Dear Friends,

 
I don’t ever remember being so busy reviewing legislative actions in District 3 all at once. I must admit, though, that I am developing a great deal of resiliency throughout the process. 
 
Most recently, the council voted unanimously to sell the old maintenance property on the southeast corner of 224^th and Mountain Highway. There were discussions of different views and decisions regarding the use of the land, what account the funds would be deposited in, as well as the legality of sale. The property had been designated as a future park in the Graham Community Pan. Several folks testified who truly wanted a park at that location.
 
After reaching out to the Parks Department, I learned that the property was not in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The director cited the expense of building it, not enough density to validate it, and there were higher priorities in the more urban areas. In other words, it was highly unlikely to be on the Park’s “to fund” list at any time in the distant future.
 
I commented that I had just toured the Bethel School District and was told of partnering opportunities with properties they owned.
 
The take home for me from this experience was that, as a council, we must acknowledge the universal desire for more parks and recreational opportunities for all.
 
Another subject pertinent to the district this week was settling a legal challenge to a zoning issue in Frederickson. It’s a long story, but the jist is that without transit service to the area, it’s not allowed to have a Towne Center designation. We need flexibility in the permitting/zoning system, and it takes more than a county council to change it. To view the Council meeting, click here.
 
The last major piece of controversy is regarding a requested vacation for a right-of-way (ROW) in Frederickson through Ordinance 2021-36. I will do my best to describe it and the pros and cons that have been shared with me in a separate e-letter. It is something I want you to have too many, rather than too few, details. I will get that out Monday, so keep an eye out for it in your inbox. The final vote is scheduled for June 29^th. 
 

Public Safety Committee: Updates on unauthorized encampments and street racing

 
I’m sure you have seen unauthorized encampments around the county. There are specific protocols we must legally follow when addressing them. Also, street racing plagues the county, not to mention the country. I know I have received an unusual number of calls about cars speeding throughout the district, particularly on long stretches, like 200^th in Frederickson. I continue to inform the sheriff’s department of your calls and ask for more patrols. I know the department is working hard to be where the lawlessness occurs. Presentations we received at our recent Public Safety Committee meeting on this subject were extremely informative. You can view them here.
 

What You Rarely See In the MSM

 
Several months ago, I received a thoughtful message from a citizen. I had never met him, nor do I know what district he was from, but he shared that although he disagreed with me, he appreciated my speaking for the minority at a Council meeting. I thanked him for that and considered it a compliment.
 
Having said that, I do want to share links to testimonies from experts on issues that affect us today. I do not support the lockdown nor the internet chatter about vaccine passports. There are volumes of studies and statistics that validate fully opening up and to stop masking. Here is testimony given by a medical doctor and an attorney at the Ohio House Health Committee. Click here to witness the truth from a young child about masks as only she can describe. Dr. Byram Bridle, a viral immunologist, demonstrates here why masks are not effective. It’s an eyeopener! You don’t even need to be a scientist to see the truth in his demonstration.
 
Below is a graph I found on an Australian site showing the total covid deaths per million in the US up to March 31^st of this year. WA State is the first blue bar to the right of the first red bar from the left.

In closing today, I hope this e-letter has had some value for you. You decide what is best for you. Be looking for next Monday’s e-letter with the pros and cons I have received about vacating 38th Ave E in Frederickson.
 
Grateful for you!