VOL 33 NO 17 | APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

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VOL 33 NO 17

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

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COMMUNITY Joby Shimomura, chief of staff to the Gov. » P. 3

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Will Yu make history?

She could be first Asian American on state’s highest court

My Time in Oso

King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu will make history if she’s successful in her bid for an open seat on the Washington State Supreme Court.

The opening on the state’s highest court comes as a result of Justice Jim Johnson retiring on April 30. Judge Yu is one of 20 applicants submitted to Gov. Jay Inslee, who will make the appointment this month. If chosen, Yu will become Washington’s first Asian American Washington State Supreme Court Justice.

The opening on the nine-judge panel will be through the end of the year. The seat will be up for election this coming November.

Judge Yu stated that if she is appointed, she would run a competitive statewide campaign to retain the opportunity to serve on the court in Olympia.

Judge Yu was born and raised in Chicago.

Her mother is Mexican and her father is Chinese. Both parents were first-generation immigrants. Judge Yu attended Dominican University and earned a degree in theology.

Photo courtesy of Thao Tran

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly

Thao Tran proudly exhibits the first steelhead he caught while fly-fishing on the North Fork Stillaguamish River near Oso.

By Thao Tran Special to the Northwest Asian Weekly King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu

She went on to earn a graduate degree in theology from Mundelein of Loyola University. After working for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Judge Yu went on to law school at Notre Dame and graduated

with honors in 1993.

Judge Yu moved to Seattle where she began in the civil division of the King {see YU cont’d on page 13}

of about 20 minority business owners April 15 at the New Hong Kong Restaurant. Mayor Ed Murray came to listen.

“Although it’s a really important topic, it’s divided the city, which I think is unfortunate,”

Mom handed me the phone on the evening of March 17, 1997. It was Susan, the wife of my friend Marty Gray. She called from their home in Oso. She said, “I am sorry to let you know… Marty would want you to know that he died in a boating accident while fishing on the river.”

I was a junior in college. I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I call Marty sooner?” But it was winter.

Marty and I only met during the fly fishing summer season on the North Fork Stillaguamish River, which also is endearingly called the “Stilly.” Earlier that week, I was fishing on the Sauk River with David Webb, who worked at Kaufmann’s Streamborn, a highend fly-fishing shop next to Macy’s in downtown Seattle. I should have told Marty about the epic steelhead that snapped my rod and swam away, leaving me with line wrapped around my body like a man-sized fishing reel.

David would end his own life a few years later. He had suffered from the silent killer of depression.

All of his friends were in shock. A colleague just shook his head and explained that perhaps the only sign that David was struggling inside was he turned down requests

{see $15/HOUR cont’d on page 15}

{see OSO cont’d on page 12}

Photo courtesy of Andy Hwang

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

Korean American $15/hour minimum wage may kill ‘living the dream’ small businesses as Federal Way chief of police

Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang

Mayor Ed Murray thanks owners of small businesses for attending the meeting at the New Hong Kong Restaurant Tuesday evening about their concerns on the proposed minimum wage hike.

By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly

By Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly

Wearing three gold stars on the left collar, three more on the right, and a badge, Andy

In theory, a $15/hour minimum wage sounds great, until reality hits the small businesses that have to pay the new wage. That was the general consensus at a Chinatown gathering

{see HWANG cont’d on page 13}

The Oso mudslide tragedy caused Thao Tran to reflect upon his connection with the town, and the 20 years he spent with the North Fork Stillaguamish River, which runs through the town. This is the first of two parts.

The Inside Story COMMUNITY “I am in again.” » P. 3

■

TRAVEL The Village Report » P. 4

FILM “Undocumented” » P. 8

SPORTS The Layup Drill » P. 9

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asianweekly northwest

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APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Photo courtesy of JACL

JACL sweets fund scholarship

focused on celebrating women in Washington state who are bridging social and economic divides in local and global communities. The 15 honorees included Mahnaz Aflatooni Javid, Ed.D, president and founding member of the Mona Foundation; Maria Koh, retired clinical nutritionist at the UW Medical Center; and Kshama Sawant, PhD, Seattle City Council member.

The event raised $295,000 to support services and programs of the Women’s Center. 

Kin On event spurs expansion

Watanabe endorsed by leaders

Photo from Women’s Center at UW

UW honors women of courage

Fifteen women were honored by UW for their courage.

The University of Washington presented its 2014 Women of Courage honorees for the “Women of Courage: Bridging the Divide Gala” on March 8. This year’s Gala

Photo courtesy of Kin On

Marsha Aizumi, second from right, Paul Tashima, right, Tashima’s boyfriend Josh, center, Aizumi’s son Aiden and wife Mary are on the left.

The JACL-Seattle chapter held its 92nd annual banquet and scholarship fundraiser on March 21 at Seattle University. More than 270 people attended, including Aki Sogabe, who received the Unsung Hero award, Francisco Irigon, recipient of the Community Engagement award, and Marsha Aizumi, who was given the Special Civil Rights Achievement award. The event raised over $30,000, including $11,000 scholarships. Entertainment was provided by Bon Odori dancers and Relay Dance Collective with Seattle Kokon Taiko. 

Pramila Jayapal

state’s largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization, and is a national advocate for immigrant, civil, and human rights.

She has the endorsement of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, former King County Executive Ron Sims, King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, and many others.

For more information, call 917696-1321. 

Kin On benefit dinner volunteers

Nearly $10,000 was raised at Kin On’s Spring Benefit Dinner on April 7 at Hong’s Garden. About 900 people in attendance enjoyed entertainment by Tony Au and the International Lion Dance Team. Proceeds from the event will go toward Kin On’s $3.5 million capital campaign, set to break ground this summer. The expansion will include a community center, assisted living facility and adult family home, and a short-term rehab wing and sun room. 

Meet Louis Watanabe at a community fundraiser on April 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Watercress Vietnamese Bistro, 5041 Rainier Ave. S. #108.

Watanabe is running to be a representative in the Washington State Senate’s 37th District.

Watanabe is a software engineer and a professor of business and Louis Watanabe technology at Bellevue College.

He has the endorsement of Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, past president of Squire Park Community Council Kiku Hayashi, and many others.

For more information, call 206-325-3091. 

CIDBIA hires new marketer

Jayapal launches campaign Pramila Jayapal launched her campaign at the New Holly Gathering Hall on April 1 in the race to be a representative in the Washington State Senate’s 37th District.

Jayapal is the founder of OneAmerica, Washington

Mary Do

The Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) has hired Mary Do as its new marketing director. Do will manage all CIDBIA events, communications, and marketing initiatives. Previously, she was the senior director for the Special Olympics Washington for the last 10 years. 

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ community news

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

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Joby Shimomura shares her path to the Governor’s office

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly Joby Shimomura is a fourth-generation Japanese American, recently appointed as Gov. Jay Inslee’s chief of staff. On April 13, she took time to talk about her professional background and how she found her way to the Governor’s office.

The event was hosted by the Hokubei Hochi Foundation, a non-profit that celebrates and preserves the culture of the Nikkei and Japanese people through community engagement.

Influenced by family ties in the community, Shimomura was inspired to work in the political world as a teen, and gained early experience through volunteering at civic events and legislative internships. As she neared high school graduation, Shimomura debated whether she should attend college, or forego it completely to chase her dreams of working in Washington, D.C. Throwing caution to the wind, she went with the latter choice and uprooted her life to the nation’s capital in the early 1990s. She took on a slew of informational interviews, and it quickly became apparent that, at the age of 18, Shimomura lacked the professional network she needed to break into politics.

“You really need to have a relationship with people — you really need to have someone who can vouch for you because it’s so competitive in this world,” recounted Shimomura.

Shimomura eventually took on an entry-level position working for congressman John Miller. Miller represented the 1st Congressional District of Washington

as a Republican. As a Democrat, Shimomura was initially hesitant to accept the role, but she credits this move as one her best career decisions, as she picked up extensive handson experience in the field, while also challenging her notion of partisan politics.

She eventually moved Joby Shimomura back to Seattle and started working again. In this time, Shimomura discovered that she was more of a “startup person,” and recognized that what excited her professionally was to not feel rooted down to any longterm project, which resulted in her working brief stints on political campaigns.

This led her to meeting Jay Inslee. After connecting with Inslee immediately, Shimomura was invited to run his campaigns for governor in 1996 and congress in 1998, with the latter race being successful. Shimomura returned to Washington, D.C., where she served as Inslee’s congressional chief of staff for six years.

But Shimomura’s “startup” mentality made her antsy for change. She left her position with Inslee’s office, and returned to Seattle where she took time off from professional work. She picked up stained glass as a hobby, which gave her a newfound peace and passion.

Still, Shimomura did not stay away long from the political world. She reunited with Inslee and ran his campaign in 2012 for Washington state governor, citing the race as one

Shari Song to run for Senate in 30th Dist.

Shari Song, a long-time community leader and founder of the Federal Way Mission Church Preschool, announced her candidacy for State Senate in the 30th Legislative District. Song is running as a Democrat.

Song is endorsed by State Senator Tracey Eide, Federal Way City Councilmember Dini Duclos, House Speaker Frank Chopp, and State Senator and Democratic caucus leader Sharon K. Nelson.

Song, who has lived and worked in King County for more than 27 years, is a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.

She was honored with the Federal Way Soroptimist International Woman of Distinction Award, as well as the King County Community Service Award. She also served on the Federal Way Diversity Commission from 1994 to 1996.

Song and her husband, John, raised their two sons in Federal Way during the 1990s.

“I want to continue my community service by working for the values we all care about — educating our children, protecting our seniors, and honoring our veterans,” Song said. “In Olympia, I’ll fight for jobs and a stronger economy, improvements to our transportation system, and bolstering

Shari Song

women’s rights.”

Song ran for a position on the King County Council last November, but was defeated by the incumbent, Reagan Dunn. 

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of the most challenging things she has done professionally.

Shimomura moved to Olympia to become the governor’s senior advisor, and helped recruit his Cabinet and executive team members. She was eventually appointed as his chief of staff in late 2013.

Shimomura spoke candidly about the recent crises that Gov. Inslee’s administration has faced, such as the I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse and the Oso mudslide.

“Our big challenge is figuring out how to anticipate and plan for these things happening while continuing to focus on the long-term goals you want to get done on your agenda,” said Shimomura.

She was also quick to clarify that, despite the very highlevel status of her role, she was still learning to understand what the governor expects of her moving forward. She credited her long relationship with the governor as a factor in her success.

“It just made sense for me to play this role,” said Shimomura of the natural progression of her appointment.

“I’ve worked on and off for [Inslee] the last 17 years. When you’re an elected official, being able to know that you’ve got somebody on your side — all the time, looking out for your best interests, and trusting their judgment — that’s a critical relationship to have. It is probably a little unique and rare, compared to other chief of staffs and their governors.”

Despite her storied yet young career in politics, Shimomura made it clear that she had big dreams that lie outside the Governor’s office. Her current aspiration? To make time for and return to her stained glass studio.  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

asianweekly northwest

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APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

■ travel

Village Report Breakfast in Cambodia

By Dipika Kohler Northwest Asian Weekly

Little fish, a pooling of about 30, butt about in their prism while my son looks on, mesmerized, chewing a bit of salty fish head. On the far side of the tank, someone has painted spindly leaves, stones, Dipika Kohler a castle, and a starfish. Akira, the other member of our trio, is staring at the mural with as much curiosity as our kid. Knowing someone for 20 years means knowing in your mind what they’re going to say before they say it. “You gotta wonder if that faux ocean makes the fish more cozy.”

It’s 7:30 in the morning and this is breakfast — salty fish, soy sauce, and bland white rice porridge. Now a police officer (possibly a security guard) joins our table. The place is one of the many nameless family operations that pop up for breakfast each day. This is the part of Phnom Penh known amongst the Japanese expats as “Kizuna Street.”

Bits of napkin clutter the ground and a dog comes by every so often to get at whatever you can’t. A lady in a red hat shoos this creature away, but not before it gets so close to your leg that you have to wonder if you’re up-to-date

on rabies vaccines. Teensy panic, but then the street floods with color and life and you get swept up in the scene.

Occidental Street is where I used to go for people watching in Seattle, and even though I’m in Cambodia now, I still love to look and watch. The artist Wassily Kandinsky wrote, “The street can be observed through the windowpane, which diminishes its sounds so that its movements become phantom-like. The street itself, as seen through the transparent (yet hard and firm) pane seems set apart, existing and pulsating as if beyond. As soon as we open the door, step out of the seclusion and plunge into the outside reality, we become an active part of this reality and experience its pulsation with all our senses.”

I almost wish I had kept going down the street, but this place seemed popular. If loads of people are there, you know they rotate out the vegetables and meats. That means it’s probably safe.

In our small family’s usual tradition, the person who picks the place does the ordering, so I’d pointed to a plate without looking too closely and made a gesture. “That,” I said. “Three.” Here comes a pile of New Khmer food, because I’m so adventurous and all, and wow, really? This?

Fish, whole, with their heads still on.

Kush reaches for his plate with bare fingers, lifts one, and pushes it into his tiny mouth. “Mmm. Good.”

“You’re eating that?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’m hungry.”

I’m hungry, too. Akira is watching and I am immediately transported back in time to Hachioji, 1995, when we were visiting his parents’ house in Tokyo. Fish appeared on the table with the heads. “Um,” I remember saying, “I’m not hungry.”

Years later, we’re in Cambodia with our kid and he’s the one who’s going to go for it, and he’s only 5. Akira and I look at each other, with that glow you see between parents sometimes. I can’t believe he just ate that fish head, I say with my eyes. Pretty cool, isn’t it, he replies with his, and we slowly reach for our share.

It’s salty, like the ocean, but not bad. I copy Kush.

“Mmm,” I say. “You know what? This is pretty good!”

Porridge comes, along with soy sauce, small plates, bits of napkin, teeny forks, and chopsticks. We perform the ritual of wiping utensils with squares of tabletop toilet paper encased in plastic dispensers before partaking of the food, the scraps of garbage strewn beneath.

It’s not even 9 o’clock and the street is already full of motorbikes, cycles, older people pushing carts, cars, and “tuk-tuks,” the colorful, open-air, step-up carriages {see CAMBODIA cont’d on page 14}

South Korean ferry sinks, 292 missing

By Hyung-Jin Kim and Youkyung Lee

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – A ferry carrying 459 people, mostly high school students on an overnight trip to a tourist island, sank off South Korea’s southern coast on April 16, leaving nearly 300 people missing despite a frantic, hours-long rescue by dozens of ships and helicopters. At least four people were confirmed dead and 55 injured.

The high number of people unaccounted for — likely trapped in the ship or floating in the ocean — raised fears that the death toll could rise drastically, making it one of South Korea’s biggest ferry disasters since 1993, when 292 people died.

One student, Lim Hyung-min, told

broadcaster YTN after being rescued that he and other students jumped into the ocean wearing life jackets and then swam to a nearby rescue boat.

“As the ferry was shaking and tilting, we all tripped and bumped into each another,” Lim said, adding that some people were bleeding. Once he jumped, the ocean “was so cold. ... I was hurrying, thinking that I wanted to live.”

Local television stations broadcast live pictures of the ship, Sewol, listing to its side and slowly sinking as passengers jumped out or were winched up by helicopters. At least 87 vessels and 18 aircraft swarmed around the stricken ship. Rescuers clambered over its sides, pulling out passengers wearing orange life jackets. But the ship overturned

completely and continued to sink slowly.

Within a few hours only its blue-and-white bow stuck out of the water. Very soon, that too disappeared.

Some 160 coast guard and navy divers searched for survivors inside the ship’s wreckage a few miles from Byeongpung Island, which is not far from the mainland.

The area is about 290 miles from Seoul.

Those rescued — wet, stunned and many without shoes — were brought to nearby Jindo Island, where medical teams wrapped them in pink blankets and checked them for injuries before settling them down on the floor of a cavernous gymnasium hall.

The ship had set sail from Incheon, a city in South Korea’s northwest and the site of the country’s main international airport,

on Tuesday night for an overnight, 14-hour journey to the tourist island of Jeju.

Three hours from its destination, the ferry sent a distress call at about 9 a.m. Wednesday after it began listing to one side, according to the Ministry of Security and Public Administration. Officials didn’t know what caused it to sink and said the focus was still on rescuing survivors.

Lee Gyeong-og, a vice minister for South Korea’s Public Administration and Security Ministry, said 30 crew members, 325 high school students, 15 school teachers and 89 non-student passengers were aboard the ship. Kang Byung-kyu, a government minister, said two of the dead were a female {see KOREA SHIP cont’d on page 6}

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ national news

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

5

New charges coming in San Francisco Chinatown case

By Paul Elias Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Federal prosecutors said on April 11 that more charges and defendants are expected to be added to a sweeping organized crime and public corruption case centered in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Prosecutor Susan Badger told U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer that additional charges and defendants would be added in the next 90 days.

Some 29 people, including suspended state Sen. Leland Yee, already have been indicted. Yee has pleaded not guilty to bribery and gun charges. The new charges in the case might contain racketeering charges. However, prosecutors didn’t identify who could be charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as RICO. “Of particular note, the government is continuing to pursue its investigation of RICO violations, as well as additional substantive criminal violations,” prosecutors told the judge in a court filing handed to him during a routine hearing.

Racketeering charges carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and hefty fines and civil penalties, including

seizure of property. Such counts enable prosecutors to charge leaders of gangs with crimes they ordered others to carry out.

Yee and his attorney Jim Lassart declined to comment after the hearing in San Francisco federal court.

Prosecutors also declined to comment.

Experts and many of the Leland Yee two dozen lawyers involved in the case had expected racketeering charges to be included in the indictment unsealed last week. However, no racketeering charges were filed. The lawyers and the judge have already agreed that not all the defendants will be tried together because of the myriad different and unrelated charges many face.

Lumping 29 people charged with a combined 50 charges in a single indictment was a “ploy to make the indictment seem stronger than it is,” said Curtis Griggs, one of three lawyers representing defendant Raymond “Shrimp Boy”

Chow, the leader of a Chinese community organization who is charged with 10 counts of money laundering and receiving stolen goods.

Chow pleaded not guilty to money laundering, receiving stolen property, and other charges at his April 15 arraignment.

‘If not for Yee’ One lawyer for Chow argued that the FBI probe appeared to be failing until a state senator was ensnared in the case.

Veteran San Francisco lawyer Tony Serra said at a news conference that the FBI began to investigate Chow in 2006, but that he wasn’t charged until March 26 and only after state Sen. Yee became a target three years ago.

“If not for Yee,” Serra said, “my client may never have been charged.”

The arrests were the culmination of an FBI investigation started in 2006 after Chow left prison and was elected “dragonhead” of an influential Chinatown community organization. The FBI says undercover agents laundered $2.6 million in cash purportedly garnered through illegal bookmaking through the organization. Undercover agents {see YEE cont’d on page 15}

Former Chicago official stole Tacoma native receives Walt $92,000 from Chinatown Whitman Award for poetry

By Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) – A one-time deputy chief of staff to former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has pleaded guilty in a scheme in which he cashed Gene Lee dozens of checks made out to a charity and pocketed some of the money.

In a news release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says 65-year-old Gene Lee pleaded guilty to theft and filing a false income

tax return.

Lee faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the theft count and three years on the tax count.

The release says Lee admitted that between 2007 and 2010, he stole a portion of donations he solicited for an event in Chicago’s Chinatown called the Summer Fair and covered up the scheme by underreporting just how much money had been contributed. Prosecutors say Lee misappropriated more than $92,000.

Lee is listed at the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce as co-chair of the advisory board to the chamber’s special events committee. 

NEW YORK (AP) – A young Korean American poet has received a $5,000 award for firsttime writers that also ensures the publication and Hannah Sanghee Park thousands of sales of her debut collection.

Hannah Sanghee Park has won the Walt Whitman Award, the Academy of American Poets announced Wednesday.

Park’s book, “The Same-Different,” will be released next year by Louisiana State University. The poetry academy

will purchase thousands of copies and distribute them to its members.

Pulitzer Prize winner Rae Armantrout chose Park for the award and praised “Same-Different” as a “literally dazzling debut.”

The 27-year-old Park was born in Tacoma. She earned a BA from the University of Washington, and an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She now lives in Los Angeles, where she is a student at the Writing for Screen & Television Division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

She is a graduate of the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop. 

King County Invitation to Bid Project: Stossel Bridge No. 1023A - Painting, C00900C14 Sealed Bid Time/Date: 1:30 p.m., May 7, 2014 Location Due: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate: $ 580,000 - $ 680,000.

Scope of Work: This project provides for the improvements Stossel Bridge No. 1023A in King County by cleaning and painting approximately 22,560 square feet of metal surface on this through truss bridge, painting the existing bridge railing on all spans, and other work, all in accordance with the attached Plans, these Special Provisions, and the 2014 APWA/WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction. Fully remove existing lead-based paint.

Contact Information: Mark Hoge, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9325, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206-296-7675, or mark.hoge@kingcounty.gov. A bidder may be asked to put a question in writing.

No verbal answers by any County personnel or its agents and consultants will be binding on the County. All inquiries must be received by the County a minimum of four business days prior to the bid opening date.

Pre-Bid Conference: There is no pre-bid

conference or site tour scheduled. The site is open to the public.

Training Requirements: No minimum Training Requirement.

DBE Participation: No DBE goals have been assigned as part of this contract.

SBE Participation: A voluntary Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goal of 10% has been assigned as part of this contract. No minimum level of SBE participation is required as a Condition of Award.

Bid Bond: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Proposal Price Bid Documents: Electronic copies of the plans, specifications, reference documents, and any addenda for this solicitation are available on the King County Procurement website shown below. Printed documents may be ordered from United Reprographics, 206-382-1177. Copies of documents are not available for purchase from King County, but are available for review M – F, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Contracts Counter, Chinook Bldg., 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

To receive email notifications of addenda or other important information concerning this solicitation, you must register to be a planholder under the “Solicitations” tab at the following internet link:

Website: www.kingcounty.gov/procurement/ solicitations Title VI Compliance: King County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award.

This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711.

Notes: Bids received after Sealed Bid Time will not be considered. Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault. King County is not responsible for any costs incurred in response to this Invitation to Bid.

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APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR THU 4/17

WHAT: “Teng Baiye, Finger Painting, and New Norms in Modern Art Movements” lecture

by Zaixin Hong, PhD, professor of art at UPS WHERE: Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: Free tickets at the information desk at 6 p.m.

INFO: 206-432-8214

WHAT: Movie: “Baghban” WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: 253-383-3900

FRI 4/18 WHAT: Community discussion with Seattle City Council members about $15/hour minimum wage WHERE: New Hong Kong Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson St., Seattle WHEN: 2–4 p.m.

INFO: 206-684-8888

FRI 4/18 THRU MON 4/28 WHAT: 39th Annual Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival presents The Japan Foundation’s Passage to the Future Art from a New Generation in Japan WHERE: Seattle Center Pavilion, Seattle Center WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

SAT 4/19 WHAT: Korean American Coalition-WA Community Kickoff dinner WHERE: Holiday Inn, 211 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 6 p.m.

COST: Free (donations accepted) INFO: 206-909-8419, 206-2283005, rsvp@kacwashington.org

SUN 4/20 WHAT: Victoria Yeh’s 2014 exhibition WHERE: Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island WHEN: 2-5 p.m.

INFO: 206-618-0788, Victoria_ yeh@yahoo.com

{KOREA SHIP cont’d from page 4} crew member and a male high school student. He said a third body was also believed to be that of a student. A coast guard officer confirmed a fourth fatality but had no immediate details about it. Kang said 164 people were rescued, of whom 55 were injured.

Officials said 292 people were missing.

Yonhap news agency said the 480-foot-long ship, which travels twice a week between Incheon and Jeju, was built in Japan in 1994 and could carry a maximum of 921 people, 180 vehicles and 152 shipping containers.

The water temperature in the area was about 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit), cold enough to cause signs of hypothermia after about 1½ hours of exposure, according to an emergency official, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing department rules.

Officials said mud on the ocean floor made underwater search operations difficult. Lee, the vice minister, said the ocean is 121 feet deep in the area.

Passenger Kim Seong-mok told YTN that he was certain that many people were trapped inside the ferry as water quickly rushed in and the severe tilt of the vessel kept them from reaching the exits.

Some people urged those who couldn’t get out to break windows.

TUE 4/22

THU 4/24

WHAT: “Finding Your Own Voice” women’s group meeting with Jenny Hu and Francesca Abellera WHERE: Crossroads Community Center, 16000 N.E. 10th St., Bellevue WHEN: 1–2:30 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: 425-452-7917, cross@ bellevuewa.gov

WHAT: Lecture giving by author Julie Otsuka, “When the Emperor was Divine,” with Q&A afterwards WHERE: Green River Community College, 12401 S.E. 320th St., Auburn WHEN: 7:30-8:45 p.m.

COST: $10

WED 4/23 WHAT: Minding the Gap – A forum on gender pay equity WHERE: UW, Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, Seattle WHEN: 3:30-5 p.m.

RSVP: wagegap.bpt.me INFO: womens@uw.edu, 206685-1090 WHAT: Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell to fete 37th LD Senate Candidate Louis Watanabe WHERE: Watercress Vietnamese Bistro, 5041 Rainier Ave. S. #108, Seattle WHEN: 6-8 p.m.

INFO: 206-325-3091, louiswatanabe.com

WHAT: Informal Discussion with U.S. Small Business Administrator Maria ContrerasSweet WHERE: Rainier Square Conference Center, 1301 5th Ave., Seattle WHEN: 5:30-7 p.m.

RSVP: is required, harryc@ seattlechamber.com, 206-3897215

FRI 4/25 WHAT: “Yoni Ki Baat” (a South Asian adaptation of “The Vagina Monologues”) WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 7–8:30 p.m.

COST: $15–$20 INFO: 206-654-3100

WHAT: “From Typhoon Haiyan to Large-Scale Mining” a report back performance and discussion by 17 community members who traveled to the Philippines WHERE: Southside Commons, 3518 S. Edmunds St., Seattle WHEN: 8 p.m.

COST: $10–$15 INFO: 206-406-6927

FRI 4/25 THRU SUN 4/27 WHAT: South Asian Women’s Focus Festival WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: Friday & Saturday: 7–9 p.m., Sunday: 3–5 p.m.

COST: $15–$20 INFO: 206-349-4478

SAT 4/26 WHAT: Sukiyaki dinner and cultural program to raise funds for local charities WHERE: Japanese Baptist Church, 160 Broadway, Seattle WHEN: Dinner 4–7 p.m., program 7 p.m.

COST: Dinner $9–$14, cultural program is free INFO: jbcseattle.org/special.html

Kim said that after having breakfast he felt the ferry tilt and then heard it crash into something. He said the ferry operator made an announcement asking that passengers wait and not move from their places. Kim said he didn’t hear any announcement telling passengers to escape.

The students — half of them boys and half girls— are from Danwon High School in Ansan city, which is near Seoul, and were on their way to Jeju island for a four-day trip, according to a relief team set up by Gyeonggi province, which governs the city. There are faster ways to get to Jeju, but some people take the ferry from Incheon because it is cheaper than flying. Many South Korean high schools organize trips for students in their first or second years, and Jeju is a popular destination. The students on the ferry were in their second year, which would make most of them 16 or 17.

At the high school, students were sent home and parents gathered for news about the ferry.

Park Ji-hee, a first-year student, said she saw about a dozen parents crying at the school entrance and many cars and taxis gathered at the gate as she left in the morning. She said some students in her classroom began to cry as they saw the news on their handsets.

Teachers tried to soothe them, saying that the students on the ferry would be fine. 

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

7

asianweekly northwest

8

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

■ arts & entertainment

By Evangeline Cafe Northwest Asian Weekly Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas spurred conversations about what it means to be American when he outed himself as an undocumented immigrant in an essay published in the New York Times Magazine in June 2011.

Vargas is now shedding more light on his story of heartbreak and frustration in his film “Documented,” which he hopes will change people’s views about the need for immigration reform in the United States.

Vargas wrote, produced, and directed the film, which is currently being screened in cities across the nation. A preview screening will take place at the SIFF Cinema Uptown in Seattle on April 21 at 6:30pm. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Vargas and author and activist Eric Liu. “Documented” chronicles Vargas’ journey to the United States as a child, his plight as an immigration reform activist, and his dreams of reconnecting with his mother, whom he has not seen in person for more than 20 years.

Vargas was born in the Philippines in 1981. When he was 12, his family gave him a fake passport and sent him to live with his grandparents in California. Vargas’ grandparents had moved to the United States legally in the 1980s.Vargas’ mother believed that sending her son to America would give him a better life. She had planned to follow him to the United States, but never did.

It wasn’t until Vargas was 16 years old that he discovered that he was living in the United States illegally. He had tried to

apply for a driver’s permit, but was told that his documents were fake.

Believing that he could somehow earn his way to citizenship by working hard, Vargas went about his life in America, even if it meant deceiving other people.

He paid state and federal taxes, but carried an invalid Social Security card and gave false information on his employment forms. After graduating from college, he established a career as a journalist. In 2008, Vargas was part of a Washington Post team that won a Pulitzer Prize.

Vargas’ revelation of his life of secrecy was met with both support from activists and sharp disapproval from critics. Since his revelation in the New York Times Magazine in 2011, Vargas has traveled across the nation speaking in support of comprehensive immigration reform. In 2012, President Barack Obama signed an executive order to defer deportation and grant work permits to law-abiding undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, among other requirements. But Vargas, who had just turned 31, was four months too old to be eligible to qualify. Vargas also testified at a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on immigration reform in February 2013.

In “Documented,” Vargas hopes to put a human face on the immigration debate.

Since Vargas lacks a valid passport, he fears traveling to the Philippines to see his mom because he would not be allowed to return to the United States, which he considers home. His mother has been denied a tourist visa and is awaiting a family visa to come to the United States. Vargas sent a crew to the Philippines to film her for the documentary.

■ feature #S.W.A.G.

No Asian is perfect, but they are definitely

How do you define American?”

In a trailer for the film, Vargas said, “I have this fantasy that I get this green card, and I fly, and then my mother would be there waiting for me.”  Tickets of the preview screening of “Documented” are $12 and may be reserved at http://www.tugg.com/events/8670.

SIFF Cinema Uptown is located at 511 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle.

Evangeline Cafe can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

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In his director’s statement on the “Documented” website, Vargas wrote, “A broken immigration system means broken families and broken lives.”

“I did not realize how broken I was until I saw how broken Mama was. In the process of documenting myself, I ended up documenting Mama — and the sacrifices of parents who make America what it is, then and now. And in telling my own specifically universal story, I hope it incites others to tell their stories, too. At the very least, I want viewers to ask the question I posed as I filmed and traveled our country:

brati

I’m Asian It doesn’t matter what type Your hair doesn’t have to be the color of a blackberry-ripe

I’m Asian!

Hi chews and Japanese candy Those are the things that make me happy It’s fun being Asian!

A clip from the film “Documented” shows immigration reform activist Jose Antonio Vargas attending a Mitt Romney presidential campaign rally in Iowa in December 2011. Vargas was escorted from the event.

Cele

(Something We Asians Got)

I’m Asian People make fun of the way that we are created But that doesn’t get us deflated That’s what makes us Asian!

Photo from: Documentedthefilm.com.

“Documented” by Vargas gets to heart of immigration debate

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ sports

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

9

The Layup Drill Photo courtesy of U.S. Army

Photo via Twitter

Photo by Akira Kouchiyama

Springing into April: Return of the Pac Man and golf, golf, golf, and some hockey

Manny Pacquiao

Guan Tianlang

Jen Lee

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly

middle rounds, when Pacquiao pulled away from Bradley.

Pacquiao may not be the fighter he was at 30, but at 35, he still has much of the same qualities his fans love about him.

He takes the fight to his opponent, does not back down, and sticks to his game plan. Ultimately, it was Pacquiao’s quickness and his ability to defend against Bradley’s ongoing attempts to knock out Bradley that won the fight.

As a result, Pacquiao won the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title — the title he lost to Bradley in 2012. It was Bradley’s first loss in 31 professional fights. The only negative for Pacquiao was a cut over his left eye caused by an accidental head butt with 12 seconds left in the fight.

Pacquiao had to get 32 stitches after the fight.

Perhaps the most entertaining thing about the second fight between Pacquiao and Bradley was Pacquiao’s mother, Dionesia Dapridan-Pacquiao. With Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee back in the Philippines unable to travel since the two are expecting their fifth child, Pacquiao’s mother traveled to Las Vegas from the Philippines. She was seen

praying heavily with a rosary in hand, while pointing at the ring during the fight. She seemed to be beside herself, probably praying that her son would win, as well as not get hurt. It did appear odd on television, as though she was administering a spell on Bradley. After the fight, she did give Bradley a hug, so, apparently, no spell.

It may be that he is entering the last years of his career, but Pacquiao still has one of the most loyal fan bases in boxing. “I was surprised. I felt like I was in the Philippines,” Pacquiao told the media in regards to the reception he received in Las Vegas. It was the first time he had fought in the United States since being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012. The love for Pacquiao includes every detail of his life, including what he ate before his fight with Bradley — chicken kabobs, steak, chicken soup, steamed white rice, steamed asparagus, bananas, and hot water, according to a knowledgeable boxing journalist.

Welcome to another edition of the Layup Drill. This month, we take a look at the return of Manny Pacquiao to the ring and a look at golf happenings as spring comes into full bloom.

Pacquiao returns to ring with win

On April 12, Manny Pacquiao fought Timothy Bradley in a rematch of their much-disputed June 2012 fight, in which Bradley ended Pacquiao’s seven-year win streak.

The Filipino fighter lost his next bout also, when he was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez. Meanwhile, Bradley won two more fights and elevated his status as a premier boxer. Their paths met once again in what many Pacquiao fans hoped would be his redemption.

Pacquiao avenged his loss with an impressive unanimousdecision win over Bradley. The two fought evenly until the

{see SPORTS cont’d on page 15}

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asianweekly northwest

10

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

OPINION

■ editorial Washington needs a Court of multitudes A cursory investigation into the depth of color on the Washington State Supreme Court reveals very little pigment. From 1988 to 2003, there was Charles Z. Smith, son of an African American mother and Cuban father.

Currently seated on the Court is Justice Steven Gonzalez, who is of Mexican and Eastern European descent. That’s about it.

To the rescue, King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu has announced she wants the job when Gov. Inslee names a replacement for the retiring Justice James Johnson later this month. According to the Everett Herald, Judge Yu is one of 20 vying for the spot.

If Yu is chosen, she will be the third judge of color on the Court. Interestingly, all three are multiracial (Yu is Chinese and Mexican), which is an increasingly accurate reflection of the American populace.

When Yu, recipient of the 2014 Washington State Association for Justice “Judge of the Year” award, announced on Facebook her intention to apply for the seat, she got a fast 506 “likes.” This is a popular judge.

The type of diversity that a recent Seattle Times editorial promoted for the position needs to include choosing someone from Eastern Washington. But not Spokane, the

Mary Yu

Joyce Kennard

Paula Nakayama

Times added, because that’s Eastern Washington’s “most urban spot.” They want a justice who, like the retiring Judge Johnson, has “owned a water right,” possibly because of the growing number of water rights cases that end up in front of the Supreme Court. In other words, look backwards.

As the first Asian American on the Washington Supreme Court, Mary Yu would join the very short list of female Asian American judges to ever sit on our nation’s highest state courts.

There seems to have been about four: Tani CantilSakauye, a Filipino/Portuguese American on the California Supreme Court; Sabrina McKenna and Paula A. Nakayama, both of Japanese descent on the Hawaii State Supreme

Court; and Joyce Kennard, of Indonesian descent, on the California Supreme Court.

In that realm, Yu would inspire confidence in a Sabrina McKenna Tani Cantil-Sakauye legal system that too often makes people of color feel powerless, misunderstood, and unrepresented. This country has a long history of white males passing judgment on its fellow citizens. It’s time for the Court to contain the same multitudes as those who are now, and will more so in the future, be looking to it for their most important recourse: justice.

The Chinese first came to this country to build railroads in California in the 1840s, and came to Washington State in the 1860s. Asians were used as “coolie” labor, enduring much suffering and discrimination. Judge Yu’s appointment to the highest court in the state is an opportunity for Gov. Inslee to do the right thing. 

■ publisher’s blog

Green Village closed after family tragedies?

By John Liu Every Wednesday, I walked into Chinatown’s Green Village restaurant, not knowing that April 9 would be the last time I could pick up food from Wendy Lu, the owner. Green Village closed on April 10.

It has been my weekly routine for almost a year. Wendy was her usual chirpy self and greeted me in the same friendly mode, “How are you?” Green Village was one of the few restaurants that were cash only, so I always had $7.98 in exact change for the House Special Fried Rice and Hot and Sour Soup. “See you later!” Wendy would say as she handed over my fried rice and soup. She didn’t show any signs of emotions.

To tell you the truth, I have always been fonder of the soup than the fried rice. Don’t get me wrong, the fried rice is also good, but it’s the soup that all my friends talk about the most. It was just so savory and delicious.

Green Village makes it the way I like every time. There are only a few Chinatown restaurants that give you soup to go. One time they ran out of soup and I wanted to go somewhere else to eat. I figured that would be embarrassing, so I still got my usual fried rice order.

The next day, I was shocked to see my friend sharing a Facebook link that read, “Dumplings on a Seder Plate: The Closing of Green Village Restaurant.” I couldn’t believe it and thought it was a joke. But as I read the article, it became apparent it was not. I have to wonder why this sad news was mixed into an article about Passover.

Eventually it made sense. The Gastrognome blog was about journeys and it has been a tough one for Wendy. She explained the difficulty of juggling running a restaurant and taking care of her sick son several years ago. It was also difficult for her to face the tragic death of her mute father, Lu Chun-O, an artist, who was hit by a bus. The bus driver didn’t know that he was deaf, so he just kept honking at Chun-O to move. Chun-O didn’t because he couldn’t hear the sound. He died within a short period after the accident.

I’m grateful I was able to enjoy one last meal

Wendy Lu, center, with her parents (seated), brother and sisters, sister-in-law, and husband.

before it was closed. I still have my leftover fried rice sitting in the refrigerator. Should I finish it or take it to the Wing Luke Museum to display for a generation who will never get to experience Wendy’s House Special Fried Rice?

By Assunta Ng When Green Village Restaurant first opened in 1979, it was a small place on the second floor of an old building at 721 S. King St. What made us frequent the Green Village was not that it was the first Chinese restaurant serving Northern-style Chinese food among a sea of Chinatown’s Cantonese restaurants. It was that there were a couple of irresistible entrees. My favorite was the Siuchuan Bon Bon chicken. Its sauce was amazing. No other Chinese restaurant has been successful in creating Bon Bon sauce.

A fire struck the building. Green Village was relocated to Pioneer Square, then outside the city. It added another fast food restaurant on Sixth Avenue South, its

current location. Business boomed as soon as it opened. I was disappointed that Bon Bon chicken was never included in its fast food menu. Soon, there were dozens of restaurants opening in the area. Competition was intense, but Wendy’s personal touch and service were remarkable. She remembers all the customers by name and greets them with a smile. And she never forgets to say “thank you” to customers.

The family’s been through a lot of tragedies, including the death of Wendy’s son, a young nephew, and her father. Her parents were born deaf, but none of the six children had hearing disabilities. They communicate in sign language. Her father even founded a club for the deaf. A skilled artist and calligraphist, he painted all kinds of subjects with speed and precision.

Customers were surprised that Wendy hadn’t left a note at the door to explain her

restaurant’s closure. The lights were out when I walked by. The silence and emptiness inside the restaurant were hard for friends and customers to bear.

I was able to get hold of Wendy on April 16.

She was moved by all her fans’ support and calls. “I just need to rest for a long time,” she said. “The past few years, many things have happened, many tragic deaths in my family as well as my customers’. I can’t take it any more. I am overwhelmed. I just want to rest. I can’t do too much. I can’t say too much. I just don’t know right now what to say.”

Perhaps Wendy did write a note to her fans six years ago in the Asian Weekly, Dec. 2008, when the restaurant was closed for more than a year after her son’s death.

She wrote, “We didn’t really publicize or advertise the reopening because we have not recovered from our sadness and pain.

“However, we are beginning to slowly reawaken. It’s not because we have taken any special medicine, but because we have been touched by your warmth and concern.

“Our hearts are filled with mixed emotions.

Although our business was closed for one year, we found that we were not abandoned.

No words can describe our gratitude…No matter how many times we say thank you, we can’t really express the deep gratitude we feel in our heart.

“Green Village’s greatest achievement is having the honor of serving the Chinatown/ International District area for 30 years.

Wendy said there is a possibility that she might reopen the restaurant. “I owe responsibilities to my customers,” she said.

“I just can’t face my customers with a sad face.” Given what she had gone through, Wendy needs space and time to heal.

To Wendy and the Lu family: Thank you for running Green Village for over 30 years. We wish you the best and will always miss you. 

Want to get the inside scoop on the latest happenings of Seattle’s Asian American community? Follow Publisher Assunta Ng’s blog at nwasianweekly.com under the Opinion section.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

11

OPINION

■ commentary

The Sunf lower Movement: Taiwan students demonstrate for democracy, transparency

Photo courtesy of Hsinhui Kuo

By Han-Jung Ko

About 700 people demonstrated in support of the Sunflower Movement with sunflowers and posters in Paris, France.

■ letter

On April 10, the longest Parliament occupation protest in Taiwan’s history, the Sunflower Movement, came to a symbolic end. The protesters, mostly college students, occupied the Parliament since March 19.

They will shift their efforts to promoting a monitoring framework that will ensure an honest review of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) with the Chinese government, and ensure transparency in future cross-Strait trade negotiations for Taiwanese people. This young generation has proved to be a generation of hope for Taiwan’s democracy.

On March 18, 400 students occupied the Parliament of Taiwan, and over 10,000 people joined the protest peacefully within a few days. This protest has been referred to as the Sunflower Movement, in which the sunflower has become a symbol of the pursuit of true

democracy in Taiwan and transparency in its political arena. Sunflower Movement protesters are opposed to the CSSTA for the government’s under-the-table negotiations with the Chinese government since 2013.

Over the past six years, President Ma Ying-jeou has strengthened Taiwan’s economic ties with China.

With the stagnation in the Taiwanese economy and the outflow of younger generation workers to China, Taiwanese people are increasingly worried that too much economic dependency on China would eventually lead to China’s takeover of Taiwan, which is what the Chinese government has intended to do since 1949, after the conclusion of the Chinese civil war. This CSSTA may risk Taiwan’s national security by opening the Taiwanese printing, finance, telecom, {see SUNFLOWER MOVEMENT cont’d on page 14}

On Seattle’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour From: multicultural and minority small business owners of Seattle To: Mayor Ed Murray

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for sharing your time with us to evaluate and learn of our concerns, thoughts, and positions regarding the proposed $15 minimum wage and its affect on the immigrant community, minority groups, and small businesses working and living in Seattle. As a community, we have grappled with the proposed $15 minimum wage.

The topic of discussion varies. Will I lose my job? What measures can we take to sustain our business without cutting jobs? Whose hours are we going to cut? What positions can we do without? What is a fair compensation or pay raise for those who have been with us for many years and are now working at the same wage as new hires, if this passes?

Which sub-group will this policy help or make worse? Are there measures to protect both employers and employees should this policy fail? These questions have been at the forefront of our minds and our employees’ minds. We view this issue not only from a financial standpoint, but, more importantly, the affect it will have on the immigrant

community at large.

Like many small business owners faced with this possibility, the financial cost to our businesses will be staggering, considering our low profit margins and the proposed 40 percent increase in wages — without factoring payroll taxes and compensations. However, our main concern is that if this policy becomes effective, the people who will be hurt the most are those within minority and immigrant communities.

Large portions of our staffs are immigrant workers. These are people who come to this country with very little skill or English proficiency. They arrive at our various businesses seeking jobs because we provide a landing zone for them to get their foot in the door and learn valuable skills. Some have even gone on to open their own businesses. Long-time staff members are quick to take them under their wing, showing them bus routes and how to get to and from work, where to do their grocery shopping and find child care facilities, and explaining some of the available community services.

We are a collection of small businesses, but we are also a family of immigrants working to support one another. The argument with $15 Now has always been that the increased pay will reduce turnover, improve efficiency, and provide a better pool of skilled workers. We believe if passed, this may very well be true. As business owners, if faced with paying $15 per hour for an individual from a pool of better-skilled and more experienced workers — over an immigrant with little experience or training, who cannot speak English — that to maximize our bottom line, efficiency, and economy of scale we will opt to hire the more experienced individual. If “survival of the fittest” prevails with this minimum wage increase, where will the unhired go? Who will hire the unskilled workers, the non-English speakers, and the inexperienced employees who cannot operate machinery or handle menu tickets because they cannot read or write?

Many immigrants arrive in this country seeking the American Dream. Many of us have had to overcome adversity, hardship, and persecutions in order to arrive in the United States. As a result, an immigrant’s work ethic is very different and more family dependent when it comes to business ownership and employer/employee relations.

Immigrants work hard and depend on their kinsmen who have arrived before them for a chance at the same pie. The $15 minimum wage is going to cost jobs. Some people are going to get a raise and some people are going to lose their jobs completely or not get hired at all. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and one we would rather not see. To take jobs away from people who are just starting out, or to force small, family-owned businesses to close their doors because they cannot absorb the increase in wages, would be an irretrievable mistake.

The $15 Now debate routinely portrays business owners as greedy and selfish. It holds onto the idea that we do not want to provide a better life for our employees. This is far from the truth. As small business owners within the immigrant community, we act as the job, language, and social training centers for new immigrants. We are the first to step up to the plate to provide community service, fundraising, and support for all causes, small or large.

With little support from large financial institutions, we are the ones our employees turn to for a small loan or pay advancement in cases of emergencies, with no guarantee of return. The $15 Now campaign was born out of frustration for the McDonalds and Walmarts of the world. Being small business owners, we are not sitting on a mountain of profit.

We worry every day about cash flow. We forego our own pay to make payroll, and we mortgage our homes to finance our businesses and dreams.

We believe that everyone deserves a fair wage for their hard work and should get compensation based on skills and experience. 15 Now has opened the debate on income inequality, and we support the continuation of that debate in a manner that is responsible to both the employer and the employees. To speak of an accelerated increase in minimum wage, with no consideration for the following items as part of the pay increase, would be irresponsible. It would place the sole burden of a city’s societal responsibilities on the backs of small business owners.

Proposed solution that the multicultural and minority business owners would like included in the $15 minimum wage increase package: 1. Upon the ratification and mandate of the policy for wage increase, Seattle’s minimum wage increase should start at $10.35/hour, not the proposed $15/hour.

2. There should be a phase-in time from $10.35/hour to $15/hour. This phase-in time should be no less than 10 years. Incremental increases should be done on an annual {see MINIMUM WAGE cont’d on page 15}

asianweekly northwest

12

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

{OSO cont’d from page 1} from his buddy to fish for weeks. How a fly fishing connoisseur with such a rich passion and a loving family could suffer such a fate added to my awareness of life’s struggles.

During college, if I had a day in the week to fish, I drove 60 miles from Seattle to wade the famous pools called Cicero, Hazel, Chinook, The Run, Fortson, C-Post, and Deer Creek. Marty raised his family near the banks of the Stilly, which housed these pools. Marty was a retired veteran and when he wasn’t babysitting his three-yearold daughter, he would be in advance of me to our river.

My fishing religiously was done in part to the sacrifice of school grades, college parties, weekends, and to the chagrin of my Vietnamese parents, who thought I should study more to ensure a prestigious and financially stable future. Though my mom would gladly make Ca Canh Chua (a classic Vietnamese fish soup), or bake, poach, or fry my catch, she scorned that fishing was a waste of time. There were many days when she begrudged a kind of widow experience because my dad also fished a lot. Trolling for salmon in Elliott Bay and Shilshole Bay in Seattle was his passion.

I became accustomed to releasing fish in part to avoid detection from home. When I graduated from college, I felt as if I had also obtained an informal fly-fishing degree on the campus of Oso. Whenever I think of Marty, what I miss the most is his laughter and jokes. He made all the men along the pool roar in laughter with his satire about corrupt politicians, cigars, Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, and the poachers who thought they were so clever in cheating our river. It was by watching him and his seasoned peers along the banks of the North Fork Stillaguamish River that I grew in my own angling prowess.

I can recount fishing alongside as many as 14 old-timers in a windy stretch of the river.

Each practiced the etiquette of taking two steps down stream after several casts to give everyone the opportunity to fish the entire pool. The most productive and desired section of these pools were the tail ends, with large boulders the size of exercise balls, where the steelhead like to rest as they come up from the rapids. Anyone who was “tree stumping” (standing still in a pool) would get called out to move down. I was fortunate to have caught the tail end of that fraternity and what feels like a bygone era.

Many of those old-timers have dwindled like the wild steelhead in the river.

I came to the North Fork Stillaguamish River with a simple mind to catch an elusive steelhead on a fly rod. But I was trampling onto a place that has a storied history. The Stilly and its valley possessed a rich history long before it became the first river in America to be designated “fly fishing only” for steelhead during the warm months.

When the Northern Pacific Railroad branched from Arlington near I-5 to Darrington in 1901, it established small timber towns and communities. The town of Oso is almost a midpoint between the two towns. The railroad opened up the timber industry. To this day, the major industry for the region is still timber. There is a tributary on the North Fork Stillaguamish called Deer Creek that flows through Oso. Deer Creek is a fabled steelhead creek that is only opened for fishing at its mouth, which joins the North Fork Stillaguamish near the Oso Fire Station. The small creek once boasted the largest run of wild steelhead in western United States, but now its story is an environmental lesson.

Many legendary and pioneering fly fishers, such as Zane Grey and Roderick Haig-Brown, fished the river in the early 1900s. Other famous fly-fishing anglers — Walt Johnson, Enos Bradner, and Bill McMillan — helped grow the fishing legacy of the Stilly. Mike Kenny, Dennis Dickson, Paul Rosanno, Keith Cirillo, Russ Miller,

and so many more contemporary anglers are helping to keep the fishing heritage alive. Unfortunately, the clear-cutting in the mountains of Oso in the 1940s and 1950s through the present day has turned the once pristine Dear Creek to silt and mud from soil erosion. This resulted from the abhorrent, large, quilted patches of cut trees above the hills and Cascade Mountains, where there was once old growth forest. You can see why people have blamed the clear-cutting for the demise of salmon and steelhead in Dear Creek. But it is difficult for me to point fingers when I own a cutting board, a dining table, and a side console that I made from wood that was processed in Oso. The first time I met Marty, he walked into a pool on the Stillaguamish to look for steelhead. It was the summer before I entered college — July 1994 to be exact. I happened to be fishing there under the hot sun during a low river flow. Many steelhead fishermen are put off by the low water because they know the steelhead show up with the freshets of rain. While Marty was standing on the high bank, I surprised both of us by hooking and eventually landing a beautiful summer steelhead hen. That was the first steelhead he saw caught that summer.

Marty was a Vietnam War vet. When he

returned from war, he decided to leave his home state of Florida. He told his family that he was never coming back to Florida, and he didn’t. He had fallen in love with the Northwest greenery and the steelhead fishing while stationed in Washington. He met and married Susan, a member of the Stillaguamish Tribe. I remember Susan walking through the trails in search of Marty on several occasions to remind him of more pressing matters to attend to.

While fishing with Marty, our conversations didn’t delve into the war much.

I was conceived the year the Vietnam War ended and my family escaped Communistcontrolled Vietnam when I was 5. Yet our war connection was always in the back of my mind, due to its irony. My family’s refugee experience was the impetus for me to study political science and international relations, to help me make sense of history, and show me how to contribute to America and carve my dreams. I valued Marty’s service in defending my birthplace. Now we were fishing together as true-and-true Americans.

He affectionately referred to me as “ the otter” to his friends and fellow anglers because he said I could always locate fish.

One memorable day as the river glistened, a fanning breeze blew, the fish gods brought

steelhead to our pool, and Marty looked up to the sky as you would do marveling the Sistine Chapel and said, “Isn’t this gorgeous? This is how I would want to go.”

The following March, Marty got his wish.

But for his family, his community, and me, it came too soon.

For the past 20 years, I’ve continued to fish the North Fork Stillaguamish from June through November for the fly-fishing season, as Marty and his friends would have.

It’s been 17 years since Marty died.

And in the afternoon of Saturday, March 22, I received another call near Oso. I was entrenched in replacing the window to my 111-year-old home. It had been a long winter, and record-breaking cold and rain this winter persuaded me to make the improvements. At 3:45 p.m., I received a call from my friend Russell, who lives with his family a few miles east of Oso, along Stillaguamish. Russell said, “Did you hear the news? It’s really bad up here…the mudslide…we are stranded and the highway is buried…keep your prayers for us.”  Next week: My time in Oso, part 2.

Thao Tran can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

13

For the week of April 19–April 25, 2014

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — By regularly putting a little aside for a rainy day, you will have the resources you need to weather a storm.

Dragon — An important project is going to take much of your time in a few days. Be ready to hit the ground running by getting plenty of rest beforehand.

Monkey — You are eager to get started down a new path. Wait until you receive all the instructions you have been waiting for.

Ox — Bring down the stress level a few notches by giving yourself the time you need to cool off before you react.

Snake — If you need to tell someone how to do something, try to make it as simple as possible. Too many steps could complicate matters.

Rooster — Did you walk in on an awkward situation?

While you would prefer to leave, keep a low profile if you are required to stay.

Tiger — Who needs to go out to have a good time?

A quiet evening with someone special may be more your speed.

Horse — A new idea has really taken a hold of you.

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, so avoid doing anything too rash.

Dog — Even though you think you know what is going on, remember that there are two sides to every story.

Rabbit — Running low on storage space? Go through some of your old things that you have not used in a while and ask yourself if you really need it anymore.

Goat — Are you having trouble sorting out all the details? One way to get things in order may be to write them down.

Pig — A trickle can turn into a torrent if you are not careful. It will be much easier to deal with the issue if you address it early on.

What’s your animal sign?

Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

{YU cont’d from page 1}

County Prosecutor’s Office and worked her way through the ranks to become the deputy chief of staff to then King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng in 1999. She became known as one of the most influential attorneys at the Prosecutor’s Office. In 2000, Washington Gov. Gary Locke appointed Judge Yu to be a King County Superior Court Judge.

This is not the first time that Judge Yu has been considered to serve on the state Supreme Court. In 2007, she was one of the names thought to fill the vacancy of retiring Justice Bobby Bridge. She hopes that this year she will be appointed.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of appointment and election to the Washington Supreme Court than Judge Yu,” said fellow King County Superior Court Judge Dean S. Lum. “Gov. Inslee has an opportunity to make history for not only the fast-growing API community, but all Washingtonians.”

“She is a community leader that is active and engaged,” said former City of Seattle Councilwoman Martha Choe.

“She is highly regarded by the attorneys in her courtroom, as well as her peers. She is also highly rated by bar associations and kept in high regard by the Washington State Bar Association.”

“I have applied for the Supreme Court position because as a trial court judge with 14 years of experience, I think I can make a positive contribution to the Court and its decision-making process,” said Judge Yu in an e-mail to the Northwest Asian Weekly. “I understand the need for clarity, consistency, and thoughtful application of the law from our highest appellate court.” 年起服務西北岸社區 Judge Yu touts her record of presiding over hundreds of civil and criminal trials, 非營利獨立協會 as well as being involved with issues involving the administration of justice.

She is perennially one of the top judges on the bench in King County. In 2011, she received the “Outstanding Judge of the Year” from the Washington State Bar Association. The award is presented for outstanding service to the bench and for special contribution to the legal profession.

“I will bring a trial court perspective and my many years of experience of 地下室applying •骨灰靈位 the rule of law at the local level,” she said.

“I will approach cases with an 、紀念碑 •土葬福地 eye towards rendering decisions that can be understood, so that the rule of law can be easily applied at the trial court level.” h Ave East (North YuCapitol seesHill) issues on the horizon Judge

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that may affect the Asian Pacific Islander community. “The Court will continue to face the challenges involved with adequate court funding and providing meaningful access to all people. The challenge of providing services that facilitates access, such as interpreters or resources for those who cannot afford to hire an attorney, are issues that should be of interest to the API community.”

Judge Yu is also known for being the first official to legally marry a samesex couple in the state of Washington.

“Once the right to marry became legal in Washington state for all couples, I felt no one should have to wait a minute longer and so I made myself available to anyone who wanted to get married,” recalled Judge Yu. “We were surprised at the enthusiasm and presided over marriages throughout the night. It was a very exciting moment for the couples.”

When Judge Yu is not on the bench, she enjoys reading, running, eating good food, and walking her neighbor’s dog.

Judge Yu has a very active and informative Facebook page.  Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

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{HWANG cont’d from page 1} Hwang, who might be the state’s only Asian American police chief, is setting a vision and working on budgets and projects for the Federal Way Police Department (FWPD).

He took over these responsibilities as interim FWPD police chief in January. Last month, the Federal Way City Council approved him as permanent police chief.

“Andy has proven to be an outstanding leader for Federal Way’s police department,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell in a March 11 statement. “Andy is a person of exceptional character and integrity, and has demonstrated his commitment to community service and public safety throughout his career.”

Hwang, 48, credits others and hard work over a 26-year law enforcement career for his current position. “I don’t feel like I did it alone,” he said. “I had help. I feel very blessed to be given this opportunity.”

Hwang said his goal is to serve the people he works with by providing the necessary resources for the department’s 126 officers, which include those of Korean, Chinese, and Filipino descent. The agency also has 29 civilian staff members, for a total of 155 employees, and serves about 90,000 city residents.

Hwang’s family moved from Seoul to the Lacey-Olympia area in the 1970s, when he was 7. His parents have been a major influence in his life, instilling the values of hard work, education, and helping others.

In high school, he was selected to be the co-captain of his varsity baseball team.

The father of one of his teammates was an Olympia police officer. Hwang was able to meet the Olympia police chief and follow his passion to be a police officer.

He joined the police explorer program run by the Thurston County Sheriff’s department. “The more I got into it, the more I learned about the career in law

enforcement, the more I wanted to pursue it and become a police officer. I feel like I’m totally just living the dream,” Hwang said.

At St. Martin’s University, Hwang spent his time either studying or volunteering at the Olympia Police Department.

“Not too long after I was in college, I got hired by the Olympia Police Department as a police cadet,” Hwang said. “I got to a point where I was basically driving the car, doing all the paperwork. I started testing to become a police officer when I was 21.”

He was soon offered a different job at the Olympia Police Department. “I actually started on my 22nd birthday as a police officer,” he said.

“When I got into police work, it was the most money that our family or any individual had made. That was the springboard of beginning to live the American Dream because they (his parents) really came here to see their kids do well.”

In 1994, Hwang received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He earned his master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix in 2001. He became a supervisor of the newly formed FWPD in 1996. From that point on, he worked his way up, earning promotions. Later, he accepted the job of FWPD deputy chief from former police Chief Brian Wilson.

On Jan. 15, Hwang became FWPD’s interim police chief.

“I knew I took the right path,” Hwang said. “I enjoy what I’m doing. I love serving the citizens and making a difference to make our community safe. I really feel it’s a noble profession.”  For more information about the Federal Way Police Department, go to cityoffederalway. com/police.

James Tabafunda can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

14

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

{CAMBODIA cont’d from page 4} hitched to motorbikes. They’re the most beautifully designed (rigid, classic) and fun-to-ride vehicles that I’ve seen so far in

Asia, and that includes taxis and rickshaws, cyclos and minivans, buses that work and ones that break down every couple of hours, too, in Vietnam and Laos, Thailand, India, and Nepal.

{SUNFLOWER MOVEMENT cont’d from page 11} and various commodity industries to the Chinese. Public hearings were held within three days in early March, but the Ma administration did not sufficiently address the doubts and disagreements from the grass-root and civic groups. No effective contingency plans were clearly proposed for its potential impacts on the working class, small businesses, and overall Taiwanese society. The last straw was on March 18, when the Agreement was rushed to pass within 30 seconds by a legislator during the review meeting, without any deliberative review or the required due process as President Ma promised to the people.

The protesters have insisted on four appeals to the

“Tuk-tuk?” the Phnom Penh drivers ask us, in earnest.

But we live just down the street. A gentle shaking of the head and the drivers are on their way.

government: withdraw the current CSSTA; establish a formal monitoring mechanism for all future agreements with the Chinese government; revisit the CSSTA until the proper monitoring mechanism is established; and form a citizen constitutional congress for full participation of the public. The occupation demonstrated the people’s desire for democracy and their determination to remain a free society.

Even though some have characterized the Sunflower Movement’s occupation of the Parliament as illegal, many believed it has revealed the illegal legislative process regarding the CSSTA, and highlighted the public frustration with President Ma’s inept administration. It has also exposed the totalitarian problem in the administration as Ma has completely controlled the legislative, executive, and judiciary

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branches of the government, without appropriate balance of power as the Constitution clearly stipulates. When the protesters attempted to expand their activity to the Executive Yuan, Ma sent 1,500 policemen to forcibly expel the protesters. The police used water cannons, batons and shields to beat unarmed protesters and journalists. On April 1, China’s gangster proxy group went to the Parliament to intimidate the protesters without being arrested by the police. The Ma administration is allegedly threatening to arrest student protesters after the occupation. If it does, it will remind people of the unlawful political suppression during the martial law era (1949-1987).

The Sunflower Movement demonstrates that young Taiwanese care about cross-Strait politics and the future of their country. It demonstrates that young Taiwanese can enact their civic responsibility peacefully. Young Taiwanese have galvanized Taiwanese society and unified generations to strategically safeguard its hard-earned democracy. It is not merely a student social movement. It has evolved into a movement of all the people.

The Sunflower Movement has inspired those who support democracy around the world. On March 30, across 45 cities in 17 nations, people gathered in support of the Sunflower Movement’s demonstration in front of the Presidential Office Building, where over 350,000 people gathered to demand a formal response to the protesters’ requests from President Ma. The movement has gained much support from socialmovement veterans overseas, including Wang Dan, leader of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 in Beijing.

Today, the protesters left the Parliament with three missions: monitoring the legislative process towards a formal and transparent mechanism for future cross-Strait agreements, reviewing the CSSTA item by item, and promoting the civic constitutional convention. This is just the beginning of the democratic transformation in Taiwan. The protesters and many grass-roots civic groups are committed to fight for Taiwan’s democracy, with the Taiwanese people behind them.  Han-Jung Ko, M.S., is a doctoral student at the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Oregon State University. She currently resides in Seattle.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

{SPORTS cont’d from page 9} It is reported that Pacquiao is expected to receive $20 million for this fight, while Bradley will make $6 million. However, the IRS may step in and retrieve some of the earnings from Pacquiao — there are rumors that he owes a heavy tax debt to the IRS. You may recall that in his last fight in November, the Filipino tax authority froze Pacquiao’s funds due to an investigation that he may have owed as much as $50 million in unpaid taxes.

Tiger withdraws from The Masters

Tiger Woods announced on April 1 that due to a pinched nerve that required back surgery, he would not play in the Masters golf tournament in Augusta this month. Woods’ withdrawal came as a shock to some since it’s the biggest annual tournament in golf.

The decision to forego the Masters shows how hurt Woods must be. He hasn’t won a major tournament since 2008. Woods, 38, has had nagging injuries, including knee problems and now his back. The question is whether Woods can recover to compete at a high level again. He started out as a young phenom who was certain to surpass the record for total number of major victories by a golfer. However, physical issues and well-documented personal issues have kept Woods from winning another major in years.

The Masters is going on without Woods, but television viewers are not tuning in.

Ratings have fallen dramatically for The Masters, which started April 9. Despite not being close to winning a title in recent memory, Woods is still a recognizable figure that people tune in to watch. Since he is not there, many are not tuning in.

Whatever happened to Guan Tianlang?

You may recall last year when we wrote about a 14-year-old Chinese golfer who became the youngest to play in the Masters.

He proceeded to make “the cut” (scoring

well enough to play the last two days of the tournament) in what was one of the most memorable weekends for a young golfer.

This year, he did not qualify and was at home in China watching the tournament.

Guan is still committed to the game, having traveled to Florida to work on his swing and putting. He continues to play in tournaments and hopes to return to Augusta. Hopefully, we will see him sooner than later.

Kim and Yang look to help UW women’s golf team

On the golf scene locally, the University of Washington women’s golf team is looking strong. SooBin Kim is a golfer on the rise.

The South Korean junior was named a Women’s Golf Coaches Association Second Team All-American and the first UW golfer since 2006 to earn First Team All-Pac 12.

In addition, fellow South Korean teammate Jennifer Yang should help the Huskies this year. She is a junior with four top-10 finishes, which is solid. Both Kim and Yang went to the same secondary school in British Columbia before attending the University of Washington. It must have been a real good golf team.

Kim and Yang should help the top 10 ranked Husky women this season.

Lee helps the U.S. win gold

Before we leave winter altogether, the U.S. Men’s Paralympic Hockey team won the gold medal in Sochi, Russia. The Paralympics, which were held in March after the Winter Olympics, featured many of the world’s greatest paraplegic athletes.

One of the best performances from the United States came from the USA Hockey team, when it defeated Russia to win the gold medal. Jen Lee was the goalie for Team USA. Lee became the first active-duty soldier selected for the team. Lee currently serves in the U.S. Army.  Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

15

APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014

{MINIMUM WAGE cont’d from page 11} basis.

3. Total compensation should be considered, including tip wages, health benefits, vacation pay, employee discounts and meals, and job and skills training.

4. A waiting period of 3-6 months for entry-level positions, during which an employee is paid the State of Washington mandated minimum wage of $9.32/ hour. Upon completion of the training and waiting period, and upon a mutual employment agreement, the employee’s wages would be raised to current City of Seattle mandated minimum wage.

5. A B&O tax credit for small businesses with 75 employees or less.

6. After three years of the mandate, and every two years thereafter, the City of Seattle will conduct an economic study to show the effect and result of the policy on the following key indicators, among others. If the results show conclusive adverse effects on the city’s economy, employment rate, and social services, then the city’s minimum wage increase law will cease. a. Closure rate of Seattle-owned businesses b. Inflation within Seattle c. Housing market, specifically in lowincome areas, to see if increase in wages directly correlates to higher ownership of homes, increase in housing rentals, and sales d. Increase in employment or unemployment rate e. Effect on the immigrant community, specifically the rate of business closure, poverty rate, immigrant employment/

unemployment, immigrant increase/ decrease in dependency on social services such as Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, childcare subsidies, and utility subsidies Mr. Mayor, like you, we are frustrated with big businesses for staying mum and not stepping up to the plate to address income inequality. However, your fight should not be with us. Today, there are more registered minority businesses in Seattle than any other type. We make up a giant portion of Seattle’s economy. This policy will have a ripple effect going forth, not only on the multicultural communities, but on Seattle’s economic future. Thus, we implore you to look beyond the statistical numbers and data, and look at the human impact this policy will have on Seattle’s immigrant community. We feel that the data and research presented by the advisory board have not fully addressed this significant and important population that is a major part of Seattle’s vibrancy and diversity.

Thank you.  Sincerely, Taylor Hoang Thoa Nguyen Yen Lam Lawrence Pang Hector Pang Tam Nguyen David Luo Joanna Chong Jasmin Mac Louis Rodriguez Susanna Tran Hien Tran Lee Ching Tran

Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly?

We want to know about it. Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.c om.

{YEE cont’d from page 5}

{$15/HOUR cont’d from page 1}

also allegedly sold purportedly stolen alcohol and cigarettes to Chow’s associates at cut-rate prices. The FBI alleges that Chow received payments from the undercover agents for allegedly facilitating the deals.

But Serra says the investigation appeared to be limping along until Yee’s aide Keith Jackson three years ago began allegedly soliciting bribes for the San Francisco Democrat, even though his client is recorded accepting from undercover agents envelopes stuffed with thousands of dollars of cash on at least eight occasions.

“There is no law against accepting gratuities,” Serra said.

Serra said that “undercover agents sought to induce him, sought to involve him in ... criminal activity” for years, but that Chow wasn’t charged until Yee became a target.

“Then they got their celebrity defendant,” Serra said.

Yee is charged with soliciting bribes and conspiracy to connect an undercover FBI agent with an international arms dealer in exchange for contributions to his campaign for California secretary of state. Yee has pleaded not guilty and has dropped out of the secretary of state’s race.

Serra said Chow dedicated his life to helping the Chinese community in San Francisco after he was released from prison in 2003.

“He has committed himself to the youth of this community,” said Eli Crawford, who spoke at the news conference and said he was an ex-convict who is good friends with Chow.

Chow was sentenced to 24 years in prison for racketeering in 2000, but was released early for cooperating in the investigation and conviction of Peter Chong, a reputed Asian gang figure. 

said I-Miun Liu, owner of the Eastern Cafe. “I want income inequality to be fixed, and I want them to make more money if possible.” Liu was concerned that all businesses are being grouped together. “A restaurant is just a different animal. A cup of coffee I sell for $3, I don’t make $3 on that,” he said.

Mayor Murray described the work of his Income Inequality Advisory Committee, which comprises business owners, labor leaders, and nonprofits. It will report its findings on April 24.

“What I see around that table are people who are understanding each other,” he said. “What happens, regrettably, is the media likes to take the one group, 15 Now, and play them against businesses. I think the people in the room, whether they’re business or employee groups, understand that it’s a far more complex issue.

“There’s nobody evil in the room,” he added.

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate to the ground floor,” said Empire Espresso owner Tino Banacias. “Whether you have harmonious communication in a meeting of a group of chosen leaders regarding these topics, it’s playing out differently for us.”

Tomoko Matsuno, CEO of Uwajimaya, said she is not an advocate of the $15/hour wage, but has been impressed with the way the Advisory Committee is accounting for all points of view. “They have a whole alphabet soup of things they’re trying to mix and present to the mayor, and one of them — believe it or not — is the phase-in.

It’s not $15 tomorrow.” Matsuno said people in the community are not getting that message.

The group 15 Now filed an amendment on April 14 to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015. “If the city council does not pass a strong ordinance that covers all workers without needless delays or loopholes, we can put it to the people of Seattle to vote to end poverty wages,” states the 15 Now website.

A major bone of contention is over the inclusion of tips and health benefits in the higher wage.

Taylor Hoang, owner of Pho Cyclo Cafe, said the immigrant community hasn’t been well represented on the committee. “They come here with very little skills, very little experience, they barely speak English,” she said. “If we are presented with this legislation... we will have a better pool of skilled employees from which to hire.

If that’s the case, I will forego hiring someone that barely speaks English. I will choose to hire someone that is much more highly skilled and has a lot of experience. What happens to the immigrant community that is left behind?”

Hoang also worried that with higher wages, some may no longer

qualify for subsidized housing, Medicare, food stamps, subsidized child care, and discounted utilities — things that provide a safety net for those who endure fluctuating work hours. Without that safety net, she said, “They will choose to either work part-time, or they will choose not to work at all.”

Hoang said she is for income equality, and wants her employees to be able to support themselves. “But at the same time, my mother, at 60 years old, who owns the restaurant down the street, is still working seven days a week, 14 hours a day, for the last 30-some years.” If $15/hour passes, said Hoang, her mother will have to let one or two of her employees go, and work even harder.

“In my heart, I agree with the $15/hour thing,” said another coffee shop owner. “It’s hard balancing what you feel is right with reality.

If I have to pay [my employees] $15 an hour, I’m going to be poor for the rest of my life.”

“Speaking on behalf of my employees, they’re really happy with what they’re getting paid,” said Jasmine Mac of the New Hong Kong restaurant, “If $15 goes up, I’m going to shut the door. Give us time.

Please don’t shut us down.”

“Although I support a wage increase, I don’t see it being at the $15/hour,” said Nikita Mathis, owner of Platinum Plush Fashions, “especially for businesses such as myself, who hire entry-level youth.” Mathis said she pays her three employees $10 to $10.50 an hour. “I believe the $15 will be crippling to small businesses.”

She suggested the legislation target large companies that generate a certain amount of revenue each month, and have them pay their employees more.

Many felt that the $15/hour would drive small businesses away, and Seattle would ultimately lose its charm. “I truly don’t think raising the minimum wage is the answer,” said Yen Lam-Steward of Lam’s Seafood. “We’re going to change the dynamic of Seattle because of this unfair mandate.”

Murray acknowledged the importance of immigrant businesses in Seattle. “We are trying to reach a solution, so we don’t have to go to ballot,” he said.

“We get the work you do,” he added. “And I am hearing this.”

Also in attendance was Maggie Thompson, community affairs manager in the Office of the Mayor; Aaliyah Gupta, acting director of the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs; Steve Johnson, director of the Office of Economic Development; and Lance Randall, business relations manager in the Office of Economic Development.  Sue Misao can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

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APRIL 19 – APRIL 25, 2014