Redmond Neighborhood Blog
News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Sign Up For Osman's "Youth Board" - Be A Voice For The Eastside.
Letter to the Editor: UPDATED: Mayor Birney Has Too Much Power
Unlike its neighboring cities, such as Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, and Sammamish, which ALL have a council-manager form of government, City of Redmond has a strong mayor-council form of government. Under the strong mayor form of government, mayor has too much power: while the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power; the mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power. We have all witnessed the damages done allowing downtown homeless housing in Redmond and the entire Eastside when the mayor has too much power yet free from checks and balances.
Letter to the Editor: City Council Deprived Peoples' Rights On Homeless Decision
The Washington Constitution states, “All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.” When the Redmond City Council, deprived people of their rights to give input and rushed to give away public land to Plymouth Housing for developing a low-barrier homeless building in downtown Redmond, they failed to comply with the Washington Constitution.
Facts about the Plymouth homeless building in downtown Redmond:
- Located across the street from Anderson Park, only 0.5 miles from Redmond Elementary School;
- This is a 5-story, 100-unit, single adult only homeless building;
- No drug testing will be conducted. Drugs will be allowed in the building;
- Other than lifetime registered sex offenders, all other sex offenders are eligible;
- Other than meth producers who were convicted in the past 5 years, all other drug producers and drug dealers are eligible;
- The city made falsely claim and secretly plans to limit eligibility to people with disabilities. According to state law and the common practices of the state, county, and city, mental illness and substance use disorder are all considered disabilities. The city and Plymouth Housing want to secretly limit eligibility for this building to people with mental illness and drug addiction ;
- Homeless people from outside of Redmond are eligible;
- The City of Kenmore started this project via RFP in 2022 and rejected it in 2024 after three public hearings. The City of Redmond approved this project in 7 days with no public input period at all;
- The city is now withholding critical information and refuse to hold any public hearings;
- We, the people, must remind elected officials that they are elected by the people and for the people.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
City Conducting Traffic Safety, Signal Timing, and Operational Improvement Counts This Fall
Credit C.O.R. |
To support many city activities, including traffic safety, signal timing, and operational improvements, city staff are conducting the annual fall traffic and pedestrian counts. This work will be ongoing through early December. Learn more about this work https://redmond.gov/863/Traffic-Co
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Updated: Neighborhood Stormwater Threatens Sammamish River Salmon.
Redmond's pollution truck advertises their pollution hot line: 425-556-2868 photo by Yoder |
Updated: "Council Conversations" In The Downtown Park
Downtown Park COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS, The Safety Table / photo Yoder |
I sat in at three tables conversing with councilmembers and residents at the busy Safety table, Environmental Sustainablity table and Miscellaneous table. Council V.P. Jessica Forsythe presided over the Safety Table. Feedback from a resident/family living in a downtown apartment was especially interesting. He wanted stop signs placed on Cleveland Street intersections and other downtown intersections -- said he saw pedestrians getting mildly brushed. He said Uber drivers were the worst; always looking at their cell phones. Another guy complained about gangs that prey on residents for their belongings. He thought only 4 - 6 police officers patrolled the whole city and asked for 16 more officers. I think Jessica said the department had over 140 officers (traffic, patrol, detective, drone, criminal, crime etc.) with plans for 4 more. CM (councilmember) Fields asked why the need for 16 more officers? I questioned the need for council taxing their city utilities and raising the business tax to fund a $6 million dollar public safety gap. IMO, the .25% city excise tax on construction was funding enough.
Monday, September 30, 2024
Sunday, September 29, 2024
UPDATED, PART ONE: RHS 25th Anniversary Celebration / John Oftebro
Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration in the new Senior & Community Center |
President John Oftebro of the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) did a fabulous job producing, directing and emceeing the Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social. The event was held on Saturday, October 28 at the new Redmond Senior and Community Center. John's an excellent fund-raiser and superlative jack-of-all trades.
Laura-Lee Bennett, the Executive V.P. oversaw the event. RHS Co-founder Miguel Llanos flew up from Los Angeles and gave a 30-minute interactive slide show. John Couch, Redmond's Park & Rec. Director of 30 years dressed-up as Mayor Bill Brown. Chris "Hurricane" Himes, Redmond's first Strong Mayor gave a charming, short speech. Former Mayor Rosemary Ives was on Block Island attending to her family.
Board member Deborah Oftebro assembled lead-members to work the coffee cake and cookie table: Judy Lang, Jo Ann Potter, Deb Akerstrom and a Morelli? My wife Pam and I got to sit with good friends, John Reinke, Gary Smith and Terry Lavender. John Reinke gave the entire audience a holler as he sang along.
PART TWO: RHS 25th Anniversary / Derby Day Parade
At the 25th anniversary celebration John Couch dressed up as Mayor Bill Brown
Parks Director of 30 Years John Couch begs RHS Founder Naomi Hardy to shovel manure in a Derby Days Parade CREDIT/ REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY |
Saturday, September 28, 2024
PART 4: "THIS PLACE MATTERS" - PERRIGO SPRINGS
Richard Morris and his dog stand on the spillway and two children holding a sign "This Place Matters." (click pic to enlarge) |
Perrigo Springs was Redmond's first "watering hole." Indians and early settlers first used the spring. "Daughters of the American Colonists" placed a 2004 rock marker and planted a Corkscrew tree near the spring.
The spring's water source is the Perrigo Creek wetland watershed. Perrigo Creek drains the Hartman wetland watershed. Its cooled water "springs up" into a shallow pond filled with natural stones. From there the spring water flows over a small concrete spillway into the creek below and continues downstream. Upper Perrigo Creek is a dry stream bed much of the time but the spring is active all year.
It's a quiet place. Children and small dogs playing on the spillway These children were floating cork boats. Musicians softly play their guitars while meditating by the Spring. Small families picnic nearby. The city monitors and maintains the Spring site.
Friday, September 27, 2024
PART FIVE: Miguel Llanos, Redmond Historical Society / 25th Anniversary Celebration
Miguel Llanos |
Miguel Llanos is seen orchestrating a "Redmond Historical Society (RHS) Speaker series" event / photo Yoder
Miguel was a strong advocate for preserving Old Town and its 2-block row of historic "Perrigo Plat" Craftsman bungalow houses on 164th Street. The old Brown Bag Cafe bungalow on 164th was once owned by long-time Mayor Bill Brown (1913-1948) and did not meet the commission's historic criteria. [Same for the E.A. Walcher House, a 102+ year Craftsman-style bungalow on 8117-166th Ave. NE, also once owned by Bill Brown.]
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
September Is "National Recovery Month."
Monique Gablehouse, EvergreenHealth COO of Post Acute Care |
Monique Gablehouse, MSW, LICSW. EvergreenHealth Hospital
Since 1989, Americans have observed National Recovery Month to increase public awareness of mental health and addiction recovery; draw attention to new evidence-based treatment; celebrate the recovery community; and acknowledge the dedication of service providers and communities that enable recovery.
There is evidence that stigma-related bias among clinicians can contribute to a treatment-averse mindset and to flawed clinical care. However, EvergreenHealth's organizational mission, vision and values inform and support the care we provide. We demonstrate a shared commitment to providing humane, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
In my role as COO of Post Acute Care with system responsibilities for Behavioral Health, I have had the honor of working with the executive team for the Recovery Center at EvergreenHealth Monroe. They have a Medical Detox Unit, a Residential Treatment program, a program for Substance Using Pregnant Persons (SUPP) as well as an After Care and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The dedicated teams work 24/7/365 to make sure that those struggling with addiction recovery in our area have a place to go for help. I am pleased to work at EvergreenHealth, which continues to support patients in recovery. I have spoken with several EvergreenHealth employees in Monroe and Kirkland, and this resource is so important for their friends and family in recovery.
Monday, September 23, 2024
Homelessness and Panhandling in Redmond
Sunday, September 22, 2024
UPDATED: Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration
25th Anniversary Celebration & Social
Redmond Senior & Community Center
Open house 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Program begins at 3:45
Friday, September 20, 2024
Council Conversations, Q&A with Councilmembers
Meet with your City Councilmembers to share your thoughts and questions about Redmond, rain or shine.
Date and time
Location
Downtown Park
16119 Redmond Way Redmond, WA 98052Walking with History: Elise Farrel-McWhirter
Suzanne Greathouse Selected EvergreenHealth Commissioner
Suzanne Greathouse, a community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience, has been selected to fill the vacant Position #2 on EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners.
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners has selected Suzanne Greathouse to serve in Position #2, representing the Kenmore/Kirkland community and all residents of King County Public Hospital District #2. Greathouse was sworn into the position on Sept. 17 and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.
Greathouse is a dedicated community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to support EvergreenHealth's ongoing mission to advance the health of the community.
"We are excited to have Suzanne join the Board, and we look forward to her contributions in supporting the health and well-being of our community," said Board Chair Virgil Snyder. "Like every other commissioner, Suzanne is dedicated to ensuring our community has access to high-quality, safe, compassionate and cost-effective health care."
As the CEO and Co-Founder of REPSVR, a virtual reality skills training platform, Greathouse's diverse experience spans being a business owner, educator/trainer, executive, and consultant. Throughout her career, she has developed and led multicultural and virtual teams and managed complex business environments. She is an expert at applying industry best practices and emerging research to address specific challenges, fostering success, and enhancing performance, motivation, and job satisfaction.
Greathouse's career also includes nearly 20 years at AT&T, where she led efforts in various areas, including construction and engineering, research and development, emergency preparedness/disaster recovery, network security, network operations and IT product development and support. In 2017, after experiencing a family tragedy, Greathouse shifted her focus to serving the community. She has since held roles on the Kenmore City Council, the Northshore Fire District's Board of Commissioners, the City of Kenmore Planning Commission and the Northshore Senior Center Board of Directors.
Currently, Suzanne serves as a Northshore Utility District Commissioner and actively participates in various community organizations, including the Kenmore Heritage Society, Bothell/Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, Kenmore Business Alliance, and the EvergreenHealth Foundation. She is also the founder and president of the Alex Greathouse Foundation, which provides oral cancer support and funding for treatment, research, and other essential needs.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity to join the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with fellow members on ensuring access to the hospital system's vital services in Kirkland, Kenmore and throughout the Eastside," said Greathouse.
Posted by Bob Yoder, 9/20/2024
Comments: 1) Public Notice for the interviews of the Commission nominees was poor. Navigation on their website to find this public meeting was close to impossible. Thus, my wife and I (and others) didn't attend. BY
2) Evergreen Board has the worst notice system out of any public board and they don't do well with publishing information. They don't even record their meetings and publish minutes a month after the meetings happen. Anonymous comment 9/21/2024
Monday, September 16, 2024
NBC Interviews Police Chief Lowe On First Responder Drones
Saturday, September 14, 2024
UPDATED: Parks and Recreation Rewards Households With Fee Assistance
Have you heard about the Redmond Parks and Recreation Fee Assistance Program Application? Application forms are available at the Senior Center Customer Service desk.
Applicants who meet eligibility requirements can be awarded up to $1,000 per person, per year to help pay for day passes', monthly passes, punch passes, etc. So far, this program rewarded over $43,000 to ~ 345 recipients 2024.
Eligibility:
- Household income of $70,000 or less qualifies for a 50% reduction in activity fees.
- Household income of $47,000 or less qualifies for a 70% reduction in activity fees.
- Household income of $28,800 or less qualifies for a 90% reduction in activity fees.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
GreenRedmond Tree Planting Events , Two Locations
September 2024 |
October 2024 |
Elise Farrel-McWhirter - Redmond Historical Society Speakers Series
Monday, September 9, 2024
Disenfranchised Citizen Gripes About The Little Things
Council,
I know you work hard and I hope the salary commission gives you what you're due, including the stipends and benefit improvements you and HR are giving yourselves.
The city is wealthy from construction income yet you are nickel and diming us with fees: Utility fees, Park fees, Recreation fees, Senior & Community Center fees. Are fees at Perrigo, Meadows, Hartman courts next? Fees are so many and scattered all over the Community/Senior Center that I can't sum them up.
Your action of charging residents and commercial a $15 fee on automatic utility payment looks ridiculous considering our city wealth. After 40 minutes of trouble shooting with utility staff I learned "a Director" acted too soon and now the fee must be reversed "until Council makes a decision on what to do." Should COO Files get involved?
I didn't appreciate CM Stuart calling me out in public after the Hearing on Initiative 2117. Amongst your new procedural rules that limit public participation, you should look at yourselves. Vice President Jessika Foresythe gave a good report on the specifics of the Climate Commitment Act as it relates to city monies.