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From: "nickelsnewsletter@..." <nickelsnewsletter@...>
To: NICKELSNEWSLETTER@...
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 4:00:38 PM
Subject: [NICKELSNEWSLETTER] Nickels Newsletter - June 2009
Countdown to light rail: A sneak peek at the light rail ride: Mayor Nickels invites you to the opening of Sound Transit's light rail system: The mayor reflects on how our region reached this milestone: | ||||||
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With help from the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative and stimulus funds, we have increased the number of summer jobs available through our youth employment program. One of the best ways to reduce youth violence is to provide new opportunities and these jobs will give hundreds of young people new skills and help set them on the right path. We have operated the Seattle Youth Employment Program for 25 years. This year, thanks to funds from my initiative and federal stimulus funds, we were able to significantly increase the number of young participants from 492 last summer to 650 this summer. This is just one facet of the initiative, but we know this: give a kid a job for the summer and you've made a difference for life.
June 6 was an auspicious day for Northgate - we held a grand opening of several major projects south of the mall and debuted the Thornton Creek headwaters. This long-awaited celebration showed what can happen when we join together. The city's investment in public improvements sparked private investments. The revitalized Northgate now includes public improvements -- a new library, community center, sidewalks, two new parks and the Thornton Creek Channel -- and private investments in 700 new housing units, major additions to Northgate, a 14-screen theater at Thornton Place, and 850 permanent jobs. Northgate is a shining example of great urban design, environmental stewardship and the power of community. 
As the new President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have a unique opportunity to promote Seattle and the important role of cities in our nation’s economic recovery. Federal investments are most effective in creating jobs and economic activity when directly targeted to cities. For example, I advocated for the creation of a national energy-efficiency fund. Seattle is now receiving $6 million which will create jobs and help our residents and businesses reduce their energy usage. By leading the Conference of Mayors, we have a seat at the table with the Obama Administration on issues ranging from creating jobs and improving transportation in our cities. I encourage you to visit my 
Every year for the past 10 years, the volunteers and staff at our Animal Shelter have put on a major fundraiser called the Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk. This may be the only run/walk with nearly as much participation by four-legged walkers as two-legged. This year, Sharon and I joined our younger dog Edgar -- whom we adopted from the shelter a couple of years ago -- for the walk around the loop at Seward Park. With nearly 2,800 human walkers and runners, at least 1,500 dogs and one cat, about $123,000 was raised for the “Help the Animals Fund,” which pays for veterinary care for abused and abandoned animals, and provides assistance to low-income pet owners for spaying and neutering their pets. 
Thanks to changes in our permitting process and reduced fees, the Queen Anne Farmers Market opened at a new permanent site on West Crockett Street. Some of our neighborhood farmers markets have struggled with keeping or locating on large enough privately owned sites. I have introduced new legislation to further streamline the process and decrease fees to hold farmers markets on public property. I want to make sure farmers markets remain a vital part of our neighborhoods throughout the city. Last year more than half a million people shopped at their neighborhood farmers markets and spent more than $10 million. They know that local food is more nutritious, tastier and better for the planet. Support your neighborhood farmers market. 
This month's Clean and Green focused on the Genesee P-Patch and it was a pleasure to announce that the P-Patch has been approved for a $15,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund Small and Simple award. With the 10 neighbors who were awarded plots in the P-Patch, and many others, we spread compost and got the patch ready to grow. Next month we will hold our 100th Clean and Green at Othello Playground in southeast Seattle. I hope you can join in the celebration of this milestone. 
Seattle boasts one of the largest Pride events in the country and the annual parade is one of my favorite events. But it takes more than just a speech on Pride weekend to make sure gay and lesbian people have the same rights as everyone, including the right to marriage. I have signed an executive order for City recognition of same sex marriage and we lobbied the state of Washington to pass legislation that grants same sex domestic partners the same rights that my wife and I enjoy. We need to do more and I will continue the fight until Washington joins the six states that have done the right thing - marriage equality for all people. 
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