Fire District considers expansion
October 5, 2011
King County Fire District 38 could be getting bigger. The district’s board of commissioners is considering adding about 20,000 acres to the district, which serves areas around North Bend.
If approved by the board, the addition could be completed within a year. The land, broken into seven parcels, includes state land and private property. The board held a public hearing on the annexation Oct. 4, after the Star went to press.
Seventy-six percent of residents on about five acres of private property signed a petition for annexation into the district.
Caroline Loudenback, Geoff Doy seek fair fight in school board race
October 5, 2011
Caroline Loudenback
As consultants, Caroline Loudenback and Geoff Doy get paid to have the answers.
This Election Day, however, they will be the ones asking one question: How about me?
Doy, a telecommunications consultant, and Loudenback, a Realtor and real estate consultant, vie for Loudenback’s Snoqualmie Valley School Board seat.
Geoff Doy
Doy and Loudenback said they are friends, and Doy said he applauds what the current school board has accomplished.
Still, they disagree on some areas.
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital district sells $15.3 million in bonds
October 5, 2011
Public Hospital District No. 4, which operates Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, is selling $15.3 million in bonds to refinance existing debt, raise money for initial work on the site of its new facility and buy new equipment for that site.
The district’s board of commissioners approved the bond sale at its Sept. 22 meeting.
“It takes a load off taxpayers,” said Jay Rodne, the district’s attorney.
It also puts the district near its limit for nonvoted debt of about $20 million, Rodne said.
Letters
October 5, 2011
Double standard in the Star?
Would you please explain why it is that the SnoValley Star, which claims to be a youth-, family- and community-oriented newspaper, would last week feature a two-page tobacco advertisement?
I’m a little confused: Is there a double standard here that we should just ignore?
Bill Hayden
Snoqualmie
Editorial
October 5, 2011
Yes on I-1183 to end state liquor business
Initiative 1183 — putting liquor sales in the hands of retailers instead of the state —is worth a yes vote.
Last year, voters were asked a similar question, challenging the state’s monopoly on liquor sales. The voters said no. But I-1183 is vastly different.
For one thing, small stores like mini-marts will not be allowed to sell liquor, squelching the fear that teens will have more access than ever. Only stores larger than 10,000 square feet will qualify, unless a smaller store is the only option in town.
Second, under I-1183, state revenues will increase with the state out of the liquor business, primarily due to retail license fees equivalent to 17 percent of all liquor sales. The state Office of Financial Management estimates I-1183 could increase state revenues by about $200 million in the first year, and by another $200 million over the next six years.
Liquor licenses can be denied to those outlets that sell to minors. With the state out of the business of selling alcohol, the Washington Liquor Control Board would have more time to concentrate on enforcement and oversight of its license holders.
Don’t expect huge drops in liquor prices because the state’s high tax on liquor will not change. But, yes, prices will be more competitive with the state’s monopoly set aside.
That’s the way a free enterprise system is supposed to work, and it will under I-1183.
I-1183 is much improved over last year’s initiatives 1100 and 1105. There is little reason to vote against this bill. It is about privatizing liquor sales, not making access easier. Beware the anti-1183 campaign that attempts to create fears that are not based on the facts.
Ballots will be in the mail mid-October. Watch for them, and vote yes on I-1183.
Sharp differences between Snoqualmie City Council candidates
October 5, 2011
Kingston Wall Occupation: Small business owner Website: www.friendsof-kingstonwall.com.
Both candidates for Snoqualmie City Council Position No. 4 — incumbent Kingston Wall and former Councilman Terry Sorenson — want to ensure the city’s continued fiscal health.
But they differ greatly when asked about the leadership of Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson and his administration.
Terry Sorenson Occupation: Federal employee Website: www.terry- sorenson.com
Wall is a strong supporter of Larson, who cruised to re-election in 2009 but has drawn criticism from some residents since then.
Sorenson’s voice has been among those questioning Larson’s push for a community center on Snoqualmie Ridge and annexation of a former Weyerhaeuser mill site. That makes him the only City Council candidate to have publicly criticized any major policy decisions made by the city.
Home Country
October 5, 2011
Take one woman with you when you shop
Slim Randles Columnist
We knew. We looked at Dewey and we knew tragedy had struck. Naturally we assumed his carefully planned courtship of Emily Stickles had died a stillborn dream, but that wasn’t it.
He still hadn’t met her, turns out. When he came to the Mule Barn’s philosophy counter, he sorta collapsed into a chair, moaned and flipped his mug to the upright position.
“Who’s going to ask him?” Doc finally said.
Single-car crash causes six other crashes on North Bend Way
October 5, 2011
A single-car crash near North Bend early Sept. 23 and scattered debris across the roadway, causing six other cars to crash.
A Ford Mustang drove into a guardrail on North Bend Way about a quarter-mile south of Snoqualmie Casino. The driver left the scene.
The crash threw debris across the roadway, which has a 50 mph speed limit. Six more cars were involved in accidents because of the debris, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the scene at about 1:45 a.m.
“We have vehicles everywhere,” one of the first deputies on scene said, according to a sheriff’s office report.
Deputies are still looking for the driver of the Mustang.
Outsider challenges incumbent for seat on Fire District 38’s board
October 5, 2011
Daniel Lang wants to bring a new voice to King County Fire District 38’s Board of Commissioners. The software executive and volunteer firefighter is running for Position No. 1 against incumbent Ron Pedee.
In the coming years, Fire District 38’s commissioners must figure out how best to provide fire protection service while keeping the cost down for residents.
Federal prosecutors announce crackdown on ATM ‘skimming’
October 5, 2011
How can you tell when a scam is becoming commonplace? When its victims include the top federal law enforcement official in the region.
U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan, the lead federal prosecutor for Western Washington, is one of many victims of skimming — a high-tech trick that thieves use to gather sensitive financial information.
The thieves then use that information to empty bank accounts and run up credit card charges.
