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Standing Against Antisemitism

I recently signed a proclamation to demonstrate my commitment to standing against antisemitism in all forms in our society and acknowledging my support of the International Holocaust Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” This definition has been embraced by over 1,000 governments and organizations worldwide, including by the United States Department of State and the Biden Administration.

We cannot hope to stand against a hatred that we cannot define. This is what makes the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism so important—it represents a unified global stance against antisemitism, bolstered by a shared understanding that antisemitism can appear in many different forms.

As anti-Jewish attitudes and crimes motivated by hatred of Jews surge across the United States, I believe it is particularly important that our region’s leaders stand behind this unified understanding and condemnation of all the ways antisemitism rears its head in our society. I am grateful for the momentum we have seen locally to support the IHRA’s definition, including through action by the City of Bellevue, the City of Mill Creek, the City of Tacoma, Snohomish County, and the Port of Seattle.

I am proud to support the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism, which helps protect all Jewish people in King County from acts of hate and bigotry, and urge all King County residents to support our Jewish neighbors.

Working to make Substance Use Disorder and mental health treatment accessible to ALL in King County

Substance use disorder is a complex disease that touches many in our community and across our entire country. It’s also an increasingly urgent issue here in King County, where fatal overdoses spiked 40% in 2021 compared to 2020. Meanwhile, substance use has been on the rise nationwide, with 13% of Americans reporting having started or increased substance use since the start of the pandemic.

Because of my own experience with finding sobriety from alcohol, I am passionate about finding ways to improve substance use disorder treatment here in King County. A few examples of my recent work on this issue include:

  • Prioritizing federal COVID-19 funding to increase the amount of available treatment at both County-run and third-party behavioral health facilities;

  • Supporting the health of our youth by working to fund early intervention on substance use and mental health struggles, as well as an awareness campaign sharing the risks of substance use for young people;

  • Fighting the stigma that surrounds substance use disorder by proposing a public awareness campaign to share the message that addiction is a physical disease that is medically treatable;

  • Championing an ordinance that increases protections against “zoom-bombing” for virtual recovery meetings; and

  • Forming and hosting King County’s first ever annual Conference on Substance Use Disorders to elevate the conversation about recovery and share resources.

I believe that together, we can make King County a national leader in recovery!

Celebrating the 25th anniversaries of the Cities of Maple Valley and Covington

This year we celebrated two very special anniversaries, the 25th birthdays of both the City of Maple Valley and the City of Covington. I was honored to present both Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly and Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner with a King County Council Recognition to honor the occasion and highlight the history of the communities that span back generations. Here’s to another 25 years and beyond, Maple Valley and Covington!

Presenting Tahoma High School students with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award

I was very pleased to award Tahoma High School’s Student Advocates for Mental Health and Addiction (SAMHA) with this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. I believe the mental and behavioral health of our young people continues to be one of the most pressing issues of our time, especially considering the impacts of the pandemic, which is why I chose to celebrate SAMHA’s important work uplifting and supporting their peers.

To learn more about SAMHA and the MLK Distinguished Service Award, see my press release here.

2022 District 9 Survey results: Learning more about what matters to YOU

Recently, I sent out a survey to the residents of District 9 to learn more about what issues matter most to you. From this survey, I heard that right now, our community members care most about public safety and crime, taxes, and homelessness. More survey results are included in the graphic above.

Thank you to everyone who responded—your voice is invaluable in helping me learn more about the priorities of our community!

Hosting outdoor movie nights at King County parks across District 9

Each summer, I look forward to hosting outdoor movie nights at King County parks in our District. This year, we held two movie showings at Ravensdale Park and Petrovitsky Park, where I enjoyed the chance to welcome the crowd and chat with movie-goers. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

To stay up to date on more events around the area, sign up for my weekly emails HERE.

Amplifying King County’s fight against the surge in fentanyl overdose deaths

Earlier this year, I led the Council in declaring fentanyl a public health crisis in King County to sound the alarm that fentanyl is lethal and prevalent in the illicit drug trade. This legislation also tasked King County with identifying strategies to amplify its efforts to reduce the number of people dying from fentanyl.

Sadly, between 2020 and 2021, King County saw a shocking 128% increase in deaths caused by fentanyl–more than double. As of September 2022, we have already far surpassed 2021’s record total of fentanyl-related overdoses, a clear indication that without further intervention, fentanyl will continue to claim the lives of far too many people in our communities. I am hopeful that my legislation will help forge a path to fight harder against this deadly drug.

Latest budget increases funding for law enforcement and courts

I have been working hard to increase funding for the criminal justice system in King County. In fact, the 2021-22 supplemental budget included additional investments for the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office.

Below are some of major items:

• Sheriff’s Office - $2,926,000; 4.0 FTEs
• Prosecuting Attorney - Sexually Violent Predator Program: $1,199,500; 5.0 FTEs, ongoing.
• Prosecuting Attorney - Add Civil Division Staff: $562,000; 7.0 FTEs, ongoing.
• Prosecuting Attorney - Add Hate Crime Staff: $117,000; 2.0 FTEs, ongoing.

Over the last two years alone, the King County Council has approved increasing the Sheriff’s Office funding by an additional $9,100,000 and adding 22 full time employees. The total appropriation for the Sheriff’s office upon final passage of this latest budget will be $418,088,000 for every two years and 1,113.5 full time employees (FTE).

I am happy to announce this investment. I hear from constituents at town halls and through surveys, and the message is loud and clear - 70% of my constituents believe that crime and public safety was the top issue that King County should be addressing. Further, a study of urban unincorporated King County found as their number one finding “Residents want a well-staffed King County Sheriff’s Office to address slow response times and increase the amount of police presence they see in their neighborhoods.”

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter above to keep up to date with the budget process and other happenings at the King County Council.

Working to fill vacant Sheriff’s Deputy positions

Now more than ever, we need good deputies who have a heart for the job and a drive to build positive relationships in our community. In response to officer shortages at the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) that are making it challenging to staff even basic patrol duties, I went to work to make sure that our County is doing everything we can to fill these vacant positions. Legislation I sponsored to add a full-time recruiter focused on finding and hiring high-quality, qualified deputies was approved by the full Council in July. I’m glad to lead this important effort to fill the dozens of KCSO vacancies so that we can continue to keep our communities safe. More information here.

Supporting IRONMAN 70.3 in Maple Valley

I am proud to have supported IRONMAN 70.3 in Maple Valley by working to secure King County funding for traffic control, trail fee waivers, and staging areas, in addition to assisting with permitting and coordination with the Roads Division. After years of planning and anticipation, as well as a delay due to the pandemic, our community was able to come together and host athletes and supporters from across the country, showing them everything we have to offer. So many fantastic community leaders, volunteers, and organizations supported IRONMAN and made sure it went off without a hitch. I was glad to be a part of the endeavor!

Safely enjoying community at drive-in movies

Every summer, I look forward to joining our community at outdoor movies in King County parks across District 9. This year, due to the pandemic, we had to switch things up and host a drive-in movie at Ravensdale Park instead. I am always happy to partner with our King County Parks Department to put together events like this for everyone across our community.

Our continued fight against the proposed SR 169 asphalt plant

For years now, I have been fighting to stop the proposed asphalt plant along SR 169, across from the Cedar River. After the mortarium I sponsored against the asphalt plant expired, we are continuing to advocate against this industrial use that threatens to dramatically change the rural and residential character of our community and put our salmon and environment at risk.

I am working to reduce the impact of industrial uses in the area by continuing to join the community to oppose the asphalt plant and provide an alternative pathway for the site to be used as open space for trails and a buffer. I will continue to stand up for the people that live around this proposed plant and do everything in my power to stop it.

Working bring transparency to King County spending

Sample property tax distribution chart provided to all property owners by the King County Assessor.

I often hear from taxpayers who are frustrated by not knowing where all their tax dollars go. In order to increase transparency in taxation, I introduced legislation that would task the Assessor’s Office with mailing all property owners a breakdown of how each of their tax dollars is spent. Through this new effort, King County can better communicate with taxpayers and increase transparency around the work we do. For more information about this legislation, click here.

A new Futsal Court for the Renton community

I joined Renton Mayor Armond Pavone, Councilmembers Valerie O’Halloran and Kim-Khanh Van, and many others to celebrate the opening of the new Futsal Court at Highlands Park in Renton! I am proud to have partnered with King County Parks, the City of Renton, Sounders FC RAVE Foundation, Premera Blue Cross, and the Renton School District to make this project a reality. I am excited to see young athletes enjoy this resource for years to come.

Modernizing waste management in King County

Over the last decade, the waste-to-energy sector has seen a lot of exciting innovation that makes it the cheapest and most environmentally friendly waste management method available. I believe that now is the time for King County to modernize our waste disposal method beyond simply burying our trash in the ground. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that would from a committee to develop a pathway to siting a waste-to-energy facility in King County as a replacement for the existing Cedar Hills Landfill. To read more about this legislation, click here.

Bringing the IRONMAN triathlon to Maple Valley

Councilmember Dunn with Maple Valley Police Officers and the King County Sheriff’s Deputies, who will work together to provide traffic control and other services to keep IRONMAN participants safe.

When the 2020 IRONMAN Triathlon was cancelled due to COVID-19, I immediately began working with local officials to ensure we bring it back in 2021. This event will take place across Maple Valley, Black Diamond, and Enumclaw, bringing people from all over the region. I worked to include $25,000 in King County’s County 2021-22 Biennial Budget to help fund traffic control, trail fee waivers, and staging areas. I’m excited to help southeast King County host Ironman this year not only so that our community take part in a fun event, but also so that our local businesses can get an economic boost.

We just wrapped up five town halls!

Thank you to everyone that came out to our Unincorporated Town Halls with King County Local Services, the Sheriff, Elections, Public Health, and Permitting. For me, this is one of the best ways that I can understand what is facing the unincorporated communities and best serve everyone across our diverse District. If we missed you at one of the five town halls, feel free to watch any of them HERE or send me your questions/concerns to Reagan.Dunn@kingcounty.gov.

Conference on Addiction Disorders

Especially today, as more people are turning to substance use to deal with the stress and isolation of the pandemic, it's critical that we work together as a community to fight the stigma of addiction and spread the message that there is help available to anyone who struggles with the disease of substance use disorder. To read more about King County’s first Conference on Addiction Disorders that I hosted, visit: https://www.courierherald.com/news/zooming-to-recovery-king-county-panel-discusses-addiction-sobriety-during-covid-19-pandemic/.

Virtual Town Hall: COVID-19 Vaccine

To watch the ‘Virtual Town Hall: The COVID-19 Vaccine’, click HERE

Dunn Delivers Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance

I recently visited the Renton Housing Authority to deliver a County check in support of RHA’s emergency rental assistance program. These funds will cover the rent payments of folks who are financially unable to pay rent themselves due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an incredibly important program that helps those who are struggling the most right now, and I’m glad to support it!

Councilmember Dunn champions outreach plan to increase access to COVID-19 vaccine

During King County’s recent emergency COVID budget negotiations, I worked to dedicate $100,000 of federal CARES Act funding to perform community outreach about the COVID-19 vaccine. This outreach will educate the public about vaccines and how to access them, with a focus on underserved populations. Those populations include seniors, limited-English-proficient residents, unemployed residents, people experiencing homelessness, and rural residents, as well as historically disadvantaged communities such as Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous and other Communities of Color, which have all been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus.

Supporting Bellevue Students during COVID-19

I was glad to help provide a CSO Grant to the Bellevue Schools Foundation! The needs of students have greatly increased during COVID-19, and this funding will help them get the best possible education during these challenging times! Thank you to Bellevue City Councilmember Conrad Lee for joining me to present the check, and to the Bellevue School Foundation for everything they do to care for and support kids in our community.

Fighting Food Insecurity with Maple Valley Food Ban

The Maple Valley Food Bank's services are more in demand than ever as more people struggle to make ends meet during the pandemic. I’m glad to be able to help support their work!

Video Series: How you can stay home, stay healthy, and give back to your community

 

I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support of Project CARE (COVID-19 ACTION and RESPONSE ENLISTMENT) volunteer and donation program. As our region navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have been asking what they can do to support their community. That desire to step up and help is what inspired me to create a one-stop shop for connecting those who want to help with opportunities. To help our community stay united as we battle COVID-19, I’ve created a few videos to share ideas on how you can support others during this challenging time. Click the links below to watch!

Stay Home, Stay Healthy: How to make your own seed starters

Stay home, Stay healthy: Building raised bed gardens

Project CARE: Blood Donations Help Your Community

Project CARE: Support Your Local Food Bank

Project CARE: How to help your local hospital

Project CARE: Serving First Responders

Project CARE: Resources for Eastside Businesses

Project CARE: Enumclaw Senior Center’s Meal Delivery Program

Project CARE: How to sew face masks at home

Project CARE: Little Free Pantries

Project CARE: At-Home Haircuts

Project CARE: How to Recreate Responsibly

Project CARE: Helping those in need of food and housing assistance

Dunn’s Plan for Property Tax Relief Approved by the King County Council

he King County Council approved my legislation that offers a payment plan to folks who can’t pay their property taxes because of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Given the hardship caused by the pandemic, I believe King County should help taxpayers who are doing everything they can to make ends meet but are still struggling to make property tax payments.

My plan would allow folks who couldn’t make their June 1 property tax payment to make smaller property tax payments over a six-month period. This legislation is currently being discussed by the King County Council.

Seeking Applications for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund

Grants of up to $25,000 are available to organizations that work with communities at the highest risk of immediate and long-term negative health, social and economic impacts during the COVID-19 crisis. Applications are due June 23, 2020. For more information on how to apply, please contact me at reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov

Dunn Announces $10k in Funding for Enumclaw Senior Center

I’m glad to be able to help provide $10,000 in funding to support the Enumclaw Senior Center’s meal delivery service! By delivering full, no-cost meals to seniors’ doorsteps, the Senior Center alleviates financial strain on low-income seniors while also relieving them of the need to visit grocery stores and risk COVID-19 infection. I advocated for this funding to be included in the emergency supplemental budget that was approved by the King County Council in May.

To learn more about the Enumclaw Senior Center's work, watch my Project CARE video where I tour their facility!

Dunn Introduces Legislation to Create a Task Force of Business, Government, and Industry Leaders to Plan for Economic Recovery

When our region emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to already have a game plan in motion for how to rebuild our local economy. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that would create the CuRE (Coronavirus Recovery Economic) Task Force. This would bringing business and industry leaders to the table to work with state and local governments on how to best support economic recovery across the region. Our local businesses know best what help they will need — so we should welcome them to the table.

This legislation will be heard by the King County Council’s Committee of the Whole on April 21.

Dunn’s Project CARE Program Unanimously Approved by the King County Council

I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support of Project CARE (COVID-19 ACTION and RESPONSE ENLISTMENT) volunteer and donation program. As our region navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have been asking what they can do to support their community. That desire to step up and help is what inspired me to create a one-stop shop for connecting those who want to help with opportunities.

When it’s launched, Project CARE will serve as a comprehensive resource for people who are looking for ways to give back during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dunn awards Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service to Rob Nist

Rob Nist’s wife Sylvia accepts Rob’s award from Councilmember Dunn on his behalf

I was pleased to award District 9 resident Rob Nist with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

In 2007, after realizing that local youth sports teams were struggling to find fields to play on, Rob rallied community support around the expansion and improvement of Ravensdale Park, which was falling into disrepair. Today, Ravensdale Park is a key resource for youth sports teams and families across Southeast King County. Thank you for your service to your community, Rob!

Seattle Times Op-Ed: No to ‘Head Tax 2.0’: Let regional housing authority do its work

House Bill 2907 creates a pathway for King County to implement a countywide tax on employee wages, and unlike the vast majority of tax increases, this tax would not go on the ballot for the voters to decide. If the bill passes the Legislature, the tax would become law by simple majority vote of the nine King County council members.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Dunn Works for More Snow Routes During Major Snowstorms

In the most recent King County budget, I included a proviso requesting King County to increase the total miles of snowplow routes in unincorporated areas. Last February’s snowstorms pushed County resources to the limit and reminded us all of how important it is to be prepared for extreme weather.

I am glad that the King County Road Services Division has now identified 70 miles of additional unincorporated snowplow routes. Of these 70 miles, 19.2 miles fall within the vicinity of Fairwood and the Renton Highlands and 10.7 miles are within the Covington/Black Diamond/Maple Valley area. Going forward, I will continue to prioritize funding for more snow routes to keep our county moving during winter storms.

Dunn Champions $100k for Homeless Bus Ticket Program

In recent supplemental budget negotiations, I secured an additional $100,000 in funding to provide bus tickets to homeless persons who want to return home to family members. Family reunification services have had great success across the country in helping get homeless persons off our streets and into permanent housing. However, such services have long been underfunded and under-advertised in King County.

According to King County’s 2019 Count Us In survey, there is a substantial need for family reunification services amongst our homeless population. That’s why this new funding is an important step toward effectively addressing homelessness in our region.

Though I’m pleased to have secured this funding, there is more work to be done. King County still invests much less in family reunification services compared to other metropolitan areas. Establishing a dedicated family reunification program remains a top priority for me in the months ahead.

Enumclaw Senior Center Receives Major King County Grant

I am thrilled that the Enumclaw Senior Center was awarded a major grant to expand their important work in the Enumclaw Plateau area. In rural areas of King County, service organizations such as the Senior Center are absolutely crucial to the well-being of the community. I will continue to advocate for more County partnerships with exemplary community organizations that serve District 9.

Dunn Recognizes September as National Recovery Month in King County

I was joined by Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles and the rest of the County Councilmembers in recognizing September 2019 as National Recovery Month in King County. National Recovery Month is a time to spread the message that it is always possible to reclaim your life from addiction and mental illness. Each year, I formally recognize National Recovery Month because I believe it’s important that anyone who seeks recovery knows that they are not alone and that there are services available to help them succeed.

Dunn Presents Retired Metro Van to Renton School for Students with Learning Disabilities

I recently delivered a King County Metro Van to New Horizon School, which provides specialized education and training programs to students with learning disabilities. This donated van will allow New Horizon students to access learning opportunities outside the classroom. I’m glad to be able to support an organization where students, regardless of needs, abilities or differences, can reach their full potential.

Construction of the Lower Russell Levee Setback Breaks Ground

As Chair of the King County Flood Control District, I’ve been leading on the Lower Russell Road Levee Setback project since its inception in 2013. This project provides flood protection for homes and businesses in the Kent Valley while also restoring habitat along the Green River, safeguarding both our region’s economy and salmon population. Construction is now underway!

2019 King County Fair

This year’s King County Fair was the best yet! After I helped Enumclaw Mayor Jan Molinaro welcome attendees, I was able to take my first ever ride on a Texas Longhorn steer aside Councilmember Kael Johnson. I am proud to have been a partner in the revitalization of the King County Fair, and I am pleased that it continues to get bigger and better each year!

 

Dunn Co-Hosts Unincorporated Town Halls

I recently finished my annual round of community town hall meetings, which I co-host with the King County Department of Local Services. We held meetings in Fairwood, the Enumclaw Plateau, East Renton Highlands, and the Greater Maple Valley area. These town halls are crucial to help residents access services and speak directly to county staff and elected officials. Thank you to the many people who came to make their voices heard! If you have questions or concerns I encourage you to reach out to my office, regardless of whether you were able to make it to the town hall. My office can be reached at 206-477-1009 or at Reagan.Dunn@kingcounty.gov.

Join Councilmember Reagan Dunn and King County Parks for their 2019 Big Backyard Movie nights!

Our two movie nights at Ravensdale Park and Coalfield Park were great successes! We screened Shrek and Up and had great nights of family-friendly fun! We hope you can join us for the final movie night of the summer on Saturday, August 24 at Petrovitsky Park. We’re showing Night at the Museum! Seating opens at 6:30pm and the movie starts at dusk (around 8:15pm). The address for Petrovitsky Park is 16400 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton, WA 980588. Please RSVP at this link.

Dunn Honors Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

May 15th is National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, and is a time for us all to reflect on the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. We gratefully thank the officers who continue to put their lives on the line every day. I joined my colleague Kathy Lambert, Kent Police Department Commander Mike O'Reilly and King County Sheriff’s Office Chief Patti Cole-Tindall to proclaim May 12-18 as Police Week in King County. We memorialized the two officers recently lost in Kent: Detective Derrick Focht who we lost to a heart attack in 2017, and Officer Diego Moreno, who was tragically struck and killed by a car during a vehicle pursuit of an armed suspect following a shooting in Kent last year. With many more men and women continue to risk their lives on our behalf every day, may we remember our fallen officers for their lives of service for the good of others.

Unified Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking Launched in King County

From the left: Assistant Chief Steve Hirjak, Seattle PD; Shelly Parker, Alaska Airlines; Councilmember Reagan Dunn, King County; Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, King County; Tony Gonchar; Delta Airlines; Commissioner Courtney Gregoire, Port of Seattle

Recently, I joined with leaders from the Puget Sound region to announce our joint regional campaign to promote awareness of the tragic issue of human trafficking. Though it is a crime that often goes unseen, human trafficking for labor or sex is a horrifying assault on human dignity and liberty—and sadly, it happens here at home in King County.

As a former federal prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that sex crimes wreak on the lives around us. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to educate the public about they can do to help, and to encourage victims to find the help they need. In 2013, I sponsored one of the first local campaigns to raise awareness of this issue, and we successfully increased calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by 63%. Today’s announcement continues our progress.

This new campaign is a partnership between King County, the Port of Seattle, the City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and private sector partners including Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines. Other participating partners include King County cities, Expedia, Uber, and the Snohomish County Lodging Association.

Keep an eye out for these informational signs, which we are placing in highly visible places throughout the region:

Remember—if you see something that doesn’t look right, it only takes a simple phone call to the National Human Trafficking Hotline report it. The number is 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP or INFO to 233733.

Honoring the life and service of First Lieutenant Michael Adams

This Veterans Day, I was honored to organize a special ceremony in the community of Fairwood. We commemorated the life of fallen Iraq War hero First Lieutenant Michael Adams by renaming the road he grew up on as “1LT Michael Adams Place.” First Lieutenant Michael Adams was an American hero who was loved by his family and friends, and I am grateful to have joined his parents and community in honoring his life and sacrifice. We should always remember that the freedoms we enjoy are protected by men and women like First Lieutenant Adams, and honor their dedication and sacrifice.

Join Councilmember Dunn for a Town Hall Meeting on Oct 10

As you may know, King County is considering a draft Solid Waste Comprehensive Plan which provides direction on how garbage and recycling will be managed in King County for the next six to 20 years. I invite you to join me for a town hall meeting to discuss the draft comprehensive plan and the future of the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. I would like to hear what you think about the proposal and any questions or concerns you may have. If you would like to read more about the draft plan in advance of the meeting, you may do so at kingcounty.gov/solid-waste-comp-plan.

Building for Culture supports KidsQuest Children’s Museum

 

Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Claudia Balducci with KidsQuest Executive Director Putter Bert. The councilmembers presented KidsQuest $733,000 in funds from the Building for Culture program.

Trail from Renton to Bellevue Now Open for Business!

(Pictured from left to right) Renton City Councilmember Ryan McIrvin, Rocale Timmons of SECO Development, Bellevue City Councilmember Lynne Robinson, Renton Mayor Denis Law, County Executive Dow Constantine, Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Renton City Councilmember Ruth Perez, and King County Parks Staff join for a picture at the opening of the Renton to Bellevue Eastside Rail Corridor interim trail.

Join me at one of the upcoming District 9 Town Hall meetings!

SE King County
Tuesday, May 8, 7 – 9 p.m.
Enumclaw Expo Center Field House
1456 Roosevelt Avenue East
Enumclaw, WA

Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River
Tuesday, May 15, 7 – 9 p.m.
Hobart Church
27524 SE 200th Street
Maple Valley, WA

Fairwood
Wednesday, May 16, 7 – 9 p.m.
Northwood Middle School
17007 SE 184th Street
Renton, WA

Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain
Monday, May 21, 7 – 9 p.m.
Maywood Middle School
14490 168th Ave. SE
Renton, WA

National Library Week - Go Visit Your Local Library!

Councilmember Dunn (center) is joined by his colleagues and by John Sheller, the Government Relations Manager for the King County Library System, after the Council declared April 8-14 as “National Library Week” in King County.

Upgrades for Unincorporated Area Parks

 
Dunn tours the improvements to Coalfield Park with King County Parks staff. This year, Dunn secured $140,000 in the King County Budget for improvements to unincorporated parks like Coalfield.

Renton-Bellevue Eastside Rail Corridor Connection

 
Dunn stands with Renton Mayor Denis Law, both hold rail spikes pulled from the future Renton-Bellevue Eastside Rail Corridor Connection. The new trail will open up transportation and recreational opportunities for residents living in communities in Renton, Newcastle, and Bellevue.

"Get Active, Stay Active" Grant

 
Dunn visited Enumclaw High School and had the chance to meet athletes who will benefit from a $5,000 "Get Active, Stay Active" Grant he helped secure. Go Hornets!

Marking the Completion of the Lower White River Countyline Levee Setback

 
Joined by Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier and NOAA Habitat Specialist Jason Lehto, Dunn speaks to the completion of the Countyline Levee Setback Project along the Lower White River as Chair of the King County Flood Control District.

Retired King County Metro Vans Find New Missions

Surrounded by clients and staff of the Enumclaw Senior Center, Councilmember Dunn, joined by Washington State Representative Morgan Irwin (4th from the left), hands the keys to a surplus Metro Transit Vanpool van to Senior Center Manager Jobyna Nickum.

 

After securing a van for the Black Diamond Community Center, Dunn joins Executive Director Cheryl Hanson, Community Center staff, and area residents in a photo. The van will help transport seniors, kids grades K-5, and those in need of emergency services.

Partnering with Doug Baldwin, Renton to support the Family First Community Center

Pictured: Councilmember Dunn, Mayor Law, Doug Baldwin, Renton School District Superintendent Dr. Damien Pattenaude and Councilmember Upthegrove.

Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Dave Upthegrove met with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin and Renton Mayor Denis Law to present $75,000 to the Family First Community Center, a recreational facility that will support education, fitness, and overall health for families and youth in the community.

Community centers like the Family First Community Center provide valuable programs and services to families. This center will provide a variety of programs including youth sports, art and music classes, group exercise, English as a second language classes, and much more. Healthpoint, a non-profit health center, will also provide services in the facility.

Improving Stormwater Drainage

Councilmember Dunn tours the construction site of the Fairwood West/Molasses Creek stormwater replacement pipe project. Dunn has advocated for the project for a number of years including securing three King County Flood Control District Grants and a King County Water Works Grant totaling over $845,000. Pictured: Fairwood West HOA President Chris Hurless, Treasurer Raymond Byrd, Dunn, Josh Baldi, Director of King County Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), Washington State Representative Steve Bergquist, Adrian Ryneveld, and King County Staff.

Maple Valley turns 20

Councilmember Dunn presents a King County proclamation to the Maple Valley City Council in honor of the City's 20th Anniversary.

Park Improvements and the 2017 King County Fair

 
Councilmember Dunn presents a check for $5,000 for the Cascade Soccer Club which he was able to secure through a King County Get Active Stay Active Grant. The check presentation took place at Coalfield Park, before an Outdoor Movie Night in District 9. This past year Dunn worked with King County Parks to fund and host these opportunities for family fun. For more information about the final Outdoor Movie Night of the summer check out this page.

  
Councilmember Dunn is joined by twins Cooper and Quinn Mansanarez, the first two people to enter the 2017 King County Fair!
(L-R) Washington State Representative Morgan Irwin, Councilmember Dunn, Bert the Salmon, Enumclaw Mayor Liz Reynolds, Scoop the Dog, and twins Quinn and Cooper Mansanarez holding their fair tickets.

 
Councilmember Dunn presents a check for $5,000 to the Tahoma Jr. Bears at a King County Parks sponsored Outdoor Movie Night at Ravensdale Park. The funds come from King County's Get Active, Stay Active Grant Program. For more photos check out my Facebook page.

Southeast King County Townhall

   
Councilmember Dunn speaking to unincorporated residents at this year’s Southeast King County Townhall. King County acts as the local government for those living outside of cities. Annual town hall meetings are an opportunity for residents to speak to their county elected officials

King County Fallen Deputy Memorial

On December 2nd, the 10th Anniversary of Steve Cox’s death, King County Sheriff John Urquhart and I unveiled the first King County Fallen Deputy Memorial. We were joined by family members of the 16 fallen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It was an honor to partner with the Sheriff’s Office on reminder of sacrifice that is now permanently established in the King County Courthouse.

Thank you to those who participated in the 2016 District 9 Survey.
To see the full results, click below.

King County Indigent Individuals Memorial 
Providing for those without loved ones

Councilmember Dunn joins leaders from faith organizations in recognizing the lives of the 278 indigent individuals who died in King County without family to properly provide for them. The ceremony was hosted by the King County Indigent Remains Program at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Renton. For more information about the program click here.

Historic Barn Receives Funds for Update

Councilmember Dunn visits the historic 1949 Colasurdo Barn in May Valley which was awarded $41,439 to repair the roof and gutters through the 2016 King County Heritage Barn Grant Program.

Join us for the Fairwood 50th on August 27th!

Happy Birthday Fairwood!

Councilmember Dunn is partnering with the King County Parks Department to host a day-long festival celebrating the community of Fairwood’s 50th Anniversary on August 27th at Petrovitsky Park.

Beginning with the 5K Fun Run in the morning to the Movie Night at the Park, this exciting day has something for everyone.

For a full schedule of events, a list of sponsors, and a link to vote for the movie you’d like to watch in the park, check our event website at: https://kingcountyparks.org/fairwood-50/.

Flood Prevention

Councilmember Dunn joins Renton Mayor Denis Law on a tour of Boeing’s Renton facilities. The King County Flood Control District is providing funding to protect the City of Renton's Airport and Boeing's facilities against future flooding.

Town hall meeting for unincorporated residents

 

Over 500 people have attended the four Town Hall meetings Councilmember Dunn has hosted for unincorporated residents in District 9. The last meeting will be held Tuesday, June 7th at Maple Hills Elementary, to address issues in the Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain areas. The meeting will run from 7-9 pm and is open to the public.

New Bridge Over Jenkins Creek

Councilmember Dunn attended the City of Covington’s opening of a brand new bridge over Jenkins Creek connecting the current trail system to Jenkins Creek Elementary. A $418,000 King County Grant helped to fund the construction of this project.

Anniversary of the Ravensdale Mining Disaster

One hundred years ago on November 16th, the town of Ravensdale experienced a mining explosion that claimed 31 lives. To memorialize the miners that died, Councilmember Dunn partnered with the local community to open a series of interpretive signs called the Ravensdale History Trail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMp81goMAo4&feature=em-share_video_user

Helping our Heroes

Vets 4 Hire is a program, that began through legislation sponsored by Councilmember Dunn that bridges the gap between military and civilian experiences through six-month paid internships at King County. Participants learn vital job-seeking skills and get connected to community support services tailored to their needs. If you or someone you know would benefit from a Vets 4 Hire fellowship check out this link: https://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers/vets4hire.aspx.

Take Winter by Storm

Since November is historically the rainiest month in Washington State, Councilmember Dunn participated in a Take Winter By Storm event designed to inform Washington Residents about how to prepare for natural disasters brought on by winter weather. The event also highlighted the completion of the Lyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project at Lake Forest Park’s Town Center preventing a predicted $4 million in flooding damage.

19th Annual King County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Legislative Forum

I had the privilege of joining residents, Washington State Legislators, and my colleagues on the Metropolitan King County Council, at a Town Hall style forum addressing mental health and substance abuse in our county. This event was an opportunity to collaborate with the larger community to think creatively about how to optimize those services to reach those in need.

Addressing Flood Control

Lake Boren in Newcastle is prone to flooding. Councilmember Dunn toured the Lake with Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri and Jeff Brauns, Director of Public Works, this week and was updated on the progress of flood mitigation work around the area. To date, the the county and the Flood Control District have provided nearly $550,000 to the city of Newcastle for this project. Working together, the city and the county hope to protect the surrounding area from future flooding.

Maple Valley City Council- State of the County Address

Councilmember Dunn addressed the Maple Valley City Council on Oct 12, to update them on several key issues such as the expansion project at Ravensdale Park, which was a collaborative effort between the City, County and The Ravensdale Park Foundation. The Councilmember also provided updates on the County Budget, increased Metro bus service to the city, the Lake Wilderness Trail Paving Project, and the King County Flood Control District.

New LED lights operational at Petrovitsky Park

Petrovisky Park sport fields in the unincorporated community of Fairwood have new LED lights. These new lights give off less glare and are extremely energy efficient.

“Petrovisky Park is busy year round, so it just made sense that the county provide state of the art lighting for their sport fields,” said King County Councilman Reagan Dunn who represents District 9, which includes Fairwood. “The neighbors have less light pollution, it’s cost effective, and the players have better visibility for night games; it’s a win for everyone.” 

King County Parks estimates the retrofit will provide at least a 60-percent reduction in energy use, or roughly $9,500 in annual savings. Read more

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