Editorial: Power of community is alive in North Bend
September 30, 2009
North Bend is faced with a controversial decision – a proposed zoning code amendment to allow a hotel next to the Forster Woods neighborhood and Interstate 90’s Exit 31. The city and people of North Bend have handled it admirably so far. They are handling the question as a community, without dissolving into bitter and childish fighting.
The planning commission’s Sept. 24 public hearing was marked by civility. People checked their passions at the door and spoke on the issue at hand as adults.
Sadly, civility is something too often missing from civic debates. A community is tested when faced with a tough decision that cannot make everyone happy.
North Bend is showing what a real community is.
Editorial: Did anyone budget for reality?
September 30, 2009
Voters must choose have higher taxes and more services, or lower taxes and fewer services.
King County must slash its budget to close a $56.4 million deficit, due in part to a Tim Eyman-led initiative from 2001, which capped county revenue from property taxes.
King County Sheriff’s deputies serving unincorporated areas may face further cuts. Health and human services will be drastically reduced. Parks are being mothballed, and animal control service is being cut. Metro bus fares will increase in 2010.
Recent audits tell us King County has spending problems, but trimming waste from public spending can only go so far.
The November election will give voters a chance to weigh in. The duo vying for votes to become the county’s new executive have distinctly different views on whether to further dismantle county services or utilize some of the county’s $15 million rainy day fund.
Also this election, Eyman is backing Initiative 1033, which will similarly handcuff state, county and city tax revenues. Eventually, the county and voters must budget for reality – taxes or services — but not both.
Snoqualmie Tribe reinstates its banished members
September 30, 2009
The meeting of the Snoqualmie Tribe’s membership went late into the evening Sept. 26, but when it was over, the tribe’s members voted overwhelmingly to reinstate nine members banished in April 2008.
After waiting in a parking lot for hours on a chilly night, the nine members were greeted with cheers inside the longhouse at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Read more
Snoqualmie to test emergency phone system
September 30, 2009
Snoqualmie is testing its phone system for alerting businesses and residents of emergencies. Read more
Flood insurance costs rising
September 30, 2009
Flood insurance rates and deductibles are going up as of Oct. 1 for many homeowners and businesses, due to changes to the National Flood Insurance Program.
A town hall meeting is planned for Oct. 8 to discuss the changes and other flood related issues. Read more
North Bend Councilman wants job back
September 30, 2009
Former North Bend City Councilman Chris Garcia wants his old job back.
Garcia is the only person to file an application for one of the city’s two new council positions as of Sept. 23. He declined to comment for this story, saying he would have nothing to say until after appointments were made. Read more
Trucker turned jeweler beads gems
September 30, 2009
All that glitters is not gold. In Susannah St. Clair’s case, it could be a mineral like labradorite or a Swarovski crystal. The trucker turned jeweler fashions bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more at her dining room table in North Bend. Read more
Cascade View students learn about four R’s of recycling
September 30, 2009
Cascade View Elementary School fifth-grader Vishnu Rathnam becomes a recycling superhero at the King County Earth Challenge assembly. Fifth-grader Kelly Keene stands behind him. Photo contributed
Recycling now has four R’s: reduce, reuse, rethink and recycle. Read more
WASL scores indicate Snoqualmie Valley students’ strengths and weaknesses
September 30, 2009
Snoqualmie Valley School District is using a soon-to-be extinct test, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, to learn more about its students’ progress.
Data from the Snoqualmie Valley 2009 WASL shows a number of trends: the gender gap between girls and boys is narrowing, the achievement gap decreases the longer a minority stays in the Snoqualmie Valley district and students in grades six and seven need to work on their reading skills. Read more
Mount Si National Merit Scholar semifinalist battles cancer
September 30, 2009
Mount Si has record amount of National Merit Scholars
Mount Si High School will soon have eight more student photos on its National Merit wall of fame. Of the 351 seniors attending Mount Si, seven are commended students and one is a National Merit semifinalist. Read more
