Tag: Government

HUD contracts from the REO Guy

Carl Setzer

Yesterday I was expounding on earnest money issues with HUD contracts. Later in the day, I had one more thought on the subject: sending the check. HUDs are weird, in that you send the check to the listing broker. BLB, the company that manages HUD sales in Washington, is in California. The closing company is here in Washington. Hence this logic.

Critically, though, you’re given two business days to get that to me. TWO! With that, I highly caution against dropping these checks in the regular mail. HIGHLY!!! First, the likelihood of it getting to me in time is dismally small. Secondly, and more scarily, you have no way of tracking down that check if it fails to arrive. None. Lost, stolen, shredded by angry postal  trolls (with their razor sharp pointy teeth), I’ve seen all of these. I’ve seen them show up two weeks late, had people from the building next door bring them by a month later; on and on I can go. The point? Send it via a service with a tracking number. Not just FedEx, but also UPS and the USPS (Priority & Express). None of us ever want to say to a client “sorry, just lost a grand if your money. Oppsie!”

Just a few pro tips to make your life easier.

The City of Everett To Dedicate Historic City Hall

Carl Setzer

On Sept. 13, 2014 – 10 AM the public is invited to join Mayor Ray Stephanson, the Everett City Council, community members and the family of former Mayor William E. Moore at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, as the historic City Hall building is formally renamed in honor of Moore, Everett’s 30th mayor. (The Historic City Hall is located at 3002 Wetmore Avenue). Moore’s efforts to promote the city of Everett are some of the most crucial.

“I am honored to help commemorate the legacy of Mayor Moore by dedicating one of our best-known landmarks in his name,” said Mayor Ray Stephanson.  “Bill was always focused on the future of Everett and much of the infrastructure and amenities that we enjoy today were established during his leadership.” The former city hall, which now houses the police department’s north precinct and the City Council chambers, was designed by Seattle architect A.H. Albertson and built in 1929.  It has long been recognized as an excellent example of the art deco style. “Historic City Hall links the Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression with the present day,” said David Dilgard, Everett Public Library historian.  “It was the product of the politics and economics of an American industrial port at a historic turning point.”

The building underwent a significant renovation in 1978-79 at Moore’s direction, with the intent of retaining and restoring the original character and integrity of the building.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and remains a noteworthy fixture in Everett’s central business district.

More about Mayor William E. Moore:

Moore was first elected mayor in 1977 and served through 1990.  He is perhaps best known as a champion for Naval Station Everett, but he also made developing the city’s infrastructure a priority throughout his career, particularly in what is now the advanced manufacturing jobs center in southwest Everett.

The renaming effort was spearheaded by a group of Everett citizens, who noted in their nomination that “Mayor Bill Moore understood that even during difficult times, a great City could develop on the strength of having infrastructure in place to provide the foundation for a strong economy, new employment and job retention.  In some measure, we owe the quality of life we enjoy today to sound initiatives begun by Mayor Moore.”

Among Moore’s achievements are expansions of Langus Riverfront and Kasch parks, annexations of Silver Lake and Smith Island, building Fire Station 6, the expansion of the downtown library, and improvements to several major streets and utility facilities.  Moore also helped bring the AquaSox baseball team to Everett.

Road Healing Coming to I-5

Carl Setzer

Generally, the first response when seeing news like this: groans. Ugh, more roadwork! More snarls; slow, slow, slow! I try to think of the long-term with this stuff. Sometimes it works. But knowing that not doing this, not taking care of the preventive stuff only makes things worse. And, maybe, this will result in something better. A better, more wonderful life for us all. Well, one can dream…

New pavement preservation project begins on I-5 next week
A new pavement preservation project begins on I-5 in Seattle and Shoreline next week.
Beginning Aug. 11 contractor crews will start replacing more than 300 old, cracking and failing concrete panels that make up the I-5 roadway. The work is located between SR 104 at the King-Snohomish County line and Northeast 117th Street near Northgate. Crews will start in the southbound lanes and then work northbound. After the concrete panel work is done at the end of October, the crews are scheduled to start grinding the highway. The grinding will start no earlier than Nov. 1. The project will also add a new overhead electronic sign near Northeast 155th Street which will display travel times and messages. Durable, high visibility striping will be added in spring 2015. Thank you in advance for your patience as we begin this work that is so important to keeping commuters and freight moving on I-5.

 

Sno-Isle Libraries Updates

Carl Setzer

Some cool news from my local library provider. The Lynnwood branch (my local one), is back open after remodeling.

“You’ll discover new carpet, paint, improved restrooms and approximately 1,000 square feet set aside as a new Creative Commons. This special space will provide you with exciting opportunities for computer-aided creativity, group collaboration workspace, research, development and instruction.”

I’ll need to make some time to head down soon. 

Also important: all branches will be closed this coming Monday, October 7th. 

Lastly, they’ve collected key links to understand the Affordable Care Act, it’s requirements and places to act. 

Sno Co Traffic Update

Carl Setzer

Be forewarned, be prepared.

Full closure of SR 9 near Clearview next weekend
We really appreciate patience from folks as we hit the home stretch of the SR 9 widening project near Clearview.  The project is in a very weather-dependent stage right now as we try to finish the final paving in between rainstorms.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Next weekend, our contractor crews will close both directions of the roadway between 176th Street Southeast and 188th Street Southeast to install a signal bridge at the intersection of 180th Street Southeast.  Additionally, 180th will be closed between Snohomish Avenue and 83rd Avenue Southeast.  Drivers will follow a signed detour.Be sure to stay up to day with construction activities in the area by checking our Snohomish county construction update page.

City of Everett Mayor’s Arts Awards Seeking Nominations

Carl Setzer

This just came through, posting as is. Great opportunity for the locally artistically inclined.

City seeks nominations for arts awards
2013 Mayor’s Arts Awards and the prestigious Richard Wendt Award of Excellence
Awards recognize Everett’s artists and arts supporters
Deadline:  5 PM, Friday, October 4, 2013
Presentation November 21

For more information and nomination forms, visit www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=1074.
Contact Carol Thomas, 425-257-7101 cthomas@ci.everett.wa.us

The City of Everett Cultural Arts Commission invites nominations for the 2013 Mayor’s Arts Awards and the prestigious Richard Wendt Award of Excellence.  The awards recognize the accomplishments of artists, arts and cultural organizations and community members committed to enriching the Everett community through the arts.

This is the 21st year of the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence, a lifetime achievement award given to those individuals whose strong support of the arts has been ongoing through philanthropic and volunteer service.

In recognition of Everett’s growing arts community, the commission has created the Mayor’s Arts Awards, which in its fourth year will honor art educators, artists in the community and young artists demonstrating promise and commitment to the Everett arts community.

Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.  The Cultural Arts Commission will review the nominations and select the recipients.  The awards, which are non-monetary, are presented annually.

Mayor Ray Stephanson will honor recipients of the 2013 Mayor’s Arts Awards and the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence at a public ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 21.  For more information and nomination forms, visit http://www.everettwa.org/default.aspx?ID=1945.

Past honorees
Past Wendt award recipients include: J. Leach and Vickie Norris, 2012; Janalene Simpson, 2011; Arden Flom, 2010; Marian and Jerry Krell, 2009; Bob and Dona Anderson, 2008; Dr. Richard and Nancy Wendt, 2007; Imagine Children’s Museum, 2006; Clay and Hap Wertheimer, 2005; Terry and Cheryle Earnheart, 2004; Susan Jane Russell, 2003; Arts Council of Snohomish County, 2002; Mike Jordan, 2001; Peter Newland, 2000; John and Idamae Schack, 1999; Dr. Sanford Wright, 1998; Maryalice Salget, 1997; Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs, 1996; Dr. Richard Wendt, 1995; Carl Gipson, 1994; Dorothy Jayne Wright, Clyde Revord Motors and Jim Noonan, 1993; and Gene Nastri, 1992.

Past Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients include: Lloyd Weller, Arts Educator; Ron and Ursula Stocke, Artist in the Community, 2012; 20 Riverside, Young Artist; Henrietta Wilson, Arts Educator; Tami Walker and Roxy Gesler, Artist in the Community, 2011; Josey Wise, Young Artist; Shannon Danks, Arts Educator; Liz Geiger, Jane Steele-Meagher and Janet Wold of the Corner Studio and Gallery and Cheri O’Brien, Shari Osti and Evelia Sanchez of the Red Door Gallery, Artist in the Community, 2010.

###City seeks nominations for arts awards
Awards recognize Everett’s artists and arts supporters

EVERETT – The City of Everett Cultural Arts Commission invites nominations for the 2013 Mayor’s Arts Awards and the prestigious Richard Wendt Award of Excellence. The awards recognize the accomplishments of artists, arts and cultural organizations and community members committed to enriching the Everett community through the arts.

This is the 21st year of the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence, a lifetime achievement award given to those individuals whose strong support of the arts has been ongoing through philanthropic and volunteer service.

In recognition of Everett’s growing arts community, the commission has created the Mayor’s Arts Awards, which in its fourth year will honor art educators, artists in the community and young artists demonstrating promise and commitment to the Everett arts community.

Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The Cultural Arts Commission will review the nominations and select the recipients. The awards, which are non-monetary, are presented annually.

Mayor Ray Stephanson will honor recipients of the 2013 Mayor’s Arts Awards and the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence at a public ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 21.  For more information and nomination forms, visit http://www.everettwa.org/default.aspx?ID=1945.

Past honorees
Past Wendt award recipients include: J. Leach and Vickie Norris, 2012; Janalene Simpson, 2011; Arden Flom, 2010; Marian and Jerry Krell, 2009; Bob and Dona Anderson, 2008; Dr. Richard and Nancy Wendt, 2007; Imagine Children’s Museum, 2006; Clay and Hap Wertheimer, 2005; Terry and Cheryle Earnheart, 2004; Susan Jane Russell, 2003; Arts Council of Snohomish County, 2002; Mike Jordan, 2001; Peter Newland, 2000; John and Idamae Schack, 1999; Dr. Sanford Wright, 1998; Maryalice Salget, 1997; Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs, 1996; Dr. Richard Wendt, 1995; Carl Gipson, 1994; Dorothy Jayne Wright, Clyde Revord Motors and Jim Noonan, 1993; and Gene Nastri, 1992.

Past Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients include: Lloyd Weller, Arts Educator; Ron and Ursula Stocke, Artist in the Community, 2012; 20 Riverside, Young Artist; Henrietta Wilson, Arts Educator; Tami Walker and Roxy Gesler, Artist in the Community, 2011; Josey Wise, Young Artist; Shannon Danks, Arts Educator; Liz Geiger, Jane Steele-Meagher and Janet Wold of the Corner Studio and Gallery and Cheri O’Brien, Shari Osti and Evelia Sanchez of the Red Door Gallery, Artist in the Community, 2010.

Edmonds School District Superintendent Round Table : September 18

Carl Setzer

Join the Superintendent’s Roundtable – and a special request!!!!

On Wednesday of this week, we have our first Superintendent Roundtable.  After welcome and introductions, we will invite participants to share topics and areas of interest for this year’s programs.

In addition to this, Dr. Nick Brossoit has a special request for those who can attend the meeting.  There is a possibility of adding a Capital and Construction Bond measure to the February 2014 election, in addition to the Replacement School Programs and Operations Levy.  Dr. Brossoit would like to review this information with those who can attend and gather your thoughts and input in preparation for a series of public input session he will host on this same topic later this month.  If you can make space on your busy schedule; please attend.

“Our District , like most in the region, will be challenged with space needs within two years as we reduce class size in grades 1-3 and add full-day kindergarten,” Dr. Brossoit said. “We also need to address our highest priority facility needs that are currently backlogged, as well as safety improvements on all our campuses.”

 The Superintendent’s Roundtable is tomorrow, Sept. 18 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood 98036.  Feel free to bring your lunch and we hope to see you there. We will also discuss topics for upcoming Roundtable conversations for the 2013-14 school year.

– from the Edmonds School District Website