Press Editorial
January 31, 2012
Fire District 10 station bond makes sense
King County Fire District 10 commissioners are asking voters to approve a construction bond for the first time in nearly two decades. It’s a reasonable request that voters should consider.
It’s a bit confusing, since both the city of Issaquah and Fire District 10 are served by Eastside Fire & Rescue, a cooperative of multiple jurisdictions. But only Issaquah residents outside the city limits pay taxes for fire protection to District 10. City property owners are paying for the new fire station near the Issaquah Transit Center.
If you got a ballot in the mail last week, you live in District 10.
Off the Press
January 31, 2012
Joys of eating lutefisk — there’s none for me
Bob Taylor Press sports editor
My last name might fool you. Actually, I am half Finnish and darn proud of that heritage.
The half comes from my mother’s side of the family, or as she always said “my best half.” Her father, Peter Kopra, came over from Finland in the late 1890s in hopes of striking it rich in the gold fields. Grandpa Peter never found gold, but he did discover the United States was a land of opportunity.
After securing a job down in California, he saved enough money to bring over Grandma and the rest of the family, which at the time included two boys. He also purchased a farm in Southwest Washington.
It was on this farm where my mother was born. It was later on a section of the farm, which my parents purchased from one of my uncles, where I was raised.
In this community, the last name Taylor was unique because most families were Finns, Swedes and Norwegians. However, I grew up proud of most Scandinavian traditions.
But there was one tradition I could never partake in — eating lutefisk.
To the Editor
January 31, 2012
Extreme weather
The aloha spirit thrives in Issaquah
As a native of Maui who has resided on the mainland for 35 years I am never prepared for snow, ice and the accompanying chill. Although I’ve seen more of the white stuff in New York and Connecticut, where my family lived prior to moving to Issaquah, I can’t say that being inundated with less pleases me more.
I’ll never be a snow bunny, not that I’ve tried. I’m an islander through and through. So, I’ll roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate while warming myself before a blazing fire.
Press Editorial
January 24, 2012
Help businesses recover from storm
“Support your local business” takes on new meaning when the city becomes a frozen wasteland for three days.
While homeowners were struggling to stay warm without power, business owners were wringing their hands over the lost business. Restaurants were particularly hard hit as food went to waste without refrigeration. Employees, too, suffered the loss of wages. It was life interrupted, not a fun week.
This week we can try to make it a bit better for each other. Tip your waiter or other service provider just a little extra. Be sure any purchases you make are done locally to help businesses recoup the lost revenue.
Don’t forget to say thank you to those who are helping out. Offer a cup of coffee to the utility workers repairing lines or clearing trees. Let them know they are appreciated.
This is Issaquah, where neighbors help neighbors. With the usual thoughtfulness for the other guy, we’ll be just fine.
Off the Press
January 24, 2012
Another winter storm, and not so prepared
Debbie Berto Press publisher
Storm coming, so get prepared. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The weatherman never gets it right.
My husband Tom and I are certified members of a CERT — Citizen Emergency Response Team — here in Issaquah.
Sadly, we found ourselves not so prepared last week.
On Tuesday, Tom suggested he should charge the generator. He didn’t follow through, but it did start when the power/phone/Internet/cable went out Thursday morning.
But we only had two gallons of gas on hand to keep the generator going. Uh oh.
Tom siphoned some gas from the 4-wheeler but learned that our cars have anti-siphon devices. A call to the police department confirmed that The Grange did have gas and a generator to pump it, and about 40 cars in line for it. We decided to wait for city power to return.
To the Editor
January 24, 2012
Winter weather
Newspaper provides information readers needed in the emergency
Just a grateful thank you for the real-time news updates on your website regarding the opening of emergency shelters this evening in downtown Issaquah and the plateau.
I am a ham radio operator who is rendering communication assistance to an elderly lady, with a medical condition, living in downtown Issaquah. She is being helped by a neighbor, but they have been without power all day (and will continue to be all night). Fortunately, I am located out of the downtown area and didn’t lose my power, so I have been able to monitor your website for your news updates.
The publishing of the emergency shelter openings was a very critical piece of information I was able to relay to the person assisting the elderly lady, as well as to other Seattle area emergency networks throughout the evening.
Everyone was relieved and thankful to know there were local area shelters open in Issaquah and on the plateau.
I can’t thank you enough for making this information available after hours in such a timely manner so it could be passed on to those without power and no access to the Web.
Kevin Millar
Press Editorial
January 17, 2012
Chelan and Issaquah find common ground
There is nothing wrong with the good people living in Chelan and Wenatchee, but what do they have in common with Issaquah? They grow apples and recreational tourists, we grow lots of kids and IT employees. We do share the Cascades in between us.
Apparently, we will now share a representative who must represent the new 8th Congressional District, after the redistricting committee has drawn new boundaries.
Many would think that redistricting to balance populations would create compact, geographic districts with similar demographics. No. The committee’s real job is to protect incumbents and the two-party system.
Off the Press
January 17, 2012
Lessons learned in fire and ice
Warren Kagarise Press reporter
Journalism often requires reporters to meet people under undesirable circumstances — behind police tape or against a flickering backdrop of emergency lights.
Under such circumstances, we strive for compassion, but sometimes, we forget about the people on the other side of the notebook amid the clamor to chase down a story or ferret out some key detail.
I experienced a story on the other side of the notebook early Jan. 16 and, hopefully, came away a little more enlightened and understanding.
Just before 4 a.m., a neighbor pounded on the door to my apartment in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood.
“Get out! There’s a fire!” he yelled, and then headed down the corridor to warn sleeping occupants in other apartments.
To the Editor
January 17, 2012
Rowley development
Moving Tibbetts Creek is a good idea
Readers have posted a couple of comments in The Issaquah Press on the Rowley Development that have advocated against moving Tibbetts Creek away from the northwestern portion of Hyla Crossing. Normally, moving a creek out of its natural channel in order to allow development in the former creek buffer is a bad idea.
In this case, however, moving this portion of the creek could help right a wrong that was done many years ago, when a sewer main was installed with a road above it, and the creek was put in a straight ditch 10 feet from the road. By moving the creek into a meandering loop to the west, installing large woody debris, and planting native trees and shrubs in the new buffer, the natural functions of the creek and the stream buffer could be improved, as was done in a section of the creek to the south. This would also direct the stream away from possibly contaminated soils, which may be present near the road and warehouse area.
Carefully done restoration could result in a win-win situation for both the developer and the environment.
Janet Wall
Issaquah
Press Editorial
January 10, 2012
Governor’s bold move is good for all
We applaud Gov. Chris Gregoire’s move to pass state legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in Washington state.
It has been nearly 20 years since the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the restriction of marriage to opposite-sex couples would be presumed unconstitutional. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court held that same-sex couples must receive the same benefits as married couples. Subsequent court decisions have held that “civil union” laws would not suffice, calling instead for marriage equality.
Many countries — including all of the Canadian provinces — now allow gay marriage. In the United States, six states and the District of Columbia now accept gay marriages.
