Former Newcastle city manager will oversee county permitting agency
March 16, 2010
John Starbard
John Starbard — the former Newcastle city manager fired by the City Council in January — will spearhead the effort to reform the way King County handles building and land-use permits.
County Executive Dow Constantine appointed Starbard as director of the Department of Development and Environmental Services six weeks after the Newcastle council abruptly terminated his contract without cause. The executive praised Starbard for efforts to upgrade Coal Creek Parkway and remake downtown Newcastle into a pedestrian-friendly destination.
But officials cited issues with the relationship between Starbard and other organizations and residents. Before the council fired Starbard during a Jan. 12 meeting, Newcastle Deputy Mayor Steve Buri said the relationships had “been damaged beyond repair.” Read more
Passage Point housing project to move forward
January 19, 2010
King County and Cedar Hills Rural Preservation Alliance officials have reached an agreement that will allow the YWCA’s Passage Point project to move forward. Read more
King County, local residents reach settlement to allow Passage Point to move forward
January 15, 2010
UPDATED — 9:25 a.m. Jan. 18, 2010
King County and Cedar Hills Rural Preservation Alliance officials have reached an agreement that will allow YWCA’s Passage Point project to move forward.
The agreement was reached outside the court system and brokered Dec. 29. Details were not released until Wednesday.
The agreement allows for the remodel of the former Cedar Hills Alcohol Treatment Facility, 15900 227th Ave. S.E., into 46 one- and two-bedroom apartments, which will be occupied by men and women recently released from incarceration or hospitalization.
The facility will feature housing, employment and counseling services for men and women who wish to reunite with and act as caregivers to their children.
Passage Point’s future remains uncertain
July 7, 2009
The YWCA’s Passage Point facility, at the former Cedar Hills Alcohol Treatment Facility, remains embroiled in a legal battle between local residents and King County officials. Read more
Press Editorial
May 5, 2009
Expansion of landfill not acceptable
King County wants to extend the life of its regional landfill — located just three miles south of Issaquah city limits and within the Issaquah School District — for another three to 13 years. There is a better way. Read more
Passage Point violates county codes
April 21, 2009
Judge rules in favor of residents hoping to prevent facility
A Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruled last week that the construction permits granted to the YWCA by King County officials violated county codes. Read more
Off The Press
December 15, 2008
Got something on your mind? Send us a letter
David Hayes Press Reporter
Studies have shown that the most-read sections of most papers in the United States are sports, the police and fire report, obituaries and letters to the editor.
I’ve just compiled our letter writers for 2008 into one handy list to run at the end of the year. We get submissions from all segments of our population, from young and old, regulars and first timers.
As of the Dec. 10 issue, we’ve published 150 different authors. The number of letters we publish made me curious about what motivates readers to send their thoughts via snail mail (yes, we still get handwritten dispatches delivered by the mailman) or instantly by e-mail.
Education is a common topic. The year kicked off Jan. 2 with a complaint that the school district was catering to plateau schools. And our most recent issue had a concern about the Passage Point development’s effects on nearby schools. Read more
Residents briefed about YWCA housing facility
December 8, 2008
Several residents attended a community meeting discussing the pending lawsuit against King County and the new YWCA housing facility Nov. 24 at the King County Library Service Center.
To The Editor
December 8, 2008
Bikes on the roads
Riders should take the initiative and keep the roads clean themselves
In response to a recent letter from a white-line-riding bicyclist, may I suggest that the precedent set by our industrious local trails club provide an inspiration to the local bicycle clubs — take responsibility for the safety of your riders and the motorists and establish a regular maintenance crew and schedule to keep the road shoulders clean. Read more
Building permits issued for new YWCA at Passage Point
October 28, 2008
Building permits for remodeling and construction work have been approved for the new YWCA facility at the former Cedar Hills Alcohol Treatment Center Read more
