A group of neighbors has quickly formed to try and save Laurelhurst Community Center. They held a meeting last Sunday and came up with some action items that only take a few minutes of everyone's time in helping keep the classes, programs and family events going at the Community Center.
The group also put together a flyer which many neighbors may have received this week-end as the group canvassed the neighborhood handing them out and alerting neighbors to the imminent closure.
Tracey, one of the volunteers, said in an email "The neighborhood is being canvassed this weekend with flyers from concerned moms who want to make sure everyone is aware of the potential closure.
"I have spoken with several neighbors who had no idea this was a possibility. We really need people to attend the council meeting this Wednesday Oct 13. Kids are welcome and encouraged!"
Here is an email that Tracey sent to NE Seattle Moms Yahoo group on Friday and a copy of the flyer:
NE Moms -
Some great work has been happening with a small team from this group who have organized to try to save our community center. Please see the flyer below that we will be distributing across the neighborhood this weekend. Here's where we need help:
1) If you haven't already, please write the Council (see the flyer below for details). We need everyone to speak up on this important issue.
2) Can you help us distribute flyers? Attached is a breakdown of the neighborhood with names of folks who have agreed to lead the canvassing. Will you take the lead for a section and help get the word out this weekend?
3) Attend the council meeting in South Seattle this Wednesday, 10/13 at 5:30 p.m. We really need people to attend and collectively let the council know that we want to save LCC. Having 5 people at the meeting is critical because we will have more time to speak. Having 15-20 or more people from our group is ideal - and you can bring kids as they are the faces of who will lose out the most in an LCC closure.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions. I will have flyers at my house for pick up or will deliver them to you today or Saturday.
Thank you everyone for your support.
Tracey
cuccidotti@yahoo.com
Here is the Flyer:
SAVE LAURELHURST COMMUNITY CENTER
Unless neighbors get involved TODAY, our beloved community center will be closed to the public. Under the Mayor’s proposed 2011 budget the Laurelhurst Community Center would cease to operate as a community center and would be transformed into a satellite program site for senior programs and office space. Drop-in hours would go from 53 hours/week (46 in summer) to 15, but the focus would be on programming for seniors and special populations—rather than families, children and our seniors. The City Council has the final say on the budget and this is where your help is urgently needed.
Here are three important ways to help:
1. Comment Today: Just email budget@seattle.gov and Budget Chair Councilmember Jean Godden at jean.godden@seattle.gov and your message will go to all Councilmembers. Tell your story. Why is the community center important to your family? Why is it unfair to close our center and transfer programs to Ravenna-Bryant and Magnuson?
2. Attend a Budget Public Hearing: Numbers matter and are very persuasive in influencing the City Council. If we don’t show up—they will think we don’t care. Even if you only have a sentence or two to say, it’s important to show up as we can address the Council as a group. The budget public hearings are:
· Wednesday, October 13, 5:30 p.m. (sign-in at 5), Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Avenue SW, 98106
· Tuesday, October 26, 5:30 p.m. (sign-in at 5), Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, 98104.
If you’d like to carpool, please contact Tracey Stone at cuccidotti@yahoo.com.
3. Call, email or visit Councilmembers: Whether you leave a voicemail, talk to staff or the councilmember, they will be glad to hear from you! Sally Bagshaw, sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov, 684-8801; Tim Burgess, tim.burgess@seattle.gov, 684-8806; Sally Clark, sally.clark@seattle.gov, 684-8802; Richard Conlin, richard.conlin@seattle.gov, 684-8805; Jean Godden, jean.godden@seattle.gov, 684-8807; Bruce Harrell, bruce.harrell@seattle.gov, 684-8804; Nick Licata, nick.licata@seattle.gov, 684-8803; Mike O’Brien, mike.obrien@seattle.gov, 684-8800; Tom Rasmussen, tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov, 684-8808.
For more information, go to http://thelaurelhurstblog.blogspot.com/ or www.laurelhurstcc.com or go to the Budget website at http://www.seattle.gov/council/budget/ or contact Tracey Stone at cuccidotti@yahoo.com.
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