Some Finn Hill residents are expressing concern about a redistricting plan that would split the area from King County Council District 6, which includes the rest of Kirkland, and move it into District 1 to the north.
A committee was appointed earlier this year to redraw the county districts and balance their populations based on the 2010 federal census. Last week Districting Master John Schlosser submitted his plan, which made only minor changes to an earlier proposal by the committee and included the Finn Hill move (see attached map).
“I’m concerned because we've just been annexed by Kirkland, and that process is not completely over,” said Scott Morris, speaking as a Finn Hill resident and not in his capacity as president of the Denny Creek Neighborhood Association.
“I think it would be a mistake to send Finn Hill to District 1, at least right now.”
Morris noted that , the County Council incumbent from Bellevue who is up for re-election against challenger of Mercer Island, would no longer represent Finn Hill, but has been a key figure throughout the process of annexation, which took effect on June 1. Hague has also been active in many other Finn Hill issues, including the acquisition as public land of the Juanita Woodlands, and projects to improve fish habitat on Denny Creek.
If Finn Hill were moved into District 1, it would be represented by Councilman Bob Ferguson.
The last chance for the public to comment on the plan is at a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m., in the County Council chambers on the 10th floor of the county courthouse at 516 Third Ave. in Seattle.
You can also comment online via the committee’s website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/districting/testimony.aspx, but comments are due by Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Details about the plan can be found on the committee’s website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/districting.aspx.
I am quite sure he has no idea where Finn Hill is and has never heard of Juanita Drive.