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
Press Editorial
December 2, 2008
Merchants support you, now support them
There are too many empty storefronts popping up around Issaquah, but you have the power to help keep others from becoming vacant. All you have to do is shop right here in your hometown.
Press Editorial
November 25, 2008
Share your bounty with donation to food bank
Last weekend’s Harvest Dance at Pickering Barn may well have been the first big fundraiser ever held with the sole purpose of benefiting the Issaquah Food Bank. It shouldn’t be the last.
An estimated $14,700 was raised Friday night as about 400 people came to hear two bands, eat food (that was mostly donated), sip a little beer and wine, buy an auction item and make a monthly pledge or a one-time donation to the food bank. 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
Press Editorial
November 11, 2008
Issaquah is ready for a new museum
Issaquah is long overdue for a real museum. We believe the voters would support a city bond to build a museum, should the City Council agree to give the voters a chance. Read more
Press Editorial
November 4, 2008
Board appointment was thorough and open
Congratulations to Chad Magendanz, chosen last week by Issaquah School Board members to fill a board vacancy. The five applicants for the seat — left vacant by the resignation of Mike Winkler — were all
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
Press Editorial
October 28, 2008
5th District incumbents deserve re-election
We believe voters should return all three 5th District legislative incumbents to Olympia as our representatives for another term. These three represent the last bastion of Republicanism on the Eastside, making it difficult for them to pass legislation in a Democratically controlled House and Senate, yet they have never stopped carrying the message of their constituents to the capitol. 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
