School district could lower taxes, if market allows
July 21, 2010
Thanks to the economy’s low interest rates, taxpayers could save a total of about $1.2 million, if the market cooperates.
In 2003, Snoqualmie Valley voters passed a $53.5 million bond that paid for a number of projects, including Cascade View Elementary School, Twin Falls Middle School, the expansion of the Chief Kanim Middle School gymnasium and a districtwide fiber optic system.
At the time, interest rates were about 5 percent. Now, with interest rates at about 3 percent, the school board approved a motion at its July 8 meeting that would allow the district to refinance its bonds and save taxpayers money.
“I feel these days I’m in the business of selling silver lining, because we’re hearing talk of higher unemployment, debt issues and a crisis in Europe,” D.A. Davidson & Co. Senior Vice President Jon Gores said. “That bad news is actually good news, because it’s bringing down interest rates.”
Gores and the school board agreed that the district would not refinance the bonds unless it had at least a 4 percent savings, meaning taxpayers would save at least $1.2 million over the life of the 20-year bond.
Web comments
July 21, 2010
Casino concerts
Wow. I’m one of the closest houses to the casino and it’s pleasant and delightful here — the sound of George Benson, with great clarity at a modest volume — on my back deck. What’s not to love? I would put my house at approximately one-third of a mile directly from the stage. I guess I have the proper buffer of trees — dunno, but I’m diggin’ it. They do a great job. I went there to check it out in person — 100 percent professionally produced.
Dee Roberts
Ice cream instead of robot dance
July 21, 2010
The Sno-Valley Youth Council has nixed its plans for a robot dance competition at the Festival at Mount Si.
Instead, the council invites middle and high school youths to an ice cream social and recruitment event from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 2 at Riverview Park, 39000 Park St., Snoqualmie.
The Snoqualmie Valley Youth Council’s next meeting is from 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 25 at Fall City Library, 33415 S.E. 42nd Place, Fall City.
Letters
July 21, 2010
Support the Si View Park Bond
I am writing in response to Grant Edwards’ letter last week about voting no to the park bond.
I have had the privilege of working with the Parks Commissioners and Park District at least once a year since the Parks District was formed in order to preserve Si View. I have never seen a group of folks so cognizant of the need to be good stewards of public money and resources.
I have witnessed numerous conversations about taking care of what the public wanted and paid for when this community voted to save Si View. They have done good work without oodles of money by finding creative ways to finance much-needed projects through grants and collaborations.
Si View and our parks are part of the aesthetic and resource of our community that make it great. I am not a fan of just increasing taxes at every turn, but I do support those tax dollars that stay right in my own backyard and where I have some faith in the public officials who will steward the resources.
I think that we have been lucky to have gone so long without our now, not so newly formed Parks District asking for a bond. I have seen what they are asking and what they intend to do with our money. I think it only enhances our community and not in ways that are extravagant to these times.
I invite people to learn more and join me in voting yes for the park bond.
Jane Ellen Seymour
North Bend
Lend a hand to help the community
July 21, 2010
Congratulations to North Bend for another success in its second annual Block Party!
With the sun beaming, hundreds turned out to enjoy music, games and food at the second annual celebration of the community.
Thousands of man-hours went into putting on the Block Party. Just ask any one of the key organizers, and they’ll tell you about the long meetings and stacks of to-do lists.
But a burden shared is a burden lightened, and their organizing efforts were well worth the result — an event that helped forge North Bend into a stronger community, while providing countless happy memories.
There is still time to lend a hand to other community events coming up later this summer. Tour de Peaks, Railroad Days and Festival at Mount Si are fast approaching, but they can all use volunteers to help put on the finishing touches.
North Bend man injured in state park shootings
July 21, 2010
The people wounded by gunshots at Lake Sammamish State Park on July 17 included a 20-year-old North Bend man, the King County Sheriff’s Office announced July 20.
The shootings left a 30-year-old Seattle man, Justin Cunningham, and a 33-year-old Kent man, Yang Keovongphet, dead. The men each died from multiple gunshot wounds, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office said after completing autopsies.
Gunshots also injured a 22-year-old Seattle man and a 16-year-old Renton boy. None of the men suffered life-threatening injuries. Medics transported the men to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment.
The fourth man injured during the incident was beaten after the shootings. Medics transported him to Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, but his injuries were not serious.
The shooting inside the park at about 9 p.m. July 17 started as verbal taunts and a fistfight between rival groups picnicking in the park. Authorities said members of the groups had ties to gangs.
Investigators recovered four handguns and 25 spent cartridges as they scoured for evidence Sunday. Police recovered two guns in a car stopped leaving the scene Saturday. Investigators discovered another gun in a marsh near picnic tables, and the fourth gun near Cunningham’s body.
Sgt. John Urquhart, King County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, disputed reports about who shot the victims. He said the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab must analyze ballistic evidence before investigators can form a conclusion.
Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Executive outlines ‘green’ energy plan for county
July 21, 2010
King County Executive Dow Constantine debuted a plan last week to cut energy use, stimulate the development of “green” technology and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The plan sets goals to produce, use or buy renewable energy equal to 50 percent of total county energy requirements by 2012; reduce energy usage in county buildings 10 percent by 2012; and cut energy use in county vehicles 10 percent by 2015.
Constantine announced the plan July 7.
“This 2010 King County Energy Plan builds on these investments and supports my reform agenda’s focus on improving the sustainability and efficiency of county operations,” he said in a news release. “We’ve taken advantage of incentives from local utilities to make investments that produce long-term savings and partnered with private sector companies to produce energy from existing county facilities, such as the Cedar Hills landfill and the West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.”
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill — spread across more than 900 acres south of Issaquah — serves a role in the “green” vision described by Constantine.
The county and Bio Energy Washington, a “green” energy company, partnered in 2008 to capture methane at the landfill and then use the gas to generate electricity. The county estimates the program could someday generate electricity to power 24,000 homes.
School board OKs budget
July 21, 2010
NEW — 6:17 p.m. July 21, 2010
The Snoqualmie Valley School Board unanimously passed the 2010-11 budget for the school district at its July 8 meeting.
Faced with about a $310,000 shortfall in its general budget, district officials chose to dip into their reserves rather than cut programs.
School board member Scott Hodgins said he was not completely comfortable dipping into the district’s reserves.
“I feel that we are dangerously low, given a look at the future,” Hodgins said. “The hard decisions that we could have had to make this year will be made in the years to come.”
The district lost about $1 million from the state in total, which affected all of its five budgets, not just its general fund. Included in the state cuts were fourth-grade teachers and the elimination of the remaining Learning Improvement Day, which is used for teacher training.
Leaders emerge from crowded 8th District primary
July 21, 2010
UPDATED — 10:00 a.m. Aug. 4, 2010
[Ed. note: The spelling of a name has been corrected.]
Eight men and women are running in the Aug. 17 primary election for Washington’s 8th Congressional District. But already, only two have any real chance of winning the general election — the incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, and his main Democratic challenger, Suzan DelBene.
Both Reichert, a former King County sheriff, and DelBene, a tech-savvy businesswoman, have developed strong — and well-financed — campaign organizations. Each candidate has raised more than $1.6 million.
Only one other candidate, Democrat Tom Cramer, has reported any campaign contributions with the Federal Elections Commission. Cramer has raised just under $60,000.
Police Blotter
July 21, 2010
North Bend
Fireworks nuisance
At 12:03 a.m. July 19, an officer responded to a nuisance report in the 13100 block of 415 Way Southeast. The resident said someone was setting off fireworks. The noise startled her horses, which injured her husband and one other person. The officer found people who admitted to having a party and setting off fireworks. They said they did not know they had caused a nuisance.
Gone: guns and jewelry
An officer responded July 16 to a reported residential burglary. The residents said their home had been robbed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The officer found the back door had been pried open and several rooms had been ransacked. The residents told the officer that two handguns, jewelry and ammunition were stolen.
