Money

Car dealerships in Burien and all across the country have seen a big drop in business lately because of the struggling economy.

That's not just bad news for the dealerships but also for the city of Burien. Auto dealerships are Burien's biggest business tax revenue source.

The sales tax on car dealerships and auto parts make up about 30 percent of the city's revenue, according to Burien Finance Director Tabatha Miller.

"It's certainly something we are well aware of," she said.

Provided by Jon Gerhardt

We have just completed a truly historic election and as a citizen, you'll want to follow how President-elect Obama and the new Congress address issues of importance to you.

But as an investor, you might be particularly interested in how the election results can affect your investments, especially given the recent Wall Street turmoil. Based on what happened on Nov.

The Highline area will receive three new light rail stations, funds for Burien's transit center, a rebuilt Tukwila commuter station and expanded express bus service as a result of the passage of Sound Transit's Proposition One on the Nov. 4 ballet.

"This is a vote of generosity for the next generation," declared King County Chairwoman Julia Patterson.

Patterson noted that a similar mass transit proposition was turned down by voters in 1968.

Books to save you money

By Leslie Sumida

"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons" - Woody Allen

Oh, the economy. It's on everyone's mind and not just in that abstract "Boy, those numbers on the Big Board sure are depressing" way.

The Highline area will receive three new light rail stations, funds for Burien's transit center, a rebuilt Tukwila commuter station and expanded express bus service as a result of the passage of Sound Transit's Proposition One on the Nov. 4 ballet.

"This is a vote of generosity for the next generation," declared King County Chairwoman Julia Patterson.

Patterson noted that a similar mass transit proposition was turned down by voters in 1968.

Provided by Jon Gerhardt

Over the past few weeks, the country's attention has been riveted on the presidential election. Of course, we didn't exactly forget that we're in difficult economic times, but we did have something else on which to concentrate our thoughts and energies.

Now, however, the election is over, and, for many of us, it's back to focusing on the economy and our investments.

Reuven Carlyle defeated fellow Democrat John Burbank by a decisive margin in the Nov. 4 general election to become the new state representative from the 36th District, replacing long-serving Rep. Helen Sommers.

According to a letter from Burbank to the community, he called Carlyle on the morning of Nov. 5 to offer his congratulations on the victory.

Hello everyone. I'm not in the habit of responding to letters-to-the-editor or other opinion concerning my positions, but recent ink spilled in West Seattle warrants a response because we are living in uncertain times and my constituents don't need misinformation raising anxiety levels any higher.

There will be no KO of 401(k) plans by me or my colleagues for that matter.

The nation's economic crisis has hit the development of condominiums in Burien's Town Square.

Town Square is a revitalization effort by the city of Burien, in partnership with Los Angeles-based developer Urban Partners and the King County Library District. It will include retail, restaurants, parks, a new city hall, a new library and housing.

Housing has been issue in the face of the nation's financial problems.

According to developers and landowners in Ballard the neighborhood's building boom is still going, though now with the economy slumping it's more of a firecracker than a stick of dynamite.

A number of developments in Ballard have been cancelled or put on hold due to the economy and other factors, leaving vacant lots or doomed buildings littering Ballard's landscape.

Anthony's Restaurant had been in negotiations to build a new, more casual restaurant at Shilshole Bay Marina to complement the current Anthony's already there.

Sharon Briggs at the Port of Seattle s