According to the voting website:

“Discover Burien recognizes exemplary individuals and organizations in the community through leadership, public service and achievement in the areas of business, non-profit, student achievement, and volunteer service and outstanding service from a member of the clean sweep program.”

Nominating doesn’t take long, so please click the following link to nominate someone you know:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nHyVQomSQj_2fk9qCpdwDusQ_3d_3d

To count, your ballot must be postmarked for Tuesday, Aug. 16th. Local Post Office locations include:

• SEAHURST: 2116 SW 152ND ST, BURIEN, WA 98166-2027; Open Mon-Fri: 9:00am-5:00pm
• BURIEN: 609 SW 150TH ST, BURIEN, WA 98166-9998; Open Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5:30pm
• RIVERTON HEIGHTS: 15250 32ND AVE S., SEATAC, WA 98188-9998; Open Mon-Fri: 8:30am-6:00pm
• DES MOINES: 2003 S 216TH ST., DES MOINES, WA 98198-9998; Open: Mon-Fri: 8:30am-6:00pm

Another option is to deposit it at a ballot drop box, the nearest of which is in Renton at the King County Elections office (919 SW Grady Way). For info on other drop box locations, click here.

The top two finishers in each race in this primary will advance to the Nov. 8th general election.

The Primary Election for the Burien area includes the following issues and races:

• King County Prop. #1 Veterans & Human Services Levy
• King County Council District #8 (read about our recent Candidates Forum here):
• Joe McDermott 
• Goodspaceguy 
• Diana Toledo
• Court of Appeals, Div. #1, District #1
• City of Burien Council Position #2 (read about our City Council Candidates Forum here):
• Greg Duff 
• Ed Dacy 
• Lucy Krakowiak
• City of Burien Council Position #4 (read about our City Council Candidates Forum here):
• Gordon M. Shaw 
• Joey Martinez 
• Bob Edgar (no longer in race but still on ballot)

For more information on the election, visit the King County Elections website here.

Here’s more of our extensive previous coverage of the candidates in this election:

• Nine Candidates Have Filed To Run For Three Burien City Council Positions
• POLITICS: Joey Martinez Throws His Hat Into Ring For Burien City Council
• POLITICS: Diana Holman Withdraws From Burien City Council Race
• Diana Toledo: Eliminate Arts & Culture, 4Culture; Put $ Into Public Schools
• Letter States That Bob Edgar Has Withdrawn From Burien Council Race
• Burien City Council Candidates Exchange Views At Lively B-Town Blog Forum
• King County Council District 8 Candidates Exchange Views at B-Town Blog Forum

This coming Monday, July 18th, is the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Aug. 16th Primary Election, which means that if you do NOT register by then, you won’t be able to vote in two important local city council races in Burien.

Residents can register to vote online or by mail. Ballots will be mailed at the end of July, and the deadline to return them is Election Day – Aug. 16.

As a reminder, The B-Town Blog will be sponsoring another local Candidates Forum starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26th at the ERAC Center, located near Hi-Line Lanes on Ambaum Blvd., this time featuring candidates for Burien City Council – read more about it here. Like our many previous forums, this one will be free and open to the public, and will even allow questioning of the candidates by audience members – be sure to mark you calendars.

“Every election brings interesting and important choices, but you need to be registered to vote,” said Elections Director Sherril Huff in a statement. “Voters who are already registered can help us make sure their ballots reach them and help lower election costs just by keeping their addresses up to date.”

Voters can check if their registration information is current by using Your Voter Guide online, by calling the Voter Hotline at 206-296-VOTE (8683), or by visiting King County Elections weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 919 Southwest Grady Way, Renton.

Voters who miss the July 18 deadline to update their registration should still contact the Elections office to update their information for future elections.
King County residents not currently registered in Washington can register in person at the Elections office through August 8.

Details and registration forms are available on the King County Elections website www.kingcounty.gov/elections. Online registration is available through the Secretary of State website at www.sos.wa.gov.

King County Elections recently returned to its Renton headquarters at 919 Southwest Grady Way. This location offers a wonderful viewing loop for the public to take a self-guided tour and observe the election process in action. The best days to visit are weekdays August 1 to 19, during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, August 16).

How to register to vote

Registering to vote is easy:

• Register online
• Print a registration form and return it to Elections
• Visit the Elections office

Voter registration forms and updates submitted after voter registration deadlines will take effect after the August 2011 primary election.

The filing deadline for Burien City Council and other area election candidates closed Friday, June 10th at 4 p.m., and nine candidates have filed for three council positions.

The primary (and special) election is set for Aug. 16th, and this is an interesting mix of both known and unknown names running for the B-Town council:

Council Position No. 2 (incumbent: Lucy Krakowiak)

• Greg Duff
• Ed Dacy
• Lucy Krakowiak

Council Position No. 4 (incumbent: Gordon Shaw)

• Bob Edgar
• Joey Martinez
• Diana Holman
• Gordon M. Shaw

Council Position No. 6 (incumbent: Jerry Robison)

• Debi Wagner
• Jerry Robison

As far as the King County Council District 8 race, where Joe McDermott is the incumbent, here’s the field:

• Joe McDermott
• Goodspaceguy
• Diana Toledo

We’ll be featuring profiles on each candidate between now and Aug. 16th, and as we’ve done many times before, we’re planning on sponsoring candidate forums, so check back often for dates and locations.

For more information on the candidates in this and other area races, visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections or to www.vote.wa.gov.

Burien Parks’ Gina Kallman has asked us to help find out what movies B-Towners would want to watch during this coming summer’s “Music and Movies In The Park,” and of course we obliged.

The ‘movies’ portion of this annual outdoor entertainment series will be Friday, Aug. 19th and 26th at Lake Burien School Park, and as a reminder, last summer the films shown included ‘Ratatouille‘ and ‘Tale of Despereaux.’

Here are appropriate trailers for the movies up for voting (be sure to vote below), to help you decide:

Princess Bride:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Toy Story 3:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Despicable Me:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sound of Music:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Wall-E:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please take a moment to complete the following survey, and be sure to choose your top TWO selections:

UPDATE WED. 2/9/11 5pm: King County Elections released the second round of results on Tuesday’s election, and the Highline School District Levy is looking like it will definitely pass with 59.86% 60.72% in the “Yes” column out of nearly 32% of ballots counted.

The proposition requires 50% approval to pass.

Here are the details from the county’s website:

HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 401

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *17,892 / 56,549 • 31.64%

Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy

• YES: 10,855 • 60.72%
• NO: 7,022 • 39.28%

* Reflects the voter registration count as of January 28, 2011 following the official logic and accuracy test.

“We are grateful to Highline voters for this show of support,” said Highline Superintendent John Welch. “This shows how much our community values the education of our children. Even in these tough times, people are willing to invest in education and support our local schools.”

The levy makes up about 25 percent of the funding for operating schools. Most of the levy dollars pay for teachers and staff positions. The levy also pays for basics such as bus transportation, building maintenance, and textbooks. These costs are not fully funded by the state.

PREVIOUSLY:

HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 401

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *16,300 / 56,549 • 28.82%

Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy

• YES: 9,750 • 59.86%
• NO: 6,537 • 40.14%

* Reflects the voter registration count as of January 28, 2011 following the official logic and accuracy test.

The next round of returns will be released Wednesday afternoon at 4:30pm, so check back then for an update.

Ballots for the Highline Public Schools educational programs levy are landing in local mailboxes this week, with a Feb. 8th return deadline.

The only “local” issue on the Feb. 8th Special Election, the levy makes up a quarter of Highline’s operating budget.

The new levy would replace one that expires this year.

Here’s the official ballot text from the King County Elections website (to download the entire ballot text as a PDF file, click here):

Proposition No. 1
Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy

The Board of Directors of Highline School District No. 401 adopted Resolution No. 2444, concerning a proposition for a replacement levy for education. This proposition would authorize the District to meet the educational needs of students by levying the following excess taxes, in place of an expiring levy, on all taxable property within the District, for support of educational programs and operation expenses, including instruction, safety, materials and facility maintenance and operations:

Collection Year	Approximate Levy Rate/$1,000 Assessed Value	Levy Amount
2012	$3.44	$46,000,000
2013	$3.44	$46,000,000
2014	$3.44	$47,000,000
2015	$3.52	$49,000,000

all as provided in Resolution No. 2444. Should this proposition be approved?

YES

NO

The Highline Public School District did not provide an “Explanatory Statement” to the county for the ballot, but here’s a statement from supporters:

“Unless we pass the levy, local funding for schools will end” says Lois Schipper, president of Highline Citizens for Schools. “That would be a devastating blow to our schools and our whole community. Neighborhoods with good schools are safer, and property values stay strong.”

About 80 percent of the levy dollars pay for teachers and other staff positions, according to the school district. The levy funds about 250 staff positions.

“The levy covers basics that the state doesn’t fully fund. In addition to personnel, it funds things like textbooks, bus transportation, and maintaining facilities,” says district spokesperson Catherine Carbone Rogers.

If the levy fails staff lay-offs could not be avoided, says Carbone Rogers. The district would be forced to eliminate courses and consider shortening the school day. Athletic programs and other “extras” would be on the chopping block.

“Levy failure will mean lost jobs, students receiving only the most basic education, larger class sizes, and much more,” says Highline School Board Member Michael Spear. “To ensure the continuing success of our students this Levy is critical.”

State funding reductions have forced Highline to cut $14.5 million from its operating expenses over the past 3 years. The district anticipates additional mid-year cuts of up to $2.1 million this year. State cuts of about $7 million are expected next year.

“Our schools simply can’t sustain cuts of that level without the levy,” says Schipper. “Our children will not get the education they need to compete for jobs.”

While the new levy replaces an expiring tax, there will be a slight increase in the levy amount to help cushion the impact of state cuts. The average Highline homeowner with a home valued at about $300,000 would pay about $14 more per month.

“That’s not a lot to pay for a good education and a healthy community,” says Schipper.

We couldn’t find any “opposition” website to this measure, but there is a Facebook Page for a supporter’s group called “Highline Citizens for Schools” here.

So…how will YOU vote? Please take our Poll below, or leave a Comment…

UPDATE 11/3/10: Here are Wednesday’s (Nov. 3rd), King County Elections returns for Tuesday night’s general election:

Keep in mind that these are still preliminary results, and the final, certified tally won’t be released until Nov. 23rd.

In the State Rep., District 34, Position #2 race, with 39.35% of ballots counted, early returns show Joe Fitzgibbon stretching his lead from 54.8% to over 55%:

• Joe Fitzgibbon (Prefers Democratic Party): 13,664 • 55.13%%
• Mike Heavey (Prefers Democratic Party): 10,831 • 43.70%
• Write-in: 288 • 1.16%

In the King County Council race, with 37.98% of ballots counted, Joe McDermott looks like a winner with 67.84%:

• Joe McDermott: 24,032 • 67.84%
• Diana Toledo: 11,268 • 31.81%
• Write-in: 122 • 0.34%

For the 9th Congressional race, Adam Smith leads Dick Muri by a margin of nearly 59% to 41%:

• Adam Smith (Prefers Democratic Party): 34,028 • 53.92%
• Richard (Dick) Muri (Prefers Republican Party): 23,954 • 41.24%

In the King County Judge, Position No. 2 race, challenger Susan Mahoney has a commanding lead of 69.82% over the controversial Judge Judith Eiler:

• Susan Mahoney: 25,815 • 69.82%
• Judith R. Eiler: 10,965 • 29.65%
• Write-in: 196 • 0.53%

Results can change of course depending on which areas get counted when, and we’ll be posting updates as they are released by the county.

And Patty Murray is still ahead of Dino Rossi:

United States Senator:

• Patty Murray (Prefers Democratic Party): 801,188 • 50.79%
• Dino Rossi (Prefers Republican Party): 776,324 • 49.21%

County officials are estimating a total election return of about 720,000 ballots, or 68% of registered voters, and the numbers coming in are consistent with expectations.

To see other results, check out the King County Elections Results page here.

If you have yet to mail your ballot in, you can still drop it off until midnight tonight at the Riverton Heights Post Office (located at 15250 32nd Avenue South Seatac, WA 98188-9996 – (206) 241-7061).

Today, Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, is Election Day, which means that if indeed you are a good, upstanding American citizen, you have until closing time at your local post office to get your ballot postmarked, or 8pm at local ballot boxes.

The main Burien Post Office is open until 5:30pm; the Seahurst one ’til 5pm. The Des Moines Post Office closes at 6pm, as does the Tukwila one.

For you late bloomers, the Riverton Heights Post Office is open until midnight, OR…you can physically drop it off at one of the following Ballot Boxes by 8pm tonight, the nearest of which is in Tukwila:

Ballot Box Locations:

• King County Elections
  9010 East Marginal Way S, Tukwila 98108
  East side of building
• Earlington Business Center
  919 SW Grady Way, Renton 98057
• Federal Way City Hall
  33325 8th Avenue South, Federal Way 98003
• Regional Justice Center
  401 4th Avenue N, Kent 98032
  Near parking garage entrance
• Seattle locations:
  • King County Administration Building
    500 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104

If you’re one of the early birds and you’d like to see if your already mailed-in ballot has been counted, click here for the King County Elections “Ballot Tracker.”

If you’d like to watch workers open ballots live via webcam, click here.

On Friday (Oct. 1st), King County Council Candidate Diana Toledo announced that she has received endorsements from former county council candidates and former Normandy Park Mayor/councilmember Shawn McEvoy, as well as South Park resident and former candidate Tim Fahey.

Both are scheduled to make a joint appearance at a fundraiser for Toledo this Saturday (Oct. 2nd).

Here’s the release, which we received via email Friday afternoon:

Former King County Council Candidates Shawn McEvoy and Tim Fahey will make a joint public announcement of endorsement for Diana Toledo at Saturday’s Dinner & Fundraiser to Elect Diana Toledo to King County Council.

Tim Fahey, South Park resident and pre-primary King County Council candidate who caused a stir during the pre-primary campaign by drawing attention to DOT, Legislative, and Executive failings to prevent the South Park Bridge closure; says it’s time for those that care about King County to back Diana Toledo in the General Election.

Shawn McEvoy, a long-time political leader in District 8; former Normandy Park Mayor, and current Normandy Park Councilmember; say’s that if we are to make the changes necessary to get King County on its feet we must embrace the non-partisan platform that Diana is championing.

These endorsements will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the district; as most partisan voters expected union member Tim Fahey and Democrat favorite Shawn McEvoy to endorse life-long politician Joe McDermott.

“There is no doubt that Diana Toledo is the most qualified for the seat on King County Council.  She has something that we’ve yet to see on the Council; a perspective from the front line.  Her opponent is another legislator, another career politician, who is coming from Olympia and hoping to learn the process while on the job.  We have enough former Olympia legislators on the council already; we need someone with internal experience, a reformer, with the counties best interests at heart. Let us now come together in support of Diana Toledo, and do everything we can to help elect her to King County Council”

The formal announcement and celebration will be Saturday evening, October 2, 2010, with the festivities to begin at 5pm.  Open to the press; be part of this momentous political event, reporters welcome and encouraged.
Location as follows:

Eagles FOE #2643
4426 California Ave SW
West Seattle, WA 98116

October 2, 2010 – 5pm

*Sponsored by Friends of Diana Toledo

Read our previous coverage of the King County Council race between Toledo and Joe McDermott here.