Sports Calendar
July 27, 2010
Adult Sports
Issaquah Alps Trail Club
July 30, 10 a.m., Dog’s Welcome Hike, 3-5 miles, 600- to 1,000-foot elevation gain. Call 206-322-0990 … July 31, 9 a.m., Little Si, 5 miles, 1,300-foot elevation gain. Call 837-1535 … Aug. 1, 1 p.m., Tiger Mountain’s Tradition Plateau, 5 miles, 600-foot elevation gain. Call 392-3571. Read more
Arts Calendar
July 27, 2010
July 29
Music on the Streets: David “Big Bear” Nelson, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pedestrian Park
Wooden O Shakespeare Plays: “Much Ado About Nothing,” 7-8:45 p.m., community center
Concerts in the Park: Ricky Venture Revue, 6:30-8 p.m., Pine Lake Park
Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE Summerstock “Ragtime,” 7:30-9 p.m. July 31 – Aug. 8
Carlos playing acoustics, 6-8 p.m., Vino Bella Read more
Press Editorial
July 27, 2010
Anderson, Willard should move forward
Voters in the 5th Legislative District — primarily those in Issaquah, Sammamish and Maple Valley areas — face two solid choices in the upcoming contest for a state representative. Mail-back ballots for the Aug. 17 primary election will reach voters this week.
In Glenn Anderson, voters have a seasoned representative who has learned to navigate the Capitol corridors as a member of the oft-marginalized Republican Party. Democrat Dean Willard presents a chance for a fresh perspective.
Willard presents the most credible challenge Anderson has faced in years. With his background in the Eastside technology industry, he has a good grasp of the concerns facing owners of local businesses, small and large alike.
Like his GOP opponent, Willard has also highlighted the importance of education in the campaign, certainly a critical topic in the 5th District. Willard pledges to strengthen the school system to make local students more competitive in a tough global workforce. Anderson has long been an advocate for education funding reform.
In campaign material, both Anderson and Willard say the race hinges on the economy. We look forward to a spirited debate in the months ahead about the role the Legislature should play in jumpstarting the stalled economy.
To the Editor
July 27, 2010
Economic vitality
With more and more businesses leaving, leaders need to address tax, sign issues
The economic situation for the past two years has been difficult on many, including our plethora of businesses in Issaquah. We have seen many businesses close, such as Sweet Additions, Sherm’s BBQ, GI Joe’s and Blockbuster, to name a few. Issaquah businesses continue to struggle and are fighting just to survive.
Businesses, and the taxes generated from our transactions, are the lifeblood of our city and state. Without these revenues, our vital services, public safety and quality of life diminish.
Having said this, I urge our city, county and state leaders to ensure local economic vitality by carefully considering all policy decisions through the lens of economic vitality and budget sustainability.
One way our city leaders could achieve this is by examining ways to increase the signage for our businesses, knowing that even a slight improvement to a businesses’ visibility will most likely boast exponential results.
There are other areas that must be looked at, such as revisiting current regulations, taxes and barriers to business success, as well as streamlining the internal permitting process that may hinder future business recruitment into Issaquah.
Issaquah is a magnificent place to live. Let’s also make it a magnificent place to own a business.
Renee Zimmerman
Issaquah
Issaquah Valley Trolley
It will be a sad day when it runs again
Just one look at our trolley can inspire — even if it can’t move two inches in any direction.
The other day, I was feeling sad and old, took one look at the trolley hanging up in the air with its innards all over the floor and felt worlds better. When my son got depressed about the weather, I showed him the trolley with broken windows, moss- and lichen-covered roof — he got all happy that there were clouds in the sky!
When my neighbor had lost a pet, we went to the trolley and it was living inside – thanks trolley! And what of those twisted rails and rotten ties? We walk on them to build stamina and coordination — have not got lock-jaw yet from those rusted nails, but a good source of iron!
It will be a sad day (whenever it happens) when the trolley finally starts running again.
Bryan Weinstein
Issaquah
Decision 2010
Re-elect Marcie Maxwell
Marcie Maxwell is one of the rare breed who believes in the value of underpromise and overdeliver. She doesn’t just talk; she gets the job done. She does the heavy lifting, the late night meetings, the negotiations.
She led the freshman legislators two years ago to pass the strongest education bill in decades. She didn’t say she was going to do it, and still doesn’t take credit for it. But I know, I was there, I watched. Marcie shows up, Marcie does the work, Marcie listens to her constituents.
Marcie is improving education in the state of Washington. We need her to continue this work. Vote for Marcie Maxwell.
Kelly Munn
Sammamish
Rapid Response
July 27, 2010
Do you believe the completion of the Interstate 90 Undercrossing will make a meaningful reduction in traffic congestion?
I can only hope so. Pretty soon the waiting lines for a green light to get onto Interstate 90 at opposite ends of Gilman Boulevard may end up touching each other in the middle!
Michele Forkner, Issaquah
Yes, but it should connect to East Lake Sammamish.
Matthew Balkman, Issaquah
Yes, in the short run. However, it will only be a short term Band-Aid as our current infrastructure tries to accompany longer-term planned growth. We will have to think “out of the box” to find alternatives to automotive transportation. Realistically, we will have to limit growth to the capacity of our infrastructure to absorb it.
Raymond Extract, Issaquah
Public Meetings
July 27, 2010
July 28
Human Services Commission
7 p.m.
Coho Room, City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way
Aug. 3
Council Utilities, Technology & Environment Committee
5:30 p.m.
Baxter Room, City Hall Northwest
1775 12th Ave. N.W.
River & Streams Board
7 p.m.
Pickering Room, City Hall Northwest, 1775 12th Ave. N.W.
Police Blotter
July 27, 2010
Good dog
A dog might have averted a residential burglary in the 3200 block of East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast on July 5. The resident said neighbors called him to report his pit bull loose in the neighborhood. The front door to his residence was open as well. He returned home to find a screen removed from a second-floor window, plus other signs of a break-in. He believed a burglar fled after being confronted by the dog.
Something stinks
Vandals destroyed a portable toilet near Southeast 28th Street and 259th Place Southeast prior to July 9. The estimated loss is unknown.
Lowlifes and high dives
A broken diving board led to a dispute near Beaver Lake on July 9. A resident in the 2000 block of East Beaver Lake Drive called police after a 20-year-old Idaho man used her floating trampoline and diving board, and then refused to give her his contact information. He and three friends had asked to use the trampoline, and then used the diving board without permission. The board broke, and the woman asked for his contact information so he could pay a professional to repair the damage. Police discovered the man floating in the lake. He ignored calls to come to shore until the officer threatened to come to him in a boat. The estimated loss is unknown.
Does not compute
A laptop computer, DVD player, digital camera and other items were stolen from a residence in the 2800 block of 252nd Avenue Southeast prior to July 10. The back door had been forced open with a crowbar. The estimated loss is $6,300. Read more
Issaquah School District stands to lose after Washington stumbles in Race to the Top
July 27, 2010
NEW — 4 p.m. July 27, 2010
It’s official. Washington is out of the running for the Race to the Top federal education grant program.
On Tuesday, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced 19 states as finalists advancing to the next round. Washington was not among them.
Race to the Top is an incentive-based grant program that asked states to submit bold education reform packages addressing assessment, teaching standards and professional development, early childhood education, increasing graduation rates and requirements, and closing the achievement gap.
The grant money is part of a nationwide initiative to kick-start a more competitive education system. At stake is a $3.4 billion grant jackpot to advance plans of the final states selected.
King County Elections mails ballots to voters
July 27, 2010
NEW — 3:35 p.m. July 27, 2010
King County Elections has mailed 1.1 ballots to registered voters for the Aug. 17 primary election.
“Voting begins the day you get your ballot in the mail” Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a news release. “Ballots must be returned no later than Election Day on Aug. 17, and our office is here to help, so be an informed voter and visit us online, call or stop by to get your questions answered.”
Ballots can be returned by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots require a first-class stamp and must be postmarked by Aug. 17. Track ballots online at the office’s website.
Redheads and More Redheads Day photo shoot / July 17, 2010
July 27, 2010
