To The Editor
December 2, 2008
Thank you
Community helped make Harmony & High Tea a successful fundraiser
On behalf of the Issaquah Women’s Club, thank you to all who helped make our Nov. 8 Harmony & High Tea benefit at Pickering Barn such a huge success — the merchants and businesses who sponsored tables, purchased ads, donated auction items and/or contributed cash or necessities to our effort; the members of the Issaquah High School DECA club, who helped in countless ways; Read more
To The Editor
November 25, 2008
Decision 2008
Sen. Fred Jarrett thanks the community
I would like to thank the community for its support of my campaign for State Senate in the 41st District. It has been my honor to serve our community for the past eight years and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to go back to Olympia for four more years. Read more
To The Editor
November 19, 2008
School boundaries
Incorrect data being used to determine fate of Overdale Park students
The Boundary Review Committee recommendation will soon be presented to the school board for approval or revision. My hope is that Steve Rasmussen and the board will make some revisions, keeping Overdale at Grand Ridge and West Highlands Park at Clark. Read more
To The Editor
November 4, 2008
Thank you
Volunteers helped raise $11,500 at Salmon Days Kiwanis Salmon BBQ
As we learned again this year from guests from as far away as New York and Nairobi, to many people, the Kiwanis Salmon BBQ is Salmon Days. It is also one of our community’s most successful fundraisers. Read more
To The Editor
October 28, 2008
Prop. 1
City officials didn’t explain adequately how light rail is better than buses
In the letter “Thumbs up on Sound Transit Prop. 1,” Mayor Ava Frisinger and City Councilman Fred Butler asked us to vote yes on Prop. 1.
I’d like to hear an explanation from them how exactly Prop. 1 would benefit Issaquah residents after light rail will take away express lanes on the Interstate 90 floating bridge and buses would have to use no-right of way regular lanes.
It seems to me that buses are much better, less expensive and a more flexible way of transportation than light rail, at least for people living in I-90 corridor.
Michael Fichtenholtz
Issaquah
Buses, light rail can co-exist crossing I-90
I have heard concerns expressed about the loss of the middle lanes to accommodate light rail across Interstate 90. The existing middle lanes are currently reserved for HOV traffic headed west in the a.m. and east in the p.m.
The HOV lanes will be moved to the outside lanes. One lane will be a dedicated HOV lane in the west direction and one will be a dedicated HOV lane in the east direction. They will not be reversible, but will provide a 24-hour dedicated lane in each direction.
The result is that buses and HOV traffic will have a dedicated east and west lane to replace the existing reversible center express lanes.
Please call if you have questions.
Fred Butler
Issaquah
Initiative 1000
Personal experience shows assisted suicide law would take dignity away
I am living Initiative 1000. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer over a year ago. He went through six months of chemotherapy and had a clean bill of health.
Then, a few months later, he found out that not only did the cancer return, but also it advanced. He began another agonizing round of chemotherapy. After a few treatments, his reaction was so bad he ended up in the hospital in early August.
When he wasn’t improving the doctor gave him horrifying news; he would die within three to six months. I was heartbroken. The Walla Walla Hospital informed us that hospice would take over his care. I met an angel, Nurse Mickey. Hospice came and set up a bed in my parent’s house. Then, two nurses would visit regularly. Nurse Mickey treated my dad with gentle compassion. If my dad experienced any pain, they took care of it.
Luckily God blessed our family with my dad’s presence for two months. During this time, each of us had a chance to say goodbye. Family members who haven’t spoken to us in years came and shared how my father made a difference in their lives. Friends from his childhood sent messages of how they valued my dad’s life-changing friendship.
I won’t lie. At times, it was hard to see my dad fade a little each day. When he couldn’t get out of bed, it was difficult, but does that mean his life wasn’t valuable? Every moment was a precious gift from God. On Oct. 1, 2008, my father, Michael Feeney, died at age 66. I will always remember my dad’s never-ending faith in God and others.
The hospice care gave my dad a chance to die with dignity. Initiative 1000 takes that dignity away. It is more like death on demand. If it passes, then what happens next? People with disabilities? Uninsured? Depressed?
When we start playing God we lose the value of human life and dignity. When I go to the polls I will vote no on Initiative 1000. What will you do?
Molly Feeney
Sammamish
Decision 2008
National, local Democrat tickets have many outstanding candidates
We are so fortunate this election to have outstanding candidates starting with Barack Obama for president. Add Chris Gregoire as governor to continue her strong leadership and Darcy Burner for Congress to finally give us representation in the other Washington.
Here in the 5th Legislative District, we have lucked out with great candidates. I encourage everyone to vote for Phyllis Huster for Senate, Jon Viebrock and David Spring for the House.
These hardworking candidates are honest, intelligent, and realistic. They are not in the pockets of large corporations and lobbyists. Our candidates care about us and our issues out here. We need Phyllis, Jon and David working for us down in Olympia.
Phyllis has an extensive background helping manage huge budgets. We sure need that now for the winners will have to deal with our state problems, just as other states all over the USA.
Jon is a working man, working every day as he campaigns. He is a construction drywall foreman, so he fully understands what working men and women are facing. An honorably discharged Marine, he also supports our military families.
David’s background is extensive in education. He has a passion for helping our students achieve their goals and get new schools built.
When you vote in November, don’t stop after the first few. Be sure to support our 5th District candidates: Phyllis, Jon and David. They’ll bring to Olympia fresh outlooks and commitment to work to resolve our problems.
Nancy D. San Carlos
Issaquah
Fred Jarrett would serve honorably if elected to state Senate
I have known Fred Jarrett for 45 years, since we first met in the North Mercer Junior High School band, last chair trombonists, both. Throughout that time, I have seen Fred accomplish great things for our community through his hard work, bipartisan spirit and his willingness to really listen to constituents.
That is why I was so surprised when I received Fred’s opponent’s negative attacks in the mail. The latest attack charges Fred with things that I know aren’t true, and I believe most people know that as well.
The Fred Jarrett I know has honorably served our community as a representative and I know he will continue that record as a senator. I am honored to vote for him for senator and I hope you will, too.
Paul Haaland
Mercer Island
Vote for David Spring, who will truly represent the people of the 5th District
Who is Glenn Anderson? I’ve been told he’s my 5th Legislative District representative, but he seems to be a ghost. I never see him or hear from him. Not a letter, an e-mail, an invitation to a meeting — nothing.
Maybe he really doesn’t represent me. I’ve learned that prior to becoming a state representative, Anderson was a lobbyist, advocating on behalf of banks, drug companies and oil companies. Now, as a state legislator, he is receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from these same industries. Maybe that’s who he represents.
I’ve also learned that Anderson has proposed paying for K-12 education by raising our property taxes (House Bill 1612). Many large corporations pay almost no state taxes at all. Why should I have to pay more so they can pay less?
I’m going to vote for David Spring. He isn’t taking campaign money from big business, and I do see and hear from him.
Dave Miller
Issaquah
Marcie Maxwell shows a better understanding of those in the 41st District
We have a real opportunity to elect an outstanding candidate to represent our 41st Legislative District.
For decades, Marcie Maxwell, has been a leader on the increasingly diverse 41st District playing field — improving education, addressing our needs and working to improve our quality of life. Her opponent Steve Litzow’s recent comments touting how superior his Mercer Island School District is to Renton speaks volumes. Does he realize, for example, that 44 percent of Renton children are eligible for subsidized lunches versus 1.9 percent on Mercer Island, or that Renton must deal with the complexities of more than 80 different language learners?
His apparent lack of understanding of the difference in demographics — Mercer Island versus Renton, is proof positive that he should stay put on the Mercer Island City Council. Maxwell is the only choice to represent our entire diverse 41st District.
Marlene Winter
Renton
To The Editor
October 22, 2008
Decision 2008
Thumbs up on Sound Transit Prop. 1
This year promises to be the most exciting election year ever. So, as you cast your vote, don’t overlook a measure further down on the ballot — one that will improve your commute and is good for the environment. Vote yes on Proposition 1, the regional measure to expand mass transit.
We are supporting Prop 1 for two primary reasons.
One — Prop 1 is the transit solution for the future at the cost of about a tank of gas — $69 a year for the average adult.
Two — Prop 1 is good for the Eastside and it is good for Issaquah. Here are the reasons why:
The Eastside will receive more investment than any other part of King, Pierce or Snohomish counties — 35 percent of the entire regional package.
Prop 1 will bring light rail to Bellevue in 2020 and to the Microsoft campus in Redmond in 2021 while connecting to the light rail system from Seattle to Sea Tac, which will open next year.
There is also a light rail planning study in Prop 1 that would position Issaquah at the top of the list for future light rail expansion. In the interim, our community would receive more vitally needed bus service beginning in 2009.
Some say this isn’t the perfect plan. We cannot afford to debate this any longer. If Prop 1 does not pass, it will be another 40 years before we have an opportunity to provide relief from high gas prices and gridlock while long-term investments in light rail provide jobs, improve our quality of life and protect the environment.
Please join us Nov. 4 and vote yes for Prop 1. Let’s give the Eastside and our citizens the transit system they deserve. It will only cost the average adult about $69 per year — just one tank of gas. It is a small price to pay for improving your commute and making the region a better place for our children.
Ava Frisinger, mayor
Fred Butler, city councilman
Anderson’s prompt answer to queries another reason he deserves your vote
In the past two years, I have had occasion to ask Rep. Glenn Anderson for help answering questions involving the Issaquah School District, the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, rulings and state law.
These questions involved several e-mails and the work of his research team. He was always quick to respond and answered each question thoroughly. I was most grateful for his knowledge and willingness to find my “answers.”
I urge you to keep Rep. Anderson in Olympia working for us.
Janell Wildermuth
Issaquah
School boundary review
Committee ignored objectives by moving children from West Highlands Park
Once again, I am disappointed in the reasoning and close-mindedness of the Issaquah School District’s Boundary Review Committee.
On Oct. 15, members reaffirmed their decision to move West Highlands Park out of Clark and into Grand Ridge, and do the reverse for Overdale. I would be more accepting of the decision if I thought the committee had used a rigorous fact-based approach to understanding and analyzing the issue instead of the goat rodeo we witnessed Wednesday night. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this happen with many committee decisions.
The discussions were shortsighted and focused on today’s enrollment instead of looking at the enrollment projections two to 10 years out. The saddest part was the acceptance that some students must suffer for the greater good when there is in fact no need to create this hardship and no evidence of greater good.
Here are the facts that the committee ignored when it decided to go forward with the neighborhood swap: Despite the objective to raise attendance at Clark, by 2012 Clark would have gained 24 more children than today if the two communities remained where they are. Likewise, Grand Ridge would have 24 fewer children, giving it much needed capacity for growth. The committee made mistakes on both fronts at odds with key objectives of both schools.
The committee also used busing as a reason, but the facts were wrong and thus misled voting members. The fact is that both communities need to be bused to their schools no matter which schools they go to.
Yes, the committee proposal might make sense if West Highlands is never built, but that community’s construction is well under way. It will be a very sad day in 2010 when the children in West Highlands Park attending Clark will be shifted to Grand Ridge in order to make it a “Highlands-only” school and thus, boot out long-established Overdale Park to a distant school with no community ties.
Doug Wood
Issaquah
Traffic safety
With classes back in session, 20 mph is the speed limit in a school zone
Now that we have been back in school for a month, we would hope that people would remember the speed limit is 20 mph while driving through active school zones. In some school zones, 20 mph is the speed limit “when children are present.” In other school zones, 20 mph is the speed limit when the yellow lights are flashing.
We are astonished, not only at the people who speed past us while we try to safely get school children across, but at the nasty words, hand gestures and dirty looks that we receive daily. Meanwhile, many drivers are speeding up the street to get to where they need to go, at the potential risk of injuring a child who may dart out into the road, especially around the elementary schools!
This is a reminder — please, please, please remember that the speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph. If you forget, there are red flags, flashing yellow lights and at one school, crossing guards hold up a “20” as a reminder.
Please help us to keep our children safe by slowing down. It only takes a minute or two out of your whole day to slow down!
If you cared enough to read this, please care enough to remind your teenage children, your neighbors, friends or even your parents about the speed limit. And remember that we crossing guards, who are putting our lives “at risk” while trying to safely get school children across, are just trying to make it safer for the children.
Sadly, when a child gets hit, then people slow down. Our goal is to prevent that tragedy from happening in the first place!
Thank you!
Molly McDonell and Martha Ross
On behalf of Issaquah School District crossing guards in Issaquah and Sammamish
To The Editor
October 14, 2008
Transportation fee
The bypass was not built, but downtown stores are still paying for it
It has come to light that (a) The empty storefronts on Front Street are due to the very high Issaquah transportation fees like $100,000 and (b) 40 percent of the fee is an item noted as The Read more
Letters To The Editor
October 8, 2008
Pets on campus - Policy, while draconian, does have merit
Your editorial, “No-animal policy is out of line,” not only reeks of racism, but also misses the point. The recent decision of school district officials to prohibit all animals from Issaquah schools, while draconian, has some merit in protecting the public, most importantly, the school children. Read more
To The Editor
October 1, 2008
Swimming pool
As the community grows, so, too, does the need for more watering holes
Thank you for your Sept. 17 editorial regarding Issaquah’s swimming pool(s). I agree with most of your comments. However, didn’t you know the “disgusting locker room floors” are actually reflexology therapy stones? And you made no mention of the saggy senior men, or haven’t you noticed? Read more
Letters To The Editor
September 23, 2008
Gary Moore
Issaquah High coach’s legacy deserves changing name of football stadium
After reading Gary Moore’s obit last week and news articles, I believe Gary’s attributes as an Issaquah High School coach and teacher are worthy of a stadium name change. While Read more
