To the Editor
May 14, 2013
Support your paper
To the good people at The Issaquah Press
My heart was broken when I saw you were leaving Front Street, and again when I read you had been burgled soon after the move. You are and always have been such an amazing resource for this community. Your health and well-being are essential to the vitality of our community.
The Press is no ordinary local newspaper. It “gets” the community, linking local stories with national and international issues, revealing and enhancing their relevance. I find out what our local council and state Legislature are doing and how it might impact me.
Editorial
May 14, 2013
Sign code revisions can build on success
The city sign code is as important to our feelings about Issaquah as the trees that line the streets. Signs are important to commerce, and help lead the way, but for the most part are visually pleasing, adding to the ambiance of the town.
That said, we’re glad to see the city of Issaquah taking the time to listen to business owners about possible revisions to the sign code ordinance.
Off The Press
May 14, 2013
Hearts go out to a dad, daughter and family
It is a privilege to know Barry LeMond, a husband and father whose name most of you have probably never heard before.
He’s a compassionate man who I first met while he was helping a local family through a devastating tragedy. Now, he and his family are going through the same tragedy, and they can use your thoughts and prayers in the death of his daughter Kristy, a 24-year-old Issaquah High School graduate.
Greg Farrar
Press photographer
In January 2002, when Skyline High School student Josh Williams was killed in a snowboarding accident at Snoqualmie Pass, the LeMond family reached out to support their friends the Williams family, Phil and Debra and their two daughters.
To the Editor
May 7, 2013
Recognition deserved
Issaquah High School teacher Jeff Berka deserves gratitude
This is a great community with so many incredible schools and teachers. Certain teachers make our children want to actually talk about school and what they have learned.
A great example of this is one of the most inspirational teachers I have met at Issaquah High School, Jeff Berka. He has quietly and humbly helped and mentored so many other teachers over the years. He is a man who is extremely dedicated to bringing European studies to life.
Off The Press
May 7, 2013
Tribute to Katie comes in the color purple
Christina Corrales-Toy
Press reporter
Wearing the color purple will never mean the same to me again.
When I throw on a purple sweater or a lavender scarf, I will know from this day forward that this color is special.
Purple is the color of royalty. It is the color of courage. It is the color of a fighter. Purple is Katie Tinnea’s color.
Editorial
May 7, 2013
Kokanee Work Group progress is heartening
A few years ago, the news about the kokanee salmon was pretty uniformly discouraging. Now, thanks largely to the efforts of the Kokanee Work Group, the fish species seems like it might be taking a step back from the brink.
Old-timers will tell you about the days when the streams running into Lake Sammamish were so thick with fish returning to spawn, you could practically walk across the water on their backs.
As years went by, the salmon suffered. Exploding development, particularly in the late 20th century, degraded streams and likely exacerbated a series of infamous algae blooms in the lake.
Editorial
April 30, 2013
Candidates wanted, filing dates near
There is still time left to consider filing for a local elected office — the ultimate volunteer job.
This election season, Issaquah has four open seats within city government, which include positions currently held by Eileen Barber, Stacy Goodman, Tola Marts and Joe Forkner. The mayor’s seat is also in need of candidates, although two have expressed their intent to file.
Two seats with the Issaquah School Board are also open, those currently held by Marnie Maraldo and Alison Meryweather. Fire District 10 needs a commissioner, as does the Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District.
Off The Press
April 30, 2013
A money pit is just one renovation too many
David Hayes
Press reporter
One of the signs of an economic recovery is an upward swing in valuations in the housing market.
For example, the home my wife and I bought less than three years ago has experienced some serious swings in valuation. King County just last year determined the home we bought at $319,000 had devalued down to $289,000. Luckily, we weren’t under water, yet.
But, just last week, my wife checked again after a house in our neighborhood sold at $379,000 (granted it was a two-story versus our one). Seems the county now sees the same house at $328,000.
That got me wondering. That value is only based on the abode on a given plot of land within a determined area. Upgrades are not considered.
To the Editor
April 30, 2013
Citywide cleanup
Thanks to Karen Donovan, DIA
I want to send out a great thanks and congratulations to Karen Donovan of the Downtown Issaquah Association for setting up and supervising a great Citywide Cleanup day! Hats off to an unqualified success.
Connie Marsh, president
Issaquah Environmental Council
Off The Press
April 23, 2013
Turn off the television, become pedestrians
“The Pedestrian,” a sci-fi, short story by Ray Bradbury, depicts a world in which nobody walks.
The main character, Mead, is the only pedestrian in a city of 3 million people. The rest of the people are pedestrians in the second sense of the word: dull, uninteresting, lacking imagination. The main character is considered a dangerous rebel because he walks.
Joe Grove
Press proofreader
