Comments on: Newcastle City Council fires city manager, cuts more than $1 million from budget

By: C K

C K — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:15:13 +0000

Does anyone realize that the Council saved NO MONEY WHATSOEVER in firing Mr. Starbard? That in fact, it’s going to COST MORE, because they STILL HAVE TO PAY HIS SALARY PLUS ROB WYMANS for the next 6 months.? How interesting the paper made absolutely no mention of this. Or the fact that the Council locked Starbard out of his own review.

And isn’t it interesting how quickly the Council had a replacement? You would think this sort of thing would take a few months or so to work out…hmmm, about as much time as between the election and now! So, gosh, they decided to get rid of him all of a sudden-like? (Can you even coordinate City business before you’re sworn in? I’m just wondering.)

And isn’t it interesting that the Communications Manager resigned last year a day or two after Councilman Jensen’s husband tried to manipulate him with written comments on the blog insinuating there was nothing wrong with using it advance his own agenda? This is why we have no blog. The Council’s not going to risk looking bad by spending more money to hire someone to do a new one, or by getting a volunteer to do one only for us to realize it’s either: A) all propoganda or, B) sucks.

**Most interesting of all** – I saw the Seiligs (owners of the fruit stand property ) who so desperately want to put the Walgreens in so they can make a bazillion dollars, walk into City Hall TODAY. But that’s probably all innocent too, you think?

The City Council thinks we’re stupid, people. They’re running our city on their own personal motivations, not our direction or interests.

By: Allen D

Allen D — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:49:55 +0000

Paul, your post got me thinking. I took a look at election filings and found that Mr. Wyman was one of the largest contributors to John Dulcich’s campaign. It is listed as RTW Associates but a quick web seach shows RTW and Mr. Wyman located at the same address and Robert Wyman as the owner. So WOW only days into his new term as mayor and Dulcich makes him city manager.

I have always though Dulcich was OK but you are right this looks really SHADY! What other back-room deals are happening that we don’t know about yet?

By: Paul Thomson

Paul Thomson — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:52:58 +0000

Was there communication with the new “interim city manager” ex parte? Were any other council members part of that discussion?
Were there emails between members?
Is there a violation of the open public meetings act?

This seems rather abrupt and rather shady.

Anyone checking the emails, or asking to see if ‘impromptu’ meetings at starbucks (or someone’s home) occurred? If less than a quorum met and then one of those members met with other members, that is a meeting, and would be illegal…

By: Eric Charbonneau

Eric Charbonneau — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:33:14 +0000

A significant portion of Newcastle is located in the Renton school district, not the Issaquah school district and has no interest in Issaquah school district priorities. Your article makes assumptions, many Newcastle residents have zero connection with the Issaquah school district and have zero interest in supporting Issaquah school district priorities.

By: weegee

weegee — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:33:02 +0000

No Walgreens on the corner of Newcastle Way and Coal Creek Parkway. The city of Newcastle has a ban on any new drive-throughs, and Walgreens has a drive-through pharmacy. We already have TWO pharmacies in Newcastle (Bartell and Safeway) we do NOT need a third one. We also do NOT need a large underground parking structure below the bank and McDonald’s. What the heck is the city council thinking? We live in Newcastle because we don’t want to live in downtown Bellevue. Seems like the council wants to make Newcastle into Little Bellevue. No Way! We need the Library built. The Transit Center was a horrible waste of money, and not needed at all. Transit Centers are built where there are many bus lines to Transfer to and from. We have TWO bus lines in Newcastle (and a little stub that goes from the Newport Hills Park and Ride to Lakemont). There are currently NO plans for any new routes through here. $10,000 a month?!!! For what? Sitting in on weekly meetings and eating doughnuts in the morning at your desk? Many of us are unemployed. No wonder the city of Newcastle is so in debt. How pathetic.

By: Abby

Abby — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:02:17 +0000

As a Newcastle resident, all this sounds like a step in the right direction. Yes, Putter may no longer have a lock on his council position come next election, as another incumbent found out in the recent election.

Considering how much Newcastle residents love our Fruit Stand, the council will NOT replace it with Walgreen’s if they are indeed listening to the citizens. We have Bartell’s, and there’s a Walgreen’s on Sunset in Renton – but no substitute for the wonderful Fruit Stand.

Now, if we could only get Newcastle411 back – that blog kept us so connected.

By: Max

Max — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:12:16 +0000

So …. what is the new direction that the city council is taking us? I heard a lot of talk during the election, but it was mostly around things that they could not do without more money (politicians?).

I am all for a new direction, but it should be laid out. Quickly.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:47:15 +0000

What is the future of Newcastle that our City Council envisions ? More strip malls, if so, what a shame.

By: Evans

Evans — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:27:03 +0000

How about fixing that stoplight on Coal Creek where Safeway is. Jesus, traffic gets so backed up now in the am/pm commutes.

By: Allen D

Allen D — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:35:31 +0000

All it appears the new council has done is pave the way for removal of the fruitstand to put in a Walgreens on the corner. What a shame.