Laurelhurst Community Club
July 24, 2001
Mayor Paul Schell
1200 Municipal Building
600 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104-1876
Fax 684-5360
Councilmember Nick Licata, Chair
Culture, Arts and Parks Committee
Seattle City Council
11th Floor, Municipal Building
600 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104-1876
Fax 684-8587
RE: Exclusionary Policies at Sand Point/Magnuson Park
Dear Mayor Schell and Councilmember Licata:
On Thursday, July 19th we had the opportunity to meet with C. David Hughbanks and Malcolm Boyles to discuss some of our concerns about Sand Point/Magnuson Park. We are encouraged that the Parks Department has developed a Public Involvement and Communication Plan for Sand Point/Magnuson Park. We are, however, concerned that the proposed Sand Point Community Communication Committee does not include a representative from the Sand Point Community Liaison Committee.
At our meeting on Thursday, we encouraged C. David to include a representative from the Sand Point Community Liaison Committee on the Sand Point Community Communication Committee. He told us that the framework for that committee, which includes representatives from several groups, was designed to exclude a representative from the Liaison Committee and specifically Jeanette Williams. We urged C. David to put aside his personal differences with Ms. Williams and do what's right for the park and our park system. His mind was made up, however, which is why we are contacting you.
We believe that C. David's actions are contrary to the mission of the Parks Department, which states:
Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation will work with ALL citizens to be good stewards of our environment, and to provide safe and welcoming opportunities to play, learn, contemplate and build community. [Emphasis added.]
C. David's criticism and belittling of Ms. Williams and the Liaison Committee only serves to drive a wedge between community groups and some of the special interest groups when we all should be working together.
The Laurelhurst Community Club would like all stakeholders to have a place at the table to work out the many complex issues relating to park development. For some reason, C. David does not want this to happen. All the Liaison Committee has tried to do is ensure that environmental laws are followed. Ms. Williams and the Liaison Committee have worked tirelessly in development of a vision for Sand Point/Magnuson Park. They have a deep understanding of Sand Point/Magnuson Park issues and a long history of community support and involvement. They deserve your support and respect and a spot on the Communication Committee.
We hope you will do all you can to convince C. David to reconsider his decision to exclude a representative from the Sand Point Community Liaison Committee on the Communication Committee. We think the role of the Parks Department should be to bring people together, rather than to create divisiveness.
Sincerely,
Jeannie Hale, President |
 Kate Lloyd, Magnuson Park Liaison 4303 NE 35th Street Seattle, Washington 98105 522-8822 / fax 526-5525 cmcdlloyd@home.com |
cc: C. David Hughbanks, Malcolm Boyles, Ken Bounds, Eric Friedli, Other City Councilmembers, Board of Park Commissioners