In a community report presented at a Tuesday, Jan, 10 meeting White Center Chamber of Commerce President Mark Ufkes looked back at 2011 (and included 2010) citing the issues and successes the organization saw.

by Mark Ufkes
For over 60 years, the White Center Chamber of Commerce has been serving the business interests of the White Center business district. During the past several years, the Chamber struggled with a reputation for not accomplishing anything that would have a positive impact on our business climate. In 2010, a mixture of old and new Chamber board members joined together to prioritize and focus the Chamber on providing specific services that would benefit our community and our business district. As this report will show, our all-volunteer Chamber board has accomplished a lot in the past two years, and we plan to accomplish more in 2012.

Volunteer Chamber board members include Don Malo (Malo’s Autobody), Carlos Jimenez (Jimenez Publicidad of White Center), Nancy Calos-Nakano (former Director; White Center Arts Alliance), Sharon Maeda (Spectra Communications of White Center), Mac McElroy (Mac’s Triangle Pub), Pat Thompson (Yes Foundation of White Center), Peggy Weise (Founder; White Center Garden Tour), Mark Ufkes, (Seaview Rental Properties of White Center), Frank Cantwell (Holy Family Catholic School in White Center), Dr. Chris Hill (New Balance Chiropractic in White Center), Dennis Pflug, (White Center Attorney-at-Law), Aileen Sison (John L. Scott Realty/Founder of monthly White Center Business Owners (B.O.S.S.) group), Kathi “George” Wheeler (Noise Without Sound Communications), and a representative from the White Center CDA.

White Center Chamber Successes in (2010 and 2011):

Priority – Minimize the negative impact of the chronic alcoholic, homeless population here

• Good Neighbor Alcohol Sales Agreement for White Center Alcohol Vendors to limit alcohol sales to this population - COMPLETED and ongoing
• Alcohol Impact Designation Inventories where the Chamber reports alcohol product sales to the chronic alcoholic population to the Liquor Control Board for stricter control - FIVE COMPLETED and ongoing
• “We Support Responsible Alcohol Sales” Window Decals for White Center Businesses through generous support from Chamber members Jimenez Publicidad and Master’s Automotive - COMPLETED and ongoing
• Resident Homeless Church Placement During Severe Weather through generous support from Chamber Associate Cross Church - CONTINUING each winter
• Chamber volunteers partnered with Chamber member White Center CDA to Sponsor the Annual Homeless Count each January – ONGOING every year
• Sponsored White Center Homeless Chronic Alcoholic Summits in October and November, 2011 to develop strategy for addressing this challenge in partnership with Westside Baby, Holy Family School, Union Gospel Mission, King County Sheriff’s Office, Cross Church, Westside Church, Proletariat Pizza, The Company, Uncle Mike’s BBQ, Highline Head Start, White Center Food Bank, Grace Church, Mt. View Presbyterian Church,

Priority – Promote and Help Clean Up the White Center Business District

• Raised over $10,000 to install and landscape New Multi-Language White Center Welcome Signs through generous support from Chamber members Arrowhead Gardens, Malo’s Autobody, Noise Without Sound Communications - FOUR COMPLETED and final sign to be installed in December 2011 (Includes “Welcome” in 50 languages)
• Secured Lighting for the White Center American Flag with generous support from Chamber members Mac’s Triangle Pub and White Center Tool Rental – COMPLETED; see 2012 priorities
• Lighted 25-foot White Center Christmas Tree installed through generous support from Chamber members McLendan’s Hardware, Labor Ready, Aileen Sisson (Boss), Uncle Mike’s BBQ, White Center Silk Screening, Mac’s Triangle Pub in 2010, 2011 tree lighting planned for 5:00 pm, Sunday, December 11, 2011
• Sidewalk Planter Boxes with King County Sheriff CSO - COMPLETED
• Repainting and Adopt-a-White Center Garbage Program through generous support from Chamber members Malo’s Autobody and White Center Tool Rentals - ONGOING, re-painting occurring as Eagle Scout project in December, 2011
• Re-Dedication of the Veterans Triangle Park, generous support from Chamber members Macs Triangle Pub and Attorney Dennis Pflug – COMPLETED
• Joint CDA/Chamber-sponsored Spring Clean; clearing of 2-acre overgrown site on 15th and 107th, removing six homeless camp sites and over 1000 pounds of trash (80% related to alcohol/drug use); see 2012 priorities
• Chamber-negotiated with King County Community Corrections to expand White Center clean-up and graffiti removal; ONGOING, see 2012 priorities
• Chamber requested road and cross walk improvements to both King County Roads and the City of Seattle Department of Transportation that supported repaving of 16th Ave. SW from 112th Ave SW to Barton Street.

White Center Chamber Priorities for 2012:

• Publish and Distribute Printed/On-line Guide “Foods of White Center”
• Expansive, New Chamber Web site to promote businesses in White Center
• Street Light Inventory of the White Center Business District to improve lighting throughout the business district
• Greater emphasis on graffiti removal and clean up of the business district in partnership with the King County Community Corrections Crew
• Possible installation of community “Pea Patch” gardens at the 15th and 107th site if housing development is delayed to limit drug/alcohol use there
• Continue to use the Homeless Summit structure to develop a community strategy for addressing the chronic alcoholic, homeless population, including increased enforcement combined with increased recovery services