Well, well, well I know the Public Disclosure Commission's been in the news. But now the Middle Eastside is back in the Public Disclosure Commission spotlight. This time, Rep. Amy Walen got a warning to include sponsor ID on her social media. Her opponent, Jessica Forsythe, doesn't have this problem. Nor does her Redmond seatmate Vanessa Kritzer.

From the PDC resolution,

>
"PDC staff is reminding you about the importance of including sponsor identification on your political advertising, including online campaign advertising. You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future."

The PDC, on limited resources, decided to dismiss the complaint from further proceedings, provided the matter is addressed. However, I argue Rep. Walen broke her oath to uphold the laws of this state...

Thought I'd share some good news around here. Avrum (Alex) Tsimerman is an antisemitic bully who harasses many of our elected officials. Tsimerman's hatefests have inspired Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) complaints and now Tsimerman is out for another year. Yes, Tsimerman already got a 1-year exclusion in August 2024 CE (Current Era). Below is Tsimerman getting excluded again for a year in August of this year 2026 CE.

Sound Transit Boardmember Angela Birney gets a 1-year Exclusion on Alex Tsimerman at Sound Transit

I made this video to show people that yes, we can make Sound Transit like u/redmond! I'm sure some appreciate the hope and positive energy this video is intended to give the Middle Eastside.

I cannot make the Abbotsford Airshow this weekend, in part due to a dental emergency.

I can sign over Friday night and Saturday night photo pit passes. Asking $100 USD/$140 CAD inclusive/total please.

1st come, 1st serve.

Photo pit means you are close to centerline and can photograph the statics early before the crowds Saturday.

Raise a little hell and VOTE today! Less than 20% turnout....

Official ballot drop-box locations here.

Thanks,

Raise a little hell and VOTE today! Less than 20% turnout....

Official ballot drop-box locations here.

Thanks and THIS IS NOT A CAMPAIGN POST.

Thank you.

EDIT: Today, Tuesday Aug. 4 is the day. GO VOTE!

Our neighbours to the North got it right all those years ago... https://youtu.be/qRASZ_9nthQ?si=cW4-oDFyNf7VLHpa

VOTE by DROP BOX PLEASE

With that, ballot drop-box locations. Also if you need a replacement ballot, from King County Elections:

• Visit us in person at the King County Elections Office in Renton or one of the Vote Centers.
• Have a printer? You can mark and print your replacement ballot online. If you have a question or would like to make other arrangements to vote in this election, contact King County Elections.

 

[Finally, I don't care how much hell I'm gonna catch but you better VOTE FOR THE TSIMERMAN WAR HERO VANESSA KRTIZER if she's on your ballot! Her courage is now DETERRING Tsimerman from even showing up!]

You want change? Rock out and vote for courage. Just do it. Too many protested, fought, bled and died for the right to vote. There are also nations that don't have the franchise - Iran where they hang protestors for true democracy for $100, anyone?

VOTE BY 8 PM TODAY, TUESDAY 4 AUGUST PLEASE AND USE A BALLOT DROP BOX

Hi there, I feel someone here needs to clear the air about Oct. 7, 2023, AIPAC, and such.

OK, let's go... October 7, 2023, was the date of a Hamas attempt to conduct a genocide in Israel. According to Human Rights Watch;

>The 236-page report, “‘I Can’t Erase All the Blood from My Mind’: Palestinian Armed Groups’ October 7 Assault on Israel,” documents several dozen cases of serious violations of international humanitarian law by Palestinian armed groups at nearly all the civilian attack sites on October 7. These include the war crimes and crimes against humanity of murder, hostage-taking, and other grave offenses. Human Rights Watch also examined the role of various armed groups and their coordination before and during the attacks. Previous Human Rights Watch reports have addressed numerous serious violations by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7.

Israel has the right to avenge this attempted genocide. Which Israel did.

Then there's AIPAC. Here's what AIPAC actually is, according to USA Today;

>AIPAC platform includes "supporting security assistance to Israel," "promoting peace," and "countering Iran's aggression and nuclear weapons quest." AIPAC is also known for sponsoring travel of US politicians and aides to Israel.
. . .
According to OpenSecrets, AIPAC has spent just under $60 million on lobbying since 1998. While AIPAC does not directly contribute to candidates, its affiliated PACS often splash cash on candidates willing to run against Democrats critical of Israel's conduct in the Middle East, including $350,000 on a challenger against Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) in 2022.

I also want to add that Gaza is in the care of a Board of Peace, and international forces are going to be in play to keep both sides in check. Plus work on reconstruction.

===============

Finally, I want to bring this home to the Middle Eastside (Bellevue-Kirkland-Redmond). We've seen a lot of antisemitism after October 7th, and we've seen - among others - Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis flail in dealing with Tsimerman's antisemitism. At least Tsimerman had his first strike. What we've also seen is the Tsimerman Wars start to wind down in Redmond to something more like mowing the grass every 6 months or so. Bellevue? No comment at this time.

I would encourage the progressive left of the Middle Eastside to wake up and recognize your Gaza-first antics could cause some real, genuine harm in the neighborhood. Your neighborhood, that is. You could create an opening for the wrong kind of people, just as antisemitism divided the Jewish vote & political contributions to help Trump eke out a win. You want to add that used car saleswoman getting another term by putting Gaza ahead of Washington State? You want an Amazonian lawyer from Oklahoma over a working mother and conservationist representing you?

Thought so.

All thoughts mine and... not that of any rock star running for State Representative.

Hope I picked the right flair. All thoughts mine.

I decided on a lark to change my August flight from RNO back to SEA from an upcoming conference. Went from Premium Class in a Horizon E175 direct to first class from RNO-PDX and then PDX-SEA for the same price.

I am seeing other sweet deals and empty First Class seats in other searches. Seems to me Alaska Airlines Group isn't filling the seats. But that's me.

Look at asking the Alaska Airlines website to change your flight as an opportunity to shop for an upgrade... and you can always decline. Easy.

Of course, not to cause panic just yet but the Horizon Air Flight Attendants authorizing a strike made a decision to accept a few hours laying over in PDX a lot easier. Who knows what the National Mediation Board might do in the August-December timeframe.

Also could have taken a $75 credit to sit in coach, but the wait to disembark is noticeable with a 45-minute airporter connection at SEA. Plus, the coach seat's not as padded, and I like the 2 free checked bags.

Well since r/soundtransit has banned this podcast, you better give this a listen.

Figured this community might be interested in my recent conversation w/ the BC Information & Privacy Commissioner.

First, as I shared via e-mail today w/ the Redmond City Council...

>I happen to be a Part 107 licensed drone pilot, so I would like to share with you that the professional drone pilot community is well-regulated, almost as well as candidates for elected office.

>As we should be. Our small aircraft can – and sadly when the regulations are not followed – have caused harm. True drone pilots have to honor these regulations and more:

• Required to pass a Part 107 proctored exam to have the license to operate commercially and in controlled airspace.
• Required to refrain from flying over crowds
• Required to not operate beyond line-of-sight
• Required to operate below 400 feet AGL except to avoid an obstruction
• Required to give way to crewed/manned aircraft
• Required to have bright lights during night operations
• Required to have RemoteID so law enforcement and others can track the true positions, identification of, and operator of a drone.
• Required to study on airspace regulations and requirements.

>This is only the beginning of our requirements to operate safely in the national airspace. We are also required to obey all other federal + state + local laws – such as no stalking.

>Therefore, I encourage councilmembers to please:

>a)    Read up on FAA Part 107 operations such as at the Pilot Institute
b)    Consider directly or separately requiring the owner of a drone port to provide to Redmond Planning both an FAA license to fly drones and proof of drone insurance – that’s a real thing – before being licensed to operate a Redmond drone port.
c)    Ensure that drone port operations will NOT interfere with current and awesome Drone as a First Responder efforts.
d)    Consider a legislative agenda for 2027 that makes state policy b & c.

>Hope this helps your awesome community formulate win-win drone policy!

With that, I'll just add here that having paranoia over drones is NOT helpful. Drones are part of our lives - as first responders, as search & rescue tools, as personal & community entertainment, and as flying camera platforms. Drone operators are a regulated community.

I added the common sense requirements that the operator of a drone port have a Part 107 license to ensure the CEO knows what's legally required, the drone insurance requirement as a common sense protection for those on the ground, and a shield for the Redmond PD's drone ops also. Why? Increase safety margins for all.

Drone ports will bring clean, green jobs and innovation to Redmond. Most drones run on electricity and most of what's in a drone can be 3D printed using recycled & recyclable materials. Drone jobs can be relatively safe from AI/robots.

How we can still save Ballard light rail

At the beginning of this process, Sound Transit's proposal was to just stop building light rail once they reach Seattle Center until some future time when they got additional funding. Because of our advocacy and the thousands of people who spoke out, that's no longer the case. 

All thoughts Boardmember Strauss' below....

There's no question this is a major setback. But, this is not the end of the line for Ballard Light Rail. The only reason the Ballard Link is not dead is because of your advocacy. Today, we have more support from Sound Transit Board Members for Ballard than we did when this was initially proposed. The work we did together scored some critical improvements to the plan that will help us win this fight. 
. . .
Here are some of the important improvements we won that were not in the original proposal: 

1. Sound Transit will have to release a timeline for reaching Ballard When we started this conversation, Sound Transit proposed indefinitely postponing Ballard light rail with no timeline for when it would be completed. I fought for and won an amendment that will require them to release a date range for when light rail will reach Ballard under the current plan. This date will certainly be bad, likely showing that Sound Transit's plan sets the Ballard Link back by decades. However, releasing that date range is critical for transparency and to start working on moving that date sooner.   
2. Design costs for the Ballard Link Extension are fully funded I worked to ensure that all of the $300 million in design costs for entire Ballard Link Extension are fully funded. This will ensure the project continues to move forward and gives us time to close the funding gap while that is happening.   
3. Sound Transit will be required explore new cost-saving measures to complete the Ballard Link and have stronger accountability An amendment proposed by Executive Zahilay, which I supported, will require Sound Transit to explore new cost-saving measures and technology that will bring down the cost of Ballard Light Rail. We have heard a number of strategies from community members that Sound Transit simply has not explored. This will require them to do so. It will also require them to be more accountable to our community and report on ways they are mitigating the harm caused by delaying this project. Every single Board Member voted to approve this amendment.   
4. Sound Transit will have to present ways to close the funding gap to get to Ballard Next year, Sound Transit will have to give the Board of Directors options to improve its revenue and financing tools. The way Sound Transit finances light rail is holding the agency back; Sound Transit currently only uses 30 percent of its legal debt capacity. Making some limited, commonsense adjustments to this policy could not only help complete the Ballard Link, but it could also help deliver all projects faster and with less costly inflation.  
5. Further consideration of the Westlake to Ballard Starter Line My amendment to prioritize funding to connect Ballard to Westlake Station before building a second downtown tunnel did not get majority support from the Board of Directors yesterday. However, several Board Members who voted no were interested in the idea and expressed interest in studying it further. Sound Transit only gave Board Members two weeks to propose, discuss, and vote on amendments. With more time, work, and information, we could continue push for the board to approve the Westlake to Ballard Starter Line and build to Ballard sooner.

Let me acutely clear up some misinformation....

#1. Link to Ballard and the Heidi Wills Station is NOT Dead. It's still in full design.

#2. It's still very possible to have a ST4 for, of and by SEATTLE AND SEATTLE RESIDENTS ONLY.

#3. There are other options to get Ballard built still left, like 75-year bonds plus state & federal grants. Only a $10 Billion gap left!

So anybody telling you Ballard Link is dead is full of it.

Attitude matters. Especially with 3.

Figure I should share. The comments are also worth a read.

Posting this only as a courtesy. Also yes, I support building Graham Street Station

========================================================

Mayor Wilson and Executive Zahilay join community organizers in the fight to keep Graham Street Station on track

Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced a plan today to build Graham Street Station as promised. First proposed and approved by Seattle voters in 1999, the station was deferred twice and is poised for a third delay in Sound Transit’s current update to the ST3 System Plan.

In solidarity with community organizers who have fought for the Graham Street Station for more than a decade, Mayor Wilson and Executive Zahilay will introduce an amendment at the May 28 Sound Transit Board meeting to keep Graham Street Station on track.

“We’re done with broken promises,” said Mayor Wilson. “South Seattle communities have waited far too long for the Graham Street Station. This amendment is about finally delivering the equitable transit access that Rainier Valley residents deserve and continue to lobby for. On Thursday, the Sound Transit Board has the opportunity – and responsibility – to move this project forward.”

“South Seattle residents have waited too long for the transit investments they were promised decades ago, and this community should not be asked to wait any longer or settle for less,” said Executive Zahilay. “This amendment to deliver the Graham Street Station is about equity, opportunity, and making sure Southend families, workers, and seniors have the reliable transit access they deserve. I’m grateful to Mayor Wilson and the many residents, advocates, and community organizations who made their voices heard and urge the entire Board to support this important amendment.”

Amendment No. 8 to Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers' Substitute Resolution No. R2026-11 will move Graham Street Station definitively onto the list of projects that will be built within the ST3 System Plan. It also outlines ways that the City of Seattle, King County, and Sound Transit will work together to advance the station. If adopted, Sound Transit will use $25 million in secured federal grant funds – plus any savings from the Pinehurst Station – for Graham Street Station construction. They will also pursue additional local and federal grants and apply identified cost saving opportunities to the project. Meanwhile, the City of Seattle will expedite permitting and other processes to realize savings and commits to providing up to $30 million as “last funding in” if all other options have been exhausted.

For community leaders such as Velma Veloria, former Washington State Representative and Filipino Community of Seattle Community Relations Specialist, this amendment is a step in the right direction. “Our Graham community has seen decades of delay, I believe one of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhoods deserves the investment it was promised, and we stand with the mayor in urging the Sound Transit Board to move Graham Street Station forward.”

Located along the Sound Transit’s 1 Line between the Columbia City and Othello stations, Graham Street Station would improve light rail access for thousands of Rainier Valley community members. For many residents, especially seniors, youth, and working families, and transit-dependent households, the station represents both improved mobility and deeper connections to the region.

“As a homeowner for over 20 years, getting Graham Street Station means staying connected to the people I love and making it easier for our neighborhood to visit and stay connected to the rest of Seattle and the region through light rail,” said Mijo Lee, a nearby resident.

Knowing how transformational a light rail station could be, local leaders worked with the Graham community to create a neighborhood vision that was published by Puget Sound Sage in 2019. Since then, they have worked diligently with one another and the City of Seattle to plan for the future station. Mayor Wilson’s and Executive Zahilay’s announcement comes on the heels of two community-organized events where dozens of community leaders and members gathered near the site of the future station.

“The Graham Street Community Vision says it all,” shared Rachtha Danh from Puget Sound Sage. “For years, this community has done the hard work of coalition building, organizing, and imagining a future where South Seattle families are better connected, and Graham Street Station is part of that promise.”

In fall 2025, community members and City staff came together for a Graham Street Block Party that reflected the neighborhood’s long tradition of organizing, celebration, and community connection. Neighbors gathered around maps and future station plans while sharing food, music, performances, and stories about what they hope Graham can become for future generations. Seattle Councilmember Dionne Foster was one of the attendees.

“I saw young families, seniors, and everyone in between show up and engage and tell the City what they wanted for this station,” said Councilmember Foster. “We can’t afford to break their trust. I support Mayor Wilson’s and Executive Zahilay’s amendment and urge the Sound Transit Board to pass it. I am also deeply grateful for the community members who have shown up tirelessly to advocate for this station. They are the true champions of this story.”

The Sound Transit Board will meet this Thursday, May 28 from 1:30 – 5:00 PM in the Ruth Fisher Board Room at Union Station. They will discuss and vote on the proposed ST3 System Plan, including amendments. The meeting is open to the public.

--

What People Are Saying

Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2)

“South end residents have been working for well over a decade in preparation for Graham Street Station. From the Filipino Community of Seattle to Cham Refugees Community and hundreds of advocates, it is essential the city build on the work of community leaders to deliver for Seattle’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods. The Rainier Valley has persevered through decades of underinvestment, inequitable development, and displacement. Thank you Mayor Wilson for your leadership, fighting for transit justice and upholding our commitment to South Seattle. Let’s build Graham Street Station.”

 

King County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis (District 2)

“I’m thrilled that Sound Transit will have amendments for the Board to consider before voting tomorrow. Inclusion of Graham Street and transit mitigation funds around the Boeing Access Road (BAR) station area would be important accommodation in consideration of the underlying issues of equity. Approving these adds will send a clear signal to the region about Sound Transit’s commitment to racial and social justice. This is an amazing win for the surrounding communities, and I am hopeful that Sound Transit will find a way to deliver the BAR station before another 20 years fly by.”

 

Violet Lavatai, Tenants Organizers and Advocates

“As someone who has spent decades advocating for tenants and working families in this community, I know transit access is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Graham Street Station would give so much stability for the people who already live here and rely on public transit every day.”

 

Slayman Appadolo, Cham Refugee Community

“For our Cham Community Center, this feels like the City’s investment coming full circle. The Graham Street Station would help our families stay connected to jobs, school, and opportunity across Seattle while also bringing more people to learn more about our neighborhood and the many different cultures that make up this wonderful neighborhood and community.”

 

David Tran, Lam’s Seafood

“For Lam’s Seafood and all of the small businesses in the neighborhood, Graham Street Station would make it easier for customers and employees to access the neighborhood, and we’re honored to be at the center of a more connected and vibrant community.”

 

Brady Rainey, SouthEast Seattle Senior Center

“For 65 years, the SouthEast Seattle Senior Center has served our community, and a light rail station at MLK and Graham would be transformative for older adults by making it easier and safer to reach essential services, participate in programming, and stay socially connected.”

 

Kirk Hovenkotter, Transportation Choices Coalition

"Mayor Wilson is showing how you Build the Damn Trains. The neighbors of Graham Street have voted for and paid into Sound Transit for decades. Thanks to this amendment, those neighbors will get a station. And the region will have a new way to reach this neighborhood."

 

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