DUI crackdown need not wait for holidays
March 7, 2012
St. Patrick’s Day could be unlucky for impaired motorists. But getting drunk drivers off the road would be lucky for everyone else.
Statewide, law enforcement agencies and the Snoqualmie and North Bend police department plan to embark on a campaign to nab drunken drivers before, during and after the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
The effort starts March 9 and runs through March 18. The campaign means beefed-up DUI enforcement on King County roads, as local police officers and other law enforcement agencies join the crackdown.
Washington law enforcement officers advise all holiday partygoers to designate a sober driver, call a cab or choose not to drink alcohol.
Officers in King County on routine and extra patrols arrested 310 people for DUI during the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement effort last year.
In addition to North Bend and Snoqualmie police and the Washington State Patrol, officers in nearby Bellevue, Issaquah, Newcastle, Renton and Sammamish will participate in the extra DUI enforcement.
The anti-DUI effort is organized under the aegis of the King County Target Zero Task Force, a regional effort to crack down on unsafe driving practices. Target Zero managers coordinate the extra patrols.
Target Zero’s goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries statewide by 2030.
It seems like an unachievable goal, but certainly a worthy one. Both alcohol and drugs are the cause of numerous traffic accidents, many of which end with someone in the morgue.
We all need to take the challenge of the Target Zero group. Don’t drink and drive, don’t let friends drive drunk — whether it’s a holiday or not.
Caucus meetings are worth the time
March 1, 2012
Republican caucuses will be held this Saturday across the state. It does matter.
There will be no presidential primary in Washington this year. Legislators decided to save the $10 million expense. Now it’s up to you to take action, but it will take more than an armchair vote and a stamp. Democrats will caucus April 15.
Four years ago, fewer than 100,000 people participated in state caucuses, but 1.4 million voters cast ballots in the primary. With only the caucus in play, the turnout is expected to double.
Registered voters will have to sign a card declaring that they do consider themselves to be a Republican before being allowed to vote for their choice for Republican Party nominee for U.S. President.
The best part of a caucus meeting is the conversation among the participants. It’s an opportunity to meet like-minded people who are your neighbors, but it is also a time to be open minded as you listen and learn from the discussions about the candidates and platforms. The opportunity is there if you choose to share your passion for one candidate over another.
The outcome of the caucus vote is more of a straw poll than a mandate. It will give delegates to the Republican national convention an indicator of who to support when the vote actually decides who the party nominee will be.
If attending the national caucus is your interest, the precinct caucus gathering could be the beginning of your quest. Delegates to the county convention are elected, and those delegates in turn elect delegates to the state convention and so on.
The caucus is also a good place to find out how to get involved by helping to put up signs, work telephone banks, help with mailings, doorbell or make a monetary donation.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the meeting to begin at 10 a.m. Crowds are expected to be large, so arrive early. Call 990-0404 for caucus sites, or go to www.kcgop.org/caucus-locator.
Students can learn history via seniors
February 23, 2012
History could come to life for local teens if a Mount Si Senior Center project goes forward.
B.J. Libby, the new director of the center, formally introduced herself to the North Bend City Council on Feb. 7, and highlighted some of the upcoming projects she has in mind.
One idea is to have high school students record the histories of some of the senior citizens who frequent the center, either in typed document form or on oral history videos.
Who knows what those students could uncover from those interviews? Perhaps one elder might disclose that his great-grandfather used to share stories about his experiences as a soldier in the American Civil War?
Maybe someone’s mother was the first woman to vote in Washington after the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Photo contest exudes community pride
February 20, 2012
To the hundreds of people who sent in their favorite pictures in our first Snoqualmie Valley Amateur Photo Contest, thank you!
You inspire us with your beautiful images of the people who live, work and play in the Valley. And it is obvious that you are lovers of wildlife and your pets.
But it is the Northwest nature photos that really take our breath away. Read more
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.
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.
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.
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.
Governor’s bold move is good for all of us
January 11, 2012
We applaud Gov. Chris Gregoire’s move to pass state legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in Washington state.
It has been nearly 20 years since the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the restriction of marriage to opposite-sex couples would be presumed unconstitutional. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court held that same-sex couples must receive the same benefits as married couples. Subsequent court decisions have held that “civil union” laws would not suffice, calling instead for marriage equality.
Many countries — including all of the Canadian provinces — now allow gay marriage. In the United States, six states and the District of Columbia now accept gay marriages.
In 2009, the Washington Legislature approved a bill granting domestic partners the same rights as married couples, so long as those rights did not conflict with federal law. Voters approved the measure in a referendum later in the year.
Our 2012 goals for the Valley
January 4, 2012
There were many changes in the Snoqualmie Valley in 2011, most for the better. Our goals for the Valley this year will continue to build stronger communities.
Snoqualmie Hospital District. Too many decisions are being made in the dark with only rubber stamping from commissioners. The district must make its policy-making process open to the public by posting public documents online, giving ample notice of meetings, and posting meeting agendas and minutes in a timely fashion.
Tourism, community events. North Bend has led the charge by adding several events to the Valley, including the Warrior Dash and the cinema festival. Snoqualmie has supported the Cinco de Mayo Half-Marathon. Both cities continue to improve on their marquee events — Railroad Days and the Festival at Mount Si. Both cities should continue these efforts wholeheartedly, and put a worthwhile amount of money into marketing them both in and out of the Valley. These days, tourism is the best bet for much-needed economic development.
Transportation. There is often a clash between residents and tractor-trailers around the former Truck Town area in east North Bend. The City Council must consider planning changes. We know just the person to lead the effort — newly elected Councilman Ryan Kolodejchuk, who made the issue a key part of his campaign.
County infrastructure. King County doesn’t have enough money to repair its roads and has to all but abandon some. The county should put projects out to bid and temporarily ease some of its own regulations that add to the cost of road work.
