Snoqualmie Casino’s credit rating gets a boost from Standard & Poor’s
October 21, 2011
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its credit rating of Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority, which manages Snoqualmie Casino, from B- to B. The ratings agency announced the change Oct. 21.
Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority is owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe.
The casino’s credit rating is still relatively low.
Leadership Eastside recognizes North Bend’s Gina Estep for her work to boost local economy
October 21, 2011
Since becoming the North Bend Community and Economic Development Director, Gina Estep has put in countless hours trying to invigorate the city’s economy. Her office on Fourth Street is crammed with proposals, reports, maps and other materials. Sometimes she is joined by her black Lab.
Estep’s hard work was recognized Oct. 20 when she received the Community Choice award from Leadership Eastside at the group’s annual banquet. She is the award’s inaugural recipient.
Parks district propositions will not raise taxes
October 19, 2011
Young dancers practice their moves at Si View Community Center. The parks district’s dance program is among the many that district officials say would be cut or would have higher user fees if two ballot propositions don’t pass. Contributed
An incorrect front-page headline in the Oct. 13 issue of the Star prompted a flood of calls, emails and Web comments from supporters of Si View Metropolitan Parks District. The headline characterized the district’s two ballot measures in the upcoming election as a tax hike. However, as stated in the article that followed, if both propositions pass, they will not increase residents’ taxes.
Without the propositions, the district is projected to lose more than half of its budget next year. The district’s supporters have been working long hours to shore up support for the two propositions. Given the general anti-tax climate in the country, they expressed concern that the headline would damage their efforts.
Feds OK company to study hydroelectric project
October 19, 2011
Federal regulators have given a green light to Tollhouse Energy to begin feasibility studies on the company’s proposed hydroelectric project on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the preliminary permit Oct. 14 for the Black Canyon hydroelectric project near Ernie’s Grove. A subsidiary company, Black Canyon Hydro, that is owned by Tollhouse Energy applied for the permit March 14. Tollhouse Energy is a hydroelectric development company based in Bellingham.
The permit allows the company to begin studying “what can be built and what should be built,” said Thom Fischer, president of Tollhouse Energy.
A wide array of conservation groups, American Indian tribes and government entities filed comments against the project.
Conservationists and the Snoqualmie Tribe said the project would hurt the local environment, is unnecessary and would be on protected land.
The majority of comments filed with the commission opposed the project, according to the commission’s order granting the license.
Some comments claimed that the project would take too much water out of the North Fork, which ranges from torrents in the spring to a trickle in late summers. Other comments cited potential damage to wildlife, natural habitat and cultural resources.
But these comments jumped the gun, because they are concerned with potential impacts of the project, while the commission was only ruling on a preliminary permit, the commission said.
Cellphone users should beware of text smishing, says attorney general
October 19, 2011
State Attorney General Rob McKenna warned consumers Oct. 7 about smishing — a text-message trap to capture financial information and drain credit card and bank accounts.
Consumers started contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division just before McKenna’s announcement to complain about calls from people posing as Wells Fargo employees.
In the calls, a recorded voice suggested the customer’s account had been breached, and then to press one on the keypad for assistance. The call then connected customers to a person asking for sensitive account information.
Many of the calls came to people without Wells Fargo accounts.
Then, as the week progressed, the scam morphed to text messages people posing as representatives of Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Capital One.
McKenna recommended for consumers never respond to any message requesting account or personal information. Instead, contact the institution using a phone number from a statement or from a bank or credit card company’s official website.
“If you don’t wish to be smished, ignore text messages that look like they’re coming from your bank or credit card,” he said in a statement.
School board candidates answer planned questions at forum
October 19, 2011
In a forum where agreement reigned and barbs were scarce, Snoqualmie Valley School Board candidates made one more pitch for the community’s support.
Three incumbents, two challengers and a stand-in — community member Stephen Kangas filled in for challenger Peggy Johnson — offered two hours’ worth of friendly discussion in front of a sizeable crowd at the Mount Si High School Auditorium.
Candidates had received 21 questions in advance. Questions rotated per election race, with each candidate and his or her respective opponent answering the same seven questions.
Challenger Geoff Doy said it was time the school board listen to the needs of the community all the time and not just when it’s bond time.
“‘The only time we hear from the district is when they need money,’” Doy said. “How many times have I heard that? This has to change.”
His opponent, incumbent Caroline Loudenback, said the district has done a good job of including the community.
She added that the perception that it has done otherwise was the work of “detractors who continue to misinform.
“Unfortunately,” she said, “Responding to them takes resources away from the classrooms and our kids.”
Challenger Carolyn Simpson said that unlike opponent Craig Husa, she did not support turning Snoqualmie Middle School into a freshman-only campus.
Letters
October 19, 2011
Teachers union endorsements
The Snoqualmie Education Association has interviewed all school board candidates, attended the PTA candidate forum and interviewed individuals that have worked with all candidates. We enthusiastically endorse Craig Husa, Dan Popp and Caroline Loudenback.
Teachers support Popp as a school board member because he represents our community as a whole. Dan wants our students to be prepared for the future. He has demonstrated a strong ability to collaborate with district administrators, teachers, students and community members.
Husa has earned district teacher support as a school board candidate because he sees the big picture and listens to the views of all community members. Craig continues to demonstrate a team player attitude and depth of compassion.
In her position on the school board, Loudenback has proven to be an effective listener and is thoughtfully able to look at all sides of an issue. Caroline bases her decisions on what is best for all students. She has proven her commitment to the district by working collaboratively with teachers towards a continuous improvement plan in teaching and learning.
Editorial: SnoValley Star endorses candidates
October 19, 2011
Snoqualmie Valley voters have a range of candidates to choose from on this year’s ballot. Whoever is elected will influence the Valley for at least four years, perhaps more. So, fill out your ballot with care and consideration. And remember, it must be postmarked by Nov. 8.
Here are the SnoValley Star’s endorsements:
School Board No. 2: Geoff Doy. As a longtime volunteer, Doy has shown that he is dedicated to building on Snoqualmie Valley School District’s successes. He has pledged to improve communication with the community, and to push the district to improve its operations and students’ education. He has not been afraid to question district policy from time to time. That is good, because more open debate of school district policy is greatly needed.
School Board No. 3: Carolyn Simpson. This race offers a difficult choice with no overwhelmingly attractive candidate. Like Doy, Simpson is a longtime volunteer. As president of the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation, she displayed leadership and creative thinking. Since then, she has clashed with the district, sometimes seemingly for inconsequential reasons. But she will ask tough questions, which will generate better policy. Her opponent, Craig Husa has not done that since being appointed to the board in 2009.
Snoqualmie Valley School Board
October 19, 2011
Candidates answered questions about issues facing the Snoqualmie Valley School District. Answers had to be 25 words or less. Read more questions and answers at www.snovalley-star.com.
click here to read question and answers for the school board
North Bend/Snoqualmie City Council
October 19, 2011
City Council candidates answered questions about issues facing their cities. Answers had to be 25 words or less. Terry Sorenson, who was running for Position 4, has all but dropped out of the race, saying he did not have time to campaign due to a family issue. Read more questions and answers at www.snovalleystar.com.
click here to read questions and answers for the city council
