Everyone needs a quiet place to relax
May 23, 2012
Everyone has his own favorite spot on Lewis Creek, I guess. Some of us favor the swimming hole below Miller’s old place, with its rope swing and the kids who frolic there on hot summer days.
For Doc and Dud, it’s the big race below the rocks where the huge lunker trout lives. All our efforts to catch him have so far gone unrewarded, and he keeps getting bigger each year. Read more
Many thanks
May 23, 2012
Thanks to the valley
I just want to comment on how lucky we are to live in such a tight community. I have lived in several cities and neighborhoods in the Puget Sound region and have never experienced the level of friendliness and support that I have seen here.
Our community has been through its challenges over the past few months as described in last week’s SnoValley Star. I know I was feeling a bit down May 5 when my family arrived at Centennial Field for Mary Miller’s heart photo. When we got there, the group was in a celebratory mood, just happy to be together in such a beautiful place. It really was a magical experience! Read more
Memorial Day is for remembering, honoring
May 23, 2012
While most will enjoy the three-day weekend to mark the beginning of summer, Memorial Day is much more. It’s the day set aside to honor the men and women from the United States military who have died in service to their country.
This national holiday is especially poignant while our country is at war. Soldiers are still fighting in far-flung corners of the world for the liberty that affords us a carefree day in the park, chowing down on barbecue or watching the Indianapolis 500 — what most of us will do this weekend. Read more
Ready to run for political office?
May 17, 2012
If you are interested in politics and want to make a difference at the state level, this is the week to take the next step.
The deadline to file to run for the state Legislature is this Friday. From there, it’s full speed ahead to raise campaign funds, seek endorsements, doorbell the voters and recruit volunteers to put up yard signs for the next six months.
Snoqualmie and North Bend are part of the large 5th District, with two House and one Senate seat. Of course, there are other state offices up for election next November, everything from governor to insurance commissioner, but the legislative seats are more local-centric.
If you come with a law enforcement background, the position of King County Sheriff is seeking candidates. Or if you like real power, go for the 8th Congressional District seat, representing voters from Issaquah to Wenatchee.
All of these races need volunteers as much as they do candidates. Pick your favorite and lend a hand. It’s a great way to learn about the democratic process.
Prefer a closer-to-home run for City Council, school board or fire commissioner? Start preparing — the 2013 campaign season will be here before you know it, but the filing date is a year away.
But if you’re not quite ready to jump into a council or mayoral seat, maybe test the waters of local politics by volunteering for a commission or board seat.
In North Bend, you could be a member of commissions that deal with economic development, parks or planning, or work with the transportation benefit district board.
In Snoqualmie, you have 10 commissions or boards to choose from, everything from the arts commission to the Meadowbrook Farm preservation board.
Inquire about open seats by calling North Bend’s city clerk at 888-7627 or Snoqualmie’s city clerk at 888-1555.
Letters
May 10, 2012
Suppression and safety
I am dumbfounded by groups in America stating they are suppressed by the government and corporate greed. Gratefulness is being lost to entitlement, compassion to self-absorption. I am asking for us all to take a closer look at what we have here and what suppression looks like outside the comforts of America.
Imagine living in a small town in the mountains where an army comes in and wipes you out. Imagine soldiers taking your house, killing your neighbors, forcing your family into labor, raping your sister. Or maybe your small town is wiped out, everyone who does not run is killed and everything is burned up. You are alone: no family, friends, church, community, and certainly no government to help. That is government suppression.
I’m not sure why, we in America aren’t informed much about these tragedies. Maybe because there’s not enough drama or human lives lost, there is no easy solution or someone has decided it’s not our concern. I have been informed and I can’t ignore it. We have the capacity to create a community for those in Burma whose community has been annihilated.
The Snoqualmie Valley Alliance is financially supporting the Bueng Klueng Hostel in Thailand. The hostel provides shelter, food, clothing, medical care, education, safety and hope to children who have lost their families because they existed in that small town the Burma Army wiped out. Only $18,000 per year is needed to operate the hostel, which can care for 50 children.
Bite of the World is an annual fundraising event showcasing food from around the world, music, and silent and live auctions. This year, 100 percent of all proceeds go directly to the Bueng Klueng Hostel. More information on the Bite of the World and donation opportunities can be found at www.svaonline.org. You can also find more information about Burma from the Free Burma Rangers by visiting their site at www.freeburmarangers.org.
Wendy Eckman
North Bend
And the children will lead us
May 10, 2012
It takes a special someone to voluntarily get involved in small-city government.
Everybody knows where the mayor, city councilmembers and planning commissioners live. Those elected and appointed officials will tell you that constituents have no problem calling them, day or night, to voice their opinions or dissatisfaction about something happening in the city. Angry emails and Letters to the Editor are par for the course.
People get involved in politics for a lot of reasons. Sometimes, it’s in their blood — they come from a long line of civic-minded family members. Sometimes, it’s out of pure frustration with current leaders and how they are handling community matters or dealing with the public.
But sometimes a noble cause drives a person to jump into the hotbed of small-town politics. Such is the case with 16-year-old Aubrey McMichael, of North Bend, who was appointed to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commission on April 17.
McMichael said she loves the city parks and wants to help keep them beautiful.
“I also think it’s important to have a teen’s perspective on the board,” the Mount Si High School sophomore said.
She said as much to the council after it confirmed her for the full-voting-rights youth position, but also said she was looking forward to seeing how government works first hand.
Seeing the process could be a life-changing, positive event for her. She could love it so much that she continues to pursue a political career: earning a political science degree, campaigning for elected positions, developing a platform to sway voters, creating laws that protect human rights, seeking the office of the President of the United States.
Or she could be bored to death by the never-ending meetings, seeing that the wheels of government turn oh-so-very-slowly, or learning that compromise can often be a bitter pill to swallow. We hope, though, that she loves it and wants to continue after her term ends in August.
National news is not the real story here
May 2, 2012
We would hope that when North Bend makes national headlines, the story would be less shocking than a North Bend man shooting his wife, daughter and pets and then killing himself in a standoff with law enforcement.
But that was not the case this past week.
Daily, the story unfolded with details few of us could comprehend in our small, and normally sleepy community.
A house fire morphed into finding two women dead. Peter Keller who lived at the home was missing. Then we learned that his wife and daughter had been shot in the head and the fire was started to cover up the crime. Charges were filed against Keller.
We learned of Keller’s background: a gun enthusiast, computer repairman and survivalist preparing for the “end of the world” who had a problem with authority and spent eight years carving out a fortified bunker on Rattlesnake Ridge.
And when we heard that officers had found the bunker, that Keller was trapped inside and facing a standoff with police, we cringed at how the standoff might end. Would there be a shootout? Would SWAT team members lose their lives?
This type of situation does not happen in our neck of the woods. This is the kind of story we watch on national television about other areas, other people.
In the end, Keller took his own life and we can at least be thankful that this tragic chain of events did not result in any more deaths.
Now that Keller is gone, we are left with a string of unanswered questions —mainly, what drove him to kill his wife of 21 years and his 18-year-old daughter, who was just beginning her adult life?
Sadly, we may never know the answers. But this community must find a way to celebrate Lynnettee and Kaylene’s lives while at the same time finding a way to put this heartbreaking and ugly chapter of Valley history behind us.
Letters
April 26, 2012
Thanks, vendors
Thank you to the vendors, volunteers and the community for their support and help with the recently held Mount Si Senior Center Fashion Show, Generations of Volunteers.
Creating, planning and implementing any fundraising event are a great deal of work and take the commitment of many people to make it all happen. Everything has to be in place and time-lined so all of the pieces come together.
Without the support of the community and the volunteers, this event would not have happened. We are very fortunate that so many people support the senior center and once again thankful to the Snoqualmie Valley Women in Business who “created the path” for this event last year.
We netted more than $8,500 for this event, and the money will be used to provide more programs and activities for seniors. We are already talking about next year and implementing new ideas. If you would like to serve on the Fashion Show committee, please call the senior center at 888-3434.
BJ Libby, executive director
Mount Si Senior Center
Teen suicide breaks community hearts
April 26, 2012
Like the rest of the community, we were devastated to hear that a Mount Si High School sophomore had killed himself.
We can’t imagine the pain his family, friends, teachers and schoolmates are going through. Prayers are being whispered for everyone in the community as we try to understand his choice.
This is the second school year in a row that Mount Si students have had to face the loss of a friend by suicide, after an 11th-grader killed himself in September 2010.
In 2007, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15-24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
The organization said one in 100,000 children ages 10-14 commits suicide. For adolescents ages 15-19, that number jumps to nearly seven in 100,000.
In Washington, an average of two youths commit suicide each week, according to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program.
And in a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 high school students reported having attempted suicide, and one in four said they had seriously considered it.
Letters from March 22, 2012
April 22, 2012
Study, then decide
I have given a lot of thought to the most recent 3-2 vote by the school board regarding the annexation of Snoqualmie Middle School as a freshman campus by 2013. I have received numerous emails and calls from many parents who know of my interest in this topic and who know I attend most meetings. Here is my stock answer: You cannot complain about a decision if you do not become involved. Read more
