mistakes to avoid in this election  10

■POLITICS Can Kim-Khanh Van defeat Reagan Dunn?

By Faith Noh

NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Kim-Khanh Van would be the first Asian American woman to be on the Metropolitan King County Council since 1973, if she beats Reagan Dunn on Nov. 2.

As a refugee and immigrant from Vietnam, Van hopes to represent communities that are often neglected in policy-making, and she hopes to unseat Dunn, the incumbent for District 9.

“It’s a privilege, an honor, and a responsibility to make sure that our policy reflects the Asian American lived experience and professional experience,” Van said.

Some of her main priorities are building affordable housing and reducing homelessness, ensuring public safety by addressing gun violence and hate crimes, and investing in transit and transportation.

Van has a long history of representing the Asian American community in the Puget Sound. She is the co-founder of AAPI Against Hate, as well as the president of the Vietnamese American Community of Seattle and Sno-King Counties.

Van also runs her own law office where she manages cases on immigration, personal injury, and family. Van was also a volunteer attorney for the Northwest Immigrants’ Rights Project.

As a Renton City Councilmember, Van decided to run for the King County Council because she wants policies that reflect the various cultures and communities that are often missing from the conversation, such as the Asian American community.

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Van said. “The policies that we’ve had really neglected Asian American communities. When we talk about racism, it’s either a Black or white issue, when in fact, there are issues happening to our community members.”

Another motivation for Van was her dissatisfaction with Dunn. Last year, he was the only council member who voted against the resolution to declare racism as a public health crisis.

“When our elders get slammed to the pavement across the nation, we need to come together to make sure that we have a voice,” Van said, referencing the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, Van emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with all marginalized and underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, immigrants, seniors, and veterans.

“Our lived experiences are within the greater context of King County, as we know from the Gang of Four,” Van said.

On the other hand, this race has been an uphill climb for Van. Her opponent is not only a fourterm incumbent, but he has also received 55% of the votes during the primary election in August while Van was in second with 22%.

“It was not an easy journey thus far, not that I was assuming it would be, but definitely the experience of my race and my gender really came into play in terms of barriers to overcome at times.”

However, Van explained that these structural and cultural barriers actually became opportunities. Her lived experience as a woman of color has empowered her to claim her seat at the table and to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and the underrepresented. Van is endorsed by many fellow Asian American politicians, such as state Rep. My-Linh Thai.

“I believe in representation and elected leaders must represent the community they serve,” Thai stated. “Ms. Van is the candidate who will bring voice and representation to the council that reflects the growth and diversity from her community.”

Despite the odds stacked against her, Van continues to march forward with strong support from many individuals and organizations.

“It’s just too often that Asian Americans are left out and left behind,” Van said. “It’s time for us to have experience in leadership.” 

Kim-Khanh Van

Faith can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

■COMMUNITY NEWS

Two shot, suspects arrested in CID robbery

A shooting victim on a gurney, surround by Seattle police on Oct. 16

Police arrested the suspects in a robbery and shooting, which left two people injured in the Chinatown-International District on Oct. 16.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., police responded to 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street for reports of gunfire. Police arrived and found a woman and man, both with gunshot wounds to their legs. Medics transported the 28-year-old woman and 41-year-old man to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

Matt Chan was riding his bike and came upon the scene about 10 minutes after the shooting.

“The [crime scene] tape had been put up and there were officers with assault rifles searching the area so I assume the shooter had escaped into the neighborhood. I overheard a witness, who was being questioned, mention a robbery and something about a cell phone.”

Police said a man shot another man during a robbery. The female victim had not been involved, and had just been walking by when she was shot. The woman had been carrying her child, who was not injured.

Witnesses provided officers with a description of the male suspect and a female accomplice who had accompanied him as he left the area. Officers soon located them in a vehicle at a gas station at Rainier Avenue South and South Charles Street.

The 28-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were booked into King County Jail. The man had a warrant for escaping community custody related to a previous robbery conviction. 

Mail-in voting only for ISRD Board election

SEATTLE — There will be no in-person voting this year for the International Special Review District (ISRD) Board election, due to the continued impacts of COVID-19 and ongoing public health concerns. The election will occur by mail-in ballot only.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON)’s Historic Preservation Program annually hosts an election to facilitate the selection of ISRD Board members who have been nominated by the community. All residents, persons who operate businesses, their employees, and property owners of the ISRD, who have registered to vote within 30 days of the ISRD election, are eligible to vote.

To confirm registration status or request a voter registration form, contact ISRD Board Coordinator Rebecca Frestedt at rebecca.frestedt@seattle.gov or (206) 684-0226.

There are five positions open this year. The Board has seven members, five elected by the community and two appointed by the mayor. Board members typically serve two-year terms. Due to the postponed 2020 election, two seats on this year’s ballot will be for one-year terms. Positions 3 and 5 would have been on the 2020 ballot.

— #1 Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee (term expires 11/30/23) — #2 Resident, Tenant or Community Participant (term expires 11/30/23) — #3 Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee (term expires 11/30/22) — #4 Resident, Tenant or Community Participant (term expires 11/30/23) — #5 At-Large (term expires 11/30/22)

To nominate a candidate, submit a nomination form no later than Nov. 2. Mail it to: Department of Neighborhoods, PO Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649. Ballots must be received by Nov. 30.

The ISRD Board was created in 1973 to preserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, economic, and historical qualities of the Chinatown-International District and, in particular, its unique Asian character. To preserve this special character, the ISRD Board must review and approve all uses including use of the public sidewalks, new construction, and changes to building exteriors within the district, including signs or new paint colors or security gates, before installation or construction. 

■COMMUNITY CALENDAR

OCT

THROUGH NOV 20

BETWEEN AND WITHIN: NEW WORK BY JIYOUNG CHUNG

ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S., Seattle 5-8 p.m. artxchange.org

5TH ANNUAL JAPAN WEEK

5-6 p.m. Pre-registration is required Register at https://bit.ly/JW2021WWII More info, JapanWeek@ bellevuecollege.edu

21

MINH-DUC NGUYEN AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com

24

TASVEER SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Northwest Film Forum tasveer.org

28

SEATTLE MAYORAL DEBATE

Topic: Public health and safety Broadcast on local television and radio

29

SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust.org/event/ saam-free-fridays/all

IT’S A GREAT PUMPKIN NIGHT

Seatac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac 6-9 p.m.

NOV

1-14

LIHI’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL GALA & AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR TINY HOUSES & URBAN REST STOPS

Preview and register at lihi2021.ggo.bid/bidding/ package-browse lihi.org

4-14

VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Vancouver, BC, Canada vaff.org

4

HARVEY HAWKS AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com

6

APCC’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

5:30 p.m. Greater Tacoma Convention Center asiapacificculturalcenter.org

THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Seatac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac 9 a.m.-3p.m.

18

AISAYA CORBRAY AT SEATLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com

26

SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum Free admission Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust.org/event/ saam-free-fridays/all

DEC

2

ESTELA ORTEGA AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

Proposals will be received for KC000366, Construction Management & Inspection Services for Eastlake Layover Facility; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on November 10, 2021.

There is a 15% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract.

Total Estimated Price: $600,000

This AGREEMENT is subject to the appropriations of the State of Washington.

Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/solicitations

Contact: Alice Phoenix, alice.phoenix@kingcounty.gov, 206-2639311

View the solution on page 14

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