, King County will host the second countywide workshop on open data, bringing together local innovators, King County staff and City of Seattle staff to review the current open data website and discuss additions, changes and support models.