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Rod Dembowski, King County Councilmember for District 1, has been working hard to get funding to improve our community and provide better opportunities for our residents, particularly as those efforts relate to our youth and economically disadvantaged neighbors. He just announced that the KC 2017-18 budget contains:
From a small allocation for councilmember-designated community organizations, he designated small grants for flexible purposes as follows:
- $2,500 to the Thornton Creek Alliance to support their work
- $5,000 to Lake City Future First to support their work
From an Expanded Youth & Amateur Sport and Recreation Program, which is funded by a 1% tax on car rentals, Rod secured the following appropriations:
- $30,000 for equipment, programming or related field improvements to Virgil Flaim Park in Lake City. Children’s Home Society is the designated recipient
- $30,000 to Solid Ground, for an Access to Sports and Recreation Scholarship fund for children and youth residing at Magnuson Park. We hope to create a partnership with the several program providers at Magnuson (Sail Sand Point, Cascade Bicycle Club, Arena Sports, Mountaineers, Sand Point Tennis Center, etc.) to provide a comprehensive program offering discounts and culturally-sensitive access for these young people
- $25,000 to the Mountaineers, to fund a youth scholarship program targeting NE Seattle (including specifically Lake City, Pinehurst and surrounding neighborhoods) underprivileged youth to provide access to Mountaineers programming
- $10,000 to Sound Generations’ Lake City Senior Center for fitness activity programming
- $1 million to Seattle Parks and Recreation for improvements to the Magnuson Park Community Center and/or the Lake City Community / Recreation Center.
 Here is information about door-to-door sellers from Seattle Police Department. It was handed out at the North Precinct Advisory Council meeting.
Residential (Door-to-Door) Sellers
The person at your door may not be who they claim to be
Seattle officials would like to advise homeowners to take precautions when dealing with door-to-door salespeople. Although most of the people in this industry are legitimate sellers representing ethical businesses some are not. With these facts in mind the homeowner needs the following information before answering that knock at the door:
- Always look for proper identification. In Seattle, all door-to-door sellers must display on their outer clothing a Residential Seller photo ID issued by the City and carry with them a Seattle Business License with a Residential Seller endorsement. The residential sales agent’s license has the name of the agent and the business they represent. It shall also be endorsed with the type of product or service being sold. The license is only valid for the product or service specified and includes the licenses expiration date.
- It is advisable not to open your door to see the license. View the license through a peep hole in the door or a window. If you cannot confirm the seller has a valid license you can call this office at 206-684-8484 and speak with a representative who can verify if the license is legitimate. The license number on the ID badge is the same as the seller’s City account number.
- If you have any questions or concerns regarding Residential Sellers contact the Seattle Regulatory Control and Consumer Protection Division at 206-233-0050, Ronald Halas, Inspector, License and Tax Enforcement – Ronald.Halas@seattle.gov
- Each residential seller shall, immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose their name, company and the product or service represented. If requested to do so they shall leave the premises immediately.
- These sales people may use intimidation, pressure tactics and threats to make a sale. Never fall for high pressure sales tactics. If a salesperson tries to pressure you into buying their product, terminate your conversation with them. Take the time to compare offers and shop around.
- Never be afraid to say “No!”. Call 911 if you feel threatened or if you feel the person is acting suspicious. You can also call the non-emergency number (206-625-5011). If the sales person is under 18, the police can determine if the business has the proper certification for employment of minors.
- Home owners may consider putting up a “No agents, peddlers or solicitors” sign. In Seattle, it is unlawful for any residential seller to attempt to gain admittance at any residence at which such a sign is posted.
- Use good judgment. It is safer not to allow the salesperson into your home. While the salesperson on your doorstep might be a kid in need of help, there is a risk that they are a criminal who has decided a traveling crew is a good place to hide. They may try to gain access to your home by asking for something to drink or to use the bathroom or by just pushing past you. They then use this opportunity to either commit a crime at that time or to check out your home for a future break-in.
- Beware of deals that offer “free gifts” which depend on you purchasing a product you may not want.
- Do not give the salesperson cash or a check. It might be pocketed by the solicitor and you will never receive the product ordered. Instead, find out from the seller how you can order directly from the company. If the salesperson is concerned about losing their commission for the sale let them know you will give their name to the company representative who takes your order.
- Know your rights! In Seattle, if you make a purchase, the salesperson must tell you of your right to cancel the order and the contract must include a statement regarding the right to cancel. For every sale involving ten dollars or more the seller will provide a receipt or contract to the purchaser. Do not leave any blanks on your contract. Be sure the contract or receipt is dated and that it states the terms of the transaction, the amount of payment made and the name and address of the residential seller. It must also include a notice informing the buyer of their right to cancel the order any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. For example – if you buy an item on July 12 you have until midnight July 15 to change your mind.
- The seller must also provide to the purchaser at the time they sign a contract, or buy or agree to buy goods or services from the seller, a completed Notice of Cancellation in duplicate. You do not need to provide a reason for canceling your order.
What a Residential Sales License Should Look Like:
Here is a partial picture of Pinehurst property crime for the month. Click on the map to enlarge it.
You can see ALL the types of crime at http://web5.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx. Select the North neighborhood and enter a date range.
At this month’s meeting we didn’t have a guest speaker. Well, we did, but he canceled the night before. So instead, we learned more about the split of the North Precinct into two precincts. Area east of I-5 (that’s us) will remain North Precinct. West of I-5 will be Northwest Precinct. North will have 40% of the current precinct’s population, and Northwest will have 60%.
For now, both precincts will exist in the same building, the old inadequate building that is already overcrowded. The new precinct building on Aurora is on hold pending review, including application of the social equity toolkit. Ideas are being floated for where a new North Precinct building could be set up east of I-5. Lake City perhaps, or University District.
Until the two precincts are more fully funded, they will share some teams, such as the Community Police Team, Bike Unit, and Crime Prevention Coordinator. For now, the NPAC will meet as one group instead of splitting into two advisory councils.
To read more about the precincts, and for more meeting notes, read the minutes here
 Time: Saturday, February 11, 2017 10-5
Location: Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave NE
Once again Sustainable NE Seattle is collaborating with Meadowbrook Community Center to offer the Annual ‘HANDS ON!’- A Community Skills–Share Fair.
What is a skills fair?
A day of sharing practical skills with our neighbors – the fair will have short workshops on a wide variety of skills.
Right now they are looking for instructors; calling out to all of you who may have a skill you want to share. They also need volunteers for things like making soup for lunch, day-of help, signing up sponsors, and general organizing and outreach. If you can help, let them know as soon as you can! susnesteering@gmail.com
The Fair is FREE. No need to register although some classes have size limits, it is first come, first served.
This year they will have some new offerings as well as some classes they have had in the past. Stay tuned for specifics. They will post THE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE once it is filled.
Lunch provided with TBA guest speaker.
North Precinct Advisory Council and the SPD North Precinct Community Police Team are collecting socks for their annual sock drive. They deliver them to various social services to hand out to homeless folks. If you would like to contribute, please take new socks to the North Precinct at 10049 College Way N, or see the poster below for a pickup option. Thanks!
Six year old Clara drew this big beautiful cat at Pinehurstfest. It looks great in the pocket park kiosk – check it out! The park is on the corner of NE 117th & 19th Ave NE. Thanks Clara!
If you would like to submit your child’s artwork for the Pocket Park, please email nancy@pinehurstseattle.org. We’ll put it on mat board donated by FRAMEIT Ltd, 10712 5th Ave NE.
Beautiful fall colors and a lovely sentiment!
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