2009 was a year of change. From the highest levels of government to the grass roots of community, the people of Issaquah and Sammamish were buoyed by, fought against, were shocked and inspired by changes to our political system, our economy, our environment and our friends and neighbors.
In this Sammamish and Issaquah were not unique. All over America cities large and small were impacted by the terrible failure of the American economy, the ripples of which were felt at both ends of the spectrum – from multinational companies and export and import figures to the Issaquah Food Bank and Eastside Baby Corner, local charities and city budgets.
The Eastside underwent changes in leadership too – from a new president to new city councilors.
These two things – the economy and politics – were at the heart of most of the changes the people of Issaquah and Sammamish saw over the past year.
January 9 – Issaquah Reporter
“The snow storm that plagued Washington for almost two weeks has finally gone, but it left in its wake high winds, rain and melting snow — the perfect combination for winter flooding. The city issued a flood warning late Tuesday, Jan. 6, when Issaquah Creek entered ‘phase 3’, meaning the water level was at 8 feet 6 inches and rising. City officials warned residents living in flood prone areas to block basement drains and avoid walking, wading or driving in the flooded areas.”
Though 10 months later Issaquah would brace itself again as steady rain tested the capacity of Issaquah Creek, the city would not be troubled by a repeat of the floods that damaged homes and businesses in the first week of 2009. In the months to come, businesses, including a group in Gilman Village, would question whether the city was doing enough to protect itself against future flood events.
The beginning of 2009 was also marked by the sad passing of Eastlake High School student Marin Morrison, after a long battle against brain cancer. Hundreds of people filled the Timberlake Christian Fellowship in Redmond to mourn her passing.
January 18
“One of Lee Fellinge’s last official duties as Mayor for 2008 was to review the immediate past and preview the unknown future in his State of the City address to council. “We face a crossover point in 2015 — that’s when our operational expenses will begin to exceed our operational revenues,” he said to those assembled at City Hall. “When that time comes we will no longer be able to use our extra operational revenue to subsidize our capital projects.””
The Crossover Point was a phrase heard often in Sammamish City Hall in 2009. Declining revenue from property tax and construction meant that city finances were on everyone’s mind. Nearly a year later, financial management would play a big role in the council elections.
January 23
‘Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy’ — President Obama
“The citizens of Issaquah and Sammamish stood as one on Tuesday morning to watch the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. In what was a singularly unifying event, the new president addressed the millions assembled at the Washington Mall, and the many millions tuning in via television and Webcasts around the world. Issaquah Valley Elementary School teacher Susan Adler said it was important that students had the chance to share the experience of the inauguration with their friends and family. “The students are at an important stage where they are on the brink of fully understanding this event’s significance in our history,” she said.”
January 30
zHome project falls victim to the credit crisis
“One of the nation’s first zero-net energy neighborhoods, Issaquah’s zHome, is the latest project to fall victim to the financial crisis. Construction of zHome, which was scheduled to begin last September, has been delayed as the builder seeks to secure financing at a time when there isn’t much to be had.”
In what would become a trend in 2009, Issaquah’s heralded zero energy project was put on the back burner due to a worsening economy. The recession would continue to jeopardize construction projects and scare off developers, particularly in the Issaquah Highlands and the proposed Sammamish Town Center.
A 10-year-old girl who claimed to have been abducted from in front of her Klahanie home earlier in the month, admitted her story was a lie. The girl confessed to her parents on Saturday evening, and her parents promptly notified the authorities. She claimed that she was grabbed by a man outside her home.
February 13
Squak Mountain residents make noise for bus service
“It was standing room only at the Feb. 5 Council Transportation Committee meeting when Squak Mountain residents flocked to the gathering to make a plea for bus service. The topic was the last agenda item for the evening, and Paul Winterstein presented the results of a community survey he and a handful of neighbors conducted regarding bus service. “Some form of public transit to Squak Mountain will definitely benefit the residents who live there, and the city of Issaquah as a whole,” said Winterstein.”
Unfortunately for the residents of Squak Mountain, 2009 was a year which saw King County Metro and Sound Transit dealing with huge budget cuts. By the year’s end, they would still be calling for a bus service to their neighborhood, to no avail.
February 20
Marty Budzius, who spent more than 40 years in the Issaquah School District doing everything from teaching to coaching to announcing, called his last high school basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Stimulus money could decide future of parkway
“The City of Sammamish is hoping that the federal stimulus package signed this week by President Obama will have some money in it for the next phase of the East Lake Sammamish Parkway development. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, City Engineer Laura Philpot was one of about 50 representatives from cities and counties in the area to go before the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Project Evaluation Committee. The committee is expected to decide soon what projects will get priority in the distribution of the approximately $60 million that will be assigned for capital works projects in the area under the federal package. The city submitted Phase 1b of the parkway project to the committee, and are hoping to receive $3 million to contribute to the $8 million cost of the project.”
The city got its stimulus funding, and the parkway project went ahead, much to the annoyance of some residents who felt the project was an irresponsible use of funds.
Landowners keep a close eye on shoreline plan
“The large public audience at Tuesday night’s City of Sammamish study session indicated that the Shoreline Master Plan (SMP) is something the people of Sammamish, particularly waterfront property owners, will continue to examine closely. Between 40 and 50 property owners heard the city council review their recommendations made during the study session held last week, which included a desire to provide clear and concise examples of shoreline permitting situations, as well as scheduling sufficient opportunities for public testimony.”
SMP discussions would continue to dominate council meetings throughout the year. As well as revised shoreline regulations, the legacy of the SMP would include a blueprint for citizen involvement in city planning.
February 27
Bank robber busted – FBI studies links to other robberies
“Thanks to the actions of a brave bank teller, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police have caught the man they believe was responsible for three bank robberies in the past month. Francisco Cardona, 28, of Kirkland, was caught after he allegedly robbed the Sammamish branch of the Bank of America on Monday, at 12.55 p.m. He is also being questioned about the robberies of the Issaquah branch of WaMu on Wednesday last week, and the US Bank branch in Juanita on Feb. 12. According to witnesses at the Sammamish bank, the man pointed a semi-automatic pistol at the teller before leaving with a sum of money.”
A teller at the Sammamish branch followed the robber into the car park, and was able to provide the description of the car which led to his arrest. The robber’s undoing? Vanity license plates.
March 6
Longtime principal finds new challenge at E15
“After seven years of guiding Challenger Elementary School students through kindergarten registration, first days of school, and the move to middle school, Principal Robin Earl is taking on a new challenge — serving as planning principal for the temporarily named Elementary 15, set to open on the Sammamish Plateau in September 2010.”
By the end of 2009, Elementary 15 would have a new name – Creekside Elementary.
Sammamish Reporter
City council starts to ask – ‘Do we have enough police?’
“As the City of Sammamish anticipates the annexation of additional neighborhoods and planners study the city’s population growth, city councillors have begun to question whether the size of the Sammamish police force is enough to serve the needs of the city.”
A few months later, Thompson was on his out of Sammamish, leading many to ask whether his criticism of the city’s police funding decisions had cost him his job.
March 13
“The cities of Sammamish and Issaquah both resolved to tackle the problem of prescription drugs circulating in the community, establishing new drop-off bins for unwanted pills. In a year marked by overdoses at local schools, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more people are dying from prescription painkillers than in previous decades – a trend more pronounced in Washington state.”
March 20
District layoffs likely in budget
“Issaquah School District Superintendent Steve Rasmussen last week told a group of parents and businesspeople that staff would be laid off in local schools in the coming year. “We’re going to be operating with fewer people next year — that’s the grim reality,” he said at the Rotary Club of Sammamish’s weekly breakfast gathering.”
State budget cuts of about $7 million, plugged by some one-off federal stimulus money, had both the Lake Washington and Issaquah school districts scrambling for ways to make ends meet. In the end, teacher layoffs were avoided, at the cost of program cuts and the loss of support services. In 2010 voters will consider a number of school bond and levy measures, as districts face what they say will be worse cuts to come.
Sammamish rolls out the red carpet for those who serve
“The cold wind and the rain was not enough to stop the people of Sammamish applauding their community heroes on Saturday night, with a huge crowd filling the Eastlake High School auditorium for the 2009 SAMMI Awards ceremony.”
The first inaugural SAMMI Founders award was given to schools advocate Kristin Pitt. The Spirit of Sammamish Award went to Dellann Elliott, founder and CEO of the Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Tumor Research.
March 27
Sustainable Issaquah launches new community garden project
“A diverse group of citizens came together at the Issaquah City Hall on Saturday, March 21 to share ideas on local economics, gardening, and public education. One of the first projects to be supported by Sustainable Issaquah is the creation of a community garden. Despite a strong community garden program in Seattle, and the success of such gardens in Klahanie and the Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah itself has not yet started its own. But that is set to change. AtWork of Issaquah has donated a site, a patch of unused land near their operations center on Northwest Juniper Street.”
An excellent growing season in the months that followed saw the garden sprout tons of fresh produce, some of which was donated to local food banks.”
More retail a double-edged sword, says Yazici
“Sammamish City Manager Ben Yazici said last week that Sammamish was well placed to weather the economic storm that had struck the state of Washington and cities around America. Of particular interest was his comment that increasing the amount of retail activity in Sammamish, and hence the amount of sales tax revenue, could have both positive and negative impacts. “Increasing sales tax revenue brings its own problems,” he said, noting the increased demands on public safety in cities like Issaquah.”
How much retail should be allowed in the proposed Town Center is an argument still unresolved. As the years ends, the Sammamish council was still discussing whether the limits they placed on commercial density would allow for appropriate development.
April 10
Groups on hold as city puts ‘old’ library on the back burner
“With the new Sammamish library beginning to take shape, what will become of the existing library is still undecided. KCLS Director Bill Ptacek said this week that he is keen to strike a deal with the city for the old library. “We need to sell it, in order to keep to our budget,” he said. “If the city comes to us with a proposal that fits in with what we need to do, then we would like to work with them. If not, then we will be offering it up for sale.””
In writing this story, The Reporter spoke with a number of city staff, all of which said that buying the new library had fallen off the agenda for the time being. All that changed by September, however, with the council voting to purchase the old library for $3.42 million. In 2010 it will be remodeled by the Boys and Girls Club as teen and community center.
Microsoft says no plans yet to build campus on Highlands
“A spokesperson for Microsoft has confirmed that the company currently has no plans to begin construction of a campus on the Issaquah Highlands.
The spokesperson told The Reporter this week that “Regarding Microsoft construction in the Issaquah Highlands area, we do not currently have any details/specifics to share.” In 2002 and 2003, Microsoft purchased the first 62 acres of what is hoped will eventually become a 150-acre campus.
At the time of that purchase, the Issaquah Highlands Community Association Newspaper wrote that “they should be in a position to start the first of its 2.95 million square feet of office space in late spring or summer of 2003.””
Despite being heralded as the corner stone of the Highlands development, 2009 brought us no closer to a Microsoft campus there.
April 24
Issaquah heads for the hoop to help out orphans in Africa
“More than 70 philanthropic free-throw shooters, including Melinda and Noah Lytle, took to the courts of the Issaquah Community Center on Saturday to raise money for World Vision, and orphans in Africa. The colorful event was Issaquah’s first ‘Hoops of Hope’ day, launched by local teenager Anna Magidson to help support children in Africa whose parents had been killed by the AIDS/HIV epidemic.”
Councilors request an investigation of how we pay for fire services
“The Sammamish council and city staff will investigate whether or not the people of Sammamish are drawing the short straw when it comes to paying for Eastside Fire and Rescue. How much the cities of Carnation, Issaquah, North Bend, and Sammamish pay for Eastside Fire and Rescue (EFR) is presently calculated on the assessed value of properties in each city, meaning that Sammamish pays substantially more than its neighbors. At the request of councilmen Jack Barry and Lee Fellinge, who are members of the EFR Board of Directors, city staff have drafted a resolution to evaluate the provision of emergency medical and fire services in the city.”
The relationship between the City of Sammamish and EFR would grow increasingly strained over the rest of the year. In early 2010, EFR will host an open meeting with EFR stakeholders to discuss options for its future.
Hundreds attend school district budget meeting
“The foyer at Eastlake High School was packed — parents sat in the stairwells and at makeshift tables in the corridors — students legs dangled from the balconies. As the Lake Washington School District, as well as the Issaquah School District, contemplates how to cut about $8 million from its budget for the next year, it has asked for parents, school staff and students to speak up about their education priorities, to help officials make a decision on what programs will go, and what needs to be protected.”
May 1
“An hour from Bellevue to Seattle — I-90 lane closures will change the way we move.
That was the message Washington State Department of Transport’s (WSDOT) Russ East delivered to the Issaquah City Council on Tuesday night ahead of maintenance work on the Interstate 90 floating bridge in May and July. A number of westbound lanes will be out of action from May 4 to 23 and from July 5 to 28, as the department carries out work to repair cracks in the expansion joints underneath the bridge, work they feel is too urgent to delay any longer. The snap shot for commuters is this: traffic will be bad in May, and much worse in July, between the typical commuter peak hours of 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.”
In the end, the I-90 work was completed ahead of schedule.
Improvements change the look, and feel, of Pine Lake
“Residents who have been down to Pine Lake in recent weeks will have noticed the changes — a new dock, solid railing between the planter beds and the lake’s edge, and pebbles on the beach area where before there was a mixture of coarse sand and mud. These are part of the city’s Pine Lake Park Phase 2 improvements. Staff at the City of Sammamish have reported fielding some concerns from users of the park, particularly about the use of pebbles to make up the “beach” area, and splinters on the new dock. “One of the outcomes of our meetings with the public, the Parks Commission, and the City Council was to prioritize shoreline restoration and tree preservation,” said Sammamish Parks and Recreation Director Jessi Richardson.”
John Curley to run for a seat on Sammamish council
“TV personality John Curley told The Reporter last week that he will run for a spot on the Sammamish City Council when elections are held in November.
Curley is best known as the host of King 5’s Evening Magazine program, a role that has earned him numerous awards for broadcasting and community involvement. Curley, 47, was told by King 5 a few months ago that his contract wouldn’t be renewed. “Yes, I’m going to throw my hat in the ring,” the gregarious and straight-talking Curley said.”
Seven months later, many were surprised when Curley defeated Planning Commission chair Tom Vance for position number 3.
May 8
Supplies running low at charities, food banks
Families giving less away as economy puts the squeeze on charitable giving
“In the last few months, we’ve seen an enormous drop off in in-kind donations,” said Eastside Baby Corner’s Director of Fund Development and Community Relations, Helen Banks Routon. “We are struggling with dwindling donations as well as rising need.”
It was a sign of things to come. Shortages at charitable agencies reached crisis point in 2009, and the people of the Eastside rose to the challenge, donating many thousands of dollars worth of food, clothing and other essentials to local food banks.
Harvey Manning honored by city
“Harvey Manning — an environmental advocate who was instrumental in the preservation of mountains and wilderness areas around Issaquah — was honored posthumously this week with the 2009 Ruth Kees Award for a Sustainable Community. Manning, who is said to have coined the term “Issaquah Alps,” was the founder of the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, and an energetic and passionate outdoorsmen who wrote many trail guides and lobbied politicians and businessmen to protect our environmental resources.”
By the end of the year, a life-sized bronze statue of Manning would be unveiled outside the Issaquah Alps Trails Club headquarters.
May 8
Health cuts will hurt us all warns Swedish physician
“A doctor at Issaquah’s Swedish Medical Center is warning that the effect of cuts to the state’s Basic Health Care Plan will spread throughout the health care industry, and could harm the ability of hospitals to efficiently treat emergency room patients. State legislators are expected to announce funding cuts of more than 40 percent to the Washington Basic Health Care Plan, which provides greatly subsidized insurance to low income families. Last week, Dr. John Milne, an emergency room physician in Issaquah, expressed his fear that people who can’t afford basic health care will defer medical treatment, leading to crisis situations in the future that could have been resolved with earlier treatment and preventative care.”
Months before America became embroiled in a heated debate over health care, The Reporter listened to a local doctor’s warning that providing affordable health care for those least able to afford it would make the national system more efficient and cost effective.
May 15
Kiwanis club marks 80 loyal and generous years of serving Issaquah
“A longtime Issaquah resident just turned 80, but retirement, golf courses and Florida aren’t anywhere in its future. Instead, the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah will keep pushing forward with its strong history of service and supporting the community. Although the official date of the anniversary is not until Aug. 15, the club celebrated its 80th anniversary on April 25 with a community auction at the Hilton Garden Inn to raise money for the local groups and organizations it supports.”
May 22
Police continue investigation of handgun incident in downtown Issaquah
“Issaquah Police are still investigating an incident in which a man allegedly threatened another man with a handgun in downtown Issaquah last Thursday, May 14, sparking a manhunt around West Sunset Way. Police thought the case had been closed, when Seattle Police arrested an Issaquah man, whom they believed was responsible for the incident, in Seattle later that day for an outstanding assault warrant. But it has emerged that that man was in Seattle at the time of the incident in Issaquah on Thursday afternoon.”
Community members gather to celebrate achievements of peers
The Holiday Inn Issaquah was filled to the brim Tuesday, May 19 for the 30th annual Community Awards Banquet, hosted by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Port Blakely Communities, as residents, city officials, business owners and many others turned up to celebrate the accomplishments and dedications of their fellow community members.”
Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger was named “Citizen of the Year.” Other honorees included Volunteers of the Year, Keith and Kate Watts, and Human and Spiritual Values Award winner Ana Inman.
June 5
“Jordan Issacs swam, rode and ran the race of his life, one of the many tired but happy winners at the Issaquah Triathlon at Lake Sammamish State Park on Saturday.
Thousands of athletes, support staff and spectators descended on the city for the one day meet. For Issaquah, Laura Omeara was one of the area athletes who flew the flag, finishing seventh in the women’s sprint triathlon against a very tough field. Roger Marckel of Issaquah finished sixth in the masters category. Chris Harig won the duathlon, covering the 18 mile course in 52:48. Karina Mayo of Issaquah won the women’s 5 kilometer event, in a time of 26:45.”
Homes cleared after accident on 248th
“Three houses were evacuated and a section of streets blocked off after a car accident broke a natural gas device on 248th Avenue Southeast, near Southeast 17th Street, on Monday night. An 18-year-old Sammamish man has been charged with inattentive driving, after the car he was driving veered off the road and into an RTU, or Remote Transmitting Unit, operated by Puget Sound Energy. The force of the accident broke the unit, resulting in a minor gas leak.”
City to bring alternative energy into code
“The City of Issaquah is on the verge of adopting provisions for alternative energy sources into its municipal code, including permitting wind turbines on non-residential land, and allowing solar panels to be exempt from building height restrictions. At a meeting of the Council Land Use Committee on Tuesday night, city planning staff presented to the councillors their revisions of the Land Use Code amendments that will provide a framework for the use of alternative energy structures in new and existing development.”
June 12
Students take one final bow at the big stage of Safeco Field
“Liberty High School student Blake Bergam, and his class of 2009, took a trip to Safeco Field that they will never forget on Wednesday. Liberty was one of three area schools to hold their high school graduation ceremonies at the Seattle landmark, and by all accounts it was a beautiful venue and a suitable tribute to the seniors’ 13 years of schooling. Skyline and Issaquah high schools held their graduations at Safeco earlier in the day. Eastside Catholic High School held their Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremony on Friday and Sunday of last week. Tiger Mountain High School and Eastlake High School were set to hold their graduation ceremonies this Thursday and Friday, following this paper’s deadline.”
Sammamish Police, SWAT teams, net $25,000 worth of stolen goods in raids
“A month and a half of detective work by Sammamish Police paid off dramatically on Monday morning when a raid involving Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams and two separate locations netted about $25,000 in stolen goods, plus drug manufacturing equipment and a stolen shotgun. The bust began at 5:30 a.m., when 14 SWAT officers, assisted by Sammamish Police, served a search warrant on a Renton house, known to be the abode of two convicted felons.”
“Grand Ridge Elementary students Nicole Foster, Tiffany Wung, Mia Foster, Jackie Haning, Emma Swanson, and Madison Tamaela raised money for the Eastside Baby Corner at their popular art gallery at the Issaquah ArtWalk last Friday. The generous fundraiser was the idea of Mia, who with her friends put together over 500 pictures to sell, all for a very worthwhile cause.”
June 19
Habitat groundbreaking in the Highlands makes it all seem real for families
“It was an important day in the continued transformation of the Issaquah Highlands from development-in-progress to active community, with the groundbreaking ceremony on Habitat for Humanity’s 10 home site last Thursday. Looking from Magnolia Street over the southern reaches of Lake Sammamish to Seattle and the Olympic Mountains to the west, suits mingled with sweat pants, as Issaquah and Sammamish city officials, and representatives of King County and Habitat for Humanity, were joined by AmeriCorps volunteers and the families that will one day occupy the homes, in a ceremony full of gratitude and optimism.”
Is your neighbor a real animal?
“Approved application for a farm in Plateau neighborhood raises ire of residents and brings code into question.
The City of Sammamish will need to move quickly to change its municipal code after one bizarre loophole left a city residential neighborhood facing the prospect of living next door to a farm…one of the property owners applied to the city for a permit to remove 43 large trees, and build a barn and outdoor area in order to keep two horses, two sheep, four milk goats and eight chickens. That application for a farm on the 1.8-acre property was approved by the city, without a site visit, despite the homeowners association covenant which prohibits any activity which may inconvenience or disturb other residents.”
Council votes ‘no’ on Freed House
“The push to restore the historic Freed Farmhouse, one of the area’s oldest remaining structures and currently languishing by the side of 212th Avenue Southeast, received what could be a fatal blow last night, with the Sammamish City Council voting 4-3 against funding its relocation to the Lower Sammamish Commons. Councilor Nancy Whitten spoke regularly about her concern that the house could become a “black hole,” consuming funds in the future. She was one of a number of councillors who seemed not impressed by the efforts of the restoration proponents, who she had hoped would have done more to secure grant funding and financial contributions in past months. Whitten, and councillors Lee Fellinge, Mark Cross, and Kathy Huckabay voted against including the Freed House relocation in the contract to build access and parking improvements at the Lower Sammamish Commons, a contract which was awarded to CDK Construction at a bid price of $662,974.32. Councillors Michele Petitti, Jack Barry, and Mayor Don Gerend voted to include the Freed House relocation.”
June 26
Gas station proposal opens ideological divide
“The push for a gas station in the Issaquah Highlands is becoming more than just a question of economics and convenience, as city staff, residents, and the developer consider what it would mean for the heralded green development and Issaquah’s goals of conservation and sustainability. A gas station was included in developer Port Blakely’s initial presentations to the city in the early 1990s, but was taken off the table after environmental concerns were raised by councilors. There were fears that tank leaks and gasoline runoff could enter the underground aquifer on which the city relies for its water supply. According to Port Blakely President Alan Boeker, in recent months there has been an increase in calls from residents for a gas station.”
Teen Fest energy keeps the gray skies away
“Seattle hip-hop heroes Blue Scholars were one of the main attractions at this year’s annual Teenfest event last Friday. Organized by the City of Sammamish and held at city hall, Teenfest was also a chance for a number of local bands to perform in front of a home crowd. Johnathan Yee, for The Reporter. An estimated 500 teenagers turned out for the second annual Sammamish Teen Fest last Friday. Numbers were slightly down because of rainy weather, but the event was still hailed a success. “If anything, I would just say the rain made it more memorable,” said City of Sammamish Recreation Coordinator Lynne Handlos. Along with a skate compeition, there were five performers, including local bands Bo Tree, With Honest Eyes, Ian Lowery, If I Were a Gladiator and Seattle’s Blue Scholars.”
July 3
Sign code decision could change our horizons
“On Thursday night the City of Sammamish Planning Commission is set to discussed changing the city’s sign code to allow for electronic reader board signs at schools. The issue is a pressing one for the city — for the last few years teachers, students and parents from Eastlake High School have been lobbying the city with claims that their current manual lettering sign is a safety hazard, a drain on student’s valuable time in classrooms, and ineffective in communicating with the school community. The sticking point — the city’s code which prohibits digital reader signs in residential zones, a decision made by city planners in order to ensure commercial development didn’t unduly spoil the aesthetics of the area.”
Later that month the Sammamish Planning Commission recommended to retain the sign restriction. This recommendation was ultimately ignored by city council, who voted to approve a trial period of electronic signs.
July 10
New principal brings passion, focus
“Last week Greg Schellenberg joined the Eastlake High School staff as the new principal. After five years at Gig Harbor High School, where he was an assistant principal and principal, Schellenberg is ready to help Eastlake move forward and higher.”
Kids eating you out of house and home?
“More than 350 goats arrived in Issaquah Highlands earlier this week with a single mission: to munch their way across hillsides. The master-planned community is choosing goats over machines to minimize the environmental impact of weed and brush control. During their three-week Issaquah Highlands tenure, the goats will make a feast of more than twelve acres of open space.”
July 17
Baseball team pitches in to get their inner city peers on the field
“The Tigers Eastlake Sammamish Baseball Association team, back: Grant Beahm, Griffin Davis, Mick Vorhof, Carson Iraola, Mark Matula, Mathew Ross, Mason Pierzchalski and, front: Max Escarda and Michael Vogeler, having been gathering baseball equipment to donate to the Reviving Inner City Baseball organization this summer. The group of teens decided to donate their gently used equipment to the program which helps kids at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club form baseball teams of their own.”
“City of Sammamish workers spent close to an hour and a half on Wednesday afternoon wrangling a coyote puppy out of a storm water drain at the intersection of SE 44th Street and SE 230th Way. The pup was one of two that had been wandering the underground network, yelping and howling, before workers managed to trap them between two drains. Neighbors, who have been feeding the pups through the drain grates, curiously watched from the sidewalk as city workers sent soccer balls, pipes and feather dusters down the drain in an attempt to scare the young pups out. “I think that we forget that they’re here sometimes with all the development up here,” said resident Jody Riley.”
July 31
Two businesses held up at gunpoint
“Twice in the last week local businesses were robbed at gunpoint in Issaquah. Last Friday, the Lovers adult store on E. Lake Sammamish Parkway was robbed in the afternoon. And on Tuesday evening, the Emerald City Sun Tanning center, in the Town and Country Square shopping center at 1175 NW Gilman Blvd., was robbed at gunpoint.”
Police later arrested a 24-year-old Lake Stevens man and charged him with the robberies.
Fugitive runs afoul of the law
“Local police say it is dangerous, but for young players, fugitive game is their own legitimate recreation.
In a growing, but still underground trend, kids in Issaquah are playing a game called “fugitive.” Described by one participant as cops and robbers on steroids, the rules are pretty simple — one person trying to elude another. While Issaquah Police last week warned of the dangers of such a game, according to some it is offering a much-needed fun event for teens in the area. “What I tell a lot of people is, that I like playing it because I don’t party,” said James, a teenager who has grown up playing fugitive in Issaquah. “I don’t drink, so it’s something to do. What’s the alternative? You can either stay in your house and play video games or go out and get drunk and drive home drunk. I always say that it’s (playing fugitive) an alternative. It’s something to do.””
Barricade tour ignites passions as city swelters
“The announcement that the City of Sammamish would investigate whether some of these barricades were impediments to traffic connectivity struck a collective chord in a number of areas around the Plateau, residents of which felt that opening their streets to through traffic would “destroy neighborhoods.” Despite the assurances of officials that they are at this point just collecting information, many of the residents who gathered to meet the bus tour at barricades around the city appeared under the impression that deals had already been done. Whether or not this is the result of misinformation, or a lack of faith in the processes of the city, remains to be seen. What is clear already is that passions have been ignited.”
A number of community meetings and information sessions followed, and while the city has not set about on any firm course of action yet, there is a feeling that residents are more open to discussion and cooperation than they were on that hot July day.
