From rats to schools, active council works to enhance community

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The community council does not suffer from such malaise. The council is one of the most active in Seattle, drawing 30 or more residents to its meetings.

Its list of current projects include turning an unused lot into badly needed off-street parking for Wedgwood Elementary School staff. The community council put up $500 as matching money and a member is helping raise a total of about $30,000.

Over the years, the council has tried to spruce up Wedgwood, adding a gate on 35th Avenue Northeast to the oldest tract of Wedgwood homes. It also organizes an annual spring cleaning and community garage sale, and members hoist colorful banners along 35th from April through October.

One problem that has been brought to the attention of the council is rats. Like Laurelhurst, Magnolia and other woodsy neighborhoods, Wedgwood has too many rats, and they are getting into attics, crawl spaces and garages. The city's "rat patrol" will be coming soon to give residents tips on how to discourage the pests.

Because of the area's many schools, including University Preparatory Academy, the council also has a school committee. It works to recruit tutors and is a good way for the community to keep in touch with the needs of the schools, Robinson says.

Wedgwood has been the kind of place where residents pitch in when there's a problem. "People will band together and help each other without asking a lot of questions," Robinson says.

Several years ago a snowstorm trapped about 75 kids at Wedgwood Elementary school. Rather than risk sending them home on icy streets, the staff decided to have the kids and teachers spend the night.

"All of a sudden pizzas started arriving, and a bunch of neighbors brought blankets and games. It was a fantastic party that was put on basically by the people around the school," Robinson says.

"Now this is a way for a community to cooperate. No one asked for it or expected it. It just happened."

Continued:

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