Voters’ guide missing info on school levies
January 27, 2010
NEW — 2:36 p.m. Jan. 27, 2010
Snoqualmie Valley residents have received their Voters’ Pamphlets and ballots for the Feb. 9 election. Read more
District defends tech levy
January 27, 2010
NEW — 2:34 p.m. Jan. 27, 2010
Some Snoqualmie Valley voters are questioning the school district’s decision to run a $9.9 million technology levy, calling it a pay raise for teachers. Read more
Another Democrat joins race against GOP incumbent
January 27, 2010
NEW — 2:30 p.m. Jan. 27, 2010
Another Democrat has entered the race to unseat incumbent Glenn Anderson in the November election. Read more
Greg Hoover declares candidacy for Washington’s 5th Legislative District
December 29, 2009
NEW — 7:21 a.m. Dec. 29, 2009
Greg Hoover, a Sammamish resident, announced Dec. 22 that he would seek a position in the state House of Representatives.
Hoover, a Realtor and real estate attorney, will run in 2010 against Snoqualmie Republican Jay Rodne for one of the two 5th Legislative District seats.
Hoover is casting himself as a tough business professional with an optimistic streak.
The state’s is facing an estimated $2.6 billion budget deficit that will surely dominate the 2010 legislative session.
Hoover’s early positions on issues are based around things he won’t do, like raising taxes. He also has come out against introducing an income tax.
“It’s going to cost a lot of money just to get it started,” Hoover said, adding that it was a less convenient revenue source than the sales tax. “It’s a tax that’s hard to collect on.”
Hoover has a master’s in tax law, in addition to his general law degree.
Hoover also said he wouldn’t vote for deeper cuts to money for public education and is against teacher-to-student ratios ballooning beyond where they currently are.
Hoover also said he wouldn’t be in favor of tolling Interstate 90.
“I think that would ask way too much of people on the Eastside, specifically in the 5th District,” he explained.
He said he was less sure of whether the state should toll State Route 520.
Hoover described himself as a moderate Democrat, with emphasis on moderate. While he was glad Referendum 71 passed in November, he would not vote in favor of a gay marriage bill, he said.
He said he was pro-choice, but felt conflicted about the position, given that he is also Catholic.
Hoover’s opponent, Rep. Jay Rodne, declared his candidacy in early December and has raised $9,400 so far, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.
Rodne was appointed to a seat in the legislature in 2004 when then-5th District Rep. Cheryl Pflug became a state senator. Rodne won an uncontested election campaign in 2006 and defeated Democrat Jon Viebrock in 2008 by more than 19 points.
Besides Snoqualmie, North Bend and Fall City, the 5th District includes Issaquah, Sammamish, Maple Valley and parts of unincorporated King County.
J.B. Wogan: 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com.
Snoqualmie Valley voters return incumbents to city council and School Board
November 4, 2009
NEW — 1:51 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009
Snoqualmie Valley voters favored incumbents in the Nov. 3 general election, according to early results.
Snoqualmie City Council incumbent Maria Henriksen and Snoqualmie Valley School Board incumbent Craig Husa had staked strong leads in early returns. Longtime school volunteer Scott Hodgins was ahead of fellow first time candidate Paul Houldridge. Read more
Ballots trickle in
November 4, 2009
Before election day, voters had been sending in their ballots at a much slower rate than forecast by King County in its first vote-by-mail general election Nov. 3. Read more
General election — Tuesday, Nov. 3
October 28, 2009
Two candidates are vying for position no. 5 on the Snoqualmie City Council in the Nov. 3 general election. Here are the candidates’ positions on some local issues.
Answers were limited to 25 words.
Two sides of the public coin
October 28, 2009
I-1033 will handcuff cities
First, like most of you, I believe that state and federal spending has grown out of control and neither major political party seems interested in putting on the brakes.
Second, as I understand Initiative 1033, property taxes will be frozen at 2009 levels and any new revenues received by the city will mean a credit to your property taxes. The exceptions to this are that the rate of inflation will raise that baseline as will any increase in tax base due to population growth. Read more
Local candidates’ strategies for getting votes
October 28, 2009
Campaign signs are the best way to make the community aware of local races and who the candidates are, according to both candidates for Snoqualmie City Council Position No. 5.
“Unfortunately it’s the biggest bang for the buck,” Terry Sorenson said. Read more
Candidates get by with less
October 22, 2009
Snoqualmie Ridge resident Dan Meeter and his daughter, Julia Meeter, walk past two of the many campaign signs that bloom every fall. Photo by Dan Catchpole
In down economy, local candidates find ways to campaign without breaking the bank. Read more
