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Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, serving the 36th District Serving Seattle, including Magnolia, Queen Anne, Phinney Ridge and parts of Ballard, Crown Hill, Denny Regrade, Fremont, Greenwood, Lake Union, Loyal Heights and Sunset Hill. |
Department of Licensing heeds Dickerson appeal for Greenwood-area
Remote drive-tests to begin in Greenwood on September 29
September 22, 2009
OLYMPIA—State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson needed an answer: How can her constituents in Greenwood and surrounding communities avoid the frustration of much longer lines and travel time to get driving tests, now that more Department of Licensing offices are being closed?
The Department phoned Dickerson (D-Seattle) with news of a solution: A remote drive testing location will be set up in Greenwood at 320 North 85th Street. Twice-weekly drive tests at the Greenwood location are slated to begin September 29.
"I'm thrilled the Department of Licensing heard our appeals for relief and I applaud them for a solution that will make a huge difference to people in the communities I serve," said Dickerson, who serves on the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives.
"Rep. Dickerson made a good point about the need to reduce the impacts of office closings on people in Greenwood, Ballard, Queen Anne and nearby communities," said Licensing Director Liz Luce. "The Greenwood drive-testing location will help us meet local needs while making limited resources go farther."
The Greenwood licensing office was one of four offices closed in March to reduce state costs. Four more King County licensing service offices are scheduled to close on September 26, including the office on Rainier Avenue South in Seattle.
"I heard from people in Greenwood, Ballard, Queen Anne and throughout the 36th District who were mortified by the prospect of having to wait in super-long lines to get driver testing in Lynnwood or West Seattle," Dickerson said. "We can all breathe easier now."
Dickerson said the Department of Licensing deserves credit on many fronts for the way it has handled state budget cutbacks that were brought about by the recession.
"The budget crisis has caused pain in every state agency, but few agencies have done as well as the Department of Licensing in using Internet services and other creative responses to minimize the impacts of budget cuts on direct services to people," Dickerson said.