King County officials to answer rural residents’ questions
November 29, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Nov. 29, 2012
Residents in unincorporated areas can meet leaders and discuss plans for upcoming projects at a King County open house soon.
The event is for residents in Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Community Service Area — a rural stretch bordered by Issaquah and Interstate 90 on the north and Renton to the west.
The open house offers the public a chance to offer feedback on the community service program and proposed work plans for next year. Participants can discuss community priorities, speak with program staff members, and learn about county programs and services.
Deputy County Executive Fred Jarrett and County Councilman Reagan Dunn plan to attend.
King County Council adopts 2013 budget without roads fee
November 13, 2012
NEW — 4 p.m. Nov. 13, 2012
King County Council members dropped a proposed $20 vehicle-license fee to fund road maintenance and, in a unanimous decision Tuesday, approved the 2013 budget without the fee.
In September, King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed a $20 fee to fund road maintenance and storm response in rural and unincorporated areas. The decision to drop the proposed fee affects residents in unincorporated King County communities, including Klahanie, Mirrormont, Preston and other areas outside Issaquah.
Rather than creating a transportation benefit district in unincorporated King County, officials plan to lobby the Legislature for a comprehensive state transportation package to address road maintenance.
Off the Press
November 6, 2012
Political ads turn downright scary
Kathleen R. Merrill
Press managing editor
Last week, there was one day that I was literally sick to my stomach. No, not because I ate too much Halloween candy. Instead, it was because of all of the hate and ugliness in political ads.
Oh yeah. You know the ones I’m talking about:
“If he’s elected, my opponent will make sure you lose your house, and your kids go hungry and your dog dies.”
“My opponent is not who he says he is. He’s a big, fat liar.”
“My opponent has an autographed picture of Osama bin Laden on his desk.”
“My opponent has not been honest with the American people.”
“My opponent eats puppies for breakfast and drowns kittens on weekends.”
Pragmatism defines Issaquah, Eastside voters
October 30, 2012
Local voters could choose a Democrat for the White House, a Republican for the Governor’s Mansion and split legislative seats between the parties.
Experts said voters in Issaquah and the Eastside prefer a brand of politics anchored in pragmatism, rather than party. The effort to appeal to moderate voters is intense as candidates scrounge for votes in the last days before Election Day.
“Democrats and Republicans both get elected there. I think of it as a pragmatic, rather than ideological, sort of politics, which is what Washington state used to be known for,” independent Seattle pollster Stuart Elway said. “I think the state as a whole has gotten more partisan, as the country has, and the party lines seem to have gotten harder.”
Change in geography alters landscape for congressional race
October 23, 2012
Karen Porterfield
Dave Reichert
The showdown in the 8th Congressional District is far different from the most recent contests for the seat.
Incumbent Republican Dave Reichert held on amid spirited challenges from Democrats in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Redistricting last year reshaped the landscape for the district, and the 2012 race is not attracting the same kind of attention — or money — as the earlier battles.
Reichert’s opponent is Issaquah Democrat Karen Porterfield, a nonprofit professional and adjunct instructor at Seattle University.
Porterfield grew up in Seattle, in a family active in Democratic politics, and settled in Issaquah more than a decade ago. She said the expertise she gained in affordable housing development and in leadership roles at nonprofit organizations means she could offer a unique perspective in Congress.
Cyberbullying crackdown is priority for sheriff’s office
October 23, 2012
King County Sheriff’s Office investigators could soon crack down on cyberbullying, after the King County Council approved a motion introduced by Issaquah-area Councilman Reagan Dunn.
Reagan Dunn
Cyberbullying is the use of information and technology to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behavior. The crime exploded in recent years due to the prevalence of social media services, and gained national attention last year after classmates targeted a then-12-year-old Issaquah girl online.
Dunn said cyberbullying is increasingly a concern for law enforcement agencies.
“In recent months, all across the country, we have seen tragedies unfold as a result of cyberbullying,” he said in a statement. “This motion will allow the sheriff’s office to study this issue thoroughly and ensure King County has a plan to deal with any of these troubling bullying trends.”
(Dunn represents rural areas south of Issaquah and Newcastle on the council.)
King County renames, reorganizes permitting agency
October 16, 2012
In response to a population decline in unincorporated King County, leaders renamed and reorganized the county permitting agency Sept. 17, as officials prepare to relocate the office from Renton to Snoqualmie.
In a unanimous decision, King County Council members approved a measure to reorganize the Department of Development and Environmental Services and rename the agency as the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review.
The responsibilities for the agency do not change with the reorganization and the name switch.
The department issues building and land-use permits for properties in unincorporated areas, such as Klahanie, Mirrormont and Preston. The agency also enforces county land-use and building codes, staffs the King County Fire Marshal Division and issues business licenses.
King County Council approves amended arena proposal
October 16, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 16, 2012
King County and Seattle leaders granted unanimous approval Monday to proceed on a Seattle sports and entertainment arena.
King County Council members approved the final memorandum of understanding and interlocal agreement among the county, Seattle and investor Chris Hansen’s ArenaCo. The decision by the council — and the Seattle City Council’s decision to adopt the memorandum of understanding and interlocal agreement Monday — is a key step in the effort to bring professional basketball and hockey teams to the region.
The agreement allows for up to $200 million in public dollars to finance a $490 million arena near Safeco Field.
In May, County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn joined Hansen, a San Francisco hedge fund manager, and announced a pact between the county, city and ArenaCo to govern financing for a proposed arena.
Join King County budget discussion through meetings, Twitter
October 9, 2012
Residents can comment on King County Executive Dow Constantine’s proposed 2013 budget at a series of meetings countywide.
The meetings, hosted by the King County Council budget team, continue Oct. 10 in the City Council Chambers at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E.
The last meeting is Oct. 17 in the 10th floor King County Council Chambers at the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Seattle.
The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Residents can watch coverage from the meetings the next day on King County TV, Comcast and Broadstripe Cable channel 22.
King County renames, reorganizes permitting agency
September 19, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 19, 2012
In response to changes in unincorporated King County, leaders renamed and reorganized the county permitting agency Monday, as officials prepare to relocate the permitting office from Renton to Snoqualmie.
In a unanimous decision, King County Council members approved a measure to reorganize the Department of Development and Environmental Services and rename the agency as the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review.
The responsibilities for the agency do not change with the reorganization and the name switch.
Officials plan to move the agency office closer to customers, and start shifting operations to Snoqualmie late next month.
