Letters
February 8, 2012
Thank you, everyone
A huge thank you to everyone who braved the snow and cold to attend the Mount Si High School Jazz Band fundraiser at Boxley’s on Jan. 17.
We were able to raise more than $2,000 to help these kids represent Mount Si and the Snoqualmie Valley at the Savannah Music Festival’s Swing Central High School Jazz Band Competition & Workshop in Savannah, Ga., in late March. Earlier in the day, these young musicians spent three hours rehearsing with and learning from Wycliffe Gordon, jazz trombonist and current faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music in New York.
Gordon was sent from Swing Central to do a clinic in advance of the festival. He was a brave soul himself, driving from Battleground to us during Snowpacolypse 2012! A big thank you to him for his gift of time and talent. In addition, and as always, Boxley’s Danny Kolke (and his family) opened their doors not only for the morning session (since the schools were closed) but also for a warm place for good food, good music and fundraising. We are so lucky to have Boxley’s and all that they do as part of our community.
Thanks again to all who supported these kids. This is an expensive trip (roughly $1,000 per person).
If you were unable to make it but would like to support us, you can still make a tax-deductible donation either online via PayPal at www.jazz-attheclub.com (click the “Donate” button on the left menu) or by sending a check payable to MSHS Band Boosters, P.O. Box 92, North Bend, WA 98045. Please put “Swing Central” in the memo line. We have less than a month left to raise funds.
Jane-Ellen A. Seymour
MSHS Band Boosters Board
Council retreats set good fiscal example
February 8, 2012
There are boundless examples of government agencies spending excessive amounts on frivolous things, but it’s a rare occasion to see it in North Bend or Snoqualmie.
For example, there are many city councils and school boards around the state that still think it’s OK to spend a couple of days at a resort for an annual retreat of council members.
Even if participants pay for their own rooms, the costs get higher than need be.
The size of a city or its budget should matter when it comes to setting a good example.
We wholeheartedly believe City Council members need time together for less formal talks to get better acquainted and to set annual goals for themselves and the city administration.
Keeping the retreats local not only makes it more available for interested citizens and city employees to attend and listen, but also keeps city costs to a reasonable level.
North Bend City Clerk Susie Oppedal said the total cost of the City Council retreat held Jan. 27 at Boxley’s restaurant was just $568.86. This included a continental breakfast and lunch for 17. The city didn’t even bring in a facilitator.
We expect the cost for the Snoqualmie City Council retreat was very similar, held at the city’s fire station meeting room Jan. 30-31.
Choosing to keep costs at a minimum is responsible government at its best.
Spending money at local businesses gets another round of applause.
Letters
February 1, 2012
Thanks to YMCA for emergency shelter during storm
A hearty “thank you” to the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA for its generous hospitality in assisting with emergency shelter at the Snoqualmie Community Center during the recent storm and power outage. Our partners at the YMCA welcomed more than 150 people for “day-warming” over the course of the storm and 10 families overnight.
This outage affected our entire community, local businesses and residents of all ages. We have learned in years past that snow, ice, wind and power outages can be a serious disruption to routine life and to our citizens’ well-being and sense of security.
With this in mind, the Snoqualmie Community Center includes capability to be used as a temporary day-warming center and overnight shelter as needed, including installation of an emergency power generator and kitchen facilities.
YMCA staff opened their doors to all residents of the Snoqualmie Valley, not just to YMCA members.
All were welcome to use the facility to get warm, take showers, charge cellphones, have their kids play, and assess their situations in a calm and helpful environment. This allowed them to be close to their homes to monitor their property, check on pets, and get clothing and supplies as needed. People were able to have shelter without leaving town, thus avoiding treacherous roads.
The selfless actions of the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA staff during this event were further confirmation that the YMCA of Greater Seattle is focused on assisting our community in spirit, mind and body.
Mayor Matt Larson
City of Snoqualmie
Juvenile criminal names should be public
February 1, 2012
The Legislature is now considering two bills that would restrict access to records of crimes committed by minors, only allowing disclosure in the case of “serious violent offenses” as defined by law.
Lesser violent crimes and property crimes would remain confidential.
The bills are bad ones, and should be stopped.
When a juvenile commits a serious crime, nobody involved takes the matter lightly. From the prosecutors to the courts, to the media that reports on crime, everyone weighs the value of punishing an individual against the needs of society.
The policy at SnoValley Star is to report the names of juveniles only when they are charged with a felony. We did not arrive at this policy lightly. We’re glad to say it is infrequent that we come across minors charged with felonies. We do understand the implications when we choose to publish the name of a minor. But we stand by the public’s right to know.
Letters to the Editor
January 25, 2012
Power company needs work
We need a new utility around here. Where else in the country do 300,000 customers regularly lose power and heat during a typical weather event? Here, it happens every few years and is considered business as usual by Puget Sound Energy.
We need a utility that performs regular, routine and preventative tree maintenance, to trim and cull potentially harmful branches and limbs to avoid catastrophe. PSE rakes in its profits, waits for a catastrophe, herds in a few extra workers, and expects to be seen as a hero when power and heat finally return to its beleaguered customers.
No doubt PSE will whine to the Legislature for a rate hike due to its “extraordinary” efforts during the storm, and also, ironically, to pay for the ensuing lack of gas and electricity usage by its customers during this time.
Our local co-op, Tanner Electric, as usual, worked most efficiently and admirably. We can always count on it. When we phoned in for updates, we spoke to a human being. PSE could learn a great deal from Tanner’s model.
Kathy Swoyer
North Bend
Editorial
January 25, 2012
Help local businesses recover from storm
“Support your local business” takes on new meaning when your city becomes a frozen wasteland for three or four days.
While homeowners were struggling to stay warm without power, business owners were wringing their hands over the lost business. Restaurants and markets were particularly hard hit as food went to waste without proper refrigeration. Employees, too, suffered the loss of wages. It was life interrupted, not a fun week.
This week, we can try to make it a bit better for each other. Tip your waiter or other service provider just a little extra. Be sure any purchases you make are done locally to help businesses recoup the lost revenue.
Don’t forget to say thank you to those who are helping out. Offer a cup of coffee to the utility workers repairing lines or clearing trees. Let them know they are appreciated.
This is the Snoqualmie Valley, where neighbors help neighbors. With the usual thoughtfulness for the other guy, we’ll be just fine.
Home Country
January 18, 2012
Slim Randles Columnist
Dud Campbell had been quiet for almost an hour, which brought concern to his wife, Anita. Dud isn’t the strong, silent type. He’s more like a quick, noisy type. After an hour had gone by in silence, he picked up a sheet of paper and began taking notes.
“Dinner’s pretty soon, Hon,” Anita said.
“Can’t eat now. Uh, can I have something later, maybe?”
“Sure. Hey, you OK?”
He nodded, then went for the coffee pot. He gave Anita a hug on his way back to the table.
Editorial
January 18, 2012
Valley, Wenatchee find common ground
There is nothing wrong with the good people living in Chelan and Kittitas counties, and they even have a few things in common with the Snoqualmie Valley. Both regions share the Cascades and its numerous recreational opportunities. But that’s about it.
Apparently, we will now share a representative for the new 8th Congressional District, per the new boundaries drawn by the redistricting committee.
Many would think that redistricting to balance populations would create compact, geographic districts with similar demographics. No. The committee’s real job is to protect incumbents and the two-party system.
Letters
January 18, 2012
Alternative methods for controlling Snoqualmie Valley elk herd
If the Snoqualmie Valley wants to be on the cutting edge of elk management practices, then why not consider the alternative “herd control” methods tried by our neighboring areas?
The Toutle River Valley successfully relocated 50 elk to the Nooksack Valley. Toutle officials there coordinated with two helicopters and volunteers on the ground to herd the animals into a corral and then transport them to other areas.
Letters
January 11, 2012
Re: The rapping bus driver
Great tool to use to teach students bus evacuations!
Suzanne
Re: Memory of police officer’s killing still lingers in Snoqualmie Valley after more than 60 years
I am Leah Fitzgerald’s great-niece and I would like to thank you for the article in your paper. My aunt is 95 years old and one heck of a lady.
We have been going through her old photos and have so many old photos. This story just happened along at the right time.
I just want to say thank you so much. Born and raised in the Snoqualmie Valley, it is nice to see family recognized in its history!
Sincerely,
Christy Charbonneau-Wright
Re: Last Valley stop for a ‘Wonderful’ ride
Of course I loved this article. My daughter got to share her grief with Zuzu. We always watched this movie every Christmas and love it to this day.
Thank you, Zuzu, for giving love to my daughter. Her brother was her best friend.
Love, Pat Hanner (Matt’s mom)
