County Council map leaves Sammamish unchanged
November 30, 2011
King County’s reshaped political map keeps Sammamish in the same County Council district, even as the citizen panel responsible for the updated map made significant changes elsewhere.
In a unanimous decision Nov. 15, the council-appointed King County Districting Committee approved the updated boundaries. The reshaped map is effective immediately, although the impact of the changes might not be evident until after the 2012 elections.
Sammamish remains in Councilwoman Kathy Lambert’s District 3. Read more
New software could make getting building permits easier
November 30, 2011
New computer software being purchased by the city of Sammamish is aimed at making things easier for both city employees and the public.
At their Nov. 1 meeting, the Sammamish City Council unanimously approved spending $534,000 to purchase and install EnerGov, a multi-platform piece of software that will allow citizens to apply for and track building permits online. Sammamish is joining Bothell, Kirkland, Redmond and Renton in installing the software and is saving about $103,000 off the total cost of the software by joining together with neighboring cities. Read more
King County Council fears public health cuts as Legislature meets
November 30, 2011
King County leaders managed to preserve dollars for public health and other human services in the $5.2 billion budget for 2012.
Now, as state legislators began a special session Nov. 28, King County Council members said cuts from Olympia could force the county to cut services. Lawmakers need to slash spending to close a $2 billion budget gap.
“When they make those decisions, it rolls downhill to us,” Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, a budget team member and the Sammamish representative, said a day after the council adopted the 2012 budget. Read more
Don’t fear the Habitat
November 30, 2011
The City Council’s recent move to give property to Habitat for Humanity should be applauded. Finally, a city which likes to talk a lot about helping lower-income people, and which routinely gives money so that affordable housing can be built in other communities, is taking positive steps to see it built here.
There is some apprehension in the community about allowing what will likely be a handful of new homes to be constructed for lower income residents. Let’s start by discussing what these homes are not. They are not a haven for criminals. They are not going to become the new epicenter for drugs on the plateau. They are not the beginnings of a crime-infested neighborhood.
They are likely to be a group of hard-working people just trying to get by. People who own homes built by Habitat for Humanity are expected to contribute to the construction, either in money or hours of sweat equity. These homes will, literally, be built by the people who live in them.
And, yes, there are benefits to having lower-income people in Sammamish. This is a city that prides itself on its diversity.
But racial diversity (which, according to census figures, in Sammamish means basically white and Asian people) is only a part of that equation. Economic diversity is just as important. It won’t hurt people to have hard-working neighbors who don’t happen to be in high-paying fields.
And won’t it be fantastic for the children of people lucky enough to live in a habitat community in Sammamish to get the benefits of the excellent schools and community.
It will give those children a positive example of where their life could lead them.
There is an issue of justice. Some of the people living there could have jobs at shops and restaurants on the plateau.
Does Sammamish really want to tell people who work here that they are good enough to stock our stores’ shelves, prepare our food and clean our houses but not to live here?
The council made the right move in donating the land to Habitat for Humanity.
Sammamish Forum November 30
November 30, 2011
Liquor initiative was for the good
Mr. O’Connell has relied heavily on “artistic liberty” in his letter to the Sammamish Forum, Nov. 23, “Money buys votes.” He states that “…a similar measure…was rejected…in a 65-35 split.”
I call this cherry picking facts, flat out. He rambles on and quotes all the negative “facts” that were used by the initiative’s opposition to try to score defeat, when in fact, many of these so-called facts were false.
So let’s look at some real facts: The defeat that he mentions conveniently ignores that there were two measures on the ballot that year, 1100 and 1105.
Initiative 1105 was defeated by the ratio he states (cherry picks), but 1100 was defeated by a much smaller margin 53.5-46.5 approximately, much closer, but still a loss.
I submit that the voters, in general, were confused by the two seemingly similar initiatives and simply voted the path of least resistance.
Now comes 1183, a much better deal in all respects…better for the state, better for the taxpayers, and better for those who choose to consume alcohol.
Finally, and most interestingly, he talks about how Costco will reap hundreds of millions of dollars … blah, blah, but yet he fails to mention that the opponents of 1183, other large corporations (distributors and such), also spent tons of money because they stood to lose the same millions that Costco will now “reap”. Huh?
It’s OK by him that one corporate group profits, but only if it’s the one that he supports?
That simply doesn’t work for me, and thankfully it didn’t work for the majority of voters; and we all win, even those who voted against it.
Clark Stahl
Sammamish
Goodbye
With his final days coming on the Sammamish City Council, I will not shed tears to see Mark Cross depart. During his final hours he is still trying to copy the government in Greece to make sure government employees are well rewarded by milking the property owners.
His limited vocabulary based on tax and spend demonstrates he is no longer competent to serve the public.
One percent here and another 1 percent there is the devil in the city budget. What about people on a fixed income? Does he want them to be forced out of their homes?
These are serious questions that will harm people. What will happen if the national economy goes further into a hole. Tax the homeowners to fill the city bank account?
This city should have never been allowed to incorporate without a proper revenue source.
Today we find ourselves constantly resisting the City Council to stop unwanted projects that are outside the norm.
Bond ratings can be very misleading and change rather quickly.
Heinz W. Maine
Sammamish
An open letter to
business owners
Dear Washington state business owners and employers:
What is the one thing that makes your business the best?
I’m guessing it’s your employees.
How would you describe a great employee?
Motivated, dedicated, high integrity, solution finder, team player.
What if I told you that I can find you employees with those traits, and they can make your business even better?
It’s true.
They are our recently separated military personnel and our National Guard and Reservists and they want to put the skills they learned in the military to work for you!
Sure, their resumes may look a little different than someone who went straight from high school to work or college, but take an extra minute or two to think about how their skill set may bring a different perspective and better balance to your workplace.
Think about the training they received in the military: navigating sophisticated computer systems, interpreting technical data and focusing on important deadlines. Imagine the dedication and commitment it takes to put your country above yourself. That sense of purpose and duty is an asset to any business.
These men and women raised their hand to defend our nation. As business owners and employers, now it’s our turn to look out for them.
Make a commitment to reach out to veterans when you have openings.
The easiest way to do that is to contact the Employment Security Department’s Veteran Service Program and WorkSource.
These employment experts can help you connect with a veteran who will make your business better. They can be reached toll free at 1-877-453-5906 or emailed at HireaVet@esd.wa.gov .
John E. Lee, Director
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Police Blotter November 30
November 30, 2011
Driving while (increasingly) intoxicated
A 40-year-old Sammamish man was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and driving without a required ignition interlock after an officer pulled him over for driving without headlights after dark Nov. 14.
A patrol officer attempted to pull the man’s vehicle over near the corner of 216th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 9th Street at around 8:15 p.m. The man did not stop, though the officer had his overhead lights and siren on. The man pulled into his driveway on the 21300 block of Northeast 10th Place and the officer pulled behind him. Read more
Marci Stokke to help find funds for parks, wildlife
November 30, 2011
As a girl growing up in Utah and Oregon, Marci Stokke spent a lot of time water skiing, camping, boating and doing other outdoor activities.
“We were always outdoors,” she said.
After moving to Washington and marrying her husband 35 years ago, she learned to hunt, and eventually got involved in land conservation efforts with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Read more
Music draws players of all ages to the symphony
November 30, 2011
Sammamish youth Jon Kok first realized he wanted to play the violin when he saw a performance by some hip, energetic violinists on America’s Got Talent.
“I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” said Kok of his reaction to the show as a fifth grader.
Although he’s played the piano since kindergarten, Kok, now 15, plays second violin in the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra. He is currently the youngest member of the 85-member, 20-year-old group. Read more
New grading system motivates students
November 30, 2011
At first, Caitlin McIlwain got a little nervous when she saw a lower-than-desired grade on her first world studies paper as a freshman at Skyline High School.
She knew she did better than the “B-” reflected in the rundown on the online grade book. But she quickly realized that “B-” was one of six grades she received for the assignment from teacher Sarah Rainwater.
“I didn’t like seeing that in the grade book,” said McIlwain, now a sophomore. Read more
Carson students say thanks to troops
November 30, 2011
More than 100 American troops will feel a little more appreciated this holiday season, thanks to a pair of Inglewood Junior High School students and the entire third grade at Carson Elementary School.
Ninth-graders Claire Glover and Kush Jobanputra recently finished their leadership class project leading 101 Carson third-graders in writing letters to military service members stationed overseas. The two Inglewood ASB officers found inspiration for the project from their own experience writing letters to troops when they were in third grade.
Claire Glover and Kush Jobanputra, back left, ninth-graders at Inglewood Junior High School, pose with some of the Carson Elementary School third-graders who wrote letters to soldiers as part of their leadership project. Photo courtesy Claire Glover
