The B-Town (Burien) Blog | Named "Best Hyperlocal Website" in the Northwest by Society of Professional Journalists » poll

POLL: Would You Be Willing To Pay ‘Up To A 1% Increase In Property Taxes’?

Scott Schaefer — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:11:52 +0000

On Monday night, Nov. 14th, the Burien City Council will be holding a public hearing for ‘the purpose of receiving the publics’ comments on revenue sources, including a possible up to a 1% increase in property tax revenue, and expenditures for the 2011-2012 Mid-Biennial Budget review and amendments.’

As we do from time to time, we like to take the pulse of our Readers, and that’s why we’re asking you to participate in our poll. Please note that this survey is not scientific, and has nothing to do with the city. If you really want to share your opinion, you should attend Monday’s hearing, which begins at 7 p.m. at Burien City Hall, located at 400 SW 152nd Street.

Copies of the 2011-2012 Mid-Biennial Budget Review are available and can be obtained by calling the city’s Finance Department at (206) 439-3150.

More info on the hearing can be found in a PDF document from the city, which can be downloaded here.

Please take our poll below and also let us know your thoughts in Comments (thanks to Commenter Coverofnight for the suggestion!):

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

City Seeking Input Via Online ‘Healthy Burien’ Survey – Here’s Where To Take It

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:35:16 +0000

The City of Burien is seeking input from residents in an online survey “about your grocery shopping habits and if you ever walk or ride a bike to get around town,” according to the city’s website.

Survey results will apparently help the city plan the street networks for transit, bikes, pedestrians and cars for the next 20 years, according to the survey page.

Here are some of the questions asked:

What neighborhood do you live in?
Where do you primarily shop? Why?
How far is it to where you shop?
How often do you shop?
And several others…

Take the 14-question survey in English here; here are links to other languages:

Spanish
Vietnamese
Somali
Tagalog

REMINDER: Vote For Burien Businesses In KING5′s ‘Best Of Western Washington’

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:01:17 +0000

REMINDER: As anyone who reads The B-Town Blog knows, we’re big boosters of Burien businesses, and we’d like to remind our Readers that the deadline to vote in KING5′s annual ‘Best of Western Washington‘ contest is Oct. 9th, so if you haven’t yet voted for a local business, now would be a good time!

Several Burien-area businesses are nominated for the contest (including us for “Best Neighborhood Blog” – vote here!) and we’ve done our best to list them all below, with direct links that you can use to vote for them.

Please note that if your business is not listed below (several don’t turn up in searches because they use “Seattle” as their mailing address), please email the direct link to your “Vote” page and we’ll add it (you can find it by searching for your business, or if it’s not listed, nominating it yourself).

Each link below should go directly to the “Vote” page for that particular business, and voting takes less than a minute – so start clicking away B-Towners!:

Help Burien – Vote For Local Businesses In KING5′s ‘Best Of Western Washington’

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:18:21 +0000

KING5 is holding their annual ‘Best of Western Washington‘ contest through Oct. 9th, and as any businessperson who’s won before will tell you, winning can help a local business by getting some much-needed regional attention.

In 2010, several B-Town area businesses won, including:

The Tin Room was named “Best Neighborhood Bar”
Emerald Cove Catering was named “Best Caterer.”
The Tin Theater – #2 in the “Best Indie Theater” category
Poggi Bonsi – #5 in “Best Housewares”
Hi-Liners, – #5 in “Best Theater Group.”

“The goal of the KING5 Best of Western Washington is to host a fair and accurate contest to determine the best local businesses by popular vote,” reads the Contest Rules page. “Nominees are encouraged to invite their customers to vote and may use any official tools and promotional materials provided on best.king5.com to promote their involvement in the Best of Western Washington.”

Each link below should go directly to the “Vote” page for that particular business, and voting takes less than a minute – so start clicking away B-Towners!:

Highline Schools Foundation Wants Your Opinion – Please Take Their Survey

Scott Schaefer — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:42:23 +0000

Our friends at the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence announced Monday (July 11) that they’re seeking input from residents, and are asking our Readers to please take a moment and reply to some survey questions.

“The Board of Trustees of the Foundation will participate in a retreat in late July, where they will be looking at the Foundation’s impact on our community and setting goals for the future,” reads the announcement. “An important part of this process will be to understand the perception of the Foundation in our community.”

So, if you can spare a moment, please answer the survey questions below via email to info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org. All replies will be kept anonymous.

Here are the questions (best bet is to copy and paste them into a new email message, then send it to info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org):

What is your perception of the Highline Schools Foundation? (What the Foundation does? Who does it support? What is its value to our community?)
How did you first learn about the Highline Schools Foundation?
Name some programs or events you are familiar with that the Foundation either sponsors or supports.
Please provide any feedback or suggestions to the Foundation.

Here’s the full text of the email that was sent out Monday morning:

Dear Community Stakeholder:

I am writing to you on behalf of the Highline Schools Foundation. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation will participate in a retreat in late July, where they will be looking at the Foundation’s impact on our community and setting goals for the future. An important part of this process will be to understand the perception of the Foundation in our community. Will you please email me back some quick answers to the following questions? Just your initial, off-the-top-of-your-head thoughts are all we need!

This input will be kept anonymous.

What is your perception of the Highline Schools Foundation? (What the Foundation does? Who does it support? What is its value to our community?)

How did you first learn about the Highline Schools Foundation?

Name some programs or events you are familiar with that the Foundation either sponsors or supports.

Please provide any feedback or suggestions to the Foundation.

Thank you so much for your help. Your feedback will help inform the Board’s discussions and goal setting!

Sincerely,
Ashley Fosberg
Executive Director
Highline Schools Foundation
info@highlineschoolsfoundation.org

POLL: Should Pit Bulls Be Banned Within The City Limits Of Burien?

Scott Schaefer — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:40:05 +0000

With the news of Thursday’s pit bull attack on former Burien Mayor Sally Nelson and one other woman (read our coverage here), the Comment Wars have been flying fast and furious on The B-Town Blog, between both the anti and pro-pit bull camps.

“When is Burien going to get on board with several other cities and ban this breed from our city,” reads a Comment from Julies. “If we wait, many cities around us will ban the breed which will drive the owners of this breed to seek refuge in Burien that tolerates attacks on innocent victims such as children, adults, big dogs, little dogs, cats.”

Another Reader called RECOND1940, who claims to be a friend and neighbor of the dogs’ owners says: “The dogs did not run off biting people it happend in there yard the mayor tried putting the dogs back inside the house, I know exactly whats going on because my whole family is out there looking for the dog kaleb.”

There’s a second Comment War happening on our Facebook Page as well (with 54 and counting on Thursday’s story), which you can read here.

To read the Comment threads yourself, click here for ones on the original story, and here for today’s update.

Some of the more interesting Comments we’ve read include:

Bernice Bellamy says: (July 7, 2011 at 5:16 pm)
Given how screwed up Burien’s Animal Services are maybe this is just karma. Sorry someone was hurt and very sad to hear a dog was killed and I’m sure the other one — when found – will be shot and killed by the cops, too. This is what happens when you have irresponsible owners, an irresponsible city council and a city manager that doesn’t have a clue about animal care and control. Sad for all animals in Burien with the awful system they have now.

Eaton B. Verz says: (July 7, 2011 at 5:17 pm)
Now that’s how you take care of a vicious dog on the loose! City council please take note! That officer eliminated the problem and saved the cost of transporting it toYakima! Now, let’s find the owner. I’m sure CARES is hot on the trail…….

local says: (July 7, 2011 at 6:14 pm)
A helicopter? For a DOG. Really,Burien? Could you please use that money to shut down the crack house next door that I reported a few months ago?

Julies ays: (July 7, 2011 at 11:48 pm )
I live in this area and last year I had a pit bull in my backyard that easily cleared a 4 foot fence more than once. I have 2 dogs, 2 cats and a 2 year old grandchild, fortunately none were in the back yard at the time and when I attempted to scare him away from my glass door, he didn’t budge till he left on his own terms.

Why do I have to be worried about a loose unpredictable breed like a pit bull to enter my fenced yard. When is Burien going to get on board with several other cities and ban this breed from our city. If we wait, many cities around us will ban the breed which will drive the owners of this breed to seek refuge in Burien that tolerates attacks on innocent victims such as children, adults, big dogs, little dogs, cats. With so many breeds to choose from why would someone want a dog like this unless they need protection from what ? Drug dealers ?? Gang members ??
Do you want your daughter or son, (many times a child will not survive an attack)grandchild, elderly parent taking a stroll, you, walking your dog or your cat in his own yard. Let’s think about the rights of the innocent not the rights of those who wish to own a breed such as this.

kaleb says: (July 8, 2011 at 2:01 pm)
recon19d40 – well trained dogs will not run off and bite people because someone broke into their house. the dogs weren’t even on their own property when someone was bit. it’s getting really old to hear about all the wonderful, calm, great dogs that are perfect around children and the dog ends up attacking or kiling someone. it doesn’t matter if it’s a pit bull or other breeed. know your dogs.

a pit bull that “likes to nip like a puppy” hasn’t been properly trained. you don’t let any dog continue with that behavior especially a large dog. these dogs were not trained and socialized like they should be.

RECON19d40 says: (July 8, 2011 at 2:07 pm)
were you there? the dogs did not run off biting people it happend in there yard the mayor tried putting the dogs back inside the house, I know exactly whats going on because my whole family is out there looking for the dog kaleb. I have a dog that does the same thing and if she was mauled by the dog and felt threatened why would she try and put the dogs back in the house so nothing happend? I am sure you would rather think the owners are horrible people you know nothing about these dogs

Eaton B. Verz says: (July 8, 2011 at 4:41 pm)
Vicious dog attacking people = dead dog…happy outcome! All of recons spewings do not alter the fact of two attacks. Dogs that attack should be removed fron society. Dogs are born in litters, humans, not so easy to replace. Sorry, no sympathy here….

In an attempt to get some idea of where our Readers stand on this issue that doesn’t involve name-calling, we’ve created a simple Poll – please take it and let’s see what the public (or at least the BTB audience) thinks (NOTE: this Poll is our own; far as we know, the City of Burien is NOT considering banning pit bulls):

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Help Discover Burien Discover What Burien Wants & Needs With Survey

Scott Schaefer — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:32:37 +0000

Our friends at Discover Burien (we’re members – join here) are taking a survey to determine what events and activities residents in B-Town like, or would like to see in the future.

It’s a short survey with just five questions, so if you can spare a few seconds, please click here to take it.

You’re also encouraged to leave your opinion as well, and it’s totally anonymous so let ‘er rip.

Here’s what DB adds:

A thriving and vibrant community, Burien has an ongoing calendar of events that brings us together, experiencing with our friends, family and neighbors just how great of a city in which we live.

Discover Burien would like to know what you think about the different events in our community and listen to your ideas and thoughts in a brief survey they have put together.

You can participate by clicking here.

Your opinion helps bring you the types of events and programs you would like to see in the future, or continue to provide.

Highline Public Schools Does Some Serious Re-Branding, Releases New Logo

Scott Schaefer — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:40:11 +0000

Highline Public Schools recently re-designed their logo and messaging after holding numerous ‘branding committee’ meetings that began in late 2010 and continued through early 2011.

The new logo is quite a departure from the old, 1960s-styled one, and it depicts what appears to be a long road winding over three hills off into the horizon, hinting at iconic concepts like “paths,” “destinations” and possibly “road kill.”

Here’s the brand spankin’ new logo:

For reference, here’s the current/old logo, designed in 1967 to represent:

Omega – Greek for “excellence”
Evergreen – for suburban locale
“Lamp of Learning”

Here’s a video that showcases a PowerPoint-like presentation on the branding project:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And here’s some supporting marketing materials:

Project Summary
In an effort to better gauge the perception of the school district and the effectiveness of its communications with and to parents, community members, school board members, community-based organizations, and school district employees, Highline Public Schools conducted research and work sessions that included a communications audit, an online survey, five focus groups, a planning session with the district Senior Leadership Team and four work sessions with the district’s Brand Advisory team.

The purpose of the research was to obtain a thorough understanding of people’s perceptions of the district – who it is, where it’s going, where it falls short, where it exceeds, etc. Additionally, it was important to understand how people feel about the communications they receive from the district. Is the district effectively communicating the right types of information, at the right time, and in the right ways? What can it do better? What can it keep doing? Are there incremental fixes needed or monumental changes?

The focus was to start broadly with an online survey. From those quantitative findings, we were able to focus in and then glean more qualitative data at the focus group level where we could more deeply discuss topics and issues and draw out valuable input from the participants.

It’s with this comprehensive collection of data that the district moved forward into a branding process with the Brand Advisory Team, aimed at aligning its vision with its messages and visual look (logo) and essentially defining and strengthening its overall brand as a school district.

Key findings from the online survey
The online survey was conducted in late August/early September and took approximately 10 minutes to complete and was offered to 300 individuals that included community members, school board members, community partners, and randomly selected parents and school district employees. A total of 87 individuals took the survey, which equates to a 29 percent rate of return, slightly above the average response rate for a sample of this size.

Key findings from the online survey, along with recommendations:

Online and electronic communications emerged as the primary way stakeholders prefer to receive communications. This indicates that a significant portion of the communication department’s time and resources should be focused toward online/electronic communications, including social media tools.

While it is important to adopt stakeholders’ preference for online communications, equally important is the need to frequently update information and make it easy to find. A Content Management System would go a long way in streamlining and automating web updates. This would support time savings and reduce the risk of outdated information on the website.

Timely, consistent and frequent communications emerged as top priorities for the district’s audiences. This points to today’s information access expectations. The recommendation is to communicate in real time, when possible, keep messaging consistent, and eliminate any significant time gaps between communications.

The majority of audiences are clear on the district’s vision of preparing students for college, career and citizenship. The recommendation is to focus on the vision statement and avoid mixing it with additional statements, such as Educate every Student…Expect Excellence.

There is understanding and knowledge of the vision but that knowledge does not align with stakeholder’s perception and definition of the existing logo. This points to a strong need for a logo that evokes the same meaning and emotions as do the words of the vision.

Key Focus Group findings:
The focus groups were conducted in November and December. The key findings from the online survey served as the basis for the discussion guide used for these groups in an effort to further define and refine stakeholders’ communications needs and wants. These groups also allowed us to conduct some basic brand and message testing.

PTSA Leadership (11):

Want to be a part of the solution.

Want more timely information, greater transparency.

Value the district’s fiscal responsibility.

Want to be asked for input more often.

Like to hear good news – helps balance the bad news.

Wants more information, not less.

Believes the district needs to keep moving forward.

About 50% could articulate the district’s vision, but ALL thought it was important for people to understand the vision.

Latino parents (20):

Provides sufficient support for bilingual kids.

Would like to see email and get phone calls in English/Spanish.

Some concerns about school safety, discipline.

Believes district does the best it can, shortcomings are not the district’s fault – there is lack of parent involvement.

Very little use of the website because it’s not in Spanish.

Believes the district is always trying to improve.

Some understanding of the district’s vision.

Teachers (11):

Find the website difficult to navigate, lacking important information (benefit forms, contact information)

Wants transparency in decision making.

Wants the ability for two-way communications with the district.

Concerns about the word “college” in the vision statement being too limiting.

Believe it is important that the community understand the district’s vision.

Wants district to not assume all parents have computer access (consider more robo calls, etc.)

Wants communications to be timely, brief and succinct.

Students (8):

Believe their teachers and the district care about their success.

Have an understanding that the district’s vision is about making sure they succeed.

Thinks that the district isn’t at fault for their problems; it’s kids’ individual choices.

Concerned about the impacts of the budget cuts (e.g. eliminating advisors).

White Center CDA (8):

Knowledge of the vision. Felt there were too many and/or competing messages.

They want a voice – to be a part of decision making.

Want better follow-through from the district.

They want to be a partner – they are available to help.

Feel communications could be improved – often don’t know where to get info, don’t know what’s important.

Website isn’t user friendly.

Want it easier for other community organizations to partner with the district – remove barriers. District can’t do it alone.

They believe the district is moving forward.

Believe district needs to promote the kinds of communications parents offer.

Believe the district’sintentions are good, but the implementation and follow-through is lacking.

Overall key findings:
Clearly communicating the district’s vision is important. Each group had some understanding of the vision, and all groups believed it was essential for stakeholders to understand the vision.

Some improvements are needed in the district’s communications. All groups identified the website as a tool that needed improvements, making content easier to find, the right types of information available and clarity of message. Many were not familiar with the various communications tools the district uses.

There is universal acknowledgement that the district is moving forward and trying to improve.

All groups identified transparency in decision-making as something they want more of from the district.

All groups want better follow-through from the district, and pointed to the focus group findings and how the information is used as something they wanted communicated back to them.

Parents want to be viewed more as a resource and district partner. They want to be asked more for their opinions, asked to help find solutions, etc.

The Branding Process
Though the word “brand” is most often associated with commercial enterprises, every organization has a brand. The organization must work to define that brand or it will be defined by others. Through a defined branding process, the district is deliberately redefining its brand to best reflect who it is, what it stands for and where it’s going.

The district identified a group of 13 individuals to serve as its brand advisory team. The team included representatives from business, community organizations and district staff. Five team members are also parents in the district. The role of the team was to provide constructive input and support the district’s forward movement in improving its messaging and communications. The group met four times to review and cull all the data collected and evolve it into a refined brand that includes key messages, a new logo, new tagline and recommended actions aimed at improving district communications and overall district perception among stakeholders.

The group process boiled down the district’s brand by using a 3P process – personality, position and promise. The 3Ps were developed based on the research and served as the basis for defining who the district is and how the district defines itself among its stakeholders.

Personality – (Human traits that are reflective of the district) Tenacious, Innovative, Dedicated

Position – (As it relates to surrounding districts and/or private schools)

Highline Public Schools is a learning community strengthened by its diversity.

Promise – (What we will make true every day)

Highline Public Schools will prepare every student for college, career, and citizenship.

Developing a new logo and tagline
One very clear piece of data gleaned from the research was that the district’s logo did not reflect the district’s vision and there was minimal to no understanding of the visual representation of the logo or what it actually was. It was clear that as a part of this rebranding process, focused on improving perceptions of the district and improving overall communications, it needed to include the creation of a new logo and tagline.

Development of a new logo was based on the research and the defined brand. The logo needs to reflect the district’s personality, its position and its promise. The chosen logo visually shows diversity in an image that depicts three different paths of varying shades. This not only represents cultural diversity, but the diverse learning options offered to students and the varied paths students can take toward success.

The tagline reinforces the visual and can be used with or without the logo. It does not replace the vision statement, but when paired with the logo creates a strong visual image reinforced with words.

Key Messages
Developing key messages that support the district’s vision is another critical component in an overall branding process. While key messages are not necessarily articulated word-for-word when spoken or written, the goal is to ensure everyone in the district, including its employees and board members, are focused and clear on how they talk about the district, who it is, what it stands for, and its direction. Essentially, the messages are a way to say, “This is who we are and what we do every day.” The key messages below were developed based on all research conducted for this project. Normally, organizations have no more than three key messages. It’s not unusual to have supporting points that reinforce each, but a maximum of three is highly recommended.

Highline Public Schools embraces its community and believes our diversity is an asset that enriches each and every student’s learning experience.

There is a path to success for every student, and Highline Public Schools is committed to helping each student find his or her path by preparing him or her for college, career, and citizenship.

Highline Public Schools innovates and improves every day to best serve our students, families and community.

Next Steps
Implementing a brand is as critical as defining a brand. For most organizations, implementing a brand does not happen overnight, particularly when it involves a new visual look. The district will take a phased approach. In light of the current budget landscape, implementation will be cost-neutral. Materials and signage will be replaced as necessary. This means the old and new logos will have to co-exist for a period of time.

Electronic communication will reflect the new brand and logo at the start of the 2011-12 school year, since this can be implemented with little to no cost.

The district is developing a new website that will be easier to navigate, and it will have a more intuitive URL: www.highlineschools.org.

So, with all that said, what do YOU think of their new logo? Please take our Poll or leave a Comment below…

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Have An Opinion About Comcast? The City Of Burien Wants Your Feedback

Scott Schaefer — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:05:51 +0000

According to its website, as part of the franchise renewal process, the City of Burien is interested in “hearing residents’ opinions about cable television and other services provided by Comcast” – do YOU have an opinion?

If so, click here to take the online survey, which allows you to ‘grade’ Comcast’s performance in a number of area, ranging from prices to customer service and much more.

We know most people don’t have an opinion either way about their TV/internet/phone providers, right?

Uh huh.

Second ‘Vision For Burien’ Survey Closes Friday – Have You Taken It Yet?

Scott Schaefer — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:49:05 +0000

The second ‘Vision for Burien’ Survey closes this Friday, May 13th at 5 p.m., so if you haven’t taken it yet, now would be a good time – just click here.

The survey used at the city’s three visioning forums (April 16, 26 and May 7) is available online for the general public. The questionnaire is the same one used at the forums for the polling activity, and can be accessed here.

“The next step in the visioning process is to begin developing a vision statement based on citizen input at the public forums, results from two surveys and other feedback from residents,” the city said in a press release.

The Burien City Council will hold a Joint Meeting with the Vision for Burien Steering Committee for the purpose of discussing the draft Vision for Burien on Tuesday, May 17, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd St. The joint meeting is open to the public.

Find out more about the Vision for Burien project at www.burienwa.gov/vision4burien.