Snoqualmie Valley superintendent wins award
August 26, 2009
By Laura Geggel
A Thomas Jefferson quote hangs on the wall of Snoqualmie Valley School District Superintendent Joel Aune’s office.
It reads, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
That stance may explain why the Washington Association of School Administrators, better known as WASA, recently honored Aune for his leadership.
Aune received the 2009 WASA Award of Merit at the association’s July 1 summer conference. Aune was one of 10 superintendents across the state to receive the award, and the only one in King County to be honored.
“It was really a surprise,” Aune said. “It’s a little bit humbling, because there are so many really top superintendents out there that I respect so much.”
The WASA Award of Merit is presented to people who have demonstrated effective leadership at the regional level and who have made a significant contribution to WASA through their work in the field of education in Washington.
One person from each of the state’s 10 regions receives the award each year. Many local superintendents know Aune, as they elected him to serve as the WASA president for the King County region.
“He really took a leadership role,” said WASA President and Puget Sound Educational Service District Superintendent Monte Bridges. “He takes very seriously creating opportunities for regional superintendents to network, discuss issues and work on current problems of practice. He really helped us out last year.”
As a regional WASA president, Aune led two workshops for his fellow superintendents on legislative and school funding issues. Snoqualmie Valley is also known for developing a “strong professional learning community,” Bridges said.
Anyone can nominate a superintendent for an Award of Merit, although usually the nomination is from a superintendent, district administrator or principal. A regional selection team picks the most qualified candidate and forwards it to the state WASA honorary awards committee for approval.
Aune thanked his colleagues — the school board, district administrators and teachers — who help the school district function and move forward.
“They are the ones who do the work and are on the front lines and who are key,” Aune said. “You’re not the recipient of an award like this unless you have great people around you.”
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com. To comment on this story, visit www.snovalleystar.com.
A Thomas Jefferson quote hangs on the wall of Snoqualmie Valley School District Superintendent Joel Aune’s office.
It reads, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
That stance may explain why the Washington Association of School Administrators, better known as WASA, recently honored Aune for his leadership.
Aune received the 2009 WASA Award of Merit at the association’s July 1 summer conference. Aune was one of 10 superintendents across the state to receive the award, and the only one in King County to be honored.
Calendar 8-27
August 26, 2009
Events
For a fifth straight year, the Boeing Classic will be played at TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge Aug. 28-30. The professional golf tournament highlights all of the legends of the Champions Tour. The tournament last for three days and 54 holes, with the championship wrapping up on Sunday afternoon. The tournament is aired live on The Golf Channel. For more information, go to www.boeingclassic.com.
Meadowbrook Farm will host its annual Harvest Festival from 10 a.m – 7 p.m. Aug. 29. The event celebrates the changing seasons and will feature music, hayrides, pony rides, demonstrations of antique tractors, and a beer garden for adults. This year’s festival also hopes to attract a lot of kite flyers. Children will even get an opportunity to build their own kites. For more information visit the Meadowbrook Farm Web-site at www.meadowbrookfarmpreserve.org, or call Dave Battey at 425-785-2741. Meadowbrook Farm is located at 1711 Boalch Ave., just off State Route 202 between Snoqualmie and North Bend. Detailed directions can be found on the farm’s Web site.
Snoqualmie artist Kim Starr’s art show “Romancing the Surf” will show at the Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery at 800 Bellevue Way N.E. Ste. 111, Bellevue from Aug. 12 to Sept. 9.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, DoggieStock will be from 1-6 p.m. Sept. 12 at Snoqualmie Point Park. There will be a canine kissing booth contest, doggie Olympics, quilt raffle, peace offering cans and a winners table involved in the event.
The Friends for Life Children’s Hospital Guild will host the fourth annual Hand Blown Glass Ornament sale Sept. 26 at Finaghty’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Snoqualmie. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a lunch, followed by a silent auction at 5 p.m. and a live auction at 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.finaghtys.com.
The Snoqualmie Valley Great Strides Walk, a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, starts at 11 a.m. Sept. 26 at Centennial Fields in Snoqualmie. All participants are encouraged to walk the two-mile loop along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail before they have the opportunity to get lunch from Sherm’s BBQ. To learn more, visit www.snoqualmievalleygreatstrides.blogspot.com.
To support Snoqualmie Middle School student Kaitie Gallagher, who is living with cystic fibrosis, visit Kaitie’s Kingdom Great Strides Team Rummage Sale at the Gallagher’s home from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. at 39151 S.E. Delta St. in Snoqualmie Aug. 29.
Dreams of Hope, a guild for Seattle Children’s Hospital will hold a lunch and a silent and live auction at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4. The guild will be auctioning shoes, wine, sports tickets and memorabilia, entertainment and vacation packages. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Diana Reul-Shapiro at 443-6714 or dianareul@hotmail.com. To learn more, visit www.dreamsofhopeguild.org.
Classes
The Early Bird Workout began July 2 at Si View Community Center. The class meets from 6-7 a.m. every Thursday morning, and offers a high intensity workout for those who want to exercise before work. For more information, go to www.siviewpark.org or call 831-1900.
The Mount Si School of Karate is offered through Si View Community Center Mondays and Wednesdays each month. Interested participants 7-8 years will meet from 4-5 p.m., those who are 9-11 years from 5-6 p.m. and those 12 and up from 6-7 p.m. Register for the class at www.siviewpark.org or call 831-1900.
The Umibushi Self-Defense Academy is conducting AAU Level 2 Karate Club classes at Twin Falls Middle School in North Bend from 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. The classes cost $60 per month and are open to all ages 7 and up. For more information, go to www.umibushi.com.
Heather Evans with the Bellevue Community College Career Center in Snoqualmie provides free career services from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Snoqualmie Tribe Headquarters, 8130 Railroad Ave. in downtown Snoqualmie and from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Wednesday at the North Bend Library, 115 4th St. in North Bend. For more information, call 888-6551, ext. 101 or e-mail heather.evans@bellevuecollege.edu.
An Al-Anon Family Group meets at 7 p.m. each Thursday at Mt. Si Lutheran Church in North Bend.
The teen drop-in program happens from 3-5 p.m. on Mondays and 1-5 p.m. on Fridays at Si View Community Center in North Bend. For more information, contact Ryan Daly at rdaly@siviewpark.org or 831-1900.
Spanish classes are held every Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Sno-Valley Senior Center. Open to the community. $5 per class, drop-in basis, taught by Celide Rivero.
Food Addicts Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday in North Bend. For more information, please call 888-0314.
The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program meets at Si View Park from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. every Monday through Thursday. Cost is $4.
An Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group meets from 6:30 – 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, 26526 Cherry Valley Rd., Duvall. For more information, contact group facilitator Irene Olson at 868-4889.
Volunteer Opportunities
Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum seeks docents to volunteer at the museum from 1-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October. Duties will include greeting visitors, selling items in the gift shop and more. Training will be provided. Contact the museum at 888-3200 or Pat Kelly at 888-1557.
The Senior Services Transportation Program seeks volunteers to drive seniors around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Volunteers will drive their own vehicles and choose the weekdays, times and areas in which they’d like to drive. Mileage reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered. For more information, call 206-748-7588 or 1-800-282-5815, or e-mail melissat@seniorservices.org. To apply online, go to www.seniorservices.org/vts/vts.htm.
The Mount Si Senior Center thrift store is looking for volunteers to sort donations and help with cash sales a few hours a week. The thrift store is located in the Senior Center at 411 Main Street in North Bend. For more information, call Janet at 888-3434.
Hopelink in the Snoqualmie Valley is seeking volunteers for a variety of tasks. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer or call 869-6000.
Adopt-A-Park with yourself, your family, neighbors or club. Adopt-A-Park is a volunteer program for Snoqualmie residents willing to help improve and enhance public parks and trails. Volunteering requires an application and a one-year commitment. Call 831-5784.
Be a Study Zone tutor and give students the homework help they need. Study Zone needs volunteers to tutor elementary through high school students in math, science, English, social studies and study methods. A two-hour weekly commitment and flexible substitute scheduling are available. The Study Zone program is a free service offered by the King County Library System. For more information, call 369-3312.
Share your love of books and make new friends by becoming a Friend of the Library in either Snoqualmie or North Bend. Annual memberships cost $5 for individuals and $10 for families and help expand opportunities for children, families and seniors around the community. To learn more, call 888-0554.
North Bend Library
The Friends of the North Bend Library will host their annual book sale from Aug. 15-29.
Join the North Bend Library Tuesday Book Group for an evening of lively conversation about a variety of new and notable fiction and nonfiction. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the North Bend Library meeting room. New members are always welcome. For more information, call 888-0554.
The North Bend Chess Club, for all ages, meets from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday.
Game On, for ages 12 to 18, meets 3- 5 p.m. Fridays to play XBox 360, Playstation, Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero and DDS. Board games also are available.
English as a Second Language classes meet at 6:30 p.m. Mondays.
Toddler Story Time, for ages 2 to 3 with an adult, meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays.
Preschool Story Time, for ages 3 to 6 with an adult, meets at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays.
Evening Family Story Time meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Snoqualmie Library
Young Toddler Story Time, for age 12 to 24 months with an adult, is at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays.
Preschool Story Time, for ages 3 to 6 with an adult, is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.
Anime & Manga Club, for middle and high school students, meets at 3 p.m. Wednesdays to watch anime movies, eat popcorn and practice manga drawing.
Snoqualmie Library Pajama Story Time, for all young children with an adult, is at 7 p.m. Thursdays.
Clubs
Rotary Club of Snoqualmie meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club. E-mail SnoqualmieRotary@yahoo.com.
The Eastside Chapter of the Northwest Biodiesel Network meets the second Wednesday of every month, from 7-9 p.m., at the Railroad Depot in North Bend. For more information, go to www.nwbiodiesel.org or call 503-9876.
A cancer survivor group meets at 9 a.m. the second Saturday of every month at Sawdust Coffee, located in the North Bend Factory Stores mall. To learn more, contact Lisa Newell at newellvl@yahoo.com.
The Mt. Si Artist Guild promotes visual fine arts in the Snoqualmie Valley. It meets the third Saturday of every month at 9:15 a.m. in the North Bend Senior Center. Upcoming events include: the Festival at Mount Si, Aug. 7-9; Art in the Park, Aug. 15 and 22; Sawdust Art Show, Aug. 31. For more information, contact Diane Solomon at djsolomon@comcast.net.
Post No. 79 of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Building at 38625 Southeast River Street in Snoqualmie. For more information, call Steve Fenton, Post Commander, at 396-6100 or Kathy Kerr, Unit President, at 831-5133.
Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Mount Si Golf Course restaurant in Snoqualmie. E-mail snovalley@member.kiwanis.org.
Snoqualmie Fraternal Order of Eagles Women’s Auxiliary meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. The Men’s Aerie meets the first and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at 108 Railroad Ave. Call 888-1129.
The Snoqualmie Valley Youth Hub provides cultural, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities to more than 4,000 young people in the Valley. Call 831-1900.
Loyal Order of Moose is located at 108 Sydney Ave. in North Bend. Men meet at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Women meet at 7 p.m. the third and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Call 888-0951.
The Mount Si Fish and Game Club meets at the Fall City Firehall at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month.
Washington Freemasons meet at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Unity Lodge No. 198 in North Bend. Call 888-5779.
The MOMS Club of North Bend, a social group for at-home mothers, meets at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the North Bend Library. Children are welcome at all MOMS Club activities. Call 888-1387 or visit www.momsclub.org for more information.
To submit an item for the community calendar, send to editor@snovalleystar.com or via www.snovalleystar.com.
Events Read more
Huge crowd shows up for Railroad Days Run
August 26, 2009
By Ryan Piersol
A massive group of more than 1,000 men, women and children participated in the Snoqualmie Railroad Days Fun Run Aug. 22 in downtown Snoqualmie.
After a few twists and turns through the Valley, Max O’Donoghue-McDonald was the first to officially cross the finish line, winning the 5K race in a time of 15:22.1 – just in time to take in the rest of the festival associated with the run.
“This is a great race for me. It’s not too far to get here and it’s wide open,” he said. “Then, you get to go and enjoy the festival. It’s great.”
O’Donoghue-McDonald said he signed up for the race as a training tool to get ready for his fall season as a member of the University of Washington cross country team. His time in the 5K was a full 27 seconds ahead of runner-up Shawn Lucas from Seattle. Kristi Houk from Port Orchard was the top female and 10th overall with a time of 18:04.5, while Alex Kampp from Snoqualmie was the top local in 11th place.
“I thought it was a great race. There were a lot of runners and it was flat and fast,” O’Donoghue-McDonald said. “It’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Other top locals included Shawn Leonard from North Bend in 19th, Xiomara Pilon from North Bend in 31st, Jan Vrana from Snoqualmie in 33rd, Tom Nugent from Snoqualmie in 37th, Joseph Waskom from Snoqualmie in 39th, Niel Shutlz from North Bend in 41st and Linnea Baysinere from North Bend in 42nd.
The 10K race was won by Mark Currell of Selah, whose time of 31:11.0 was less than 12 seconds better than runner-up Jon Murray from Marysville.
Mount Si High School cross country standout Zac Pearlstein from North Bend was the top local in that race, finishing 34th. Other local finishers included Steven Kent from North Bend in 42nd, Richard Carmichael from North Bend in 61st, Sue Korol from Snoqualmie in 68th, Wade Clem from Snoqualmie in 69th, Brendan Hyland from North Bend in 73rd and Mount Si High School standout Alex Rudd from North Bend in 76th.
This was only the second year for the annual run, which nearly tripled in size from the first year. Part of the reason for the increase was the fact that the race was honored with the status as a Pacific Northwest Track and Field championship.
A massive group of more than 1,000 men, women and children participated in the Snoqualmie Railroad Days Fun Run Aug. 22 in downtown Snoqualmie.
After a few twists and turns through the Valley, Max O’Donoghue-McDonald was the first to officially cross the finish line, winning the 5K race in a time of 15:22.1 – just in time to take in the rest of the festival associated with the run.
“This is a great race for me. It’s not too far to get here and it’s wide open,” he said. “Then, you get to go and enjoy the festival. It’s great.”
A pack of runners leaves the starting line directly after the starting gun was fired for the a race the morning of Aug. 22 in association with Snoqualmie Railroad Days.
Meadowbrook Way section to close
August 24, 2009
Part of Meadowbrook Way Southeast will be closed Monday, Aug. 24, through Thursday, Aug. 27, for bridge repair and inspection.
The section to be closed includes Meadowbrook Way Southeast between Southeast Spruce Street and Mill Pond Road. The road will be closed each day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Boeing Classic returns to Snoqualmie for fifth year
August 22, 2009
By Ryan Piersol
The Boeing Classic will return to the Valley Aug. 24-30 with its usual list of notable golfers ready to play, plus a few extra incentives.
Entering its fifth straight year at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge, the Champions Tour event has grown to be more than just a golf tournament. Clinics, charity drives and even celebrity sightings will play major roles in this year’s event.
“We’ve added a bunch of new things. We’re definitely expanding,” Interim Tournament Director Michelle DeLancy said. “And all of the money that is raised during the week will be going back to charities.”
The Jim Mora Celebrity Golf Classic begins the week with a bang Aug. 24, as a large group of local celebrities will gather at 7:30 a.m.. for a round of golf. Many of the confirmed celebrities are former NFL football players like Kenny Easley, Jacob Green and Dave Kreig, although other famous athletes like former NBA stars Lenny Wilkins and Detlef Schrempf are on the list. Jason Mesnick, who starred on ABC’s “The Bachelor” last year, also is scheduled to appear.
The Charles Schwab Youth Clinic will be at noon Aug. 25. The free, hour-long clinic is hosted by Fred Funk, along with his son Tylor, who is an up-and-coming golfer.
The Seahawks Pro-Am will be Aug. 26-27. The tournament, which allows regular golf fans a chance to play with the professionals, includes tee prizes, an awards bash and a draw party. Cost for a single player for one day is $2,250 and two days is $4,500. Cost for a four-some for one day is $9,000 and two days is $18,000. To reserve a spot, call DeLancy at 206-381-7837 or e-mail michelle@boeingclassic.com.
The Boeing Classic will officially begin at 11:25 a.m. Aug. 28 when a Boeing 777 does its annual flyover on hole No. 18 to signal the start. The awards ceremony following the final round is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 30.
This year’s slate of players involves a heavy dose of legendary names. Just some of the notables include Fuzzy Zoeller, Ben Crenshaw, Nick Price, Gary Player, Fred Funk, Jay Haas, Hale Irwin and Gil Morgan. Also back to defend his title will be Tom Kite, who shot a three-day total that was 14-under to win by two shots a year ago. Kite rallied from down two shots to Scott Simpson with seven holes to go to win his second Boeing Classic championship in three years.
“We have a great group of players. A lot of them have played in the Boeing Classic in the past, but we also have some new players,” DeLancy said. “And I know that they’re happy about coming back. They enjoy the fans and they enjoy playing on the course..”
A series of charity events will be dispersed during the tournament weekend. The Walk With Wives for Charity will be at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 29. There is a suggested donation of $20 for those who want to participate in the event, which involves a two-mile walk along the cart paths before a served breakfast. Later that night, a new wine-tasting event, Grapes on the Green, will take place at 6 p.m. at hole No. 18. Six different local wineries have signed on to participate, and there will be both a silent and live auction.
Reach editor Ryan Piersol at editor@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434. To comment on this story, go to www.snovalleystar.com.
The Boeing Classic will return to the Valley Aug. 24-30 with its usual list of notable golfers ready to play, plus a few extra incentives.
Entering its fifth straight year at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge, the Champions Tour event has grown to be more than just a golf tournament. Clinics, charity drives and even celebrity sightings will play major roles in this year’s event.
“We’ve added a bunch of new things. We’re definitely expanding,” Interim Tournament Director Michelle DeLancy said. “And all of the money that is raised during the week will be going back to charities.”
Tom Kite celebrates his win last year at the Boeing Classic.
WASL scores above state average, with gains in writing
August 21, 2009
Despite scoring above the state average on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning exam, the Snoqualmie Valley School District did not meet federal Adequate Yearly Progress standards this year. The last time the district made AYP was in the 2005-06 school year.
Other districts that didn’t make AYP this year include Issaquah, Renton, Bellevue, Lake Washington and Northshore.
Hodgins holds significant lead in school board primary
August 20, 2009
Early results cast show Scott Hodgins with a huge lead in a primary race for Snoqualmie Valley School Board seat No. 1.
With 1,503 votes, Hodgins pulled in 46.5 percent of the vote as of Aug. 19. That put him well ahead of Paul Houldridge at 886 (27.4 percent) and Geoffrey Doy at 814 (25.2 percent).
In other races, Susan Hutchison appeared to be the clear leader in the King County Executive Primary. As of Aug. 19, she had pulled in 35.9 percent of the vote, compared to just 23.4 for Dow Constantine, her closest competitor.
Megan Coppersmith, a spokeswoman for King County Elections, said they expect to receive another 100,000 votes by Aug. 21. The final results will appear on the elections Web site at noon Sept. 2.
Early results cast show Scott Hodgins with a huge lead in a primary race for Snoqualmie Valley School Board seat No. 1.
With 1,503 votes, Hodgins pulled in 46.5 percent of the vote as of Aug. 19. That put him well ahead of Paul Houldridge at 886 (27.4 percent) and Geoffrey Doy at 814 (25.2 percent).
In other races, Susan Hutchison appeared to be the clear leader in the King County Executive Primary. As of Aug. 19, she had pulled in 35.9 percent of the vote, compared to just 23.4 for Dow Constantine, her closest competitor.
Megan Coppersmith, a spokeswoman for King County Elections, said they expect to receive another 100,000 votes by Aug. 21. The final results will appear on the elections Web site at noon Sept. 2.
Students need help with school supplies
August 20, 2009
The first day of school is only three weeks away. It’s a time of excitement for students as they look forward to meeting new teachers, seeing old friends, getting a new pair of sneakers and filling their backpack with new pencils and crayons.
But it isn’t that easy for many Snoqualmie Valley School District kids. Nearly 700 students — 11 percent — will qualify for free or reduced lunches again this year, because their parents just can’t afford to pay. A new backpack with new school supplies may be out of the question.
Each year, teachers scramble to make sure all kids have the requisite school supplies, many reaching into their own pockets to ensure scissors, paper and markers are available for all who need them.
According to the National Retail Federation, the average family with school-aged children will spend $548.72 on back-to-school supplies by the end of September. They may spend an additional $167.84 on electronics, including required graphing calculators and memory sticks.
This year, Mt. Si Lutheran Church and some other churches have taken the lead on collecting donations of school supplies and shoes. School supplies will be handed out this week and next via the Helping Hand Food Bank in North Bend.
Donations are still needed, whether school supplies, shoes or cash. Checks can be made payable to Helping Hands Schools and mailed to PO Box 487, North Bend, 98045. Or drop off donations to Mt. Si Lutheran in North Bend or Our Lady of Sorrows in Snoqualmie.
Together we have an opportunity to make sure the first lesson of the year is not about the haves and the have-nots by ensuring that all kids have what they need to get down to reading and writing.
You can also help students whose parents may not have the resources by starting with a membership to the PTSA at your school, and/or a donation to school scholarship programs that help pay for everything from field trips to athletic fees. Ask at your school how best to help.
Editorial:
The first day of school is only three weeks away. It’s a time of excitement for students as they look forward to meeting new teachers, seeing old friends, getting a new pair of sneakers and filling their backpack with new pencils and crayons. Read more
Letters 8-20
August 20, 2009
Hotel will be good thing for community
It is an official policy of the city of North Bend to “Pursue the development of a hotel and/or motel with meeting space in the Pacific Northwest style and North Bend’s image”.
There is a good reason for this policy as a new, nationally branded hotel such as Hampton Inn or a Hilton Gardens is essential to our collective efforts to strengthen our local economy, promote tourism and revitalize our downtown.
As long-time business owners and residents of North Bend, my wife Sharon and I are proposing to build a new hotel on commercially zoned property adjacent to exit 31 at the intersection of Ribary Way and Bendigo Boulevard. This is an excellent location for a hotel, as it is close to the freeway, highly visible and readily accessible, outside of the floodplain, and served by all of the required utilities. It will not block views of Mount Si, but it will help deflect sound from the freeway and it will provide a quiet and family oriented land use that is compatible with the neighboring properties.
The 78-bed hotel we are proposing to build, own, and operate as a family business will be affiliated with a national chain that will further assure that it is maintained and managed in a clean, safe, and consistently professional manner. Our $8-$10 million investment in our community will create 20 new jobs and generate over $100,000 a year in tax revenues. In addition, the business travelers and families that stay at the hotel will support local restaurants and businesses.
We believe that the proposed hotel will be an asset for the entire community, something that we can all be proud of and benefit from. Please contact our Director of Community and Economic Development Gina Estep, at ginae@ci.north-bend.wa.us and urge the City Council and City Planning Commission to take action to enable us to submit an application that can be judged on its merits in accordance with established regulations. Your support is greatly appreciated.
George and Sharon Wyrsch,
North Bend
Support for construction of hotel in North Bend
Another vote for hotel plans in North Bend
I am writing as a concerned citizen about the potential for a hotel to be placed south of I-90, off exit 31. I strongly support this, as it would have a significant positive impact on our community.
In these turbulent economic times, this would supply a source of revenue for the community. It would employ local people during construction, as well as during operation. Individuals staying there would visit our local restaurants and stores – keeping that revenue local. Also, it would be a steady source of income to the city in the way of property tax, which could help offset budget shortfalls, as well as lessen the burden on our individual property taxes.
I believe that the location is ideal. This would be a hotel we locals could readily use for out-of-town visitors, rather than send them all the way into Issaquah or Bellevue. It would also be an obvious location for families to get shelter when they are traveling over the pass – particularly during snow storms. I can think of no better location that would serve both the local community, as well as the weary traveler.
The property ownership is by a local small businessman who has been a valuable member of this community. This is not some big corporation coming in to take over. This is not a Ken Behring coming in from Texas to tell us what to do – this is one of ours. This family has unselfishly contributed to the yearly fireworks display for the Festival at Mount Si. Only this year, they cooked some eight cakes for the festival’s cake quilt. They grew up here and are willing to take this investment risk in these concerning times. Let us help them do this project. Let’s support one of our own.
Richard Pozniak,
North Bend
Hotel will be good thing for community
Battle over North Bend hotel heats up
August 20, 2009
By Michael Bayless Rowe
Plans to build a hotel off Interstate 90 near Exit 31 have upset the residents of a neighboring subdivision who have opposed similar construction in the past.
The North Bend Planning Commission was going to take up the hotel issue at an Aug. 27 meeting, but that meeting was canceled. The planning commission is now expected to take up the issue on Sept. 24 and to hold a public hearing.
Residents of the Forester Woods neighborhood in North Bend are starting to feel like fighting off a hotel development near their homes is a perennial issue. Local business owner George Wyrsch is seeking an amendment to zoning regulations that currently prevent a hotel from being built south of I-90.
“I’ve lived here for seven years. It has come up three times publicly and it keeps getting shot back down, because of how much opposition there is,” said Jason Gram, speaking as a resident of Forester Woods.
Gram is also the Forester Woods Home Owners Association Vice President. Gram and the HOA’s President, Dan Ahner, said that they are not opposed to some type of development on George Wyrsch’s land near Exit 31 – they just don’t want to see a hotel built there.
“I’m not opposed to a hotel in town, but it needs to be in the right location,” Gram said.
Ahner suggested that George Wyrsch’s 8.8 acres of interstate frontage would be more appropriate for a strip-mall type of development, although he admits he would prefer to see nothing built there.
Wyrsch has owned the property on the southwest side of Exit 31 for 20 years and says that he has always intended to build a hotel there. His family has lived in the North Bend area since the 1920s and has operated a variety of businesses, including restaurants, service stations and a towing company.
When Wyrsch bought the 8.8 acres it was zoned for interstate commercial land uses, which would have allowed a hotel. In 2003, the city council approved a change to planning regulations, which would not permit hotel construction south of the interstate. In January 2008, the planning commission passed on recommending a change to regulations that would allow Wyrsch’s hotel to be built. The residents of Forester Woods came out in force then to oppose the change, which would have allowed a hotel on Wyrsch’s property.
Gram thinks that if a hotel is located near his neighborhood it could have a negative impact on home values. And that is just the first of his problems with the hotel. If the building is too tall, he worries that it will block the views from his neighborhood. He says that lights from the hotel area could shine in the windows of nearby homes at night. He is also concerned about the addition of more traffic and the safety concerns that come with that.
Both Ahner and Gram pointed out that hotel guests would have to walk under the interstate to get to residents and retail offerings on the north side of the interstate, which raises the issue of pedestrian safety amid the busy interchange.
Ahner said that he was also worried about the transient nature of hotel guests, and the safety of children in the neighborhood. He said that residents would not feel as safe with a hotel in the neighborhood. He thinks that homebuyers would hesitate, before buying in Forester Woods if there was a hotel nearby.
“You don’t want that in your backyard. You don’t want your kids walking by that,” Ahner said.
For Wyrsch, the site is perfect for a hotel. It is right off the interstate and close to North Bend’s commercial area. He said that the site does not have the same environmental concerns as other parts of the city. Gram took issue with this, noting that there is a stream running through part of the property. Wyrsch intends to only use about 2.5 of the 8.8 acres for the hotel site.
Wyrsch said he has been in conversations with Hilton Hotels to bring something like a Hampton Inn to North Bend. He thinks that out-of-town guests and travelers on the interstate would really benefit from a hotel, and this is something that the Forester Woods residents can agree on – they just don’t want it near their homes.
Wyrsch said that the interests of a hotel could align with residents. He said that the building will be attractive with good landscaping, and will not have bright exterior lighting that could bother hotel guests, as much as homeowners. He said that he wouldn’t want the hotel to create traffic impacts, because it would be unsafe for his potential customers.
“My interests to run a successful hotel are the same as residents,” Wyrsch said.
Gram and Ahner would not agree with that. Ahner said that he couldn’t see supporting any type of hotel development on the property.
Gram said that the city would benefit more by locating the hotel on the north side of the interstate — putting hotel guests closer to restaurants and retail — since the city’s interest in a hotel development is to increase sales tax revenue.
One of the things that troubles Gram about the hotel issue this time around is that he feels the political atmosphere in North Bend’s city government has changed to be more pro-business. He is worried that city officials will be biased, in favor of Wyrsch’s project.
North Bend’s new city slogan is “Easy to reach… hard to leave. But, without a new hotel, it might be harder for tourists and travelers to stay.
“I see this as a service that is badly needed in the community,” Wyrsch said.
When his towing company helps out stranded motorists, he has to tell them that there is no hotel in town for them to go to stay while their cars are being repaired.
If the city council accepts a recommendation from the planning commission to amend the city’s regulations, Wyrsch will still have many hoops to jump through before a hotel could be built. Optimistically it would take at least two years to begin construction, Wyrsch said. The proposed change in regulation would allow him to apply for a building permit, but getting the permit might be difficult.
“There is no guarantee that we can reach agreements on the requirements,” Wyrsch said.
Reach reporter Michael Bayless Rowe at mrowe@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434, ext. 248.
Plans to build a hotel off Interstate 90 near Exit 31 have upset the residents of a neighboring subdivision who have opposed similar construction in the past.
The North Bend Planning Commission was going to take up the hotel issue at an Aug. 27 meeting, but that meeting was canceled. The planning commission is now expected to take up the issue on Sept. 24 and to hold a public hearing.
Residents of the Forester Woods neighborhood in North Bend are starting to feel like fighting off a hotel development near their homes is a perennial issue. Local business owner George Wyrsch is seeking an amendment to zoning regulations that currently prevent a hotel from being built south of I-90.
