Elections, Awards, and Yes, a Point Wells Update at May RBCA Meeting

by Tom Petersen

The May public meeting of the Richmond Beach Community Association is always a gala affair, with a recap of the year's neighborhood highlights and accomplishments, Board elections, and the presentation of the Marge Unruh Community Service Award. This year there will also be a short update from City of Shoreline Planning Director Joe Tovar on the latest news and actions surrounding the potential Point Wells redevelopment.

The meeting will be in the Lena Voreis room, not the basement, of the RB Congregational Church, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10.

A quorum of 19 current community members of the RBCA is needed for the Board election, so come to the meeting and let your voice be heard. Board members Amy Boone, Scott Becker, and Aaron Harrington are not seeking re-election, though they will remain active in the community. Board member Sheri Ashleman is seeking a second two-year term. Announced candidates include Christie Wishaar, an accountant and life-long resident of Richmond Beach; Jerry Patterson, a retired school superintendent new to RB, and Tom Berquist, a vice-president at BECU, former RBCA board member and long-time volunteer at RBCA activities.

The neighborhood's highest honor, the Marge Unruh Award, is presented to those persons or local institutions that have made a significant contribution to the betterment of Richmond Beach. The RBCA has been collecting nominations, and a committee of past winners has selected this year's recipient(s).

Joe Tovar will explain the implications of recent actions by the state legislature, Snohomish County, and the City of Shoreline regarding the proposed redevelopment at Point Wells. The property owners have vowed to move ahead, abetted by Snohomish County, and Tovar will explain what lies ahead.