Press Editorial
May 15, 2012
Ready to run for political office?
If you are interested in politics and want to make a difference at the state level, this is the week to take the next step. The deadline to file to run for the Washington State Legislature is May 18. From there, it’s full speed ahead to raise campaign funds, seek endorsements, doorbell the voters and recruit volunteers to put up yard signs for the next six months.
In Issaquah, there are two legislative districts — the 5th and 41st — with two House and one Senate seat per district. Of course, there are other state offices up for election in November, everything from governor to insurance commissioner, but the legislative seats are more local-centric.
If you come with a law enforcement background, the position of King County sheriff is seeking candidates. Or if you like real power, go for the 8th Congressional District seat, representing voters from Issaquah to Wenatchee.
All of these races need volunteers as much as they do candidates. Pick your favorite and lend a hand. It’s a great way to learn about the democratic process.
Prefer a closer-to-home run for City Council, mayor, school board or water commissioner? Start preparing, the 2013 campaign season will be here soon enough.
Press Editorial
May 1, 2012
Interstate 90 off-ramps are less than welcoming
Issaquah has a lot going for it, enough that visitors come here year round, primarily for recreation. It’s appropriate that the city of Issaquah and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce are targeting tourism with a renewed emphasis to encourage an economic rebound.
But there is one problem that needs to be addressed.
The entrances to the city from Interstate 90 are plain ugly. There is nothing welcoming about them, nothing that hints at the beauty visitors are about to discover if they take time to drive beyond a gas station, a bathroom and fast food.
The Interstate 90 off-ramps need help. Exit 18 to Sunset Way takes you past twin retention ponds and weeds. Exit 17 at Front Street has expansive weed patches. Exit 15 at state Route 900 is no better.
Press Editorial
April 24, 2012
Spring clean the medicine chest, too
Press Editorial
April 17, 2012
Give a nod to planet Earth
Arbor Day is April 21, followed by Earth Day on April 22. Both are an equal opportunity to show appreciation for the third rock from the sun.
The city Parks & Recreation Department will plant 150 trees along Issaquah Creek on Saturday in honor of Arbor Day. Just last week, the city earned Tree City USA status for the 19th year.
Earth Day gets a jumpstart in Issaquah on Thursday when Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon fry are released into Laughing Jacobs Creek. Public tours are available this weekend to see what happens to unrecycled garbage at the Cedar Hills Landfill in south Issaquah. Also south of the city limits, volunteers will mulch and weed the Log Cabin Natural Area along Issaquah Creek. Volunteers will do back-country trail work on Cougar Mountain.
Press Editorial
April 10, 2012
Grassroots politics begin at precinct level
It was standing room only at Republican caucuses in March, and now it’s the Democrats’ turn. While there is not the same excitement of helping pick a party choice for president, there is plenty of reason for Democrats to attend their caucus meetings April 15.
Barack Obama will be the incumbent candidate for sure, but the Democratic caucus is the opportunity to help shape the party platform on many topics, including health care, civil rights, national security and the federal budget.
Press Editorial
April 3, 2012
Revised water rates reject values
The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District’s new rate structure has taken a giant step backward.
Previously, the rates had been set up so that those who use the most water pay a higher rate. Now the tiers in the rate structure have been flattened – meaning a roughly 6 percent cut in water bills to those who use the most.
Swimming pool or hot tub? Farm animals to feed? No problem, no surcharge for extra water. Same rate for everybody — in fact, please use more!
Press Editorial
March 27, 2012
Controversial bond deserves a yes vote
W e wish the Issaquah School District had been more conservative in its request to fund the long list of items on the April 17 construction bond, but we get why it did so.
With another school bond ending its 20 years of tax collections, this is a good time to get a lot of catch-up work done on our school facilities, while still giving taxpayers a couple hundred dollars’ reduction in property taxes next year (an estimated $215 drop on a $500,000 assessed valuation home.)
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools, the group pushing a yes vote, say this is the biggest campaign it has ever mounted. It’s no wonder. With so many questions and a $219 million price tag, the proposed bond has raised a lot of eyebrows.
There are a lot of questions voters are asking, as we did. Do the middle schools really need artificial-turf fields? Does it really make sense to tear down Clark Elementary School? Does Tiger Mountain Community High School, population 80, really need to be relocated at a cost of $4 million? Isn’t $75,000 for clocks at Beaver Lake Middle School rather excessive? And so on.
Press Editorial
March 20, 2012
Public not engaged in redevelopment plan
The city of Issaquah has come a long way toward adopting a Central Issaquah Plan, a blueprint for a future Issaquah with buildings up to 150 feet tall, more people and traffic, and more commercial buildings combined with multifamily residential units.
Meetings begin this month and continue into May to hear public comment.
Sadly, only the usual suspects are likely to speak up. Developers and landowners, the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and members of the Issaquah Environmental Council will be there — but few others. It doesn’t need to be that way.
When Issaquah wrote its Comprehensive Plan nearly three decades ago, a facilitator reached out to neighborhood groups, churches, clubs, sports organizations and more to walk them through a visioning process that helped write and preserve the characteristics of Issaquah that citizens hold dear.
Press Editorial
March 13, 2012
Liquor service hours could get flexible
There’s a little city 15 miles west of here that wants to change state law — a change that would affect businesses in Issaquah.
Seattle wants the Washington State Liquor Control Board to approve a resolution to allow for extended liquor hours. If approved, Issaquah would be able to dictate opening and closing hours for the service of alcohol at bars, restaurants and clubs or entertainment venues.
Seattle’s goal is to extend liquor service hours, but it could choose to go the other way. Seattle’s mayor has suggested that staggered closing times could help with public safety concerns.
Press Editorial
March 6, 2012
DUI crackdown need not wait for holidays
St. Patrick’s Day could be unlucky for impaired motorists. But getting drunk drivers off the road would be lucky for everyone else.
Statewide, law enforcement agencies and the Issaquah Police Department plan to embark on a campaign to nab drunken drivers before, during and after the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
The effort starts March 9 and runs through March 18. The campaign means beefed-up DUI enforcement on Issaquah and King County roads, as Issaquah police and other law enforcement agencies join the crackdown.
