To the Editor
March 13, 2012
Signs on Front Street
Burma Shave-style campaign came to Issaquah, gave positive messages
Did you see the Burma Shave-type signs lining Front Street around noon on a recent Saturday? If you are just a “whipper snapper,” Burma Shave signs used to line our highways, giving bits of info and positive statements, punctuated at the end with the advertisement for the product, of course.
Thanks, Issaquah, for the thumbs up and smiling faces as we shared the Move On.org message for a better America. The signs read; “invest in America’s infrastructure,” “create 21st century energy jobs,” “invest in public education,” “offer Medicare for all,” “make work pay,” “secure Social Security,” “return to fairer tax rates,” “end the war and invest at home,” “tax Wall Street speculation” and “strengthen democracy.”
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Find your voice. Join a cause. Make a difference. Vote.
Margo Campbell
Issaquah
To the Editor
March 6, 2012
Special delivery
Presidential pizza is a problem
It is nice for the local business to have sold some pizza.
However, who is paying for all these campaign trips? A lot of poor people could have eaten for the cost of one slice of Obama’s pizza. Who paid for police protection? Did that take food out of anyone’s mouth? Or do we count that as jobs?
The Republicans are coming. What does all of the security for these candidates cost us? Who could eat for that amount of money?
To the Editor
February 28, 2012
Separation of church and state
State Constitution needs more flexibility in tough economic times
In the Feb. 15 issue of The Issaquah Press there was a letter to the editor concerning separation of church and state.
The letter correctly stated that the Washington State Constitution clearly states in Section 11 that “…No public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment…”
To the Editor
February 21, 2012
Fire station bond
Fire Protection District 10 thanks voters
On behalf of the board of commissioners for King County Fire Protection District 10, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of the fire district for supporting and successfully passing Proposition 1: Construct and Remodel Fire Stations and Acquire Firefighting and Life Saving Equipment proposal.
It was a difficult decision for the board to ask our neighbors for their approval of a revenue bond during these tough economic times. But, the need was there. The most important need was to relocate Station 78 to a more central location in May Valley to improve response times to a larger portion of the service area.
To the Editor
February 14, 2012
Good Samaritans
Good deeds happen throughout our midst
Good Samaritans abound in Issaquah. We needn’t look far to find them. He might be the man who steps aside allowing you to enter the market first. Or the teenage boy who smiles and politely responds to a question. And when one salesperson’s been rude, another might lift your spirits with a cheery, “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
These gestures may seem trivial, but they go far in alleviating daily stresses that simmer beneath the surface. Kindness attracts kindness and the ripple effect is felt throughout our community.
Marilyn Ottinger first came to my attention in a news article that ran several years ago in The Issaquah Press. For those in need of a warm meal during a power outage, Marilyn served up soup from a grill set up on a town sidewalk. Her act of kindness remains etched in my memory. So when I heard that she was instrumental in organizing regular meals at the Community Hall for folks desiring hot food and the company of others, I knew I wanted to help.
To the Editor
February 7, 2012
Issaquah treasures
Story about aerobics instructor Kristina Gravette was long overdue
I was delighted to finally see recognition given to an Issaquah treasure, aerobics instructor Kristina Gravette. I have been a regular participant, more or less, for several years. Not normally an early riser, I’m glad when I’ve made the effort to get to the 8:15 a.m. class.
Bumping and grinding to music, my fellow exercisers and I attempt to shed some calories and inches while also keeping old age at bay. Most of us are no longer spring chickens. The majority are middle-aged women and senior citizens trying to keep our body parts from rusting or shutting down altogether.
Class routines keep our brains agile and our bodies pumped. Poles, chairs, flex bands, weights and step platforms are tools that vary our exercise. Changing things up enhances muscle memory and staves off stagnation. Sit-ups, lunges, crunches, pelvic tilts and squats tweak our body parts. Stretching and yoga gently cool us down.
To the Editor
January 31, 2012
Extreme weather
The aloha spirit thrives in Issaquah
As a native of Maui who has resided on the mainland for 35 years I am never prepared for snow, ice and the accompanying chill. Although I’ve seen more of the white stuff in New York and Connecticut, where my family lived prior to moving to Issaquah, I can’t say that being inundated with less pleases me more.
I’ll never be a snow bunny, not that I’ve tried. I’m an islander through and through. So, I’ll roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate while warming myself before a blazing fire.
To the Editor
January 24, 2012
Winter weather
Newspaper provides information readers needed in the emergency
Just a grateful thank you for the real-time news updates on your website regarding the opening of emergency shelters this evening in downtown Issaquah and the plateau.
I am a ham radio operator who is rendering communication assistance to an elderly lady, with a medical condition, living in downtown Issaquah. She is being helped by a neighbor, but they have been without power all day (and will continue to be all night). Fortunately, I am located out of the downtown area and didn’t lose my power, so I have been able to monitor your website for your news updates.
The publishing of the emergency shelter openings was a very critical piece of information I was able to relay to the person assisting the elderly lady, as well as to other Seattle area emergency networks throughout the evening.
Everyone was relieved and thankful to know there were local area shelters open in Issaquah and on the plateau.
I can’t thank you enough for making this information available after hours in such a timely manner so it could be passed on to those without power and no access to the Web.
Kevin Millar
To the Editor
January 17, 2012
Rowley development
Moving Tibbetts Creek is a good idea
Readers have posted a couple of comments in The Issaquah Press on the Rowley Development that have advocated against moving Tibbetts Creek away from the northwestern portion of Hyla Crossing. Normally, moving a creek out of its natural channel in order to allow development in the former creek buffer is a bad idea.
In this case, however, moving this portion of the creek could help right a wrong that was done many years ago, when a sewer main was installed with a road above it, and the creek was put in a straight ditch 10 feet from the road. By moving the creek into a meandering loop to the west, installing large woody debris, and planting native trees and shrubs in the new buffer, the natural functions of the creek and the stream buffer could be improved, as was done in a section of the creek to the south. This would also direct the stream away from possibly contaminated soils, which may be present near the road and warehouse area.
Carefully done restoration could result in a win-win situation for both the developer and the environment.
Janet Wall
Issaquah
To the Editor
January 10, 2012
Development
City Council decision will turn Issaquah into the next downtown Bellevue
Thank you very much to our mayor and City Council for making a decision for Issaquah to become the next Bellevue with the future redeveloping of Hyla Crossing and Rowley Center, consisting of 150 foot buildings and cluttering our already overcrowded roads with more traffic.
Families moved to Issaquah because it was a quaint town but will be no more. Does this mean Hyla Crossing and Rowley Center have an agreement with the city to pay for road improvements to accommodate the additional traffic?
