collected by Antonio Foster
Seattle City Council President Breaks Silence on Murray
City of Seattle District 2 (South Seattle) Representative and Council President Bruce Harrell spoke out Monday morning on the recent allegations plaguing Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. In a statement, which he read before a city council briefing, Harrell said:
“My Council colleagues and I have no intention of commenting on matters of pending or potential litigation. We believe that it is critically important that, together, we remain committed to the business of governing.
“All City employees and City departments are focused on our core responsibilities of customer service, affordable housing, homelessness, public safety, transportation, education, and ensuring equality for all in a great, but rapidly growing city. The work before us is too critical for the future of Seattle and its residents. We intend to continue working with unwavering dedication to serving the people who put their faith in us.
“Our city cannot afford to be distracted. There is a judicial process that will address the serious allegations that this situation has presented, and we will respect that process and the rights of all parties involved. All accusations of abuse require a thorough investigation. It is in our human nature to immediately want answers, but I ask we not cast aspersions to the parties involved before we have all the facts through the legal process. I am confident that through this process, truth and justice will prevail.
“It is worth repeating we are steadfast and focused on serving the people of Seattle. Council has a strong committee structure that works with the city’s 40 departments in upholding our City Charter ‘of protecting and enhancing the health, safety, environment, and general welfare of the people; to enable municipal government to provide services and meet the needs of the people efficiently; to allow fair and equitable participation of all persons in the affairs of the City; to provide for transparency, accountability, and ethics in governance and civil service; to foster fiscal responsibility; to promote prosperity and to meet the broad needs for a healthy, growing City.’”
As the current Council President, Harrell would have five days to accept the role of mayor if Murray were to resign. If Harrell declined, the city council would then decide on another councilmember to fulfill the role.
Art Space Coming Available in Beacon Hill
Community arts organization, Beacon Arts is providing artists an opportunity to utilize a warehouse and old salon space located at 2599 Beacon Ave S this summer for projects and work space before the buildings are torn down.
The group has held work parties over the past month in order to ready the space for community events. Beacon Arts is inviting anyone interested in the space to a meeting Tuesday, April 11 from 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm at 2507 Beacon Ave S Seattle, WA 98144, where the organization will discuss how to activate the two spaces, along with plans to execute a summer call for artist. Beacon Arts is currently seeking funds to hire artists to engage the local community in a series of events spanning from June to November.
Spring Break at South Seattle Libraries
South Seattle library branches are offering special activities for students during Seattle Public School’s Spring Break. Below is a list of programs for the week at participating locations.
Monday April 10th
Columbia City Branch (4721 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Tinkerlab Expo. / Time: 2 – 5pm: /Description: Drop in and work on a fun STEM-based craft or challenge and tinker around with construction and builder kits.
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Kids Café Kids Café Afterschool Meals / Time: 4 – 4:30pm / Description: Kids Café Afterschool Meals – Kids & Teens Eat Free!
Tuesday April 11th
New Holly Branch (7058 32nd Ave S # 104, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Board Games / Time: 1 – 3pm
/ Description: Wanna play? Bring your family, friends, or come alone and play our array of board games!
Columbia City Branch (4721 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Fuel Your Future: Create MyPlate! / Time: 2 -3pm / Description: Learn nutrition concepts by playing a fun parachute game! With snacks! And a story! For children ages 5-12.
New Holly Branch (7058 32nd Ave S # 104, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Kids Café Afterschool Meals / Time: 3:30 – 4pm / Description: Kids Café Afterschool Meals – Kids & Teens Eat Free!
Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144) / What: Learning Buddies / Time: 4:15-5:15pm/ Description: Play math and reading games. Get better at math and reading with a high school buddy.
Wednesday April 12th
New Holly Branch (7058 32nd Ave S # 104, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Kid Cinema: Trolls / Time: 1 – 3pm / Description: Spend your Spring Break at the Library! Join us for screening of the 2016 animated film “Trolls.”
New Holly Branch (7058 32nd Ave S # 104, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Kid Café Afterschool Meals / Time: 3:30 –4/ Description: Kids Café Afterschool Meals – Kids & Teens Eat Free!
Columbia City Branch (4721 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Learning Buddies/ Time: 4:15 -5:15pm / Description: Play math and reading games! Get better at math and reading with a high school buddy.
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Teen Social Hour / Time: 4:30 – 6:00pm / Description: This is a Teen Space event for teens 12 and up
Thursday April 13th
Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144) / What: Movie: Moana / Time: 2:00-3:45pm/ Description: Enjoy a Spring Break with movies at the Beacon Hill Branch! Be enchanted by “Moana,” the newest animated Disney film about a feisty Polynesian heroine.
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Sand: A Spring Break STEM Program / Time: 2:30 – 3:30pm / Description: School-age children on spring break are invited to a drop-in STEM program about sand.
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Kid Café Afterschool Meals / Time: 3:30 –4/ Description: Kids Café Afterschool Meals – Kids & Teens Eat Free!
Saturday April 15th
Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) / What: Student Assistant Program: Get a Job at the Library / Time: 3:00 –5:00pm/ Description: Students ages 16 and older who have not earned a bachelor’s degree can find out about the Seattle Public Library’s Student Assistant Program
Featured image courtesy of the Seattle City Council
Any details on time? “…Beacon Arts is inviting anyone interested in the space to a meeting Tuesday, April 11…”
30 years ago? A different era? I think there needs to be a statute of limitations and a reconciliation process for these sexual allegations against the mayor, not a pointless ruining of a worthy career.