Snoqualmie planner recognized by Centers for Disease Control
March 15, 2012
By Staff
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized city of Snoqualmie Associate Planner Nicole Sanders for outstanding work and support in creating a healthier King County, according to a press release from the city.
In the past two years, Sanders led local efforts to improve the community’s health through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. The initiative joins together local community organizations, cities, schools districts and public health agencies to prevent chronic disease and promote health through policy and environment changes.
Nicole Sanders
Sanders serves as Governance Team co-chairwoman for the still-developing Healthy King County Coalition, which promotes access to healthy foods, active lifestyles and tobacco cessation. Her co-chairwoman, Shelley Cooper-Ashford, who serves as executive director of the Center for Multicultural Health, was also recognized by the CDC.
“Our neighborhoods have changed drastically over the past decades,” Sanders said in the press release. “We have fewer kids walking to school, more kids eating fast food. We want to make sure people have sidewalks where needed to make walking a part of their routine, and options like apples and oranges in their daily diet. People have the freedom to make their own choices, but we want to ensure the full spectrum of healthy options is available in those choices.”
The initiative has also provided specific items that will help provide healthier options to future generations in Snoqualmie.
This included a sidewalk assessment of downtown Snoqualmie; passage of a “Complete Streets” policy to ensure that street improvements accommodate all users (such as pedestrians and bicyclists); and new community garden policies included in the city of Snoqualmie Open Space, Parks and Recreation Plan.
“I’ve always loved to walk and bike, and grew up cooking veggies with my grandmother,” Sanders said. “It makes me sad when I hear about some kids not having safe routes to their schools or fresh vegetables nearby. I just want to make sure those choices are available for everyone, but especially for our youth.”
Along with Sanders, those recognized by the CDC include John Vander Sluis, of Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and Sue Anderson, of the city of Des Moines and the King County Board of Health.
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