September 22, 2010 • Minutes of HPAC meeting

Announcements
Chairman Dan Mullins opened the meeting at 7pm. with announcements:
• Neighborhood Officer: Owing to cutbacks at the Police Department and a change in assignments, we may not be able to have an officer address our meeting every month. (No officer was in attendance.)
• Crimewatch: Suspects in the beating of a 16-year-old boy in our district have been detained.
• Mike Shilley will take over as our representative to the West Seattle District Council.

Food Bank
Vice-Chair Nicole Mazza gave an explanation of the upcoming White Center Food Bank Dinner/Auction fundraiser to be held at the SSCC Brockey Center on October 16th at 5.30pm.
Reservations must be in by Oct 8th. Cost $60 per person.

Barbara Dobkin from the North Highline Community Council
Barbara announced a Candidates Forum for November County and 34th District elections:

Candidates Forum featuring Diana Toledo & Joe McDermott • Joe Fitzgibbon & Mike Heavey
Thursday, October 21st, 6:30pm • Greenbridge YWCA Learning Center south of Roxbury on 9th SW

She also voiced concern that the private housing in this development is not being picked up by regular family wage earners but being held by an ever growing population of section 8 residents. This could be because of the tough economic times, but the situation should be of our concern, as they are our close neighbors (southwest of Highland Park).
The Sound Alliance

HPAC Secretary Mike Shilley (left) gave an account of the work being done by the new Social Justice Organization The Sound Alliance: the forming of a not for profit "Sustainable Works."

With the help of Federal Stimulus money they are working in energy efficiency to Residential homes around the Puget Sound.

The City of Seattle is now developing their program named "Community Power Works" and Sustainable Works are in the pool for selection to run the program. The first area to be selected is Southeast Seattle, Madison to Seward park, Interstate 5 to Lake Washington.

Mike thought West Seattle should be aware of this program and ready itself to organize a neighborhood outreach program we can use in the future.

Rudy Vincena: Low flying aircraft over West Seattle

Rudy Vincena (right), of Highland Park, provided an extensive handout with information and FAA documents concerning safety of low flying general aviation aircraft procedures above Highland Park and other parts of West Seattle. Having corresponded with the FAA in Washington DC and other authorities here, he asked the meeting if we would help with petitioning the County with our concerns.

Chris Huson volunteered to help draft a petition to bring to our next meeting for approval. We will need to organize a neighborhood canvassing run for signatures.
The Chairman thanked Rudy for all his work and consideration on our behalf, the meeting showed their appreciation with a round of applause.

Health tips: Chris Huson of Riverview Neighborhood Acupuncture gave the meeting the benefit of his experience as a student of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture with health tips for the coming winter.

September Business Spotlight: Sandra Anderson (right), of Dreaming Dane Catering was selected as our Business Spotlightthis month. She showed her passion for good food and explained her dream of one day owning her own café.

At present she is running a full catering business and always looking for new customers. The meeting was impressed and suggested she advertise at the Highland Park Improvement Club (facility where HPAC meets) to the many people that rent the hall for various functions.

Dan closed the meeting at 8.45pm.
18 residents were in attendance; we are hoping for more of our neighbors to be involved as we try to make Highland Park a great place to live.

Submitted 9.23.10. By HPAC Secretary Mike Shilley
Photos by Dina johnson
RETURN TO HPAC HOME