Editorial
March 19, 2013
Spring cleanup needs everyone
What can create community pride better than a spring cleanup? The city of Issaquah is overdue for one.
Issaquah used to have a spring cleanup, but it was last held about 20 years ago. It was memorable. Little League teams showed up with litterbags in hand before they headed to the park with bats and balls. Girl Scouts repainted the Sunset Way bridge over Issaquah Creek. Downtown merchants planted their flower boxes.
To the Editor
March 12, 2013
School board
Support Alison Meryweather for open position
I have spent the past 10 years supporting our children in our schools in our Issaquah community. We live in an amazing community that supports education and our community is full of people who have done the same!
During those past 10 years, I have had the honor of working with Alison Meryweather who is currently running for the open school board position in the Issaquah School District. Alison is one of those individuals who I think has served on every possible educational committee or organization in the district. She has done this because she has a passion for children and their education.
When you think of Alison, you think of someone who loves to support our children and our schools, and when she gives her time and energy, she does it with joy.
Editorial
March 12, 2013
Teen criminals’ privacy vs. your right to know
Your state representatives don’t think you need to know if your neighborhood teen has been molesting other kids. If you have a burglar in your midst and he/she is under 18, then you don’t need to know that either, even if it’s someone your son or daughter is dating.
In 1977, the Legislature moved the juvenile justice system into the superior and district courts, in the interest of access to justice, as called for in the state constitution. Now, it wants to limit access to juvenile criminal records and court records in general, ostensibly because the Internet has created unintended uses for those records.
Last week, Substitute House Bill 1651 passed the House, 97-0. Was no one paying attention to its ramifications?
Off The Press
March 12, 2013
Want a tax deduction for reading this column?
Are you staring at your 1040 form this month wondering where all your income went?
Just in case you are in the 1 percent of taxpayers that have been slammed by this year’s repeal of your tax cuts, don’t think we here at The Issaquah Press can’t try to help you get a little of it back, with our thoughts about new tax loopholes that should help make ends meet.
Greg Farrar
Press photographer
I polled some of our employees on their ideas. If the American people can get Congress to put these on the books, it would benefit the 1 percent, the 99 percent, the 47 percent and all the other percenters that are out there.
To the Editor
March 5, 2013
Interstate 90
Tolling may not be allowed
My understanding of interstate highways is that tolling is generally not allowed. Why is this? It’s because the system was built to further the efficient and speedy movement of people and goods for the entire U.S. Tolling does not further this goal.
There have been exceptions, mostly toll roads built prior to the advent of the interstate highway system, subsequently incorporated into the system. But mostly, like Interstate 90, these roads were built primarily with federal dollars. The state is not allowed to make money on roads they did not pay for.
Again, my understanding of the federal Department of Transportation process is that their staff can make recommendations, but tolling of interstates requires congressional approval. So, this will necessarily involve your congressional representatives.
I’ll throw in another idea: Since tolls restrict movement, this may also be an anti-trust issue, courtesy of the state of Washington.
If the precedent of tolling I-90 across Lake Washington proceeds, you can bet I-5, I-405 and I-90 further east won’t be far behind. In fact, that idea has already been floated. This is not just a Mercer Island issue.
George Dial
Issaquah
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Off The Press
March 5, 2013
It’s a milestone poker party for River Bil
Milestones. There are many ways to observe and celebrate them. At the Elks Lodge, among the poker crowd, we host a tournament.
The milestone in question is a celebration of longtime member Bill Weimer’s 80th birthday. Or, as we affectionately call him, River Bill. More about that in a minute.
Weimer remains the only old-timer who still plays at the Elks what is called the easiest card game to learn, yet the hardest to master, Texas Hold Em. It was from another old-timer, Dallas Cross, who recently moved to Idaho, that Weimer received his moniker, River Bill.
David Hayes
Press reporter
Editorial
March 5, 2013
Proposed car taxes aren’t the way
There is a need for more funding for the county’s road network. Potholes need to be filled, lanes need to be restriped, new facilities need to be constructed, and transit — meaning bus routes and rail lines — need to be expanded and maintained.
A bill working its way through the Legislature is not the answer. House Bill 1959 would allow the county to impose a tax of up to 1.5 percent of the value of a vehicle. It could be imposed either by a vote of the County Council or through a countywide vote. The majority of the money, 60 percent, would go to capital improvements for transit. The remaining 40 percent would be distributed to the county and the cities for roads.
If the tax is adopted, the owner of a new car would have to pay the 1.5 percent tax based on 85 percent of the car’s suggested sales price. For a $40,000 car, that means $510 per year. The number would drop as the car depreciates.
There are so many problems with this it’s hard to know where to start.
Gerald L. Cookson
March 5, 2013
Gerald “Jerry” L. Cookson, 72, of Seattle, more recently residing in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away suddenly on Feb. 16, 2013, while vacationing in Arizona.
He is survived by his ex-wife Diane, his six children, 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, his brother Tim, and sisters Donna and Carolyn.
Gerald L. Cookson
Off The Press
February 26, 2013
The road less taken leads to the woods
I wonder where that road goes? With that question, I am off on another of Robert Frost’s roads less taken, as I explore Issaquah, my new home. With the scarcity of streets laid out in grids, discovery is the best way to learn my way around, especially being map challenged.
Joe Grove
Press proofreader
Sometimes, I leave the house on my motorcycle with my only intent being to take the next right turn or the next left turn. The most amazing find on these serendipitous trips has been the frequency with which roads lead to a trailhead or series of trailheads.
Too many years too late, I realize I am in a hiker’s paradise.
To the Editor
February 26, 2013
Just say no
Don’t allow logging on Squak Mountain
I have lived in Issaquah and raised my children here since 1989. I chose this beautiful community because of its forests, trails, creeks and woods. My children grew up in the woods and love the outdoors. They have very enriched lives because of it.
Please don’t allow the logging of 216 acres to happen on Squak Mountain. We don’t need any more homes, traffic, displaced wildlife and air pollution, and that valley of homes below High Valley doesn’t need any more flooding.
That area should remain as is. For once, don’t take the developer’s side. We have had enough.
Janet McIntosh
Issaquah
