Sammamish Forum August 12
August 11, 2009
By Administrator
Ideas for barricades
I know first hand the emotions that come into play on both sides of the barricade issue. On one hand, there is often the desire to shorten commuting miles. On the other hand, there are the many safety issues related to shattering local neighborhood streets never intended – nor safely designed – for speeding shortcut traffic.
For many years, I have championed the need for a more factual, transparent and informed open city process regarding decisions for any barricade in the city. It is clear the matter of barricades is a very sensitive issue affecting many homeowners across the city.
I know the city’s new barricade decision process is still in the early stages of development. However, the information presented by those arguing for barricade removal leave me very concerned that the process could become tainted, even gamed by deceivers not concerned about the truth. Given that future “public meetings” concerning barricades are coming, I would suggest:
u Such future meetings be announced and scheduled well in advance, at least several weeks, to allow all parties to prepare for such important discussions.
u That the meeting announcements be properly and timely communicated, especially to those neighborhoods that will actually be affected.
u That the public meetings incorporate working sessions that allow all parties to rebut information that may not be factual or truthful as a matter of public record.
u That all barricade meetings be scheduled for evening sessions as most attendees have day jobs and can’t always make last minute scheduled day meetings.
An openly debated, well communicated, and factually based barricade decision process is the approach that will most likely be respected and accepted by the majority of citizens. Even those that may disagree with each outcome decision.
Richard B. Kuprewicz
Sammamish
Counseling is about children, not parents
Ah, if only life were as simple as Urban Masset assumes. Parents would raise their kids right. There would be no bad kids, and those few who were raised “wrong” and turned “bad” would go where bad kids go. There would be no need for counselors or psychologists because there wouldn’t be any kids with problems – at least, not here.
I’m sad to say not just “bad” kids need counselors. Sometimes the children who need counselors are good kids — good students, good people. They do well in school. They don’t get in trouble with the law. There’s no reason to send them off to detention, but there is something wrong.
Perhaps Masset has never known a child who was sexually abused by a parent, stepparent or family friend. He’s lucky. One of my best friends from high school was, and it took counseling to resolve the issues the resulted from that abuse.
Perhaps Masset is unaware that clinical depression cannot be treated by ignoring it, and that it happens to the nicest of kids from the best of families. Perhaps Masset has never met a teenager trying to deal with a sexual identity that isn’t necessarily accepted by society.
Perhaps Masset needs to take the blinders off and realize the world isn’t black and white, good and bad, and that those of us who aren’t perfect, as Masset apparently is, occasionally need help. It’s nice when you can get by without it, but why deny it to children in need?
Catherine Rollosson Halbhuber
Sammamish
Beach access problems
The Aug. 5 article “Parkway Construction Rankles Beach Club Members” described the disregard the city of Sammamish has shown toward the Inglewood Beach Club and the beach property owners affected by parkway construction.
Senior Engineer Jeff Brauns is quoted saying, “We were never trying to find a solution during construction.” This is a very disturbing statement for our community. This suggests that when the city plans major construction projects it does not always consider effected taxpayers.
The city government should plan for property access during construction. Also, the city should put in place improved mechanisms for responding to community complaints during construction and accommodating these concerns. The Inglewood Beach Club will continue to be patient and work with the city through this construction. However, we should expect better planning in the future.
Stephanie Daniels
President, Inglewood Beach Club
Jarret for exec
I applaud your endorsement of Fred Jarrett for King County Executive.
Fred’s background sets him apart as a smart, accountable executive, skilled financial problem-solver, and more.
Fred’s years at Boeing taught him to manage costs and get the best from others in a complex environment. His years in the state house and senate made him a consensus-builder, where he has worked creatively from both sides of the aisle to help achieve worthy goals. I supported him when he was a Republican; I supported him as a Democrat. He is an “out front” leader, but does the homework necessary to get details right.
In this race, Fred’s record blends executive strengths and a bigger political reality with community-level leadership — as he has also been an effective Eastside mayor and councilmember.
Eastside voters, long under-represented in county executive decisions, should especially welcome a candidate so well attuned to Eastside needs and priorities. Fred will bring sound financial management. His progressive leadership will serve all of King County well, but he will also bring to the executive role a deeper understanding of suburban concerns. I say “Hurray! Welcome! It’s time!”
Janet Barry
Sammamish
I want to thank the Sammamish Review for the article featuring the Roving Rabbis as it was an interesting and informative read. It is so refreshing that our local newspaper has brought awareness to the local Jewish community. I am so happy to hear that our community has been welcoming to these Rabbis and I wish them all the best in their travels.
Naarah N Hastings
Sammamish
Where is our Community Center?
During a recent trip through Utah, we stayed in Vernal to visit Dinosaur National Monument. While looking for other activities we came across their state of the art recreational facility and community center. It boasts a lap/competitive pool, a leisure pool with two slides and play features, three party rooms, two full-sized gymnasiums, indoor track, 36-foot tall climbing wall, on-site child care, locker rooms, aerobics and dance studio, strength room, cardio equipment balcony, indoor slide to first floor, programs/classrooms for use. Visit http://www.uintahrecreation.org/ for more information.
I had my socks blown off when I visited the amazing facility. You can purchase affordable memberships or spend the day for under $3.
I asked the front desk person how they managed to locate such a beautiful facility in Vernal, she said that the city realized that their residents needed someplace to go for wholesome activity and they worked with the county to make it happen. Did I mention that Vernal has a population of 7,900?
So someone please tell me again why Sammamish, with its 40,000 residents still doesn’t have a public recreational facility for its residents? No, $45 Million worth of sidewalks and planters on a ‘beautified’ Lake Sammamish Parkway don’t count.
Michael J. O’Connell
Sammamish
Ideas for barricades
I know first hand the emotions that come into play on both sides of the barricade issue. On one hand, there is often the desire to shorten commuting miles. On the other hand, there are the many safety issues related to shattering local neighborhood streets never intended – nor safely designed – for speeding shortcut traffic.
For many years, I have championed the need for a more factual, transparent and informed open city process regarding decisions for any barricade in the city. It is clear the matter of barricades is a very sensitive issue affecting many homeowners across the city.
I know the city’s new barricade decision process is still in the early stages of development. However, the information presented by those arguing for barricade removal leave me very concerned that the process could become tainted, even gamed by deceivers not concerned about the truth. Given that future “public meetings” concerning barricades are coming, I would suggest:
u Such future meetings be announced and scheduled well in advance, at least several weeks, to allow all parties to prepare for such important discussions.
u That the meeting announcements be properly and timely communicated, especially to those neighborhoods that will actually be affected.
u That the public meetings incorporate working sessions that allow all parties to rebut information that may not be factual or truthful as a matter of public record.
u That all barricade meetings be scheduled for evening sessions as most attendees have day jobs and can’t always make last minute scheduled day meetings.
An openly debated, well communicated, and factually based barricade decision process is the approach that will most likely be respected and accepted by the majority of citizens. Even those that may disagree with each outcome decision.
Richard B. Kuprewicz
Sammamish
Counseling is about children, not parents
Ah, if only life were as simple as Urban Masset assumes. Parents would raise their kids right. There would be no bad kids, and those few who were raised “wrong” and turned “bad” would go where bad kids go. There would be no need for counselors or psychologists because there wouldn’t be any kids with problems – at least, not here.
I’m sad to say not just “bad” kids need counselors. Sometimes the children who need counselors are good kids — good students, good people. They do well in school. They don’t get in trouble with the law. There’s no reason to send them off to detention, but there is something wrong.
Perhaps Masset has never known a child who was sexually abused by a parent, stepparent or family friend. He’s lucky. One of my best friends from high school was, and it took counseling to resolve the issues the resulted from that abuse.
Perhaps Masset is unaware that clinical depression cannot be treated by ignoring it, and that it happens to the nicest of kids from the best of families. Perhaps Masset has never met a teenager trying to deal with a sexual identity that isn’t necessarily accepted by society.
Perhaps Masset needs to take the blinders off and realize the world isn’t black and white, good and bad, and that those of us who aren’t perfect, as Masset apparently is, occasionally need help. It’s nice when you can get by without it, but why deny it to children in need?
Catherine Rollosson Halbhuber
Sammamish
Beach access problems
The Aug. 5 article “Parkway Construction Rankles Beach Club Members” described the disregard the city of Sammamish has shown toward the Inglewood Beach Club and the beach property owners affected by parkway construction.
Senior Engineer Jeff Brauns is quoted saying, “We were never trying to find a solution during construction.” This is a very disturbing statement for our community. This suggests that when the city plans major construction projects it does not always consider effected taxpayers.
The city government should plan for property access during construction. Also, the city should put in place improved mechanisms for responding to community complaints during construction and accommodating these concerns. The Inglewood Beach Club will continue to be patient and work with the city through this construction. However, we should expect better planning in the future.
Stephanie Daniels
President, Inglewood Beach Club
Jarret for exec
I applaud your endorsement of Fred Jarrett for King County Executive.
Fred’s background sets him apart as a smart, accountable executive, skilled financial problem-solver, and more.
Fred’s years at Boeing taught him to manage costs and get the best from others in a complex environment. His years in the state house and senate made him a consensus-builder, where he has worked creatively from both sides of the aisle to help achieve worthy goals. I supported him when he was a Republican; I supported him as a Democrat. He is an “out front” leader, but does the homework necessary to get details right.
In this race, Fred’s record blends executive strengths and a bigger political reality with community-level leadership — as he has also been an effective Eastside mayor and councilmember.
Eastside voters, long under-represented in county executive decisions, should especially welcome a candidate so well attuned to Eastside needs and priorities. Fred will bring sound financial management. His progressive leadership will serve all of King County well, but he will also bring to the executive role a deeper understanding of suburban concerns. I say “Hurray! Welcome! It’s time!”
Janet Barry
Sammamish
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