North Bend woman’s work was never the same after 9/11
September 14, 2011
Air travel changed forever in the U.S. after Sept. 11, 2001. Today, taking a plane involves much more invasive and extensive security checks than it used to. Experts debate the effectiveness of the measures, and travelers often grumble at having to jump through added hoops before boarding a plane. But passengers go along with them.
For Meryl Conner, the new security measures and heightened wariness that followed 9/11 changed her workplace environment. As a flight attendant for United Airlines, Conner’s job took on new aspects and dangers after the terrorist attacks.
The North Bend resident was in Los Angeles on a layover when two United Airlines and two American Airlines planes were hijacked. Three of the planes were bound for Los Angeles; the fourth was headed for San Francisco.
In response to the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all commercial and private planes in the air to land immediately. The planes’ flight crews were told to block the cockpit doors with their heavy food service carts and instruct passengers to remain seated until they landed. The FAA kept all commercial and private planes grounded until Sept. 14.
Region is more prepared for disaster since terrorist attacks
September 14, 2011
For much of its existence, the United States has been insulated from overseas attacks. Surrounded by oceans to the east and west, and peaceful neighbors to the north and south, America had a secure feeling. That sense of safety was ripped apart Sept. 11, 2001.
Suddenly, Americans had to worry about terrorism. The new fear spread to every corner of the country, even Snoqualmie Valley. The federal and state governments shifted resources to preventing terrorist attacks. The federal government began awarding homeland security grants for local governments. It has given out about $35 billion in grants.
In the 10 years since the attack, the Snoqualmie Valley has become safer but not because local police have ramped up their training to prevent terrorism. The Valley is safer because 9/11 prompted local agencies to increase training in responding to all disasters – natural and manmade.
“What are we most likely to face in Snoqualmie Valley? It’s not terrorism, it’s flooding,” Snoqualmie Police Capt. Steve McCulley said.
Much of the Valley’s floor is in the floodplain and the Valley sits across a major fault line. The area’s emergency services are more likely to have to respond to natural disasters than a manmade one.
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, there has been a shift in emergency services to be ready to handle large disasters.
EFR firefighters eye 2 percent raise
September 14, 2011
Eastside Fire & Rescue staffers would receive a 2 percent raise every year through 2014 under a labor agreement that will go before the agency’s board Sept. 19.
Craig Hooper, president of IAFF 2878, the firefighters union which also represents battalion chiefs and office staffers, said the 2 percent wage increase garnered the support of about 70 percent of union members. The EFR board must approve the agreement before it takes effect.
EFR Chief Lee Soptich confirmed that the new labor contract — technically an extension of the old contract — contains automatic wage increases, but declined to comment on the specifics until it came before the board.
The contract had called for wage increases to be determined by comparing EFR firefighters’ salaries to those of neighboring departments and averaging the numbers out. In past years that has led to wage hikes as large as 3 or 4 percent. With the recession squeezing the budgets of EFR’s partner cities — North Bend, Issaquah and Sammamish — the union agreed to forgo that comparison process the last two years. Wages were frozen in 2010 and tied to the cost of living in 2011, meaning a one-fifth of 1 percent increase.
Fire administration officials warned Sammamish representatives earlier this year that the union may seek to “recapture” some of the wage increases delayed due to the recession.
Hooper said the board came to the union to offer the 2 percent increases for the next three years. Though it’s not as big a wage increase as the union was getting before the recession and likely isn’t as large as it could be if they had used the normal comparison system, Hooper said 2 percent is a good compromise.
Encompass offers fall parenting classes
September 14, 2011
Parenting is a full-time job that can leave parents pulling their hair and looking for answers.
Encompass is offering several classes and workshops this fall to help parents handle the challenges of raising children in the 21st century. The programs cater to a range of needs from soon-to-be parents to parents of children in middle school.
This year’s slate of programs builds on what the North Bend-based organization offers. Encompass runs a nationally accredited preschool and offers support services and programming for children and families.
Encompass has expanded its service area, adding classes based at the Cedar River Watershed and Issaquah Highlands.
Encompass recently relocated “Bringing Baby Home,” a two-day workshop cohosted with the Gottman Relationship Institute, to the Cedar River Watershed Education Center.
The idyllic setting “reinforces the theme of the workshop, which is that couples need to take care of their relationship while taking care of a newborn,” Encompass spokesman Clay Eals said. “That is why we are using the word ‘retreat’ to describe it. If you have ever had a meeting at the watershed, you know that the setting feels like a refreshing world apart.”
Parents can register for any of the programs at encompassnw.org. For information about the programs, go to the website or call 888-2777.
Snoqualmie and North Bend seek new commission members
September 14, 2011
Snoqualmie and North Bend are looking for a few residents who want to help run their cities. The two cities have openings on various commissions.
Snoqualmie has vacancies on its Arts Commission and its Civil Commission. Applicants must live in the city’s limits.
The Arts Commission advises Snoqualmie City Council on public artwork. It promotes and encourages public programs to increase interest in fine and performing arts. The commission also considers issues related to the city’s cultural heritage. The commission meets at 5 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Snoqualmie City Hall.
For information or to apply, contact Nicole Sanders at nsanders@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us or 888-5337, ext. 1143.
The Snoqualmie Civil Service Commission also has an open seat. The commission monitors relations between the city, and its firefighters and police officers. The commission conducts testing for new officers and promotional exams, and hears appeals of disciplinary actions.
The new member will be appointed by Mayor Matt Larson and confirmed by City Council.
Court upholds state agency’s authority for shoreline rules
September 14, 2011
In a recent ruling, the state Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the state’s authority to sign off on shoreline management plans and regulations.
The decision came just before the state Department of Ecology approved the Sammamish shoreline regulations, or shoreline master program. Meanwhile, Snoqualmie and North Bend are updating their shoreline master programs.
The efforts establish shoreline rules in the cities aimed to determine appropriate creek and river areas for construction.
Washington voters approved the Shoreline Management Act in 1972 to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve areas for water-oriented uses, and protect public lands and waters. The act grants local governments flexibility to tailor shoreline programs to respond to local conditions and needs.
“While local jurisdictions play a role in tailoring SMPs to local conditions, the Shoreline Management Act dictates that the Department of Ecology retains control over the final contents and approval of SMPs,” Associate Chief Justice Charles Watson wrote in the unanimous Supreme Court decision.
Under the 1972 law, local governments and the Department of Ecology cooperate on shoreline master programs.
Letters
September 14, 2011
Thanks for supporting North Bend Food Bank
I would like to thank the people in the Valley who donated school supplies and/or money toward the school supply drive at the North Bend Food Bank.
With your generosity, more than 250 students (kindergarten through 12th grade) whose families depend on the food bank were given new school supplies and new shoes. Costco generously donated 200 backpacks and the Snoqualmie Valley Lions Club donated money toward this worthwhile project.
Thank you to those who have volunteered their time to help bring this project together and make it successful.
I would also like to thank the SnoValley Star newspaper for calling attention to this growing need in the Valley in some of your recent papers. Our numbers were amazing this summer, exceeding all previous years with sign-ups at the food bank. Due to your articles, people did take care of their own and made many donations.
The need was met! Thank you for giving 250 students an opportunity to start their school year in a positive way.
Nancy Flanagan
North Bend
Editorial – Wildfires are no joke
September 14, 2011
The unusual hot, dry spell of the last two weeks has filled yards and wooded areas with fuel for wildfires.
Until there is a good soaking rain, the danger will continue. Eastside Fire & Rescue responded last week to a brush fire in Klahanie, just north of Issaquah. The cause is unknown, but the fire would not have spread so quickly nor so far if not for a ready supply of dry debris.
EFR officials suggest doing a little cautionary cleaning around your home, watch where you dispose of cigarette butts and be wary of overzealous barbeques. Better safe than sorry.
Editorial – Thank you, firefighters
September 14, 2011
For the second consecutive time, Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters have realized the gravity of the larger economic situation during contract negotiations. This time around, they’ve agreed to a three-year contract with 2 percent annual raises.
It’s a reasonable pay increase for uncertain economic times. The firefighters also agreed to opt out of the usual practice of factoring in the salaries of other area departments when considering what their raise should be.
They were also willing to leave changes to their work schedule out of contract talks, which could have been held up by the issue. We hope the union and EFR board can reach an agreement on this issue without the motivating factor of the contract.
Last time around, it was the firefighters who researched health insurance plans and found a cheaper alternative, saving firefighter jobs and taxpayer money in the process.
Locking in a three-year contract also has a side benefit. The agreement which created the multi-agency EFR expires in 2014. Without the distraction of labor negotiations, partners can focus on how best to continue forward, either in partnership or separately.
EFR warns of fire danger
September 14, 2011
Hot, dry weather continues to increase the possibility of a brush fire getting out of control in Snoqualmie Valley. Eastside Fire & Rescue is cautioning residents to take precautions to minimize the likelihood of wildfire.
EFR firefighters extinguished a brush fire covering about 400 square feet in Klahanie on the Sammamish Plateau Sept. 8. A King County Fire Investigator is investigating the cause of the fire.
Brush fires can be sparked by discarding cigarette butts, discharging illegal fireworks, burning debris, and people playing with matches or lighters. Seven out of every 10 fires is caused by a human, according to EFR.
The agency recommends that homeowners protect their houses by creating a firebreak around the building. Parents should talk with children about fire safety.
For information on preventing wildfires, go to www.eastsidefire-rescue.org or www.firewise.org.
