Yes, the economy has not turned around, but sometimes government cannot simply slice and dice its way to a balanced budget. All ideas are on the table for increasing revenue — including an Eastside Fire & Rescue fee for ambulance rides.

The city of Sammamish has asked EFR to present a budget with no increase in spending from last year. While unrealistic, it’s an interesting exercise, and has produced some interesting ideas. Charging for ambulance rides is one worth examining.

This practice exists in other parts of the country, and indeed, in other parts of King County. No critically-injured person has yet to be denied a ride to the hospital because they had a maxed-out credit card.

Most agencies, when pressed, admit they don’t invest much time and energy trying to extract payments from residents who can’t afford to pay. Most insurance providers cover the cost of the ambulance ride, and they do pay their claims. It doesn’t seem to matter if the ride is provided by a private ambulance company or a public fire agency.

But it may not be that simple. It is possible that costs would end up being passed on to residents and businesses through higher insurance premiums. EFR should study that possible impact during its discussions.

There is also some concern about the idea of double charging. After all, residents already pay for the ambulance, the salary of the emergency medical technicians, the gas in the vehicle and everything else through their taxes. Should they have to pay a second time, whether it be through a direct payment or via higher insurance?

In a fair and perfect world, no.

But today’s reality is neither of those things, and full of examples of government double-dipping. Taxpayers already pay tolls to drive on roads they paid to build, and fees to use park facilities that they already own. Taxpayers have put up with it, recognizing the fee model as a more equitable way of distributing costs.

Unfortunately, the charge for EFR to give medical transport to a hospital or to another waiting ambulance is probably necessary.

The decision must have been particularly tough for Councilman Mark Mullet, the first and only highlands resident on the council. His support took grit in the face on unified opposition from his friends and neighbors.

The meeting encouraged us to see so many highlands residents turn out for a City Council debate. We hope to see highlands homeowners become more frequent participants in city conversations — not just the debates that affect their neighborhood.

The transfer of development rights benefits the entire city. The deal aims to protect land ill-suited for development and put more homes near the roads and utilities needed to serve them. And more residents could help attract the retail businesses needed to serve the highlands neighborhoods closer to their homes.

Many of the highlands residents expressed concerns about Grand Ridge Elementary School and the impact of the additional students that are sure to follow with more new homes. Enrollment projections from the Issaquah School District should put their fears to rest. The school can handle the added students. Portable classrooms might someday be needed, but that would not impact student education. The commitment of parents, teachers and staff members are what define a school community.

Make no mistake: Park Pointe must be preserved. To reverse course now and abandon the transfer decision is unconscionable. But the concerns and ideas that came from highlands residents are certainly going to help make the land swap a better project for all concerned.

Issaquah has waited a long time for definitive transportation improvements. At last, a few are coming.

In the past decade, Issaquah got an Intelligent Transportation System that allowed traffic lights to be synchronized and reader boards to advise drivers of traffic revisions. Two years ago, the great debate over whether to build a southeast connector road from Interstate 90’s Exit 18 at East Sunset Way to Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast was decided.

This summer, two big changes born of that decision will provide real improvements.

Sunset Way at Second Avenue will be widened to allow for a turn lane. Second Avenue Southeast will also get a right-hand turn lane onto Sunset. The changes should significantly improve traffic flow through the intersection, especially in the afternoon, when schools release students for the day.Now that we know the bypass road will not be done, the state Department of Transportation is working to complete an otherwise narrow and awkward off-ramp at Sunset Way and I-90. On Northwest Gilman Boulevard, crews are working to complete the I-90 Undercrossing, giving drivers an alternative route between shopping districts. State Route 900 near Talus is near the end of a road-widening project. And the city is getting serious about improvements to Newport Way Northwest.

The city has done its part in seeking solutions, but there is still a major piece not done. Until something is done to complete the exit ramps at I-90 and state Route 18 — about 10 miles east of Issaquah — commuters from Maple Valley and beyond will continue to travel through Issaquah in hopes of shortening their commute time.

An I-90 corridor study says the completed widening of Highway 18 is essential, but the estimated cost is $450 million. Funding is not available, even for a first phase. Once it does begin, it will take a decade or more to complete. Nevertheless, city leaders should continue to push the importance of this project so it will be top of mind when funds are available.

Issaquah must look beyond its borders to see the cause and effect of traffic — and the solutions.

The excitement of heading back to school — meeting a new teacher, seeing who will be in your class, wearing new school clothes — is only three weeks away. But for far too many children in the Issaquah School District, there won’t be new clothes. An even bigger worry is that these students won’t have the school supplies they need.

Most adults don’t remember the need to bring a long list of supplies to school. An old cigar box was helpful to store pencils in, but the school handed out the pencils and crayons on the first day of school. If there was an assignment not in a workbook, the teacher’s helper got to pass out paper. Construction paper folded in half made a cover for corrected homework, tests and student art.

That was then, when school funding meant books for every student, and all the rulers, pens and markers a student would need.

Today, children in the younger grades are even required to bring a box of tissue. Put that together with 1-inch notebooks, several pocket folders, colored pencils, paper, erasers, dictionaries, scissors, glue sticks and calculators — plus a backpack to replace the bygone days of lockers — and the cost is an easy $60 per student.

With more families than ever needing the resources of the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, it’s hard to imagine how they endure the expenses of a new school year. Many can’t.

Last year, the food bank handed out 650 backpacks stuffed with requisite supplies — and could have used more. Some local churches take care of their own members, and many donations go directly to the schools. It’s estimated that at least 1,500 Issaquah students need help with school supplies.

Food bank director Cherie Meier has a dream. She hopes the community will provide enough so she can also get new socks, underwear and shoes for school-aged clients.

You can help. School supplies are being collected at the food bank (or donate dollars online at www.issaquahfoodbank.org), and at area stores, including Staples, Rite Aid, Bartell’s, Walgreens and Safeway.

Though the congressional and legislative races on the Aug. 17 primary ballot have received the most attention, local voters must also decide important judicial contests. However, due to limitations on what judges can say during an election, it is often the hardest ballot decision for voters.

Perhaps the most important decision for Issaquah, Sammamish and other Eastside residents is the contest for a new King County District Court judge. Voters will pick someone to fill a new position created to address increasing caseloads.

The court handles some civil matters, misdemeanor crimes and traffic infractions, plus local violations caught by the Washington State Patrol and other state agencies. Because of the broad range of cases that come before District Court, judges serve a vital role as spokespeople for the judicial system.The ideal candidate should be experienced, articulate, quick-witted and, most importantly, fair. Fortunately, the candidates for the Position 7 seat — Donna Tucker, Ketu Shah and Larry Mitchell — exhibit these qualities in abundance.

Each of the candidates is a principled leader with a long record of public service and a familiarity with the communities he or she would serve as a District Court judge.

The Municipal League of King County — the unofficial gatekeeper in local elections — rated Tucker and Shah as outstanding, and Mitchell as very good. In short, voters cannot go wrong in deciding this race.

Because the race could be decided in the primary (if one candidate gets 50 percent of the vote), only one candidate receives our endorsement: Ketu Shah.

The Mercer Island resident has shown capability and compassion through his work with domestic violence victims, both at the Bellevue Municipal Court and through Chaya, a nonprofit organization that helps South Asian women who have been victims of domestic violence.

In Bellevue, Shah streamlined the way the court handled domestic violence cases. This innovative focus on customer service will be essential as King County grapples with possible cuts to courts in the years ahead.

The combination of legal experience and community service makes Shah the clear choice to be our next judge to serve the Northeast District.

Voters in the 5th Legislative District — primarily those in Issaquah, Sammamish and Maple Valley areas — face two solid choices in the upcoming contest for a state representative. Mail-back ballots for the Aug. 17 primary election will reach voters this week.

In Glenn Anderson, voters have a seasoned representative who has learned to navigate the Capitol corridors as a member of the oft-marginalized Republican Party. Democrat Dean Willard presents a chance for a fresh perspective.

Willard presents the most credible challenge Anderson has faced in years. With his background in the Eastside technology industry, he has a good grasp of the concerns facing owners of local businesses, small and large alike.

Like his GOP opponent, Willard has also highlighted the importance of education in the campaign, certainly a critical topic in the 5th District. Willard pledges to strengthen the school system to make local students more competitive in a tough global workforce. Anderson has long been an advocate for education funding reform.

In campaign material, both Anderson and Willard say the race hinges on the economy. We look forward to a spirited debate in the months ahead about the role the Legislature should play in jumpstarting the stalled economy.

The main difference between Anderson and Willard is experience. Anderson has worked time and again to steer support and, more crucially, dollars to Issaquah schools. He has also been a strong voice for businesses, yet as a member of the House minority party, he proclaims his inability to accomplish much.

Though challenger David Spring has brought his passion for education reform to another race, he stands out of step as a single-issue candidate in a year when jobs and the economy dominate the discussion. We encourage Spring to continue working as a citizen activist to reform how the state pays for education.

We support Anderson and Willard as the two to move forward from the primary to the November general election.

Already, there are comments from some who say they will not go back to the park, fearing it to be unsafe. We understand the initial knee-jerk reaction to stay away — but a few days from now, that might look different.

The people of Washington state may own the park, but to residents of Issaquah and Sammamish, it is “our” park, at least in mind and heart. Don’t stay away from the beaches, the walkways along the water, the picnic tables inviting you to bring a sack lunch, the volleyball and Frisbee games yet to be played, the nearby heron rookery, children with sand buckets, the breeze in the trees, the boat launch or fishing from the sand bar — that is the Lake Sammamish State Park we know and love.Tragedy has come to the park before. More than 35 years ago, Ted Bundy enticed two women to leave the park with him before he murdered them. Eighteen years ago, there was a gang-related drive-by shooting. And most years there are drownings — the most recent one just a few weeks ago.

The park is peaceful, an urban oasis. Yet, it is no more a violence-free zone than any other public place. But here, violence is blessedly rare.

The best way to “own” a park is not to keep it full of memories, but to be a part of it. Go there for a bicycle ride, a little bird watching or sunbathing. But like any public place, remember to stay alert to what’s going on around you. Look and listen. If it feels like trouble is in the air, stay away or report it. Use common sense just as you always should.

Now then, pack the cooler and the picnic basket. Your park is waiting to welcome you.

Summer is a great time to relax, but in just a few short weeks, voters will need to get back to business and prepare for the Aug. 17 primary election. Many of us would rather be taking it easy and playing in the summer sun, but voters might want to take along the voters’ pamphlet for some lounge-chair reading.

Ballots will be mailed beginning July 28.

Voters need to keep in mind that among local and state elections, primaries are extremely important. Many of the most important decisions affecting county and state government will be made during the dog days of summer.

The election winnows the field among candidates and sets the stage for the November general election ballot. This year, we’ll choose from among 15 candidates for U.S. senator, and nine vying for U.S. representative for the 8th Congressional District. State representative incumbents all have challengers in the 5th and 41st districts. Northeast District Court judges will also be vying for your votes on the primary ballot.

Consider adding the primary voters’ pamphlet to your list of good summer reads. To get a jump start, the elections department has a copy of the primary ballot on its website.

Residents who aren’t yet registered have even less time to get involved. Register online or by mail by July 19 to vote in the August primary. Forms are online here.

Historically, voter turnout for primaries has been woefully low. The average election turnout in presidential elections barely tops 50 percent. School levy elections and primaries have even fewer voters. That means those who vote in primaries have a greater impact on the election’s outcome than voters in general elections. Your vote does matter.

So, pack the voters’ pamphlet along with the sunscreen. Embrace democracy by becoming a 1) registered and 2) an informed voter, and then be sure to vote when your ballot arrives in the mail.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in an 8-1 decision that petition signers in Washington state do not have a constitutional right to anonymity. But it left room for lower courts to consider whether special circumstances in any case warrant exceptions.

The court upheld two of democracy’s critical attributes: transparency and responsibility.

Washington’s initiative process has a low threshold to get on a ballot. It cannot take place in the shadows but must be conducted — and verified — in the public light. People should think before signing every petition — do I want my name publicly attached to this petition?

The case in question, Doe v. Reed, began last year when opponents of a domestic partnership — or “everything-but-marriage” — law began a petition drive to repeal the law.

Supporters of the law threatened to put the names of petition signers — which are public record — on the Internet. Fearing intimidation, opponents sued to protect the privacy of petition signers.

But in democracy, we must have the conviction to stand by our decisions. The only steadfast exception to that is at the ballot box.

Writing the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts said, “Public disclosure thus helps ensure that the only signatures counted are those that should be … Public disclosure also promotes transparency and accountability in the electoral process to an extent other measures cannot.”

Referendum concerns like taxes, government policies, education and other state issues are often the cornerstone of great debate as voters wrestle with ballot issues brought about by citizen initiatives.

However, signing a petition just because you can isn’t necessarily smart. Voters who put their signature on the line should recognize that they are practicing their First Amendment freedom of speech, but can’t then expect to have their names hidden.

It is our hope that the court’s reaffirmation of the petition as a public document will cause voters to pause, read and think before adding their name to a petition. As Rob McKenna, Washington state’s attorney general, said, according to the Associated Press, “Citizen legislating is too important to be conducted in secret.”

But amidst the hoopla, it’s the country’s flag that will wave as much as the people lining the street to cheer on the processional.

Old Glory will be celebrated across the land. For some, it may bring memories of war days gone by. For others, it may mean a GI Bill that paved the way for a college education. Some will be reminded of the constitutional rights guaranteed to us all — free speech and a free press, the right to bear arms, freedom of religion, the right to a speedy trial, the abolishment of slavery, women’s suffrage rights and many others.

Political hacks may get excited that election time is nearing once again, while the person seated next to them is reminded of the good effort of our U.S. athletes in world competition. Some will stand in honor of the passing flags, others will place a hand over their heart. Most will keep silent, enjoying the moment of a town and its citizens that have come together to celebrate all of the above.

The Downhome Fourth of July is an Issaquah tradition, but it’s built on an American tradition — of pride, of hope, of promise.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. Hope to see you there!