Nickels Newsletter - March 2005

Dear Friends,

With one beautiful, clear-sky day after another, this was one of the driest winters in recent memory! In fact, the National Weather Service said some areas of the state had their driest winter ever.

It's hard not to be happy when every day is sunny, but on the other hand, we need winter snow for summer water. The governor has already declared a statewide-drought emergency. We're also on the verge of April and Earth Day, which reminds us that conserving resources is the first step we can take in protecting our environment.

We're going to need to work together to save water, but there are some easy things you can do:

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes;
• Don't wash your car in the driveway; commercial car washes recycle and treat their water;
• Let the lawn go, or water sparingly when it's cool; and
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean the sidewalk.

As part of my environmental action agenda, the City is also taking steps toward saving paper. We're reducing paper use in all City departments by:

• Mandating a decrease of 30 percent over the next two years;
• Buying only 100-percent recycled paper; and
• Making two-sided copies the standard for all City print jobs.

Earth Day offers a lot of fun opportunities to improve the environment of your neighborhood and our city. To learn about some of the Earth Month events going on around Seattle, visit www.seattle.gov/parks/Environment/earth.htm.

Have a great month.

Sincerely,


GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle

Officer dies in the line of duty

On Wednesday, March 16, Officer Jackson V. Lone of the Harbor Patrol Unit died in the line of duty.

Officer Lone went ashore to tie off a tugboat and fell into Lake Union. He was pulled from the water by his partner, who immediately began CPR. Officer Lone was treated by the Seattle Fire Department medics at the scene and then transported to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died.

Officer Lone was 39 years old and an 18-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department. He worked in a variety of assignments, including patrol in the East Precinct, Narcotics Unit and Fugitive Warrants Unit, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force.

He was a highly trained officer who served our City with honor and commitment, and we all grieve his loss.

All City flags will be flown at half-staff to honor the sacrifice of Officer Lone and all the men and women who protect the public safety. The members of the police and fire departments take risks every day in our name, and we should be thankful daily for their service.

Officer Lone is survived by his wife and 18-month old son. Please keep them, and the extended SPD family, in your thoughts.

$10 million donation for South Lake Union Park

What better way to celebrate the coming of spring than by announcing the largest private donation to a public park in the city’s history. Vulcan Inc. has committed $10 million to help build South Lake Union Park, which will be delivered in two parts over five years; $5 million will be available this year to help in the first phase of the park’s construction. The second $5 million is a challenge grant to the Seattle Parks Foundation that will be given when the Foundation reaches its fundraising goal of $10 million. It’s been more than a century since the Olmsted brothers first proposed building a signature park here, and we are going to bring that vision to life. Work will start later this year on transforming the 12-acre property into a magnificent waterfront gathering place that the neighborhood, the city and the region will enjoy for generations to come.
Read the news release

Northgate groundbreaking set for March 19

March 8 was a great day for Seattle and the people who live and work in the Northgate neighborhood -- we signed a contract to begin construction on the Northgate Community Center, Library and park. Please join me for the groundbreaking on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. on the east side of the mall (see Upcoming Events). The community and the City have worked hard to overcome some real challenges on this project, but it's moving forward and is scheduled for completion by the middle of next year. It's a key step in our efforts to build strong families and healthy communities throughout Seattle.
Read the news release

Read Across America

March 2 marked Dr. Seuss' 101st birthday, which I celebrated by visiting with some Northgate Elementary School students for "Read Across America Day." I wish my staff could sit as quietly and attentively as those students did!

They were very well-behaved while we read two of my favorite books: The Cat in the Hat Comes Back and Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Read Across America Day was created by the National Education Association and happens every year. To learn more about it, visit their website. Or, in the spirit of the event, just pick up a book and read it to a child near you.
Read other Nickels' Notebook items

Celebrating success in Columbia City

It was my pleasure to join with Southeast Seattle community leaders to welcome Erica and Lashon Watson’s Seed of Life Center for Early Learning and Preschool LLC to Columbia City. Last year, the Seed of Life Center needed to relocate from Beacon Hill because of light rail construction. The Watsons were able to successfully relocate their business and purchase their new site in Columbia City with assistance from a number of public and private partners. The successful relocation of the Seed of Life Center is a great example of many people pitching in to help make sure that this important resource and small business can grow and continue to serve its community. We're making a difference in the lives of the children and families who use this child care center.
Read the news release

Honoring Edgar Martinez

Baseball season is just around the corner, so it was fitting to unveil the first of eight signs marking the new Edgar Martinez Drive South bordering Safeco Field. Edgar Martinez is an outstanding example of commitment, leadership and generosity. Those are the values we hope to see in all our professional athletes. He’s given Seattle a great legacy of success in baseball and success in life. Edgar Martinez Drive South will inspire us -- and future generations -- every time we go to Safeco Field to see a game.
Read the news release