Q1 VRCC Meeting Recap
I hope this email finds you well. Spring has sprung and along with all the pollen and allergies, we also have much to look forward to: warmer and dryer weather, graduations and promotions, and ultimately, the summers we all love.
I’m happy to provide a quick report on the View Ridge Community Council’s (VRCC) First Quarter (Q1) meeting that took place on February 15 in the library at View Ridge Elementary School.
We had great turnout from “regulars” as well as new attendees – people who are either new to the neighborhood or new to Council attendance (or both!). The energy in the room was palpable as we heard from newly-elected City Councilmember Maritza Rivera.
She shared with us her and the council’s priorities for this year which included, thankfully, efforts to reduce crime, increase safety, and return downtown Seattle to its former glory.
Crime: Rivera noted that she and other councilmembers are working closely with Seattle Police to build and foster trusting and mutually respectful relationships. She noted that she and the Council are committed to ensuring that Seattle is a place where police officers want to come and stay. While this is not an overnight process, she is committed to continuous improvements.
Safety: Rivera told her personal story about why she decided to run for office. Her daughter is a student at Ingraham High School, and the shooting at the school there in late 2022 compelled her to run for public office to drive change. She remains totally motivated to ensure not only students, but all citizens can be and feel stage.
She also mentioned the Council’s efforts to encourage employers, including the City, to bring more employees back to in-person work in the Downtown core. Several participants noted their concerns about safety for their children as well as the overall negative perception of the remaining boarded up storefronts.
Several audience members shared their stories of frustration and dissatisfaction with the status quo, with many agreeing that we simply must try new things. Rivera committed to continuing to try both new and established methods and processes.
The meeting continued with a report from VRCC President Robert Johnson about the various projects underway and completed in the past few months, including: a new monthly column in Living Magazine, a new/refreshed website, and more proactive communications.
In addition, we have a running Neighborhood Survey open to all residents of View Ridge. If you haven’t taken it yet, please do. It takes about 5 minutes or less to complete. Your participation will ensure your VRCC is focused on issues you care about. We take the feedback seriously and use it to guide our efforts for the year.
Take the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CFNC3QN
We hope you can join us at our next Quarterly Meeting, scheduled for May 9th, 2024.
As always, it will take place from 7-8 pm in the Library at View Ridge Elementary School.
If you can’t make it but want to share ideas, please send us an email at info@viewridgeseattle.org.
Hope to see you there!
