Letter To The Editor: Disabled Residents Shouldn't Be Left Homeless On Our Streets

Councilmember Osman Salahuddin

From the desk of Redmond Councilmember Osman Salahuddin...

Bob, I believe that you and I fundamentally agree that we don’t want our seniors, veterans, and residents with disabilities to be homeless and living on the streets. They deserve to be able to live in their community and have the help that they need to get by. 

Because of this agreement, our Council has spent a great deal of time addressing this decision. Because I take my responsibility to you as your Councilmember very seriously, I have personally been looking directly into the data about our city in guiding my decision. I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned with you to further our discussion about this important issue.

 

What I’ve learned about our City of Redmond (see data links below for verification):

• 3,916 of our neighbors are earning less than $15,000 annually (at or below Federal poverty line);
• 6,401 of our neighbors are living with a disability, some of which impacts their earning ability;
• 7,502 of our neighbors are seniors ages 65+, some of whom cannot afford the rising cost of living;
• 1,913 of our neighbors are veterans, many of whom are part of those earning less than $15,000;
• These are Our community members, who need Our help to stay housed and safe.

 

The intention of the 100 units of permanent supportive housing that Plymouth is offering our community is to house (in the downtown) our seniors, our veterans, and our residents living with disabilities. To add to this, we have an incredible shortage of housing at all levels, so to meet the needs of our own residents – specifically – for safe and healthy places to live, we need to provide housing opportunities for people at or below the adjusted median income of $30,000 annually. The location will be ideal for folks who are experiencing disabilities with its proximity to the Light Rail station. 

Updated Editorial: Redmond PD "Safety Alerts" really help.

Editorial:   UPDATED:  The following Redmond Police Department (PD) "Safety Alert" email (below) was in my inbox this morning and I immediately opened it for Jim Bove's safety tips and events.   If you want to be on his email list for Safety Alert Updates" email Jim at jbove@redmond.gov   The City's Notice of Public Disclosure of emails at the bottom is a refreshing measure of transparency and worthy of your gaze.  I've never gotten spam from giving out my email  address at city function sign-ins - but that's your call.

The Safety Alert email from Jim Bove, Redmond PD is copied here: 

Jim Bove, Outreach Facilitator
Redmond PD

Dear Redmond Community and Friends,Plenty of information to share; as always, feel free to forward…..

"Cheeseburger in Paradise" National Night Out Against Crime  is Tuesday, August 7th this year (always the first Tuesday in August)…and a sunny day is always guaranteed. We ask neighborhoods, businesses, and apartment complexes to participate in the 29th Annual Night Out. The police department, fire department, city council, mayor, and others will attend as many parties as possible between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. We ask citizens of Redmond to turn their porch lights on and come outside to take a stand against crime with your neighbors—some do BBQs, potlucks, ice cream socials….the fun/list is endless. If you’ve never done this, it’s a great event for fun, friends, and community! Note this year's online registration form. For more information, visit: www.redmond.gov/PublicSafety/Police/national_night_out 

Read the PD email public disclosure warning >>

EDITORIAL: Reaching out to our neighbors, sharing our cultures

Japanese tour guide translates for
PCC-Redmond grocery store manager, Celeste

thanks to BJ Eliason for his help with the tiny churches, co-owner Discover Yoga

EDITORIAL (updated):  One of my goals for this blog is to acknowledge and value Redmond international residents and the wealth of culture, business and grace they bring to our fair city and neighborhoods.  Since Redmond's founding a hundred years ago, the city has moved far beyond it's native American - pioneer horse culture.  Today, Microsoft and many other Greater Redmond tech companies expand our cultural and international diversity exponentially by hiring globally.

The 2010 census figures for Redmond, WA  puts a handle on it:    

• Redmond residents:  61% white not Hispanic, 1.7% black, 25% Asian, 8% Hispanic or Latino, 4% mixed-race, and 0.6% American or Alaskan Indian/islander.    
• Other tidbits:  Redmond's Asian population is 4 times larger than the average WA population.  Of the Asian race, almost 12% are East Indian; percent of Arab nations are unknown. 
• Foreign born persons living in Redmond are 29% of households. 
• Language other than English spoken at home in 33% of households. (age 5+)
• Redmond business:  Asian-owned firms (2007) 13%.  Hispanic owned firms (2007) 3% 
• Median household income (2006-2010):  $88,194.  
• Population:  54,155 (non-working hours),  20% increase last 10 years.

Foreign-born often residents often find company and  "neighborhood" in their church and community centers. The Vedic Cultural Center of Sammamish (Hindu) and  MAPS Community Center of Redmond (Muslim) are grand, open gathering-places.  The newer Buddist Temple, Lwat Atam on Redmond-Woodinville Rd.  On the smallest scale, Read More >>

Editorial: Three smart reasons to vote YES on L.W. School District levy and bond measures.

Vote YES on Lake Washington School District levies/bond!

Editorial:  I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the smart thing to do.   Schools are a great investment for our neighborhoods.  We know that!

But, let's not lose sight that local businesses count on our schools for a vibrant, educated labor pool.  "Being future ready " is more than about leaving town for college.  Many students find their future right here, working for local businesses after graduation.

I have personal and financial reasons for supporting the levy and bond measures:

1) My daughter received a first class education (K-12) that prepared her for college.  Her life was enriched by a long list of  inspiring teachers, outside school activities, and friendships.  I've always felt my kid was safe at school.

2) Even though my only child is graduating this year, I still look at the additional $170/year tax tab as a good  investment.  Why?  If we don’t fund all three measures, the school system will lose the equivalent of  612 teachers, 30-year roofs and buildings will deteriorate and classrooms will overflow from the 1200 new students expected by 2014.  We can expect no bail-out from the State - actually less from them!

3) If we let our schools go down the tube, so go the neighborhoods and our home values. I see the $170/year payment as "property value insurance protection."  Without it, my home and largest asset may never fully bounce off this bottom.

Will you be voting Tuesday, Februrary 9?    Please Vote YES on all three LWSD funding measures!

By Bob Yoder

Voter information about the District Levies and Bond is here.

LETTERS: Long time stores are being forced out of Redmond

LETTERS - Email submitted by Gail of Education Hill, 8/27

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the blog, great info for everyone!! I found out some disturbing info regarding stores leaving Redmond.

Kits Camera West and Las Margaritas are being forced out of Redmond. I walked into Kits this am to do some printing and there packing up. Reef Management tells them out. I don't know if there doing exactly what happened at the other end of town. With a new face lift and new stores coming in like TRADER JOES etc. You know we now have NO camera store in Redmond it's like when the Hallmark was forced out because rent was so high. I also heard RITE AID might go away also. Change is good for Redmond but I have seen a lot in 26 yrs living here and I don't like to see the stores that we shop at forced out. Then does the major want us to shop in Kirkland, Bellevue etc.

I am unhappy right now. Thanks for listening! love the blog!!!

--Gail of Education Hill