Gubernatorial hopefuls support hatcheries, parks
October 23, 2012
Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna clashed in a recent series of debates, but the candidates vying to serve as Washington’s next governor share similar positions on local issues, such as support for the state parks system.
Jay Inslee
Rob McKenna
The race at the state level is focused on the candidates’ policies on education and transportation — hot topics on the docket as Inslee and McKenna met in recent weeks.
The Issaquah Press asked the candidates about funding for state parks, salmon restoration and growth management — key concerns in Issaquah and the surrounding area.
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.)
Offer input on King County growth blueprint
October 23, 2012
King County is poised to adopt a broad blueprint for growth in unincorporated areas, and before leaders act on the plan, residents can offer input.
In a Sept. 19 decision, a King County Council committee sent the blueprint, or comprehensive plan, to the full council for consideration.
The council then plans to conduct a more in-depth review and pass the comprehensive plan by early next year.
Residents can continue to submit written testimony at the council website, www.kingcounty.gov/council. Follow the link labeled “Comprehensive Plan.”
King County, Seattle leaders OK arena pacts
October 23, 2012
Local leaders granted unanimous approval Oct. 15 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 pacts the same day — is a key step in the effort to bring professional basketball and hockey teams to the region.
King County Metro Transit offers tickets to homeless riders
October 23, 2012
King County Metro Transit is poised to offer more than 41,000 additional subsidized bus tickets to community service groups.
Officials said the human services bus ticket program offers critical support for homeless people by providing a means to get to jobs, medical appointments, shelters and other services.
Funding for the program came in a mass transit package approved last year by the King County Council. The package imposed a $20 vehicle-tab fee to forestall a 17-percent reduction to mass transit countywide.
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.
Press Editorial
October 16, 2012
John Urquhart for sheriff
King County voters last experienced a contested race for sheriff in 2005.
The race on the ballot next month, between appointed Sheriff Steve Strachan and John Urquhart, a former King County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, offers voters a choice between a pair of capable candidates.
Former Sheriff Sue Rahr stepped down in March, and the King County Council appointed Strachan for the interim. The election is to fill the remainder of Rahr’s term through December 2013.
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.
King County Sheriff’s Office to hire 14 deputies
October 13, 2012
King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert (center) joins Councilman Joe McDermott (from left), King County Executive Dow Constantine and Sheriff Steve Strachan for the hiring announcement Friday. Contributed
NEW — 6 a.m. Oct. 13, 2012
King County Sheriff Steve Strachan announced a plan Friday to hire 14 deputies in the months ahead by using dollars from the existing King County Sheriff’s Office budget.
King County executive proposes $20 fee to fund roads
October 9, 2012
Unincorporated King County residents could pay a $20 vehicle license fee next year to shore up road maintenance in rural areas.
Dow Constantine
King County Executive Dow Constantine recommended the fee in the proposed 2013 budget. The fee is projected to raise $4.5 million to fund road projects in unincorporated areas, such as Klahanie, May Valley and Preston in the Issaquah area.
The alternative could mean reduced maintenance to correct problems, such as potholes, and a slower response during snow and ice storms.
Still, county leaders need about $50 million to $65 million per year to maintain the 1,500-mile road network in unincorporated King County.
“The fee won’t be enough, not by a long shot. But it’s the only remaining authority left to counties by the Legislature,” Constantine said in a Sept. 24 budget address to the King County Council. “The system for funding local transportation in Washington state is broken. Everybody knows it. We have a 1930s revenue system to fund 21st century transportation needs.”
