To The Editor
April 28, 2009
By Administrator
Mirrormont garden
Facts need to be clarified about previous, misleading letter
In response to Brian Laughlin’s letter to the editor, I need to clarify information that was misleading.
The Mirrormont Community Association Board is a small elected group of volunteers, giving back to their neighborhood with the objective of making it more livable and supportive for all residents. We were delighted when Brian stepped forward, accepting the vacant president position. He served for just less than three months.
The pea patch project began with a group of motivated people who found funding through a King County program for community projects. Presented to the MCA Board for consideration as another way to build community, and having been discussed at several open board meetings, it was voted on and overwhelmingly endorsed by all but a single member. We are hopeful that our grant application, now under King County review, will be approved.
The site of the pea patch measures 105-by-65 (not 10-by-20 as claimed). We do expect that many more than the initial 14 families will be actively involved. Under the supervision of MCA and its partnership with King County, it will become a public asset in Mirrormont.
MCA and King County already have a terrific relationship as a result of the development of Mirrormont Park. This 11-acre park (not “small”), serving recreational needs of 600 families in the community, was only made possible by the King County Parks Community Partnership Grant program, and hundreds of volunteer hours, enabled park development not affordable through traditional means. This contractual agreement with King County allows MCA stewardship responsibilities for the development and maintenance of the park.
While disappointing that Brian felt unable to work within our common priorities, we continue moving towards the best interests of Mirrormont. Agreed, taxpayer money should be used for its intended purposes — that is our objective.
Coincidentally, the three related articles in Section C the week before last, espousing the value of vegetable gardens in these times, further validate our support for the pea patch!
Steve Clark
17-year MCA board member and vice president Parks Committee
Teacher layoffs
Help your child’s school get or stay ahead by getting involved
I was dismayed to see that the Issaquah School District is giving layoff notices to almost 15 percent of the teaching staff.
There are many things wrong with this — and I’m sure it will be hotly debated on this letters page and elsewhere — but there are two areas I am most concerned about.
First, is the impact to the education of our children. Fewer staff members and the reduction in discretionary spending inevitably mean larger class sizes, less teacher contact time and a reduction in additional programs that benefit the range of needs of pupils.
The second impact is to those newly qualified teachers who are just starting out on their career. They have most likely missed out on the seniority cutoff; many will be given notice these next few weeks. Come summer, some of them may be rehired — but in different districts, schools or disciplines. This is no way to treat the fresh educators who nurture our children; there will be a distinct lack of continuity and churn — no Issaquah school will be the same next fall.
I understand that everyone in the community is concerned about this. I urge every parent to help mitigate these cut backs by getting involved at school — volunteer, spend time in class, give your time generously — and join your school PTA!
Martin Buckley
Issaquah
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