On Wed. Aug. 27th, the City of Burien announced that it is temporarily withdrawing its North Highline Annexation Request, an issue pertinent to the City of SeaTac, since it was once courting the area itself.

Here’s the press release from the City of Burien website:

Burien Withdraws North Highline Annexation Request

The City of Burien has notified the Boundary Review Board of King County that it is withdrawing its current request to annex the southern portion of the North Highline unincorporated area. The City plans to re-file an annexation request later this year after completion of a new round of negotiations with King County and the cities of SeaTac and Seattle regarding the proposed annexation boundary.

The Burien City Council authorized submittal of the “Notice of Intent” to annex part of North Highline in May 2008. The Notice of Intent was filed with the Boundary Review Board in late June after the approval of new countywide planning policies allowing the annexation request to proceed. The timing of Burien’s filing was challenged by the City of Seattle and the North Highline Fire District on legal grounds.

“In the interest of having the community and the Boundary Review Board focus on the merits of annexation rather than upon procedural and legal issues, we believe that it is in the best interest of the parties for the City to withdraw its current Notice of Intent,” said Mike Martin, Burien’s city manager.

The delay in the annexation process allows the cities and County to meet to discuss substantive issues related to annexation, including providing adequate urban services within annexed portions of North Highline and any remaining unincorporated area.

“We’ve tried to get Seattle to the table for almost a year to resolve these issues but they have been unwilling to meet with us,” Martin explained. “For whatever reason, they’ve changed their mind now and appear willing to talk. We wish for the sake of the North Highline residents Seattle would have come to that conclusion sooner, but better late than never.”

Now, for the first time, Burien is able to consider the specific and detailed concerns of the North Highline Fire District that were filed with the Boundary Review Board. While the City of Burien has no authority over the current or future operations of the fire district, “we will encourage the North Highline and Burien/Normandy Park fire districts to resolve their differences in the interest of providing quality services in the areas they serve,” said Martin.

The City has offered to start negotiations immediately, with the goal of reaching a successful resolution of issues by the end of the year. Martin added, “Our City values trust, integrity, communication and collaboration. It is in this spirit that we are ready to take one step back in order to help our neighbors in North Highline move many steps forward.”

Here’s a quote from Jenn Ramirez Robson, Management Analyst at the Burien City Manager’s Office:

“In brief, the City of Burien has withdrawn its current request to annex a portion of North Highline but plans to re-file later this year.

We are still committed to the annexation process and will continue to do educational open houses in the North Highline Area, including the Open House tonight at 6:30 PM at the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church.”

Just got off the phone with Gordon Shaw, Burien native and City Councilmember, who offered up this exclusive, yet rather fiery quote about the annexation withdrawal political game currently being played out between Burien and Seattle:

“The efforts Burien has made so far have been stymied by Seattle and King County to a certain degree because of preference for Seattle to annex North Highline.

But clearly Seattle is not ready to do it.

To oppose Burien’s annexation efforts on the substance of annexation is one thing, but to oppose it on procedure that we all know is going to change in 30 days is BULLSHIT!”

We also received an exclusive response from Burien Mayor Joan McGilton on this entire annexation withdrawal issue, and here’s the latest:

First, a snippet from Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin as quoted on another Seattle-based blog:

“…unless Burien is prepared to make significant change in its proposal…”

Mayor Joan’s reaction to Mr. Conlin’s statement:

“Burien has consistently acknowledged the role Seattle has in the proposed annexation of the North Highline Area. Seattle chooses to not negotiate directly with Burien. The City of Seattle’s Position Statement filed with the Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County filed on August 18, 2008 clearly misinterprets Burien actions to move forward with annexation.

In the best interests of all parties, Burien chooses to withdraw its current request so that the Boundary Review Board can focus on the merits of annexation rather than on the procedural and legal issues.

Burien wishes to take the “high road” and have our neighbors to the north ask the probing questions so that when this comes to a vote, they are truly informed of the actions that are in their best interest as a community.”

More details, and most certainly more interesting and fiery quotes, will be forthcoming as this issue plays itself out…so stay tuned…

The great thing about the internet (and Craigslist in particular) is that it allows just about anyone to sell (or give away ) just about anything.

Including unused margarine squares, as evidenced by this weeks Craigslist Ad O’The Day, found on seattle-tacoma craigslist > seattle > free stuff:

Three (3) pounds of margarine squares, unopened, recently purchased.

Just can’t eat it anymore. 

Email: sale-810531527@craigslist.org

Found on seattle-tacoma craigslist > seattle > lost & found:

Found this rather amusing “Found” posting on Craigslist (our fave part is the second paragraph, where the Finder starts ranting about receiving nasty emails and advice on what to do with the found camera).

I found a camera in a rental car at the Seattle Airport. I posted a few photos from the camera. If you can identify the camera, the car you were driving, and some of the other photos in the camera, I’ll send it back to you. It looks like a fun wedding! Hope you had a good time.

Please stop sending me nasty emails telling me what I should have done with this camera. I’m trying to do something nice here. I contacted the Rental Company but the prior renter of my car did not report anything lost. The rental company does not maintain a Lost and Found at SeaTac airport. Craigslist is the best I can do. If I keep getting less than friendly emails, I’ll just delete the posting and sell the camera on ebay……how’s that!

Email: comm-798276830@craigslist.org

The Seattle Times has an interesting article today about a couple in neighboring Des Moines who’ve had their home-based swingers sex parties shut down by the city.

Apparently neighbors complained, cops “investigated” (undercover perhaps? or should we say undercovers…) then the city threatened them with a $513 per day fine for “running a business from their home.”

They called their ongoing sex parties the “Hardwood Cabin” and promoted it online at HardWoodCabin.com, which of course is no longer active (we know you’re going to check it but trust us, there’s nothing there now but an “Account suspended” notice but we’ll wait while you copy and paste the URL in…).

Okay, done checking it now?

We did a little online research and found some cache’d web stuff about the place, including this juicy description:

Description: The HardWood Cabin has a central entry and Kitchen space with multiple areas that consist of semi-private rooms for playing and a main Dungeon Area with 12 foot high ceilings that have 2 suspension points, along with 2 Crosses and spanking pedestals off to the sides. On one end of the facility is a more private room with a Large Bondage Bed and a third Cross. Scattered throughout the cabin you will find beds, and slings for additional places to play. Outside in a private courtyard, is a large pool, along with 3 hot-tubs, and a large overhead pergola structure for in-promtu bondage points among tables, couches and chairs.

Events at the Hardwood Cabin for those that have not attended a party before will find a very relaxed comfortable environment within to play. Basic things are provided (cups, bowls, plates, utensils, etc) along with some food and drinks, but everyone is encouraged to bring along something favorite. Typically parties become a pot-luck with regular attendee’s. There is also a gas grill which is available for anyone who has a taste for something BBQ’ed.

Regan & Nonah Lane-Smith
Owner/Operator
Des Moines, WA, 98198

And this:

we own a house in Des Moines wa, that we rent out per the day or night, and for parties. we are cheap and adorable and a safe place to hang out nude and suntan without tan lines. we have a masseuse on duty fo 20 dollars per 30 min. call us anytime 206 774 6XXX or check out our website www.hardwoodcabin.com

And here’s an excerpt from their Juy 5th party:

Attention all swingers 21 and over!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Got Patriotism? Come celebrate your Independence with a BANG!
Come meet, mingle, flirt, soak, swim and play in a safe and laid back environment! Join us in honor of our Independence & in celebration of our birthday guys & gals!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Play Date’s Patriotic Party will be hosted at the ever popular Hardwood Cabin, located centrally in Des Moines!
Grab your red, white & blue for an evening of Swinging Independance! Wear what makes you feel sexy, attractive and comfortable. Layer down, change outfits, go nude, have some fun! Clothing is OPTIONAL!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Party entrance fee is $20.00 per person and Does Not include food or alcohol. Play Dates will provide basic snacks & finger foods. We invite everyone to BYOB and a theme inspired dish, finger food or beverage to share and nibble on…help keep everyone’s stamina up:)
We will also have the BBQ fired up and ready to grill, but bring your own meat. Play Dates will provide bottled water, basic condiments, plates, napkins, cups and plastic utensils for everyone.
*Please do not throw the cups and utensils away, they are reusable*
**Help us recycle by using labelled bins for Plastic & Glass Bottles**

Good to know that at least these swingers recycled (insert your own inappropriate joke here).

And now at least we know what the source of those strange sounds were that were emanating from Des Moines.

Full story here.

We’re proud to announce that a new sister website has been born, so please give her a click and say hello to White Center Blog!

White Center Blog will serve as a diverse resource of local news, events, listings, videos, photos and more for the neighboring community of White Center.

To learn more, please check out http://www.whitecenterblog.com and be sure to say hello to your new neighbors!