Breaking News: City of Burien & Harbor Urban Reach Settlement Allowing Burien Town Square Development to Move Forward
The Burien Town Square development project will soon be under new ownership thanks to a motion unanimously passed by the Burien City Council on June 17, 2013, that allows current real estate owners, Harbor Urban, to sell the remaining undeveloped parcels of Town Square to Legacy Partners.
Robert L. Richmond, III Announces Candidacy for Burien City Council Position #3
The following announcement of candidacy by Robert Richmond III was sent to Burien Daily on June 13, 2013. Richmond is running for Burien City Council position #3 against Council Member Joan McGilton, Arts Commissioner Andrea Reay, and Debi Wagner.
“My name is Robert L. Richmond, III and I am running for Burien City Council Position # 3.
I am running because I have noticed that it appears that the City Council has run out of ideas, except annexation.
I would appreciate the opportunity to present a few ideas to the public so that we can begin to become a self – sufficient city.
I would like to bring the 4H Headquarters to the City of Burien and help build the foundation for Urban Farming. We need to teach our kids early on about eating healthy. 4H also offers opportunities in the subjects of robotics, engineering, and computer science.
I propose working with Washington State University to bring an Athletic and Science facility to the City of Burien.
I intend to be aggressive and look for an “Anchor Tenant” to partner with the city to bring in high paying jobs. Burien is OPEN for business! (more…)
Burien Councilmember Jack Block Jr., “The Peoples Voice”, Announces Campaign For Re-election
The following letter was sent to Burien Daily by Cindi Law, Council Member Jack Block Jr.’s campaign manager, announcing Block’s reelection campaign for Burien City Council position #1 against Lauren Berkowitz and Kip Walton on August 28th.
Jack Block Jr. today officially announced today his bid for re-election to the Burien City Council. Said Block, “Burien’s citizens have an important choice to make this election: maintain the present dysfunctional status quo, or return the Council’s focus to the real needs of Burien’s citizens.
“In the last election, Burien’s citizens trusted me to work in their best interests. I’ve worked hard to repay that trust:
- Voting NO on annexation, when the county tried to balance its budget on the backs of Burien’s citizens.
- Saying NO to the City Manager’s proposal to raise taxes when there were adequate financial reserves to maintain city services.
- Saying NO to City staff’s proposal to extend our current solid waste contract, when putting it out to bid would reduce rates and result in more city revenue.
- Pushing to bring City Council focus to the lack of economic development and address the high number of empty storefronts that line our streets.
“Unfortunately, the current majority of the City Council and City Manager have vacated their duty to citizens, and continue to pursue an agenda that is far outside of the needs and desires of our citizens. Burien has real problems, and instead of addressing those, too many Councilmembers have allowed themselves to be diverted by issues that are low priority or opposed by voters: (more…)
Former Burien City Council Candidate Len Boscarine Explains Withdrawal From 2013 Election
The following letter was sent to Burien Daily by former Burien City Council Candidate, Len Boscarine on May 21, 2013. Boscarine withdrew from the 2013 race the Monday after filing for position #5 against former Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and Planning Commissioner Nancy Tosta. Because Len withdrew from the election, Council Member Clark and Commissioner Tosta will be the only candidates not to face a primary election and will thus move onto the November general election.
“I want to thank the buriendaily.com for giving me this opportunity to comment about why I withdrew from the Burien City Council election. Also, I want to thank the friends and neighbors who encouraged me to run for the Council. It is always flattering to have citizens and friends tell you that you would be the right person to serve the city and their rights and interests in the city.
I decided to file for this election because until late Friday it looked like Rose Clark was going to run unopposed for the Burien City Council. I feel very strongly that new blood is needed on the Burien City Council.
Burien now has a situation in which the majority of the city council members have taken control of our city’s government and they have promoted some financially ill advised ventures such as the annexation of Area Y/White Center and spending into the city’s cash reserves.
Several citizens, and even some minority council members, have called for citizens’ advisory votes on such issues. The “Gang of Four” that holds the majority on the council have repeatedly said that they will not allow citizens’ advisory votes on the critical issues confronting the city.
When I saw that Nancy Tosta was running for the same position as I had filed for, I was delighted. Even though it would have been an honor to represent the citizens of Burien, I feel that Nancy is an even better candidate for this Council position. She and I share many of the same ideas and goals for the City and the Council. I hardly endorse Nancy Tosta for Council Position # 5. (more…)
Employees of Burien Albertson’s to be Honored by Burien Police and City Council for Thwarting Child Abduction
The following public notice was sent to Burien Daily by Sargent Cindi West of the King County Sheriffs Department. To read more about the insident these Albertson’s employees are being honored for, see our publication from October, 2012.
On September 29th, of last year, a suspect accosted and attempted to abduct a 10 year old child at the Albertson’s at South 128th Street and 1st Avenue South in Burien.
Albertson’s employees, becoming aware of a commotion, intervened and successfully rescued the child and after a struggle, detained the suspect pending the arrival of the police.
On May 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer will honor the employee’s with the King County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Award. The Meritorious Service Award is the Sheriff’s Office 7th highest award conferred on an individual or group who demonstrate extremely meritorious dedication.
Please join Chief Kimerer and the Burien City Council when they acknowledge these very deserving citizens. (more…)
Shelli Park Announces Resignation From Burien City Council Race – Endorses Joey Martinez and Lauren Berkowitz
Arts Commissioner Shelli Park, who announced her run for Burien City Council on April 29th, released a letter Monday morning stating that she has decided to push off her run for a council seat until 2015.
In her letter, Shelli stated that she has come to the conclusion “after serious consideration” and that she “cannot do a responsible job as a City Council member” until her design business, Crimson Park Design, is in a more stable position.
The Burien Arts Commissioner took the opportunity to endorse Planning Commissioner Joey Martinez and candidate Lauren Berkowitz.
Commissioner Martinez has filed to run for City Council position #7, the seat currently held by Mayor Brian Bennett. Mayor Bennett announced earlier this month that he made the discussion with his family not to run for Council again and endorsed Martinez to fill his Council seat. Commissioner Martinez recently released a letter asking Burien residents to support him in his race against candidates Steve Armstrong and Chuck Rangel stating that “Together, we can build a better Burien.”
Candidate Lauren Berkowitz is currently running against Council Member Jack Block, Jr. and southeast Burien resident Kip Walton. Berkowitz announced her candidacy for City Council position #1 on March 14th and stated “We need new leaders to move Burien into the future… Our community has so much potential. It’s time to begin realizing it.” (more…)
Updated: Election Filing Week Comes to an End – 2013 Primary Election Burien City Council Candidates
Lake Burien Resident, Steve Armstong, Announces Candidacy for Burien City Council Position #7
The following letter of candidacy was released by Steve Armstrong on May 17, 2013. Armstrong has filed to run in the King County Primary Election against Planning Commissioner Joey Martinez and Olde Burien resident Chuck Rangel for Burien City Council position #7 which is currently held by Mayor Brian Bennett. You can find more information about upcoming election here.
Hello my name is Steve Armstrong and I am running for Burien City Council / Position 7. I’ve lived in Burien for over 40 years. Attended Shorewood Elementary, Cascade Middle School, Evergreen High and the University of Washington. My children, Alex and Elena, attended local schools – St. Francis, Highline and JFK. I am currently employed by The Boeing Company (32 years) specializing in Contracts. My hobbies include: hiking, mountain climbing, fly fishing, tennis, volleyball and spending time with my family and friends.
I’m running for city council because I believe it’s time for a change and that I can help initiate this change. It appears that some Council members and the City Manager have lost touch with the citizens of Burien. Recent evaluations from the City Council are mixed as to whether the City Manager is performing to expectations. Council members do not (or will not) work together. This condition must change.
There has been a complete disregard for the voice of the people. An example is the attempt to annex Area Y. My aversion to annexation is based solely on economics and the best interests for all. Seattle, with a huge revenue / tax base, found it impractical to annex at the time. Why would our City Manager and some Council members believe that annexation was in the best interest and would enrich the lives of those living in Area Y as well as Burien? (more…)