Review editorial: Excitement mounts for Fourth on Plateau
June 24, 2008
Last year’s Fourth on the Plateau was a huge success, even though it was the first such event.
Fast forward to this year and the excitement is mounting! There will be live music from two bands, lots more concession stands, twice the portable toilets, a children’s play area, clowns, balloons, 20,000 of your favorite Sammamish neighbors – and fireworks lighting the sky for miles around!
You’ll want to be there, and the Review will help you make it easier by providing maps with parking locations and festival tips, all in a special pull-out section in next week’s paper. Bring your family, your friends, a blanket to spread on the lawn, a picnic basket with your best red, white and blue cupcakes, and come early for the music. Don’t forget to pack some patience as you walk/drive with the crowds.
Creating a party for 20,000 is no easy feat. Just ask Dawn Sanders, the city’s volunteer coordinator, who could still use more help (call 295-0556.) And it takes a lot of money- about $80,000 – to rent those toilets and sound equipment, make directional signs, buy balloons and hire the clowns and to pay for the grand fireworks show, the capper of any true Independence Day celebration.
Take note of the corporate sponsors who pay to have their name associated with this community event, and offset the taxpayer’s contributions. Microsoft has quietly contributed 25 grand, most likely as a tribute to its many employees who make their home in Sammamish. Other sponsors do what they can, and deserve your appreciation, too.
Be safe, be sane, but party Sammamish style. It’s year two, so now we can call it another great American tradition.
Fireworks have rules, too
Guidelines for fireworks in Sammamish are quite simple: You can’t.
It is illegal to possess or discharge fireworks in the city.
Officals said they take an “informational” approach rather than fining violators, but city law does provide for fines of $500 for possession and $1,000 for discharging fireworks.
Just another reason to go to Fourth on the Plateau.
Sammamish Forum
June 24, 2008
Not the city’s money
In the Sammamish City Newsletter, Issue 72, Mayor Lee Fellinge talked about the city’s 2009-2010 budget saying ”This is not the city’s money; it is your money… I invite you to keep track of these discussions and let us know what you think.”
You want to know what we think? Really, Lee?
Since you are listening, here is my number one recommendation. Scrap the East Lake Sammamish Parkway project.
But then, taxpayers have Read more
Time to hang up and drive
June 24, 2008
Ban on driving while talking on a hand held cell phone starts July 1
Jamie Cook can’t help but feel nervous on the road when other drivers fall victim to distractions within their vehicles. That’s just one of the reasons that the Sammamish resident Read more
State Official: tolls coming on 520 Bridge
June 24, 2008
At night, Paula Hammond has visions of the ailing 520 Bridge snapping off its moorings and drifting away into Lake Washington.
“That’s what I lay awake worrying about,” the Washington Transportation Secretary told the Sammamish City Council. Read more
Everything’s going up
June 24, 2008
Water, sewer rates both set to rise
Sammamish residents may have to pay more for water and sewer service by 2009.
The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer Authority, which provides sewer and water service to more than 50,000 people in parts of Sammamish, Issaquah and Read more
Survey says
June 24, 2008
City polls 400 Sammamish residents
Residents of Sammamish continue to love the city for its small-town feel, quiet, schools, safety and lakes, and they still wish the city had less traffic congestion.
But the percentage of residents who approve of the city’s general direction Read more
Minimal impact from Sheriff’s budget cuts
June 24, 2008
If King County officials respond to the county’s budget crisis by reducing criminal justice funding, some of the impacts could trickle down to Sammamish.
Facing a $68 million shortfall in the 2009 budget, King County Executive Ron Read more
Local broker charged with fraud
June 24, 2008
A Sammamish man is one of six local people indicted in a Federal mortgage fraud investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges Mustafa “Marc” Khosraw, a 46-year-old mortgage broker, worked with a Seattle loan officer to create and submit false documents Read more
Council approves parks plan
June 24, 2008
The City Council approved a six-year parks plan for 21 projects that would cost $17.5 million to complete.
The plan calls for a $2 million restoration and expansion of the Beaver Lake Preserve, $7.5 million for Beaver Lake Park athletic fields, $3 million for future land Read more
