Seattle Schools Update from Steve Sundquist

Dear Friends:

On February 9, 2010, voters will be asked to renew two expiring levies which provide essential funding for Seattle's schools. Given the state budget crisis, these levies are more important than ever in maintaining basic services in our schools.

Neither of these levies is a new tax. They replace expiring levies. The Capital levy will provide $270 million over six years to fund hundreds of projects in neighborhood schools district-wide, like replacing worn out roofs and heating systems, retrofitting and upgrading buildings for earthquake safety, and replacing alarms and sprinkler systems so our kids can learn in a safe environment. The capital levy will also fund needed technology upgrades and improvements to athletic facilities.

The Operations levy provides 23% of the day-to-day operating budget for Seattle Public Schools. This levy funds everything from teacher and principal salaries and textbooks to all-day kindergarten, a 6-period high school day, and school libraries. If renewed, the operations levy will supply $442.7 million to public education in Seattle over three years.

If we don't renew these levies, Seattle's public schools will suffer a reduction in revenues that would devastate our ability to provide our children with a quality education. We can't let the levies fail.

Please join me in supporting the Seattle levy campaign with your time and, if possible, please consider a contribution to the campaign. It's critical that we reach voters and remind them why it's so important to vote YES on these two important measures.

Schools First Campaign Headquarters
524 Dexter Avenue, N.
Seattle, WA 98109
(p) 206.224.3563
(f) 206.224.3566
info@SchoolsFirstSeattle.org

For More Info: http://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/
To Endorse: http://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/endorse/
To Contribute: https://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/contribute/
To Volunteer: http://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/how-you-can-help/

Ballots have now arrived at our homes. It's critical that we reach voters and remind them why it's so important to vote YES on these two important measures. Please be sure to vote by February 9th and remind your friends and neighbors to please vote YES to renew our commitment to Seattle schoolchildren.

Sincerely,

Steve Sundquist

Progressive Issues Update from Congressman Adam Smith

Progressive Issues Update from Congressman Adam Smith

Progressive Advisory Council Meeting Announced for Next Month

The next meeting of the Progressive Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday, February 17th from 2:00-3:00pm at the Carpenter’s Local 1797 Hall in Renton. Social/networking time will be available prior to the meeting from 1:30-2:00pm. Space is limited, so please RSVP to matt.perry@mail.house.gov or 253-593-6603 if you plan to attend. Full information is below.

Congressman Adam Smith’s Progressive Advisory Council
Wednesday, February 17 from 2:00-3:00pm
(Social networking time from 1:30-2:00pm)
Renton Carpenters Hall
231 Burnett Avenue North, Renton WA 98057
RSVP: matt.perry@mail.house.gov or 253-593-6603

Directions
From Tacoma:
Take I-5 North
Take exit 154A-154B to merge onto I-405 N toward Renton (2.0 mi)
Take exit 2 to merge onto Rainier Ave/WA-167 N toward Renton (1.5 mi)
Continue onto Rainier Ave (0.3 mi)
Turn right at Airport Way S (0.4 mi)
Turn left at Airport Way S/Logan Ave S
Continue to follow Logan Ave S (377 ft)
Slight right at N 3rd St (0.1 mi)
Take the 1st left onto Burnett Ave N
Destination will be on the left (7 ft)

From Seattle:
Take I-5 South
Take the 157/M L King Way/WA-900 E exit (0.1 mi)
Merge onto Martin Luther King Jr Way S/WA-900 E
Continue to follow WA-900 E (3.5 mi)
Turn left at Rainier Ave (0.3 mi)
Turn right at Airport Way S (0.4 mi)
Turn left at Airport Way S/Logan Ave S
Continue to follow Logan Ave S (377 ft)
Slight right at N 3rd St (0.1 mi)
Take the 1st left onto Burnett Ave N
Destination will be on the left (7 ft)

http://adamsmith.house.gov | YouTube | Twitter | E-Newsletter | RSS

If you have questions or comments please contact Matt Perry,Field Representative, at: 253-593-6603 or via email at:Matt.Perry@mail.house.gov

The Honorable Adam Smith 2402 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-8901

The Honorable Adam Smith 2209 Pacific Avenue, Suite B Tacoma, WA 98402 Phone:(253) 896-3775 Toll Free: 1-888-SMITH-09

Seeking appointment to the King County Superior Court

ADAM EISENBERG

I am seeking appointment to be a judge on the King County Superior Court. For the past five years I have served the citizens of Seattle as a court commissioner, and I would like to expand on my career in public service by using the skills I have learned to serve the residents of King County.

I am here to ask for your support.

To be effective, I believe a judge has four roles. First, there is the role in the courtroom, where the judge must listen to the facts presented, apply the law and ensure that justice is done. On a daily basis this is the obvious role. It requires patience, and the ability to listen to the people who appear in front of you. In addition, it necessitates the continual study of the law so the judge makes well-reasoned and well-supported rulings.

In my current position as Commissioner of Seattle Municipal Court, I handle criminal misdemeanor calendars, do arraignments and reviews in the King County Jail, and regularly sit in our Mental Health and Community Courts. These two courts deal with mentally ill offenders and homeless defendants. I also regularly hear domestic violence cases, DUIs and other misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. In addition, I preside over traffic court (both contested trials and mitigation hearings), and handle civil trials and hearings on land use and city code violations. I believe the skills I have learned on the Municipal Court bench will make me highly effective on the King County Superior Court.

Second, a judge must be involved in judicial organizations that help shape the future of the court. I currently sit on the board for the District and Municipal Court Judges Association (DMCJA) and serve on several DMCJA sub-committees. In this capacity I learn about the many different issues courts and judges face across the state, and have input into shaping solutions.

Third, judges should attend social functions held by bar associations, community organizations and political entities so they can stay informed about issues facing the greater legal community. Under the judicial code of ethics there are some restrictions on what events judges can attend but, within these restrictions, judges should do so to avoid becoming too isolated.

Fourth, judges need to keep involved in the greater community in which we live. For example, I am a senior student and an instructor at the Emerald City Aikido dojo in Seattle. As a third degree black belt in the martial art of aikido, I train several times each week. I also regularly teach adults, children and teens. Aikido is a discipline that teaches how to physically unbalance an opponent in order to neutralize their attack. While it can be a very powerful and even deadly art, the underlying philosophy of aikido emphasizes how to accept challenge and change in life, and how to neutralize conflicts that occur in daily living. It teaches compassion for others and, most importantly, for oneself.

Working as an instructor for children and teenagers ages 7 to 18 has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have watched several young men and women train through high school and go off to college with a greater understanding of themselves (mentally and physically) and others. One of my former students recently graduated from art school in New York City, while another is in his junior year at the Rhode Island School of Design. Yet another just graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, and is teaching in Ecuador. All three are exceptional human beings. Watching them grow into adults through aikido has been one of the highlights of my life.

Adam

Experience:

• Commissioner of Seattle Municipal Court (2004 – Present)
• Civil Trial Attorney (1999 – 2004)
• Criminal Prosecutor (1993 – 1999)
• Member, City of Seattle Domestic Violence Council
• Board Member, District and Municipal Court Judges Association
• Journalist, writer for Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Seattle Weekly
• Author, A Different Shade of Blue: How Women Changed the Face of Police Work

Ratings:

• King County Bar Association - Exceptionally Well Qualified
• Washington Women Lawyers - Exceptionally Well Qualified
• Latino/Latina Bar Association - Exceptionally Well Qualified
• Q-Law (Gay, Lesbian, Trans) - Exceptionally Well Qualified
• Seattle Marshals Guild - Exceptionally Well Qualified
• King County Correctional Officers - Exceptionally Well Qualified

Thank you for your consideration.

Selections to fill 41st LD Senate Seat

The 41st District Democratic Organization's PCOs met in special session,

Tuesday January 5, 2010 - 7:00 pm
Renton Carpenters Hall
231 Burnett Avenue North - Renton 98057

Seventy-three (73) of the eligible 95 PCOs were credentialed and participated in the meeting.

The first ballot taken was for five candidates:

Randy Gordon 51
George Pieper 10
Aaron Belenky 8
Michael Rosen 3
Heidi Behrens-Benedict 1
Total 73

The second ballot was for three candidates and is the ranked order for submission to the King County Council for your confirmation, please

1. Randy Gordon 54
2. Aaron Belenky 9
3. George Pieper 8

Total 71 (two did not vote)

With 76% of the vote, the 41st District has overwhemingly selected Randy Gordon as their number one pick. We ask that you please confirm Randy at your earliest possibility.

Thank you,
Susan Sheary

p.s. Bios will be linked above as soon as they are available.