01/27/04


The Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance
Community E-nouncements
" The RNA Neighborhood"

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The Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance's (RNA) mission is to advocate for and inform the community within the RNA boundaries. This is a community-based alliance of residents, local businesses and institutions whose aim is to preserve and enhance the quality of life and to help shape the future of the neighborhood.

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Announcements for January 27, 2004

1. RNA's Annual Meeting February 4th
Watch for your newsletter! Also available at University Branch Library, University Family YMCA, University Heights Center and the University Neighborhood Service Center.
- Thank you to all who are helping with the newsletter delivery!

2. Maybe our last chance to influence Sound Transit’s decision and save 30 neighborhood homes. Northgate Link Comment Period Ends this Friday, January 30.
Do you want others to decide for you?

It's easy - submit your comments using the online comment form by logging onto http://www.soundtransit.org/linkrail/linkrail.htm .

Speak up for A1.1, or Sound Transit may get the wrong impression that you don't care what happens.

The Northgate Link route will pass through our RNA neighborhood; Sound Transit will select the final route from three options this winter; two of which would tear down as many as 38 homes in our quiet bungalow neighborhood, with possible multifamily development changing it forever!

3. University District Housing Incentives Workshop - January 29

Neighborhood turnout is important!

City staff will present plans for setting new codes for building heights, parking requirements, builder incentives, etc. for the University District that could effect the character and livability of the District for years to come.

4. Don't forget! Voting Day - February 3!
On February 3, 2004, Seattle voters will be asked to approve the renewal of two school levies. Each needs a 60% “YES” vote for passage.

5. City Council Members to Hold "Community Days" - dates in February


Scroll down for details & More (6 - 9)

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1. RNA's Annual Meeting

Mark Your Calendar

When: Wed., February 4
Time: 7 - 9 PM
Where: University Child Development School, 5062 9th Ave NE. (Thank you, UCDS!!)
Meeting to be held in the old school building, entrance off of 9th Ave NE

On the agenda:
Meet King County District 2 Councilmember Bob Fergusson, learn about how King County government works and how it serves our community.
Diane Horswill, SPD Crime Prevention and Disaster Preparedness, will speak on crime in our neighborhood and what we can do about it. Also, she will share information garnered by the North and East Precinct Crime Task Force. and share information on how we can deal with "problem" houses in our neighborhood with intelligent legislation in the future.
Also:
Current Regular members (dues-paying) vote on Bylaw amendments to add purpose statement and a proposed new Neighborhood Membership classification (a non-dues paying, non-voting membership).
Update - Landmark Fence Project for University Playground Park .
Election of 2004 RNA Board of Directors
Thank you to the following Board nominees!:

Officers:
Karen Schmidt, President
Nancy Bocek, Vice President
Tina Roush, Treasurer
Angela Storey*, Secretary

Members-at-Large:
Susan Coleman
Carmen Cook*
Mark Gardner
Mary Hausladen
Paul Willard*

*New to the Board in 2004

Everyone is welcome! We encourage your involvement!

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2. Maybe our last chance to influence Sound Transit’s decision and save 30 neighborhood homes.

Northgate Link Comment Period ends this Friday, January 30.

Do you want others to decide for you?

It's easy - submit your comments using the online comment form by logging onto http://www.soundtransit.org/linkrail/linkrail.htm .

A link to the Northlink EIS and other information is also available on that website.
The Executive Summary is a good place to start, and you can get an overview including maps.
The EIS is also available at the University Branch Library.
Read information below to learn more about RNA's preferences for the Northlink alignments, or please reply to this "e-nouncement".

Send Comments by January 30th to:
James Irish, Link Environmental Manager
Sound Transit
401 S Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104-2826

Or e-mail to LinkSEIS@soundtransit.org

Questions? Contact Liz Ellis, Community Outreach Coordinator, at (206) 398-5283.

For a free copy of the Executive Summary or CD-ROM of Volume I and II, or a hard copy of the document at small cost by contacting:
Lauren Swift,
Sound Transit
Union Station
401 S. Jackson St.
Seattle WA
98104-2826,
(206) 398-5445 or (206) 398-5000 or (888) 713-6030 TTY.


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RNA encourages you to voice your concerns and alignment choices now. The comment does not have to be long or in depth, but your opinion should be heard or Sound Transit will believe you don't care.:

Don't let this opportunity slip past. Sound Transit will make the FINAL choice on the North Link routes from Downtown to Northgate after the comment period ends on January 30. Many powerful entities are weighing in on which alignment is "preferred". The community is powerful, too, but only if we speak up. The RNA’s commitment to advocating to have this project done right has been in place since 1990, and we do not want to have worked for so long to save the neighborhood, only to lose focus at the last stage.

Remember that more than 30 of our RNA Neighborhood homes could be removed and replaced by a light rail portal and tracks if Sound Transit chooses alternative A1.2.


RNA suggests you consider the following points.

Segment A includes the route from roughly NE 45th to Northgate, and is the segment that most directly impacts RNA.
The RNA encourages support of Alignment A1.1, the 12th Avenue Tunnel. This route best supports the adopted Neighborhood Plan and includes the least amount of disruption to established affordable single-family neighborhoods.

The RNA strongly opposes Alignment A2.1b or A2.1c that would remove most of the houses on the west side of 8th Ave NE between the Mormon Temple and Ravenna Blvd., although the two log houses would be spared. In addition Alignment A2.1b would also require construction at the University Heights Community Center site, directly impacting the farmers market.

If you want to comment further on other segments, Segment B includes the route from downtown to NE 45th (with some stations extending to NE 47th). There are two primary north University District station alternative locations, NE 45th at 15th NE or Brooklyn at NE 47th. There are good and bad points about each of these locations. At this time the RNA has not developed a clear preference for one over the other.

The RNA does support a Montlake alignment to reach the University District from downtown. This alignment would have the highest ridership and provide direct access to Husky Stadium, the UW Hospital and the south end of the UW campus.

RNA has not taken a position on which of the routes between Montlake and downtown would be preferable.

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Thank you to Jay Regenstreif for reviewing the Northgate Link SEIS and helping the RNA Board formulate our response. Thanks, also, to Steve Wirbilowicz and Nick DiMartino for creating signs to post in the 8th Ave NE neighborhood.

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" The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson

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3. University District Housing Incentives Workshop

Thursday, January 29, 2004
6:30-8:30 pm
University Heights Center, Room 110
5031 University Way NE

A strong neighborhood attendance is important as the decisions made could effect the character and livability of the District for years to come. Tell your interested neighbors!

University District residents will learn the city's ., and we will have a chance to ask questions and give opinions. Staff attending from the City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Development, Office of Economic Development, Office of Housing, and Department of Neighborhoods to learn about efforts to increase housing in the University District.

Send your feedback to:

U-District Housing Stimulus Goals
Housing Incentives
Possible Code Amendments

For more information, contact:
Mark Troxel
Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
City of Seattle
(206) 615-1739
mark.troxel@seattle.gov

Also, here is the same information publicizing the housing meeting on January 29, both as a PDF (attached) and the link to the online version: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/news/UDist_Housing_Workshop_1-29-04.pdf.

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4. Don't forget! Voting Day - February 3!

On February 3, 2004, Seattle voters will be asked to approve the renewal of two school levies. Each needs a 60% “YES” vote for passage.

• The Operating Levy provides nearly one-quarter of the Seattle School District’s operating funds
• The Capital Levy provides funds for critical building improvements and technology

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5. City Council Members to Hold "Community Days"

Community workshops in six areas of the city offer opportunity for citizen input.

Contact: Krista Bunch, 206 684-5325
Erika Nuerenberg, 206 233-3981
Martin Munguia, 206 684-8159

Members of the Seattle City Council will hit the streets in the coming weeks, touring neighborhoods, meeting citizens at local coffee shops and restaurants, and holding community workshops to discuss the Council's tentative 2004 legislative priorities. It will be the first opportunity for the newly elected and veteran Council members to work together with citizens to address community concerns.

"I am encouraged to see the Council coming together to work with communities and continue to find ways to solve the problems in Seattle,"said Council President Jan Drago, who helped organize the Community
Days. "The workshops will help us gauge the relevance of the work we're doing. This Council wants to promote an open dialogue with citizens to help us set our priorities for 2004."

The community events will occur after a Council retreat on January 30, when tentative 2004 legislative priorities are set, but before a second retreat in late February when priorities are finalized. This timeline
leaves flexibility to allow for citizens to influence the process.

At least two Council members will be present for each Community Day, which will begin at 3:30 p.m. with casual activities such as walking tours of neighborhoods, informal office hours at neighborhood service
centers, visits to neighborhood matching fund sites or parks, or coffee with neighbors at local businesses. Following the community events, a more structured community dialogue will take place from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The schedule for City Council Community Days is as follows:
February 3: Capitol Hill/Central District events; workshop at Miller Community Center
February 5: Lake City events; workshop at Nathan Hale High School
February 10: Southwest Seattle events; workshop at Chief Sealth High School
February 11: South Seattle/Beacon Hill events; workshop at Rainier Cultural Center
February 12: Downtown/Queen Anne events; workshop at Downtown YWCA
February 18: Ballard/Magnolia events; workshop at Ballard Community Center

Because seating at the workshop locations may be limited, members of the public wishing to attend the community workshops are asked to RSVP by January 31 to Krista Bunch (684-5325 or Krista.Bunch@Seattle.Gov) or Erika Nuerenberg (233-3981 or Erika.Nuerenberg@Seattle.Gov). Additional
details and addresses for the workshops will be posted on the Council's Web site at www.cityofseattle.net/council.

(A note from RNA: the NE Seattle neighborhoods are aware that there are not tours/workshop/etc planned for our communities. The Council contact suggested that the NE residents go to one of the planned events as they are open to all.
RNA is following up on this and will share information when available. Please contact the above people listed with your questions/concerns.)

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More:
6. Put your Mark in the Park - Landmark Fence Foundation Stones!
7. Yes, Join!
8. Websites
9. The 2003 RNA Organization

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6. Put your Mark in the Park - Landmark Fence Foundation Stones!

As we are moving into the construction bidding phase, your donation is needed as soon as possible to help plan for the Landmark Fence construction at University Playground Park.

Make your mark on our Landmark Fence: donate to the Foundation Stones fundraiser! Fill out those forms and mail them in! (brochure attached as PDF)

All sizes of contributions are appreciated. Low income options are available.

Don't have a form? Please contact Nancy by replying to this email.

Foundation Stones Examples:

SANTERI & MARJORIE

VOUTILAINEN

THE SLETTEBAKS ROCK!

PENELOPE

ALEXANDRA

PETERSON

BORN 1-18-03

DICK & LORI MONSON

STEVE G. YOUNG

THE HORNS ON ELEVENTH AVENUE SINCE 1948


Thank you to all contributors for supporting this community park project!

Major contributors to date are SAFECO Insurance, Starbucks Coffee Company, The Seattle Foundation, Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust "B", King County Special Program Grants (through King County Councilmember Cynthia Sullivan), Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods, University Child Development School and UCDS Parent Association.

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" While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many." Lady Bird Johnson

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7. Yes, Join!


The RNA's name says it all - we're an "alliance" of neighbors, grass roots and community lead. RNA is as strong as its membership, so help us achieve our goals by being an active member: come to our meetings and take part in making positive changes to improve our community.

RNA isn't about money, everyone in our community matters. But dues-paying members are the ones that are tallied as RNA "members", which is important for validating our organization to the city, other organizations and grant makers. Due-paying members get the newsletter out, pay for stamps, support RNA organizational expenses.

Dues range from a welcomed $10 to a more generous contribution of $30 (or more).

To join: Send in the membership form!
To renew: Are you current? Please check your last/next newsletter mailing label for the due date!

Its easy....

1. Print this email and clip the form. Or copy and paste onto a document.
(To print this email message and avoid printing entire message - on the print menu select one of the pages! I.e. # 2 out of 1 - 4. "Print preview"shows the page organization, if you have that option.)

2. Mail to:

The Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance
C/o University Neighborhood Service Center
4534 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105

Or, log on to RNA's on-line membership form:http://www.scn.org/rna/forms/mem_form.htm

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RNA 2004 Membership Form

Please print and mail your membership today - Don’t Delay!

Name _______________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

City __________________________________________________________________ Zip ___________________

Phone ______________________________________ E-mail _______________________________________

" I would like to join the Roosevelt Neighbors’ Alliance with a one year, tax-deductible membership":

Single $25 ____ Family $30 ____ Limited Inc. $10 ____ Contributing $50 ____ Business $50____ Benefactor $100 ____

Volunteers are crucial to the vitality of our organization - so please say "Yes, I would like to volunteer some of my time to help RNA serve our neighborhood!":

Mailings _________ Special Projects ________ Telephone _______ Short Duration Tasks_______

" I would like to donate additional funds towards":
University Playground Park Fund and the Landmark Fence project (artwork fence, new perimeter fence, ball field and tennis court improvements). Please inform us if your employer will match your donation.
Land use - Your direct support will assist us in our endeavors towards a livable community.
(Please write the dollar amount and "Park Fund" or "Land Use Fund" in memo - Otherwise donation will go into the 'general fund'.)

Membership forms are also in all RNA newsletters. Newsletters can be found at the University Branch Library, University Neighborhood Service Center, University Heights Center for the Community and the University Family YMCA. Or newsletters are available by mail; for these please reply to this message, call Nancy Bocek 632-7760, or write Nancy Bocek 5011 9th Ave NE, 98105. Newsletters are provided with your membership.

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8. Websites
Visit RNA's website: http://www.scn.org/rna

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Website for Northeast Seattle calendar and news: Northeast Seattle is a web source for community news, events and information. http://www.northeastseattle.com/home.htm

Maple Leaf Neighborhood bulletin board: http://www.MapleLeafNeighborhood.org

Daylighting Ravenna Creek in Cowen Park:
http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/projects/RavennaCreekatCowen.htm

City Council Website http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/council This is a link to the City Council homepage through which you can visit each individual councilmember's site. You can also choose to go to the mayor's, which is hyperlinked to the above web site.

Citywide Directory http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/directory/ This is a great resource for looking up city employees, departments and services.

Access Washington http://access.wa.gov/ State government and services information and links.

Metropolitan King County Council homepage http://www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/members/members.htm Links and information for King County Council.
Panorama showing 95 years of change in our beautiful city: http://www.kokogiak.com/projects/seawft/reveal_3a.html .

One especially good site is History Link: http://www.historylink.org/ This site is great for student research. It includes very good short "Magic Lantern Tours" (several by Paul Dorpat) and a personal file for keeping essays, images, links and notes.

Historic Seattle: Historic Seattle, founded in 1974, is the only city-wide nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation of Seattle's architectural legacy. www.historicseattle.org

A great resource is the Seattle Times "150 Years: Seattle By and By"/"Seattle Through the Years" from November 13, 2001: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/local/seattle_history/articles/timeline.html . This site has good links to other history sites as well. You can spend hours looking through them. (As I have!)

Another Seattle Times resource of Census 2000 data in "Your Neighborhood": I especially like the maps showing income distribution, growth and population density. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/census2000/yncharts/nw/map/newzip_dbf61_m10000.html

More details on the Census 2000 can be researched at: http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html

Powers of Ten View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Just to get a more universal perspective! http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html


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9. The 2003 RNA Organization

Officers:
Karen Schmidt, President
Nancy Bocek, Vice President
Tina Roush, Treasurer

Members-at-Large:
Kate Campbell
Mark Gardner
Mary Hausladen
Susan Coleman

Also:

Arn Slettebak, Daylighting Ravenna Creek Representative
Eric Larson, CUCAC Representative, Land Use Advisor
Mary Hausladen, University Playground Park Committee Co-Chair
Mark Gardner, Land Use Committee
Nancy Bocek, Newsletter editor and University Playground Park Committee Co-Chair
Phillip Thiel, Land Use Advisor
Susan Coleman, NEDC Representative, Ave Group and U-D Arts and Heritage Committee Representative

Many other volunteers have given much appreciated help in 2003-4 to deliver newsletters and leaflets, help produce the newsletter and website, volunteered to do project outreach, decision-making and more :

(Including) Mark Bocek, Lyla Ciardi, Carmen Cook, Bartley Dobb, Sharon Dunn, Betsy Friedland, Darcey Harding, Ylva Hernlund, Tracy Hager, Catherine Hinrichsen, Joan Horn, Patricia and Patrick Keenan, Jennifer Kuhn, Sarah Larson (and friends), Susan MacKenzie, Bob Martin, Nick DiMartino, Valerie Mehring, Jennifer Peterson, Bill Purdy, Jay Regenstreif, Jane Rowley, Arn and Kathy Slettebak, Lucy Sloman, Julian Wheeler, Mary Wills, Mina Wirth, Corinne Cook, and Steve Wirbilowicz.

Volunteer opportunities include: Board of Directors, land use, transportation, University Playground Park, U-D open space, membership, grant writing, newsletter and website. Your participation is welcomed.

The RNA is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

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You are welcome to contribute to this "e-nouncement". Please submit your announcement or other information in ready-to-go paragraph form, either in an email message or as a Word document to nancybocek@att.net . The Editor and the RNA Board reserve the right to accept or deny materials submitted and otherwise edit to suit "e-nouncement" format.

Information presented in this e-mail newsletter is not necessarily the position, policy or activity of the Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance. The Editor and the RNA Board may choose to post information of an educational or informative nature that might be of interest to the community in compliance with the purpose of the RNA organization to inform and educate the community on all issues that pertain to the quality of life in our neighborhood.

To request to be removed from this list please email nancybocek@att.net .

--- Nancy Bocek, Newsletter Editor


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