Police Blotter July 20
July 19, 2011
Domestic violence
A 43-year-old Sammamish man was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault after allegedly choking his girlfriend July 9.
The girlfriend’s brother called police just after 2 a.m. after finding the couple fighting and the boyfriend choking the woman. Read more
Sammamish Library named a ‘Landmark Library’
July 19, 2011
Ryan Bussard
Library Journal recently named Sammamish Library a “Landmark Library” for its use of location and sustainable features. According to the journal article, “the library is place making, a building block of community vitality.”
The library was completed in January of 2010 by design firm Perkins+Will. Senior Associate at the firm and Project Designer Ryan Bussard said he and his colleagues are very proud to have received the award.
Bussard said King County Library Systems had several goals when they contracted with Perkins+Will.
“They wanted to expand upon the library in town and they wanted to complete the civic heart of Sammamish,” he said. Read more
Sammamish Forum July 20
July 19, 2011
Early election support for Richardson
In covering the race between Kathy Richardson and Nancy Whitten for the City Council I can understand the desire to draw distinctions between the two candidates, but I felt the article was misleading to the voters to say that Whitten lives off of 228th and near Pine Lake and that Richardson is a Lake Sammamish shoreline homeowner.
Both candidates are shoreline homeowners. I was glad to see Richardson enter the race when Petitti decided not to run again because I feel we need women on the council. Read more
Get real, no extra fees for transit
July 19, 2011
The King County Council should not approve a new tax for Metro buses or send it to the voters to decide. We do believe that new taxes will be needed to get government services operating, but a $20 car tab fee should be rejected.
The council is finishing its series of public hearings on implementing a new $20 fee on existing vehicle registration fees for each of the next two years. This money would maintain the levels of bus service at or near what they are right now. Read more
State BPA ban starts on certain products for children
July 19, 2011
The initial step in a state law banning the chemical Bisphenol A, or BPA, started July 1, as the state banned BPA-containing bottles, cups and other containers for children younger than 3.
State legislators passed a law last year to ban the sale of certain products containing BPA. The chemical is used to keep plastic containers airtight, but has been linked to health problems, including miscarriages. Read more
Teen center begins construction
July 19, 2011
The long awaited teen center took a step forward July 18 when renovation of what had been the Sammamish Library began.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County will operate the facility, which is to be called the EX3 Teen and Recreation Center. EX 3 stands for explore, experience, excite. It is set to include a technology lab, teaching kitchen, performance stage, game room, study space and multi-purpose room. Read more
Eastside Fire & Rescue will review charter
July 19, 2011
Eastside Fire & Rescue is going to try and work it out.
The agency’s Board of Directors decided July 14 to form a sub-committee that will probe possible changes to its governance structure – including the veto power that individual partners now hold over adding additional partners to the agency. Read more
Residents use landscaping to help water quality in lakes
July 19, 2011
Sammamish resident Gayle Twelves points out some key features of her pond and native-plant landscaping. Photo by Christopher Huber
Aside from a few patches of well-manicured lawn, the plants and shrubs that inhabit Gail Twelves’ back yard are not unlike those that you would see when wandering through the woods that covered the Sammamish Plateau centuries ago.
With cedar trees towering overhead, Oregon Grape and other native shrubs intermingle with the occasional stand of sword ferns below.
For Twelves, who lives in the Loree Estates neighborhood with her husband Scott Hamilton, the native flora has numerous environmental benefits. It doesn’t require herbicides or pesticides that can be harmful to the surrounding ecosystem. And since it evolved in Pacific Northwest it acts as a veritable sponge compared to non-native plants when it comes to the several feet of rainfall the area gets every year. That means less storm water running off into the environmentally sensitive lakes and streams in the city. Read more
Council has ideas for community center
July 19, 2011
After several months of meetings, Sammamish leaders now have a detailed outline of how a community and aquatic center could look on the Kellman property behind the Sammamish Library.
But at a $64.1 million price tag for construction and an estimated $267,000 in annual operating subsidy, many continue to worry that the building is more than the city can afford and more than a recession-weary public will approve in a vote. Read more
Sammamish to thank volunteers
July 17, 2011
New: July 17, 2:17 p.m.
Sammamish residents who have volunteered with the city are invited for cake at the city’s summer concert at Pine Lake Park July 21.
The concert features The About Face Band playing classic rock and starts at 6:30 p.m.
Volunteers can find the city of Sammamish booth for “cake and a thank you,” volunteer coordinator Dawn Sanders said in an email.
