February 2008, Volume 10, Issue 1
(click here
to return to Northern Neighbors Home Page)
February
2008
(click here to return to top of page)
Mark your Calendars!
Neighborhood
Meeting
Thursday February 21, 2008 7:00 PM -
2100 Broadway (corner of Broadway and Halleck)
Elections, Small and Simple Grants, Traffic
Improvement Requests for
Arterials and Residential Streets, Linda Stewart
new City Neighborhood
Coordinator, Fountain District Updates:
Board Meeting:
Tuesday March 18, 2008 7:00 PM -
______________________________________________________
Saturday
February 23, 2008 -
Broadway Youth Center
2317 Broadway (corner Broadway
and Dupont)
Parkview 50th Celebration
Friday May 9, 2008
6:00-8:00 PM - Parkview
Elementary
A free evening of fun and BINGO
It’s time to renew your CPNA membership
Only members can vote in
the elections.
Neighborhood Notes – 10th
Anniversary of Incorporation & Notes on Two Decades of Activities, Part 1 John McGarrity
This
year it is ten years since incorporation (and 18 years of my activism on behalf
of our neighborhood ). The goal of our association, incorporated or otherwise, has been to build
community, in our neighborhood and the whole city. We assist other
neighborhoods in this endeavor as well.
What
follows is a list of some of our activities to support these goals since 1990:
Supported
We supported every School Levy and Bond.
We supported every City Grant to the school
We lobbied and pushed for the bus turnaround
We worked with the Parks Department and attorney Joe Pemberton to maintain
city and school ownership of the former right of way abutting the school
playground. The lack of clear title had kept the district from adding buildings
to the school, like a lunch room.
In 2006, when it was proposed to build a road across the playing field on
this former right of way, we turned out about 250 people to a meeting to oppose
this proposal. That proposal included the generous provision of walling off the
school from the road, the play field and
We fought, for a traffic light at
Up
coming issues of our newsletter will continue with this list of what we have
done to further our neighborhood goals:Growth,
Pavement, and Community - Our big Issue and
All those other things: Greenways,
CPNA Elections- Bill
Hadley
Elections for CPNA Officers And
Board Members will be held at our February 21st meeting. Candidates standing for election, some of
whom were appointed by the Board since last years elections are: Karen Margrethe Bruun for treasurer,
Keith Poynter for Area 1 Rep., Camille Hackler for
Area 3 Rep., Cameron McLaughlin for At Large Rep. Position 1 and Rick Qualls
for At Large Rep. Position 2. Additional nominations may be made at the
meeting if desired.
Rick Qualls
Tentatively we have set the
opening for February 23, but
there are many loose ends to tie up. The
first week of February we’ll be finishing up the physical improvements on the
buildings and the property; then final approval from the City to get the center
up and running. It has been a wonderful journey to this point. We are looking
forward to getting the doors open, and then the real work begins!
We appreciate the
support from businesses and friends in the neighborhood, we have a number of
partners from the neighborhood working on the "pieces to the puzzle",
including students from
Appreciations:
John McGarrity for all the time, effort, and diligence
you have given to our neighborhood and it’s
livability!
Bill Hadley retiring
newsletter creator, distributor…….
Mitch
Friedman stepping into the long vacant Vice Chair position.
Karen Margrethe Bruun , Keith Poynter, Camille
Hackler, Cameron McLaughlin, and Rick Qualls for
stepping-in to fill Board and Area Rep. vacancies along with all the other ways
they support our neighborhood.
Linda Crawford and
Barney Goltz for so willingly sharing his knowledge and political savvy over the
years.
Neighborhood Traffic- edited
from Columbia Neighborhood Association update
It is time once again to put in our yearly requests to the City for capital
improvements, and traffic calming in our neighborhood. We will have updates on our requests from
last year and discuss our requests for this year at the membership meeting.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Due March 1, 2008.
We can identify ONE need for a
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT on an arterial or a collector. Arterials in our neighborhood
are
Neighborhood
Traffic Safety Program (NTSP) Due April 1, 2008.
We can identify THREE residential streets for which we want
traffic counts and evaluations for the
purpose of getting some traffic calming measures there. Public Works
Transportation dept. then will do a traffic count on each and evaluate whether
or not conditions merit intervention. They consider traffic count, speed, and
number of accidents.
Only 5 residential streets were judged eligible for traffic calming measures
out of last years citywide requests.
There was LOTS of confusion with this program a numbers of arterials and
collectors were proposed, but also many eligible streets were not deemed
sufficiently trafficked to require intervention.
Jury Duty Identity Theft Scam
This from Crime Prevention
Most of us take summons for jury
duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and
ominous kind of scam has surfaced. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator.
If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer
asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can
verify the I information and cancel the arrest
warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo; your identity just got
stolen. The scam has been
reported so far in 11 states and is particularly insidious
because they use intimidation over the
phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they're with
the court system. The FBI and the federal courts system have issued nationwide
alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud. Check it out
here: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.ht
Remember NEVER give out
sensitive information by phone or e-mail.
CPNA To
Do List
Hospital
access and the coming gridlock on Sunset, freeway interchange Working with local government and the
State Department of Transportation a plan to improve access needs to be
developed and funded.
Fountain
District..
Planning for this "
Neighborhood Mapping. Disaster planning and Preparation. See article October issue
Lunchroom
for Parkview..
Our children still eat in the gym. After 50 years maybe it is our turn for some
new construction.
The Fountain District “Urban
Village” an Overview- John McGarrity
The Fountain District is an area of
businesses which adjoins
The Process. The three neighborhoods
representatives, working with the COB Planning Department, will prepare a line
of action that will organize the discussion with the goal of being ready to
submit a Design and Master Plan that has the overwhelming support of residents
and businesses of the three neighborhoods as well as the COB by the December
2008 deadline.
We are gathering information on Neighbor needs and
desires to help come up with workable solutions to address the
concerns/problems that come up in the planning process. Professors of planning
at WWU, Realtors, Architects and other professionals have agreed to meet
several times, as we develop our proposal, to offer suggestions, comments,
critique, and support.
Here is my current outlook/proposal, not agreed to
by anyone. It is based on a building I lived in. I offer it up to get the
conversation going and to start feedback. Note the address set up specifically
for this issue listed at the articles end.
Create an
Continued
next page
Continued from previous page
But to build up
a developer would be required to:
Develop a whole block.
Provide parking underground.
Install Elevators.
Design for all ages, and physical needs.
Have setbacks in rear of building, decks, and
screening.
Have lobbies w/ storage room for bikes, strollers,
wheelchairs.
Top floor apartments – penthouse with large deck
and deep setbacks.
Fund new and/or repairs to alley fencing and
garages of neighboring lots.
Limits on store size – shops that would serve our
several neighborhoods.
Screen to minimize impacts to adjacent areas.
What do you think?
SEND YOUR THOUGHTS TO:
Fountaindistrict@gmail.com
Small & Simple
Grant
Applications
for Small and Simple Grants are submitted by January 31 every year. We are
applying for another City of
Parkview
at 50! Working with the PTA we will help with the celebration. We would provide planting materials and possibly
some art commemorating the efforts to restore salmon and their habitat on Squalicum Creek.
Signs to be placed on streets announcing neighborhood meetings. Ideas
for good locations are welcome at
the meeting.
Thousand of
more flowers in public spaces and some screening from traffic. Noah
Booker (Broadway island planting project) procured bulbs at an unbelievable
price.
The
With the completion of the site
plan and fountain concept, we are now seeking further funding for the
completion of the different components. Many different agencies and businesses are supporting the
project with further planning, technical assistance, and commitments to help
with work on the site.
RE Sources / RE Store is
applying for another Small and Simple grant to keep the project moving ahead. To get involved in improving
this gateway to three neighborhoods and namesake of the Fountain District,
please contact Jason Darling, RE Store Outreach & Marketing Manager via
email at jason@re-store.org.
Parkview is turning 50!
Wendy Albrecht
Please join us in celebrating 50 years for out little neighborhood school. We
will be having a celebration Friday,
May 9th from 6:00-8:00. There will be tours of the school, recognizing of
our wonderful alumni, followed by BINGO. The evening is free and open to
the public.
We are also looking for alumni that may have some class photos or a story to
share. Please contact Wendy 671-1973 or Cynthia 715-8551 if you would
like to be involved.
Hope to see you there!
Winter Driving Tips
Accident rates increase this
time of the year due to the driving conditions. Here are some basic tips to
remember for winter driving:
1. Clean off all windows first.
This may mean you need to plan for more time before hand, think ahead! Stay with your car as it warms up. Too
often vehicles are stolen
while left unattended and running.
2. Know the weather. Check with
local TV, radio and newspapers. You can also call 511
for phone recorded weather briefings.
3. Always use your turn signals.
4. Drive with your headlights
on.
5. Allow for greater stopping
distance. It usually takes 3 times longer to stop when the roads are wet, icy or snow covered.
6. Do
not look directly into oncoming headlights.
7.
Try to anticipate others action, give them plenty of space. Do not follow too
closely.
8.
Consider public transportation during difficult driving conditions.
9.
When the roadways become too hazardous to drive, stay home.
Keep water, snacks like granola
bars or fruit nut mix, and a blanket in your car in case you get stranded. Get
fuel before your gauge is lower than 1/4 tank.
CPNA
Officers
Chair John McGarrity, 738-9695, after 10:30 a.m.
Vice Chair: Mitch Friedman 527-8542
Secretary: Linda Crawford 671-5158
Treasurer: Karen Margrethe Bruun, 752-2676
Mayor’s Ad. Bd. Rep.: Camille Hackler, 738-9993
At Large Representatives:
Pos. 1: Cameron McLaughlin, 756-6951
Pos. 2: Rick Qualls, 734-9003 or 752-1903
Pos. 3: Bill Hadley, 734-1815
Pos. 4:
Area
Representatives
1 Keith Poynter
733-9240
2 Donna
Holmes
676-9993
3
Camille Hackler
738-9993
4
Chris Bowling
738-2756
Membership Form
$5.00 per Individual $10.00 per
Family or Business
Name(s)_______________________________________
Date_______________
Address__________________________________________________________
Phone_________________
E-Mail______________________________________
Yes, I want to be an active
participant. Please call me
Please list your interests, talents,
comments or concerns.
Check here if you are willing to
help deliver newsletters!
Mail this form and your membership check payable to:
May 2007
(click here to go back to top of page)
Mark Your Calendars
Tuesday May 22nd - 7:00 p.m. -
Thursday June 21st - 7:00 p.m. -
Wednesday July 18th - 7:00 p.m. -
Wednesday August 22nd - 5:00 p.m. - CPNA Picnic -
Come joins us Tuesday May 22nd as we discuss many issues
important to our neighborhood. We will
be voting on the changes to our bylaws which were discussed at our last
meeting. The changes are being made to
conform with city requirements. Work proceeds on the historical designation
for the Broadway Park Plat. We will hear
a report. The Planned Development Permit
for the new office building at 3200 Squalicum is
available on the planning department web site for anyone who wants to study
details of the project. Two “Small and
Simple” grants have been approved, Broadway Median
Landscaping and Fountain Plaza Improvements, and work will be getting under
way. Evidence of progress on the
Neighborhood
Notes: by John McGarrrity
Northern Neighbors: So what is
it? For the moment Association leader’s are calling it a “working committee”
The neighborhood associations are, though common interests, common work, and
mutual respect, developing our understanding of what is possible when we
cooperate. See elsewhere this issue reports on some of the activities, all will
be on the agenda of our member’s meeting.
Initial results: Advocating
for more park space in underserved areas. (ongoing)
Squalicum Lofts
Candidates Forum 1
Reorganization of the Birchwood
Association
Ongoing: Fountain
District business & affordable housing project. (partial
funding)
Supporting the
Soon: Design a new
Fountain Pocket Park.. (funded)
Elm Street/
Bug
Lake/Area
Election Forum: Northern
Neighbors held a Mayoral Candidates Forum on May 2, 2007 at Broadway Hall. Over 160
attended. With a welcome by Columbia President, Katie Hinton and an
introduction of candidates Julie Guy,
Moderator and Cordata treasurer. All announced
candidates were there, Seth Fleetwood, Bill Gorman, Don Keenan, Dan McShane, Dan Pike, Bob
Ryan. The questioning was rigorous.
The forum was sponsored by Northern Neighbors: Birchwood,
Northern Neighbors Web Site: The new web site is well worth a look. Gina Gobo from the Cornwall Park N.H.working
with others from the other neighborhoods has put together an attractive web
site that shows promise of being a valuable tool for communication and
cooperation between neighborhoods. The
format will provide access to a large amount of useful information. Watch it grow.
DOT Site: The site is
located on the east side of St. Sophia’s Church on Sunset. Drive. Sunnyland has been meeting to discuss changes in the
neighborhood over the last 10 years and neighborhood plan proposals that would
address associated problems. The new owners of the site have agreed to sit down
with their new neighbors. That meeting is scheduled for May 14th. We
will be discussing the results, if any at our member meeting. CPNA will be
working with and supporting our friends and neighbors in Sunnyland.
City Council: Welcome back Don Gischer. Don was appointed after the death of Joan
Beardsley to the Ward 4 Council seat, serving the rest of this year, standing
for election in November. Don brings 12
years of council experience back to city hall. We are pleased to see that Gene
Knutson is recovering (back injury) and has resumed his council duties. While we are disappointed that he has been
eliminated from Mayoral candidacy we are happy to have him continue to serve us
on the city council.
Small and Simple Grants: CPNA and the
Letter Streets Neighborhood Association will receive funding to care for the
trees on the Broadway traffic islands and among other things plant about 1,000
bulbs. Thank you Noah Booker for getting this grant and
managing this grant for us. The first grant Noah has written and already
he is batting a 1000 (bulbs.)! Although Noah, who is an arborist and landscape
designer, and Shannon, both of whom have landscape design companies, are
volunteering their time (including crew time), volunteers, especially our
neighbors, on Broadway are needed.
Robyn Dupre, Restore, and Katie Hinton,
City-wide neighborhood disaster
preparedness committee formed: The
city has asked all 21 of our neighborhood associations to participate in a
city-wide planning process to build and strengthen disaster readiness among
neighbors. This is because, in a major disaster, your most immediate source of
help will be your neighbors. In major disasters our first responders are not
able to handle all the citizen and community needs. Communication and infrastructure systems go
down. Damage can overwhelm our emergency
response capabilities. Knowing what to do in the first hours of a disaster
response may help you save a life, reduce the severity of possible injuries,
and reduce the amount of damage the neighborhood sustains. The city's emergency management staff is
working with a committee of neighborhood association representatives to plan
for implementing a step by step program for neighborhood readiness called “Map
Your Neighborhood (MYN)”. They will hold their first meeting this month and
from there begin the work of neighborhood disaster preparedness. See BTV10’s
May edition of “Inside Bellingham” for more about our disaster preparedness.
The Bellingham Parks and Rec. Advisory
Board and the Parks Dept. have introduced two features to make
your park and trails experience more pleasant, new signs reminding dog owners
of their responsibilities and a code of behavior for trail users called
SHARE
THE TRAILS.
1. All
Trail Users:
> Be aware and
respectful of other trail users.
> Represent your
sport/activity well to the community.
> Keep trails
clean.
> Stay on trails;
do not create informal paths into sensitive areas.
> Use crosswalks
with caution.
2.
Yield to:
> Bicyclists yield
to pedestrians and horses.
> Pedestrians
yield to horses (clearly alert horseback riders when
approaching from
behind).
3.
Walkers:
> Stay to the
right of an imaginary line down the center of a trail.
> Allow room for
others passing, do not go three or more abreast on a trail.
> Move to the
right when a passing user shouts “Passing on your left”.
> If walking your
pet, pull him close to allow safe passing.
4.
Runners:
> Alert users when
passing from behind.
5.
Bikers:
> Alert trail
users by voice (“passing on the left”) and/or bell before
passing from
behind.
> Travel at a
speed that respects the safety of others.
6.
IPOD/headphone/cell phone users:
> Adjust volume to
hear alerts from passing users.
7.
Dog Owners:
> Dogs should be
under control in off-leash areas.
> Dogs should be
on-leash and under control in on-leash areas.
GREET
YOUR FELLOW TRAIL USERS
Mini Editorial: In June, the City Council will be
discussing placing on the November ballot whether to have a City Charter review
next year. Why a Charter review now?
Proposed issues for that commission would include: Taking away your right to vote for Mayor,
Eliminating several City Council positions, Full time pay for the remaining
council members, Change the City Attorney to an elected position, Anything that they want.
Are these questions being discussed now in our town? Are these issues
your pressing issues? Our City need to
stay focused on important issues facing us now.
Community Process to Begin Redesigning Fountain: by Jason Darling RE Sources / RE Store will
be facilitating a community design process to discover how we can enhance the
The plan is to have the bulk of the work done on the
The after school programs (tutoring, etc.)
will begin as soon as possible. During the Summer
there will be a lot of activity both at the center and in the
neighborhood. There is still a lot to be
done, but it exciting to see the plan come together! Every day new people come
by or telephone wanting to be involved. It continues to show the
"heart" of the neighborhoods. "We can do this together" For
more information call, Rick Qualls at 739-3921.
Do we
have what it takes to become a National Historic District?
Volunteers
will be on hand to explain and discuss the process of nominating the
For more information contact Heidi Wassan
738-1363