The President’s Message

Dear Neighbors,

I have just completed 5 years on the Montlake Community Club (MCC) Board of Trustees. I held a trustee position for 3 years and I have been President for 2 years. As I retire from the board, I am pleased to report that the focus of the board is much more active than 5 year ago when I first joined. At that time the board spent most of our time and energy dealing with WSDOT and the 520 design and construction. Later we worried about Sound Transit digging a train tunnel under the neighborhood. Although we are still keeping a close eye on the bridge and Sound Transit, our focus now is how to make Montlake an even better place to live while these construction projects continue.

1. Traffic Safety: Board members, Lionel Job and Rainer Metzger have established a solid connection with SDOT. Through their efforts some traffic and pedestrian improvements for our neighborhood are now on the city’s To Do List. Thank you, Lionel and Rainer!

2. Business District Connection: The board designated a trustee position for a business district liaison, so we can work with our business owners to enhance our small commercial area. Board Secretary Kathy Laughman has led this effort. This year for the first time we were able to help the businesses with holiday lighting to brighten up 24th Avenue during December. With increased financial support this year, we hope to expand this for 2015. This year a board committee with business owners will work on a design for sidewalk improvements and look for grant funds for this project.

3. National Historic District Designation: Following several years of work on our application, we expect this fall the National Park Service will recognize Montlake as a National Historic District and we will be listed on that national registry. Jon Decker, former MCC board member has headed this project. This gives the neighborhood some protection during 520 construction. The federal government recognizes that construction projects they help to fund must be conducted in a manner that will not damage historic building with a historic district.

4. Liaison with Montlake School: The board designated a trustee position for a member of the PTA who can help communicate between the school community and the MCC board. Our goal is to keep neighbors without children at the school, informed about school activities. The board would like to see more neighborhood support, especially for the school’s fund raising efforts which enhance the school’s programs.

5. Celebrating our Neighborhood Talent: Nathalie Gehrke, retiring MCC Vice President, is chairing this project. Again this year we are showcasing our resident writers, artists and musicians. But rather than a Sunday afternoon event at the community center, this year we will be using a different venue. Our talented neighbors will be sharing their music, art and writing at the library or at one of our businesses. We call these events “Montlake Unabridged”. This format will give a better look at their talent and let participants sell their work. Watch this website calendar for the dates of these events.

6. Volunteers: The board is hopeful that some volunteers will step forward and help with projects for 2015-16. This includes help with our annual October yard sale, the Snow Brigade, the holiday lighting project and maintaining our gardens at the pocket parks on Boyer and 24th Avenue.

We also have one Board Trustee position open for 2015-18. The requirements for serving as a Trustee are simply to attend or monthly meetings (second Tuesday of the month at the Boyer Children’s Clinic). We hope someone who cares about the neighborhood will volunteer for this position. Someone with some new ideas and a willingness to help with our on-going projects would be especially welcomed. You can contact the board to volunteer at board@montlake.net .

7. Election of Officers for 2015-16. Since we are not holding a neighborhood meeting this month, our election of officers will be held on-line. LeAna Alvarado-Smith, our Flyer Editor will be sending out the on-line ballot at the end of the month. Please participate. This is also an opportunity to give feedback to the board on any topic of concern.

I wish you all a wonderful summer. I hope to see you at some of the Montlake Unabridged events.