I’ve always loved this little number from Guys and Dolls.
Daily archives for May 15th, 2010
Renton’s draft Shoreline Master Program continues to generate comments and controversy
May15
2010
Written by Randy Corman
2010
Written by Randy Corman
A couple months ago I wrote about the complex and controversial process of developing a significant update to Renton’s Shoreline Master Program.
As this plan makes it’s way through Planning Commission, Planning and Development Committee, and eventually the Renton City Council (which has received one briefing so far), it seems that the controversy has not abated… at least, not if I judge by the correspondence and comments I have been receiving.
Far and away the most correspondence has come from lakefront property owners concerned about possible losses of use and value to their property, non-conformance of currently conforming docks and bulkheads, increased set-back requirements, and other issues.
At the council briefing on this topic a couple weeks ago, I had asked for further clarification about how Renton’s proposed rules compare to nearby cities. I made the comment at that meeting that it would seem to me that our approach should be compared to Mercer Island’s, since we are sitting on opposite sides of a common channel. Note: After writing this, I received a comment that the Mercer Island plan was rejected by the State Department of Ecology. (see comments below)
The council received the following memo two days ago on this topic from our staff. Click on each image to enlarge it… and then you may have to click it again to read it in your browser.
Memo page 1
Memo page 2
Comparison Table
Comparison Table Notes
For those of you interested in this subject, you can find city documents and meeting schedules here.
I look forward to further discussion on this topic. Meanwhile, our Renton City Council Planning and Development Committee is working hard to process your comments and inputs.
New Facebook group forms to combat prostitution in Renton
May15
2010
Written by Randy Corman
2010
Written by Randy Corman
A new Facebook group has recently sprung up, called “City of Renton; Behind the Curve on Prostitution” Here is a link.
The new group is sharing information about suspected locations of prostitution activities, and pushing for increased resources to combat them.
We do take prostitution crimes very seriously at city hall. While some may mistakenly believe that this is mostly a victimless crime, there is actually a great deal of sexual/physical abuse and human trafficking associated with it. In addition, violators run down neighborhoods and set-back economic development efforts.
I’ve addressed this in previous journal entries, such as this one here
The city has been addressing prostitution in a number of ways. Our police have been raiding locations where the crime occurs, and arresting prostitutes, their pimps, and their customers. More recently we’ve been testing some new tactics such as contacting all the parties with financial interest in real property where this crime occurs, such as mortgage holders (banks), to let them know when their properties have become sites for prostitution and subject to police actions, code enforcement actions, or other litigation; we are working with these stakeholders to get repeat-offenders evicted from their locations and from our city.
We are open to any other ideas on how to combat this problem, and perhaps some will come from the new Facebook group.
Backlog of blogs I want to post; some birthday activities delayed me a few days
May15
2010
Written by Randy Corman
2010
Written by Randy Corman
I’m in the midst of posting several new articles. I got delayed by some fun birthday activities and a few other obligations. Here is one birthday photo that is a little scary.
There are not even 48 candles, and it still looks like it could burn the house down
As a reminder, I am exactly the same age as the Space Needle. Here is the cover of LIFE Magazine from two days before my May 6, 1962 birth:
Our city, region, and our state have dodged a bullet with the Howard Hanson Dam
May15
2010
Written by Randy Corman
2010
Written by Randy Corman
By now, most people in the area are familiar with the GREAT news that the risk of flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam has been diminishing. As a reminder, the abutment of the dam was leaking; I described it in detail in the photo-journal entry here .
The Renton Reporter covers the most recent development in this story here . Thanks to hard work from many, many people, Senator Murray was recently able to secure 44 million dollars to install a temporary fix to the dam to prevent flooding in the near term. Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers is working on designing a permanent fix that will cost about half a billion dollars.
These developments are enormous for the security of our region, as a flood in this area could have done many billions in damage and immense human misery.
Our own Mayor Denis Law represented us expertly to help obtain this money. He was back in Washington DC a couple weeks ago meeting with numerous federal agencies, elected representatives, and White House staff to help obtain money for the interim fix. Public officials from all levels in our region were there with him, and their solidarity and good planning helped us get this funding and avoid catastrophe.
Senator Murray speaks at a recent news conference announcing the procurement of 44 million dollars for the interim repair of Howard Hanson Dam. (Renton’s Mayor Law is standing on her right side.)
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