State senators vote as true representatives
February 7, 2012
Cheers to Sammamish legislators who voted in favor of gay marriage.
In the state senate, Cheryl Pflug, Andy Hill and Steve Litzow each supported the measure to allow a basic civil right to be extended to all of Washington’s citizens.
Pflug and Hill represent Sammamish right now. In the fall, after redistricting, Hill and Litzow will speak for Sammamish in the senate. Read more
Farewell Stan Chapin, you will be missed
February 7, 2012
Stan Chapin was a cop and a teacher, a rare combination. In his time at Eastlake High School and Inglewood Junior High, he won the respect and admiration of seemingly every student, parent and faculty member.
The outpouring of grief in the wake of Chapin’s death is heartfelt and true. Within days of his death, thousands had signed up on a Facebook page dedicated to him.
The notes and remembrances left on that page were poignant, emotional and beautiful.
Chapin instinctively knew how to work with adolescents. He knew when to joke with them and when to be serious.
Even though he was wearing a police uniform, his antics and personality made him approachable, even by teens.
His death will be felt not only by Eastlake and Inglewood students, but by everyone in the community — even if they don’t know it yet.
Names of criminals should be public
January 31, 2012
The Legislature is now considering two bills that would restrict access to records of crimes committed by minors, only allowing disclosure in the case of “serious violent offenses” as defined by law. Lesser violent crimes and property crimes would remain confidential.
The bills are bad ones, and should be stopped. Read more
Help local businesses recover from storm
January 25, 2012
“Support your local business” takes on new meaning when the city becomes a frozen wasteland for three days.
While homeowners were struggling to stay warm without power, business owners were wringing their hands over the lost business. Some managed to use generator power to stay open, providing homebound residents with necessities — a true community service.
Restaurants were particularly hard hit as food went to waste without refrigeration. Employees, too, suffered the loss of wages. It was life interrupted, not a fun week.
This week we can try to make it a bit better for each other.
Tip your waiter or other service provider just a little extra. Be sure any purchases you make are done locally to help businesses recoup the lost revenue, and to thank them and their workers for braving the storm to help.
Don’t forget to say thank you to those who are helping out. Offer a cup of coffee to the utility workers repairing lines or clearing trees. Let them know they are appreciated.
This is Sammamish, where neighbors help neighbors. With the usual thoughtfulness for the other guy, we’ll be just fine.
City on top of storm
January 25, 2012
Kudos to Sammamish leaders for staying on top of the storm. The city’s website kept resident up to date on traffic problems and other concerns.
Officials opened City Hall during the worst of it, offering residents a warm place to relax — and charge their phones — when almost the entire plateau went dark from power outages.
Then, anticipating the need, generated by high winds, they quickly put together a yard debris drop off this weekend.
Good job, Sammamish, for keeping people safe during the storm, and helping residents deal with the aftermath.
Governor’s bold move is good for all of us
January 11, 2012
We applaud Governor Chris Gregoire’s move to pass state legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in Washington State.
It has been nearly 20 years since the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the restriction of marriage to opposite-sex couples would be presumed unconstitutional. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court held that same-sex couples must receive the same benefits as married couples. Subsequent court decisions have held that “civil union” laws would not suffice, calling instead for marriage equality. Read more
Our 2012 goals for Sammamish
January 4, 2012
There are dozens of issues Sammamish could tackle this year. Here are a few select ones we’d like to see accomplished.
Taxing structure. This goal is on the list for a fourth year, and at the top for a third. City officials have warned there must be changes to Sammamish’s dependence on property taxes and the real estate excise tax, but the City Council continues to dodge this thorny problem. Recent changes in the budget have delayed the inevitable, but the problem is structural. Choose the most fair way to increase city coffers and do it. Read more
Thank you, letter writers
December 28, 2011
Sammamish Review thanks everyone who wrote us letter in the past year. We enjoy having a vibrant and diverse opinion page. Your written voice provokes, challenges, encourages and thereby builds a stronger community for us all. We also thank those of you who commented on our Web site, Facebook page or Twitter.
While the letter is still likely to be more widely read, digital ways of engaging are an increasingly important way to engage with your friends, neighbors and the staff here at the Review. Read more
Shorter school year saves, makes sense
December 13, 2011
Gov. Chris Gregoire has floated a couple of ideas to deal with the state’s budget crisis. One of those is a half-penny-per-dollar increase to the sales tax, to go before voters in March. First, legislators would have to approve the ballot measure. The new revenue would be targeted for education.
Another idea to help local school districts deal with looming budget cuts would be for the state to reduce the required number of school days per year. We like the idea, although we acknowledge that it would be a burden for working parents who have to pay for more child care — or would it? Read more
It’s a Christmas tree whatever you call it
December 7, 2011
City Councilman John Curley, in his radio talk show, raised an excellent point. Why, he asked, do governments around the country, and in Sammamish, call the Christmas tree a holiday tree? What holiday? Who is offended?
These are excellent questions, and he’s basically right. Everyone knows what it is. Calling it something else to pander to non-Christians doesn’t change anything. It’s still a Christmas tree. Calling it a “holiday tree,” while well meaning, is really rather patronizing. It’s like a little pat on the head and saying, “Don’t worry, non-Christians, it’s just a holiday tree. It has no connection to any sort of religious observance. Hey, isn’t that menorah over there cute.” No one is fooled. Read more
