Creating an environmentally sustainable economy will present many challenges to our community and nation in the coming years, but it will also lead to many new opportunities in manufacturing, construction, research and other fields.
That's the message from local officials as the Metropolitan King County Council holds a special Town Hall Meeting Monday, July 14 to discuss creating a sustainable, green economy and stimulating job growth in the new "green-collar" jobs sector.
The Town Hall will be held at the Seattle Aquarium at 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59. The public is invited to meet face-to-face with King County Councilmembers at an informal reception starting at 6:30 p.m. The Town Hall will begin at 7 p.m.
"Building a green economy will spur new investment, create living-wage jobs, and help make our communities healthier," said Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the Council's Committee of the Whole.
"King County is a world leader in both innovative technology and environmental stewardship, and we are prepared to embrace this great challenge and opportunity," said Councilmember Larry Phillips, who recently introduced legislation to encourage green-collar job training and investment. "I'm pleased to host this important community dialogue in my district.
The meeting will feature a panel discussion with leaders from the labor, education, civil rights, and environmental communities, including: Jessica Coven, policy specialist, Climate Solutions; Doug Moore, president, McKinstry Co.; James Kelly, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle; Patrick Neville, economic development research, King County Labor Council; and Bob Markholt, program coordinator for pre-apprenticeship construction training, Seattle Vocational Institute.
The Council will be briefed on proposed legislation and the public will have an opportunity to share their ideas and provide public testimony.
Town Hall Meetings are part of councilmembers' initiative to "get out of the courthouse" and into the communities they serve. In 2008, the Council has held Town Hall meetings in Kent to discuss the Equity and Social Justice Initiative, in Burien to listen to the public on reshaping how the county cares for animals, in Shoreline to discuss public financing of King County elections, and in Federal Way to review proposed changes to the King County Charter.
Since 2007, more than 2,800 people have attended County Council Town Hall Meetings.
Each Town Hall is a special meeting of the Council's Committee of the Whole, the only standing committee on which all nine members serve. It considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire Council.
Learn more about the Council's Town Hall Meetings at www.kingcounty.gov/townhall.
Published 7-9-2008
