Rapid Response
December 6, 2011
Membership is declining in local civic organizations (like the Elks, Eagles and Masonic lodges). What can they do/offer to interest you in becoming a member?
Yes, we need young people in our civic organizations, like in our Kiwanis Club of Issaquah. There is really not much that we can offer but to make them feel comfortable and be part of the group. Most young professionals are very busy with work and raising young family, but they check their emails and get into social media, so maybe we can create an Internet club as an extension of our noon club. They need a break from work so they need a fun meeting where maybe sometimes they can bring their families or bring their wife into a fun evening meeting once a month. These activities can be dancing, (karaoke) singing, romantic dinners and game nights — just a group wherein to have a fun break inexpensively once a month. They also would like to help in the community and our service clubs do provide that.
Becky Wilder, Issaquah
We see today that people seem to affiliate after feeling involved and having a sense of community. The idea that you join in order to belong is increasing difficult to justify. The act of belonging is an expression of community. Traditional clubs and organization will be most impacting “when they move out of building and programs” and into areas of community interest and community need. In Christian contexts, the mission of congregations is to join God where he is already at work in the community!
Don Burnett, Issaquah
Rapid Response
November 29, 2011
The developer of the latest retail complex proposed for the Issaquah Highlands is seeking public money to complete the project. Should the city provide funding for the project? What other economic development projects should be considered for city dollars?
No. If the development is a good investment, then private investors would put their money into it and not need to ask for taxpayer funds.
Paul Stewart, Issaquah
Rapid Response
November 8, 2011
Can you see advantages to the Issaquah School District unifying the schedules of its main three high schools? What are the disadvantages?
One advantage that I see is that each high school could offer specialty classes that are attended by small numbers of students. This means that schools could combine small classes in one location. Busing should be provided to allow students to move from school to school.
Jim Harris, Issaquah
Rapid Response
September 27, 2011
Issaquah is in the midst of a six-month moratorium to assess and determine how to address medical marijuana operations. How would you solve the issue to balance the city’s and patients’ interests?
Seems to me that the interests of a suffering patient far outweigh those of the city. We must figure out how to make this palliative necessity for some patients easily accessible at an affordable price.
Meredith Prock, Issaquah
Rapid Response
September 6, 2011
Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?
Sitting by my TV, watching those terrorists attack America. Too bad that some in America do not see the danger today.
Ken Sessler, Issaquah
Almost run over by a man running out of Tully’s unable to contain either his shock or excitement — not sure which.
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
Listening to my alarm clock and hearing impossible news, then seeing the unbelievable on TV.
Bryan Weinstein, Issaquah
Rapid Response
August 30, 2011
The city is the midst of a $50,000 study to better determine how municipal departments function. What steps would you take to make city government more efficient?
Thought the mayor had a paid individual to manage the different city government departments. If the city has to blow $50,000 for some hokey study, then fire that manager.
Ken Sessler, Issaquah
Frankly, I think Issaquah city staff are amongst the best you will find — listen to them regarding what needs to be fixed, what doesn’t and how they would go about it. It has to be difficult for them with all the expansion and changes under way.
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
First, start with a 10 percent cut to all programs. We all have had to do this in our personal lives and businesses. Why should government be immune? Yes, some may lose their jobs and have to work harder … so have the rest of us. Second — Cap the budgets not to exceed this cut amount for three years.
Matthew Balkman, Issaquah
Rapid Response
August 23, 2011
Are you bothered by reports of bears or cougars in the Issaquah area? Why or why not?
Should it be a surprise they live here? I suspect folks should understand that critters — big, potentially dangerous critters — were here before we were. Keep Skippy inside!
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
I agree with Thoreau: “In Wildness is the preservation of the World. … From the forest and wilderness come the tonics and barks which brace mankind.”
Bob McCoy, Sammamish
I’m bothered only by concern for the bears. It was recently reported, “If relocation fails, a nuisance bear may be destroyed.” A “nuisance” bear should be one that is aggressive toward humans, not one that repeatedly returns to a source of food someone has left for it (garbage, bird feeders, etc.). I prefer to find ways to coexist.
Monica Drakes, Issaquah
Rapid Response
August 9, 2011
Issaquah is the midst of a six-month moratorium to assess and determine how to address medical marijuana operations. How would you solve the issue to balance the city’s and patients’ interests?
Need to push the federal government on this issue. Not sure the city’s and patients’ interests are in conflict — would prefer to put illegal drug dealers out of business. Council should solicit views of the public — via emails, town meetings, etc. — and make a decision, quickly.
Monica Drakes, Issaquah
Legalize and tax it, period.
Bryan Weinstein, Issaquah
Legalize and tax marijuana for anyone over 21 just like liquor. But no state stores unlike liquor.
Tom Masters, Issaquah
Why is it not treated as any other drug? The doctor writes a prescription, the patient then goes to a drugstore and gets it filled. Patients do not mix/grow/boil their own chemicals to get their required medication.
Ken Sessler, Issaquah
I would give more credence to actual pain patients and the providers who prescribe marijuana than I would to activists or those who will profit from sales. Listen to both sides of the addiction issue.
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
Instead of a hand-wringing moratorium, the best approach is to work toward legalization of marijuana.
Hank Thomas, Issaquah
Rapid Response
February 15, 2011
Has the completed East Sunset Way interchange at Interstate 90 changed traffic flow in downtown Issaquah for better or for worse? Why or why not?
The traffic lights at Front Street and Sunset Way need to be on longer to allow the westbound extra traffic through.
Ken Sessler, Issaquah
It has been a welcome relief.
Mark Bowers, Issaquah
The real change is at Second Avenue and Sunset Way — some drivers can’t figure out the dedicated left and right turn lanes.
Bryan Weinstein, Issaquah
Traffic is better. The wide and extra turn lanes help. A light at Second Avenue would be better.
Barbara Shelton, Issaquah
The city received $100,000 to study another transfer of development rights, with the receiving site in the business district. Should the area along Interstate 90 be redeveloped into a dense neighborhood?
Better, where are those TDRs coming from? Will county TDRs get the priority over local ones?
Connie Marsh, Issaquah
No. Traffic is already a problem that the city has not been able to fix. We don’t need more jams along Gilman Boulevard, Front Street or Southeast 56th Street.
Jim Harris, Issaquah
This TDR is a bad thing. If the business district is going to get a pass on environmental and development rules, then the transfer mitigations (benefits) should be kept within our city limits, not placed somewhere in King County.
C.A. Christensen, Issaquah
Washington voters rejected a series of taxes on the Nov. 2 ballot, leaving the state to close a huge spending gap. What steps should Issaquah’s representatives in Olympia take to preserve local programs amid cuts?
Cuts must be fair, prioritized and based on realistic cost/benefit analyses, not pork-barrel favortism. Speak the honest truth about the importance of Issaquah programs and facilities, but if other areas of the state have a program or facility of higher importance, then it should keep its funding.
Ken Konigsmark, Issaquah
First, call attention, in Olympia and in the media, to the need to clearly define what role our state government should have, which does not include what should be done by city government, county government, federal government, charitable organizations, private businesses or individuals. Second, eliminate programs that do not fit that role. Third, spread our existing tax dollars among the remaining programs. Our budget gap is too large for every community to expect to preserve local programs.
Mel Morgan, Issaquah
We have to think out of the box to accomplish more with less, streamline bureaucracy and improve processes. Prioritize needs. Safety, education and repairing broken infrastructure are immediate needs.
Ray Extract, Issaquah
Bellevue College has expressed interest in the Issaquah Highlands for a possible campus site. How could a college campus change the community in positive and negative ways?
Graduating seniors would have an option close to home that could cut residency cost and allow for commuting.
Don Burnett, Issaquah
To have such easy access to higher education here in Issaquah would be a huge asset.
Gail Givan, Issaquah
Rapid Response
February 8, 2011
The city Parks & Recreation Department has hosted a series of open houses and offered a Web questionnaire to gather input on a planned downtown parks complex. How would you rate the city’s public outreach effort during the planning phase?
Though I was not able to attend, I appreciated that the effort was made to get citizen input — good job parks and rec!
Bryan Weinstein, Issaquah
The Parks Department has been doing an excellent job having meetings to get community input, but the real question will be if they were actually listening or not.
C.A. Christensen, Issaquah
I attended a Confluence Park Meeting and Central Park Plan Open House; both were informative, accessible and inclusive of all interested parties.
Gail Givan, Issaquah
