County earns award for turning shingles into pavement
September 27, 2011
King County garnered a national award recently for turning asphalt shingle waste into paving material.
The county received a National Association of Counties Achievement Award for the “Shingles in Paving” project. The awards highlight the most outstanding county model programs.
Countywide, about 40,000 tons of asphalt shingle waste is disposed of each year. Though some shingle waste heads for recycling centers, some ends up in the landfill.
In other states, the waste is successfully recycled for road applications, such as hot-mix asphalt pavement.
The award-winning local program has engaged the recycling, transportation and paving community to establish a strong, local hot-mix asphalt pavement market for recycled asphalt shingles.
The state Department of Transportation and the Washington Asphalt Pavement Association also started outlining requirements and next steps for a paving trial project to allow recycled asphalt shingles in the design, production and acceptance of hot-mix asphalt in Washington.
County Council confirms law enforcement oversight chief
September 27, 2011
County Council members appointed a former Los Angeles police investigator as King County’s inaugural law enforcement oversight chief Sept. 26.
In a unanimous decision, the council confirmed Charles Gaither as director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, a county agency established to monitor the King County Sheriff’s Office’s complaint and investigation process.
“Today’s appointment of Mr. Gaither is a major milestone toward realizing the important reform of implementing civilian oversight of the sheriff’s office,” Councilman Bob Ferguson — Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee chairman and sponsor of the appointment — said in a statement. “Mr. Gaither’s extensive experience will be invaluable to increasing transparency in the complaint process and further building public trust between law enforcement and the community.”
Eastside Fire & Rescue proposes 2.6 percent budget increase
September 27, 2011
Wage and health insurance costs are the prime drivers of a proposed 2.6 percent increase in Eastside Fire & Rescue’s proposed 2012 budget. Some board members, however, said they wonder if parts of the projected budget may be off.
EFR’s board got its first look at the $21.5 million spending plan Sept. 19. The budget is about $546,000 more than last year.
County to host budget forum at Pacific Cascade Middle School
September 27, 2011
Citizens can offer input on King County’s 2012 budget next month at a local forum.
County Councilwoman Julia Patterson, leader of the council’s Budget Leadership Team, announced Pacific Cascade Middle School and other sites as locations for budget discussions. The budget team is seeking input on County Executive Dow Constantine’s proposed 2012 budget.
Issaquah’s representative, Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, and Councilwoman Jane Hague and Councilman Joe McDermott also serve on the budget team.
“These public hearings are an opportunity for the residents of King County to make their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them,” Patterson said in a statement.
The budget team is scheduled to collect input from citizens at a series of meetings:
- 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 — Pacific Cascade Middle School, 24635 S.E. Issaquah-Fall City Road
- 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 — Maleng Regional Justice Center, Courtroom 3F, 401 Fourth Ave. N., Kent
- 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25 — King County Courthouse, County Council Chambers, 10th Floor, 516 Third Ave., Seattle
The county plans to offer coverage of the meetings on King County TV, channel 22 on Broadstripe and Comcast.
Conservancy plans Central Issaquah discussion series
September 27, 2011
Citizens interested in the long-term plan to reshape Issaquah’s business district can learn more at a series of discussions hosted by the Cascade Land Conservancy, a nonprofit organization focused on conservation and land-use issues.
The series is dedicated to discussions about livability, growth and the Central Issaquah Plan. The city is in the midst of a push to define redevelopment in the 915-acre Central Issaquah in the coming decades.
The conservancy advocates for locating density adjacent to existing urban services and preserving developable open space.
The initial meeting is at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at REI, 735 N.W. Gilman Blvd. The discussion is scheduled to include tactical urbanism strategies — short-term, small-scale actions to create long-term change. Email Andrea Gousen andreag@cascadeland.org to RSVP or learn more.
The next discussion is at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at REI, and transportation is the discussion topic. The group is also scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Hailstone Feed Store, 232 Front St. N., for a land-use discussion.
Each meeting includes experts about the topic as discussion leaders.
Washington’s Lottery offers tickets to benefit veterans
September 27, 2011
Through a partnership between the state Department of Veterans Affairs and Washington’s Lottery, lotto players can help veterans by purchasing a ticket.
Funding for the Veterans Innovations Program to aid service members returning from Afghanistan and Iraq comes from The Hometown Heroes Raffle. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit service members and military families.
Tickets for The Hometown Heroes Raffle can be purchased at more than 3,900 lottery retailers statewide for $10. Tickets remain sale through Nov. 10, and the drawing is scheduled for Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Participants can also go to www.facebook.com/walottery to share reasons why they support the cause.
Residents can comment on proposed highlands gas station
September 27, 2011
The city and Issaquah Highlands developer Port Blakely Communities plan to restart the discussion next month about a proposed gas station in the hillside neighborhood.
Citizens can comment on the proposal at a City Council public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Council Chambers at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way.
Before construction can proceed on a highlands gas station, the council must amend the agreement between the city and Port Blakely to allow such a facility in the neighborhood. The original agreement prohibits a highlands gas station due to concerns about possible groundwater contamination.
The proposed amendments under consideration Oct. 3 address environmental protection standards and design expectations, and outline regulations, for a highlands gas station.
The gas station proposal almost reached the council in December 2009, but Port Blakely executives pulled the request at the last minute.
Opponents claim a gas station is a poor fit in a neighborhood touted as “green” and pedestrian friendly. In the past, proponents billed the proposed gas station as a cutting-edge “energy station” featuring alternative fuels and electric-vehicle charging stations.
Department of Health needs citizens to serve on boards
September 27, 2011
The state Department of Health needs citizens to serve on health-related boards, commissions and committees.
The agency needs applicants for 24 groups, including the Board of Physical Therapy, the Athletic Training Advisory Committee, the Board of Pharmacy, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission, the Board of Massage and the Veterinary Board of Governors.
Many groups have immediate vacancies and others need a pool of qualified candidates for future openings.
Potential appointees must be United States citizens and Washington residents. Regular meeting attendance is expected and is vital to the success of each team. The state reimburses members for certain expenses related to travel, and compensates members for time spent at meetings and other approved activities.
Find information and applications at www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/BCC.htm. Or, call 360-236-4887 to learn more.
“This is an opportunity for citizens to have a voice in their government, and to influence the health and safety of our state,” Karen Jensen, assistant secretary for the Health Systems Quality Assurance division, said in a statement. “Gov. Chris Gregoire and Secretary Mary Selecky take great pride in appointing qualified, responsible members who reflect Washington’s diversity.”
Press Editorial
September 27, 2011
Thanks to police officers for keeping all safe
Issaquah narrowly escaped a tragedy of epic proportions Sept. 24.
While a gunman died from retaliatory gunshots from the police, no innocent bystanders were hurt or killed. As the community reflects on what might have been — and what was — there is much to be grateful for.
Issaquah, King County and neighboring city police responded with the professionalism we expect. They made sure that children and adults nearby were safe before exchanging gunfire.
Café, not cafeteria, greets hospital diners
September 27, 2011
Sam Colombi (left), sous chef for Café 1910 at Swedish/Issaquah, and Eric Eisenberg, executive chef for Swedish Medical Center, prepare to greet restaurant patrons. By Greg Farrar
Swedish/Issaquah aims to dispel jokes about hospital food at eatery
Spare the jokes about Jell-O and mystery meat in gluey sauce.
Everyone is careful to call the eatery at Swedish/Issaquah a restaurant, and not — as hungry guests and patients might expect at a hospital — a cafeteria.
The emphasis on the restaurant-inspired menu tilts to local and organic ingredients. The effort is designed to appeal to consumers, as palates turn more sophisticated in a Food Network-obsessed era.
Kevin Brown, a key project leader and Sammamish resident, envisioned the eatery, called Café 1910, as a destination restaurant for people in the surrounding community.
“That idea as a whole is not impossible to wrap your brain around,” said Eric Eisenberg, executive chef for Swedish Medical Center. “But the ideas of who will come to a hospital to eat on purpose? Who will go out of their way?”
Hospital executives and chefs at Swedish and elsewhere said hospital dining is undergoing a renaissance.
“As things have emerged, we’ve really realized we’re not a cafeteria in a hospital,” Eisenberg said. “We’re a beautiful restaurant in a really beautiful community.”
