Political FYI
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Somers will remain on state forest board
OLYMPIA – Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers will continue serving on the state’s Forest Practices Board.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed Somers to a four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2010. Somers has been on the board since July when he was named to fill a vacancy for a term that expired at the end of 2006.
Somers, of Monroe, was the protected species policy analyst for the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
The Forest Practices Board establishes minimum standards for forest practices and provides procedures for the voluntary development of resource management plans. Members include members of the public and state and county governments.
Forum set for Thursday on campaign finance
EVERETT – How public financing of political campaigns works in other states and whether any ideas might be tried in Washington will be discussed at a town hall meeting on Thursday.
Taking part will be state Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle; Maine Rep. Linda Valentino; Arizona Sen. Ed Ableser; and John King, policy director for Washington Public Campaign. Valentino and Ableser are Democrats.
The free event will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Snohomish County Public Utility District, 2320 California St.
The 38th and 44th Legislative District Democrats, in conjunction with Democracy for Snohomish County and Washington Public Campaign, are the sponsors.
For information, e-mail Harry Abbott at harry.abbott22@verizon.net.
Students’ space study deadline is extended
High school juniors are getting a little more time to apply for the Washington Aerospace Scholars, a statewide program offering lessons in the world of aerospace and space exploration.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 12, according to Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. The original Dec. 31 deadline was extended for those affected by last month’s storms.
Bailey and other Washington state legislators will sponsor students and be involved in the final selection.
Up to three students in each of the state’s 49 legislative districts will be chosen for the program, which is free to students.
It includes a six-day residential summer internship at the Museum of Flight in Seattle in which students will participate in a mission to Mars simulation.
Applicants must be juniors in high school, at least 16 years old, a state resident and U.S. citizen, have access to the Internet and be committed to completing online lessons to qualify for the six-day residential summer experience.
For information, students can contact the Washington Aerospace Scholars Program at 206-764-5866, Rep. Bailey at 360-786-7914 or download an application from www.museumofflight.org and click on “Education.”
From Herald staff reports
