Shopping locally is always important
May 15, 2013
Sammamish’s budget update contained a lot of good news, including an increase in sales tax revenue. People in the city are starting to loosen the grip on their wallets and spend a bit more, but that doesn’t mean local businesses don’t still need support.
Sales taxes can come from lots of places, including some revenue from Internet sales and some from sales on construction trades. So the city bringing in more money doesn’t always directly mean that the small shops around Sammamish are doing likewise. Read more
Sammamish Forum May 15
May 15, 2013
Candidates needed
You can keep taxes low and city government in its place all for about 45 minutes a day. That’s about how much time it would take for you to serve on the Sammamish City Council. Let’s see if you have what it takes.
Here is a little test for you; this is from an actual meeting back in 2010. You have a choice to either spend $23,000 to educate fourth-graders on the importance of picking up dog poop or not spending $23,000 to educate fourth-graders on the importance of picking up dog poop. How would you vote? Read more
Kokanee Work Group progress is heartening
May 7, 2013
A few years ago, the news about the kokanee salmon was pretty uniformly discouraging. Now, thanks largely to the efforts of the Kokanee Work Group, the fish species seems like it might be taking a step back from the brink.
Old-timers will tell you about the days when the streams running into Lake Sammamish were so thick with fish returning to spawn, you could practically walk across the water on their backs. Read more
Sammamish Forum May 8
May 7, 2013
Preserve environmental regulations
In the April 17 Sammamish Review, in the article “Steep slope development rules before council”, Ari Cetron compares part of the city’s code, the Erosion Hazards Near Sensitive Water Bodies Overlay, to parachute pants and other 1980’s fashion fads. While this sounds entertaining, the comparison trivializes an important law that protects our citizens, private property, city infrastructure and Lake Sammamish from real harm. The law was enacted in 1997 after extensive local study by experts in their fields, including Dr. Derek Booth, a renowned geologist known for his studies on stormwater and the environment. Read more
Candidates wanted, filing dates near
May 1, 2013
There is still time left to consider filing for a local elected office — the ultimate volunteer job.
This election season, Sammamish has four open City Council seats, which include positions currently held by John James, Tom Odell and Don Gerend. John Curley has said he will not stand for re-election.
In the Lake Washington School District, Doug Eglington’s seat, which covers Sammamish, will be up for election, as will one other seat. Read more
Sammamish Forum May 1
May 1, 2013
Our Troubled Skies
Air pollution is becoming a huge problem in our world. People might think air pollution is a myth. Ozone depletion, acid rain, smog and CFC’s continue to damage our world. That’s proof that the world is getting more polluted and polluted, but if we don’t act now, the world’s polar ice caps may melt completely, and people would be left with the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, which can cause skin cancer. Read more
Take old prescriptions to the police station
April 25, 2013
Prescription drugs left in medicine cabinets and bedside stands are both a national problem and a local problem — one you can help eliminate by turning in expired medicines. National Take Back Initiative is April 27, scheduled by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Read more
Sammamish Forum April 24
April 25, 2013
Why are we messing with a good thing?
Sammamish and the county have prevented any development on the slopes above Lake Sammamish for more than 30 years and with success. When was the last time we heard of a major landslide near Lake Sammamish?
We do, however, see continual issues in Seattle and other areas where it is allowed. Read more
Honor the Earth with participation
April 17, 2013
Sammamish is a city that prides itself on being environmentally friendly.
Beyond the great schools and prime location, people move to the city for the tall green trees and deep blue lakes.
With Earth Day coming soon, the city is jumping on board with a host of activities. This Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sammamish Commons will host a bevy of activities. Read more
Sammamish Forum April 17
April 17, 2013
Bags can be hazardous
As more and more cities are banning plastic bags in favor of canvas bags, many people are getting sick and have to go to the hospital or dying from using them. E-coli and norovirus are sometimes the cause of these deaths and hospital stays. In a study done in San Francisco the death rate is 5.5 humans per 100,000 and growing as more cities are banning plastic bags. Read more
