Leslie's Blog

There is going to be a protest rally tomorrow from 3-4 p.m. on the Seattle City Hall steps regarding the proposed two-way Mercer Street Transit Plan and to show support for an elevated viaduct.   If either of these subjects interest you, please tell your friends and show up! The City Hall is at 600 4th Avenue.

Most people I have spoken to while campaigning want to keep an elevated viaduct. They feel like it is vitally important to the health of the city. You can read all about the subject on No Big Dig.

My campaign website is: www.blossforthe36th.com

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

We all love our Wisteria. What you may not know is that it will grow right into your house. If you have it climbing on your porch or up the side of the house you need to be aware of this. Whenever I go by someone’s house that has this lovely plant in these areas I have the urge to knock on their door and tell them how much damage they may eventually get.

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

A friend was telling me about an article he had read about mini nuclear reactors so I found information on it. "Mini Reactors Show Promise for Clean Nuclear Power's Future," by Phaedra Hise, published in Popular Mechanics on July 15, 2008. They talk about NuScale Power that has been developed by the engineering department at Oregon State. The containment unit is 14 ft. The whole unit sits below ground and can be manufactured cheaply. Each 45-megawatt electrical unit would generate enough power for about 45,000 homes.

A few weeks ago I rode over to Spokane with another friend and while driving in eastern Washington he asked why can't we put windmills in the area between the freeways here? It is something to consider.

Also I found an article about classes for electric vehicle conversion workshops. These were at South Seattle Community College in the Continuing Education Department at West Seattle. This particular class was taught in June but maybe they are scheduling more.

We need to get the price of electricity down!

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

The front page of the Sunday Times had an article "How state spending rose $8B under Gregoire" by Andrew Garber.    "Already, the state Senate Ways and Means Ciommittee projects a $2.7 billion shortfall when the Legislature meets in January to write the next two year budget."

When Washington has this kind of spending problem wouldn't it be nice to have the tax income from the tribal casinos that Gregoire has decided that we do not need?  In The Seattle P.I. article "Tribes give big to Gregoire, avoid sharing casino cash" by Chris McGann you can see how much money the tibes have been making and it doesn't look like it was really a hardship for them to pay the taxes.

BY THE NUMBERS: INDIAN CASINOS AND COMPACT WITH STATE

Twenty-one tribes in Washington operate 27 casinos under a compact with the state. Unlike some states where the tribes and the state have agreed to share revenue, Washington state receives no tax money from Indian gambling.

Annual revenue of tribal casinos in Washington state:

2005:  $1.02 BILLION

2006:  $1.19 BILLION

2007:  $1.34 BILLION

FROM 18,225 TO 27,300:  Total number of gambling terminals allowed in Indian casinos before latest compact and then afterward.

FROM $5 TO $20:  Wagering limit on certain machines before latest compact and then afterward (15% of machines).

$604,131:  Contributions to state Democratic Party from tribes since 2004.

$1.6 MILLION:  Contributions to Gov. Chris Gregoire's campaign from Democratic Party since 2004.

$49,000:  Direct contributions from tribes to her since 2004.

Sources: Washington state; Public Disclosure Commission

Remember when you go to vote in the Primary on August 19th try to vote for someone that is fiscally responsible--I'm one of those! 

My campaign website is:  www.blossforthe36th.com

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

This morning a friend of mine, Lena Hunt, sent an email talking about how she and her husband “had the pleasure of hearing Col. Debra Lewis talk about all of the projects that are going on in Iraq. You do not typically find this in the media–it is a good tool to pass on to people that think we are occupying this country blowing up buildings and people and taking their oil.”  I was really happy to take a look and thought it was important to pass it on.

The website is from the Gulf Region Division of the Army Corps of Engineers. The link is: http://www.grd.usace.army.mil/index.asp

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

My campaign website is:  www.blossforthe36th.com

I attended the Fremont Chamber of Commerce meeting today.  Seattle Council Member, Nick Licata was there talking about the Mercer Street Plan.  After that there was information given about  the upcoming Chamber of Commerce's Fremont Oktoberfest.  "The mission is to promote the Fremont neighborhood, area merchants, and to provide funding for local art groups, schools, and community events."  

The Fremont Oktoberfest, "was voted as one of the Top Ten Oktoberfests in the world by USA Today."  They do some serious microbrew beer tasting!

Check out the link for more information and click on the little Oktoberfest icon.   By the way, they are looking for "adult" volunteers.

People will find these activities much tamer than the Fremont Street Fair.  They mentioned that the "Kids Area" is probably for kids up through 4 years of age:

Friday, September 19th

Stranger Microbrew Garden

Saturday, September 20th

Stranger Microbrew Garden

11am -12am

Kids Area/Food Booths/Beck's Beer Garden

11am-6pm

Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving Contest

1pm

Sunday, September 21st

Brew HA-HA 5K Run

10:00am

Street Scramble

10:30am

MOViN Rehab Party and Award Ceremony

10:30am-1200pm

Stranger Microbrew Garden

11:10am-6:00pm

Kids Area/Food Booths/Beek's Beer Garden

11am-6pm

Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving Contest

1:00pm

CityDog Cover Dog Model Search

3:00pm

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

I did receive three endorsements today:

State Senator Bob McCaslin, King County Council Member Jane Hague, and The WISH List.  The WISH List is the nation's largest political fundraising network for progressive Republican women.  It has been a good day!

In the future if anyone wants information on running for office--I would be happy to talk to them.  It will have to wait until after the middle of November though.

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

I received the letter from SKCAR:

On behalf of the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS®, we thank you for meeting with our candidate interview team.  We congratulate your decision to run for election and appreciate your interest and time in discussing important issues relating to real estate and land use with our members.

The candidate ratings (numeric scale with 100 points representing the maximum or highest rating) as listed below have been approved by the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS®:

36th District, State Representative, Position 1:

Reuven Carlyle, Endorsed, Candidate Rating = 95

Leslie Bloss, Candidate Rating = 86

John Burbank, Candidate Rating = 69

While the interview team did not recommend an endorsement for your campaign, the decision was reached only after considerable discussion.  Your qualifications, knowledge, and the articulate manner in which you discussed the issues made a very favorable impression.

So, do you think I came in second because they compared how much money he has raised or his connections?  I understand...but I am like "the little engine that could." 

I believe when people listen to my message of wanting to save the viaduct; opposing a state income tax (which both of my opponents want); fix our schools; and eliminate traffic congestion; along with the fact that I am liberal with social issues--but fiscally responsible and that I want to represent the voters and give them a voice--they will start paying attention.

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

Did you know that public nudity is not against the law in Seattle?   Indecent exposure was found to be unconstitutional.  There is only an arrest if there is a disturbance created or a formal complaint.  I thought this was very interesting.

Here is the Washington State Law (RCW) that speaks to nudity in public. Also, I have attached a link about an article that was written about this very issue. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/323940_naked17.html Thank you for contacting the Customer Service Bureau

Virginia Swanson 7/14/2008 9:44 AM:  Shana, here's the language from Law Department that may be helpful: (1) A person is guilty of indecent exposure if he or she intentionally makes any open and obscene exposure of his or her person or the person of another knowing that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm. The act of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is not indecent exposure.

(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, indecent exposure is a misdemeanor. (b) Indecent exposure is a gross misdemeanor on the first offense if the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years. (c) Indecent exposure is a class C felony if the person has previously been convicted under this section or of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 ( http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.94A.030 ).

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website

Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

One of the major transportation issues is the Alaskan Way Viaduct--I want to see it repaired!  It can be repaired and it can be made safe.   So much commerce begins with the Port of Seattle and many businesses would be irreparably harmed if there was down-time on SR 99 (Aurora).  We cannot afford to do without it at this time-and we do not need to if we start listening to the engineers that have the voter's interest at heart rather than the politicians. 

One of my opponents wants a surface street solution--I do not see that as a viable solution.  Can you imagine all of those trucks going through downtown Seattle?  What a nightmare that would be!

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website and the campaign blog is: http://emeraldcitytalk.com/wordpress/

Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.  Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

Haiden running in the park--remember the old "Clairol" Commercials?

You may call this post a public service announcement.  I received the following information regarding voter's registration from the Secretary of State website.  I think people should be involved in what goes on in their State and not just the Presidential elections--they may be amazed at how much impact they can have at the local level.  

Voter Registration:

• Voters have until July 19, 2008, to register to vote or update their registration for the August 19 Primary.

• Citizens not currently registered in Washington State have until August 4, 2008, to register in-person at their local election office.

• Washington has a statewide voter registration database that screens the voter rolls for duplicate registrations, felons, and deceased persons.

Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard, Greenwood, Phinney Ridge and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

I love The Washington State Budget & Policy Center I think it is a very good resource and feel everyone should receive and read their updates.   I became aware of the organization last Summer.

The following is their Mission Statement:  

"Our mission is to use research and analysis to advance the well-being of Washington communities, improve the economic security and social opportunity of all Washingtonians, and support the essential role of government in promoting a just and prosperous society."

 Here are some of the things they have recently written about that are on their website:

 "A Working Families Credit for Washington State"

 "On Point:  Better Choices for Economic Security"

 "House Budget Maintains Commitments but Misses Opportunity to Invest in Economic Security" by Jeff Chapman & Remy Trupin

 "Governor's Budget:  Important Investments, Long-Term Challenges" by Jeff Chapman & Remy Trupin

The Washington State Budget & Policy Center is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization registered in the state of Washington.  Their organization is fully funded through the charitable contributions of individuals, foundations, and organizations.

 Their website is:  http://www.budgetandpolicy.org/, go there and read up on some of these important issues.

 I am all about educating voters.    Leslie Bloss:   www.blossforthe36th.com

Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.  Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website and the campaign blog is: http://emeraldcitytalk.com/wordpress/

Today, I spoke with Nick Licata of the Seattle City Council. He is the one lone member of the Seattle City Council that is being vocal about what a bad idea the proposed fix for Mercer Street that Mayor Nickels has been pushing. I called him to tell him that I think there should be a State Referendum on the ballot. I need to do some research regarding that.

Anyway, Councilman Licata had some information sent to me regarding the streetcar network and the Mercer Project and some information on forums that will be coming up soon. He'll be speaking at the Fremont Chamber of Commerce meeting at noon on the 16th.

Below are the dates of the forums, and the link to the news release:

Tuesday, July 8th - Proposed Ballard/Fremont Line at Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67 Street, 4-6pm

Wednesday, July 9th - Proposed U-District Line at University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 4-6pm

Tuesday, July 15th - Proposed First Hill Line at Yesler Community Center, 917 E. Yesler Way, 4-6pm

http://www.seattle.gov/council/newsdetail.asp?ID=8599&Dept=28

The following is an email that Councilman Licata is sending out to Ballard and Crown Hill folks regarding the streetcar network:

Streetcar Network Forum Tuesday, July 8 4-6 p.m. Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 56th

I am e-mailing you as a resident or business owner in Ballard, Crown Hill, and nearby areas regarding the potential for a streetcar network in Seattle, how that might be funded, and how it might affect bus service in your neighborhood on routes 17, 18 and 28.

City Councilmember Jan Drago will be hosting a forum on a potential Fremont-Ballard Streetcar line on Tuesday, July 8 at the Nordic Heritage Museum.

The Seattle Department of Transportation is proposing a potential Fremont-Ballard Streetcar line that would run along from Downtown on Westlake to the Fremont Bridge, then over the bridge to 36th, then head westbound on 36th and Leary Way NW, then turn onto NW 46th, on to either Leary Way or Ballard Avenue, with a turnback adjacent to the Ballard Commons at 22nd NW and NW 57th. 

Cost: the estimated cost of the line is $135 million.  As with the South Lake Union Streetcar, likely around ½ the cost would be funded by nearby property owners. In order to fund 50% of construction, property owners near this line would need to pay approximately 2.2% of the assessed value of their property. For a $300,000 property, this would total $6,600.

The estimated annual O&M cost is $5.4 million. In order to fund operations, the Network Development Report proposes cuts in Metro service that could affect bus lines 17, 18 and 28.

There are no specifics at this point, but the preliminary operating cost summary assumed that 14,000 of the 80,000 hours in bus service on these lines would be cut. Any streetcar replacement would likely provide fewer hours of service, because streetcars cost 50% more to operate than a Metro bus. On the South Lake Union Streetcar, around 11,000 hours of service are provided at a cost of $2 million annually. 16,500 bus hours could be provided at the same cost.

As a Ballard/Crown Hill area resident, I thought you would be interested in knowing about this meeting, and encourage you to attend, find out more, and express your opinion.

I am going to post three attachments from him on my other blog: “Mercer Project Environmental Assessment Transportation Report , Summary of Key Points;” Letters to the Seattle Community Council from the Queen Anne Community Council and the Magnolia Community Club discussing their opposition to the 2-Way Mercer Transportation Project; and “STREETCARS AND MEETING SEATTLE’S TRANSIT NEEDS,” by Council Member Nick Licata

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website and the campaign blog is: http://emeraldcitytalk.com/wordpress/

Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.  Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

P.S.  The picture is of Collin my youngest grandchild born December 17, 2007.

Some of you may have not kept up-to-date on what is being planned for the Aurora Bridge. WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation) is planning a fence to line the Aurora Bridge. “The Washington State Legislature approved design funding for the Aurora Bridge fence project in the 2008 legislative session. Design work is under way on the fence, with construction starting in spring 2010.”

You may be wondering “why?” Since its construction, in 1931, the Aurora Bridge has been used by approximately 250 people to attempt suicide. Unfortunately, few of them realize Aurora is over nearly as much ground as water – and more and more people work, live or simply travel beneath the bridge.

The group “Seattle F.R.I.E.N.D.S.” organized to get a safety barrier constructed on Aurora to keep the people beneath the bridge safe as well as the folks attempting to jump to their deaths. The Seattle F.R.I.E.N.D.S. web site has links to three studies that show barriers do deter suicides.

When the Aurora Bridge was built, over 75 years ago, perhaps 100 people lived and worked beneath it. In late 2008, another office building standing in the shadow of the bridge will finish construction and bring the number of people living and working beneath Aurora closer to 2,000. Several residents and employees have spoken with horror about encountering a death, of the trauma of being witness to a jump. So far though, many people feel fortunate – no one has been physically hurt or killed by a body falling from the bridge deck.

Other options have been considered instead of a barrier, or fence.

A safety net slung beneath the bridge, to catch jumpers, would cost similar to a barrier in construction, according to Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT) estimates, but more in maintenance, cleaning (as it would catch litter) and frequent replacement.

Removal of pedestrian/bike access on the bridge was the first consideration of Seattle F.R.I.E.N.D.S., and it was quickly removed from the table. Both the City of Seattle and WSDOT have gone on the record stating their absolute determination to maintain all forms of transportation on the bridge. WSDOT analysis has shown sidewalk removal could lead bicyclists to use the vehicular surface, which could lead to an entirely new form of tragedy. Finally, this option does not deter those contemplating suicide from driving onto the bridge deck and pulling over.

The option of an enclosed walkway underneath Bridge, running the half-mile of the bridge surface and attached beneath it, was proposed in 2002. The project came estimated at $29 million, which today works out closer to $50 million. Representatives from FRIENDS have voiced safety concerns about an enclosed structure with limited access, where crime could breed.

A barrier built onto the historic structure won’t meet approval of all. The bridge is owned by Washington State and falls under management of WSDOT. However, the City of Seattle held a public workshop and design open house to discuss design issues. They’ve also done extensive outreach, to try to provide a platform for concerns among those who live and work closest to the bridge.

Many hold concerns about the historical nature of the bridge. The bridge structure is on the National Register of Historic Places, the Washington Heritage Register and is a designated landmark by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. Design of a barrier within these guidelines, and one that neither detracts nor overwhelms the existing structure isn’t going to be easy to do.

Without a final design, barrier construction is estimated at $4.3 million. That price includes physical costs, traffic control, permits (including those needed to make changes to a historic structure) and design. In March 2008, the State of Washington House and Senates passed a transportation budget that included $1.6 million dollars of this money, as authorized by Governor Christine Gregoire, to begin design and construction.

A very good article about this was written entitled "A matter of life and death" VIEW FROM THE KIRB/Kirby Lindsay 01/24/2008 for the Pacific Publishing Company.

For more information, check out www.seattlefriends.org., or check their MySpace and facebook pages.   Also, you can read more about the issue from under the bridge at http://www.pacificpublishingcompany.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19228896&BRD=855&PAG=461&dept_id=517907&rfi=8  And WSDOT Projects has information on their website.

Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

Hey, Did you know my grandmother is running for WA State Rep.?

Blossforthe36th.com is the link to my campaign website and the campaign blog is: http://emeraldcitytalk.com/wordpress/