September 2007

should be for all

On Labor Day, we proudly reflected on the value that working men and women bring to our country, our society and our way of life. We hold it as a civil right that one is entitled to work.

Unfortunately, many Americans are deprived of that right to work, simply by virtue of the gender of whom they love, or their gender identity. In most states it is legal to fire someone simply because they are gay or transgendered.

We Washingtonians are fortunate.

I would like to thank Nile Robert Thompson for his article "Early history of the Shilshole-ahmish" in the August 1 edition of the "Ballard News-Tribune."

This is an important part of this area's history and of its people. There seems so little information and awareness of these people who lived in the Puget Sound area.

Again, thank you for your article from a fellow Ballard resident.

Dick LaBrash

Ballard

The Seattle Housing Authority has agreed to consider purchasing the Lock Vista Apartment building to preserve the moderate rentals.

"We're sure willing to take a look at what we can do," said Virginia Felton, spokesperson for the Seattle Housing Authority. "It's a big building and it's pretty expensive."

The housing authority has acquired buildings in the past to save units with "reasonable rents," such as the Wedgewood Estates.

"Will the last small business in Ballard please turn out the light?" reads a sign painted across the front window of the now closed Nick's Boats and Motors at the corner of 7th Avenue and Northwest 65th Street.

As well as signifying the end of another long-time family owned Ballard business, it says what many have been thinking.

"It's no longer profitable to run a small business in Ballard," said Dennis Nick, co-owner of the third-generation, family owned and operated boat repair shop.

In the past year, at least five family businesses retired, went out of busin

As the crime of graffiti vandalism continues in the city, nonprofit group Seattle Paint-Out has targeted a variety of neighborhoods, including Ballard, for graffiti-cleaning in the near future.

The group recently held its annual Seattle Paint-Out in several of the city's neighborhoods. Program organizer Laine Ross said that more paint-outs will be held in the near future.

"We've had inquiries in Ballard," said Ross.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is adding more hours and more places for passport applications, offered Tuesday through Saturday.

Ballard Neighborhood Service Center, 5604 22nd Ave. N.W. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Passports usually take 10-12 weeks and are mailed directly. Expedited service is available (at least 14 days prior to travel) for an additional $60.00.

To ensure the accuracy of King County elections from start to finish, the Metropolitan King County Council has called on the Washington State Legislature to revise state law and allow counties to adopt customized procedures for conducting post-election audits.

"All King County asks is state authorization to adopt a more thorough post-election audit system," said Councilmember Dow Constantine.

Mayor Greg Nickels is seeking candidates for the Citizens' Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board for terms starting in January 2008.

Hopes for better season

By Dean Wong

Last year the Ballard Beavers joined the elite girls swimming teams of KingCo, finishing third at districts and second at the state meet.

Despite the loss of eight seniors, the addition of five freshmen and some key returning player gives head coach Carlos Palacian reason to believe his Beavers will be better than last season.

"We have some really fast freshmen," said Palacian.

1. Federal Way police spotted an unnamed man sitting in his vehicle in the Cafe Arizona parking lot. The man appeared to be sniffing a white powdery substance that officers believed to be cocaine. The incident took place around 2:30 a.m. on September 3. The Cafe Arizona parking lot is located at 2012 South 320th Street. Officers confronted the man, and when they looked into his vehicle, they discovered a plastic baggie with white powder inside of it. The Federal Way officers decided to search his person, whereupon they located more white powder.