March 2007

In September 2006, I had a medical emergency that required my calling 911. My thanks to the 911 operator who answered my call and remained on the line. I could tell her that I heard the sirens coming up 160th and then into my driveway. Both the teams from Fire District 2 and Medic One arrived at my home simultaneously.

Those first responders were able to get into my fully locked home to help me. I was found hovering between life and death, unconscious, having lost almost half my blood, with collapsed veins.

In a better world, the state Legislature would completely fund basic education for K-12 students.

But it does not.

So Highline voters should go to the polls on March 13 or mail in their absentee ballots by that date to approve the Highline Public Schools' $140 million educational programs and operations levy.

The levy needs a 60 percent supermajority to pass, so it is important that voters participate in this one-issue election.

If the levy fails, the district would have to make do without about 20 percent of its budget.

Voters will decide on March 13 the fate of a $140 million, four-year Highline School District educational programs and operations levy.

The ballot measure would replace a levy that expires in December.

It would fund 18 to 20 percent of the district's operating budget.

According to district officials, about 71 percent of the revenue would pay salaries and benefits for 95 teachers and 170 support staff.

Twelve percent would go for special education, 11 percent for instructional materials and 6 percent for bus transportation.

These budge

Seventy pounds of corned beef, 30 pounds of potatoes, a case of cabbage and six pints of beer will help buy a little boy-the son of a fallen hero-a college education.

Mick Kelly's Irish Pub in downtown Burien served their traditional corned beef dinner along with Guinness beef stew, bangers and mash, fish and chips and Reuben sandwiches to around 300 guests at a March 1 fundraiser for Bronson Cox.

Bronson is the one-year-old son of King County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Cox, who was killed in the line of duty Dec.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is seeking applicants for an open at-large council position.

The seat became open when King County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Cox, who also was president of the council, was killed in the line of duty in White Center on Dec. 2.

March 8 is the filing deadline.

The year is 1919. The place is St. Louis. The setting is a modest family home in an era before electricity and telephones were common conveniences. The cast of characters includes a God-fearing mother and her four daughters.

Sounds just like a heart-warming family play, one that the Seattle Performing Arts Fellowship has made their trademark over the past two decades.

But look again. Kevin O'Morrison's post-World War I drama, Lady House Blues, is somewhat of a departure for the Christian theater group.

SeaTac City Council members changed their minds on Feb.

The Seattle-King County Association of Realtors(r) has endorsed the Highline School District's educational programs and operations levy and contributed both financial support and hands-on assistance to promote its passage.

"We are urging Realtors in the Highline District to support this measure with their vote and whatever time they can invest to help with phone banks, sign waving, mailings and other activities to encourage 'yes' votes," said association president Daniel Kennedy.

He cited the district's willingness to engage the community in efforts to prepare students "f

Two Highline-area educators have been honored by the Washington State Senate with Outstanding Civic Educator awards.

The awards were presented as part of the first-ever Civic Education Day at the state capitol.

Honored were elementary and secondary teachers who have demonstrated a special expertise in teaching about the U.S. Constitution, the U.S.

The Times/News presents a weekly summary of actions on bills by Highline-area legislators.

For complete information, go to www.WashingtonVotes.org-a free, non-partisan Website with plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator's votes-which is the source for this report.

Highline is represented by:

District 11-Sen. Margarita Prentice; Rep Zack Hudgins, Rep. Bob Hasagawa.

District 33-Sen. Karen Keiser; Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, Rep. Dave Upthegrove.

District 34-Sen. Erik Poulsen; Rep. Eileen Cody; Rep. Joe McDermott.