Snoqualmie moves forward on plan to pay off City Hall debt
June 3, 2010
City officials plan to pay off debt with financial reserves, development tax revenue and sale of surplus city properties
The former Snoqualmie Library is one of four properties city officials want to sell to help pay off what the city owes on its new City Hall, which is located next to the former library. Photo by Dan Catchpole
Snoqualmie is moving forward with plans to pay off debt on its new City Hall free and clear.
Lawmakers hope candy tax could be sweet charity for budget
June 2, 2010
The latest measure to close a $2.8 billion state budget gap could hit consumers in the sweet tooth.
Consumers will pay sales tax for candy, gum and soda starting June 1. Lawmakers imposed a 2-cents-per-12-ounces tax on carbonated beverages last month. Legislators also repealed the sales tax exemption for bottled water.
But the impending candy tax — with more exemptions than a Whitman’s Sampler has chocolates — has attracted the most attention.
By Dona Mokin
The state does not levy sales tax on food. Lawmakers decided to no longer consider candy as a food. Instead the state will consider candy as, well, candy. Not all candy, however.
Products made with flour derived from grain will not be considered candy. The exempt items include both the chocolatey — Twix and other cookie-based bars — and the gummy — Twizzlers and other licorice.
Confused? The state Department of Revenue has posted a list of more than 3,000 sweets online to help consumers tell the difference between taxable and exempt indulgences.
Stay safe on trails all summer long
June 2, 2010
Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of hiking season.
Experts at Washington Trails Association — a hiking-trails advocacy and maintenance group — encouraged residents to stay safe on trails on in the months ahead. The group offers the following safety tips for hikers taking to trails:
- Pack the essentials: maps, compass, flashlight and extra batteries, extra food, extra clothing and shelter, sunglasses and sunscreen, first aid kit, pocket knife, matches and fire-starter, and adequate water.
- Research conditions thoroughly before setting out. Check weather forecasts and online trip reports for recent conditions. Check ahead with local ranger stations for current conditions on roads and trails, and closely watch weather forecasts. Find the contact information for ranger stations here.
- Tell someone the destination, the trails and expected return time. Hike as a group, and end as a group. Pace the hike to the slowest person.
- Hiking poles can be helpful on stretches of snow-covered patches, in crossing downed logs and in stream crossings. Unhook packs when crossing a stream.
- Be prepared to turn back. Because weather changes quickly in the mountains, streams might be deep and swift in the spring due to snow melt.
After months of speculation, Dino Rossi enters U.S. Senate race
June 2, 2010
Dino Rossi — the former 5th Legislative District state Senate and the Republican nominee for governor in 2004 and 2008 — has entered the race to unseat U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
In a short video posted on his campaign website early May 26, the Sammamish resident joined a crowded field seeking the GOP nomination — and ended months of speculation about whether he might enter the race.
“I know I won’t be able to look at my children and, someday, their children in the eye if I do nothing while this fundamental redefinition of America continues unchecked,” Rossi said in the announcement. “I believe the policies being passed in Washington, D.C., have put us on the edge of a fiscal cliff.”
The eventual nominee will face Murray, a three-term Democrat, in November. Before Rossi can take on Murray, however, he must contend with Republican challengers. Other candidates pledged to remain in the race, despite the advantage Rossi enjoys in support and statewide name recognition.
Letters to the Editor
June 2, 2010
Immigration
Democrats need to secure the border
America was angry when Democrats in the United States Congress gave a standing ovation to Mexican President Calderon following his blistering attack upon the recently passed Arizona immigration laws.
Instead of heaping accolades upon a charlatan, the Democrats should have been praising Arizona for doing what the federal government should have done a long time ago. What is it about “illegal” that the Democrats don’t want to understand?
Mexican immigration laws are draconian. “Illegals” in Mexico are treated harshly and thrown into jail. But “illegals” in America get welfare benefits, free education for their children, pay fewer taxes and even get free health care. And we know, legally or illegally, which party they’ll vote for.
An increasing number of illegal crossings are being made by people from Muslim countries, such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, according to some sources. That is why terrorist organizations are using Mexico as their gateway into the United States. Do you think these Arabs and Muslims are coming to America to mow lawns or pick cherries in Washington? Their purpose is obviously much more sinister.
Greet census workers with smile and common sense
June 2, 2010
Census workers began filling in the gaps last month, going door-to-door to count people in households that didn’t receive or return 2010 census forms. If a form arrived too late to be processed, a census taker will visit the household as well.
Issaquah residents should help the workers to ensure an accurate census. But anytime a stranger knocks on your door, use common sense — verify who is asking questions and never give out sensitive data.
Census workers will only ask questions from the 2010 Census form.
The 2010 census will affect the country, the state and even the communities of Snoqualmie Valley.
Census results are expected to give Washington a 10th congressional seat and will help determine how much state money Snoqualmie Valley receives.
An accurate census is critically important and that requires cooperation.
Volunteers needed for King Conservation District restoration project
June 2, 2010
The King Conservation District needs volunteers to help with a stream and wetland restoration project near the Snoqualmie River.
The project along Reining Road, across from Three Forks Park, will help restore the natural local ecosystem.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare the site for future work by removing non-native invasive species, such as blackberries.
People interested in volunteering for the project, scheduled from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. June 5, should contact Adam Jackson at volunteer@kingcd.org or 425-282-1908.
Mayor Matt Larson places third in recycling challenge
June 2, 2010
In the midst of the recycling challenge, Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson and his family of six changed their trash habits.
They learned they could recycle plastic yogurt cups and that they could compost soiled paper towels, which they had previously thrown in the trash.
It turns out napkins and paper towels compost well, he said. He has a worm infested compost bin in his backyard that turns banana peels, orange rinds — and yes, paper towels — into compost, which he then spreads across his yard.
Mayor Larson said recycling was more than about “the environment and earth hugging. I’m as cheap as the next guy,” he said. “I’ve been doing calculations, and I’m saving about $200 to $300 dollars a year,” by recycling and composting.
A waste expert with King County discusses recycling while weighing competitors’ garbage bags at Snoqualmie City Hall. Photo by Darla Gatte
Because he composts in his backyard, Larson does not need a yard waste can or store-bought soil for his garden. He can also use a smaller trashcan.
Larson initiated the recycling challenge with King County Solid Waste. His family joined 13 others in the city and weighed their garbage at the beginning and end of one month.
The idea was to encourage participants to recycle or compost their waste instead of throwing it straight into the trashcan.
Heather Gillette elected Washington State PTA Region 2 director
June 2, 2010
Heather Gillette, of Sammamish, was recently elected as Washington State PTA Region 2 director for a two-year term, beginning June 1.
Region 2 includes all PTAs and PTSAs in the Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Riverview and Snoqualmie Valley school districts.
As region director, Gillette will head up a service delivery team that will be responsible for organizing training and support activities for all PTAs and PTSAs in the region. She will also serve on the association’s governing board of directors.
“One of my goals for next year is to increase the visibility of the services available through the Region 2 team to all local units,” Gillette said. “When local units understand the benefits of using the resources and region training available to them, it helps increase their confidence. This will also help build strong leaders and a strong and diverse organization, which can then more effectively and efficiently serve the needs of the students.”
Gillette has been actively involved in a number of PTAs, including serving as secretary of Carl Sandburg Elementary PTSA; executive vice president, president and vice president of communications of Cascade Ridge Elementary PTSA; and other positions.
Police Blotter
June 2, 2010
Snoqualmie
Spray painted taillights
Police pulled over a man at 5:13 p.m. May 24 at the intersection of Railroad Avenue Southeast and Southeast Snoqualmie Parkway. The man had spray painted the red taillights of his car black. The man was driving with a suspended license for unpaid traffic tickets and did not have vehicle insurance.
The officer issued him an infraction for improper color of taillights and no proof of insurance.
Speeding with a suspended license
Police pulled over a man driving a 1988 Chevy pickup at 55 mph in a 35 mph speed zone at 10:59 p.m. May 24 at the intersection of Railroad Avenue Southeast and Southeast Newton Street. Police found the man had a suspended license for a DUI.
The officer gave the man a verbal warning for speeding and advised him he would receive a criminal citation in the mail for driving with a suspended license.
