Editorial
November 6, 2012
Shoppers deserve traffic solutions
There are two messy traffic jams that occur in Issaquah, primarily on busy weekend shopping days. With the arrival of the holiday shopping season, these locations will only get worse. While you may have others in mind, we think you’d agree these two are tops for driver annoyance.
Both spots are in the heart of shopping centers.
No. 1 honors go to the ingress/egress to Lake Sammamish Center near The Home Depot. The traffic signal and Interstate 90 Undercrossing help drivers move in and out of the area, but getting out of the parking lot from the south side is a lesson in frustration. Often the only option is to circle away from the exit and try again from a new angle. The only saving grace is that there are no pedestrians in the midst of this tangle of cars.
The intersection on Northwest Maple Street in the heart of the Issaquah Commons is the second-most hazardous traffic jam in town.
The Issaquah Press’ general election endorsements
October 30, 2012
See the editorial board’s recommendations for congressional and legislative candidates, and statewide ballot measures, in the Nov. 6 general election.
Editorial
October 30, 2012
Karen Porterfield for Congress
Issaquah Democrat Karen Porterfield is an excellent choice to represent the expansive 8th Congressional District.
In 2004, voters elected Republican Dave Reichert to succeed Republican Jennifer Dunn in Washington, D.C. Since then, Reichert has failed to distinguish himself in the U.S. House of Representatives and too often seems detached and unavailable from constituents at home. He does deserve credit for his work in Congress to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Following redistricting last year, the 8th District covers more ground, stretching from Auburn to Issaquah to Wenatchee. The change in the district is a good time to change representation.
Editorial
October 30, 2012
Vote no Initiative 1185
Washington voters approved a two-thirds legislative majority for taxes in 1993, 1998, 2007 and most recently in 2010.
Proponents argue that the two-thirds majority measure on this year’s ballot, Initiative 1185, is again needed to keep state legislators in line. In fact, a two-thirds requirement gives the minority — in this case, a small group of state senators — the unfair advantage to shut down any proposed tax increase.
Editorial
October 23, 2012
Our endorsements for state representatives
Issaquah is divided between the 5th and 41st legislative districts. Redistricting has changed district boundaries, but most Issaquah neighborhoods remain inside the 5th District.
North Issaquah and neighborhoods along Lake Sammamish shifted into the 41st District. Cougar Mountain west of state Route 900 and areas north of Interstate 90 act as the dividing lines.
Press Editorial
October 16, 2012
Vote to approve same-sex marriage
Referendum 74 offers Washington voters a historic chance to expand civil rights to same-sex couples.
In February, after receiving crucial support from local lawmakers in the state House of Representatives and state Senate, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed landmark legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. Opponents petitioned to put the measure before voters on the November ballot.
Washington already affords rights to same-sex couples, but the existing law is incomplete. Marriage is a basic civil right.
In 2009, voters approved Referendum 71, or the state’s “everything-but-marriage” law, to expand domestic partnership rights. Both sides in the R-74 campaign realize marriage — both the institution and the word — is the key piece missing from existing state law.
Press Editorial
October 16, 2012
Vote to approve marijuana legalization
Despite decades of enforcement and untold millions of dollars, marijuana prohibition does not work.
Initiative 502 possesses the potential to clear the air and allow Washington to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use among adults 21 and older. The ballot measure outlines a sensible plan for the state to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.
I-502 is not a perfect plan, but the potential benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls.
Press Editorial
October 16, 2012
John Urquhart for sheriff
King County voters last experienced a contested race for sheriff in 2005.
The race on the ballot next month, between appointed Sheriff Steve Strachan and John Urquhart, a former King County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, offers voters a choice between a pair of capable candidates.
Former Sheriff Sue Rahr stepped down in March, and the King County Council appointed Strachan for the interim. The election is to fill the remainder of Rahr’s term through December 2013.
Press Editorial
October 9, 2012
Join conversation at candidate forum
In 2008, fueled in part by the historic candidacy of Barack Obama to the highest office in the land, voters engaged in the political process in a once-in-a-generation way.
Though 2012 cannot recapture the sense of excitement, contests up and down the ballot merit some serious attention from Issaquah voters. So much attention is focused on the race for president, but Washington voters must decide important races for governor and other executive positions.
Voters also face a chance to make history through ballot measures to legalize marijuana and affirm the rights of same-sex couples to marry.
Press Editorial
October 2, 2012
Get ready to greet Salmon Days visitors
It’s that time again.
Time to strut our stuff for the 180,000 or so people who will come to our city to see the best we have to offer.
Time for us to gather together to celebrate the return of the salmon to their home of Issaquah. (And if you haven’t been to the hatchery to watch them swim and leap, you simply must go. The majestic fish have traveled far and wide into the ocean and back. Go and see them while you can.)
