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.

No ban is effective without enforcement

The lead story Aug. 18 reported that people are allowed to carry guns into state parks if they have a permit, but that it is illegal to fire them. How ironic is that?

They should not be allowed in, period. But the bottom line is that without enforcement, no gun or booze ban can be effective. Enforcement requires manpower and severe penalties for violation.

Ray Extract

Issaquah

Park Pointe

Despite overwhelming opposition, land swap approved in sham public hearing

If there were any doubts that the city’s public hearings are a sham, the Aug. 16 hearing on the Park Pointe land swap should have ended any such doubts. The hearing had one of the largest turnouts in years, and the vast majority of speakers were opposed to the swap. Yet, the council unanimously approved it.

Whether you agree with the land swap or not, it was painfully clear to everyone that every councilmember had already made up his or her mind long before the hearing. In fact, if you look at the various transactions and negotiations that have already taken place, it’s probably been a done deal for months.

So, what on earth was the point of having the hearing? The council certainly wasn’t interested in actually hearing what residents had to say. The council was simply putting a checkmark on its list of legal requirements. Held a sham public hearing? Check!

The process is broken. The public hearing should not take place during the same meeting that the council votes on an issue, especially when it’s an important subject that the council has been considering for years. It’s patently absurd.

How are the councilmembers going to digest and sincerely consider comments from 20 speakers in the few minutes before they vote? What if residents raise questions and concerns that the council or staff needs to research?

The solution is to conduct the public hearing earlier in the process — at least one meeting before the vote — hopefully while the councilmembers are still undecided and while they still have time to review the feedback provided.

Or, at the very least, having seen the intense public outcry at the Aug. 16 meeting, the council should have extended the hearing to the next meeting. Ironically, in the past few months, the council repeatedly extended a public hearing (that no one attended) for a trivial vacating of a tiny undeveloped street behind Home Depot that will never be used. But no such extension for a standing-room-only hearing on a controversial issue that affects the entire city. Simply pathetic governance.

Matthew Barry

Issaquah

Reader poem

Thank you for a poem that perfectly captured the essence of McNugget

I just had to write to say how much I really appreciated and enjoyed the reader poem, “Issaquah’s McNugget,” by Albert Perron.

I have enjoyed watching this rooster for years. During some parking lot meetings with him, I find him sweet, funny and talkative. I have also learned that he likes the crusts of Pop-Tarts, lol.

The poem Mr. Perron penned perfectly described the McNugget that I have seen myself. It made me smile and made my day. Thanks for posting such fun hometown “news.”

Kathy Monroe

Hobart/Issaquah

Rules of the road

Letter writer needs to reread state law before complaining about bicycles

Perhaps while a child, Ken Sessler fell off a bicycle never again to ride one, and never to forgive or forget his hurt?

His most recent letter regarding bicycles offers an opinion that “Bicyclists need to stay off the sidewalks,” and if I read it correctly, out of the crosswalks. His warning about “nonlaw-abiding bike riders,” implies sidewalk and crosswalk violations.

Perhaps a few moments reading the Revised Code of Washington might show Mr. Sessler that bicycles are legal on sidewalks, and in crosswalks, as well as on the roadways of Washington. The law obliges automobiles to yield to bicycles and pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks. See RCW 46.61.261 “Sidewalks, crosswalks — pedestrians, bicycles” as a starting point to an informed opinion.

Bob McCoy

Sammamish

Greg Farrar Press photographer

Why should this writer feel it important to share thoughts about the proposed mosque and community center project 3,000 miles away from Issaquah, in New York City near the site of the World Trade Center terrorist attack? Isn’t that a little bit outside our scope?

I don’t think so, and to name a few reasons, here’s why:

• An Eastlake High School girls’ basketball player wearing a headscarf in 2007.

• Chabad of the Central Cascades, located in the Issaquah Highlands.

• The Vedic Cultural Center on 228th Avenue Southeast in Sammamish.

• Issaquah’s sister city relationship with Chefchaouen, Morocco.

• The local Christian churches of many denominations, including Serbian Orthodox.

• A local Baha’i faith group having meetings in members’ homes.

• The Sammamish Muslims Association proposal for an Islamic Center of Sammamish and Issaquah near Pine Lake.

The point being, we are right in the middle of the debate and its outcome.

Many of us in this area have already reached a conclusion. Just attend an ethnic cultural fair at one of our elementary schools and anyone can see that the whole world is represented in our city. Software engineers living here have come from all over the world with their families. We’ve figured out the importance of accepting and respecting our differences.

If you haven’t reached that conclusion, here’s my opinion.

It’s sad to see the consternation going on in New York, the most multicultural city in the world. There are supporters and detractors even among family survivors of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.

It’s sad to see politicians and pundits taking stands for or against the plan that are so predictable based on their political party or ideology without a moment of intellectual examination.

It’s sad to see political attacks against the president just for the sake of party momentum going into fall elections, when Obama says during a Ramadan observance at the White House that Muslims have a constitutional right to build without government interference.

By the way, it’s sad to hear that 20 percent of Americans believe Obama is a Muslim.

Since that’s my opinion, here’s where I stand.

Where my wife and I live in Mountlake Terrace, we are two blocks from Masjid Umar Al-Farooq, a local mosque. It’s a pleasure to be their neighbor.

Also, two blocks away from us is a Sukyo Mahikari Center for Spiritual Development. We are not suffering any anxiety by their presence.

For more than 30 years, our neighbors across the street have been a black family. Frank helps me with my home improvement projects and I help him with his. He calls me a brother.

A while back, for about a decade, we had lesbian next-door neighbors. Their proximity did not change my wife’s affection toward me.

Currently, the two families living on either side of us speak Spanish as their first language. Between the three houses, mine is frankly the only eyesore.

I’m not a fancy intellect. If I can figure out that it’s important to live in support of people who are different, everyone else should be able to have figured it out before me.

I’m done talking about where I stand. Understand me, an act of terror is not the practice of a religion. It is a sick, evil act of hate and murder. But I’d like to finish with an inarguable fact.

The very first line of the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights, states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

It’s even more important than freedom of speech. It’s more important than freedom of the press. It’s more important that the right to petition government. It’s more important than the right to bear arms. Choosing to practice or not practice any religion one wants is freedom No. 1.

Issaquah, Sammamish Rotary clubs helped make event successful

The Life Enrichment Options organization would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to both the Issaquah and Sammamish Rotary clubs for their superb efforts in partnering with us to provide two highly successful gravity car races this past month.

We received a number of e-mails from parents whose child either overcame a fear to get in a car, or were bubbling over with excitement in racing down a hill to the finish line. Every rider with special needs was a winner, getting his or her trophy and certificate with a picture in a car.

None of this could happen without the wonderful volunteers of the Rotary clubs, Athletes for Kids, Issaquah High School wrestlers, Skyline High School cheerleaders, and football and basketball athletes.

Leo Finnegan and LEO board of directors

Eastridge Christian Fellowship

Church in its new location is a better service than store, theatre would be

There’s an old saying in Christianity that “sheep go where they’re fed.” That’s as true locally as it is anywhere.

Thousands of Issaquah residents vote with their feet when it comes to selecting when and where they worship. Many hundreds of them have chosen Eastridge Christian Fellowship, the new church on Issaquah-Fall City Road, dedicated to serving the folks of the Interstate 90 corridor. Not one of those hundreds have been forced to attend Eastridge or any other church. Everyone is there by choice.

I don’t recall ever hearing of anyone complain when a new bar in town opened, or another psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, psychic or New Age practitioner hangs out his or her shingle in Issaquah. I wonder why it is only churches dispensing God’s word, love and compassion that evoke hostility and criticism?

Eastridge takes serving this community seriously. Let me count a few of the ways. For several years at Thanksgiving, Eastridge has given out 1,000 whole turkeys and complete large dinners to families in need. Every year, we send hundreds of underprivileged children and foster children to camp. Each week, many lost and broken people are helped to put their lives back together at Eastridge. We are always available to pray for the sick and hurting. Plus, Eastridge led all Assembly of God churches in the Northwest in giving to missions around the world.

To the letter writer a few weeks ago and others who feel our property could better be used for a grocery store or theater, please come visit us firsthand and see for yourself why Eastridge is so special to so many. Our doors are open to one and all, and I promise you will be welcomed with open arms.

Bette Filley

Issaquah

Road woes

Bicyclists need to stay off the sidewalks

Recently, there was a sign on the Holiday Inn/Arco corner, at the end of state Route 900, that read “caution bicycles on road.” It should have been corrected to “caution bicycles on road and sidewalk.”

Some riders use the sidewalk and the crosswalk signal to navigate around the area. Actually, maybe a better sign would read “walkers and car drivers, beware of nonlaw-abiding bike riders.”

It would be interesting to know how many, if any, tickets have been issued by the Issaquah traffic patrol to any bicycle riders, in the past 12 months.

In an unrelated note, west of the same corner by 150.452 feet there was some road work completed. Whoever did this work should be complimented on the smooth road repair patch that was put in place. Sometimes, those patches are real rough. So, thanks to the repair crew on this one.

Ken Sessler

Issaquah

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.

Editor’s note: This week, we turned Off The Press over to our four interns who have worked all summer and are getting ready to head back to school.

By Paige Collins

Paige Collins Press intern

A community newspaper that feels like a community in itself, The Issaquah Press newsroom is often a combination of smiles, sarcasm and stress. Reporters and editors alike, the support of the staff has been outstanding as everyone seemed eager to teach all they could.

The summer introduced me to new places and new faces in the area where I have spent the majority of my life. There is always something new out there to find out about and get involved in, and little ol’ Issaquah has more to it than one would expect.

This being my first experience on a real newspaper, there was plenty to learn and absorb. I wrote more articles and held more interviews this summer than I had in my entire life. The experience is priceless.

I would like to thank Kathleen Merrill, and the rest of The Issaquah Press staff for providing me this opportunity to learn and expand my horizons in journalism.

By Elizabeth DeVos

Elizabeth DeVos Press intern

Since my junior year of high school, I’ve known I wanted to be a journalist. This past summer, I’ve had the opportunity to write for The Issaquah Press as an intern.

While working at The Press I learned more than any of my classes at Central Washington University could have taught. There is one thing that my classes did teach me though, “get off your butt and knock on doors.” I never thought this saying would come in handy, but there were times when sources didn’t return phone calls and deadline was fast approaching.

Throughout my internship, I had to break out of my comfort zone and talk to total strangers for my articles. While this was scary, it was also very fun at the same time.

I will never forget all the fun times I had with my co-workers and fellow interns at The Press, from fun outings to stressing over deadlines. Nobody knows where I’ll end up writing next, but I truly hope it is somewhere as fun as The Issaquah Press.

By Kirsten Johnson

Kirsten Johnson Press intern

On day one as an intern, just minutes after arriving in the newsroom, I was sent out by Editor Kathleen Merrill to interview total strangers at Lake Sammamish State Park. Although my first experience of being plugged into the life of a reporter was slightly terrifying, since then, I have had a fun and interesting summer.

Assignments I’ve enjoyed covering have included a skinny-dipping contest, a soap-box race for special-needs children and tagging alongside reporters to city court, a school board meeting and a three-hour City Council meeting. I’ve seen just how much goes on around here in Issaquah.

I’ve learned that journalism is not a 9-5 job. I’ve experienced how stressful deadline days can be and how suddenly news can happen overnight, like the state park shootings. I’ve witnessed how important it is for reporters to be able to interact with people of every walk of life.

I have worked with the nicest group of people and interned alongside three fun girls. I have gained invaluable experience, a fresh perspective on the field of journalism and not to mention, some great new friends.

By Sarah Sexton

Sarah Sexton Press intern

I had the chance to meet an entire staff of amazing people through this internship, and to learn what they each contribute to the paper.

Getting the stories I wrote published was an exciting thrill, as well. When the byline read, “By Sarah Sexton, Issaquah Press intern,” I really felt like I was making a difference! Going to staff parties and picnics was fun, too.

Something that was hard for me was meeting deadlines. Sometimes, procrastinating too much would lead to a lot of pressure on one night and staying up late, etc., especially when the interviewees would not contact me back.

Sitting through the boring parts of meetings could be a challenge, too. I have learned that there is more activity going on around Issaquah that I was never informed about before, and that it takes a lot to make a good newspaper come together as successfully as The Issaquah Press does.

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.

Laura Geggel Press reporter

I have come full circle. Issaquah is where my story begins and is now beginning again, but let me explain before I get ahead of myself.

In 2006, I interned at The Issaquah Press during my junior summer of college. Reporting for a community newspaper was different from reporting for my college newspaper. Instead of interviewing 20-somethings or professors, I drove out into the community, reporting on elementary school history lessons, Locks of Love contributors, the edible forest along Northwest Gilman Boulevard and the obituary of an Issaquah man who had died in a marine accident.

Community journalism inspired me, and hopefully inspired my readers. Issaquah’s students and historians welcomed me. I learned about the allegedly haunted train cars at the depot and about programming for the elderly at Providence Marianwood. I found out every person had a story when I threw a dart at the phone book and interviewed an Issaquah man who swore carrot juice had contributed to his longevity.

Bolstered by my experiences at the Press, I entered what I call my “year of internships” after college, first interning at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and then at a publication at Harvard Medical School.The only problem with internships was the pay. I needed a real job, so I jumped at the chance to report about education at The Issaquah Press’ new sister newspaper, SnoValley Star.

For the next two and a half years, I covered the Snoqualmie Valley School District and the Snoqualmie and North Bend communities. Just like my internship at The Issaquah Press, I learned the power of community journalism. I took our readers into classrooms as students learned how to read, wove cedar baskets or studied the eating habits of snails using the scientific method.

SnoValley Star also covered harder stories — student crowding at Mount Si High School and how budget cuts were affecting the district’s librarians, custodians and secretaries. We covered flooding, controversial off-leash dog parks and how the music from Snoqualmie Casino’s outdoor concerts affects some of its neighbors.

When I learned that my former co-worker Chantelle Lusebrink had decided to leave her position, I gave much thought to applying to The Issaquah Press.

I enjoyed reporting in the Snoqualmie Valley, but I was ready for a new challenge. I wanted to meet new people and visit new places. I wanted to familiarize myself with Issaquah like the back of my hand, introduce myself to PTSA parents, teachers, students and share their projects and ambitions with the community.

Lusebrink took me on a driving tour of the Issaquah School District, showing me its expansive four corners and most of the district’s 25 schools.

I can’t wait to learn about the Issaquah School District’s outstanding projects and people. As always, my greatest resource is people like you. If you have story ideas or questions, e-mail me at lgeggel@isspress.com or call me at 392-6434, ext. 241.

Some of you are already calling, and I look forward to meeting you and learning more about you and your family, group or school. The more I know, the more I can share with our approximately 16,000 readers.

As you may have read in my last Off the Press column, I’m easy to recognize; I have red hair. Give me a call or a tap on the shoulder. Together, we can take community journalism to the next level.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221, or lgeggel@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

Don’t forget to keep the family pet safe as temperatures hit record highs

It’s a good time to think about our favorite companions, keeping in mind that summer can be an unusually dangerous time for dogs, cats and other animals.

A few important things to remember:

Dogs should only be walked when it’s cool outside. Concrete gets horribly hot, and can damage the soft pads on a dog’s feet. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times for exercise.

Save games of catch for cooler days, and don’t overexert your dog by playing catch — even in water. The temperature of the water may be too cold too fast, and may cause severe breathing problems — even drowning.

Never, ever leave your dog in the car — not even in the shade. Dogs’ body temperature is 101.5-102.2 degrees; they don’t perspire. The interior of your car can rapidly rise to a blistering 120 degrees, even in the shade with the windows partially open, potentially causing kidney failure, brain damage and death.

If your dog becomes overheated, apply cool cloths to its head and neck, to bring its temperature down and allow it to drink water. Don’t plunge it in an icy cold bath. Gradual is the key.

With severe signs of overheating, take your dog to a vet. A quick check can make a big difference in the recovery time for your dog.

If you see an animal in distress in a car, or a lost or abandoned animal, call 9-1-1.

Finally, keep in mind that humans don’t wear fur coats and walk barefoot on hot summer days. Dogs don’t have a choice. Help them have a cool summer.

Sheryl Lamb

Seattle

Decision 2010

Vote for Peter Dunbar to bring new energy, innovation to Olympia

I am a precinct committee officer on Mercer Island and I have known Peter Dunbar for two years from Republican meetings.

Peter and I became friends and have had many discussions about what is wrong in Olympia. Peter and I agree the No. 1 problem is out-of-control government growth and spending that we can not afford.

Unlike his opponent, he would have voted no on the $800 million in new taxes. He will focus on creating jobs by reducing unnecessary government regulations and bureaucracies that restrict growth of private sector businesses and jobs.

Peter Dunbar will bring much-needed leadership, new energy and innovation to Olympia.

David Dykstra

Mercer Island

Smoking

With smoking banned at restaurants and bars, why is it allowed around children?

It’s illegal to smoke in bars and restaurants and on the sidewalk outside. Why isn’t smoking with children in the car, in their parents’ arms or simply in close proximity, considered reckless endangerment, or child abuse, and punishable by law?

John Birrell-Levine

Issaquah

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.