Also in this issue: New affordable housing in Uptown, protecting communities from toxic chemicals, bringing scooters to Seattle, and more!

Durkan Digest Standard Header



It seems like every day we wake up to new cruel and hateful policies from this president.

This week, the president announced his intent to take a step back [ [link removed] ] in our countrys work to protect immigrant children.

And earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a public charge rule [ [link removed] ], which effectively imposes an income test on immigrants and their families applying for green cards. That contradicts the fundamental values on which the promise of America is built.

In defending this unjust step, Ken Cuccinelli, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, even tried to rewrite the iconic poem that graces the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. But I'llremind Mr. Cuccinelli [ [link removed] ]that it proclaims": Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. "

As the president works to dismantle longstanding protections for our immigrant and refugee families, he has also ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that distract and drain resources from real public safety threats and to purposely cause widespread fear and uncertainty for allimmigrantsin their daily lives.

On top of all of this, we know that theTrump administration defied the Courts order [ [link removed] ]and continues to separate families at the border and put children in inhumane and dangerous environments.

In the face of this escalating levels of hate and violence at the federal level, we need to be loud and clear:

Immigrants and refugees are woven into the fabric of our history, and they will continue to help make Seattle and our country great. In Seattle, we know that our immigrant and refugee communities make our City a stronger, more vibrant place. They create businesses and jobs. They create art and culture. They help teach our kids, serve in law enforcement and the military, and lead our places of faith.

Our immigrant and refugee neighbors have helped Seattle becomethe fastest-growing big city [ [link removed] ] in the country and become home to some of the worlds most iconic companies. And we know that todays immigrants are tomorrows United States citizens who should have the chance to contribute to the economic, cultural and civic life of Seattle and our nation.

Thats why Seattle is a Welcoming City, and why we support our immigrant and refugee communities to grow and thrive in many different ways. For more information on our Welcoming City policies, please visit our Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs website [ [link removed] ].

If you are interested in volunteering your time for immigration organizations, you can help out at City of Seattle citizenship clinics.The first step in that process is to register here. [ [link removed] ]Or, you can volunteer for any local community-based organization listed at www.seattle.gov/NCC [ [link removed] ].

As always, please continue to write me [email protected], reach out viaTwitter [ [link removed] ]andFacebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle onmyblog. [ [link removed] ]

Sincerely,

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan's SignatureSpacer
Mayor Durkans New Bill to Help Create 91 New Affordable Homes in the Uptown Neighborhood

This week, Mayor Durkan transmitted legislation to the City Council [ [link removed] ] to build 91 new affordable rental homes in the Uptown neighborhood.

We need more affordable housing in every part of Seattle, and we need it as quickly as we can get it, said Mayor Durkan. We need more investments like this one, because we know that its not enough to just build affordable housing we have to create community and ensure residents have access to the amenities they need to really thrive.

Screenshot of Queen Anne & Magnolia News Story on Affordable Housing Lease

Most of the apartments in the building will serve residents who have stabilized after residing in permanent supportive housing and accessing needed services for a time in one of Plymouths other buildings. The remaining 19 apartments will be for people who have recently experienced long-term homelessness, many of whom will be coming directly from living outside.

Visit this website [ [link removed] ] for more information on Mayor Durkans Housing Seattle Now plan to invest in housing for low- and middle-income Seattle families.

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A New Step to Protect Communities and City of Seattle Employees from Toxic Chemicals

Mayor Durkan signed a new Executive Order [ [link removed] ] to help protect residents and City employees from toxic chemicals. The Executive Order restricts the use of pesticides containing glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, by City departments.

As a City, we are committed to developing better approaches to maintaining our public land without the use of dangerous pesticides. We will continue to lead the nation in reducing the use of toxic chemicals, said Mayor Durkan. The health and safety our neighbors and the Citys public servants comes first. We are immediately moving forward with a severely restricting the use of glyphosate to ensure that our public spaces are safe both for the community and for the public servants who maintain them.

Glyphosate is considered a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization. This ban on glyphosate builds on the City of Seattle's work to significantly reduce its use of pesticides since the 1970s, including adopting a ban 10 years ago on the use of pesticides at over 250 playfields, picnic areas, community gardens, and play areas. In addition, Seattle currently has 22 pesticide-free parks.

Click here to learn more. [ [link removed] ]

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An Update on Seattles Community-Driven Scooter Share Pilot Program

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced Wednesdaywhats next for the Citys Scooter Share Pilot Program. [ [link removed] ] Going forward, SDOT will conduct a robust community engagement process to shape the goals, scope, and scale of scooter share in Seattle. Learn more about this program here. [ [link removed] ]

Earlier this year, Mayor Durkan directed SDOT to develop a pilot program for scooters in Seattle that was community-driven, promotes safety and accessibility, requires fairness for riders and indemnification for the City, focuses on equity, and builds on the best of our bike share program.

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Happening This Weekend in Seattle

*Thurs Sun, August 22 25, Matinee and Evening Performances: **Teen Summer Musical* [ [link removed] ]

Seattle Parks and Recreations Teen Summer Musical is in its 18th year of teaching young people self-discipline, teamwork, self-motivation, and collaboration through theater. This years production, "Uncle Willys Chocolate Factory", is sure to be an incredible show!

Seattle Parks and Recreation Graphic of Kids Rehearsing for the Teen Summer Musical

*Saturday, August 24, Start Time 8:30 a.m.: **Seattle Marathon Summer 5K* [ [link removed] ]

The Seattle Marathon Association is hosting an incredible summer 5K in Seward Park. Kids of all ages can participate in the Kids Fun Run as well.

*Sat Sun, August 24 25, 10 a.m. 7p.m.: **Seattle Design Festival Block Party* [ [link removed] ]

The Seattle Design Festival Block Party is a two-day street fair on Lake Union that celebrates the ways in which design impacts our everyday lives. This years Block Party will feature large-scale installations and performances that reflect this years theme: Balance.

*Sunday, August 25, 7 p.m.: **The Head and the Heart Free Concert* [ [link removed] ]

Hometown band The Head and the Heart will perform a free concert on top of the Pike Place Market this weekend. The concert will be streamed on the bands Facebook and Twitter accounts for those who arent able to attend in person.

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Weekend Read: GeekWire: Seattle officials reveal launch date for scooter-share pilot program
Screenshot of GeekWire Story on Scooter-Share Pilot Program

In this weeks edition of the Weekend Read, we encourage you to explore GeekWires reporting on [ [link removed] ] the City of Seattles scooter share pilot program:

"Seattles scooter plans are moving forward."

"The city launched a six-month due diligence process Tuesday to prepare for a scooter-share pilot that will begin next spring, officials confirmed with GeekWire."

"The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will start with community outreach and then begin crafting a pilot permit that will finally allow mobility companies to launch free-floating electric scooter-share services in the city."

Read more [ [link removed] ]





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