To The Editor
January 19, 2010
By Contributor
Merry Christmas Fund
Thank you to everyone who contributed and for helping people in need
We at Issaquah Church & Community Services extend our deep gratitude to all of the big-hearted people of Issaquah who donated to the Merry Christmas Fund 2009, and to Debbie Berto, publisher of The Press, whose passion, spirit and tireless efforts on behalf of those among us who have fallen on financial hard times — thank you!
Our 25-year-old nonprofit agency saw a 50 percent increase in need in 2009 and your gifts were appreciated more than ever. We at ICCS are a dedicated group of volunteers who serve each weekday, answering phones and meeting with those seeking assistance and you are our partners. Together, we serve the people of Issaquah — our friends and neighbors.
If you are reading this and finding yourself coming up short because financial hardship has struck your family — please call us at 391-0137. All we ask of our clients is to pass it on when you are able.
Again, thank you all for showing the world that we in Issaquah are a generous, compassionate people.
Marilyn Taylor, president
Issaquah Church & Community Services
School levies
Vote yes to renew vital funding for programs to keep schools outstanding
As a 30-plus year parent and teacher in the Issaquah School District, I believe that one of the main factors that contribute to our quality of life is our outstanding school system. In order to continue providing our children with the best education we can, I urge you to vote yes for the three school levies on the Feb. 9 ballot.
These levies would replace the current levies that will soon expire. If passed, the average homeowner would pay the same or fewer tax dollars as they currently pay.
These levies are absolutely vital to maintain quality education for our children. Levy 1, maintenance and operations, provides almost 20 percent of the total district budget and these dollars go for basic necessities, such as special-education services, teachers, support staff and utilities. Levy 2, the school bus levy, will provide for the purchase of 41 new buses, which will run cleaner and more efficiently than the older buses they replace. Levy 3, the capital levy, will provide for needed structural repairs and also for educational technology.
The Legislature cut education funding last year and in light of the current revenue forecast, will probably do so again this year. Levies are the one funding mechanism that enables the local community to directly invest in the quality of its schools to offset the lack of funding from the state level. So please, vote yes on all three levies on the Feb. 9 ballot.
Neva Luke
President, Issaquah Education Association
All three levies are crucial to keeping Issaquah’s top-quality education
We all love the Issaquah community we live in. We are proud of our community and of the education the Issaquah School District provides our community and our children. Our district does an amazing job of providing a top quality education on a limited budget.
Education funding continues to take tough financial hits. We, the voters, have the power within our hands to make sure on Feb. 9 that our three levies do not take a financial hit and all three of these levies pass. Every one of these three levies (operation and maintenance, transportation and technology) is crucial to maintaining our top-quality education!
I was a member of the levy development committee and saw what basics these levies are going toward maintaining. It would be devastating if these levies did not pass. For example, the maintenance and operation levy pays for approximately 21 percent of the district’s operating budget. Can you imagine the complete havoc our district would be in if they had to reduce their budget by more than 20 percent? It is imperative that we all vote yes for these three levies and encourage everyone we know to mail in their ballots with yes votes.
Jody R. Mull
President, Issaquah Schools Foundation
Pledge of Allegiance
Criticism of supporters was rife with false strawmen arguments
I am so thankful The Press printed Matthew Barry’s letter. The only thing that he stated that was true was that “those that don’t want to recite the pledge at school board meetings can remain silent or skip the meetings.” He attacked two letter writers, me and Carol Stair, while there was a third letter by Barbara Extract, supporting the pledge as is, in the Dec. 31, 2009, issue. Why not go after all three?
Barry has put up a number of strawmen in his Jan. 6 letter addressing:
(1) “under Allah” as being part of the pledge, when this country was established via the Declaration of Independence — “We hold these truths….endowed by their creator.”
(2) “Reverting to a 1954 pledge version,” would Barry also want to revert before Dec 6., 1865, or Aug. 18, 1920, when the 13th and 19th amendments were ratified? You cannot have it both ways.
(3) “Ken’s age” — my folks could not provide me and my brother with any money to spend, so I don’t know what was on the currency.
(4) “Racist country” — I don’t know what this has to do with the school board reciting the pledge.
(5) “Atheists” — That word does not appear anywhere in my letter.
(6)”Enforcing their beliefs” — The U.S. Congress and school classrooms recite the pledge at the start of each day’s session, so restricting it from a school board meeting, due to one person’s request to eliminate it, is not the American Way. Majority rules, the school board members were elected by a majority vote.
(7) “Eating meat” — What does this have to do with reciting the pledge at the school board meeting?
It appears Barry is attacking these two letter writers in trying to justify his agenda.
Ken Sessler
Issaquah
Klahanie Park
Community’s best interests are not being represented in ownership fight
I am writing as a 17-year resident of Klahanie. I want to comment on the Klahanie Park proposal.
I have two daughters and a dog, and I feel so lucky to have raised my family in this community. But I feel the best interests of the community are not being represented by the continued fight to keep control of the King County/Klahanie Park.
My daughters both play soccer and other sports and have been fortunate in the past few years to have the city of Sammamish’s vision to put all-purpose fields in both the Skyline and Eastlake parks. Without these fields, our teams would be limited to only the two high schools’ turf fields, and it would have been nearly impossible to get practice or games once the grass fields become unplayable and close for four months.
During this time, the city of Sammamish has done a great job of scheduling use of the fields and making sure we have lights when needed. I feel the best option for the many residents of Klahanie would be to have the county turn the fields over to Sammamish. I trust their vision and I know they would do a great job of maintaining the fields and giving the many residents of the plateau and Klahanie the best option for the future.
When I talk to my many neighbors, we all agree that this is the best proposal and feel that having Klahanie maintain control of the fields would not be in the best interest of residents and community. I hope we can work closely with Sammamish and make the transition to the city smooth and not take on a responsibility that is not in our best interests.
Brian Bofto
Issaquah
Close park before letting Sammamish take it over
I love parks. They are places to sit and reflect, walk, enjoy nature, run and play. I have voted for every park bond and levy that has ever been put before me on the ballot. I would willingly pay more in taxes to keep our parks open. Parks make up the heart and soul of our communities.
I would never have thought that I would be saying this, but I would rather have Klahanie Park shut down than to have King County give the park to the city of Sammamish. I have nothing against the city of Sammamish, but giving our park away to a city where we have no say in the future of the park is so egregious that I would rather have the park closed.
If the park is not transferred to Klahanie, it should be shut down and kept as unmaintained open space until the time that maintenance funds are available or Klahanie is annexed to either Sammamish or Issaquah.
Diane Weinstein
Klahanie
Comments
2 Responses to “To The Editor”
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The Ken Sessler letter was incoherent.
Editors: Please try to exert a little editorial discretion in the future. Letters should actually make some sense.
I am curious if Klahanie residents are aware of the Clearwire tower proposal to be built within Klahanie Park.
Installation of (three)3 panel antennas and one microwave dish to be mounted at the top of the 60 ft light standard and construction of one equipment cabinet within a 10×10 ft block wall.
King county department of development and Environmental services
Public comments end Feb 16, 2010.
The 60 foot Clearwire internet tower is designated to be built next to “the big rock”, next to the play area in Klahanie Park.
IF this tower goes in and the property is owned by Sammamish or King county, clearly someone has struck a deal for cash income.
I would advise Klahanie homeowners to boycott their dues based on the homeowners association not aggressively representing the neighborhood to maintain the park within their neighborhood, and for allowing a permit to get this far for a cell tower within that park is unfathomable.
Who cares about the soccer field being mowed, how about a 60 foot tower in the park? talk about taking away from nature, and the community that Klahanie resident bought into when they purchased their homes.
NO CLEARWIRE TOWER IN KLAHANIE PARK!
As a 20 year plateau resident, and15 year homeowner in Klahanie, I think it is time to consider why residents would jeopardize the use of this center of the neighborhood.
The time for public comment is running out for input on the Clearwire tower, and whatever happens to the ownership of the park, that tower positively ruins the natural setting and park charm.