PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 35 NO 44
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
FREE
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Jayapal and Walkinshaw: Progressive Democrats battle for a seat in Congress
NO LONGER A MAJORITY WHITE CITY Two-thirds of Bellevue’s population comes from Asia. More steps to come as the city beefs up its connection with its diverse community. » see 4
ASIAN SECRET SAUCE Brady Walkinshaw
By Arlene Kiyomi Dennistoun NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The race for the 7th congressional seat pitting Brady Walkinshaw against Pramila Jayapal is heating up, as the general election on Nov. 8 inches closer. As dirty, mudslinging political battles go, this race is pretty tame.
Pramila Jayapal
Walkinshaw continues to point out that Jayapal doesn’t live in the 7th district, most of her campaign funds come from outside of Washington, and she was busy fundraising in New York during the state senate’s vote on the budget this session. Jayapal said Walkinshaw couldn’t even get his district to endorse him nor win in his district during the primaries.
The Northwest Asian Weekly spoke to both candidates recently. Aside from their gender and age difference (Walkinshaw is about 20 years younger), a noticeable difference is their approach to getting the job done. Jayapal talks about building movements, and Walkinshaw
Hundreds of S. Koreans to sue Samsung on Galaxy Note 7 recall
By Youkyung Lee AP TECHNOLOGY WRITER SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Hundreds of South Korean Galaxy Note 7 smartphone owners were preparing to file a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics over the fire-prone device. Attorney Peter Young-Yeel Ko, head of the Harvest Law Firm said on Oct. 24 that 527
The man who wants to be WA’s Lt. Governor ■
consumers want Samsung to compensate them for the costs to visit shops to exchange their phones, for the hours they had to wait while transferring data and for psychological harm from using a hazardous product. His clients include a consumer who claims to have lost thousands of pictures from a family vacation see SAMSUNG on 12
see CONGRESS on 16
Once homeless, now a millionaire, real estate agent Thach Nguyen reveals his recipe for success. » see 5
GOT FISH BONES? Forget botox and expensive creams. Publisher Ng shares how she keeps up her good skin. » see 10
EDUCATOR vs. LAWMAKER The hotly contested race for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Erin Jones
Rep. Chris Reykdal
By Arlene Kiyomi Dennistoun NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
experience as an educator and an administrator. Rep. Chris Reykdal brings 13 years of experience in budget and public administration, including five years as a lawmaker. The superintendent race is important because the choice impacts everyone in the state with a
Voters in the Nov. 8 election must choose between two highly qualified candidates for the state’s top educator — Superintendent of Public Instruction. Erin Jones brings the weight of 25 years’ By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “In terms of having had cancer, that really — it gives you a sense of, ‘Look, I fought cancer before I was even a 1-year-old, as a newborn, and [I fought it] again later as a kid.’ That gives you a sense of —
see SUPERINTENDENT on 15 you never know what life is going to bring. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow.” Cyrus Habib, 35, a member of the Washington state Senate and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Washington, is a three-time cancer survivor. First see HABIB on 14
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34 YEARS
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS
Lloyd Hara with wife, Liz Anderson.
The Northwest Asian Weekly presented a $2,000 check to Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos on Oct. 17. The money came from sponsors of the Sept. 3–9 issue “Remembering Bob Santos,” including ACRS, CISC, InterIm, and the Port of Seattle in a later issue. Tomiko Santos designated the money to InterIm, which bore the cost of her late husband’s Sept. 23 me- John Liu and Rep. Sharon Tomiko morial at the WAMU Santos. Theater at CenturyLink Field. Uncle Bob Santos passed away on Aug. 27.
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class
Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW
The Hon. Lloyd Hara and Rep. Jim McDermott were honored at the University of Washington (UW) Multicultural Alumni Partnership’s (MAP) Bridging the Gap Breakfast on Oct. 22. McDermott received the 2016 MAP Samuel E. Kelly Award for his work in supporting vulnerable populations. Hara was given the 2016 MAP Distinguished Alumni Award.
Check to Santos
Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW
22nd annual MAP Bridging the Gap Breakfast
Petty Officer 2nd Class (AW) Jimmy Louangsyyotha uses a feeler gauge to measure disc-break clearance on the landing gear of an F/A-18F Super Hornet.
defend our country and we’re proud of it. Defending our country is our number one priority.”
API candidate forum
UW President Ana Mari Cauce (4th from left) with scholarship recipients.
Also honored were 2016 MAP Scholarship Award recipients Alina Brynza, Cesar Garcia, Royce Le, Adriana Perrusquia, Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation Scholarship recipient Ilse Pamela Diaz Medrano, Alfredo Arreguin Scholarship recipient Regina Harper, and Owen G. Lee Scholarship recipient Daniele Menez. The scholarships are awarded to a multicultural group of economically disadvantaged UW students.
Seattle native serving near Korea
Petty Officer 2nd Class (AW) Jimmy Louangsyyotha, from Seattle, is serving on the aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, near the Korean Peninsula. The Renton High School grad, who is Laotian, is a member of the “Diamondbacks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 for the U.S. Navy. Louangsyyotha said, “We work hard to
Photo by John Liu/NWAW
Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW
Return your ballot to a ballot drop-off outside Uwajimaya, no stamp required. Your ballot must be returned to a ballot drop-off location by 8 p.m. Nov. 8. Plan ahead to avoid lines.
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
Chinatown ballot drop-off
From left: State Sen. Bob Hasegawa, Rep. Adam Smith, Diane Narasaki, and Rick Politan.
On Oct. 13, several Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations co-hosted a King County API Candidate and Initiatives Forum. Approximately 80 people attended. The goal of the forum was to provide an educational opportunity for candidates and initiatives to interact directly with AAPI community members. Candidates answered questions about how they will serve our community on issues of importance to AAPIs.
YOUR VOICE
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
34 YEARS
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Bellevue hits diversity milestone For the first time, Bellevue’s population is evenly split between nonHispanic whites and people of a minority race or ethnicity, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. “It’s not the same Bellevue it was a few years ago,” Mayor John Stokes said. “We really are a global city now.” The Census Bureau released data in September from its 2015 American Community Survey (ACS), which shows that about 39 percent of Bellevue’s population were foreign-born, two-thirds of them from Asia. Over a third of Bellevue’s population was Asian as of last year. Other estimates from the ACS include: • About 86 percent of Bellevue’s foreign-born population speak a language other than English at home, compared to 13 percent of Bellevue’s native-born population. • The foreign-born population has an average household size of 2.72
versus 2.46 for Bellevue’s native-born population; and • Despite having larger households, Bellevue’s Asian population is more likely to live in multifamily housing – 59 percent versus 40 percent for the non-Hispanic white population. “Cultural diversity broadens our possibilities for shared learning, strengthening Bellevue’s place as a hub of knowledge and innovation in all areas, including technology, arts, and business,” said City Manager Brad Miyake. “This ongoing growth of individuals from all backgrounds speaks to Bellevue’s desirability as a community people want to live and work in.” Since 2000, Bellevue’s foreign-born population has accounted for about 93 percent of the city’s population growth. Other drivers of the growth include a thriving employment market and the city’s reputation for good schools, parks, and safe neighborhoods.
Nurse who survived Ebola settles with Texas hospital system By Jamie Stengle ASSOCIATED PRESS DALLAS (AP) — A nurse who contracted Ebola two years ago while caring for the first person to be diagnosed in the U.S. with the deadly disease has settled a lawsuit against the parent company of the Dallas hospital where she worked. Attorneys for Nina Pham announced the settlement on Oct. 24 with Texas Health Resources. But they and the company said Nina Pham
in a joint statement that terms will not be disclosed. Pham contracted Ebola in 2014 while caring for Thomas Eric Duncan at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Duncan was visiting Texas from Liberia and died days after arriving in Dallas. Pham and another nurse who contracted Ebola survived. Pham said in her lawsuit that the hospital was unprepared to treat Ebola cases. She also said she worried about her long-term health.
Judge dismisses claims in Seattle duck boat crash
SEATTLE (AP) — A federal judge in Seattle has dismissed claims by the parents of a student killed in a duck boat crash. The Seattle Times reports U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly issued the ruling on the complaint filed by Kim Soon Wan and Jeong Ju Hee of South Korea. Their child, Kim Ha Ram, died at age 20 in the Sept. 24 crash in Seattle. They argued that part of the law written in 1909 — which allows parents to bring forward such claims only if they were in the U.S. at the time of the death — violates sections of the 14th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, as well as Washington’s Constitution and anti-discrimination law. The language in the law also says parents may bring such claims only if they can prove dependency on the child for support. The judge says the family did not plead financial dependence. Only state lawmakers can change the law’s language.
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
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“Vietnamese proverb” guides former refugee to millions By Stephanie Owens SPECIAL TO THE NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Thach Nguyen has come a long way since arriving in America at age 4 with his parents, four brothers, and sister in 1975. Focus, drive, determination, and great mentors paved the way for him to go from a refugee to a multi-millionaire and CEO of Thach Real Estate Group. Yet Nguyen attributes his rags to riches story to a unique brand of contribution and what he affectionately calls his Vietnamese Proverb for success — “phuk hau.” This tongue-in-cheek phrase captures the essence of a philosophy that keeps Nguyen dreaming big. He cautions about traditional methods. “We’re trained to create success by setting goals and figuring out a plan to achieve them. I’m all for setting goals, big goals even, but it’s often figuring out ‘how’ that creates a stumbling block,” Nguyen said. “When reaching outside their comfort zone, dreaming big or trying to get to the next level, most people get stuck on the unhelpful questions about ‘how’ it will happen that make them question themselves and doubt what’s possible. That’s why people stop short, settle for less, or give up because of worry and doubt about how they will get there or fear they’ll fail.”
Thach Nguyen
Nguyen encourages people to forget the “how” questions and put attention elsewhere. “The ‘how’ isn’t your job anyway,” Nguyen counsels. “Your job is to declare out loud what you want without the need to have all the answers or every detail mapped out for “how” you’ll get there. That’s where the fear, worry, and doubt come up. But when you release the need to have it all figured out, you’re in a better
state of mind to notice ideal resources, great opportunities, and inspired action steps that will show up with perfect timing when you need them. Usually, it works out way better than I could have ever planned it.” In fact, that is how “phuk hau” came to be. Several years ago, Nguyen was talking with a friend about the powerful approach he was using to create amazing results. As he excitedly told his friend to just “forget the how,” the words were jumbled, causing his friend to hear something different. The Vietnamese proverb “phuk hau” was born. Nguyen admits mastering a “phuk hau” lifestyle is a work in progress. “Of course I get caught up in the ‘how’ sometimes, especially when I get frustrated. But remembering ‘phuk hau’ helps me to let go of trying to control it all, so I don’t get snagged by my fears and frustrations. Then my better impulses prevail.” Ultimately, this philosophy spurs Thach to continually dream big. “I’ve experienced amazing results again and again from applying this philosophy. That evidence makes me feel inspired and excited about reaching for big goals and dreams because I know I don’t have to have it all figured out in order to accomplish the goal. I just stay focused on WHERE I want to go and WHO I need to be, then keep stepping in the direction of my dreams. The
‘how’ has a way of working out along the way,” Nguyen said. Nguyen loves to inspire others to dream big, too. “Dreaming big to me, means striving for anything that is outside what’s normal or comfortable,” he says. “So no matter what you’re reaching for — improved relationships, better health and fitness, more money, or greater happiness and peace of mind — the ‘phuk hau’ mantra will serve you.” Thach’s “Phuk Hau” journey from homeless refugee to multi-millionaire taught him that financial success alone is not enough to create satisfaction and joy. He is committed to inspire and empower billions of people to reach for their dreams by sharing his life story and the philosophy of “phuk hau” as evidence that anything is possible. To help others dream big and contribute to the community, Nguyen has a created a twoday event called Dream Big With Thach (Nov. 3-4 in Seattle) to teach his secret formula to make more money and create happiness faster and easier. All proceeds from the event are donated to charity. If interested, register at dreambigwiththach. com/nov. Stephanie Owens can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
34 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR OCT.
27–30 FREE DENTAL, VISION & MEDICAL CARE Seattle Center Admission distributed at 5 a.m. Free services seattlecenter.org/patients 206-684-7200
28 15TH ANNUAL SEATTLE POLICE AWARDS BANQUET REGISTRATION Westin Seattle, 1900 5th Ave., Seattle 5:30–10 p.m. 206-733-9372 seattlepolicefoundation.org
28 & 29 3RD ANNUAL LIASE SOUTHEAST ASIA SYMPOSIUM Oct. 28 & Oct. 29, Kittredge Hall, Room 202, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Rasmussen Rotunda, Wheelock Student Center at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Murray Boardroom, Wheelock Student Center, at 5 p.m. Free pugetsound.edu
29–30 APACE IS HOSTING A BALLOT PARTY Newcastle Library, 10/29 Federal Way Regional Library, 10/30 1–3:30p.m. apace-wa.org
30 GLOBAL SOUND MUSIC SERIES, “SOFIA REI TRIO & JOSH DEUTSCH’S PANNONIA”
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island 8 p.m. $20–$25
Seattle 5:30–7:30 p.m. dms2015@msn.com, okamoto.strategies@gmail.com
NOV.
5
1
BEACON HILL COMMUNITY MEETING PROPOSED HOUSING CHANGES IN EXPANDED URBAN VILLAGE Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle 6:30 p.m.
2–23 CHINESE MEDITATION CLASS International District Community Center, 719 8th Ave. S., Seattle 1:30–2:30 p.m. $25/4-week session 206-233-0042
WORKSHOP, “WE ARE HISTORY KEEPERS” St. Demetrios Hall, 2100 Boyer Ave., Seattle 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Register by Nov. 1 at rsvp@ethnicheritagecouncil.org HELPING LINK’S 23RD ANNIVERSARY, “STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY” GALA Blaine Memorial UMC 6–8 p.m. $90/person, $125/VIP ticket helpinglinkgala2016.brownpapertickets. com
TOUR OF KING COUNTY ELECTIONS King County Elections, 919 S.W. Grady Way, Renton 11 a.m.–12 p.m. jacl.com
5& 6 CELEBRATING DIWALI Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Free RSVP to bit.ly/2dHnSoa
6 BUNKA NO HI, JAPANESE CULTURE DAY JCCC, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle 11 a.m.–5 p.m. jcccw.org/bunka-no-hi
3 ASIA PACIFIC CULTURAL CENTER’S 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma 6 p.m. apcc96.org $100/individual, $1,000/table
4 ACLF’S ANNUAL GRADUATION DINNER Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 6–8 p.m. aclfnorthwest.org WELCOME MAMI HARA, SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES DIRECTOR Nagomi Tea House, 519 6th Ave. S.,
View the solution on page 12
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john@nwasianweekly.com
Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com
The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
34 YEARS
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
YOUR VOICE
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34 YEARS
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
OPINION
Confession of a bone-eating maniac
You might think I was a dog in my past life, as I like to chew and suck on bones. My motive is vanity. No, I am not weird or crazy. You might not believe it, but bones are considered to be beauty aids. All my life, I have enjoyed munching on meat with bones. That’s one of the reasons why my family likes dining with me — I save them the pure meat. For instance, I would cut off the meat from a chicken drumstick, and I would eat the remaining small pieces of meat dangling off the bone. Nothing gives me more pleasure when my family reserves the fish head just for me, while having a whole steamed fish dish at a Chinese restaurant. They watch me break the fish head into a thousand pieces with my tiger teeth with patience and skill. Once, we were on a cruise, and my husband cut off the meat from the bone-in steak and Fish soup gave me the bone as usual. “You gave her just the bone,” said the furious cruise passenger keeps the moisture of the meat intact. The texture at the next table, who thought my husband was being and juiciness of the bony meat definitely enhances mean to me. the flavor of the dish during the cooking process. For There is no doubt in my mind that bony meat tastes those who order chicken feet at Chinese dim sum much better than boneless meat. If you don’t believe restaurants, you know what I’m talking about. I enjoy me, try cooking a piece of steak with bones and without sucking out all the bone marrow. Naturally, my dinner bones, and you will recognize the difference. The bone plate is often piled with a mountain of bones, including
Photos by Assunta Ng/NWAW
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Salmon bones and black beans
chicken, beef, pork, or lamb bones.
my Western-trained family doctor. “You need calcium.”
A beauty aid “You have osteoporosis,” said
see BLOG on 13
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
OPINION
■ ENDORSEMENT
The Northwest Asian Weekly recommends … FEDERAL CANDIDATES President — Hillary Clinton, D U.S. Senator — Patty Murray, D U.S. Representative Congressional District 7 — Either Brady Walkinshaw, D or Pramila Jayapal, D (We like Jayapal’s pro-immigration work and endorsements from former Gov. Gary Locke and deputy mayor of Seattle Hyeok Kim. We like Walkinshaw’s track record of working with both sides of the political aisle, and his focus on local transit and housing issues.) Congressional District 9 — Adam Smith, D
STATE BALLOT MEASURES Initiative 732 (carbon tax) — No Initiative 735 (take power over elections back from the federal government) — No Initiative 1433 (raise state minimum wage) — Yes Initiative 1464 (campaign finance) — No Initiative 1491 (petitioning a court to prohibit a troubled person from possessing, buying firearms) — Yes Initiative 1501 (ID theft and open-records measure) — No Advisory Votes 14 and 15 — Yes
STATEWIDE OFFICES Governor — Jay Inslee, D (We do applaud Bill Bryant, R for his refusal to support Donald Trump.) Lieutenant Governor — Cyrus Habib, D Secretary of State — Tina Podlodowski, D State Auditor — Pat McCarthy, D Attorney General — Bob Ferguson, D Superintendent of Public Instruction — Either Erin Jones or Chris Reykdal (We like that Reykdal serves as Vice-chair of the House Education Committee and has two school-age children. We like Jones’ experience in the OSPI as Assistant Superintent.) Insurance Commissioner — Mike Kreidler, D
32nd Legislative District House, Position 1 — Cindy Ryu, D 33rd Legislative District House, Position 2 — Mia Gregerson, D 34th Legislative District House, Position 1 — Eileen Cody, D 37th Legislative District House, Position 1 — Sharon Tomiko Santos, D House, Position 2 — Eric Pettigrew, D 41st Legislative District Senate — Lisa Wellman, D House, Position 1 — Tana Senn, D House, Position 2 — Judy Clibborn, D 43rd Legislative District House, Position 1 — Dan Shih, D
JUDICIAL RACES Position 1 — Mary Yu Position 5 — Barbara Madsen Position 6 — Charles Wiggins
KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Position 14 — Nicole Gaines Phelps Position 26 — David Keenan Position 31 — Helen Halpert Position 44 — Either Eric Newman or Cathy Moore (Both are very qualified candidates with strong lists of endorsements. They have years of trial and judicial experience.) Position 52 — Anthony Gipe Position 53 — Mariane Spearman
LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES LEGISLATURE 11th Legislative District Senate — Bob Hasegawa, D House, Position 1 — Zack Hudgins, D 21st Legislative District House, Position 2 — Lillian Ortiz-Self, D
Initiative 124 — No Sound Transit Proposition 1 — Yes Highline Schools bond — Yes King County Charter Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 — Approve both
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KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01073C16, Plumbing/Mechanical Work Order Services; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on 11/8/16. Late bids will not be accepted. Scope of Work and Work Sites: Contractor shall furnish all labor, tools, equipment, materials, incidentals, superintendents, subcontractor coordination and overhead to perform work on underground piping, plumbing and building mechanical systems at King County Solid Waste Division Facilities including but not limited to transfer stations, landfill support facilities, and other properties such as commercial warehouse, office buildings and residential property holdings. The Work involves underground piping systems such as water, sewer and storm drainage lines, pump, fire suppression, HVAC, and other building mechanical systems. Estimated contract price: Not-To-Exceed $500,000. Pre-Bid Conference - Bidders may attend or conference-call: 10:00 a.m., Nov. 2, 2016, (Location #1) Procurement & Payables Section, 3rd Floor Dahlia Room, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. (Location #2) Bidders may also conference call via 206-263-8114, then entering “119038.” A site tour is not scheduled. There is a 5% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract. Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement. kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/default. aspx
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
34 YEARS
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
SAMSUNG from 1 and another who drove eight hours round-trip to return the phone. Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note 7 phone because it tends to overheat. It recalled replacement Note 7s after finding they also were prone to catch fire, the company stopped making or selling them. The company did not immediately respond to called and emailed requests for comment. Ko, a longtime Samsung phone user, said he had to visit a mobile shop three times after buying the Note 7 in August, first to get the battery checked when reports of the devices catching fire first surfaced. He went back to get a replacement phone after Samsung’s first recall and again after the company’s second Note 7 recall.
Apparently in response to criticism over its handling of the recalls, Samsung announced Oct. 24 that Note 7 owners who switch to Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge smartphones can get 50 percent discounts on upgrades to Galaxy S8 or Note 8 smartphones next year if they return the S7 or S7 Edges. Samsung earlier offered 30,000 won ($26) worth of coupons for the Samsung mobile shopping mall to all Note 7 users. Those switching to other Samsung phones were offered 70,000 won ($62) worth of coupons. Kim Chae Yong, who joined the lawsuit, said he spent nearly $100 on gas and highway fees to return a Note 7 phone after the first recall. Kim drove about 185 miles from his home in Cheonan to Busan, where he had bought the Note 7. “I feel betrayed,” the 26-year-old plant engineer said. “I am angry and I don’t ever want to use it again.”
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
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Predictions and advice for the week of October 29–November 4 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — A sticky situation will soon be resolved in a manner that all involved will find completely acceptable.
Dragon — Before you unleash what you have been saving up, consider whether it is appropriate at this juncture.
Monkey — Before you go all in, see if it is possible to do a trial run. That way, you can see what you are in for without taking a big chance.
Ox — Give your partner as much support as you yourself would desire and you might be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Snake — That which you left is not the same as what you are coming back to. Embrace the difference that has occurred.
Rooster — Embarking on a new challenge can use up a significant amount of resources, so it is very important to begin by taking stock of what you have.
Tiger — Don’t let the next opportunity be a missed one. If the balance of conditions favor you, then there is little harm in trying.
Horse — A loud noise does not necessarily mean that there is a lot of substance behind it. It is advisable to pay attention, but don’t be overly alarmed.
Dog — Another project looks quite intriguing, but it is best to finish what you are currently working on first.
Rabbit — You know that a good relationship is often a reciprocal one. Strive for equity when it makes sense to do so.
Goat — There might be some who question whether you have what it takes. Real strength comes from within and luckily you have it in spades.
Pig — You are well on your way to what looks to be a promising endeavor. There are no guide maps, just your experience and instincts to point you in the right direction.
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, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 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.
BLOG from 10 But consuming too much calcium pills is not good for me. It can cause constipation, dry mouth, depression, and even headaches. Why not try healing foods in addition to my calcium supplements? So I consulted a naturopathic doctor to get a second opinion. “Try bone soup,” the naturopathic doctor said. She recommended chicken and fish bones. “Bone broth will give you calcium and collagen.” The word “collagen” instantly reminded me of “wrinkles.” Insufficient collagen in your body can cause wrinkles in your face. As we get older, collagen in our body tends to diminish. Collagen is also vital for your joints. Weak joints can contribute to pain and disability. Collagen pills are available at drug stores. But you have to take many of them to give you the equivalent amount of one bowl of fish bone soup. And anti-wrinkle creams can cost a fortune. Compared to botox treatments and plastic surgery for your face, bone soup is a no brainer. Women and men (yes, they are just as vain) spend thousands of dollars for botox each year to smooth out wrinkles. But botox has risks. Side effects include facial paralysis and other muscle weaknesses, headaches, and allergies. Once you start botox treatment, you have to do it all your life. Why put chemicals in your face if you don’t need to? Take the natural solution like drinking fish soup. There are no risks. Plus it’s delicious.
Wow, it means absolutely fresh! I yearn for the old days when mainstream grocery stores gave away their chicken wings and fish bones for free. Sometimes, they recognize me as a long time customer and offer them to me free without being asked. Now, the stores have realized that Asian immigrants like bones. So why not sell it? Now that I blog about the merits of fish bones, I am actually encouraging competition. However, I am a journalist who likes to share valuable information to my readers.
them until it’s cooked, then pour water to make the soup. Boil the bones for half an hour on medium heat before you pour other ingredients in the soup. Bon appetit! Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Why fish and not other bones
I choose fish bone soup for many reasons. I love seafood. Fish bone soup takes less time to cook. Chicken, beef, lamb, and pork bone broth take more than an hour. Beef bones take forever to get tender. They all cost much more than fish bones, and you need a bigger pot due to the bone sizes.
How to make your fish soup yummy
You can make several kinds of fish soup with different ingredients. Black beans, tofu, seaweed, onions, papaya, and veggies are some of them. I like to combine tofu with other ingredients in all my soups. Black beans and tofu mix well with fish bone soup. If you boil papaya with fish bones, it is not just beneficial to have smooth skin. It can help those with insomnia. One thing about preparing fish bone broth is that you have to pan-fry the bones with a few slices of ginger, green onion, and garlic to get rid of the fishy smell and taste. Fry
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My fish bones venture
Isn’t it exciting that every bowl of fish broth you consume might spare you a wrinkle or two? I was so grateful for the tip. It clearly shows my insecurity about aging! Yes, I confess that I am a vain creature. And fish bones are cheap. They can cost as low as $1.84 for a big pack, which will be good enough for two days of soup, day and night. Plus, I am a soup lover. I need soup with every dinner. These days, I have a secret mission — not hassling for business, not managing people, not writing stories, but hiking to Asian grocery stores for bargain-priced fish bones. I am obsessed with finding “treasures” every day, including salmon, sea bass, cod, and halibut bones. I am not the only one shopping for low-priced fish bones at the seafood section of the store. My competition includes other old Asian ladies like me, hovering Uwajimaya early in the morning. They must know my secret, too! I am elated when the fish department staff tells me, “We just cut these bones.”
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OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
diagnosed with retinoblastoma when he was 4 months old, Habib spent the bulk of his childhood in and out of treatment for cancer, ultimately beating it — and losing his eyesight — at age 8. Habib earned degrees from Columbia, Oxford, and Yale, taught classes at Seattle University School of Law, worked at Perkins Coie, and ran his mother’s political campaign for Superior Court judge. He is a Rhodes Scholar, a Truman Scholar, and a Soros Fellow. In 2012, he won a seat in the Washington state’s House of Representatives, representing the 48th legislative district. He was elected to the state Senate two years later. “Part of why I tend to pack in opportunities as they come, rather than going, ‘No I’ll wait,’ is that I don’t know what will happen tomorrow,” said Habib. “If I can do something I love today, why put it off?”
you can’t go. But if others can, then let him do it, too. I don’t want anything special for him, only that he would be able to do the same thing.” “My parents — because of me becoming blind at a young age and having fought cancer and everything — they were in an interesting position,” said Habib. “The decision they made, and they told me this much later, was, ‘We’re not going to let our fear become your fear.’ Habib went on to earn a black belt in kenpo karate. He navigated the New York City subway system by himself as an 18-year-old undergrad at Columbia, and worked for then-Sen. Hillary Clinton in her New York office. “They never pushed me,” Habib said, referring to his parents. “But they gave me the belief that whatever other kids could do, I could do. So if someone says, ‘No, you can’t do that,’ I say, ‘No I wanna prove I can do that.’”
Early life
On identity
HABIB from 1
In 1979, Iran’s Pahlavi dynasty under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was overthrown. The nation flipped from a largely pro-Western monarchy to an anti-Western Islamic republic under the revolution leader Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The Iranian Revolution resulted in the mass exodus of Iran’s people. It was this political climate that brought Habib’s parents — Susan Amini and Mo Habib, both originally from Tehran — to the United States. Mo Habib attended college at the University of Washington and earned an engineering degree before embarking on a career at Boeing. Amini studied law in Maryland and is a King County Superior Court judge. Cyrus Habib describes the Iran that his parents grew up in as a very open and international country. He said that people can come and go, that his parents vacationed in Europe often as children. His mom attended Catholic school and learned English and French. It is perhaps this sensibility that led Amini and Mo Habib not to approach their son’s disability with extreme pessimism. In a 2008 interview with Northwest Asian Weekly, when Amini first ran for superior Court judge (she ultimately lost the race, but was appointed judge by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2013), she was visibly emotional as she recounted a story about her son not being allowed to play during recess like other children because his teachers understandably feared he’d be hurt. She said that she and her son counted steps together, making sure he knew exactly where each piece of playground equipment was. “In a few weeks,” Amini said in 2008, “I went to pick him up, and he would be standing on this jungle gym at the top step, and the other students with 20/20 vision were two steps down. I told him, if nobody is supposed to go that high, then
According to a 2002 study from the Center for Immigration studies, the immigration of Middle Easterners to the United States experienced its biggest boom in the last 50 years. In 1970, fewer than 200,000 non-Jewish Middle Easterners lived in the United States. Today, according to U.S. Census data, the Middle Eastern population (non-Jewish, but comprising Arabs and non-Arabs) is estimated to be at nearly 3.7 million people. As a point of comparison, there are nearly 20 million Asian Americans living in the United States today, according to U.S. Census data. “When I went to college, I got really into [cultural identity],” said Habib. “I got a bachelor’s and double majored. One of my majors is in Middle Eastern studies. It’s a part of me and being Iranian American is interesting because we’re not Arab Americans, yet there are many cultural similarities, largely related to religion, which is a connection. But [with my family] being Catholic, there’s also a difference there.” Habib said that because the Middle Eastern community in the Greater Seattle area is significantly smaller and less established than the Asian community, there is not yet the same level of organization. He cites his mom’s 2008 campaign for Superior Court judge for providing him his first deep experience with the local Asian community. “The API community kind of adopted us during that campaign,” said Habib. “Being the first Iranian American to run for office in Washington, probably the first Middle Easterner to run in Washington — we’re so small as a community — we don’t have the strength in numbers. So it meant a lot to us to be considered West Asians, as part of the API community. We have so many shared experiences, with emphases on education, small business, and family.”
34 YEARS Vying for a new seat In March of this year, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen stated that he would not seek another term, after having served nearly 20 years. Habib was first to declare his candidacy when Owen announced he was stepping down. “Really what it’s about is this is an office that has a number of different aspects and facets. One is you preside over the state Senate in all debates and sections of the Senate,” said Habib. “That really requires a deep knowledge of parliamentary procedures, as well as statutes.” Habib pointed out that for the past three years, he has taught legislative procedure at Seattle University Law School. The lieutenant governor also plays a role in economic development, chairing the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. “I’ve been endorsed by Bill Finkbeiner,” said Habib. Finkbeiner was a Republican candidate for the 2012 lieutenant governor race. “I think that really speaks to the fact that people who follow this race really care about the Senate running well, the executive branch running well, having a strong team player — even if they’re Republican, they’re supporting me for this race.” “I really identify with people who are told they can’t do something, people who have been marginalized,” said Habib. “If I do nothing else, what I want to do in this job is that I want it to be an office where people feel they are welcomed, they are heard, and they are listened to … particularly people who haven’t been heard [historically] — people of color, those with disabilities, vets, LGBTQ, etcetera. If you don’t have connections and money, it is difficult to be heard in Olympia and Washington, D.C.” “I think a lot of immigrant communities — and I think this is true of Middle Easterners and Asians — the focus is on economic stability, being able to provide for your kids’ education,” said Habib. “That’s the number one priority.” “There’s not a huge emphasis on being politically engaged. In many cases, like with Iranians, politics wasn’t that pleasant back where these people came from. … People around the world say, ‘I want to go to the U.S. to make money,’ or they say, ‘I want to go to the U.S. so I can be free politically and religiously.’ “No one says, ‘I want to go to America so my kid can run for public office one day.’ “But for those of us who are engaged and who love politics, who come from a community where there’s a cynicism about it, we play an important role. I want to make people feel like they are welcomed.” Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
YOUR VOICE SUPERINTENDENT from 1 child in the public education, K-12 system. Reykdal and Jones have impressive endorsements. Reykdal has the support of about 140 groups or individuals, including current Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn and former Gov. Christine Gregoire. Jones has about 122 endorsements, including the Asian Pacific American Caucus of the Washington State Democrats and the Seattle Times. Jones and Reykdal have vastly different experiences and come from widely divergent backgrounds. But each has similar values and priorities, such as embracing diversity and not punishing school districts by suing them as Dorn has. Neither would consider closing down schools to pressure the legislature into acting faster to fund basic education. Both candidates are dedicated to closing opportunity gaps, modifying standardized testing, and have plans for efficiencies, budget proposals to fund education, and addressing the levy cliff looming over school districts.
The educator “Team change” is a campaign theme for Jones. She’s been an educator for the past 25 years as a volunteer, a private and public school teacher, a late night director, and an instructional coach. She was an assistant superintendent of Student Achievement, at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for three years and was also a school district director. Jones was raised in the Netherlands and speaks Dutch, Spanish, French, and English. She was adopted by white parents after her biological parents gave her up for adoption and grew up as a “third culture kid.” Jones received state recognition as the most innovative foreign language teacher in 2006 and was nationally recognized as the Milken Educator for Washington state in 2007. She does a lot of cultural competency training at the university level and for teachers. Jones chose not to work and had “a little school in the garage,” where she taught five days a week, eight hours a day, and tutored students after school. “I wasn’t getting paid, but I taught.” Later, Jones taught in Tacoma, Federal Way, South Bend, Ind., and Spokane. “I’ve had a lot of diverse experiences with a lot of diverse populations in Washington. I think it’s important for the state superintendent to know both sides of the state because they are very different.” Jones doesn’t think it’s odd that the teachers’ union didn’t endorse her. “I don’t have a history of advocating for the union. My opponent has a history of working with the union and advocating for their issues. But I still have a lot of support from teachers.” Jones’ biggest challenge in this race is her lack of experience with the legislature, although she has ample experience as an administrator.
The lawmaker Reykdal was a high school teacher for three years after graduating from college. Reykdal has been a legislator for the past five years. He was vice-chair of the House Education Committee for two years and previously served on the former Education Appropriations Committee. Reykdal’s experience as a public administrator and budget wonk was mostly in positions with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. If elected, Reykdal will be the first superintendent in about 30 years to have children in the public school system. He said that’s significant because the world has changed so dramatically in the last five years. His children will be in the system when the state has “high stakes” testing, the narrowing of the curriculum because of the 24-credit graduation requirement with an emphasis on science and math. “There’s a de-emphasis on art and music — the stuff that creates a whole child. My kids are the first generation to have all these require-
ments.” Reykdal said he sees what the high stakes accountability looks like for kids through the eyes of a parent, so “it’s very real for me. I feel the massive anxiety every spring when testing starts.” Reykdal has a graduate degree in public administration, finance, and performance management, so he thinks about how to change the game for children in poverty. Reykdal is the youngest of eight children, and was a low-income student with alcoholism issues in his family. He was separated from his siblings at times, and lived in homes with unfinished walls. Our public education budget is the biggest policy document we have, and given his experience, Reykdal said, “I think that’s the strength I bring, and having relationships in the legislature — it’s great to know who the players are.”
LGBTQ issues One of the issues that muddied the waters for Jones is The Stranger’s pulling back its endorsement of her for Reykdal because of statements Jones made about teaching LGBTQ issues to 5-year-old students and fourth graders. Jones explained she made the mistake of responding in a hurry to a blog request from a very conservative social media blog, without taking the time to read the standards all the way through. “I’m not a politician. I was working full-time and managing my campaign when I answered the blog request. I made a mistake.” After The Stranger had pulled back its endorsement, Jones wrote an open letter to the paper stating she is a “longstanding, strong supporter of LGBTQ children and adults and their rights to be treated equally, respectfully, and lovingly in their schools and communities.” Her answer to whether or not being LGBTQ is a choice or a sin was “NO.” “I’d love to have teachers include diversity in their curriculum, so they know how to have sensitive conversations. We don’t have a safe place to talk about them in a safe and honest way, and that’s why bullying is on the rise.” Reykdal hasn’t been asked about his position on the LGBQT issue because as The Stranger pointed out, his statement didn’t raise a concern. Reykdal stated, “The standards do not promote cross-dressing and other fabrications of the extreme right. They teach gender identity and self awareness. These are good things not to be vilified.”
The McCleary mandate
In 2012, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously in McCleary vs. State that Washington violated the constitutional rights of children by failing to live up to its “paramount duty” to amply fund the education of all K-12 students. Although it may seem like there’s little, if any, progress being made by the legislature to fund basic education fully, Reykdal said there is — it’s just not happening as quickly as expected. The legislature has added $2 billion to education in the last two years, and full funding means the legislature must come up with $3.5 billion more. Reykdal doesn’t just want to be the hammer, like Dorn and the Washington Supreme Court has been. He said his priority as superintendent is to present a bipartisan plan to fund basic education. Reykdal believes the superintendent’s job is an executive role that requires putting intricate pieces together. For that to happen, the superintendent must be a finance person and have relationships with key legislators. Jones knows the funding must come from Olympia and is committed to tackling the politics of it. But she’s driven by achieving results and said OSPI must reach out to successful schools to model after them. She cited the Bridgeport School District as a good example. The school is tiny and only had 47 graduates. The students are over 95 percent Latino and over 95 percent have free or reduced lunch. But they managed to have about 95 percent of students gradu-
ate on time, and about 95 percent met the standard assessment for English. “There are school districts that are doing amazing work and if we never get out of Olympia, how are we going to share their stories and find out about the different ways districts and school are doing well?” said Jones. Reykdal said he hasn’t gone out to visit schools like Jones has because “I don’t use schools as a prop for my campaign.” Kids are there to learn, teachers are there to teach, and they don’t need someone seeking office to go in there for “photo ops.”
A looming shortfall Jones said thousands of teachers will be laid off if the levy issue is not fixed. It’s a temporary solution, but Jones will advocate freezing levies at current levels until education is fully funded. That will require legislation and school districts will be able to keep their teachers, even if the state can’t adequately fund basic education. Jones believes communities should have the option to pay for special projects by collecting levies, but not to raise teacher salaries, which creates inequities. For example, the Everett School District pays teachers about $20,000 more than teachers in Marysville or Seattle. The legislature must first define basic education compensation, said Reykdal, for the state to pick up the tab on increased teacher compensation. Basic education is now defined as a formula where there’s so many teachers per school, so many buses, so many administrators, but hasn’t determined what basic education compensation is. Once the legislature does that, the state will pick up the cost of compensation. Reykdal co-sponsored a bill that the Senate rejected, but that passed the House, so the levy cliff would align with full funding of basic education. “It’s a terrible concept, wanting that pressure of solving McCleary and the only way to do that is by keeping the pressure on the school districts and scare them into thinking they will lose a quarter of their funding.”
Charter schools Jones received support from backers of charter schools, but she’s a big “no” and “yes” on charter schools. “As a movement across the country, there are just as many bad as good charter schools as there are public schools. I don’t believe charter schools are the answer to closing the opportunity gap.” Jones visited one of the two legally operating charter schools in Spokane and liked what she saw. An international student body told her they get to do handson projects and learn subjects outside of textbooks. This charter school had a teacher and two other adults in the class. “We are not supporting our black and brown students very well,” said Jones. Many people are anti-charter schools. We can’t say no, without considering a yes. For Jones, “yes” means considering charter schools that are working, and how to replicate those models. “What I don’t want is a bunch of private corporations coming in and taking over schools, but options and innovations are exciting.” Reykdal doesn’t think charter schools are constitutional yet, and he voted against the charter fix in the legislature because of the backdoor use of general funds through the lottery. The Spokane charter schools are legal because there’s direct accountability to the school board. Voters can vote the Spokane board members out if they think the charter school is failing.
Standardized testing Jones “absolutely” believes the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (standardized testing for students) may be biased against immigrants. “For the Asian community, I personally understand how it is not to understand the language or the culture.” Jones will fight the federal government not to require testing until kids have been in the country for at least two years.
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“It makes zero sense to test a kid with one year of English — it’s almost criminal. If elected, she’ll push for a bias and fairness review to see whether the test measures what it’s supposed to measure. Reykdal strongly agrees with Jones on not testing kids who’ve been in the country for less than a year. He said tests should measure state and district progress. Instead, the state chose to link the test results to graduation, making it a high stakes test. HB 2214 would have kept the assessments in place and de-link them from graduation. There was tremendous bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, but the chair of the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee blocked the bill -- it never saw the light of day and never had a hearing.
Shutting down schools and suing school districts Randy Dorn is suing seven school districts and threatening closure of all schools, and despite Dorn’s endorsement, Reykdal disagrees with this. “The reality is 3040 years of funding neglect has left the schools to do what they need to do, and they shouldn’t be punished for doing their jobs.” Reykdal believes private organizations will pick up where Dorn left off if he decides to drop his lawsuit. Jones agrees with Reykdal. “No, no, no,” said Jones in response to whether schools should shut down to pressure the legislature, or whether to sue school districts. “That’s just punishing the wrong people. It’s wrong because schools and school districts don’t have the power to create money to pay the bills.”
Reviewing OSPI efficiency
Reykdal plans on reviewing staffing levels at OSPI because of his background in performance management. He completed a partial Baldrige criteria process at the Washington Community and Technical Colleges Board, which is a stringent assessment tool for improving effectiveness and increasing value to customers and stakeholders, and helping to ensure long-term financial growth and sustainability of an organization. The board was in a financial crisis, said Reykdal. Jones plans to meet every employee at OSPI in her first 100 days — pretty ambitious since there are 400 employees. She wants to assess and determine whether OSPI is working efficiently and cut back on red tape that may be hindering educators and school districts. OSPI needs to see that what we’re doing makes sense, and “we’re not just doing things because we’ve been doing it forever.” Her goal isn’t to eliminate positions, but she wants to reassign people to do the jobs they’re good at doing. Jones also plans to use videography and social media to share where she’s going and why, rather than to just say she’s not in the office. “I love transparency,” she said. Jones will post updates on Facebook. “I want people to know where and how I’m spending my time.” Jones looks at the work created at the state level that trickles down to the school districts. If the school is a Title 1 school, for example, you almost need a whole office just to manage the paperwork. Title 1 is a federal program that provides funds to improve the academic achievement of students from low-income families or are in foster homes. “If OSPI requires school districts to do reports and create data that we’re not even reading, or that’s not useful, then we need to stop doing it,” said Jones. “I think there are bureaucratic tasks and mandated data or reports that no one is using, or even reading. Or if it’s an 80-page report, let’s make it a 40-page report. There’s got to be more efficient ways to do the work.” Arlene can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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34 YEARS
OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
CONGRESS from 1 describes building bridges between opposing positions and being locally focused. The candidates share common values – both want to partner with the federal government to increase the minimum wage and are committed to addressing issues of immigration and diversity, police accountability, homelessness, mental health, transportation, and college affordability. Jayapal has an impressive list of endorsements, from labor unions and Asian Pacific Islander community leaders. She’s a seasoned politician who’s tackled the policies of the Bush administration, and the hate crimes and discrimination occurring against Arab, Muslim, and South Asian communities after the tragic terrorist attacks on September 11. Jayapal said, “I’ve taken on issues that required standing up to very powerful forces when no one else wanted to.” Walkinshaw was about 17 years old when the September 11 attacks struck. He also has an impressive list of endorsements and support from Asian Pacific Islander community leaders and a host of organizations dedicated to the environment and diversity. Because he’s 20 years younger, Walkinshaw doesn’t have the breadth and length of public service Jayapal has. Both candidates served in the legislature for about the same length of time (two years) — Jayapal as a Senator and Walkinshaw as a Representative. In response to Jayapal’s outstanding past two decades of leadership, Walkinshaw said, “She’s 20 years older than me — that’s true! I can’t fast forward my life,” he laughed. He pointed out that legislators from Jayapal’s 37th district, which includes Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos and Rep. Eric Pettigrew, endorsed him, and not Jayapal. Jayapal said she wasn’t entirely surprised by the endorsements by her fellow 37th district legislators. She explained she had a significant disagreement with Santos and Pettigrew over a payday lending bill, and that’s why they endorsed Walkinshaw. Jayapal added, “We’re pretty even in the percentage of endorsements from legislative colleagues.” Walkinshaw said he’s most proud of the endorsement from former candidate Joe McDermott, King County Council Chair. One clear difference between Jayapal and Walkinshaw is Walkinshaw’s support of I-732, the carbon tax initiative. Dan Shih, a candidate for the 43rd district that Walkinshaw is leaving to run for Congress, and State Senator and candidate for lieutenant governor, Cyrus Habib, also supports I-732. Walkinshaw and other supporters believe I-732 is the first step on acting on climate change. Jayapal opposes the initiative based on what she, the Sierra Club, and many labor
organizations and unions believe is a poorly written initiative that will blow a billion-dollar hole in the state budget that will affect low-income people and communities of color. Walkinshaw also co-sponsored the bill that created the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing. Both Walkinshaw and Jayapal have endorsed I-873, which removes proving malice and lack of good faith to bring criminal charges against police officers who use deadly force. “I’m running on a much more local agenda,” said Walkinshaw. “Our community needs a partner in our development over the next 15 to 20 years. Jayapal is running on a platform of more national issues.” Walkinshaw said when it comes to building partnerships in urban development and transportation and the International District, we need a “locally focused member of Congress.”
Jayapal on why she’s the better choice for Congress
If Jayapal wins the election, she’ll be the first South Asian American woman elected to Congress and she believes the Asian American community is excited at the prospect. “I’m a movement builder,” said Jayapal, and she’s worked on issues that were controversial and unpopular. Jayapal has worked alongside the Asian Counseling and Referral Service to get additional benefits for immigrants, and founded One America, which created some of the nation’s best immigration policies. Jayapal said it’s untrue Walkinshaw has been more effective as a state legislator. “If he were more effective, he would’ve been able to get his own district to endorse him. He couldn’t even win his district. It’s every different when you’re working in a Republican majority. Jayapal said she’s the only candidate who’s worked in a Republican-controlled Senate. She was able to pass legislation to get funds for apprenticeship programs for all immigrants and refugees, expanded contraceptive rights for women, and retained funds for the international baccalaureate program at Rainier Beach High School. Jayapal will keep her seat in the state Senate if she doesn’t get elected to Congress. Although she’s optimistic about her chances of winning, the first bills she’d introduce if she remains in Washington are tuition-free community colleges, gun violence protection, funding basic education, mental health, and transportation. If elected to Congress, her priority is affordable college so that it’s debt and tuition free. Although climate change is a priority for her, Jayapal wants to work on federal legislation that “has legs,” and has a chance of passing. Fossil fuel companies are blocking progress and climate change bills do not stand a chance of getting through
Congress, said Jayapal.
Walkinshaw on why he’s the better choice for Congress Walkinshaw is cheerful and has an upbeat response to the recent poll released by Jayapal and printed in the Stranger, which has endorsed Jayapal. Walkinshaw explained the poll, which showed Jayapal ahead by 14 points, was done in August, two weeks after the primary election. What the poll showed explained Walkinshaw, is Jayapal’s numbers remained the same, while his numbers increased by eight points. The Seattle Times has endorsed Walkinshaw because of his focus on local issues. Asian Pacific Islander community leaders, including Martha Choe and Joan Yoshitomi, have also endorsed him. If elected, Walkinshaw would be the first openly gay Latino Democrat elected to Congress. “My grandmother Jean Walkinshaw was a former TV producer for KCTS and was very involved in the Asian American community. His family’s involvement in the Northwest immigrant community helped form Walkinshaw’s passions, which included participating in the civil rights movement in this country. Walkinshaw is running for Congress because “right at this moment we need someone with the ability to build bridges. That’s my reputation and track record in Olympia.” He was the prime sponsor of “Joel’s Law,” which allows courts to order involuntary commitment if a family’s petition to the court meets the requirements for detention. Walkinshaw worked for three years and was the prime sponsor of HB 1553, the Certificate of Restoration of Opportunities Act (CROP) bill which finally passed this year after receiving bipartisan support with a 49-0 vote in the Senate. The bill allows qualified applicants with criminal histories to get occupational licenses. Walkinshaw worked closely with Sen. Mike Padden (R), chair of the Law and Justice Committee to get the bill passed. “This opened up thousands of jobs for folks with criminal records.” Walkinshaw believes his ability to build bridges will bring about the national carbon tax law even though so few states are willing to go that route. “We need a climate partner and a champion for the Pacific Northwest. That’s why I’m running. It’s a very close race right now. There’s a lot of people trying to make up their minds in this race as they learn more about the two of us and our track records. We need urgent federal leadership.” Arlene can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.