About "Us"

I've lived in Redmond 47 years and started writing "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" AKA Redmond Blog 18 years ago. I'm a community volunteer and publish without pay.  My stories are researched, opinionated and usually sourced.  My first blogposts daylighted contamination to salmon-bearing Evans Creek to hold the city accountable.  I'm an activist and advocate.  

Redmond Blog's mission is to keep our community connected and responsive to each other and to make Redmond a better place to live.  Attention is paid to daylighting the local governments of the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth Public Hospital. To this end, some of my reporting focuses on government transparency, accountability and citizen participation.  

EvergreenHealth excels in many clinical areas winning national recognition and awards.  For years this community hospital never provided treatment for mental health other than in their Emergency Departments.  In 2025 the COO of trauma opened two outpatient behavioral health clinics, began psychiatric telehealth services in their Emergency Departments and hired a Behavioral Health Director to  oversee social workers stationed in high schools.  I made many presentations to the Board of Commissioners over the years. They honored me in 2024 with an annual "Community Service Award" for "open" governance education, advocating for out-patient behavioral health clinics and mitigating stigma.  

The Lake Washington School District once faced unprecedented growth equivalent to one new elementary school a year. It's now the 2nd largest school district in Washington State.   A $120M 6-year Capital Projects Levy on the 2019 ballot to bridge future capital bonds passed.  And, in February of 2022 a second 6-year Capital Projects Levy passed. The District proposed a 3rd levy in 2024; it passed as well. In 2026, two levy lid lifts were placed on the ballot.  

The City of Redmond's downtown and Overlake urban centers are laden with apartment construction cranes and detours. Parking is is a serious issue. The roads are in poor repair. The neighborhoods and fine parks offer respite; though housing is seriously unaffordable.  It's expected a downtown "permanent supportive housing" building for 100 homeless individuals will open in 2026.  The public is vehemently protesting; others want it.  When I moved here in 1978, Redmond was a one stoplight town.  As of 2025, most all the small business malls are torn down and replaced with 6-8 story mid-rises.  12-15 story high-rises are planned for downtown Redmond Town Center and Overlake   Light rail to Seattle will be completed in 2026 in time for the World Cup.  

Redmond Blog's present policy is to limit endorsements of political candidates.  This blog will work to provide the facts with an Election Guide based on candidate websites and their activities.     

Bob Yoder
Education Hill
Redmond, 98052
redmondblog@gmail.com

2/8/2025