City Clerk Doris Schaible's retirement party on 3/22/1995: Selwyn "Bud" Young ('68-'79; d '99), Christine Himes ('80-'83), Doreen Marchione, ('84-'91), City Clerk Doris Schaible, Rosemarie Ives ('92-'07)
That's quite a picture of retired City Clerk Doris Schaible (in green) with Redmond's four most recently retired Mayors. Doris Schaible was our City Clerk for 25 1/2 years and she worked with everyone of these Mayors.
Did you know that the City Clerk is the oldest of public servants in local government, along with tax collectors? A case in point is our first mayor, Frederick A. Reil, 1913 -1918. He was Redmond's first postmaster and town clerk before running for mayor, unopposed. (1)
My personal experience with the Office of City Clerk began about four years ago. A large group of Education Hill neighbors were trying to appeal the Camwest, Inc. Perrigo Heights plat Steep Slope and Landmark Tree Exception. We needed ordinances and code information and we discovered the Clerk's office was a big help. Today, I like to copy the Clerk on important emails to help my correspondence get circulated to the right people and "for the record". When I want a public record for some information on, say, SE Redmond septic tanks and our aquifer - I submit my written request to the City Clerk. cityclerk@redmond.gov.
Our city clerk is the "hub of government" and direct link between "us" and city government. Probably no one knows more about what's going on in the city then the City Clerk. At a 2008 council meeting, Mayor John Marchione likened the Office of City Clerk as "a rock to stand on". (I'm not sure what this means). Since then, public records request service has improved dramatically. Over time the Clerk's knowledge of the city's recorded history builds. The Clerk is highly respected and a certain amount a power comes with that knowledge.
According to various sources, (3) a City Clerk needs to be highly diplomatic, apolitical, unflappable, patient, versatile, and alert. I might add careful and assertive. One understands why a city clerk has these traits when reading their job description, as found on the city website, as follows:
- supports the Mayor and City Council, oversees the Hearing Examiner function,
- coordinates City elections and monitors state legislative actions.
- responsible for coordinating and distributing agendas and information in support of City Council meetings.
- is the official Public Records Officer of the City and maintains official City records including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and titles.
- In conjunction with the Police Department, the Clerk's Office oversees and responds to public records requests.
When City Clerk Malissa Files was promoted by Mr. Mayor to Finance Manager, Michelle McGehee was promoted to City Clerk. I think Michelle was hired by Mayor Rosemarie Ives.
Our new City Clerk, Michelle McGehee, is a "Certified Municipal Clerk". She is extremely well qualified, friendly, and committed. Michelle moved from Alaska to take the job. Michelle, or her deputy clerk Liz, can be reached at 425-556-2190 and by EMAIL: CityClerk@redmond.gov.
Michelle's job has definitely grown from the clerking days of Doris Schaible! (2) In 1969, the population of Redmond was 9,213. There were 60 employees. 1 Parks employee. 5 firefighters. 10 police. 1 traffic light (Redmond Way & 164 Ave. NE). Today, the population is over 50,000 by night and 90,000 by day.
References:
(1) "Redmond Reflections...from settlers to software", Naomi Hardy, 2006; (2) Doris Schaible, Community Relations, Redmond Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Doris Schaible; (3) Wikipedia - (click title page).
Posted: June, 2008. Updated: 5/28/2010
By Bob Yoder
Photo donated by Doris Schaible
By Bob Yoder
Photo donated by Doris Schaible
Evans Creek
ReplyDeleteOriginally named Martin Creek after John Martin [1827-1920]. John’s grandson, Daryl Martin, tells of a US Geological surveyor who came to his grandparents’ door and asked permission to name the creek after him, which grandpa thought was okay, as long as it didn’t cost anything.
Later, the waterway was named Evans Creek after the Evans family which had lived in area at one time. The name change occurred when workers “put in the bridge.”
The first traffic signal was on Redmond Way at Leary Way.
ReplyDeleteThe intersection of our first stop light is interesting but the first commentator failed to give any history of substance about the Evans Family. Who were they, what did they do, where did they come from and where are they now? Do any Evans folk live in Redmond now? What about the Martins? Mr. Martin sounded self-serving and cheap to me. I don't know if I'd want a Redmond stream named after him.
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