Artswalk and Procession of the Species 2009

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves....what an awesome day!
Downtown Olympia











Eli takes the salmon home through the Heritage Park Fountain after the Procession.

Created by the community for the community, the Procession of the Species is a joyous, artistic pageant, embracing the languages of art, music and dance to inspire learning, appreciation and protection of the natural world. At its very heart, the intent of the Procession is to elevate the dignity of the human spirit by enhancing the cultural exchange that we and our communities have with each other and with the natural world...and to do that through imagination, creation, and sharing. - Earthbound Productions.

Janine Gates Photography at Artwalk - Procession this weekend

Above: Sunrise from Mt. Sinai, Egypt

For Olympia’s Artswalk, Janine Gates Photography will be at the Governor Hotel, 621 Capitol Way, Friday, April 24, from 5:00 p.m. - about 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 from noon to about 2:00 p.m. Gates will be featuring pictures from her recent trips to Turkey, Jordan and Egypt.

In April/May 2007, Gates took her son to Turkey and Jordan. In the summer of 2008, she took both her children, son Tristan, then 13 and daughter Jiana, then 18, to Egypt and Jordan for six weeks.

“Both trips were just incredible. We are still mentally processing the experiences, and I’m always discovering something new in my images, depending on my mood. We have lots of stories to share. We hiked three hours in the middle of the night with only the night sky lighting our way, to the top of Mt. Sinai in Egypt to watch the sun rise. It was a very surreal, spiritual, mentally and physically challenging, exhilarating experience. It was just the three of us and a Bedouin. At various points, my daughter threw up, I was carried, at one point, because I was completely falling apart, but Tristan did quite well, fueled by several Snickers bars,” says Gates.


Above: Jiana and Tristan head down Mt. Sinai after the sunrise.

Gates makes her photos into greeting cards and prints of all sizes, framed and unframed, which will be available for sale. Go to www.janinegatesphotography.com for usual greeting card locations and a sneak peek at some of her images.

Artswalk is a free, city sponsored event held twice a year. Over 15,000 people are expected downtown, which runs from 5 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24 and from noon - 7:00 p.m on Saturday, April 25.


Above: Procession of the Species 2008

The Procession of the Species takes over the streets about 4:30 p.m. and thousands more will enjoy the festivities. It’s not too late to make something and be in the Procession of the Species! The Procession art studio is located downtown off the alley near Olympia St. and Capitol Way, near the Olympia Center. For more information, go to www.procession.org or call (360) 705-1087.

It is best to walk downtown or take public transit for Artswalk. Programs with detailed information are available all over the downtown area, featuring hundreds of artists and performers throughout local businesses. For more information, contact the City of Olympia at (360) 570-5858. For bus route and schedule information, contact Intercity Transit at (360) 786-1881.


Above: Hundreds of flamingos in the streets - Procession 2008

Graffiti: A New City-Community Partnership to Clean Up City

by Janine Gates


Above: This stop sign shows signs of having been cleaned.

Amy Stull, City of Olympia Police Community Programs staff, revealed a proposed city-community graffiti busting partnership at a public meeting of the Olympia Coalition of Neighborhood Associations last week at the Downtown Fire Station.

The partnership with public and private entities has been in the works for about two years. It is an exciting effort to address the difficult problem of graffiti.

"The Northeast Neighborhood Association has been a case study on how to best organize and maintain a graffiti reporting and abatement program," says Stull. Stull provided the group with an overview of the city’s new enhanced graffiti tracking information, available at www.seeclickfix.com.

The city has also established a new graffiti hotline, and the city police department will have the responsibility of contacting the appropriate person who should clean it up.

Graffiti has become an increasing problem in Olympia. Etching of glass has also occurred. “We weren’t doing a good job of tracking graffiti. It wasn’t being logged and it was extremely labor intensive for a neighborhood to take pictures of graffiti and to clean up,” says Stull.

It is sometimes confusing who’s responsibility that would be, so partners include Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Qwest, because taggers often target traffic signal boxes and utility property. Representatives from those organizations also attended the meeting and spoke about their efforts. "The graffiti makes us look bad too," said Casey Cochran, PSE Communications Manager.


Above: A power equipment box on 9th Ave. SW near Capital Mall.

“Tagging,” as it is called, is a crime. The best defense against graffiti is to clean it up. Taggers do not get satisfaction when their work is painted over or removed. The city says it is very important to document the vandalism by taking pictures, and documenting the time that the vandalism occurred so authorities can investigate the crime.

If the graffiti is on private property, the owner is responsible for clean up,” city code enforcement officer Chris Grabowski said. “We’re the last resort for graffiti clean up. There are only three of us for the city - one for the Westside, one for downtown, and one for the Eastside - so it will take about a month for a code enforcement action to get results on a graffiti case,” said Grabowski. Grabowski explained the process for enforcement and penalties for continued disregard for city notifications.

“In general, neglect of property will attract all sorts of crime,” said Stull. Something will happen, Stull says, “if it looks like you don’t care, or no one is watching.”

Neighborhood association members commented on an example of one partnership, as an example of how citizens can work with businesses to address mutual issues of concern. Abbey Realty provided the Northeast neighborhood paint in exchange for regular monitoring and painting over of a frequently tagged fence on an undeveloped parcel that they own.

Asked why graffiti is left up for so long, Grabowski said the biggest reason is because the property owners are absentee landowners. Number two, the elderly or disabled might not realize their fence, for example, has been tagged, because they don’t get out very often. And, Grabowski says, "a lot of property owners are dragging their feet because they have already painted over it three or four times and they’re sick of going it.”

Stull showed the group some slides of local graffiti and explained the difference between gang graffiti and regular graffiti. Only 10% of local graffiti is gang-related. Sometimes, having a mural painted on a troublesome wall will solve the problem. Stull also recommends not having a plain, gray wall looking ready to tag, and suggested painting it a different color.

The city’s Public Works department also provides free graffiti removal kits to recognized neighborhood associations and Block Watch neighborhoods.

Rick Knostman, City of Olympia traffic and operations supervisor under the public works program, oversees signs and signals. Knostman said it costs the city about $12,000 a year to clean up stop signs alone. In 2007-2008, the city had to replace 2,400 stop signs, more than 50% due to vandalism. The average stop sign should last 10 years under normal conditions. The stop signs need to be cleaned professionally, due to minimum reflectivity requirements. Each time a stop sign is cleaned, it loses a little bit of its reflectivity.

Don Law, neighborhood representative for the East Bay Neighborhood Association, credit’s the mural along East Bay Drive as solving their most troublesome spot for vandalism.


Above: Mural on East Bay Drive.

Rhonda Ayers, Program Coordinator for Community Youth Services (CYS), says she is excited about this new city-community partnership to fight graffiti. “We just received stimulus money to start a new youth program from May 1 through the end of August to employ 25 youth so they will give back to the community.” The money became available to CYS under the federal Workforce Investment Act.

“Under supervision, the youths will work part time, possibly fulltime, cleaning up the city of graffiti, and doing some landscaping and maintenance. Anytime we can engage our youth in constructive activities, the less recidivism we’ll see. They can take pride,” says Ayers.


Above: A mural in downtown Olympia depicts scenes from the annual Procession of the Species.

For more information and to find out how you can get more involved in cleaning up your neighborhood, contact Amy Stull, Police Community Programs, Olympia Police Department as (360) 753-8049 or astull@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Website Lists Exact Address of Area Sex Offenders

by Janine Gates

Do you want to know exactly where a registered sex offender lives in the cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater or Yelm? Go to www.crimereports.com and you will receive instant information based on actual case reports that have been entered by police in these jurisdictions.

Amy Stull, City of Olympia Police Community Programs staff, offered the information as a tool for citizens at Monday night’s public meeting of the Olympia Coalition of Neighborhood Associations at the Downtown Fire Station.

“People educating themselves and seeing what they can find is good,” says Stull, who admits even she was surprised to find the exact address of registered sex offenders on the program. She has informed her supervisors of this, in case they were not aware, she said.

Asked to clarify this information later, Stull said that the website information for these crime reports comes from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Stull said she wants it clear that "retaliation against registered sex offenders is against the law and if there is retaliation, it might jeopardize the public's access to this information in the future."

Citizens can also receive email notices of local Level II and Level III registered sex offenders through the city’s notification program. Notification of sex offenders who move into a neighborhood is not automatic. These notices give only the block address of where the sex offender has registered. To be put on this list to receive notification, contact Jennifer Kenny, City of Olympia’s Neighborhood liaison at jenny@ci.olympia.wa.us or (360) 753-8031 or see the city website at www.olympiawa.gov for more information.

The www.crimereports.com website also provides the block locations for a whole host of offenses, including sexual assaults, thefts, breaking and entering, robberies and property crimes. The information can be sorted by crime, date, and distance between the crime and your home or place of business. “For example, we had 619 reported vehicle prowls last year. One-half of those vehicles were unlocked,” said Stull. She added that vehicle prowls are up 60% this year as compared to last year.

Jeanne Marie Thomas, neighborhood association representative from the South Capitol Neighborhood, said that her car was recently prowled. Her car, she admitted, was unlocked. Small change was stolen, and she reported it, but she did not get a case number. Thomas asked Stull if that crime data would be on this website.

“No,” said Stull. “You don’t get a case number if you just say there’s nothing you want done in response to a crime. You get a case number if you file a report.” It is, however, important to report crime to police so they are aware of crime patterns in the neighborhood, said Stull.

Asked about the crime report summary published in The Olympian on a periodic basis, Stull said that is good, general information, “but the information for this website comes right out of our files.”

For more information about the Olympia Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, contact www.olympianeighborhoods.org. The next meeting of the full coalition is June 1, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Downtown Fire Station.

Hummingbirds - The Great Indicator of Spring

by Janine Gates


Above: A male rufous hummingbird on a lilac bush.

A few days ago, I took exciting pictures of male rufous hummingbirds in my yard and of course I knew what kind they were because I pulled out my trusty, little Birds of the Puget Sound book written by local birder, naturalist and author Bob Morse. There’s a rufous, right on the cover. Morse’s latest book, released this last fall, is Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies.

I contacted Morse, who lives in Olympia, not only because I wanted to brag about my pictures but I wanted to get his insight on why my neighbor and I have noticed what seems to be a particularly heavy invasion of stunning hummingbirds this year. Their buzzing and crazy aerial fights look and sound like battling WWII planes.

“Hummingbirds are the great indicator of Spring. I put up my hummingbird feeders on Valentine’s Day. Red reminds me that it’s that time of year again,” says Morse, who was happy to share his knowledge.

“It is usually soon after that some males arrive on their migration up north. They will stoke up on nectar and take off after a few days to continue their journey to breed in Alaska or northern Canada. A week or two after they depart, the local hummingbird residents return," says Morse.

“For years we have only had rufous hummingbirds in our community. And, while other communities like Seattle and Tacoma have the Anna’s hummingbirds in the winter, it has been only in the last year or two that we have started to see a number of Anna’s in the Olympia area during winter. That's why it's important to keep our hummingbird feeders up all year so the Anna’s can survive the cold winter evenings. There are few blossoming flowers at that time of year so the feeders really play a key role in their survival during the winter.”


Above: A male rufous humminbird finds my rosemary bush a real treat.

I went to Wild Birds Unlimited, 1200 Cooper Point Road, to check out their feeder selection. Three staff members and the owner, Ruth Pagel, were busily helping several customers, many of them congregating around the hummingbird section. Wild Bird Unlimited sells many types of feeders.

“The feeders don’t have to be red, and there’s two basic styles: saucers or jars,” said employee Francoise Hudson-Damm. “I personally feel perches on a feeder are worthwhile. The hummingbirds will perch and drinking longer.” Hudson-Damm says hummingbirds are fussy. "It’s important to keep the feeders clean. In my experience though, they won’t drink from it if it’s spoiled.”


Above: Wild Birds Unlimited employee Francoise Hudson-Damm stands next to the hummingbird feeders.

Five year employee Rachel Bjorklund says business has been good, despite the closure of the nearby Linens N’ Things. “The store is doing fine, with customers coming over from the post office and Party City…and I think this year we are having more hummingbirds than usual. I was walking around Nisqually last weekend and you couldn’t walk anywhere without hearing them buzz you.”

A customer, Victor Sorge, of Lake Cushman, came in looking for a “Perky Pet” jar replacement for one of his feeders. He says he has 40-50 hummingbirds near his house. “It’s like being inside a beehive when I’m sitting on my porch. Sometimes they run into me!” He says his hummingbirds go through a 32 ounce jar every two days.

Bob Morse had suggested I go to Bark & Garden Center, 3334 Mud Bay Road, to see employee Betty Moynahan, who developed a special handout which lists the local plants and flowers that can be planted to attract hummingbirds. I went there today and it was very busy, but there she was, right next to the perennial plants that attract hummingbirds.

Moynahan’s list is in blooming order, stretching from the Flowering Quince and Red Currant which usually blooms in February through the Trumpet Vine which usually blooms in August or September.


Above: Just one option at Bark and Garden Center to attract hummingbirds.

Moynahan agreed with Wild Birds Unlimited staff. There seems to be more hummingbirds this year. “The whole winter has been strange. I had a whole bunch of hummingbirds this Spring but I had to put out feeders early because the flowering quince and currant were late to bloom,” says Moynahan.

She showed me that the flowering currant was popular today, and they only had two little pots left.

So get out, enjoy the sunshine, fill your feeders, or get some plants that attract hummingbirds, and enjoy the show.


Above: Another male rufous hummingbird takes a break.

Public Hearing on Thurston County's Proposed Budget Cuts Draws Over 200

by Janine Gates

Above: Jonathan Mitchell, smiling, sits next to Dylan Kuehl, who testified against budget cuts to the Thurston County Specialized Recreation Program tonight.

The room at the Thurston County Courthouse was filled to its 185 person capacity and an overflow room was opened to accommodate those wishing to testify at the three hour public hearing held tonight to discuss the $5.4 million budget cuts facing Thurston County. This represents a 7.1% cut from the county's $76 million general fund budget.

The general fund is 20% of the Thurston County budget, and is funded primarily from property and sales taxes, both of which have fallen due to the recession. Locally, sales tax revenue is down 22% from 2007. Initiatives have limited property tax growth to 1% a year, which the county says is not enough to keep up with inflation.

Thurston County Commissioner Chair Cathy Wolfe opened the hearing saying, “We are committed to keeping up with our state mandated requirements, which include the court system, elections, tax assessment and collection. We’re going to do the best we can until we get out of this (economic) situation,” saying she hoped property tax will become more stable but even so, “we must live within our means.”

Jim Lazar, a local economist, said the proposed budget cuts to parks and public health are "unacceptable" and offered solutions. "You need to consider imposing transportation and parks impact fees...and consider a temporary wage reduction to county employees." Lazar suggested imposing higher percentage cuts on the higher paid employees. Lazar said there are 57 employees making over $100,000 per year, over 100 making between $80,000 - $100,000, and over 300 employees making between $60,000 - $80,000. The total savings, Lazar said, equals about $4.2 million. Lazar said the entire cut could be restored through the passage of a voter approved levy lid lift.

While most everyone seemed resigned to the reality that cuts need to be made, many spoke passionately against certain cuts, most notably, to the Thurston County Special Recreation Program. Many young adults with various disabilities spoke to the commissioners, advocating on their own behalf, much to the joy and cheers of their supporters.

Dylan Kuehl, 25, spoke against any budget cuts to the Thurston County Specialized Recreation Program. “Without this program, I will feel isolated because there will be no place for me to go. I will feel like a black sheep because I will be alone with no friends. We need to look out for each other. We’re like a big family. If you take away this program, then we won’t be a family anymore. I am worried that I will feel sad and probably need more counseling.” Kuehl, who has Down’s Syndrome, runs his own visual and performing arts company and is a volunteer at the Olympia Food Co-op.

His mother, Terri Rose, also spoke against any budget cuts to the program. “In November 2008, the funds were cut, forcing the organization to lose valuable staff and causing closure of a four day residential camp for people with disabilities. The campers loved this program and provided respite for families and providers….With fewer quality respite opportunities, it’s quite possible that parents and other providers may be overwhelmed with this task.”

While the county has funded the Special Recreation Program through the end of 2009, Rose asked, “What happens on January 1, 2010?” Rose recommended that a citizen advisory committee be formed to work closely with the commissioners to assure that when funding does become available again, that it be used for restoring the specialized recreation program.

Anthony Zoccola, 24, and his parents, Terry and Susan, also spoke passionately for the program, which is under the umbrella of the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Program.

Susan Zoccola has voluntarily coached the Thunderfish swim team since 1994 through the Thurston County Aquatics Program. Susan, who earned the Kiwanis Citizen of the Year award in 2005 for coaching the Thunderfish, said she has a swimming roster of 40 special needs people, from ages 8 to 52. They are currently training for the early May regionals for the Washington Special Olympics. Those who pass the regionals go onto the state games in late May. They swim twice a week for one and a half hours at River Ridge High School. “This program is one of a kind in the country. Without opportunities to meet and develop friendships, their social and verbal skills will decline,” said Terry Zoccola.

Another mother, Dorothy Nash, who said her daughter has Down’s Syndrome, also supported the swimming program, saying her daughter has received a gold medal every year. “It helps her health and well being. It isn’t just a social program…for some, it’s the only outlet of their lives.”

Another mother, in tears, said that her developmentally daughter loves to dance and swim. "These are the kids who are going to get lost in the shuffle and they're the ones who need it most."

Many other speakers addressed the proposed cuts to the Thurston County Fair and 4-H programs, public health, family planning, and the sheriff’s department.

Several law enforcement wives and family members spoke with concern for their loved one's safety. One wife said that most days, her husband is on patrol alone, with no backup, and has answered several domestic violence calls on his own.

One woman said, "I don't know where you live, but I don't want to live in McAllister Park with a $3,000 mortgage to feel safe. If you don't rely on the Thurston County Sheriff's Department, then you don't have the right to make these cuts."

A cut of over $495,000 will be made to the public health and social services department. This includes the Family Planning/Sexually Transmitted Disease program which serves about 3,500 residents, and the Dental Health program and Project Access which helps people gain access to medical services. Making cuts to these programs means federal grant monies cannot be leveraged.

Several public health community leaders including Bob Lang, a practicing neurosurgeon and president of the Thurston/Mason Medical Society, which represents 400 doctors, and Charles Loosen, of United Communities AIDS Network (U-CAN), addressed the impact that the loss of these programs will have on the community.

Loosen said, “We’re not accustomed to having services cut that we are used to having as a community…family planning falls between vital and emergency services. Roughly half of all sexually active youth between the ages of 13 - 29 will contract a sexually transmitted infection.” Loosen encouraged the commissioners to look at Jefferson County as a model because they are accepting private insurance.

Will Stakelin, of the Olympia Master Builders, said, "The decisions you make will define your leadership....having special needs families and law enforcement come and beg for funding is unacceptable...transfer funds where available."

Commissioner Wolfe said they had thought they would make a decision on the cuts by tomorrow, but they were expecting new numbers, and would likely make a decision next week. "Our hearts are in this with you and we appreciate you being here. Together we'll get through this," said Wolfe.


Above: The Thurston County Commissioners, Sandra Romero, Cathy Wolfe and Karen Valenzuela, have big decisions to make.

Bottled Water Opponents Urge Change in State Purchasing Policy

by Janine Gates

Late last month, activists organized by the Think Outside the Bottle campaign delivered about 130 handwritten letters addressed to Governor Gregoire urging her to stop state purchasing of bottled water. The group also met with the Governor’s executive policy advisor on sustainability.

The campaign is also raising awareness of water privatization efforts in Washington State by the Nestle company, which is working towards creating a bottled water plant in Black Diamond, Washington. Last year, Enumclaw and Orting citizens successfully stopped Nestle from building plants there, which would have sucked 100 million gallons of spring water per year from their local aquifers, before reaching municipal supplies.

Carolyn Auwaerter, Washington organizer for the Think Outside the Bottle campaign, gathered the small, but dedicated group on March 25 on the Capitol Building steps in Olympia.

“We are gathered here today because water is a basic human right. When it is treated as a commodity, our democracy, health, and environment suffers….Governor Gregoire can save money by eliminating bottled water from the budget. We would also like her to deliver the message to President Obama and Congress that our public water systems must be properly funded.”

Washington’s portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) money is $38 million for clean water drinking projects. With the President’s budget proposal for next year allocating $3.9 billion for similar drinking water and sewer projects, the activists urged Gregoire to ensure that public water systems get the resources they need.

The Think Outside the Bottle campaign is working to educate individuals, cities, schools and restaurants to pledge support for tap water over bottled water.

Olympian Chuck Schultz participated with the action at the state capitol. “I never could see paying for bottled water. I quit accepting bottled water when offered to me a year ago when I learned what it was doing to the environment.” Schultz said he recently attended a course at Group Health and was disappointed to be served bottled water.

Miriam Calkins, a senior in the Environmental Health program at The Evergreen State College, and Davin Mackey, a sophomore in the same program, also participated.


Above: Miriam Calkins shows off her letter before delivering it to the Governor's Office.

“I did some research regarding the recycling rate of plastic bottles,” said Mackey. “According to Environmental Protection Agency estimates, the recycling rate for plastic bottles is only 28%, so the material represents a serious burden to our landfills. It’s a resource management issue for me. The bacterial counts in bottled water are also consistently higher than Environmental Protection Agency standards,” Mackey continued.

The governor was unavailable to meet with the group, so they met in a conference room with Kathleen Drew, the Governor’s executive policy advisor on sustainability issues. There is no state policy on bottled water and Drew admitted that there is great room for improvement, even on the Capitol Campus.

Drew’s office in the Insurance Building has no kitchen or tap water access other than the restrooms. “Even the water fountains in the Legislative Building are nothing but a trickle and most of them (and restroom sinks) cannot accommodate reusable water bottles,” Drew said, leading the conversation to possible institutional changes.

The Governor's Interagency Sustainability Committee is made up of at least 40 state agencies. Karin Kraft, with the Washington State Department of Ecology, is coordinator of the group, which meets quarterly.

In an interview today, Kraft says she met with General Administration (GA) staff about six months ago to discuss the bottled water issue because GA was about to write a contract regarding state purchasing. "We have concerns...there's a lot of purchasing of bottled water that occurs, however, we are discouraging that, for various reasons," Kraft says.

A member of the Think Outside the Bottle campaign will be meeting with the Governor's Interagency Sustainability Committee on May 20 at the Washington State Department of Health. "We feel successful with the work we've done so far," says Kraft.

Several cities around Washington have nearly stopped bottled water purchases, including the City of Olympia.

"Olympia doesn't have an outright ban on purchases, since bottled water is needed for emergency management personnel and maintenance workers for the parks, but we don’t purchase bottled water for meetings, parties and employee recognition events. We provided aluminum canisters last year to employees to encourage them to fill from the tap,” says city council executive secretary Mary Nolan. Nolan added that city council members are provided with pitchers of water during council meetings.

There are lots of reasons to not buy bottled water. Up to 40% of bottled water is actually just tap water. Corporations, through slick marketing, have steadily undermined people’s confidence in public water when bottled water is in fact not tested for safety as much as tap water. The process of manufacturing, distributing and disposing of bottled water is very energy inefficient, and the bottles themselves are made with chemicals linked to hormonal and reproductive damage. For this reason, plastic bottles should not be reused.

Nestle, the largest manufacturer of bottled water in the world, is having a
shareholders meeting in late April, and Think Outside the Bottle organizers are gearing up for it. Nestle owns 12 U.S. bottled water brands, including Arrowhead, which is sold on the West Coast. According to Nestle’s website, Europe and North America account for 50% of bottled water consumption. Nestle operates 38 bottling plants worldwide, 26 of them in North America. Nestle intends to build one in the Northwest by 2010, and is also looking at sites in Oregon.

Several communities around the country are battling Nestle, some successfully. If you would like to get involved, contact Carolyn Auwaerter at (206) 568-2851, or go to www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org. Or contact www.stopcorporateabuse.org or www.foodandwaterwatch.org for more information.


Above: Janine Gates brings Governor Gregoire a Mason jar of what most Olympians think is the best water in the world - pure, fresh, cold artesian well water from downtown Olympia. Photo by Carolyn Auwaerter

Now in the House: Isthmus Bill ESSB 5800

by Janine Gates

Above: Former Secretary of State Ralph Munro's cellphone goes off - with a very "old school" ringtone - at the beginning of his testimony, much to everyone's amusement.

“A good chunk of my hometown is here behind me today…” said House Local Government and Housing legislative staff member Ethan Moreno as he began explaining the background of ESSB 5800 to committee members.

Indeed, the scene was familiar: the hearing room was packed, the testimony was well rehearsed and many of the players were the same, but the real audience, the House committee chaired by Representative Geoff Simpson, was different, and no one took anything for granted.

Senator Karen Fraser explained her bill to establish the isthmus in downtown Olympia as a "shoreline of statewide significance," complete with a PowerPoint slideshow. Representative Sam Hunt also spoke, and panels consisting of several people each proceeded to make their arguments for and against the bill.
To thwart concerns about why the committee should have anything to do with this issue, Hunt explained to his colleagues, “We don’t enter into this fray lightly…we do support downtown housing, but this is a state capitol and the state has been investing millions into this area for years…this is not a NIMBY thing. What we're doing here is different than Federal Way, Spokane, Yakima…or Roslyn..." Hunt teased, resulting in laughter from everyone. Committee member and Minority Whip Representative Bill Hinkle's district includes Roslyn, Washington.

Committee members Angel, Cox and Hinkle asked clarifying questions.

Many of the same players who testified in front of Senator Darlene Fairley’s Government Operations and Elections Committee also testified in front of Simpson’s committee.

Olympia City Council member Joan Machlis and City Manager Steve Hall testified for the city. They reiterated that they received 1400 written comments from the community, did their research, and admitted that most of the key facts about the issue are in dispute. Members of the group Oly2012 also testified against the bill.

There were a few, new passionate voices.

Richard Van Wagenen, a former executive policy advisor for Governor Gary Locke, spoke against the bill, saying, "Our legislators...ask you to substitute (local city) judgement for that of our city's elected officials, and destroy the only chance for owner-occupied housing our downtown has had in years. They ask you to do that...to protect the view from the top of the bluff....I wonder why the state never bought the land."

Van Wagenen said he might support the bill if it provided money to tear down the nine story "mistake by the lake" vacant office building currently on the isthmus, "...but I know you have more urgent statewide needs in the capital budget, and I think you should focus on those."

Another speaker, a land use attorney from Seattle, was well into his testimony that the bill is a dangerous precedent against local government rule, when he surprised everyone by saying he is an attorney for Triway Enterprises. Triway owns the isthmus land in dispute. “They were my first client and are very reputable…Triway has always played by the rules and engages everyone in the process….Triway has spent $1 million in risk cost towards doing the project and there will be no compensation for my client if this bill passes….”

Melanie Stewart, a lobbyist who testified as a citizen, testified against the bill, lamenting that she and her husband, former Tumwater council member Wayne Williams, want to live in downtown Olympia “but there’s no place to move to.”

Testifying for the bill included Elisa Davidson, board member of the National Association for Olmsted Parks, who referred to the Capitol architect’s intentions.

“To this day, I remember the dizzying but magnificent view from the top of the Capitol dome that I witnessed as a scout years ago, long before I heard of the Olmsted's and their work….Our capitol’s dramatic setting is no happenstance. The site was carefully selected and laid out…and elements are still being completed in our time - most recently by the Law Enforcement Memorial. The capitol campus is no minor work. It is, in fact, a masterwork of one of this country’s greatest artists and advocates for the role of public landscapes....”

Gayle Frink-Schultz of the Behind the Badge Foundation, gave perhaps the most compelling testimony of the day. As the widow of Washington State Patrol Trooper Steven Frink, Ms. Frink-Schultz explained how she came to be involved with the planning of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial on the Capitol Campus which overlooks the debated isthmus region.


Above: The stunning Olympic Mountain range looks on as Gayle Frink-Schultz is being interviewed in May 2006 at the dedication of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial.

Frink-Schultz also explained the state’s heavy involvement in the project since 1999: site selection with the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee, stabilization of the hillside, landscaping and construction of a retaining wall as part of the Heritage Park hill and walking path - “all to create a place of serenity, honor and respect.”

“....I found a new mission in life after my husband’s death. Steve’s death taught me there are things in life that are irrevocable, things we cannot control. But, I also learned that there are things in life that are important and that we do have choice over….This is one of those times.”


Above: Family members make rubbings of their loved one's names at the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial dedication in May 2006.

Isthmus Forum Brings Community Together

by Janine Gates


Above: About 150 people attended the Olympia Isthmus Park Forum held today at First United Methodist Church on Legion Way.

Concerned community members and elected officials came together today to discuss the fast-moving issue of the isthmus area in downtown Olympia. Former Olympia mayor Bob Jacobs began the forum acknowledging that "it's been kind of crazy" in the last full year since the City of Olympia informed community members about Triway Enterprise's plans to rezone their property and build 141 condos in five to seven story buildings on the isthmus. That meeting, held the day before Easter, gave the community its first look at the big-box scenarios that would generate widespread divisiveness.


Above: Photo taken of the Olympic Mountain range yesterday from the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial on the Capitol Campus shows that one building on the isthmus is more than enough visual damage.

Elected officials present at today's forum were Senator Karen Fraser, Representative Sam Hunt, Thurston County Commissioner Karen Valenzuela, Olympia Mayor Doug Mah, and Olympia Councilmembers Karen Messmer, Joan Machlis and Rhenda Strub.

The forum was sponsored by several isthmus park proponent groups and included speakers such as Susan Olmsted, who is on the board of directors of the Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks. A panel discussion was comprised of Senator Karen Fraser, Mayor Doug Mah and Jerry Reilly, Chair of the Isthmus Park Association.


Above: Susan Olmsted, descendant of the Capitol Campus architect, speaks in favor of the park saying that the "...intended layers, defined gateways and strategic enlistment of views framework the holistic thinking and planning of Olmsted's design for the Capitol Campus. She called the north-south view corridor and visual connection between the Capitol and Budd Inlet to be a "genius of place...."

Mah reiterated his new proposal to take the issue to the people in the form of a $33 million property tax levy to "save and protect Percival Landing, protect views, and create an isthmus park."

"I believe this approach is logical and achieves our desired outcomes. This proposal would allow us to repair what we already have and create a dome to sea vision...it is time for us to take the initial steps and let the rest play out...." The "rest" Mah refers to are the parcels currently owned by Triway Enterprises. Others are not willing to wait and see how "the rest plays out."

Senator Karen Fraser, prime sponsor of ESSB 5800, explained her intentions with a Powerpoint presentation and said her bill, if it passes, would retain the status quo, and keep the property on the isthmus at 35 feet.

Jerry Reilly, chair of the Isthmus Park Association said, "...the problem was the process...we were stuck with a process where we had to talk to each other. Now, we are starting to talk with each other...." Reilly said he has concerns with Mah's proposal, saying "it appears to be a heavy lift for this community and the city of Olympia...." Fraser agreed, saying, "We should look around and see what our options might be before we come up with a plan...." and said some large parcels near the Farmer's Market may be available for housing.


Above: Panel members Olympia Mayor Doug Mah, former Olympia Mayor Bob Jacobs, Jerry Reilly, chair of the Olympia Isthmus Park Association and Senator Karen Fraser contribute their thoughts at the Olympia Isthmus Park Forum today.

Audience members addressed the panel and spoke as well, which resulted in a lively discussion.

One man questioned, "What is in the best interest of sustainability and the future of Olympia in terms of its economic vitality? Don't we need a wider view? (Olympia) has to be more than a museum! How about our sons and daughters and our grandchildren?"

The question played right into Mah's perspective, saying, "For some of my colleagues, sustainability meant increasing urban density...it's a trade off...you are taking away some of our ability - increased sustainability...." At this point the audience began saying "No, no, no..." and threw Mah off his train of thought.

Fraser stepped in saying, "I spent years as a local official...this is a case where we need to think of long-term trade-off vs. short-term trade-off. This is our equivalent of the National Mall in D.C. or Central Park..." Reilly agreed with Fraser.

Audience member Marie Cameron spoke next, saying she has been a resident for over 30 years and served on the Olympia Planning Commission for six years in the 1970's and served in a variety of planning positions until her retirement. She now lives in the county, outside the city limits, and feels disenfranchised from the process, and urged the county to step up and be a partner in the portion of property tax it collects.

Thurston County Commissioner Karen Valenzuela thanked Cameron for her productive suggestion. "The problem with Mah's proposal is that there's only one player at the table."

Representative Sam Hunt said, "It is difficult to be in disagreement with the city of Olympia because we live here too. This is an honest disagreement. We are an engaged community...it's not for me, it's not for us, it's for our future."

Senator Karen Fraser's bill, ESSB 5800, will be heard by the House Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 25, 8:00 a.m., currently scheduled to be held in JLOB Hearing Room E. This room only holds about 50 people and the hearing may be moved to a larger hearing room.


Above: Audience members get to see the historic proclamation against the rezone, signed by six former Washington state governors Rossellini, Lowry, Spellman, Locke, Gardner and Evans, and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro.

Isthmus Group Hosts BBQ - Forum on Saturday

Above: Senator Karen Fraser is offered some food by Lee Montecucco on the Capitol Campus today.

Members of several organizations working to promote ESSB 5800 held an informational barbeque on the Capitol Campus today. Bill sponsor Senator Karen Fraser and Representative Sam Hunt were in attendance, and chatted with supporters.


Above: Representative Dean Takko of Longview is briefed by Jerry Reilly, president of the Olympia Isthmus Park Association, regarding the impact of ESSB 5800 on the future of the isthmus.

Asked to comment on his conversation with Representative Takko, Reilly said, "I appreciated the interest that the Representative showed in the issue...many legislators and staff took the time to come and view the vista first-hand," Reilly said later.

The bill has been scheduled for a hearing in Representative Geoff Simpson's Local Government and Housing Committee on March 25, John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room E, at 8:00 a.m.

Isthmus park supporters are keeping up the pace and are hosting an educational forum on Saturday, March 21st at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The public is invited.

Senator Karen Fraser, Olympia Mayor Doug Mah and Jerry Reilly, president of the Olympia Isthmus Park Association have agreed to be on a panel at the forum. Question and answer time with the panel will follow.


Above: Isthmus Cake