Month: March 2015

Meet: Bruce A. Harrell, Seattle City Council Member

Bruce A. Harrell, Seattle City Council Member

B.A. Political Science (1980 U.W. Academic All-American; 2007 University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Award);
M.A. Organizational Design and Improvement (Dean’s List);
University of Washington’s 2012 Timeless Award Winner; NW Football Hall of Fame (2013);
Juris Doctorate (Washington State Bar Association, 9th Circuit);
International Examiner Reader’s Favorite Local Elected Official (’10-’12);
NATOA National Broadband Visionary of the Year (2011).

Previous Occupation: Attorney

Councilmember Bruce Harrell Speaking at John T. Williams Memorial
Bruce Harrell and his wife Joanne Harrell’s civic commitment to our region has spanned three decades. Bruce Harrell is currently Chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee and vice-chair of the Transportation Committee. Bruce began his public service in 1980 working for the Seattle City Council under then Council President Paul Kraabel. Bruce’s professional career excelled when, in 1987, he joined US WEST, now QWEST (Counsel, Senior Attorney and Chief Counsel). There he developed legal expertise in telecommunications, technology and complex negotiations. In 1998, he entered private practice where he served in a variety of leadership roles, representing children and seniors, employees and employers, affordable housing companies and small businesses. Bruce has been particularly recognized in the community for his pro bono work with small businesses. Bruce served as chief legal advisor to the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, chief legal advisor to the First A.M.E. Church and First A.M.E. Housing Corporation, and Chief Counsel to U S WEST.

Bruce attended K-12 in Seattle Public Schools graduating valedictorian in 1976 from Garfield High School. Bruce then accepted a football scholarship to the University of Washington (1978 Rose Bowl Champion, 1979 Sun Bowl Champion, 1979 Most Valuable Defensive Player Award, 1st Team All Pac-10, 2008 Husky Legend award, #55) playing under the legendary Coach Don James. In 1984, Bruce graduated from the University of Washington’s Law School and was subsequently elected to the UW Alumni Board of Trustees. While in college, Bruce participated in the UW’s Prisoner Counseling Program where he tutored inmates at the Monroe reformatory allowing them to earn a G.E.D. and re-enter society as productive members.

joanneharrellJoanne Harrell is Senior-Director, US Citizenship and Public Affairs. She’s worked for Microsoft since 2001 leading an array of global sales and marketing functions in the Enterprise & Partner Group, OEM, World-wide Sales Operations and on the US State and Local Government Team. In 2009, Governor Gregoire appointed Joanne to the University of Washington Board of Regents. Joanne’s work history is extensive and encompasses senior operational and strategy roles within the high-tech, Telecommunications and the non-profit environments. Past positions include Senior Vice-President, InfoSpace; President and CEO, United Way of King County (UWKC) and Vice-President and CEO, US WEST Nebraska operations. Joanne has received awards for excellence in Marketing and Brand Management programs. She is a Conference Board/Brookings Institution Congressional Fellow and has attended marketing management programs at Columbia University (1991) and Stanford University (1995). Joanne has also completed Stanford’s Advanced Management College and a non-profit management program at the Harvard Business School. Her BA and MBA are from the University of Washington. She has also served as a Commissioner for the Seattle Zoo Commission (1995); Chairperson for the King County Redistricting Commission (1993); Member, International Women’s Forum; and Member of the Belizean Grove (International Women’s Organization). Joanne also serves on the board of REI and on the Board of Trustees for AAA of Washington and was elected as its 2008 Chairwoman.

Bruce and Joanne are raising their family in the Mt. Baker neighborhood and they enjoy the outdoors, fishing, jogging, exercising and swimming.

Community Awards – Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell:

2013 – Community Leadership Award – Tabor 100 “Crystal Eagle” Leadership Award
2013 – Champion Award – Pioneer Human Services – in recognition of outstanding support for the people and causes served by Pioneer Human Services
2013 – Community Activist Award – ROOTS – in recognition of hard work to make the African American community a better place to live
2013 – Seattle Roots Committee Award – Northwest Black Pioneers – in appreciation of service to the African American Community
2013 – Induction into Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame as a College Player
2013 – Seattle Urban League Young Professionals – in appreciation of extraordinary leadership and dedication
2012 – PNWC Lay Service Award – The PNWC Lay Organization – in grateful appreciation for outstanding dedicated service to the people in your community
2010-2012 – Favorite Local Political Figure – The International Examiner – Third Annual Northwest Asian Pacific American Reader’s Choice Awards
2011 – 2nd Annual Banquet Honoree – Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Puget Sound Chapter
2011 – Central Area Senior Center – Government Affairs Award
2010 – Father’s Day Honor Appreciation Award
2009 – Pillar Award – Regional Small Business Development Program – for supporting small business success
2008 – Mayor Greg Nickels Visionary Award – Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle – 6th Annual Contractors Award Luncheon and Pathways Forum

2014-2015 Seattle City Council Committees

Chair: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee
Vice-Chair: Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries and Gender Pay Equity
Vice-Chair: Taxi, For-hire, and Limousine Regulations
Member: Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods
Member: Labor Relations Policy
Member: Central Waterfront, Seawall, and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program
Member: Select Committee on Parks Funding
Member: Select Committee on the Minimum Wage and Income Inequality
Member: Mayor’s Income Inequality Advisory Committee
Member: Mayor’s Police Chief Search Committee
Alternate: Energy

2014-2015 External Committees and Boards & Commissions Oversight/Appointment Authority:

Chair: Firefighters Pension Board
Chair: Police Pension Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Executive Board
Member: Regional Law Safety & Justice Committee
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee
Member: Economic Development Council
Member: Trade Development Alliance
Member: Domestic Violence Prevention Council
Member: Race and Social Justice Community Roundtable
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)

Fire Code Advisory Board
Public Safety Civil Service Commission
OPA Review Board
Citizens Telecommunication and Technology Advisory Board
Seattle Women’s Commission
Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities
Seattle Human Rights Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission (LGBT)
Council on African American Elders
Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Commission

2014-2015 Sister City Association
Chongqing, China
Mombassa, Kenya

2012-2013 Seattle City Council Committees

Chair: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology
Vice-Chair: Transportation
Member: Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture
Member: Labor Relations Policy
Alternate: Libraries, Utilities and Center
Member: SR 520 Project – Special Committee
Member: Budget – Special Committee
Member: Central Waterfront, Seawall, and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program – Special Committee
Member: Library Levy – Special Committee
2012-2013 External Committees and Boards & Commissions Oversight/Appointment Authority

Chair: Firefighters Pension Board
Chair: Police Pension Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Executive Board
Member: Regional Law Safety & Justice Committee
Member: Domestic Violence Prevention Council
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee
Alternate: King County Board of Health
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)
Member: UW Business and Economic Development Center Advisory Board
Race and Social Justice Community Roundtable
Fire Code Advisory Board
Public Safety Civil Service Commission
OPA Review Board
Citizens Telecommunication and Technology Advisory Board
Seattle Women’s Commission
Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities
Seattle Human Rights Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission (LGBT)
Council on African American Elders
2010-2011 Committees

Chair: Energy, Technology, and Civil Rights Committee
Chair: Law and Risk Management Committee
Vice-Chair: Seattle Public Utilities & Neighborhoods Committee
Member: Parks & Seattle Center Committee
Alternate: Transportation Committee
Alternate: Public Safety & Education
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board
Member: Race and Social Justice Community Roundtable
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Chair: Seattle Firefighters Pension Board
Northwest Regional Director: National Technology Adoption Advisory Council (NTAAC)
Chair: CASASTART – Focused strategies for youth with behavioral challenges at identified schools.
Member: UW Business and Economic Development Center Advisory Board
Member: Seattle Police Chief Search Committee
Seattle City Light Committee
Seattle Citizens’ Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board
Women’s Commission
People with Disabilities Commission
Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission
Human Rights Commission
2008-2009 Committees

Chair: Energy & Technology Committee
Vice-Chair: Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee
Member: Housing and Economic Development Committee
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board
Member: Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board
Chair: Performance First: A Business Development Strategy of the Prosperity Partnership
Chair: CASASTART – Focused strategies for youth with behavioral challenges at identified schools.
Member: King County Flood Control Zone Advisory Committee
Member: Fire Facilities Oversight Committee
Member: Reinvesting in Youth – Strategies to prevent youth from dropping out from school
Member: Public Safety Planning Client Group
Seattle City Light Advisory Committee
Seattle Citizens’ Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board

Youth Opportunity Summit

March 16, 2015 by Office of Mayor Murray

Youth Opportunity Summit Mayor Murray is convening an all-day Youth Opportunity Summit, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for young men of color. This Summit is intended to launch a new conversation about how we can build on the good work of our community partners through better alignment of resources, better coordination across systems and agencies, and through lifting up the voices of young people to address longstanding disparities.

Youth Opportunity Summit

When: Saturday, April 11th, 2015, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Where: Rainier Beach High School, 8815 S Seward Park Ave, Seattle, WA 98118

Seattle has committed to three related national initiatives:

President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper, a community challenge to improve outcomes for young men of color;
Cities United, an effort by the National League of Cities to reduce black male homicide;
National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, an initiative of the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention that seeks to more effectively prevent youth and gang violence.

The Youth Opportunity Summit will also serve as a space for dialogue on how Seattle can connect to a larger national network of communities engaged in addressing disparities for young people of color, identify ways to improve on our local strategies, and ultimately take action to move the needle locally.

Chief O’Toole Announces New SPD Leadership Team

Chief O’Toole Announces New SPD Leadership Team
Written by Chief Kathleen O’Toole on March 11, 2015 5:00 am

I am pleased to announce the newest members of the Seattle Police Department command staff.

Assistant Chiefs Lesley Cordner, Steve Wilske, Robert Merner, Perry Tarrant, and Chief Information Officer Greg Russell will join me in leading this department. They have each proven themselves to be innovators, who share my drive for progress and passion for public service.
Cordner

Asst. Chief Lesley Cordner

Lesley Cordner joined the Seattle Police Department in 1989, and has served in the Domestic Violence Unit, North Precinct Operations, Community Policing, and a number of other assignments. Lesley emigrated from Ireland to the greater Seattle area, and previously worked for the Boeing Company and Seattle City Light as a mechanical engineer before joining the department.

Steve Wilske, currently the commander of the Southwest Precinct, has served for more than 28 years with the department in a variety of roles, including Homicide and Crime Scene and Use of Force investigation. At Southwest, Steve brought his CSI background to bear, as he pushed the importance of scouring every single crime scene for fingerprints.
Wilske

Asst. Chief Steve Wilske

I was looking for a commander who could plunge right into leading the patrol operations section, so it seems fitting that Steve has a degree in commercial diving.

Two chiefs are also joining our department after life-long careers in public safety service in other parts of the country.
Merner

Asst. Chief Robert Merner

Robert Merner, comes to us after holding every rank in the Boston Police Department’s Investigative Bureau, with experience in homicide, gangs, narcotics and forensics.

Robert has worked closely with a Boston Bar Association Taskforce dedicated to preventing wrongful convictions, and is a four-time recipient of the Boston Police Department’s Medal of Honor.

Perry Tarrant joins us after serving as the coordinator of the City of Yakima’s Gang Free Initiative.
Tarrant

Asst. Chief Perry Tarrant

Perry has served for 34 years as an officer and commander in the Tucson Police Department, and he is also the Vice President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

The search process for this leadership team was thorough and rigorous, with 72 external and 22 internal candidates, each deeply committed to public safety service.
Russell

CIO Greg Russell

We have also added another new position to our leadership team, Chief Information Officer. Greg Russell will lead the next phases of a number of tech-focused projects, like our body worn camera pilot and use of data to better predict and prevent crime.

Previously, Greg worked at Amazon as a vice president overseeing the company’s corporate applications, enterprise data warehouse and IT.

Assistant Chiefs Merner, Wilske, and Tarrant will report to Deputy Chief Carmen Best. Assistant Chief Lesley Cordner and CIO Russell will report to Chief Operating Officer Mike Wagers.

In addition to today’s changes, our department will continue to prepare for our future, collaborating with the Seattle Police Management Association and Seattle Police Officers Guild to establish a leadership development program.

Together, we will continue to build on the foundation we have laid over the last eight months, restoring public trust, enhancing pride and professionalism in the department, promoting best business practices, and addressing crime and quality of life in our city.

SEATTLE SUMMER YOUTH JOBS- AGES 14-24

Seattle, WA – Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced that the application process for the 2015 Summer Youth Internship Program is now underway. The summer internship program is open to youth and young adults, ages 14-24 who live in Seattle.

“Working together with business leaders, community partners and the City, we will be building the most vigorous youth employment program Seattle has seen in decades,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “This program will help our most at-risk youth develop the skills necessary to compete in the 21st Century economy.”

“Youth summer employment has been shown to reduce poverty, increase school engagement, provide job experience, and reduce participation in risky behaviors and crime, said Catherine Lester, Acting HSD Director. “By investing in the summer jobs, the City is not only investing in the individual participants, but also their families, communities and the city as a whole.”

This year, through the Mayor Ed Murray’s Summer Youth at Work Initiative, the program will employ 2,000 youth and young adults this summer, double the number of jobs provided to youth last year. Eligible youth and young adults will receive paid work experience in positions at various city departments and at private sector placements based on their career interest.

For students without computer access, computers are available at Seattle Public Libraries, Seattle Parks and Recreation community centers, Seattle public high schools, WorkSource Centers, and some community based organizations.

Private sector business and nonprofit organizations can participate in the Summer Youth at Work Initiative by providing a structured and supervised work environment for the summer. Interested businesses and organizations should contact Nancy Yamamoto at 206-684-8189 or Nancy.Yamamoto@seattle.gov for more information.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $99 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information visit HSD’s Seattle Youth Employment Program webpage.

Capitol Hill Hate Crimes: TONIGHT 7 p.m. at All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway East on Capitol Hill

SEATTLE – Hundreds of residents of Seattle’s Capitol Hill say they no longer feel safe in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods.

Recent crimes have put the lesbian and gay community on edge – leading to a large meeting planned for Tuesday night.

Officials say it’s hard to put an exact number on the recent hate crimes that have targeted Capitol Hill’s lesbian, gay and transgendered residents. Some go unreported and others may not be legally classified as a hate crime.

But those who live and work there say they’ve seen it – and experienced it.

KOMO News has reported on several incidents, as recently as last month. Many involve harassment, and some do get physical. Now community leaders want to reverse what they see as a troubling trend in one of the city’s most diverse and inclusive neighborhoods.

“There is definitely a sense in the community that the Hill is no longer safe and that obviously is tearing at the fabric of our ability to have safe spaces,” says Danni Askini of the Gender Justice League. “If not the Hill, then where?”

Askini is moderating Tuesday night’s meeting with community leaders. Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant’s office is helping spearhead the discussion. The meeting gets under way at 7 p.m. at All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway East on Capitol Hill. About 300 people are expected.

The goal is to not only brainstorm solutions but to become proactive as summer approaches – a time when nicer weather means more people are out in the neighborhood and a time when there tends to be more violence.