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Why is this important? Since its formal founding in January, 2000, the Kennydale Neighborhood Association has been registered and operated in Washington State as a non-profit corporation. As the association matured, the Board became aware of the possibility that our non-profit status with the state did not necessarily relieve us of income tax liability as defined in federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations.
What actions has KNA taken? About two years ago, the KNA Board started in earnest to get better educated as to which set of IRS rules were applicable to us. We also sought guidance from Norma McQuiller, the City of Renton's Neighborhood Program Coordinator, as to the City’s position, and what the other neighborhoods were doing, if anything. In response to this show of interest, Norma arranged for a seminar on IRS rules regarding tax-exempt charitable organizations. In November 2014, Misty Baker, who is a Senior Finance Analyst for the City, conducted this seminar. At that meeting, the representatives from various neighborhood association leaders received excellent information which clarified that seeking tax-exempt status per IRS Section 501(c)(4) was the best fit for the associations. As KNA’s Treasurer, it was my job to read and understand the IRS rules and then fill out the 7 pages of IRS Form 1024 and add 18 pages of attachments in order to apply for tax-exempt status. The effort was time-consuming but manageable because KNA has always maintained excellent financial records of where our money comes from, and how it is spent. At this time, I also filed two related tax returns for year 2014, although no taxes were due. I am pleased to report that, on May 14, 2015, KNA received IRS notification that it is “exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code”. Where do we go from here? KNA will to continue to operate its financial affairs so that all of the funds that we receive through membership dues, donations, our advertisers/sponsors, and City of Renton Neighborhood Grants are utilized for events and activities that energize and improve our neighborhood, and provide essential lines of communication...just have we always have done since 1999. We will also file an IRS Form 990N each year to maintain our tax-exempt status. Please be aware: Per IRS rules, payments to 501(c)(4) groups like KNA are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Income Tax purposes. Darius Richards, KNA Treasurer
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Saturday, August 15th Ice Cream starts at 6:30 p.m.....Movie starts at 8:00 p.m. Kennydale Lions Park: Aberdeen Ave. NE at NE 24th Street
I have always loved TRAINS. One uncle was the night stationmaster in Snohomish, where my brother and I were allowed to visit several times. Although the trains did not stop nor even slow down, they appeared to be racing right at us----breathtaking!
Train routes through Kennydale do have quite a history, although almost non-existent today. A remaining section of Burlington Northern continues to carry fuselage sections, etc. to Boeing, recently labeled the most efficient manufacturer in the world. The trains run from Renton northward to a crossing at Lake Washington Boulevard, then going forward enough to be able to back into where the Boeing 737’s are presently turning out like hotcakes. Tracks remain beyond but their tunnels crossing Freeway 405 have been removed. The Boulevard has a new signal light at the train intersection and south entrance into Coulon Park, but is not fully operating at this writing. Those of us who live near Lake Washington Boulevard are no doubt conscious of train crossing whistles and railcars occasionally sitting along Coulon Park. As my original home is located just above highway 405, I have heard whistles my whole life and still find them exciting. That line continued not only to the Winery, but somewhere near Snohomish and most traces of it are long gone. The other rail line has a more interesting history. It was higher along the hillside, the freeway now covering much of it. This one was built to haul coal from the Newcastle mines when shipping across land and water became too cumbersome. Near what is now NE 28th Street, the tracks swung right to the East, passing through the present Kennydale Elementary School building site, on across along NE 29th through a very over-grown but still visual cut. It then turned along the hill a short way before turning left over May Creek far below. I understand that trestle crossing was one of the highest in the country at that time. Part 2 of TRAINS will appear in the October Kennydale News This is the fourth in an on-going series of articles by KNA’s Official historian, Pauline Kirkman. On Saturday afternoon, June 13th, Kennydale resident Jessica Valdez was floating on her stand-up paddleboard about 100 feet north of the Kennydale Beach swimming area when she heard cries for help coming from the open water outside of the designated swimming area. A closer look revealed a boy who was clearly in distress, about 30 feet west of the logs that surround the swimming area. Apparently the boy had attempted to swim with friends out to the buoy that sits about 100 yards west of the swimming area; at some point during this venture he became exhausted and unable to continue. Jessica immediately realized that she was in the best position to render assistance, and paddled at full speed, covering the 100 foot distance to the flailing youth in about a minute. On her way, she noticed two other girls who were attempting to assist, but with the cold water and no flotation devices, they were putting themselves at risk. Upon arriving at the youth’s position, Jessica observed that he was totally exhausted, so she assisted him onto the board while assuring him that he would be all right in order to calm him down. She then took him back through the swimming area to the beach. During all of this, Jessica noticed that, other than the two girls, nobody else had attempted to render assistance. Maybe they didn’t hear the youth’s calls for help due to the noise of the swimming area? Maybe they thought the boy was kidding? Or maybe they just didn’t want to “get involved” ? Parents, please make sure that your kids understand this: It’s a real bad idea to go outside of the swimming area at any time, and especially so early in the swimming season when the water is cold. Once outside the log boom, you can also be hit by a boat, and it would be the swimmer’s fault. The recent hot weather has encouraged a lot of people to use this swimming area before the lifeguards come on duty at the start of summer vacation....so be cautious and don’t make bad choices!  Jessica Valdez assisting an exhausted swimmer
near Kennydale Beach. (Photo courtesy of Denis Law) The 2015 Kennydale Neighborhood Garage Sale, organized by the Kennydale Neighborhood Association for all residents of Kennydale, was again a great success. As we have experienced for the last two years, the weather again was perfect! We estimate that about 60 homes participated...thanks to all of you. As is the case for all events that KNA offers during the year, the Board and other involved members work diligently to ensure a successful outcome, and we appreciate the support and participation of all.
As usual, KNA provided red balloons for each participant, to help draw attention to their sale. Some families combined their sales, to give buyers a larger selection to choose from. And we noticed a few locations where residents continued their sales into Sunday. As the chairperson of the Garage Sale Committee, I would like to thank the Committee members for their efforts and team work, which included advertising in the Craig's List, E-blasts, distributing flyers, displaying A-Board signs at strategic locations, collecting and distributing balloons, talking to neighbors, and doing Facebook and Web-site advertising. Joining me on the committee were Darius and Vicki Richards, Mac and Sue Jahnke, Janet Eriksson, Devin Dolling, Faye Janders, Lynne Milnor and Avikar Agrawaal. Rajendra Agrawaal, Chairperson |
AuthorKNA is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Kennydale and fostering community spirit. Archives
November 2018
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