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News & ArtsThursday, February 12, 2009
City Think of the Neighbors!
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Laurelhurst neighbors have been fuming since 2007, when Children’s Hospital unveiled plans to expand its kid-curing compound in northeast Seattle by 1.5 million square feet and build two 240-foot towers. To stunt the growth, the Laurelhurst Community Club pleaded to the hospital for fewer square feet, and one member asked the city to consider declaring an abutting 1940s condo village as a historic landmark. But the project couldn't be corralled; 85 percent of the condo owners have sold their property to the hospital. The last hope, it seemed, was persuading a citizens advisory committee to scale back Children’s ambitions. But last week, both the city and citizen’s committee (.pdf) recommended that the project proceed mostly as planned—but with shorter buildings and additional property across Sand Point Way.
“It would pretty much destroy the character of the surrounding communities with a Bellevue Square type development,” says Laurelhurst Community Club president Jeannie Hale. The group has filed an appeal to the expansion, which will be heard by the city’s hearing examiner on February 26, because, Hale says, it doesn’t fit with the city’s growth plan. She also cites several minority reports by the advisory panel that disagree with specific aspects of the recommendation. “The number-one problem is that they consistently refused to compromise on the proposal to add 1.5 million square feet in a low-density, family area.”
“The citizens advisory committee basically had Children’s at the table and no one else,” Hale says. “Neighbors went week after week to speak, but their concerns were not really addressed.”
But Karen Wolf, chair of the 15-person advisory committee, says neighborhood concerns were heard clearly and well represented on the panel. In fact, Wolf lives two blocks from the hospital. “I think the hospital did respond to them,” she says. For example, the current plan reduces the buildings’ height by 100 feet, creates publicly accessible open space, and establishes setbacks from the street to preserve views. “Yes, it is the same square footage as the hospital originally proposed but it will have to demonstrate need for the additional beds.”
Children’s says it must expand from 250 to 600 beds to serve children in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. However, Hale argues that the hospital doesn’t need that much room, and thus can build shorter buildings (she’s asking for a maximum height of 105 feet) and avoid consuming the property across Lake City Way. She says an independently commissioned analyst working for the Laurelhurst Community Club claims the hospital needs only 10 percent of that growth.
“They want to be the leader in the region despite the fact that they only have a small share [of patients] compared to Swedish Hospital pediatric care,” Hale says, noting that she supports hospital’s mission to heal ill kids. “But they want to make their name.”
1
build it, we need all the jobs we can get in the seattle region-- and those at hospitals can't be outsourced
2
Cry me a river Laurelhurst Community Club. Way to be the ultimate community of assholes. Get over yourselves and let the kids have their hospital beds.
4
Why should we believe this "community club" preznit when she says the hospital doesn't need to grow? Apparently she can't tell the difference between a shopping mall and a hospital...
5
i spent a good chunk of my time at OHSU's Doernbecher in Portland in the oncology ward. That thing was 10 stories tall and stuffed with kids.
I'm alive because of it.
Laurelhurst Community Club president Jeannie Hale is an idiot, and I am glad she (apparently) has never had a super sick child. As for those of us with the bad luck of the draw, its good to have as much backup where you can go, like BOTH Swedish and Children's.
I'm alive because of it.
Laurelhurst Community Club president Jeannie Hale is an idiot, and I am glad she (apparently) has never had a super sick child. As for those of us with the bad luck of the draw, its good to have as much backup where you can go, like BOTH Swedish and Children's.
8
GOD DAMN THESE FUCKING SICK CHILDREN WITH CANCER THEY ARE RUINING MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY ARE SO SELFISH. WHY CAN'T THEY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET THEIR TREATMENTS?
AND PUHLEEZE, YOU KNOW, MOST OF THEM DIE IN THE END ANYWAY!
THEY ARE SO SELFISH. WHY CAN'T THEY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET THEIR TREATMENTS?
AND PUHLEEZE, YOU KNOW, MOST OF THEM DIE IN THE END ANYWAY!
9
"They want to be the leader in the region"--uh, they are. I have a nurse in the family who served over 30 years there. It's one of the premier children's hospitals in the country, and it should stay that way.
10
The entire "hospital", with it's "tall buildings" and whiny "sick kids" should be torn down.
And replaced with a coal-fired power plant.
And replaced with a coal-fired power plant.
12
Fucking typical Laurelhurst bullshit. I am so in awe of Children's Hospital. The surgeons and staff are beyond amazing. They are hero's.
13
Laurelhurst is hell on earth. I've never received so many rude comments and suspicious glares as when I had to do work in that neighborhood, which was dozens of times, unfortunately. I don't look thuggish or sketchy at all, but I'm not white.
I had to do work at Laurelhurst beach and they stopped me and told me I had to wait outside, even though ALL the white people there just came and went as they pleased.
I had to do work at Laurelhurst beach and they stopped me and told me I had to wait outside, even though ALL the white people there just came and went as they pleased.
14
#10 how about a puppy-fired power plant!
Is Laurelhurst populated by the old man Potters of the world? Maybe they don't realize how specialized the care of sick children has to be sometimes? Maybe they wouldn't be so against the expansion if it was a hospital for older rich people with sticks up their backsides. (a very very serious problem)
I think of all of the children I have known (including childhood friends) who have had their lives saved by the staff at Children's Hospital. The Hospital is truly one of the best at doing their job and also helping out very scared parents.
Is Laurelhurst populated by the old man Potters of the world? Maybe they don't realize how specialized the care of sick children has to be sometimes? Maybe they wouldn't be so against the expansion if it was a hospital for older rich people with sticks up their backsides. (a very very serious problem)
I think of all of the children I have known (including childhood friends) who have had their lives saved by the staff at Children's Hospital. The Hospital is truly one of the best at doing their job and also helping out very scared parents.
16
a. children's already made a name for themselves
b. it's a hospital, not a friggin shopping mall
c. what kind of pathetic loser doesn't want to help children?
pathetic douche
b. it's a hospital, not a friggin shopping mall
c. what kind of pathetic loser doesn't want to help children?
pathetic douche
17
“They want to be the leader in the region despite the fact that they only have a small share [of patients] compared to Swedish Hospital pediatric care,” Hale says
This statistic which is continually being voiced really has no relation to the actual patient census. Hale claims Swedish Hospital treats more pediatric cases than Children's (in king County - MAYBE). But what She fails to mention is that Childrens serves a MUCH larger constituency than just King County. Seattle Children's admits and treats kids from Alaska, Montana, Washington, Idaho and as far away as Louisana and even India. And financial hardship never enters the decision to treat or not to treat.... imagine that.
This statistic which is continually being voiced really has no relation to the actual patient census. Hale claims Swedish Hospital treats more pediatric cases than Children's (in king County - MAYBE). But what She fails to mention is that Childrens serves a MUCH larger constituency than just King County. Seattle Children's admits and treats kids from Alaska, Montana, Washington, Idaho and as far away as Louisana and even India. And financial hardship never enters the decision to treat or not to treat.... imagine that.
18
Jeannie Hale,
As an attorney registered in Washington state you really should know better than to deliberately misrepresent yourself in a public matter, and as a representative of your called community. Have you no sense of decency whatsoever?
In FACT, there were DOZENS of meetings which generated 8 different plans, (some with variations). Are you asking people to believe that there were 25+ public hearings, before a committee of 16 citizens, and there were really NO significant concessions and mitigations?!!
And let's be sure to make clear that LCC had its own representation on the Committee, (Ms. Mirian Mueller -- perhaps you've met?). I'm sure ol' Miriam is thrilled with your support of her efforts here. (Sorry, Miriam, but Jeannie is throwing you in front of the bus and will stop at nothing to engineer her own private corner of the planet.)
And now for the math: If Swedish has a larger share - it's because they deal with kids who have primary care needs! Children's is a super-specialty hospital and has the largest share of specialty pediatric care in a 5-state region. (Hello apples! Meet the oranges!)
Hale, while you've been running around obstructing progress, the committee and the neighborhood have OVERWHELMINGLY supported this recommendation. (And it ain't even close!)
Before you continue your lunatic rants and number manipulations - you just might want to consider that you're literally bartering with the lives of very real, very sick children.
The people of LAURELHURST HAD BETTER GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER because LCC HAS SERIOUSLY STAINED YOUR REPUTATION IN THE COMMUNITY!!!
Jeannie Hale,
As an attorney registered in Washington state you really should know better than to deliberately misrepresent yourself in a public matter, and as a representative of your called community. Have you no sense of decency whatsoever?
In FACT, there were DOZENS of meetings which generated 8 different plans, (some with variations). Are you asking people to believe that there were 25+ public hearings, before a committee of 16 citizens, and there were really NO significant concessions and mitigations?!!
And let's be sure to make clear that LCC had its own representation on the Committee, (Ms. Mirian Mueller -- perhaps you've met?). I'm sure ol' Miriam is thrilled with your support of her efforts here. (Sorry, Miriam, but Jeannie is throwing you in front of the bus and will stop at nothing to engineer her own private corner of the planet.)
And now for the math: If Swedish has a larger share - it's because they deal with kids who have primary care needs! Children's is a super-specialty hospital and has the largest share of specialty pediatric care in a 5-state region. (Hello apples! Meet the oranges!)
Hale, while you've been running around obstructing progress, the committee and the neighborhood have OVERWHELMINGLY supported this recommendation. (And it ain't even close!)
Before you continue your lunatic rants and number manipulations - you just might want to consider that you're literally bartering with the lives of very real, very sick children.
The people of LAURELHURST HAD BETTER GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER because LCC HAS SERIOUSLY STAINED YOUR REPUTATION IN THE COMMUNITY!!!
19
Ten years or so ago these same assholes got their panties in a twist over having sick children airlifted to Children's through their precious airspace (oh, the NOISE!). As part of a "compromise" with those assholes, Children's agreed: #1 they only airlift the super-sick-and-needing-airlift, not the just plain ol' sick-and-needing-airlift, directly to the hospital's helipad. The rest land at UW's Montlake parking lot and are brought the rest of the way by ambulance (delaying desperately needed medical care). #2, Children's sends out a quarterly report to the community, explaining and justifying each airlift. The Laurelhurst Community Club maintains an aircraft noise complaint line.
I would wish a dying child on each of these NIMBY bastards...but what kind of asshole wishes for that many dying children?
I would wish a dying child on each of these NIMBY bastards...but what kind of asshole wishes for that many dying children?
20
She's protested the use of medical helicopters to fly sick kids with emergency care, to be anywhere near the neighborhood. (Seriously, look it up.)
Just imagine having someone like that as a neighbor. Shit!
(Laurelhurst, ya' think it's time to get a new representative?)
She's protested the use of medical helicopters to fly sick kids with emergency care, to be anywhere near the neighborhood. (Seriously, look it up.)
Just imagine having someone like that as a neighbor. Shit!
(Laurelhurst, ya' think it's time to get a new representative?)
21
What's the matter with that? They only airlift the kids who need to be airlifted. And, if the care is that desperately needed, then clearly the kid will be airlifted.
I have no love for NIMBYs, and Hale and the LCC sound like assholes, but there's nothing wrong with asking Children's to work with the community.
#1 they only airlift the super-sick-and-needing-airlift, not the just plain ol' sick-and-needing-airlift, directly to the hospital's helipad. The rest land at UW's Montlake parking lot and are brought the rest of the way by ambulance (delaying desperately needed medical care).
What's the matter with that? They only airlift the kids who need to be airlifted. And, if the care is that desperately needed, then clearly the kid will be airlifted.
I have no love for NIMBYs, and Hale and the LCC sound like assholes, but there's nothing wrong with asking Children's to work with the community.
22
Wow, it wasn't until the twenty-first entry that there was a post that was remotely sympathetic to LCC. They are assholes, through and through.
23
When a public safety officer or healtcare professional decides that a helicopter is needed, let's get our priorities straight. Things are getting out of line if an emergency flight has to consider the kid's chance of dying, and then whether to land at the hospital or in someone ELSE's neighborhood for yet another tranfer.
I've been following this plan's process and as a resident of Bryant I think it is scandalous that our neighbors in nearby Laurelhurst stand silent and allow their Council to get something like this so terribly, terribly wrong.
How many times per month does the Hospital see emergency flights? And this is how the Director's at LCC are spending the communities time(and presumably financial resources?)
Laurelhurst residents are having a crime being perpetrated in their name. Shame on them for sitting by and letting selfishness and deceit define them.
I've been following this plan's process and as a resident of Bryant I think it is scandalous that our neighbors in nearby Laurelhurst stand silent and allow their Council to get something like this so terribly, terribly wrong.
How many times per month does the Hospital see emergency flights? And this is how the Director's at LCC are spending the communities time(and presumably financial resources?)
Laurelhurst residents are having a crime being perpetrated in their name. Shame on them for sitting by and letting selfishness and deceit define them.
25
Find me another Truly Great City in the world that would stand for this.
Un-be-fucking-lievable.
Laurelhurst should have the sack to tell Jeannie to shut the fuck up.
Find me another Truly Great City in the world that would stand for this.
Un-be-fucking-lievable.
Laurelhurst should have the sack to tell Jeannie to shut the fuck up.
26
Time for the 'people helper' shows on each local station to help the children. How? Hover over this cunt's house 24/7 until she get's a life!
I'd so love to see JP Patches punch the bitch right in the nose!
I have 2 cousins who are only alive today because of incredible treatment at Children's. I also have 2 young in-laws fighting a very rare disorder that could keep them from making it to 20. If it weren't for Children's they too would not have made it this far.
Let's site all new homeless shelters in Laurelhurst too!
I'd so love to see JP Patches punch the bitch right in the nose!
I have 2 cousins who are only alive today because of incredible treatment at Children's. I also have 2 young in-laws fighting a very rare disorder that could keep them from making it to 20. If it weren't for Children's they too would not have made it this far.
Let's site all new homeless shelters in Laurelhurst too!
27
There's a public report online (2003 annual) that says Children's flew-in 55 patients to the hospital. Because of Laurelhurst complaints about noise, 147 other flights were diverted to UW's Intramural Field and the kids had to be moved in by ambulance.
WTF!!!!
You people can't handle about FOUR helicopters A WEEK flying-in SICK KIDS!? Are you fucking kidding me!?
Enjoy the new hospital people. I wish it was fucking massive, but it sounds like Children's will just make it really, really nice. Too bad, because you deserve sex-offender housing, jails, dumps, methadone clinics and strip clubs.
Fuckers.
WTF!!!!
You people can't handle about FOUR helicopters A WEEK flying-in SICK KIDS!? Are you fucking kidding me!?
Enjoy the new hospital people. I wish it was fucking massive, but it sounds like Children's will just make it really, really nice. Too bad, because you deserve sex-offender housing, jails, dumps, methadone clinics and strip clubs.
Fuckers.
28
I just had this vivid image: A large mob dressed in JP Patches costumes, ransacking University Village.
How can anyone in that area defend this chick? And she speaks for you?
Wow. Just Wow.
I just had this vivid image: A large mob dressed in JP Patches costumes, ransacking University Village.
How can anyone in that area defend this chick? And she speaks for you?
Wow. Just Wow.
30
@27,
If the hospital is expanding, presumably the number of helicopter flights will increase. I hear helicopters and sea planes pretty frequently where I live (not in Laurelhurst, by the way) and it can get annoying, especially at night. If I lived in Laurelhurst and got the impression that helicopters were being used in nonemergent situations, I'd be pretty pissed.
Anyway, it sounds like Children's is doing the right thing: working with the sensible people in the neighborhood, getting the mostly silent majority's support, and ignoring idiots like Hale.
If the hospital is expanding, presumably the number of helicopter flights will increase. I hear helicopters and sea planes pretty frequently where I live (not in Laurelhurst, by the way) and it can get annoying, especially at night. If I lived in Laurelhurst and got the impression that helicopters were being used in nonemergent situations, I'd be pretty pissed.
Anyway, it sounds like Children's is doing the right thing: working with the sensible people in the neighborhood, getting the mostly silent majority's support, and ignoring idiots like Hale.
31
Ironically enough, Children's is probably where it is because the wealthy ladies of Laurelhurst wanted their charity gig nearby. Or some rich old person donated the land so the children could recover out in "the country"
Mary Gates - who truly was a wonderful woman - was very big in the Children's guild, and was also a Laurelhurst resident. I wonder what she'd think of this.
Mary Gates - who truly was a wonderful woman - was very big in the Children's guild, and was also a Laurelhurst resident. I wonder what she'd think of this.
33
" 'It would pretty much destroy the character of the surrounding communities with a Bellevue Square type development,' says Laurelhurst Community Club president Jeannie Hale "
They already have one of those with outlandish prices and arrogant attitudes to match. Its called U Village, and I will bet a pound in turds that Jeannie spends thousands there every year.
They already have one of those with outlandish prices and arrogant attitudes to match. Its called U Village, and I will bet a pound in turds that Jeannie spends thousands there every year.
34
Hypothetically, let's say that the number of helicopter landings increase in correspondence with the number of medical beds, basically doubling from 250 to 500. So that's a jump from 55 flights to 110 flights per year.
So, with this "huge" expansion, that's one helicopter (with a traumatically injured child) about every 3.5 days. Twice a week.
So, LCC thinks that 20-30 seconds of doppler-effected noise, maybe twice a week, in the interests of saving a child's life, makes their waterfront neighborhood "unlivable."
Amazingly selfish.
So, with this "huge" expansion, that's one helicopter (with a traumatically injured child) about every 3.5 days. Twice a week.
So, LCC thinks that 20-30 seconds of doppler-effected noise, maybe twice a week, in the interests of saving a child's life, makes their waterfront neighborhood "unlivable."
Amazingly selfish.
36
Bernie Madoff is thrilled with this story.
He is no longer the most despicable person in the news.
Bernie Madoff is thrilled with this story.
He is no longer the most despicable person in the news.
37
You've either never been in the vicinity of a helicopter or you're fudging the facts for your own ends.
So, LCC thinks that 20-30 seconds of doppler-effected noise, maybe twice a week, in the interests of saving a child's life, makes their waterfront neighborhood "unlivable."
You've either never been in the vicinity of a helicopter or you're fudging the facts for your own ends.
38
i live under the pathway of the flights taking off from lake union.
we also have news choppers flying over us on a regular basis.
my dad used to fly blackhawks.
the helicopters used for medivacs aren't that loud and that long, and anyone who complains about them is just showing they value their own selfish routine over the health of a kid in desperate need of help.
what a classy b*tch.
we also have news choppers flying over us on a regular basis.
my dad used to fly blackhawks.
the helicopters used for medivacs aren't that loud and that long, and anyone who complains about them is just showing they value their own selfish routine over the health of a kid in desperate need of help.
what a classy b*tch.
39
GIVE IT UP, JEANNIE HALE and the LCC.
You and your LCC Board of Trustees do NOT speak for the community of Laurelhurst. You as "LCC" collect money from "neighbors" then turn around and use it to wage legal wars -- wars the neighborhood is NOT interested in fighting, and are counterproductive to the region's need to step up and serve these ill children.
Do you tell your "neighbors" you're going to use a healthy portion of their "dues" (actually, they are charitable contributions; let's get that one straight) to hire lawyers and experts to frustrate an already-working civic process (the CAC) ??? It's time the LCC fessed up to how they collect money and what they do with it.
IMHO, you ought to be checking with your "constituents" before you start spending their hard-earned and DONATED cash. How about taking those tens of thousands of dollars you've spent on lawyers and experts, and donating it to Children's Hospital, or cancer research, or something truly useful???
And hey, how about some term limits on you folks??? Naw....come to think of it, you should all be thrown out on your ears.
You and your LCC Board of Trustees do NOT speak for the community of Laurelhurst. You as "LCC" collect money from "neighbors" then turn around and use it to wage legal wars -- wars the neighborhood is NOT interested in fighting, and are counterproductive to the region's need to step up and serve these ill children.
Do you tell your "neighbors" you're going to use a healthy portion of their "dues" (actually, they are charitable contributions; let's get that one straight) to hire lawyers and experts to frustrate an already-working civic process (the CAC) ??? It's time the LCC fessed up to how they collect money and what they do with it.
IMHO, you ought to be checking with your "constituents" before you start spending their hard-earned and DONATED cash. How about taking those tens of thousands of dollars you've spent on lawyers and experts, and donating it to Children's Hospital, or cancer research, or something truly useful???
And hey, how about some term limits on you folks??? Naw....come to think of it, you should all be thrown out on your ears.
40
Keshmeshi,
It's not like they use the airlift frivilously. There's danger involved in using the helicopter, and they only airlift people kids who need it. What's fucked up is that when a kid is sick enough to need an airlift, but below a certain level of sickness, they have to land off site and drive the kid in.
I'm pretty sure that the people who live around Harborview don't get a report. Because it's ridiculous. I used to live in an apt building across the street from Children's, and yes, the helicopter is loud. But it doesn't last that long, and rather than be annoyed, I usually thought, "I hope that kid is okay."
On the other hand, when I received the quarterly report, I would curse Jeannie Hale's name. When I lived there, the report included:
1. The date and time that the kid was airlifted
2. The kid's age
2. The health problem that caused the kid to be airlifted
3. The number of days spent in the hospital
4. Whether the kid lived or died
Beyond the fact that it's a waste of resources, I was really disturbed by the content of the reports.
It's not like they use the airlift frivilously. There's danger involved in using the helicopter, and they only airlift people kids who need it. What's fucked up is that when a kid is sick enough to need an airlift, but below a certain level of sickness, they have to land off site and drive the kid in.
I'm pretty sure that the people who live around Harborview don't get a report. Because it's ridiculous. I used to live in an apt building across the street from Children's, and yes, the helicopter is loud. But it doesn't last that long, and rather than be annoyed, I usually thought, "I hope that kid is okay."
On the other hand, when I received the quarterly report, I would curse Jeannie Hale's name. When I lived there, the report included:
1. The date and time that the kid was airlifted
2. The kid's age
2. The health problem that caused the kid to be airlifted
3. The number of days spent in the hospital
4. Whether the kid lived or died
Beyond the fact that it's a waste of resources, I was really disturbed by the content of the reports.
41
I currently live in a small city with two firehouses near me (one right behind my building). It's irritating and earsplitting when the sirens go off, but I knew they were here when I chose to live here. And as annoying as it is waking up to that noise at 4 a.m., I know they're doing good work and I'm ultimately glad for it. If it ever got to be too much, I'd move. As the old saying goes, it's easier to wear slippers than carpet the world. My comfort is less important than saving lives.
42
keshmeshi
If you're standing on the tarmac, a helicopter makes a mighty racket. If it's flying over your house en route to the hospital, you're talking maybe a half-minute of "annoyance." (I live on a houseboat along the Fremont narrows, and hear float planes and that King5 bird all day long, so check yourself).
The people who might even have a few minutes of noise (just twice a week, remember) live right near busy Sandpoint way, and bought a house that was already next to a helipad.
Outside of maybe the half-minute that a helicopter is in sight, you'll hear it coming and going (ref: doppler). But if you think the background ambient noise of helicopter (in a major city) is an "annoyance" then you seriously need to toughen-up. And if you think your "annoyance" trumps a kid struggling for breath, or bleeding from the ears, or choking on his tongue, then it might just be time for a little personal reflection.
keshmeshi
If you're standing on the tarmac, a helicopter makes a mighty racket. If it's flying over your house en route to the hospital, you're talking maybe a half-minute of "annoyance." (I live on a houseboat along the Fremont narrows, and hear float planes and that King5 bird all day long, so check yourself).
The people who might even have a few minutes of noise (just twice a week, remember) live right near busy Sandpoint way, and bought a house that was already next to a helipad.
Outside of maybe the half-minute that a helicopter is in sight, you'll hear it coming and going (ref: doppler). But if you think the background ambient noise of helicopter (in a major city) is an "annoyance" then you seriously need to toughen-up. And if you think your "annoyance" trumps a kid struggling for breath, or bleeding from the ears, or choking on his tongue, then it might just be time for a little personal reflection.
43
Keshmeshi,
Don't forget to pick up your white satin gloves from the drycleaners - you've got that tea social with the ladies to attend.
I've worked at Swedish, I lived with my son at Children's for a month, and this hag called Hale is a fucking liar.
The NICU and Peds floors at Swedish would barely make a wing of Children's, which is a REGIONAL hospital.
The callousness of these people is mind-numbing. I suppose they don't realize that they live in a CITY, where crowds and noise come with the territory. Come live on our block for a day or two!
Children's needs only ten percent of their stated plans for growth, so they say?! How can we stick it these people, legally?
Don't forget to pick up your white satin gloves from the drycleaners - you've got that tea social with the ladies to attend.
I've worked at Swedish, I lived with my son at Children's for a month, and this hag called Hale is a fucking liar.
The NICU and Peds floors at Swedish would barely make a wing of Children's, which is a REGIONAL hospital.
The callousness of these people is mind-numbing. I suppose they don't realize that they live in a CITY, where crowds and noise come with the territory. Come live on our block for a day or two!
Children's needs only ten percent of their stated plans for growth, so they say?! How can we stick it these people, legally?
44
@34,
As #27 notes, 147 flights landed elsewhere. If all the hysterical people here had their way, more than 200 flights would land at Children's every year. By your calculations, after the expansion, that would be more than 400 a year. I've lived in many noisy locales throughout my life, but have never put up with even one-two brief spurts of loud noise every single day.
@42 and 43,
I guess you dipshits failed to notice when I called Hale an "asshole" and an "idiot" and when I praised Children's for working with the community even as they likely don't even have to legally. Go fuck yourselves.
As #27 notes, 147 flights landed elsewhere. If all the hysterical people here had their way, more than 200 flights would land at Children's every year. By your calculations, after the expansion, that would be more than 400 a year. I've lived in many noisy locales throughout my life, but have never put up with even one-two brief spurts of loud noise every single day.
@42 and 43,
I guess you dipshits failed to notice when I called Hale an "asshole" and an "idiot" and when I praised Children's for working with the community even as they likely don't even have to legally. Go fuck yourselves.
45
Half the houses in Laurelhurst are on foreclosure. As for the rich bitches with income still- You don't mind shopping at U-village- 10 BLOCKS AWAY! Fuck you! You may have been there first;70-80 year old retirees, but you will die soon. Hopefully the many children may live. Until then, go suck down a fucking smoothie and see if Storables has a lovely coffin in Plexiglass.
47
Somebody earlier asked what separates NIMBYism from reasonable opposition to being shit on with new development. This is clearly NIMBY bullshit. How do you protest expanding a children's hospital?
48
Where is this idiot getting her stats? I work at Swedish. The Peds floor at the First Hill campus is small, maybe 20 beds, and is almost never full. None of the other campuses even have Peds floors. True we have a very busy NICU, but the amount of pediatric patients we serve is dwarfed by Children's! Maybe if you count the many Swedish outpatient clinics around town, but again those are PRIMARY not SPECIALTY care. Swedish is trying to expand their pediatric care, but they have a LONG way to go to compare with Children's. I am a Swedish employee, but my kids would go to Children's if they needed speciality care.
49
On the other side of the story, Children's has done a lot to reach out to the community. I live in Roosevelt and we get letters and pamphlets and such periodically from Children's. The have sent us detailed description of the changes taking place asking for support - not monetary support but support from the community to let the project go ahead. The first time we got one of these my husband and I both said "what kind of a person would oppose that?".
50
Think of the neighbors!?!?!? Why not think of all the sick kids that benefit from this hospital everyday! Give me a break Laurelhurst! Stop being such babies! The hospital bends so far over back for you it isn’t funny! I think that they waste so much time tiptoeing around the neighbors trying to make them happy and no matter what they say or do it is never good enough….
51
i work at Seattle Children's and very proud of it. it's 8th Top Childrens Hospital in the US, according to 2008 ranking by the US News & WR. I lived nearby before and would never ever imagine experience SC is going through thanks to LCC. this is disgrace and LCC should be ashamed for having such reps. Why people from Laurelhurst is not challenging the LCC so-called president?
52
What if the hospital can guarantee only nice white children are allowed there and the sick kids of WELFARE QUEENS won't be allowed on the premises with their riff raff families.
53
There is nothing to destroy, Ms Hale. There is no "character to the surrounding communities"- it is pretty much regular ugly suberbs. In your place I would be proud if somebody will make it "Bellevue Square type development". You are just trying to get money on account of sick kids. What is wrong with the sociaty where instead of complete and full support Childrens hospital having all this obstacles?
Dear, Jeannie Hale. To be compassionate and humane it is not about once per time to have a dinner with rich friends to raise money for something because you are bored to death.
Shame on you!
Dear, Jeannie Hale. To be compassionate and humane it is not about once per time to have a dinner with rich friends to raise money for something because you are bored to death.
Shame on you!
54
If Jeannie's child was in Children's, I guarantee this would be a heart-warming story of a community association banding together to help a hospital expand.
I'm ashamed to live in the same country as these self-serving pricks.
I'm ashamed to live in the same country as these self-serving pricks.
55
The Stranger really ought to spend some time talking with OTHER Laurelhurst residents. You will find many, many, many of them are in complete disagreement with what the LCC has done in regards to Children's.
The Stranger may even hear about a revolt brewing in the neighborhood. Residents are damn tired of being mis-characterized by the actions of the LCC.
There are normal, compassionate, intelligent people living in Laurelhurst. People who support Children's plan. Lots of them.
The Stranger may even hear about a revolt brewing in the neighborhood. Residents are damn tired of being mis-characterized by the actions of the LCC.
There are normal, compassionate, intelligent people living in Laurelhurst. People who support Children's plan. Lots of them.
56
So this Laurelhurst woman says “It would pretty much destroy the character of the surrounding communities..."
The definition of the word "character" includes: "moral or ethical quality: being of fine, honorable character.
So here's my question: What kind of "character" is left in a community that lets someone like this represent them?
So this Laurelhurst woman says “It would pretty much destroy the character of the surrounding communities..."
The definition of the word "character" includes: "moral or ethical quality: being of fine, honorable character.
So here's my question: What kind of "character" is left in a community that lets someone like this represent them?
57
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"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life's persistent and most urgent question is -- What are you doing for others?"
The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
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"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life's persistent and most urgent question is -- What are you doing for others?"
The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
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58
I'd really like to see a ton of Laurelhurst neighbors show up at the LCC Annual Meeting (whenever that is) and vote these nitwits OUT. Take back your community, Laurelhurst.
59
As a Laurelhurst resident, I become livid when I hear that the Laurelhurst Community Club purports to speak on behalf of the residents of Laurelhurst. Despite an inclusive name, and a tag line on their mailed periodical which suggests they are the voice for the neighborhood, the insane views they espouse are those of a small but vocal minority.
I can speak for myself when I say that many Laurelhurst families with small children moved to the neighborhood exactly because of its proximity to a world-renowned hospital. The hospital goes out of its way to accommodate the neighbors. The aforementioned shenanigans with the helicopters is one example, but there are many others. My daughter learned how to swim in their pool, got all sorts of safety information and fun toys from their outreach program, and received exceptional care as a patient.
I can also say that as a medical provider (who has no connection with Children's) that: the work done at children's has impacts far beyond laurelhurst (in some cases around the world), there is no comparison between Children's and Swedish in terms of scope or size of service, and that health economics are complicated, but that every empty bed in a hospital comes at a huge cost. If they say they need to build it, when did Jeannie get her degree in health economics to suggest they do not?
This degree of NIMBY-ism and pettiness is shameful.
I can speak for myself when I say that many Laurelhurst families with small children moved to the neighborhood exactly because of its proximity to a world-renowned hospital. The hospital goes out of its way to accommodate the neighbors. The aforementioned shenanigans with the helicopters is one example, but there are many others. My daughter learned how to swim in their pool, got all sorts of safety information and fun toys from their outreach program, and received exceptional care as a patient.
I can also say that as a medical provider (who has no connection with Children's) that: the work done at children's has impacts far beyond laurelhurst (in some cases around the world), there is no comparison between Children's and Swedish in terms of scope or size of service, and that health economics are complicated, but that every empty bed in a hospital comes at a huge cost. If they say they need to build it, when did Jeannie get her degree in health economics to suggest they do not?
This degree of NIMBY-ism and pettiness is shameful.
60
As an RN working in the Pediatric ICU, I can assure you that we ALREADY ARE THE FRAKKIN' (I'm a peds nurse so pardon my use of less offensive expletives) LEADERS in Pediatric Care.... Our three ICUs have 45 beds and we've been running full for most of the year. Swedish is a joke... what do they have... 3 beds? Whoa. Impressive. If your kid is critically ill or having their skull cut open or their heart reconstructed you want them at Seattle Children's. Trust me. And if they won't let us grow to meet the demand, I say we relocate to Bremerton (lots of cheap waterfront property over there), and convert the Laurelhurst Campus into a 250 inpatient methadone clinic, or homeless shelter, or somethin'.
61
As I live close by, I have been following some of the controversy surrounding the Laurelhurst Community Club’s (1) opposition to the proposed expansion of Children's Hospital. (2)
It makes me wonder how something is insidious as the building of a hospital for children could have slipped past the Laurelhurst Community Club assiduousness back in the 50s.
Here is a potential reason.
In the late 1920s much Laurelhurst was blanketed by covenants such as this one:
“7. No property in said plat shall at any time, directly or indirectly be sold, conveyed, rented or leased in whole or in part to any person not of the White Race. 8. No person other than one of the White Race shall be permitted to occupy any portion of any lot in said plat or of any building at any time thereon, except a domestic servant actually employed by a White occupant of such building.” (3)
These restrictive covenants were insufficient. They did not exclude Jews!
People of Asiatic, African or Negro blood, lineage or extraction can be most often identified by their appearance, but this is not always the case with Jewish people.
Sometimes the only way to identify a Jewish person as a Jew is to ask them about their faith. This is what the Laurelhurst Beach Club did. If you left the faith question on your application blank, the Beach Club would investigate, no people of Jewish faith were to be allowed a membership. (4)
By the mid-1950s this anti-Semitism was coming to light. Jewish residents of Laurelhurst were being polled, the press had picked up the story and the Anti-Defamation League was initiating legal action.
Children's Hospital was established in Laurelhurst in 1953, they snuck in while the neighborhood bigots were otherwise distracted.
Note: Laurelhurst is not yet crime free! The Laurelhurst playfield is besmirched by the raucous and loud and behavior of loitering children. They often use the fire pit there without a permit and use obscene language. This intolerable criminality is exacerbated by the adjacent Community Church. The Church is welcoming to all and has consistently refused to post no trespassing notices on its property, thus leaving the summoned police unable to arrest these delinquent interlopers for trespassing. (5)
1. http://www.laurelhurstcc.com/
2. http://www.seattlechildrens.org/
3 http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/datab…
4. http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/laure…
5. http://www.laurelhurstcc.com/issues/Park…
More...
It makes me wonder how something is insidious as the building of a hospital for children could have slipped past the Laurelhurst Community Club assiduousness back in the 50s.
Here is a potential reason.
In the late 1920s much Laurelhurst was blanketed by covenants such as this one:
“7. No property in said plat shall at any time, directly or indirectly be sold, conveyed, rented or leased in whole or in part to any person not of the White Race. 8. No person other than one of the White Race shall be permitted to occupy any portion of any lot in said plat or of any building at any time thereon, except a domestic servant actually employed by a White occupant of such building.” (3)
These restrictive covenants were insufficient. They did not exclude Jews!
People of Asiatic, African or Negro blood, lineage or extraction can be most often identified by their appearance, but this is not always the case with Jewish people.
Sometimes the only way to identify a Jewish person as a Jew is to ask them about their faith. This is what the Laurelhurst Beach Club did. If you left the faith question on your application blank, the Beach Club would investigate, no people of Jewish faith were to be allowed a membership. (4)
By the mid-1950s this anti-Semitism was coming to light. Jewish residents of Laurelhurst were being polled, the press had picked up the story and the Anti-Defamation League was initiating legal action.
Children's Hospital was established in Laurelhurst in 1953, they snuck in while the neighborhood bigots were otherwise distracted.
Note: Laurelhurst is not yet crime free! The Laurelhurst playfield is besmirched by the raucous and loud and behavior of loitering children. They often use the fire pit there without a permit and use obscene language. This intolerable criminality is exacerbated by the adjacent Community Church. The Church is welcoming to all and has consistently refused to post no trespassing notices on its property, thus leaving the summoned police unable to arrest these delinquent interlopers for trespassing. (5)
1. http://www.laurelhurstcc.com/
2. http://www.seattlechildrens.org/
3 http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/datab…
4. http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/laure…
5. http://www.laurelhurstcc.com/issues/Park…
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