Council plans to shift density to Town Center
February 15, 2011
Sammamish may be able to preserve forests and open space in the city in exchange for increased development in the Town Center area through a program approved by the Sammamish City Council Feb. 8.
The program may also end up as a consolation prize for some citizens who have been unable to develop their property around shorelines and wetlands due to the city’s environmental regulations.
“It’s the trees that help make Sammamish what it is,” Councilman Mark Cross said. “This helps protect the forest land that gives us that great backdrop.” Read more
Annual pass for parks not unreasonable
February 15, 2011
We are not a proponent of willy-nilly user fees to line the coffers of government agencies, but with voters repeatedly saying no to taxes, user fees will become more prevalent.
For state parks, we support the implementation of a $30 annual Discover Pass as a solution to keep state parks open.
Washington state parks are in trouble, just as many other state agencies and services are — all part of the proposed budget cuts needed to keep the state out of bankruptcy. State parks are expected to need $64 million in the upcoming biennium. Read more
Sammamish Forum February 16
February 15, 2011
Aquatics center is a positive move
I would hope, that our City Council is intelligent enough to reconsider paying any part of $6 million dollars to do a study regarding the value of an Aquatics Center, when they have already had surveys prepared by the Parks Department that justify its value and community support.
If anything, take a poll or collect signatures to get your answer. Read more
Prosecutor requests reserve dollars to combat crime
February 15, 2011
Deep cuts to criminal justice services and a rise in aggravated assaults have left the King County Prosecutor’s Office unable to tackle the burgeoning caseload, Prosecutor Dan Satterberg told a County Council committee recently.
The office has lost 51 employees, including 36 deputy prosecutors, since 2008.
In the same period, aggravated assaults increased 42 percent and robberies climbed 31 percent. The office also has 48 homicide cases pending. Read more
Mason Bernard serves as Senate page
February 15, 2011
Mason Bernard, a sophomore at Skyline High School, recently participated in the Senate Page Program at the state capitol.
He was one of 16 students who was a page during the third week of the 2011 legislative session.
The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working in the Legislature. Pages are responsible for such tasks as presenting the flag, running errands and delivering mail. They spend time in the Senate Chamber and in page school, learning about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. They even get a chance to take the law into their own hands with a mock bill exercise.
Mason Bernard (seated) worked as a page for Sen. Cheryl Pflug. Contributed
Police Blotter February 16
February 15, 2011
Suspicious car
Police twice contacted a 19-year-old Sammamish man they suspected may have been connected with recent vehicle prowls and burglaries in the High Country neighborhood, but they were unable to connect the man with any crime.
Police were on patrol in the neighborhood at around 8 p.m. Feb. 3 in response to the recent crimes and saw the parked, white Chevy Suburban quickly leave the area when they drove by. The same vehicle was later seen in the parking lot of the Klahanie QFC and police followed it in an unmarked car.
They pulled the 19-year-old Sammamish driver over and asked him why he’d been in the area. He told police he had been waiting for a friend and denied having anything to do with recent crimes. He even offered to let police search his vehicle. Read more
King Conservation District election using online vote
February 15, 2011
Sammamish resident among candidates for supervisors to handle conservation projects, programs
The little-noticed election for a King Conservation District board seat kicked off Feb. 15 and, for the first time, district voters in Sammamish and elsewhere can cast ballots online.
The monthlong election is for a supervisor seat on the board of the conservation district — the agency responsible for promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and providing information and technical assistance to landowners.
The electorate must choose among Kent farmer Bruce Elliott, Redmond real estate agent Teri Herrera, Duvall farmer Eric Nelson, Duvall environmental consultant Steven Neugebauer and Sammamish retiree Preston Prudente for the open seat. Read more
Sponsors needed for summer meals program
February 15, 2011
During the summer, many children who receive free or reduced meals from their schools do not have a stable source of food. The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Child Nutrition Services office is accepting applications for sponsors of the 2011 Summer Feeding Programs for children.
Eligible sponsors are those who operate a non-profit meal program during the summer break to children age 18 or younger. Qualified sponsors will be reimbursed for eligible meals served. Read more
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation seeks endangered historic sites
February 15, 2011
Threatened historic sites could receive a boost from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.
The trust is seeking nominations for the 2011 Most Endangered Historic Properties List. Download the nomination form at www.preservewa.org. Nominations must be submitted by March 21.
The trust encourages communities to take action to preserve the historic fabric of neighborhoods, main streets and rural landscapes. Read more
Sammamish residents search for a global perspective
February 15, 2011
Not many college students get study credits for zooming down ziplines in Argentina, walking among hoards of Antarctic penguins, or traveling to serve orphans and schoolchildren in Cameroon.
But two former Sammamish students did just that.
Johnna Furcini, a 2007 Eastlake graduate, and Lian Yuen, a 2007 Skyline graduate, spent their January studying abroad in various parts of the world on Linfield College’s January Term Study Abroad program.
Lian Yuen, a 2007 Skyline grad, takes a boat tour near glaciers in Patagonia in January. Photo courtesy Lian Yuen
