Maureen McCarry resigns from City Council
December 20, 2010
NEW — 10 p.m. Dec. 20, 2010
Maureen McCarry
Maureen McCarry — a soft-spoken but strong advocate for environmental interests — resigned from the City Council on Monday night as she fights amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
McCarry served on the council during a hectic stretch, as members decided long-term decisions related to transportation, economic development and the environment.
The former Harborview Medical Center executive and Squak Mountain resident shaped choices related to annexation and the addition of a Swedish Medical Center campus in the Issaquah Highlands.
The council post also afforded McCarry the opportunity to observe the complicated Park Pointe transfer-of-development-rights process up close as a member of land-use committees.
Updated shoreline rules outline creek and lakeside construction
December 7, 2010
City aims to balance ecology and expansion
The latest city shoreline rules should help planners to determine appropriate creek and lakeside areas for construction, plus offer more clarity to landowners along Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish.
The city Planning Policy Commission has OK’d the updated Shoreline Master Program — the guide to construction along Lake Sammamish, and the main stem and East Fork of Issaquah Creek. The measure heads to the City Council for adoption.
“The objectives are to allow redevelopment and expansion,” city Environmental Planner Peter Rosen said. “But, then, there’s also some requirements to improve the existing conditions along the lake.”
The updated shoreline regulations apply to land located within 200 feet of the shorelines, plus associated wetlands.
Kiwanis event funds grants for local organizations
April 13, 2010
Ready, set, bid — for a good cause as the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah hosts its 32nd annual auction and dinner fundraiser April 24.
The event is one of the largest Kiwanis fundraisers all year, President Connie Fletcher said.
Last year, the event made about $66,000, member Keith Watts said. Members are hoping to reach that again this year at the Hilton Garden Inn with help from emcee Leon Kos, Issaquah’s city administrator, and City Councilman Fred Butler.
Items for the auction include travel packages, an oceanfront condo in Mexico, iPod Touch, jewelry, local experiences like a fire truck ride, and two Trophy Club passes to the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee Golf Course.
Proceeds from the event go to fund grant requests from local organizations, like Eastside Baby Corner, Issaquah Church and Community Services and the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank. Read more
Renewing ties with our Nordic neighbors
January 26, 2010
Issaquah visitor Joan Probala returns from Norway with hopes to revive sister-city bond
Longtime Issaquah resident Joan Probala (right) addresses dignitaries during a November trip to Sunndal, Norway, a sister city to Issaquah. Contributed by Joan ProbAla
Longtime Issaquah resident Joan Probala traveled to Sunndal, Norway, in November to discuss the dormant sister-city relationship between Issaquah and the Norwegian town.
Dignitaries from both cities established the relationship in 1991, although the connection has waned in recent years. In the meantime, Issaquah and Chefchaouen, Morocco, started a sister-city relationship in 2007.
Issaquah City Council members hope to revive and strengthen the relationship between the city and Sunndal. Probala, a member of the city Sister Cities Commission, met with Sunndal leaders, sampled reindeer and talked about how to strengthen the bond between Issaquah and the small, quaint city on a fjord.
New City Council takes shape
January 12, 2010
As family members watched and cameras flashed, Tola Marts and Mark Mullet joined the City Council last week. Read more
New members join City Council; John Traeger elected council president
January 6, 2010
NEW — 11:35 a.m. Jan. 6, 2010
As family members watched and cameras flashed, Tola Marts and Mark Mullet joined the City Council on Monday.
The new councilmen took the oath of office before a packed council chamber, where the audience included families, political supporters, former Councilman David Kappler and County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, whose district includes Issaquah.
Deputy City Clerk Randy Reed administered oaths to the new councilmen, as well as incumbents Mayor Ava Frisinger and councilwomen Eileen Barber and Maureen McCarry. The terms end Dec. 31, 2013.
“This is a wonderful start to 2010,” Frisinger said.
New members join City Council on Monday
January 3, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 3, 2010
The next City Council members — newcomers Tola Marts and Mark Mullet — will take the oath of office and join the seven-member panel Monday night.
Municipal Judge N. Scott Stewart will swear in Marts and Mullet, as well as Councilwoman Maureen McCarry, Councilwoman Eileen Barber and Mayor Ava Frisinger. The terms end Dec. 31, 2013.
The ceremony will open the 7:30 p.m. council meeting at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way.
Election breakdown shows key to lopsided City Council victories
December 8, 2009
City Council candidates clinched victory last month by vacuuming up votes in opponents’ strongholds, King County Elections data shows. Read more
Sister city greetings
December 8, 2009
Joan Probala (third from left), of the Issaquah Sister Cities Commission, poses Nov. 17 with the Sunndal, Norway, City Council and Sunndal Mayor Ståle Refstie (holding the newspaper), after a meeting to discuss reinvigorating the sister city relationship that Issaquah and the Scandinavian city began in 1991, but had both let lapse in recent years. Contributed
City, schools elections attracted only 50 percent of voters
December 1, 2009
With few contested races on the ballot, about half of Issaquah city and school district voters cast ballots in the Nov. 3 election, final King County Elections results released last week show. Read more
