President’s Message

By Bob Lucas

View Ridge is in for some exciting times, beginning with the revitalization of the playfield at 45^thNE and NE 70^th. The Friends of View Ridge Playfield (see article) stand a pretty good chance of reaching their goal of $75,000, which will be matched by the Department of Neighborhood’s Matching Fund; however, you can still help out with either a cash or a physical donation (time donated is credited at $12 per hour). We are fortunate that the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department had planned to renovate the playground area, but they did not have adequate funding to purchase new equipment. That’s where we come in with our donations. You, your children, or your grandchildren will benefit greatly from these improvements.

Another item of note is the possibility of a new Public Library branch at Sand Point/Magnuson Park. The clubs in our neighborhood—Hawthorne Hills, Laurelhurst and Wedgwood—have petitioned the library’s Opportunity Fund for a branch in that complex and it also has the backing of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department. The next steps involve a recommendation by the Opportunity Fund Board and a hearing by the Seattle City Council. We hope these are both favorable.

The Northeast Branch of the Library, at NE 68^th and 35^th NE, is scheduled for expansion and renovation sometime

in the next two years. The library does own adjacent lots to permit expansion, however our concern is expanded parking. We all know that the current lack of parking in that area presents a big problem. At our September meeting, library representatives presented a status report and took questions. The most prevalent question concerned parking. Hopefully these concerns were heard.

Children’s Hospital and Medical Center is in the process of building an administration facility at Sand Point Way and NE 70^th Street. They presented their preliminary plans at a September 13 meeting, and we discussed many issues, including traffic, which their representatives took under advisement. They also invited us to join a nine-person advisory committee, which includes VRCC Trustees Justine Barton, Dick Hillman and me. We plan to meet once a month and will keep the community informed of how things are proceeding.

Lastly, we had quite a discussion regarding the Off Leash Area (dog run) at Sand Point/Magnuson Park at our last Trustees Meeting. It was moved to postpone further discussion until our next regularly scheduled meeting—Tuesday, November 21, 7 p.m. at the Sand Point Methodist Community Church, 4710 NE 70^th St.

We can always use new Trustees in our organization. Would you like to represent your neighbors? If so, give me a call at 526-0575. Thank you.

Community Group Raising Funds

To Renovate View Ridge Playfield

By T.C. Richmond

We need your financial contribution to rebuild the centerpiece of the View Ridge community. With your support, by July 2001, we will renovate the View Ridge playfield, located at 45^th Ave. NE and NE 70^th St., to make it: 1) the neighborhood’s premiere play and socialization area for children; 2) an attraction for neighborhood families; and 3) a landmark for the whole community. The children’s playground equipment is old, deteriorated, and potentially dangerous. Insufficient seating and space exists for reading and contemplation. By working together to recreate this neighborhood amenity, we will create a community-gathering place.

Who We Are:

Friends of View Ridge Playfield (FVRP) was formed mid-1999 by several families who live near the playfield. Hundreds of individuals and businesses from the area have supported the project, through cash donations or labor pledges.

The Boys and Girls Club of King County, Wallingford Chapter, serves as the fiscal agent for this project. The Club is a 501(c)(3) and, therefore, your contributions to the project are tax deductible.

The View Ridge Community Club is interested in fostering greater community involvement by young families. The Wedgwood Community Council and Hawthorne Hills Community Council have each donated $500. The View Ridge Community Club is proposing a donation of $1,500; the proposal will be voted upon at the next regular Trustee’s meeting, in November.

FVRP and Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are working together on the playground renovation. DPR is the playfield landowner and has a budget committed for a portion of the project. The neighborhood’s contributions will supplement the equipment budget so that the resulting playground will be commensurate with the size and use of the View Ridge Playfield.

The Plan for Renovation

This project will include the purchase and installation of improvements to View Ridge Playfield. The project design is well underway. Some of the highlights include:

§ Development of the southeast corner into an attractive passive-recreation area for reading and contemplation.

§ Removal of the equipment in the southeast corner; placement of new equipment away from the streets and closer to the wading pool.

§ Replacement of swings and whirl with new ones.

§ Addition of age-appropriate play structures for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds.

§ Addition of seating throughout the playfield.

§ Renovation of the circulation path, which provides a safe space for beginning tricycle and bicycle riders.

§ Renovation of existing basketball court.

Current Status and Schedule

Summer 2000: FVRP raised $22,000 in cash contributions and $15,000 in labor pledges ($37,000).

September 18: FVRP applied for a $75,000 grant from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Fund.

January 2001: Award of $75,000 (hopefully).

End of January 2001: FRVP must raise remaining $38,000 cash required to receive the city’s match. Labor pledges may not be included in this amount.

February 2001: Assuming we have raised the $38,000 by the end of January, FRVP will order the playground equipment.

June 2001: The community will install the equipment.

What You Can Do

Between now and the end of January, FVRP will be raising the additional $38,000. We are a small group of busy people, so we welcome your involvement in making this playground plan a reality. You can contact us to:

· Attend fundraising events like pancake breakfasts or spaghetti dinners.

· Advertise these events with your organizations, schools, and churches.

· Help organize or work at these events.

· Volunteer to write a grant, write letters, doorbell, sit at a table at the grocery store, or make phone calls.

· Conduct your own fundraising sale, dinner or rummage sale, with contributions earmarked for the Playfield Renovation. We have a three-dimensional model of the playground equipment and the manufacturer could provide other visual materials.

How to Contact Us

Contact T.C. Richmond at 522-5983 or via email at Neurichmond@mindspring.com. Or call Alice Clark at 523-4629.

To Make a Donation

Make your check to “Boys and Girls Club,” with a notation

that the contribution is for View Ridge Playfield. Mail to Friends of View Ridge Playfield, P.O. Box, 15103, Seattle WA 98115.

What You’ve Always Want to Know

About North Precinct Advisory Committee

By George Holzapfel

The North Precinct Advisory Committee (NPAC) of the Seattle Police Department is a voluntary, non-profit organization established to promote communication and cooperation between the North Precinct and the neighbor-hoods it serves. NPAC is composed of representatives from more than 40 community groups and businesses in North Seattle (north of the Ship Canal and Lake Union). We are committed to expanding the lines of communication between the Police Department and community and business organizations, as well as maintaining adequate police staffing and resources to maintain public safety in the north precinct. The representative from the View Ridge Community Club, Dick Hillmann, is the Club’s Vice President.

Recent Important Issues

Police Staffing in Seattle. Until very recently, staffing levels had been falling due to under-funding by the city, large numbers of retirements, and a procedural problem in the recruiting process. NPAC successfully lobbied the City Council to increase police and crime prevention funding, and to remedy the recruiting problem. With significant neighbor-hood activism, NPAC has also increased the number of police officers assigned to the north precinct.

City Parks Ordinance. For approximately two years, Seattle has had a Parks Exclusion Ordinance aimed at improving safety in our parks. Recently the Ordinance came under attack by those who believe that if the city can’t provide sufficient housing for the homeless, those individuals should be allowed to camp in our parks. NPAC fought hard to maintain the Ordinance, believing it an important tool in keeping scarce park resources usable by the population as a whole. We also felt that View Ridge needs the Ordinance to protect the continuing expansion of Sand Point/Magnuson Park.

Other Issues. NPAC successfully lobbied the Washington Liquor Control Board and the City Council to adopt regulations allowing alcohol impact areas. Recently the City Council approved the state's first alcohol-impact area in Pioneer Square. If licensees don't voluntarily comply with new restrictions on hours and single-container sales by

early next year, the Council could ask the Liquor Control Board to require restrictions.

Another important issue was the preservation of the very effective DWLS Impound Law, which allows the police to impound the car of a driver with a suspended license. Since the law went into effect, court filings have dropped 19% (in

1999), then 12% (first quarter of 2000), and public safety has

been enhanced. Finally, NPAC expressed its serious concerns about the proposed repeal of the Teen Dance Ordinance, and its replacement with an “All Ages Dance Ordinance.” We questioned the security, 24-hour operation, mixing of 10-year-olds with twenty-something’s, and unrestricted re-entry into dances. The Mayor has since repealed the “All Ages Dance Ordinance.”

Come to a Meeting!

The monthly NPAC meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at the North Seattle Police Precinct, 10049 College Way N. (near North Seattle Community College). The meetings usually include speakers from the City Council or other government agencies dealing with crime prevention issues. Each meeting also includes a report on crime statistics and related issues in North Seattle. “Target forms” are passed out at each meeting so that police staffing and patrols can be focused to reduce or eliminate problems.

In October, the guest speaker was new Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. Upcoming speakers include: November 1, City Council member Margaret Pageler; December 6, North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinators; January 3, 2001, King County Sheriff Dave Reichart (tentative). Come hear discussion of the issues directly affecting you and your neighborhood!

Community Forum to Provide Education

About Criminal Justice System

The King County Civil Rights Commission, together with the King County Sheriff's Office, will host a community forum entitled "Making the Criminal Justice System Work for You," on Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Seattle Community College, lecture hall LB1141 and LB1142.

The forum, geared toward north King County residents, is designed to educate residents about the county criminal justice system. It will also high-light the services offered by community organizations and county agencies, and will connect young people and adults with community and King County resources in the criminal justice arena. There will be formal presentations, as well as opportunities to speak informally with criminal justice agency and community organization representatives.

For more information about the King County Civil Rights Commission, please contact Commission Administrator, Paula Harris-White at 206-296-8610.

VIEW RIDGE COMMUNITY CLUB

Board of Trustees Meeting

Perry Hall, Sand Point Community Church

September 20, 2000

Minutes

President Bob Lucas called the meeting to order at about 7:05. About 40 people were present, including 14 trustees.

PRESENTATION:

Deborah L. Jacobs, City Librarian, and Alexander Harris, Capital Projects Director, presented a status report regarding the North East Branch Library and possible Sand Point Branch Library. Also present from the North East Library was Elizabeth Yee and Carey Cook Petersen and Tom Mendelson, Central Library Staff.

Handouts, which are filed with the minutes, include: North East Branch Library Status Report, Memorandum to Library Board of Trustees dated August 16, 2000 from Citizens Implementation Review Panel for Libraries (CIRP) re: Opportunity Fund Proposals (item 2, Sand Point), Memorandum to Library Board of Trustees dated August 11, 2000 from CIRP re: Opportunity Fund Process, the August, 2000 issue of Seattle Public Library News, and a large Postcard with logo “Building Libraries for All” for requesting information. The speakers called for our input at future library meetings.

There are conflicting opinions about use of Sand Point/Magnuson Park buildings for a branch library. Also, the library prefers to own central and branch sites and that might not be possible there. While the need for a branch library in the immediate neighborhood is well established, planning is still visionary. By contrast, the North East Branch expansion is close to hiring a project manager and advertising for architects. Responding to questions, the presenters said that there would be off street parking with conservation of trees and that temporary lodging for the library might be forthcoming from neighboring businesses or churches. We were encouraged to take another look at the library whose shelves are now stocked with volumes from Paul Allen’s gift of $20,000,000 with $15,000,000 earmarked for collections.

RATIFICATION OF MINUTES:

The minutes of the Trustees Meeting of June 20, 2000 were approved as published with minor corrections noted by Treasurer Duane La Violette.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Duane La Violette reported a new balance of $5,022.87. He was contacted by the IRS this year, as he is every four years, to confirm that the VRCC is still in existence and that assets are still less than $25,000. He complied with this request for information.

OLD BUSINESS:

Need for a new View Ridger Editor: VRCC By Laws require publication of one issue per year. Usually, three or four issues are published. Bob Lucas has information on hard drive, but is strapped for time and needs help with publishing right now. Later in the meeting Rose Williamson volunteered to serve as the new editor of The View Ridger. She also asked to be a Trustee. Her request was gratefully accepted.

Friends of View Ridge Playfield: Alice Clark, a new View Ridge resident, provided handouts, which are filed with the minutes. They include a sheet with a site plan on one side and a brief history and status report of the FVRP on the other along with a commitment/pledge form. She said that the application for a matching grant of $75,000 has already gone to the Department of Neighborhoods. It seems likely that $75,000 can be raised by January 2001 through neighborhood donations of time and money. The matching $75,000 will be used for site preparation and the donations from the neighborhood for equipment. She emphasized that a tree may be moved only for the health of the tree and not for the sake of the park and she described a bark chip surface over gravel, which is superior to sand.

Trustee Dick Phillips announced that the Wedgwood Community had pledged $500 to the View Ridge Playfield. There was a recommendation that the VRCC double that amount and a suggestion to give $500 now and another $500 at year’s end. Then Ken Petersen, a View Ridge resident and printer, offered to publish The View Ridger free. Applause! It was then moved, seconded and passed to propose a pledge of $1,500 to the FVRP with this proposal to be voted on at the next meeting.

Off-leash area at Sand Point/Magnuson Park: Trustee Fletcher Shives presented a resolution, which is filed with the minutes. The resolution was for signature by President Bob Lucas indicating the VRCC’s endorsement of the off leash area and support of proposed improvement and expansion as reported by Betty Schiess. Lines were drawn between the dog lovers and the environmentalists led by VRCC Trustee Bob Brown who believes that next to airplanes, dogs are the worst things that can happen to Sand Point/Magnuson Park. But, it wasn’t exactly a one-issue discussion. Trustee Carol Veatch wanted to know why, when it takes $75,000 from the community to get $75,000 from the city for a children’s play area, dogs can get $700,000 from the City for a dog’s play area without having to “lift a leg”. Trustee Jeanette Williams lamented loss of the total picture for Sand Point/Magnuson development and use of a piece-meal approach. Trustee Inge Strauss lamented loss of a balanced effort to achieve the lake front plan for which she has labored for so many years. Dick Phillips moved that the resolution be tabled until next regular Trustees meeting. This was seconded and approved by 10 of the 14 trustees present.

Trans-Lake Washington Project: Lucas will circulate information on this to be discussed next meeting.

Children’s Hospital Building Update: Bob Lucas went to a meeting last week concerning the site at 70^th and Sandpoint Way where an administration building will be built next year. It will not block the view of houses behind it and will have off street parking. Consideration will be given to the September harvest of the pea patch gardens and gardeners will be transferred to the community garden. Bob also mentioned that he had recommended Children’s apply for a traffic light at 70^th and Sandpoint Way. Children’s staff is following up the recommendation.

Field Lighting: There will be a new appeals hearing on October 4, so it is important to reiterate our opposition to 100-foot light poles before then. Jeanette Williams moved that Bob attend this meeting and voice the continued opposition to unregulated field lighting. The motion was seconded and passed.

Street Parking at Elementary School: On hold for this month.

NEW BUSINESS:

Candidates Night: Bob Lucas raised the question of holding Candidates Night this year. There is a need for volunteers to call candidates and the committees regarding propositions and local initiatives. Trustees Veatch and Williams volunteered to help with the calling. Candidates Night is set for Wednesday October 25.

Water System Advisory Committee: Need a volunteer.

University Village Building Program: An 800-car garage will be built at the north end of the Village and the area where Bartells is located will be expanded to two stories. Two story stores will also be built in the area behind Bartells.

Neighborhood Leadership Program: Training programs will be held during October and November. They are sponsored by the Department of Neighborhoods.

Recycling and Yard Waste: Laurelhurst is petitioning for more frequent pick-up.

UW Campus Master Plan: Laurelhurst objects to a new driving range fence and added second story.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm

Respectfully Submitted:

Jo McKinley, Secretary

View Ridge Community Club

Officers

President Bob Lucas

7416 52^nd NE

526-0575

Vice President Dick Hillmann

6549 43^rd NE

526-1944

Secretary Jo McKinley

6512 Parkpoint Ln.

527-0372

Treasurer Duane LaViolette

7011 47^th NE

522-6949

Newsletter

The View Ridger is published several times a year.

Editor Rose Williamson 6802 54^th NE

527-1619

View Ridge Community Club

P.O. Box 15218

Seattle, WA 98115-0218

Trustees

(*N, S, E or W side only)

40^th , 65^th to 75^th: Randy Munske, 6810 40^th

NE, 527-9406

73^rd E. to 42^nd:N. to 75^th (S*), 40^th to 45^th (W*),

to 71^st: Cathlin Starke, 7151 45^th NE,

527-0400

42^nd, 43^rd70th to 72^nd: Dan Devin, 7029 42^nd NE,

523-7683

73^rd, 74^th, 42^nd to 45^th: Jaime Friedman, 4223NE,

525-9803

42^nd S. of 70^th: Dick Phillips, 6809 42^nd NE,

524-7465

43^rd, S. of 70^th: Dick Hillmann, 6549 43^rd NE,

526-1944

44^th, 44^th Pl., 68^th to 70^th: Keith Moxon, 4312 NE,

68^th, 524-8234

44^th, 45^th S. of 68^th: Constance Bourque and

Kevin Talbott, 4414 NE 65^th, 527-1032

45^th,(E*),46^th,47^th, N. of School:

NEEDS A VOLUNTEEER!

46^TH,s.of 70^th: David Arms, 6552 46^th NE,

524-9681

47^th,S. of School: Duane LaViolette, 7011 47^th

NE, 522-6949

48^th,S. of 70^th: Claudia Farrar, 6539 48^th NE,

522-0337

49^th, S. of 70^th: NEEDS A VOLUNTEEER!

48^th, 49^th S. of School and 70^th (N*): Doris

Moehring, 7010 49^th NE,527-0345 & Penny

Stanard, 4816 NE 71^st, 527-6838

48^th, 49^th, N. of School,

NEEDSAVOLUNTEER!

50^th, S. of 70^th: NEEDS A VOLUNTEER!

50^th, N of 70^th: Bob Lucas, 7416 52^nd NE,

526-0575

51^st, S. of 70^th: Neale Weaver, 6542 51^st NE,

527-0554

51^st,N. of 70^th: Carol Veatch, 6834 51^st NE,

523-8673

52^nd, S. of 70^th: Gary Hammons, 6825 52^nd NE,

525-1156

52^nd, N. of 70^th: Marsha Nemitz, 7311 52^nd NE,

525-5393

53^rd,54^th, S. of 68^th: Steve Tull, 6508 53^rd NE,

522-8862

53^rd, N. of 70^th: Craig Dupler, 7041 53^rd NE,

524-1454

54^th, S. of 70^th: Rose Williamson,

6802 54^th NE, 527-1619

54^th, N. of 70^th: Alan Carpenter, 7050 54^th NE,

525-5917

55^th, S. of 70^th: NEEDS A VOLUNTEER !

55^th, N. of 70^th: NEEDS A VOLUNTEER!

56^th, S. of 73^rd: Matthew Hinck, 6911 56^th NE,

524-8553

56^th, N. of 73^rd: Shirley and Tom Hansen, 7336

56^th NE, 524-4629

57^th, S. of 70^th: James Olson, 6645 75^th NE,

524-4463

57^th, N. of 70^th: Marcia and Bob Brown, 7528

57^th Pl. NE, 524-4490

58^th, S. of 70^th: Justine Barton, 6657 58^th NE,

526-5390

58^th, N. of 70^th: Inge Strauss, 5724 NE 71^st,

525-9827 and Jeanette Williams, 7132 58^th NE,

523-9103

58^th, N. of 73^rd: Sally Cope, 7316 58^th NE,

526-5903

Aviation Heights (Upper): Alan Miller, 7604

56^th Pl. NE, 525-1983

Aviation Heights (Middle): NEEDS A

VOLUNTEER

Aviation Heights (Lower): Fletcher Shives,

7724 58^th NE, 522-6501

Parkpoint: Jo McKinley, 6512 Parkpoint Lane,