Citizens weigh in on roundabout plan
September 17, 2008
Patrick McGrady (right) explains the roundabout plan during the open house. Photo by J.B. Wogan
One man peered over the city’s model of a roughly $250,000 roundabout proposed at Read more
City announces plans to own segment of 248th
September 17, 2008
Brian Steinbis closes a gate to a segment of private road owned by about nine property owners. Steinbis uses the gate several times a day. Photo by J.B. Wogan
At the Sept. 2 City Council meeting, John Cunningham, the city’s director of Public Works announced plans to turn a private segment of 248th Avenue Southeast into a public road.
The road in question is about one-fifth of a mile, running from Southeast 14th Street to Southeast 17th Street.
City Council voted unanimously to obtain deeds signed by eight or nine property owners. With written permission by those property owners, the city could make the segment a public road.
The city’s action is a direct response to a series of requests from citizens Read more
EFR freezes hiring
September 17, 2008
Agency will only add firefighters for a year
Facing grim budget projections from its member cities, the Eastside Fire & Rescue board narrowly approved a hiring freeze during its Sept. 9 meeting.
The board is Read more
The more the merrier?
September 17, 2008
Camden Park seeks annexation again
Chris Toombs, resident of the Camden Park neighborhood, can list off a handful of reasons why he and his neighbors should be Sammamish residents, but there’s one Read more
Anderson, Spring in race for 5th District seat
September 17, 2008
Glenn Anderson hopes to return to Olympia
Position: Rep-resentative, Seat 2, 5th District
Age: 50
Occupation: State representative, 5th District
Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Alabama
Family: Wife Elisabeth
Fun facts
- Favorite movie: ‘Saving Private Ryan’ or anything with Sean Connery
- Favorite book: ‘The Power of Myth,’ by Joseph Campbell
- Favorite cuisine: Chinese
- Favorite beverage: Cran-raspberry juice
- Favorite ice cream: Raspberry chocolate chunk
- Favorite hobby: Reading history
Republican Glenn Anderson isn’t big on happy talk politics or attack politics. He comes from a business background and said he is a firm believer that residents should be able to trust their representative’s votes.
“I’m trying to represent the best interests of the people of this district,” he said.
While in his 20s, Anderson worked as a carpenter, longshoreman and volunteer firefighter. He also worked in aerospace and textile factories.
Anderson began working in the banking industry 25 years ago. Ten years later, he started his own business, working as an independent consultant.
“I’m a real big fan of entrepreneurialism,” he said.
He was first elected to the Legislature in 2000 as a representative of the 5th District.
“I thought my skills would be useful,” he said.
He has been re-elected every term since and is now running for his fifth term in office.
Anderson said the key issues for the next term are education, budgeting and transportation.
He is a member of a bipartisan group aiming to reform the education-funding model.
Its goal is to get the state to fund the basic needs of all school districts in the state, he said, adding that the current system has increasingly forced taxpayers to pay for basic needs the state should pay for.
He said he also hopes to fix the state’s budgeting process.
“The budgeting process is just a nightmare,” he said. “It literally is like drunken sailors. In the process of trying to make everybody happy, we’re going broke.”
He said the state’s tax revenue growth rate is 6 percent per year and the spending growth rate is 16 percent per year, leaving the state in debt.
“There is an outstanding tax bill of $68.5 million and growing for residents of our 5th District, regardless of whether they received services for that spending or not,” he said.
For transportation, Anderson said we must reduce traffic congestion immediately.
He said the combination of increased fuel economy, new hybrid technologies and high gas prices that discourage driving have resulted in decreased revenue from the state’s gas tax.
Transportation-related revenues that are now spent in the state’s general operating fund should be re-allocated to fund transportation construction, he said.
This term, Anderson has introduced 45 bills to the House, three of which have passed, and 39 amendments to bills in the House, eight of which have passed.
Out of 1,570 votes this term, he has missed only one, according to the Washington Votes.
He said he holds the No. 2 voting record against tax credits and deferrals.
“I would be willing to stand on my record every day,” he said.
He serves as the ranking minority leader on the House Higher Education Committee and as the assistant minority leader on the House K-12 Education Committee. He also serves on the House Appropriations Committee and works with various other committees, including the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.
Anderson spent his childhood growing up in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. He worked his way through college, and spent five years living in Atlanta after graduating.
“There is no substitute for a good education,” he said.
After traveling to the Northwest, he discovered he enjoyed the region. He made the move to Western Washington in 1988 and spent four years living in Seattle before settling in Fall City, where he lives with his wife of 20 years.
Although he has no children, he has 13 nieces and nephews, and has been labeled “designated uncle” by his family. He also lives with two dogs, one cat, four sheep and one pygmy goat.
The King County Municipal League has ranked Anderson as a “good” candidate for the position.
The league is a nonpartisan association that conducts the equivalent of job interviews with candidates in King County and rates them on their capacity to serve effectively.
David Spring runs frugal campaign for state house
Position: Representative, Seat 2, 5th District
Age: 56
Occupation: Researching math and science education
Education: Bachelor’s degree in math and science education from WSU; master’s degree in education from the University of Washington
Family: Daughter Sierra
Fun facts
- Favorite movie: ‘Gandhi’
- Favorite book: ‘The Audacity of Hope,’ by Barack Obama
- Favorite cuisine: Chinese
- Favorite beverage: Apple juice
- Favorite ice cream: Chocolate
- Favorite hobby: Raising his daughter
Democrat and North Bend resident David Spring made a promise to his 8-year-old daughter, and it was a promise he said he intends to keep: He promised her a place to go to high school.
North Bend youths attend Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, a facility with a capacity of 1,200 and a student population of 1,500.
Three times in the past two years, bond measures to solve the problem by building a high school in North Bend have failed. It was the third and final failure in March that convinced Spring it was time to act.
He said one of the main reasons the bond measures failed was because voters were unhappy with the fact that the Legislature refused to financially support the building of a new high school.
Spring noted that the state constitution says funding education is the paramount duty of the state. He said the state only offered to pay for 3 percent of a new high school in North Bend, which is not consistent with the constitution.
“The state is completely ignoring the state constitution,” he said. “No other community in the state of Washington has been forced to pay for nearly 100 percent of a public school in the past 100 years. It is illegal and unconstitutional.”
Washington state is 46th in the nation in school spending. Spring said he will change this, but not by raising taxes.
He said property owners in the 5th District pay 7 percent to 16 percent more in property taxes and receive 10 percent less in school funding from the state.
He also said he would not be able to afford a further increase in property taxes, and that his solution is to make corporations pay their fair share of taxes.
“Small businesses never get any tax breaks,” he said. “If small businesses can stay in business paying taxes, then so can big businesses.”
From 1985-1992, Spring owned and managed Wilderness Sports, a small business based in Bellevue.
He also said he has never taken money from a corporate lobbyist.
“Representatives are supposed to be representing the people in their district, not corporate lobbyists,” he said.
Spring grew up in Vancouver, Wash., and graduated from Hudson Bay High School and Washington State University, both with honors. He taught courses on problem solving and conflict resolution at Bellevue Community College for many years, and graduated from the University of Washington with his master’s degree in 2007.
He said he is different from other representatives in the Legislature because of his background, including his post-graduate work in education and child development. That background has given him a deep understanding of just how harmful poor funding and overcrowded schools can be to children, although he said he is running more as a parent than as an educator.
Spring comes from a family of Norwegian emigrants, and was only the second from his family to graduate from high school and the first to attend any form of college.
He said he is willing to discuss politics with anyone anytime.
“This is going to be a different kind of representation,” he said.
Spring has spent less than $10,000 on his entire campaign, and has no manager or treasurer. He has refinanced his home to run for office.
“I’m doing something that nobody running has done in probably 10 or 20 years,” he said.
Spring researched math and science education at the University of Washington until June. He is now campaigning full time.
The King County Municipal League has ranked him as a “very good” candidate for the position. The league is a nonpartisan association that conducts the equivalent of job interviews with candidates in King County and rates them on their capacity to serve effectively.
City holds public meetings about Sammamish Landing
September 17, 2008
If you’ve wanted to have a hand in shaping Sammamish Landing, now’s your chance.
The city will hold three public meetings between now and Read more
Review editorial
September 17, 2008
No-animal policy is out of line
We understand the need for a policy against friendly little hamsters, gerbils, turtles, dogs, birds, fish and other classroom animals, provided the fuss is all about students and staff members who might have allergies.
But let’s be clear. We’re getting a strong feeling that the Issaquah School District’s new policy is more about dogs, and the cultures that may not approve of dogs.
That’s a concern we all need to be aware of, and not give in to.
Global cultures are finding their way to Sammamish as our community becomes more diverse. That’s a wonderful thing, and our students will be better world citizens for the opportunities that come with learning about other cultures. But does that mean American children should have to give up their own culture (including pets) to accommodate new ways of thinking?
We’d have to say no. Students (and adults) must be respectful of other cultures, but we would expect newcomers to do the same for us.
Animals in the classroom are part of our culture. How many hundreds of Sammamish schoolchildren have raised salmon from eggs to fingerlings before releasing them in the stream? Others have watched caterpillars morph into butterflies. Those are lessons that should not be passed by, and are indeed OK under the new policy, provided they are part of the district-approved curriculum. But is that exemption a loophole that leaves room for challenge?
Issaquah School District officials say they don’t want to single out anyone who has a health issue with school animals. If that health issue — such as an allergic reaction — cannot be resolved without removal of the animal, then we might agree. But if a cultural difference suggests that animals are dirty, then that’s in the eye of the beholder and not an issue for creation of a new school policy.
The school district has served students well for many years without a no-animal policy. It appears the district is overreacting to infrequent problems that can best be handled with a policy that allows appeals to a particular animal. Instead, the new policy mandates permission of every student, staff member or volunteer that may come in contact with the fur or feather of a visiting animal.
This policy needs to go back to the drawing board with a chance for students and adults to suggest some rules that respect the rights, the health — and the American way — of all concerned.
Sammamish Forum
September 17, 2008
Sewer markers are fine
I have a difficult time believing Mr. Bohanan (Vintage I crusades against sewer valve markers, Sept. 3, Page 3). How are these sewer markers a safety hazard? He says “People could literally impale themselves on these things.”
Not likely, unless you fall from high Read more
Deb Sogge named director of the Chamber of Commerce
September 17, 2008
Deb Sogge, new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, talks with Stanley Gunno, a small business owner interested in joining the chamber at the Sammamish Farmers Market. Photo by J.B. Wogan
Perhaps the statistic that best explains why Deb Sogge has the first full-time position at the Chamber of Commerce is its increase in membership. As the membership director for the last three years, Sogge has seen membership more than quadruple from 60 to 250.
“She’s really been the driving force,” said Dawn Sanders, board president for the chamber. “She just really appreciates small businesses.”
Every Wednesday, Sogge is a smiling fixture in the chamber booth at the Sammamish Farmers Market, offering a handshake or a map to passersby.
Sogge joined the chamber in 2003 as a representative for a small Redmond business. Within a year, she was marketing for the chamber and then became the membership director in 2005.
Before becoming the executive director this fall, Sogge was already getting paid to work for the chamber. For the last two years, she received commission each time a member joined. But Read more
Business notes
September 17, 2008
Small businesspeople can save for healthcare
The U.S. Small Business Administration has developed a new Web site to help small business owners learn about Health Savings Accounts.
The accounts are tax-preferred and owned by an individual. They can be used to pay for current and future medical expenses, including deductibles, co-payments and other kinds of cost sharing. Visit www.hsa.gov.
Business seminar
The Sammamish Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a series of business seminars called “5 Essentials to Business Success” designed to help small business owners. Seminars are scheduled for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays starting Oct. 8 at the chamber offices, 268 228th Ave. NE.
To register, visit www.sammamishchamber.org.
Member lunch
The Sammamish Chamber’s monthly membership luncheon is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 18 at Bake’s Place at Providence Point.
This month’s speaker is Scott Bradbury, CEO of Brandstream. His branding strategies helped drive Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign, and helped Starbucks re-make coffee.
To register, visit www.sammamishchamber.org.
Shop around in Sammamish
The Sammamish Chamber of Commerce maintains a new Web site in order to encourage more residents to frequent local business.
Check out www.shoparoundsammamish.com. With the site, residents can peruse local business and print out coupons to buy merchandise at a discount.
Bank insured?
The Washington Department of Financial Institutions has developed a guide to let residents find out what levels of insurance their banks have.
In general, deposits of up to $100,000 in most accounts in banks and credit unions, or up to $250,000 in Individual Retirement Accounts, are insured by the federal government. Individuals may be able to get insurance for more money through certain federal agencies.
For more information, visit www.dfi.wa.gov.
In-home substance abuse counseling
Evergreen Healthcare offers a new in-home substance abuse services program. The program includes assessment, diagnosis and development of a care plan for adults with disabilities and adults over age 60 who may have a substance abuse problem.
Referrals are accepted, but should be discussed with the person to receive the assessment before calling in. There is a sliding scale fee for those without insurance.
Call 206-923-6300 and ask for “intake” from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
