By SUSAN PARK

Perhaps it was the negative publicity from the WTO or perhaps it was simply on the agenda: in any case, North Seattle is lucky!... Lucky enough to have Mayor Paul Schell spend an entire 8 hours touring our neighborhoods and listening to our problems at the end of January.

The tour started in Green Lake where we lunched with Green Lake Chamber members. Chamber President Lisa Papp was on hand to roll out the red carpet and bagels.

Then we all loaded up in a large van piloted by Greenwood Neighborhood Service Center's Beth Pflug.

Our journey took us to Licton Springs where Community Council president Liz Kearns pointed out possibilities for developing the soon to be abandoned Wilson-Pacific School site.

Heading north towards Haller Lake and Broadview, we passed a bog north of North Seattle Community College at which point the Mayor exclaimed: "Wow! Look at all that land. We could develop that." Kearns quickly explained that this is the headwaters of Thornton Creek.

A great deal of time was spent viewing the neglected back streets off of Aurora all the way to the City of Seattle/Shoreline dividing line at N. 145th. The Mayor's eyes sparkled with interest at creating affordable housing and street improvements. Perhaps we'll get those desperately needed sidewalks sooner than later.

A stop at Bitter Lake Community Club was marked by a proclamation by Nancy Malmgren of Carkeek Park who declared January 25, 2000 as Mayor Paul Schell day from the City of Chum. Schell beamed in appreciation: "I sign so many of these, it's nice to get one myself."

Driving through Bitter Lake and Broadview, much attention was spent on the lack of sidewalks and proper street drainage. A particularly bad location in front of Broadview Elementary was pointed out.

Further adventures included a tree planting at Carkeek Park and a ride down the infamous Salmon Slide.

Heading back south, we passed a number of P-Patches. Jim Diers with the Department of Neighborhoods said the City plans to acquire many more.

We also passed a beautiful mural at Woodland Park Zoo.

In Greenwood, we stopped at a new 2.2 acre City Park at the corner of Fremont Ave. N. and N. 90th. The park houses old greenhouses which will be demolished and removed because they contain asbestos and lead. (The next meetings on the park will be held on February 8 at 7:00 p.m. upstairs at the Boys and Girls Club at 8635 Fremont Ave. N..)

Next door, we visited the Greenwood Boys and Girls Club where neighborhood kids took time out of their busy play schedules to meet the Mayor. Many of the children asked questions about public safety. They were all thrilled to learn that the Mayor has body guards and rides in a limo with flashing lights and a siren.

The evening was summed up with a reception at the grand opening dedication of the new Greenwood Neighborhood Service Center. Greenwood Chamber President Michelle Della Pella welcomed the Mayor to the delight of a packed room of admirers. School children gave him drawings they had laminated.

As a grand finale, Beth Pflug was surprised by an award of appreciation by the Greenwood Chamber for all of her tireless efforts.