CT proposes fare hike, cuts in service
Community Transit is looking at fare hikes and cuts in service due to slipping revenues. The agency has cut about $14 million in staff, training and marketing over the past two years with no impact to customers. Now the agency is looking at cuts in service and a fare hike for bus and DART paratransit customers that would take effect in June.
The cuts would impact nearly all of Community Transit’s 64 local and commuter bus routes.
Plans include eliminating service duplication and streamlining routes. Sunday and holiday service suspension is also being considered. These proposed cuts could save the agency up to $5 million in the second half of 2010 and $11 million in 2011. Route-by-route details of the proposal are posted on buses and online at www.communitytransit.org.
The proposed fare increase would raise local bus and DART fares by 25 cents. This would contribute about $250,000 in the second half of 2010 and $500,000 in 2011.
A public hearing on the proposed budget will be at 3 p.m. Feb. 4 at 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett. The transit board is expected to take action on the proposal March 4. If approved, the fare increase would go into effect June 1, service cuts on June 13.
Additional community meetings will be held: 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 20, Monroe School District Administration Building, 200 E. Fremont St., Monroe; and 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 26, Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace.
Public comment will be accepted through Feb. 8. Send comments to Community Transit 2010 Changes, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett, WA 98203; e-mail 2010changes@commtrans.org; or call 425-353-7433 (RIDE).
School zone cameras next fall
Snohomish County will begin using traffic-safety cameras for photo enforcement at certain intersections and selected school zones. Cameras are expected to be implemented by the end of summer in time for the 2010-11 academic year.
The photo enforcement will take digital pictures of rear license plates of vehicles that speed through school zones or run red lights. If a violation is detected, a citation may be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Infractions detected through the use of automatic traffic cameras are not part of a registered owner’s driving record. Additionally, infractions generated by the use of automatic traffic safety cameras are processed in the same manner as parking infractions.
There will be no cost to the county for the service as revenues from citations will fund the program.
Haiti relief
Text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti. The donation will be charged to your cell phone bill.
This financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can also be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or online at www.redcross.org.
For more information or to contact the American Red Cross Snohomish County Chapter, call 425-252-4103.
Tax video in Spanish
One of the state’s most popular online tax videos, “Plan for and Pay Your Taxes,” is now available online and in Spanish. The video is intended to help start-up businesses understand their tax obligations.
Revenue Director Cindi Holmstrom said the agency developed the video to help minority-operated businesses succeed in the marketplace. She said a small business survival study by the department indicated that fledgling businesses sometimes fail because they don’t adequately understand or prepare for taxes and other regulatory obligations.
The English-language version has been a popular download at business.wa.gov in the past year. The Spanish-language version can be found alongside other department videos at dor.wa.gov under the “Workshops and education” section.
Business events
• 9/11 survivor addresses symposium
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell will speak at Edmonds-based The Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound’s 2010 Annual Symposium Jan. 29 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle. FPA is the nonprofit membership organization for the financial planning community.
Birdwell will share his story of hope, faith, patriotism and unconditional love to help financial planners understand the emotions clients face during decision-making processes. It is hope that kept him alive in the wake of the 9/11 Pentagon attack, when the flames consumed 60 percent of his body. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Registration information can be found at www.fpapugetsound.org. Individual tickets for Birdwell’s presentation are available to the public for $20 each by calling 206-686-4372.
• Home show features local businesses
Lynnwood companies are among the exhibitors at the Bellevue Home Show, Friday through Sunday at Meydenbauer Center. Sustainable living will be one focus of the seminars and exhibits. Lynnwood-based City Builders will showcase their “BuiltGreen” expertise; Green Gaia Wind Energy will show how to use wind as a green home energy source; and Northwest Natural Lighting will exhibit their method to bring natural daylight indoors. Other exhibitors from Lynnwood include Closet Factory, J.D. Sellen Tile and Precision Door Service.
Tickets are $5 to $8. Visit www.bellevuehomeshow.com for special admission offers.
Executive changes
Three local men have returned to Snohomish County to pursue their law professions, recently joining Edmonds-based Zachor &Thomas. Each of the new hires passed the state bar exam on their first try.
James M. Zachor graduated in 1998 from Mountlake Terrace High School. He attended Oregon State University, transferring to Pacific University before attending law school at Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich. where he graduated cum laude.
Joseph Douglas Everett graduated in 1998 from Mountlake Terrace High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and attended law school at Gonzaga Law School, graduating cum laude.
K. Peter Palubicki graduated from Cascade High School in 2002 and attended University of Washington Law School, graduating cum laude.
Business Briefs
• South County Chamber will have Michael Parks address “2010 economic forecast for our region” Jan. 27 at Lynnwood Embassy Suites. The event is hosted by the Northwest Business Institute, a division of the South County Chamber. For details and registration, visit www.s2c3.com.
• The Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce’s networking breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. every Wednesday at Fairwinds-Brighton Court, 6520 196th St. SW, Lynnwood. The event is free. Breakfast is available for $8. Call 425-670-1496 for information.
• An After Hours Mini Job Fair will be held 5:30–7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Everett Station. Vendor registration if $125. For more information, visit www.snocojobfair.com.
• The Edmonds Rotary Club’s annual scholarship fundraiser will be Feb. 21 at Edmonds Center for the Arts. Hear the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds woodwind quintet. Tickets are $50 per person. For tickets and information, call 425-771-1744.
• The Mountlake Terrace Business Association will meet Wednesday, Jan. 20 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Creekside Chruch,
Call for entries
• The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is seeking nominations for the 20th annual Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Historic Preservation to recognize persons, organizations and projects that have achieved distinction in the field of historic preservation.
Nomination deadline is 5 p.m. March 5. Forms and information are online at www.dahp.wa.gov, or call 360-586-3533 or e-mail russell.holter@dahp.wa.gov.
• Nominations are open for the Washington’s Extra Mile Award, distinguishing state employees who have surpassed expectations in public service. Each year, the award is given to individuals or groups of public employees.
Nomination forms are available at www.secstate.wa.gov/productivityboard/. Deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 19. Submit nomination forms to: The Productivity Board, P.O. Box 40244, Olympia, WA 98504-0244, fax to 360-704-7830 or e-mail innovate@secstate.wa.gov. For more information, call 360-704-5203.
Business owner runs for office
Small business owner Lillian Kaufer has announced that she will campaign for state representative of the 44th Legislative District.
“My husband Patrick and I have been married for 19 years and have operated our business in Snohomish County for over 15 years. I’m running because we need representation in Olympia from people who run small businesses, have kids in our public schools and are active in South Snohomish County,” Kaufer said in a statement.
While working with her husband on their family business, Kaufer also works as a paralegal defending injured workers and volunteering as a guardian ad litem for children in foster care. Lillian also serves on the Snohomish County Performance Audit Committee.
She lives with her husband Patrick in Mill Creek.
Community involvement
The city of Lynnwood is seeking applicants for an opening on the Lynnwood Arts Commission. This position has a three-year term. Applicants must live within Lynnwood city limits. To apply, contact Fred Wong at 425-670-5518, fwong@ci.lynnwood.wa.us, or write to the City of Lynnwood Arts Commission, P.O. Box 5008, Lynnwood, WA 98046-5008. There is no deadline to apply.
Civic meetings
SOUTH COUNTY
Lake Ballinger Watershed Forum, 2 p.m. Tuesday. Call for location: 425-670-8264, ext. 105.
Snohomish County Public Facilities District, 3–5 p.m. Thursday, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., third floor, Willis Tucker Conference Room, Everett. On the agenda: Sales tax revenue projection, the budget and facility updates.
EDMONDS
Edmonds City Council, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Council Chambers, 250 Fifth Ave. N. On the agenda: Report from citizens Ken Reidy and Eric Thuesen. Broadcast on Channel 21 at noon and 7 p.m. the following Wednesday, noon on Friday and Monday.
Port of Edmonds, 7 p.m. Monday, 336 Admiral Way.
Hearing Examiner, 3 p.m. Thursday, Council Chambers, 250 Fifth Ave. N.
Edmonds Cemetery Board, 4 p.m. Thursday, Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St.
Edmonds Planning Board, 7 p.m. Jan. 27, Council Chambers, 250 Fifth Ave. N.
Edmonds Sister City Commission, 7 p.m. Monday, Edmonds Library Plaza Room, 700 Main St.
LYNNWOOD
Lynnwood City Council, 7 p.m. Monday, Council Chambers, 19100 44th Ave. W. Broadcast on Comcast Channel 28, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays. More info: 425-670-5000.
Lynnwood Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Jan. 28, City Hall Council Chambers, 19100 44th Ave. W.
Lynnwood Neighborhoods &Demographic Diversity Advisory, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Fire Station 15, 18800 44th Ave. W.
Lynnwood Hearing Examiner, Jan. 27, Council Chambers, 19100 44th Ave. W. Call 425-670-8308 to confirm time and location.
Lynnwood Business Advisory Group, 7:30 a.m. Jan. 27, Council Chambers, 19100 44th Ave. W.
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Mountlake Terrace Community Policing Advisory Board, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Police Station Conference Room, 5906 232nd St. SW.
Mountlake Terrace Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Monday, City Hall, 6100 219th St. SW, Suite 200.
MILL CREEK
Mill Creek City Council, 6 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall, 15728 Main St.
Mill Creek Board of Adjustments &Appeals, meets as needed, City Hall, 15728 Main St.
BRIER
Brier City Council, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall, 2901 228th St. SW.
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