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City blames storm for missed recycle pick ups

Submitted by Anthony Gomes, KOMO 4 News Reporter
Friday, January 27th, 2012, 6:18pm

The city is blaming last week's historic snow and ice storm for a delay in picking up recycling, but that excuse isn't sitting well with some residents.

Recycling is picked up every two weeks, so missing just one pick-up day can create a serious backlog of bottles and other recyclables. That's exactly what happened when last week's extreme weather forced city crews to abandon their scheduled pick ups.

By the next pickup day, some customers will have have four weeks worth of bottles built up.

Seattle resident Chris Bloomquist doesn't understand why it's taking so long for the city to get caught up.

"We all have obligations and none of us could work last week, and we're all catching up this week, and I thought the city would do the same thing," Bloomquist said.

The city has added crews to make up for last week's missed dates, but officials say while customers like Bloomquist are dealing with a parking strip full of material, they're dealing with a city full of material.

A city spokesman said customers can double up on garbage and recycling for next week's pick up, but Bloomquist said that's not soon enough.

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You're invited to the city hall open house on Saturday

Submitted by Kiersten Throndsen, KOMO Communities Reporter
Friday, January 27th, 2012, 10:28am
You're invited to the city hall open house on Saturday

Neighbors grab your coats, your hats, your kids - and get on down to the city's Open House this Saturday.

This is the third year the city has hosted an open house event.

During the event folks can learn about city resources, meet local elected officials, ask questions and offer ideas on things you think can be improved throughout the city.

The open house runs from 10-2:00p.m., at 601 5th Ave.

Here's what organizers say you can expect if you're planning to come:

  • Tours of the Mayor's Office and City Council Offices
  • Q&A session with the mayor
  • Workshops on the legislative process and interpreting credit reports
  • Tabling by City departments and the City Attorney's Office
  • Live music
  • A farmer's market

Anyone and everyone is invited to stop by and check it out.

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City beefs up pothole patrol following storm

Submitted by Theron Zahn, KOMO 4 News Reporter/Weathercaster
Thursday, January 26th, 2012, 11:11am

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says he is deploying more crews to fix the city's ever-deepening pothole problem.

Last week’s winter storm left some streets looking like a minefield of craters. But the mayor is promising to get the city’s roads back in shape as fast as possible.

"We're just starting, so the public should call them in when they see them," said McGinn. And the cities says it will respond.

“We are going to increase our forces from our standard three crews to four crews in the north end of the city, (and) two in the south end,” said Seattle Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Pratt.

The mayor added Mother Nature alone isn’t to blame for the wrecked roads.

“The number of potholes we're seeing and the condition of our streets is a reflection of the fact that declining revenues and statewide initiatives that have taken away funding sources for us. (It) means we don't have the resources we need to do the job," he said.

McGinn wants the state to help fill the revenue gap to help cities repave damaged streets.

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Beard & Stache Fest 2012: Gentlemen, start your growing

Submitted by Michael Harthorne, KOMO Communities Reporter
Thursday, January 26th, 2012, 9:52am
Beard & Stache Fest 2012: Gentlemen, start your growing

Sure, you can grow a big, smelly beard or mustache anytime of the year. But for the next few months, you’ll be able to tell any complaining significant-others/employers/busybodies that you’re doing it for the kids.

The fourth annual Beard & Stache Festival returns in February. But first, organizers of the fundraiser need willing hirsute gentlemen to come down to the High Dive in Fremont Sunday to get their photo taken.

Those photos will adorn up to 125 cans placed around the city to collect donations for Treehouse, which supports King County foster children. Whoever’s facial hair earns them the most donations will earn prizes and the grudging respect of lesser beards and mustaches.

Photos will be taken from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at the High Dive, located at 513 N. 36th St. If you can’t make it – or need a few more days of facial-hair-growing time – there will be a second photo shoot from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 9 at Bluebird Ice Cream, located at 1205 E. Pike St. (but only if the 125 spaces aren’t filled up at the first shoot).

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Proposed bill from Sen. Frockt would protect residents selling their home

Submitted by Ryan Harris, KOMO Newsradio Reporter/Editor
Thursday, January 26th, 2012, 8:15am
Proposed bill from Sen. Frockt would protect residents selling their home

If you’re under water in your mortgage and thinking about selling your home for a loss, a new bill from 46th District Sen. David Frockt aims to give you some extra protection.

The bill would require banks to choose between two options, either selling off the debt they didn’t recover from the home sale or taking it as a tax write-off, rather than the common practice of doing both.

“What we do in this bill is essentially provide the same type of protection to homeowners who are not yet in foreclosure but are at risk for foreclosure,” Frockt said. “I think in doing so, what we’re going to do is clear out and make some of these sales go quicker, and that’s better for the overall health of the real-estate market.”

Some may say the bill is essentially forcing banks and lenders to take a loss, but Frockt disagrees.

“If a homeowner in distress is in a short-sell situation anyway, the  bank is taking a loss anyway because realistically they are not going to collect the full amount of the debt,” he said.

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Citizens help SPD collect 4,488 pairs of socks for local charities

Submitted by Jill Blocker, KOMO Communities Reporter
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012, 11:06am
Citizens help SPD collect 4,488 pairs of socks for local charities

Local charities will be able to help keep lots of feet warm, thanks citizens who donated socks to the Seattle Police Department collection.

The North Community Police Team and the North Precinct Advisory council collected 4,488 pairs of socks, according to the department.

“I want to personally thank all the citizens in the precinct who gathered 4488 pairs of socks,” says Sergeant Dianne Newsom. “(We collected) 154 pairs of gloves, 285 hats, 19 scarves, 3 afgans, 2 knitted baby shoes.”

The socks, along with gloves, scarves, hats and blankets will be delivered to charities including ROOTS in the University district and Harborview’s Pioneer Square Foot Clinic.

The department sends a special thank you to Target, Northgate Community Center, Lake City Lions, University Masonic Temple, Members of the North Precinct Advisory Council and others.

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Proposed service changes raise questions for Greenwood/Phinney riders

Submitted by Kiersten Throndsen, KOMO Communities Reporter
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012, 2:38pm
Proposed service changes raise questions for Greenwood/Phinney riders

Neighbors have questions and riders have concerns when it comes to the future of their Metro bus service.

“The proposed Aurora Avenue bus changes and Route 5 are something we have been discussing at the Phinney Ridge Community Council meetings,” said Diane Duthweiler, President of PRCC.

Under Metro’s proposed plan, the RapidRide E Line, once up and running, would take over 358 along Aurora Ave.

Duthweiler says if that happens, stops on Aurora, between 68th and 46th, would be gone.

“So, 18 blocks through our neighborhood would be without a stop.”

According to an email, sent to area residents, Metro says it’s “considering two alternative paths in the Green Lake area between N 64th Street and Winona Avenue N.”

Metro is also looking to change Route 5, one of the main lines Greenwood/Phinney riders rely on to get downtown.

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