SEATTLE JAIL SITES PUBLIC FORUM ~ July
26, 2008
Residents of the communities near the two proposed city jail sites in
West Seattle assembled to tell the city that they would continue to
organize against both proposals.
HPAC members have taken a leadership role on this issue. White Center, Riverview, High Point, South Park & Georgetown were also well represented. Several residents of Haller Lake, near the northend proposed jail site, attended in solidarity.
"Presentations" photos below are linked to the HPAC VIDEO CLIPS (by James Nort0n) where available .
Left: Dina Johnson of HPAC with NO JAIL yard sign (Neighbors Opposing Jail At Inappropriate Location).
Above,
HPAC members discuss their upcoming presentation to the city's representatives.
Reporter Patrick Robinson of Robinson News media videos the proceedings.
Robinson
videos
HPAC Secretary Ken Knoke and Chair Dorsol Plants
plan their communications.
The map displays both proposed jail sites in the context of our neighborhood.
HPAC and Highland Park Improvement Club members listen
skeptically to the city Reps.
Attendees at 15 tables collaborated in writing their comments to the city, choosing
one or more to speak. Many refused to be constricted to 5 minutes per table.
The city: "We know you don't want a jail—but if there WAS one, what would make it more agreeable to you?" Instead of describing possible mitigating circumstances,
everyone once again listed reasons for opposing the jail.
PRESENTATIONS
HPAC Chair Dorsol Plants voiced many of our most
pressing concerns. He displayed a poster of downtown high-rise jails
in other cities (below), an option the city has so far ruled out. VIDEO
Moeun Kang of the under-represented Cambodian community.
He told us they have acquired funds to build a Buddhist Temple near
the proposed jail site. VIDEO
Rick Barrett of Land Use Committee, Haller Lake Association.
VIDEO
Above, Rebecca Chu of
HPAC uses the city's own site proposal map to show
the great majority of the original sites were in the south end. VIDEO
Jude O'Reilly, bicicle enthusiast: "It's obvious
this is my first time at a city forum—
I followed the instructions." VIDEO
Wendy
Woldenberg of South Park. VIDEO
Eddie Sherman, owner of Pacific Plumbing Supply, across from the Marginal Way site, who spoke of the detrimental effect on his business as well as the surrounding communities. His contract with the city says the area is NOT zoned for jails. VIDEO
Young homeowners say they will sell their home if the jail is sited, but they are concerned that no one will want to buy the property.
Above, Wilson Stevenson of Haller Lake.
Above, Dan Mullins
of HPAC.
Joe ??? of Georgetown.
Chris & Leo Pinzon
describe environmental damage from a facility at those locations.
This man says the city has not done suitable outreach.
He would never have been aware
of the jail site proposals or public forum, if not for the Highland
Park Action Committee.
Community activist Susan Harmon speaks of social
justice related to the jail issue.
Carolyn Stauffer, who designed the poster below.
HPAC is reviewing the city's study of hi-rise vs.
low-rise facilities with
technical experts, and will soon issue a statement on the information.
Seattle Channel Streaming Video of entire event