Just a Thought

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  • Monday, March 3, 2008 11:26am

By Maggie Fimia

For decades, the people of Shoreline pulled together around the values of safe neighborhoods, quality schools, environmental stewardship and community service. We were a united community working on common goals. Most of all, there was mutual respect. Unfortunately, we have allowed enormous rifts to form in our community over several major construction projects and questionable land-use decisions. Precious time, trust and resources have been wasted. Despite current attempts by a few, to tie us up in a baseless lawsuit, your city council and staff are getting the work done that you elected us to do.

We have already made significant progress toward a more responsive and responsible government. Upcoming agenda items are now on the Web site. Proposed amendments to motions and ordinances are also posted there. The council meetings will soon be available to view real time online. A free workshop on grant writing for any member of the public is scheduled. Shortly, we will be discussing how to implement better performance audits, which will measure and track what citizens really care about. The Critical Areas Ordinance is before us. Amendments are being offered that will further protect streams and wetlands from degradation and from toxic substances.

The city just conducted its first workshop for staff and Council with non-profit affordable housing experts. A broad-based Economic Development Citizen Task Force just completed a comprehensive proposal for council and public review. Hopefully better access to good jobs and housing will help lift the one in five families in Shoreline who are struggling financially by providing more stability and income.

In many neighborhoods, the sidewalks and drainage system is old or absent. Cut-through traffic in neighborhoods is getting worse. Decisions about where to locate future growth, while protecting neighborhoods and the environment, will take more cooperation and care. Instead of driving growth into the existing neighborhoods, we should utilize the areas in the city that can handle it such as Aurora Square and Aurora Avenue. We can’t miss any more opportunities to get multi-story, mixed-use in key corridors. We must finish upgrading all of Aurora Avenue with a design that is affordable and takes less time to finish. We can’t wait another 10 years to walk or drive safely on Aurora Avenue.

This is just a partial list. We have much work to do. I commit to helping our community work together and take advantage of all the incredible people in Shoreline to accomplish great things for our city. That is our legacy and it can be our future.

Maggie Fimia is Deputy Mayor of Shoreline.

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