By Assunta Ng “Fire, fire!” said my staff, rushing into the Asian Weekly’s office, on Dec. 24, 2013. The alarm of a fire engine became intolerably loud, and fire engines kept coming into Chinatown until all of South King Street was blocked. I dashed out, standing among the many onlookers, watching the fire destroying the […]
Stella Chao and City of Seattle part ways — why, and what’s next?
Last Friday, Mayor Mike McGinn released a statement saying he and Stella Chao, director of the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods
Editorial: Asian Americans overlooked by the City of Seattle?
This week, we found out that Stella Chao will not be reappointed as director of the Department of Neighborhoods (DON).
McGinn picks ID for first neighborhood tour
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn entered the Wing Luke Asian Museum on Thursday, March 18, for his first neighborhood tour in the city. There was no red carpet, receiving line, or bowing from his audience. What was notable, though, was that the crowd was much bigger than the crowd McGinn’s predecessors had gathered.
Mayor McGinn starts the year with big announcements
“It’s very important to us to hear from everyone in Seattle about what they think is important,” Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said late last year, referring to how his campaign was run differently than how others are normally run — in a good way — and how he hopes to continue this grassroots spirit in his administration.
Dec. 10: Mayor-elect McGinn announces cabinet members
Former state legislator and transition co-facilitator Kip Tokuda has accepted the position of Acting Director of Human Services. Tokuda will serve in the position until a permanent director is selected.
Letter: I-1033 threatens basic services for the APA community
Tim Eyman’s latest, Initiative 1033, threatens basic services such as education and health care that are vital to the APA community. According to the governor’s budget office, the initiative would reduce state general fund revenues that support education, human services, health care, environmental programs, and general government by an estimated $5.9 billion by 2015.
Female activists to share the secrets of making a difference
Women of Color Empowered is an event organized by a planning committee to recognize women who have made a significant contribution to their field. It strives to dispel certain stereotypes. To be held on Friday, May 15, at Ocean City Restaurant, the theme for the upcoming event is “Civic Activism: Making a Difference.”
Youth makes a difference
Youth apathy? Don’t mention it — at least not among the thousands of local youth who are busily engaged in community building. Witness the last election, which brought out the passion of young voters.
Celebrating neighborhood projects
About 300 people recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund. Stella Chao, director of the Department of Neighborhoods, reports that the fund has sparked 3,500 neighborhood projects around Seattle — including the new Chinatown gate, ID dragon poles, Lao Highland Association Community Center, Wing Luke exhibits and more. The fund boosts neighborhood projects with city money and has inspired other programs globally in 100 cities.