In the community
One of my priorities during the interim between legislative sessions is to spend time diving deeper into the challenges and successes in our community. I work toward this goal by touring businesses, visiting with teachers and students in our schools, attending community events, and meeting with constituents in any way I can.
SCAFCO
I recently had the pleasure of touring the new SCAFCO manufacturing plant and HQ, which was built on the site of the old Playfair Race Course. I am proud that this successful company, that manufactures and exports building materials and grain silos throughout the U.S. and to more than 80 countries around the world, is headquartered right here in the 3rd Legislative District.
Congratulations to Larry Stone and his team at SCAFCO on all their success and on the opening of their new facility!
Feedback from the teacher’s teachers
One of the highlights of the past couple of weeks was having the chance to visit with education college deans and professors during a Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education meeting hosted by Whitworth University. Over one hundred representatives from almost every college and university in the state were present. We had a productive dialogue and I enjoyed hearing feedback from the people that teach our teachers.
East Central WSDOT land
With a dose of creativity, the vacant land in East Central along I-90 between Freya and Havana Avenue could become more productive and more attractive. The area was cleared by the Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT) in advance of the North-South Corridor construction. Since it will still be a at least a few years for the NSC to reach I-90, numerous community members have contacted me and other local leaders to help figure out possible short-term uses for the land. Ideas for the land include community gardens and youth sports fields.
We spent time meeting with stakeholders and working with WSDOT to figure out how members of the community may be able to lease the vacant WSDOT at little or no cost. I appreciate all the input from so many stakeholders and the flexibility demonstrated by WSDOT, and I am pleased to inform you that WSDOT is now accepting applications for possible uses for certain lots. Anyone interested in more information, can request an information package/application from my Legislative Assistant, Paul Dillon at paul.dillon@leg.wa.gov.
Mobile Offices
Once again this year, Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District delegation will host a series of mobile office meetings to receive feedback and answer questions from constituents. These meetings include all three 3rd LD legislators (Reps. Ormsby & Riccelli and me) and will provide people the opportunity to make comments and ask questions about state government in an informal drop-in setting. We love the feedback and it helps us to better do our job of representing you. I hope to see you at one of our mobile offices.
Monday, May 12th
West Central Neighborhood
Indaba Coffee
1425 W. Broadway
4:00pm to 5:30 p.m. (drop-in anytime)
Monday, May 19th
Logan Neighborhood
Chairs Public House
1305 N. Hamilton
4:00pm to 5:30pm (drop-in anytime)
Keeping In Touch
If you have a comment, idea, question or an invitation for me to attend an event or tour a business/organization in Spokane, please let me know. I would love to hear from you!
You can reach me by e-mail (andy.billig@leg.wa.gov) or by phone at 509-209-2427.
And if you know someone who would like to get their own copy of my weekly e-newsletter, tell them they can go to my website at http://www.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/senators/billig/ and click on the link to “Sign up for my e-newsletter.”
Onward!
Andy
