NOVEMBER MEETING ~ 11-24-08
Attendance total: c. 30    Chair: Dorsol Plants    Vice-Chair: Rory Denovan

UPCOMING FORUM for NO JAIL • 2009 OFFICERS NOMINATED • PROMO• SUGGESTIONS

POLICE REPORT: Officer Topacio was absent; official police report was postponed.

ONGOING CITY JAIL SITE OPPOSITION

One of the proposed HP sites, on Highland Park Way, is still being considered as a city jail site. BUT a downtown site is now also being considered. PLEASE attend the city's public meeting if you can, to show a strong presence by our community!

Wednesday, December 3rd - 6-9pm
SEATTLE PUBLIC FORUM on CITY JAIL
Seattle City Hall, Bertha Landis Room
600 Fourth Ave. (between Cherry and James Streets) Mapquest

Note: Forum report and photos upcoming ~ D.J. 12-6-08

NEW HPAC OFFICERS NOMINATED
Three candidates will stand for election at the January meeting.

Above: Shawn Mazza, Nicole Mazza, Dan Mullins   SEE DETAILS

SUGGESTIONS: “How can HPAC improve our...”

POTLUCK: A sociable potluck (including wine) enhanced our November meeting. It was suggested it become a regular part of each meeting. Neighbors can contribute to the potluck or not — whatever is easiest. Other suggestions:

MONTHLY MEETINGS

  • Advertising beforehand (besides the website)
  • Name tags with address, occupation, or interesting fact
  • Dedicate time to learning about social/environmental issues; invite speakers
  • Hold one-on-one “get-to-know-you”meetings with newcomers/strangers during potluck time

    • COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION & ACTIVITY

  • BIG neighborhood picnic/party (after school starts, so people are in town)
  • Post city frequently used phone numbers on the website (I'm working on it!~ D.)
  • Block Watch on every block (HP & Riverview) — work with Officer Benjamin Kinlow
  • Street cleanups
  • Preparedness training (earthquakes, etc.)
  • Food drive
  • Games using Wii controller

    • Send your suggestions: info@highlandpk.net

    DORSOL PLANTS ANNOUNCES RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL

    Highland Park Action Committee Chair Dorsol Plants (right) announced that he "feels called" to run for Seattle CityCouncil, continuing his community activism within city government. This means that he must step down as Chair at the next HPAC election on January 23rd.

    None of our neighbors has been more involved in community matters than Dorsol Plants, a recent resident of West Seattle and a U.S. Army veteran.Dorsol accepted a leadership role in our community when many of us decided to oppose proposed City Jail sites in June 2008. He's presented our neighborhood's position at a number of public forums and community groups.

    Dorsol led our neighborhood's response to Nickelsville as well. Employed at a downtown homeless shelter, he's familar with the problem of urban homelessness. Dorsol was interviewed by KOMO news at the site. PHOTOS

    Dorsol Plants is now well known to city officials and community leaders. He is also a member of the 34th District Democrats' Executive Board. He and several other neighbors have made presentations at the 34th's meetings to gain members' support for our jail opposition. The District's members are politically active residents of West Seattle, Vashon Island, White Center, and part of Burien. Several have already expressed support for the Plants campaign.

    PROMOTIONAL HANDOUT for HPAC

    Dina Johnson has designed a promotional piece to introduce neighbors to HP Action Committee and HP Improvement Club. The outside of the piece is pictured below left, the inside at right.

    The text explains the difference between the two groups, invites all neighbors to monthly Action Commitee meetings, and points them to the community website. It includes a small but detailed map of the area.

    Members were encouraged to distribute the piece to their neighbors. If everyone gives out a few, it'll be widely circulated. We plan to print more, so if you want copies of these, let us know: info@highlandpk.net
    Dina's Graphic Design website: Digital Genie