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VOL 40 NO 46 NOVEMBER 13 – NOVEMBER 19, 2021
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Steve Hobbs to become first POC Secretary of State
Sizzling Pot King burglarized
By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Gov. Jay Inslee named Steve Hobbs as Washington Secretary of State on Nov. 10—replacing Kim Wyman who is vacating the position to take a role with the Biden administration. As an Asian American, Hobbs will be the first person of color to serve in this role. In a video announcement (at press time, Inslee was in Scotland for COP 26, the world climate change conference), Inslee said, “Steve is a dedicated public servant. He has a strong national security perspective from his work in the Army and National Guard. His knowledge of cyber-security will be crucial as election systems around the country continue to face threats.” Inslee added, “Importantly, Steve has demonstrated political independence. That is crucial during this time of political polarization and distrust. He is a moderate who has worked effectively with people of all political perspectives. He is not afraid to challenge both Democrats and Republicans. Steve has worked to protect democracy and will continue that noble pursuit as Secretary of State.” see HOBBS on 8
Steve Hobbs
White House appoints Mike Fong as SBA regional director By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY *first published on NWAsianWeekly.com on Nov. 4 The White House just announced that Mike Fong, former senior deputy mayor of Seattle, will be the new U.S. Small Business Administration director for Region 10. Region 10 includes district offices in Alaska, Mike Fong Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, which are home to more than 1.3 million small businesses, representing over 2.7 million jobs. Fong, 44, told the Northwest Asian Weekly that he is excited about the opportunities to
help small businesses not only “to recover, but thrive.” Born in Spokane, Fong said he grew up with small businesses. “I have a front-row seat to pride and work ethic, and I saw how hard my dad and mom worked in the restaurant business.” Fong’s father owned and worked in Chinese restaurants for decades in Idaho and Spokane. “I learned first hand how hard it was to run a small business.” Growing up in his dad’s restaurant, Fong was always helping out in the kitchen chopping onions, doing prep work, and
Surveillance video footage from Sizzling Pot King on Nov. 7.
Thieves stole money and other equipment from Sizzling Pot King on South King Street on Nov. 7. Surveillance video captured a man and woman— who entered separately— taking $200 cash from the register, as well as eight iPads and a credit card machine. The thieves broke the restaurant’s store front window and climbed in. The glass has since been fixed. The owners tell the Northwest Asian Weekly their alarm did not go off as the battery was dead. This was the second break-in this year. The first incident was in January.
General election update *As of Nov. 9 TOP RACES City of Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell
OTHER RACES
59%
Port of Seattle, Commissioner Position No. 4 Toshiko Hasegawa 54%
City of Bellevue, Council Position No. 2 Conrad Lee 55% Dexter Borbe 45% East Bellevue Community Municipal Corporation, Council Position No. 5 Chiho Lai 57% see ELECTION on 6
see FONG on 13
COVID-19 vaccines for children arriving in WA UW Medicine
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Sashi Olson, 9, getting his first Pfizer shot.
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The woman’s voice on the phone was eager, intent, and even breathy in its desire to help. “We have nurses that can answer
questions, too,” she said. The call center, run by King County, for help with scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations is the latest sign of a pandemic response that has now reached see VACCINES on 15
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