To The Editor
November 17, 2009
By Administrator
Bicycling
Road improvement projects forgot to factor in safety for two wheelers
When I moved to Issaquah from Virginia in July 2003, one of the main attractions was the bike-friendly roads. I have been a road cyclist (“roadie”) for almost 30 years, and have ridden all kinds of roads in California, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, Washington (D.C.), Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, British Columbia and Washington state.
Both East Lake Sammamish Parkway and Newport Way were once very bike-friendly roads with wide, smooth shoulders. However, in recent months, “road improvements” have been done that have actually made both roads more hazardous for bikes.
In particular, the east-bound lane of Newport Way between Lakemont and state Route 900 has become very tricky for bikes. The shoulder has been greatly narrowed and grates have been placed in the middle of the shoulder, which bikes must ride over. These are very bumpy and can cause unattentive cyclists to possibly lose control.
In addition, the lanes at the entrance to the Montreaux development have been redesigned and bikes have a very narrow lane to ride. Riders also now have to deal with a concrete traffic island that has been installed at the entrance and are forced to almost ride in the road.
Also, changes are being done just to the east of Cougar Mountain, near the new condo development, the final effects of which have yet to be determined. The last half-mile to state Route 900 has also become a very fast and narrow strip of shoulder for bikes to ride, leaving very little room for maneuvering.
I feel quite competent on my bike, but the “new” Newport Way makes me a bit trepidatious. I work in Seattle and commute home during summer. I used to really enjoy the ride, but now, the last few miles are a real bear.
Bicycles are vehicles under Washington law and are entitled to ride as far right as is safe, which includes riding in a lane of traffic. The newly designed roads may move bikes off the shoulder and into the lane.
I don’t think the city or the Department of Transportation consulted cyclists or gave cyclists much consideration in the new designs.
Let’s keep Issaquah bike friendly for everyone, riders and drivers alike.
Tyler Tabor
Issaquah
Flooding
Contingency plans should include builder of homes for the displaced
How are state and county authorities responding and preparing for possible flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam?
What is planned for housing for a year or more until government and insurance claims allow permanent housing?
A ready-made solution is available with Response Ability Builders — a nonprofit education organization located on Tiger Mountain.
The director, the Rev. Eddy Fowler-Linder, responded to Hurricane Andrew in 1992 in Homestead, Fla., by training personnel to build small houses of two sizes. The buildings can be transported by small trucks.
Fowler has experience and can train noncarpenters to build their own houses. (He and his family live in a house he built.)
Reach him at 765-2269 or danafl@comcast.net.
He has contacted United Way for funds for building materials, but he has no funding available presently.
Please explore this possible problem solver.
Catherine Swadley
Issaquah
Veterans
Too many returning from action are not receiving counseling they need
Nov. 11 was a day for honoring our veterans, and paying them our due respect for their sacrifice, patriotism and willing defense of our nation.
Yet, the veterans of the most recent conflicts need more than our appreciation; they need our support and our commitment to uphold their rights to dignified lives as civilians, and to the provision of whatever support is necessary to achieve this goal.
It is a national disgrace to allow these brave Americans to be ill treated by the very system they swore to protect. Few returning servicemen and women receive adequate counseling they deserve; thus, more and more find themselves divorced, bankrupted by court costs and denied access to their children.
There is also an alarming trend to confuse PTSD (or post traumatic stress disorder) with domestic violence offenses, as returning veterans often experience feelings of alienation, guilt, frustration and anger; and with so few resources available to assist reintegration, they become victims of our overzealous criminal justice system.
It is all too easy to confuse the systems described above as criminal under current legal guidelines, when the real crime is the treatment they receive from those who should be providing sympathy and support.
Locally, a recent case involving an ex-Marine resulted in a conviction for felony domestic violence harassment, after being accused by his own parents, who claimed they found his PTSD too difficult and embarrassing, and that they made the accusation to get help for him.
Unfortunately, in Washington state, five out of six mentally ill convicts are in prison, not hospital, and receive no psychiatric counseling or treatment whatsoever. Furthermore, once released, those convicted of domestic violence find themselves prohibited from working with the public, denied rented housing, banned for life from owning a firearm, unable to vote and with no guaranteed restoration of these rights.
There are no statistics available as to how many veterans are currently incarcerated, nor of those, how many suffer from PTSD, but surely we all agree that each one of them deserves a chance to lead a dignified civilian life. It is the moral responsibility of each of us to ensure that they get that chance.
Jane Morgan
Issaquah
Express your gratitude for the military
Dear veteran,
You are in my thoughts and I’m sure many Americans join with me to say thank you for your service.
This Veterans Day was colored with the sadness for our fallen comrades at Fort Hood and Fort Lewis. At those places, the pain of loss is at its greatest. Gen. George Casey Jr. told us, “Mourn with us … not for us.”
But I’m sure you share my great sadness at the taking of our soldiers’ lives and are keeping their survivors in your thoughts and prayers. Many thousands continue to serve worldwide and they, too, are to be honored.
Veterans Day is the day set aside to honor the accomplishments of this country’s military veterans. It is fitting we do so. Dating back to the 18th century, members of America’s military have answered the call and risked the greatest of selfless sacrifices. For those of you who faced combat, I offer my deepest appreciation and respect.
For those like me, who never experienced the challenges of war, I offer my gratitude and respect. Through all of your service, you likely felt the pain of losing a comrade. You undoubtedly served with those who will remain in your lifelong memories. Through it all, you continued to serve your nation with a willingness to preserve our freedoms and privileges.
Take the opportunity to say thanks to a fellow veteran.
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
CWO-4, USN (retired)
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[...] To The Editor – Issaquah PressWhen I moved to Issaquah from Virginia in July 2003, one of the main attractions was the bike-friendly roads. I have been a road cyclist (“roadie”) for almost 30 years, and have ridden all kinds of roads in California, Illinois, Virginia [...]