Image description: A logo that reads “Take 5 for Advocacy, “ featuring the words “Take 5” in red, with the 5 in a circle of lines that indicate a watch face, and the words “For Advocacy” in green. The words sit in front of a pattern that looks like a mosaic of stones, with a green cross surrounded by multicolored blocks.
Actions You Can Take This Week
DEADLINE TO COMMENT ON KALAMA REFINERY IS FRIDAY: The last day to leave a public comment with the Washington state Department of Ecology is THIS FRIDAY, October 9. It’s your last chance to tell the state Department of Ecology that you oppose Northwest Innovation Works' and the Port of Kalama's application to build the world’s largest methanol refinery in Kalama.You can read more about the comment process at the Department of Ecology's web site here, and leave a comment online here. Rich Voget has provided this handout to help guide your comments and make them more effective. He also shared this flier (download here) on the Kalama Refinery and why Sierra Club opposes it, to find out more about the training workshops, and connect with Sierra Club at monthly meetings on the topic every third Thursday on Zoom. Email sept.gernez@sierraclub.org for the Zoom link.
TELL COUNCILMEMBERS TO VOTE FOR HEALTH THROUGH HOUSING: King County Councilmembers have the opportunity to create emergency homes for 2,000 people by voting for the Health through Housing proposal! Health through Housing would buy currently vacant hotels, motels, and nursing homes, and turn them into emergency housing for King County residents who are experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. This is a way to scale up our regional investment in supportive housing, fast. Enacting a one tenth of one percent sales tax (which must be used for affordable housing and behavioral health services) and bonding against it would let King County buy buildings left empty by the current economic crisis now; pay for the supports and services people need; and operate this emergency housing as supportive homes long-term. King County residents can click here to urge their councilmembers to vote for this plan.
ASK ABOUT VOTING PLANS: As we head toward Election Day, make sure your friends, neighbors, and relatives — especially those who live outside of Washington state and may be voting by mail for the first time — have a plan for making sure their ballot gets counted. Tell them to vote early!