The Buzz on the Streets

The 47th District: Issues, Insight & Interaction

Education Issues Pending

February 5th, 2010 at Fri, 5th, 2010 at 3:28 pm by lesliehamada

 

By now you have seen the headlines of the ruling of KC Superior Court Judge Erlick in his ruling to fully fund Education. Of course, the State has the right to appeal this ruling. In addition, this ruling carries no timeline for the Wa. State legislature to comply with the ruling. Many factors are still up in the air but it is an important ruling because it forces our legislators to begin to at least have conversations on how we are going to address these issues. It comes at our most challenging economic times. I am confident that the good people of Washington will find a way to creatively make things work more effectively for all the Kids in our State. The make  up of our schools and the times have in my opinion changed so dramatically that our school system has not been able to keep up. What worked 10 years ago may not work today. We have new issues as a society to deal with and competition that is Global which never happened when I attended school. I think just like in our Politics we have to start listening to each others opinions in a more civil way and just because we have differences of opinion—not be so quick to just walk away from the table. We need to find that common link to humanity and the common good and start gearing all our policies and conversations toward it. On another Education Issue and really a health issue. Before the Rules Committee which just passed out of the House Education Committee is a Bill which would help reduce costs to Washington State in the obesity column. It is HJM 4002 and it carries no money with it. Urge the rules committee to pull it out for a vote. Your health costs and mine could benefit from it.

I look forward to an open exchange of topics and issues that I am heavily involved with from day to day. In the meantime—

Make each day matter because none of us knows how many we have. Seize the moment–

the busy Bee buzzing on the streets

lesliehamada Leslie is a wife, mother, & grandmother. She has worked in marketing, communications, & writing professionally. For the past 17 years she has resided in the Covington area and doing volunteer work in the King County Area. While her children attended University Place Schools she was actively involved in youth activites and PTA. She was in executive leadership in the organization as President in school PTA on all levels. In addition she held a District PTA leadership position. Currently her youngest child Lisa is a teacher and last year was recognized as NASPE 2009 High School Physical Education Teacher of the Nation. Her two sons are employed in Computer and engineer firms. She has two beautiful grandchildren. Leslie's pride & joy is Pee Wee Hamada her stay at home cocker spaniel and her inspiration for her first Children's Book: "Pee Wee's Adventure In the Woods" which addresses boundaries for young children and safety issues through an exciting animal book. Leslie has been actively involved in her Community volunteering for over 40 years. She has mentored in high risk elementary schools since college. Presently she is Director for emergency services for her church Kent United Methodist. She is Chair of the Kent Ecumenical Network Board. It is her sixth year on Catholic Community Advocacy Board. She received an award last year from Governor Gregoire for work with felons. This past year she was recognized for work in social justice and poverty by the South King County Human Service Commission. Last year she received an award from the Southern Sudanese Organization in Seattle. In 2005 she received the SKC Award for the Spirit of Caring. In 2005 she traveled to San Francisco to work at the Soup Kitchen of Glide Memorial and help with immigrant Chinese pre-school students at Gum Moon Community. Her passion is working with kids and social justice issues. Presently she is working to start a Kids Boxing Program in the Kent East Hill area to give the kids a great after school program.

More articles by lesliehamada >
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  • Anonymous

    Nice one Ricky. My whole life and I never even heard about this root cellar. What in the world? Why didn’t anyone tell me? You’ll always have 12 more years of memories than I do. Cool story – thanks for sharing.

  • Anonymous

    I enjoyed reading your blog, Glenn. You brought up some provacative issues that give me reason to ask one question at least. I had the privilege of meeting Bill Allison last week, following the primary election. I found him to be very forthright, friendly and sincere. I have to admit I really liked him and undoubtedly will vote for him in the general election this fall. I think he is someone who will do a great job serving our community on the Maple Valley City Council. You mentioned “conflict of interest’ in your blog and Bill manages a Jamba Juice franchise in Covington, but lives in Maple Valley. My personal opinion is that this does not create a conflict of interest with any of the businesses in Maple Valley. I would appreciate your feelings on this subject.

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • Glenn Smith

    Gail,

    I agree with your assessment of Bill Allison and I too believe he will be a valuable asset to have on the Maple Valley City Council. Bill is someone who will use his vote wisely in making important decisions that will ultimately affect the quality of life for those of us who live and work in this beautiful community. As for your question regarding Bill having a conflict of interest due to the business he manages in Covington, my answer is that it does not. Jamba Juice is one of my favorite drinks. Jamba Juice is not only healthy, it is like a meal in itself! I would be overjoyed if he were to expand his business into Maple Valley. The fact that he manages a business elsewhere actually gives him some experience that can add credibility to our council. If we only stay to our own experience we don’t have the opportunity to grow. This is the problem I have seen with some of the council. If we have lived here all our life and don’t have experience elsewhere we do not have any new ideas that can be built upon. If we have served on council before and been unelected at some point but nothing has changed since why would the city Benefit from having us in office again? Bill on the other hand has the experience we need, the new innovative ideas that the citizens cry out for and my vote. I am glad he has yours as well.

    Glenn

  • http://www.pnwlocalnews.com Seth Long

    EDITOR’S NOTE: 7 duplicate comments were removed at the request of their author, Mr. Smith. They were not removed for content or Terms of Use reasons.

    Seth Long
    Director of New Media, Sound Publishing.

  • Name

    Thanks Seth. I will try to only post my responses once not 8 times. I love this blog stuff. – Glenn

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