Sammamish voters bucked some state trends on initiatives
January 11, 2012
Sammamish voters were gung-ho in their support for privatized liquor sales and even more lukewarm on Tim Eyman’s tolling initiative than voters statewide.
An analysis of precinct results from the Nov. 8, 2011 general election released by the King County Elections office shows that 71.6 percent of Sammamish voters were in favor of Initiative 1183, which allows private stores 10,000 square feet or larger to sell hard liquor.
In the City Council race between Kathy Richardson and Nancy Whitten, Richardson drew a lot of support from lakefront property owners. Map by Dona Mokin
Whitten, Valderrama and Vance win council seats
November 8, 2011
Updated at 5:34 p.m., Nov. 9
Nancy Whitten, Ramiro Valderrama and Tom Vance all appear to be on their way to seats on the Sammamish City Council in 2012. Read more
King County Elections projects 52 percent turnout for election
November 2, 2011
Despite inescapable advertisements for the forces behind and against a liquor initiative, and important local races on ballots throughout the state, Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed predicts less than 50 percent turnout for the November election.
Reed forecast 47 percent statewide for the election. In King County, turnout is expected to crest 50 percent, although the low expectations reflect the lack of major races on the ballot. County Elections Director Sherril Huff predicts 52 percent turnout countywide — 53 percent in Seattle and 51 percent elsewhere. Read more
Glitch delays ballots for 11,000 Eastside voters, including Sammamish residents
October 28, 2011
NEW — 5:15 p.m. Oct. 28, 2011
King County Elections officials said ballots for 11,000 Eastside voters — including more than 800 people in Sammamish — did not go out last week as planned due to a glitch.
The elections office plans to mail ballots Saturday; voters should receive them early next week. The deadline to return ballots via mail, drop box or accessible voting center is Nov. 8.
Overall, the issue impacted 11,000 Eastside voters, including 54 in Issaquah, 141 in Newcastle and 875 in Sammamish. Some North Bend and Snoqualmie voters also face delays in receiving ballots.
King County Elections started mailing 1.1 million ballots to voters Oct. 19.
Some Sammamish City Council candidates raking in dollars
October 25, 2011
If money talks in politics, it’s telling us that the elusive balance between property rights and the environment is a hot button issue in the Nov. 8 City Council races.
Recent battles between aggrieved property owners and environmental advocates during the Shoreline Master Plan seem to underpin many of the campaign contributions in this year’s election, though that’s far from the only thing on the minds of local donors. Read more
Sammamish City Council votes to oppose I-1125
October 20, 2011
New: Oct. 20, 2:57 p.m.
The Sammamish City Council joined a handful of other Eastside cities Oct. 17 in publicly opposing an initiative that would rewrite the rules for tolling roads in the state.
Initiative 1125 would require that legislators be responsible for setting toll rates, require that tolls be the same during rush hour as they are during the middle of the night and unravel plans to run light rail over the Interstate 90 bridge to the Eastside. Read more
Our recommendations for Sammamish City Council
October 18, 2011
Sammamish is blessed with a number of active citizens who want to be a part of the city. All three City Council races this year are contested, not something every city on the Eastside can say. All the candidates are to be commended for spending their time and energy attempting to win the ultimate volunteer job. Read more
Forum attracts schools and ports candidates
October 18, 2011
Candidates for local and regional offices offered prescriptions for counteracting the ailing economy and educating a 21st-century workforce at a forum Thursday.
Organized by The Issaquah Press, sister publication to the Sammamish Review, and moderated by Publisher Debbie Berto, the forum attracted candidates for the Issaquah School Board and Port of Seattle Commission.
The candidates, gathered at the King County Library System headquarters in Issaquah, answered questions in 40-minute sections organized by race. Read more
City Council forum on television
October 15, 2011
New: Oct. 15, 11:18 a.m.
A recent debate between City Council candidates will be aired on Sammamish 21 TV at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. everyday through election season.
The debate, which took place at Beaver Lake Middle School Sept. 28, featured audience questions regarding the city budget, the city’s future with Eastside Fire and Rescue and the Town Center project. Five of the six candidates running for three council seats participated.
The debate was sponsored by the Sammamish Review, Sammamish Kiwanis and the Sammamish Rotary Club.
Ramiro Valderrama faces Jim Wasnick for Sammamish City Council
October 12, 2011
What’s a voter to do when faced with a choice between two City Council candidates with remarkably similar opinions on major city policy questions?
For 48-year-old information technology executive Jim Wasnick, the issue comes down to “approachability.” He points to the Southeast 32nd Street barricade issue as an example of his ability to roll up his sleeves and work with neighbors to get their input on city policy. Read more
