Sammamish Forum March 10
March 9, 2010
Another suggestion for the library
With all the talk about a ‘teen center’ to be built at the former Sammamish library site, I thought I’d put another suggestion on the table. How about an official post office instead?
Yes, we have two postal ‘centers’ here on the plateau, but their fees are exorbitant and an official post office would be more appropriate for the configuration and location of the old library site.
If a teen center is needed, why not build it at the Sammamish Commons site? Since we already have a skate park at that location, the teen center would be a good match/extension for that venue.
Glenda Jackson
Sammamish
Time to forget Klahanie
The question by those groups trying to “save” the Klahanie Park of “Why didn’t the city of Sammamish offer to take the entire Klahanie PAA (or just Klahanie) as well?” shows ignorance on this whole subject.
Those seeking to form the city of Sammamish approached Klahanie about joining the new city.
I know because I was there for the discussions at the association offices when Phil Dyer and others that felt Klahanie fit into the city’s character, made the offer. That offer was rejected by Klahanie.
Every opportunity since then to join the city of Sammamish has been rebuffed by Klahanie’s residents repeatedly with the claim “we identify with Issaquah more.” They even rejected joining Issaquah because they refused to pay their way.
I think it is time for Sammamish to pull back its bitten hand and stop offering any assistance to Klahanie.
Good will and good intention only goes so far, especially when continually called names and accused of deceit. Let the park be closed and allow it to be blight their hubris community.
As well it is time for Sammamish to stop spending our tax dollars providing additional police services to Klahanie. It is time they live with their bad choices.
Michael T. Barr
Sammamish
Question about the U.S. Senior Open?
I just wanted those that have questions or comments regarding traffic or parking (about the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee) to be aware that the primary contact for these issues on the city of Sammamish Staff is Pete Butkus, deputy city manager at 425-295-0552 or pbutkus@ci.sammamish.wa.us.
John James
The writer is a member of the Sammamish City Council and the council’s liaison to the tournament
Other bad habits
I read a write up about a visit to the Beaver Lake Middle School by Choice and Consequence, a nonprofit organization. It was a good article and I hope the information has an impact on the young people. It was about bad decisions concerning drugs, alcohol and tobacco, all part of the school’s Drug Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness week.
However, I am a bit disturbed that I saw no mention of the use of cell phones and texting while driving.
I know that was not the focus, either of the week at Beaver Lake or the presentation by Choice and Consequence, but not mentioning these practices almost makes them seem acceptable.
I myself, walking my dog in and around Issaquah, have seen drivers on cell phones run red lights and crosswalks — once with a school bus stopped and the driver honking at the driver.
I have also been forced out of my lane by a young lady texting while driving.
For all of us, bad choices can have deadly results. Those choices include drugs, alcohol and tobacco, but they also include driving while texting and talking on a cell phone. Information proves it’s worse than driving drunk.
I personally have chosen not to use my cell while driving and not to talk to anyone who calls me while they’re driving. My car is a no-phone zone.
Lee Woods
Issaquah
PCFC doing good work
The Review gave fine, in-depth coverage with the story about the student project at Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus, with its project to benefit the schools in the Central Asia Institute.
The additional background provided by Chantelle Lusebrink on the work of Greg Mortenson is important.
High fives to the many students at Pacific Cascade for their focus on service and one if not the most important lesson of all, in working with community locally to serve a higher purpose and common good.
Mortenson’s latest book, “Stones Into Schools,” demonstrates the effectiveness of outreach across the world with “Pennies for Peace” and projects such as the T-shirts!
Thanks Sammamish Review, and way to go Pacific Cascade!
Rosemary Fahey
Issaquah
No Saturday mail beats another price increase
March 9, 2010
The United States Postal Service is projecting a $7 billion loss this year, and the picture looks even more bleak over the course of the next decade. Saturday delivery is on the chopping block, but is controversial among many. It shouldn’t be. Read more
Education dollars will pay for hotel rooms
March 2, 2010
Here we go again.
This time, it’s the Lake Washington School Board that plans to take a long weekend – on the taxpayers’ nickel – so they can do public business away from, well, the public.
The plan, as with all retreats of elected officials, is to go away and talk about nagging issues without fear of being held accountable for what they say. Retreats are generally not recorded and any minutes are marginal, as was the case with the Sammamish City Council retreat. Read more
Sammamish Forum March 3
March 2, 2010
Reject Issaquah math curriculum
According to Memorandum No. 028-09M K-12 Education (for information purposes) sent to state math leaders, school principals and school district superintendents on May 4, 2009 from Randy Dorn, state Superintendent of Public Instruction, regarding high school mathematics core/comprehensive instruction materials final recommendations: “Superintendent Dorn’s final high school recommendations are based on both the work of the OSPI and the SBE as directed by statute. The final recommendation for high school is: Holt Mathematics.” Read more
Sammamish Forum February 24
February 23, 2010
Freed House may have other problems
I live near one of these old pioneer houses on the plateau. It’s still a home but keeping the place standing as well as fighting toxic mold requires deeper pockets than the owner ever imagined. Read more
School tax change bears consideration
February 23, 2010
A proposal in the state Senate that would shift property taxes from local districts to the state in order to fund education has the seed of good public policy, but must be explored further.
The bill (SB 6858), co-sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Pflug, generally proposes that local school districts have their levy lid decreased, meaning less local school taxes. In exchange, the state would increase its property tax rate by a corresponding amount. Read more
Government must be accountable
February 23, 2010
By Toby Nixon
I firmly disagree with Tim Larson’s remarks regarding holding City Council retreats at far-away locations.
Why do Sammamish City Council members and staff feel that they can’t speak frankly in front of the citizens who placed them in their positions, and for whom they work? Why is it necessary to leave the city and give reporters and the public “an excuse not to attend,” in order for them to be open and honest about how they really feel about city issues? Is Larson saying that when the council is meeting in their chambers that they and the city staff are giving the citizens of Sammamish less than the full truth, keeping some things hidden, and being “guarded?”
No City Council should ever be ashamed or hesitant in any way to have a full and frank discussion of the people’s business right at home where the public can observe. Read more
State budget challenges both sides of the aisle
February 17, 2010
In a perfect world, the Republicans would be right. The Democratic-controlled Legislature is on the verge of relaxing a voter-approved referendum that requires a two-thirds majority to raise taxes.
The House version of the bill would return the two-thirds majority requirement in July 2011. We like that. Read more
Sammamish Forum February 17
February 17, 2010
In praise of roundabouts
There have been a lot of letters and comments on these pages about roundabouts.
The latest opinion letter, written by Frank Bloom (Roundabouts are Silly, February 3, 2010), was at least entertaining to read and generated a genuine chuckle from me.
I’ll just come out and say it. I’d like to see even more roundabouts in Sammamish.
I applaud the City Council and our traffic engineers for having the vision and yes, courage, to put roundabouts in the city even as unpopular as they are to some. Read more
Out-of-town retreats are okay
February 17, 2010
By Tim Larson
After absorbing the Sammamish Review’s critical analysis of last month’s City Council retreat in Cle Elum, I imagine most readers, like me, felt pretty unsettled. The Feb. 9 editorial, titled “New council team, bad beginnings, “ suggested that the city had damaged its credibility by doing more than “team building” at the two-day retreat.
That’s a head scratcher. Sammamish, like Bellevue and many other cities, has always done more than “team building” at these retreats. City staffers provide background information on a broad range of topics, council members share ideas and inclinations, and the city manager gets a sense of direction that allows for a more efficient use of staff. Read more
