Press Editorial
May 22, 2012
Memorial Day is for remembering, honoring
While most will enjoy the three-day weekend to mark the beginning of summer, Memorial Day is so much more. Memorial Day is set aside to honor the men and women from the United States military who have died in military service to their country.
This national holiday is especially poignant while our country is at war. Soldiers are still fighting in far-flung corners of the world for the liberty that affords us a carefree day in the park, chowing down on barbecue or watching the Indianapolis 500 — what many of us will do this weekend.
Off the Press
May 22, 2012
Veterans deserve our thanks, for everything
Kathleen R. Merrill Press managing editor
Memorial Day. What does it mean to you?
It’s usually a fun day for me, but it’s also bittersweet, and there is always a solemn time of remembrance.
See, I’ve always had a heart for the men and women who have served our country. Maybe that comes from my father, who served in Vietnam in the United States Navy. (He’s an awesome man and my personal hero.) Maybe it comes from my own U.S. Army service and the pride that was instilled in me.
I can’t help but get teary when I hear the national anthem, no matter the location or occasion. I love our flag and all it stands for, and I love the men and women who have signed up and gone on duty for this country, to keep all of our various freedoms that make ours a country like no other.
My heart aches for the men and women of all ages who have gone off to war, and not returned home. And for the ones who have come back, but no longer alive, who have given the ultimate sacrifice for all of the blessings we have in our everyday lives.
To the Editor
May 22, 2012
Planned Parenthood
Organization offers more choices for women’s health issues than abortion
We were two of the people who stood across the street from Planned Parenthood in March and April. We, like our fellow Planned Parenthood supporters, stood in the rain and in the sunshine, across the street from people praying to their God to end abortion, to show our commitment to healthcare access.
Planned Parenthood is about so much more than consultation regarding abortion. Women, old and young, need quality healthcare; they need information about family planning, and they need access to safe and private qualified medical assistance when encountering an unwanted, unplanned, or forced pregnancy. All of these are very personal issues and must be the choice, and the decision to take action only of the woman involved.
Press Editorial
May 15, 2012
Ready to run for political office?
If you are interested in politics and want to make a difference at the state level, this is the week to take the next step. The deadline to file to run for the Washington State Legislature is May 18. From there, it’s full speed ahead to raise campaign funds, seek endorsements, doorbell the voters and recruit volunteers to put up yard signs for the next six months.
In Issaquah, there are two legislative districts — the 5th and 41st — with two House and one Senate seat per district. Of course, there are other state offices up for election in November, everything from governor to insurance commissioner, but the legislative seats are more local-centric.
If you come with a law enforcement background, the position of King County sheriff is seeking candidates. Or if you like real power, go for the 8th Congressional District seat, representing voters from Issaquah to Wenatchee.
All of these races need volunteers as much as they do candidates. Pick your favorite and lend a hand. It’s a great way to learn about the democratic process.
Prefer a closer-to-home run for City Council, mayor, school board or water commissioner? Start preparing, the 2013 campaign season will be here soon enough.
Off the Press
May 15, 2012
Tragedy yields changed perspectives
Warren Kagarise Press reporter
Memories from the afternoon remain fresh months after the last gunshots echoed across the Clark Elementary School campus, even as the incident recedes deeper into the past.
Downtown Issaquah transformed into a crime scene Sept. 24, as a gunman menaced residents and later died in a police shootout.
The incident receded into memory for most people not long afterward. Still, the investigation continued and throughout the process, the events from Sept. 24 remained close to me.
A stack of documents from the King County Sheriff’s Office investigation sits on my desk. Photos from the incident still flicker across my computer screen. I speak to sources about the investigation at least once each week.
The inquest into the incident starts May 21 at the King County Courthouse. I plan to report from the official inquiry into the event, too.
To the Editor
May 15, 2012
Issaquah Alps
Untapped land has more potential for youth use than just hiking parks
It is unfortunate that the Issaquah Alps Trails Club thinks their lack of youth participation is a marketing problem. It’s not.
I recently bumped into the head of the Washington High School Cycling League and asked her how it was going this, its second year. She said the team in Issaquah had doubled from the first year and would likely need to split up because it was too big to be one team. She also told me she is seriously considering starting a middle school league because she has had to turn away so many interested kids.
The especially concerning part is that the Issaquah Alps Trails Club worked against the expansion of mountain biking in Issaquah. It won, and the most modest of recommendations made it out of the Park Board.
Press Editorial
May 8, 2012
Park bond should include new museum
Voters last passed a park bond six years ago.
The city will soon launch a public opinion survey to gauge residents’ interest in what the bond might include. The survey should reach residents by late spring or early summer.
Off the Press
May 8, 2012
Friends care enough to say don’t drink and drive
Greg Farrar Press photographer
You young people who are now high school seniors were newborn babies when I started working here at The Press, so there’s obviously the implication that I’ve taken pictures of a lot of you throughout your 12 years of classroom activities here in the Issaquah School District.
You might remember those times, and in fact your parents might have saved the clippings! You’ve been one of the great pleasures of my job.
In just about a month, you’ll be graduating from Skyline, Issaquah, Liberty and Tiger Mountain Community high schools. I expect to see you at Safeco Field or the Tiger Mountain campus for your commencement. Congratulations to all of you!
The important thing is that you all live long and happy lives afterward, so if you’ll read along for a minute, I’d like to talk about that Liberty High School DUI demonstration that ran in the paper last week.
To the Editor
May 8, 2012
Absentee legislators
Doing the people’s business means not always being present to vote
In the May 2 article regarding “Local legislators top list…” the statistics stated give only half of the story.
The big fact is the 5th Legislative District has three of the top legislators in Olympia. Sen. Cheryl Pflug, Rep. Jay Rodne and Rep. Glenn Anderson provide much more than warming their seats in chambers. That means they are off the floor, holding committee hearings, drafting laws, lobbying others for needed support, meeting with constituents and state officials. All of this demands a great amount of time and may conflict with voting for three of the hardest-working and best-respected public servants in the state Legislature.
Additional Saturday and special sessions can also be convened for voting on literally dozens of noncontroversial bills at once. So, if a legislator isn’t in his or her seat for a couple of hours, he or she can miss a dozen votes at once. Even super legislators can’t be in two places at the same time.
I can honestly say Sen. Pflug, Rep. Rodne and Rep. Anderson are there when the chips are on the table and their vote is needed. The records supplied by WashingtonVotes.org are admittedly only partially representative of our elected legislator’s role in government. Next time, let’s keep the headlines in context to the situation.
Terry J. LaBrue
Issaquah
Press Editorial
May 1, 2012
Interstate 90 off-ramps are less than welcoming
Issaquah has a lot going for it, enough that visitors come here year round, primarily for recreation. It’s appropriate that the city of Issaquah and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce are targeting tourism with a renewed emphasis to encourage an economic rebound.
But there is one problem that needs to be addressed.
The entrances to the city from Interstate 90 are plain ugly. There is nothing welcoming about them, nothing that hints at the beauty visitors are about to discover if they take time to drive beyond a gas station, a bathroom and fast food.
The Interstate 90 off-ramps need help. Exit 18 to Sunset Way takes you past twin retention ponds and weeds. Exit 17 at Front Street has expansive weed patches. Exit 15 at state Route 900 is no better.
