Helen Sommers--Veteran Washington Legislator

Helen Sommers, who was the first Democrat elected from her district in decades in 1972, and would continue in the Washington House Of Representatives for 36 years, has died.  Today, of course, her district, as is most of Seattle, totally dominated by the Democratic party.  Sommers had the second longest legislative career in Washington history.  She was known for being socially Liberal and fiscally moderate.  She also, at many times, chaired the house appropriations committee.
Helen Sommers was 84.

Dean Willard Kicks Off Campaign

A capacity crowd at Issaquah wine and espresso bar Vino Bella was on hand from across the Eastside to support the candidacy of Dean Willard for 5th District House Of Representatives. The position that Willard is running for is currently held by Glenn Anderson, a Republican incumbent of 10 years who himself has said that he has very little to the goings on in Olympia.

NBA Leaving Seattle--Closer Than You Think!

A front page story in the current Puget Sound Business Journal refutes the myth that the NBA may not want to leave the large Seattle market for much smaller Oklahoma City. The article says "two reports about the New Orleans Hornet--who played at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City for two NBA seasons after Hurricane Katrina badly damaged New Orleans Arena--suggest that the city's financial differences with Seattle aren't all that great."
The story suggest that the team, who probably would not be called the "Sonics" , would benefit by being a the one "horse" town. Observe the San Antonio Spurs. Remember a few years ago no one thought the Los Angeles Rams would leave to go to St Louis, and they had already lost an NFL team. They not only moved, but brought the town a Superbowl Trophy. That scenario could easily play out with the Super Sonics who benefit now with what could be the most exciting player to hit the NBA since Jordan in Kevin Durrant.
If you are a Sonics fan, the time to act is now. Write your legislator and ask what he/she could do to keep the Sonics and the Storm in Seattle. If they get a groundswell of support, they will have to act. Last Saturday's Seattle Times had a front page article saying tourist spent upwards 4 billion dollars in the Seattle area. Couldn't some of that money be tapped toward a new arena? Remember, Seattle's only professional sports championships are with the Sonics and Storm. Google the Washington State Legislature, I did. I wrote.