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Focus - August 1997

MRSC WELCOMES NEW STAFF TO ASSIST COUNTIES

MRSC is pleased to announce that Marya J. Silvernale, legal consultant, and Tom Sutberry, public policy/finance consultant, have joined the MRSC team to assist in providing services to counties. Marya has over 12 years of experience with the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorneys Office Civil Division. Tom served Whatcom County for 12 years as Administrative Services Director and Budget Director. Please join us in welcoming Marya and Tom.

GROUP HOMES: LOCAL VS. FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATION

Ted Gathe, City Attorney for Vancouver, reviews the Federal Fair Housing Act and the conflict between the federal policy of supporting the unrestricted location of residential group homes for the handicapped and cities' interests in protecting and preserving the residential character of single family neighborhoods. Group Homes: Local Control and Regulation versus Federal and State Fair Housing Laws also addresses recent state law and proposed federal and state legislation related to group homes.

WEB SIGHTINGS

Over the last few years many local governments have established Web sites that contain basic information for citizens about activities, plans, policies, schedules, etc. Now that they have had a few years of experience managing basic Web sites, some are beginning to add new levels of citizen access and interactivity by incorporating two-way communication features including the use of electronic mail, electronic forms, and online surveys. We've collected a few links to Web sites that demonstrate how local governments are using these new interactive features.

DID YOU KNOW?

Can public buildings be used for candidate forums? Get the answer to this and other frequently asked questions on election and campaign issues prepared in anticipation of the fall election season.

INFILL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

We are pleased to announce a new publication available from MRSC - Infill Development: Strategies for Shaping Livable Neighborhoods. This in-depth report presents practical strategies that local jurisdictions can use to encourage development of vacant lands in the midst of largely developed areas. To order a copy, check out our publications list and our publications ordering form.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

In a recent decision, ACLU v. Blaine School District (decided June 9, 1997), the state Court of Appeals has made it quite clear that cities and counties are required to respond by mail to requests for identifiable and non-exempt public records if the requestor asks that the records be mailed. A city or county can require that the requestor pay for the photocopying and mailing costs, but the court stressed that RCW 42.17.290 requires a prompt response by mail. This Web site contains additional information concerning Public Records Disclosure.