OBITUARY: Nancy Louise McCormick -- May 2, 1944--March 16, 2023

Nancy served 6 terms on Redmond City Council

 Nancy Louise McCormick -- May 2, 1944--March 16, 2023

Born in Billings, MT she was the daughter of Walter William Mauritson and Mary Louise Hanson. Nancy graduated from Montana State University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. During her college years she was also a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

In 1966 Nancy began her career in Three Forks, MT as a high school teacher. After that she moved to Bellevue, WA and continued teaching until 1970. While raising her two boys, Nancy moved to Redmond, WA and became a Redmond City Council member in 1986. From 1986 to 2009 Nancy held many positions on the council including Council President. She had a huge passion for regional politics and the City of Redmond.

Nancy loved being a part of the neighborhood Tamarack Lane, spending time with family and friends, being with grandchildren Turner and Shea, planting flowers in her yard, reading, attending her monthly book club, and keeping up with current events. Nancy will most be remembered by her desire to leave the world a better place. She lived life to the fullest and had the most giving heart.

She is survived by her son Jeffrey Scott McCormick, his wife Tracy McCormick; grandchildren Turner and Shea McCormick; and lots of extended family and wonderful friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Walter and Mary Mauriston, her in-laws Robert and Stella McCormick, and her son, Ryan Walter McCormick.

A graveside service will be held for Nancy on Saturday, April 22nd at 1:00 PM at Cedar Lawns Memorial Park, 7200 180th Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Following the graveside service, we will celebrate Nancy's life at Redmond City Hall at 3:00 PM.

To send flowers to the family of Nancy Louise McCormick, please visit Tribute Store.

Published on March 26, 2023, "Seattle Times.''           BLOG posts on Nancy McCormick 

Pat Vache': Redmond Town Center's Early History

Pat Vache' in his early days / courtesy of Arnie Tomac

"What is known as 'Town Center' didn’t just happen.  It has history.”​  

-- Pat Vache'

As some know, just prior to the pandemic, the Redmond Town Center was purchased by Fairbourne Properties of Chicago for $192 million.  Fairbourne's vision is to redevelop Redmond Town Center from "an auto-centric, suburban campus to a walkable, mixed-use urban neighborhood with retail at it's core. ​Light rail is a major driver.  ​

In 2022, Pat Vache', a "Founding Father" of Town Center gave testimony encouraging Council  include the founders in the development process citing their previous experience (and collective wisdom.) He emphasized the need of engagement opportunities, especially town hall meetings.

Mr. Vache' stated “Throughout the history of Redmond Town Center two issues were foremost, 1) protecting open space and 2) creating a major retail facility for all to enjoy.  If history taught us nothing else, it is clear that three elements were important then and are critical today:

1) Redmond residents want and deserve the opportunity to engage, 

2) A robust retail environment is a necessity for Redmond residents and the economic sustainability of the City of Redmond, and

 3) Redmond residents demand a sustainable environment, an environment characterized by trees, lots of trees and open space, lots of open space," in fact a minimum of 43 acres."

THE EARLY HISTORY - a quick story

Town Center’s modern history began in late 1978 when the Old Redmond Golf Course​ (in King County)​ was purchased by Winmar, a Safeco company.  A total of 120 pristine acres were purchased, including the 87-acre golf course. Forty-four acres would remain open space. (C. Beason played a large role in that.) The acreage was  invaluable to the community.  Open space is a very big part of Redmond culture. 

Winmar proposed development​ of the 87 acre golf course twice, once in 1979​ ​for $4 million (per Town Center Associates) and again in **1982 for $6 million ($16.5 million in today's dollars.)  Though open space was desirable,​ The Sammamish Valley ​News​, ​​​businessmen​ and many residents wanted shopping and commercial ​development.

To counter development, in 1978 a coalition of preservationists​,​ “Civic Action for Redmond Environment” (C.A.R.E.) formed to retain the golf course and influence public opinion.​  One of the C.A.R.E. Presidents Richard Grubb, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Chris Himes, the Beasons and other citizen activists organized the coalition. Grubb, Vache' and Tomac became councilmembers. Himes  became Redmond's first full time Mayor.  Nothing ever came of the 1979, $4 million Town Center Associates offer, probably because of C.A.R.E.  

Pat Vache', Redmond's first planning commissioner and a councilmember of 16 years, says ​"in over eight years ​the public, planning staff, ​and Policy Advisory Commission​​ had a series of public meetings, visioning exercises and just about any type of public process imaginable. Town Center didn't just happen. It has history." 

​​"Old Redmond" vs. "New Redmond" issues were reaching a boiling point. So, in 1982 Council​,​ led by Council President Arnie Tomac​ and councilmember Pat Vache',​ proposed a $6 million bond measure to “let the voters decide" if they wanted to purchase the land for preservation or take Winmar’s offer and develop it.  According to Rosemarie Ives, the 60% supermajority bond failed by 2%​.​  

Mayor Doreen Marchione is quoted in the Sammamish Valley News, “we have no choice but to annex the property for reasonable development.”  Former Mayor Rosemarie Ives​ felt the city ​should​​​ have immediately​ gone out for a second​ vote​. ​ 

With that, ​​Vache' notes by 198​6​, (Ord. 1328) 120 acres were annexed from King County, pre-annexation zoning was completed, the ***Master Plan was approved, and the property was incorporated into the City of Redmond. ​ ​*Seven years following the City’s 1988 approval (Ord. 1416) Winmar didn’t develop anything with Town Center, though there still was much debate and talk.​ In 1994, Winmar proposed an outdoor mall of 1.3M square feet of shopping and offices. The proposal was approved by Council in 1995 (Ord. 1841.) Construction started in 1996.  

-- written by Bob Yoder, 7/15/2022

Sources:  Sammamish Valley News, Pat Vache, Arnie Tomac, Nancy McCormick, Rosemarie Ives, Holly Plackett, 4/8/2022 Fairbourne Properties Letter to Redmond City Council, Seattle Times, 8/10/1997.

Arnold Tomac's Leadership and Involvement with Redmond Town Center.  Arnie is a good friend of Pat Vache'. 

* Quick stories:  Though, not directly related to Town Center, past councilmember and planning commissioner Holly Plackett wrote Winmar's seven "idle" years were spent developing Target, Mervyns, and Bella Bottega cinema.

This story is so interesting! As editor of the Sammamish Valley News at that time, I was deeply involved in studying the options for this property. Redmond was sorely in need of a better commercial zone….the town was growing and there really was a great need. Although Town Center perhaps failed to fulfill that dream entirely, there is still hope. The city has grown…the possibilities are still endless! I hope Redmond marches ahead, brings itself completely into this century to keep up with the vast population growth!

--Deb Akerstrom, 7/2022.  Deb is presently a Director on the Redmond Historical Society Society.  12/2022

###

** The MASTER PLAN was approved in 1986:  "The design and development of this zone is controlled by a Master Plan established to ensure that development here integrates with and positively influences future development of the Greater downtown area and retains traditional building styles, street patterns, variety of uses, and public amenities."  (Ord. 1328.)  

The MASTER PLAN was scrapped in 2022.  New language:  "Design and development of this zone is controlled by zone-based regulations and additional  special design standards for development projects located within the downtown urban core."

Rosemarie Ives Upset With Redevelopment Process Of Redmond Town Center

Good evening Mayor and Council.  My name is Rosemarie Ives, former Redmond mayor 1992-2007, and I am here to provide comment and some history relating to the Town Center Amendments on tonight’s agenda.  Although I would like to comment on Tree Regulations, four minutes is hardly enough time for such important issue.  Such a full agenda precludes the public from giving any substantive testimony on more than one item. I hope that Madam Mayor would consider my making a few remarks after testimony from others is concluded.

I was on the Planning Commission when the first conceptual plan for Town Center was presented in preparation of the annexation of the beloved, treed 120 acre property into the City and the heart of our downtown. The Planning Commission worked for 18 months in 1986-1987.  I was an opponent of “the enclosed mall that was initially proposed  while the late former councilmember Richard Cole was a proponent.  Once the land use decision was made, together Mr. Cole and I authored  the 39 conditions that constituted a compact with the community and that were eventually placed on the development.  In 1987, Mr.  Cole and I were elected to City Council….Together we led the council through much of its process of deliberation over the next two years.  In 1992 when  I was elected mayor, Town Center owners proposed a new open air, pedestrian and downtown oriented design incorporating the 39 conditions encouraging redevelopment and revitalization in the adjacent downtown. that was approved in 1995 in Development Guide Amendment 94-004.   Construction began in 1996.

UPDATED OPINION, 11/7/2021: What Will Redmond Look Like In 2050?

Is it too late to make the massive 22-acre downtown Nelson "Village" palpable and resident friendly or will our elected officials cave to this developer?

In 2007, Redmond hired consultant Guy Michaelson from Berger Partnership of Seattle to give a vision  and suggestions for the development of Downtown Redmond.  Below, are two points he made, salient to Redmond 2050:

Guy emphasized the importance of "promenades" for connecting a hierarchy of streets. Promenades are not boulevards but important avenues with canopy and wider (20')sidewalks.  The Parks Director and Mayor Ives talked with excitement about street-side cafes, book stores, spilling over onto wider sidewalk promenades. (Thank you COVID for the later.)

Guy suggested improving the "green ring" along the Sammamish River by softening the eastern slope of the river with a more gradual grade to "get out of the ditch". He suggested building a bike/running trail on the west side to allow for more passive activities on the eastern slope. He thought Luke McRedmond Park had great potential. [He failed to point out King County has jurisdiction over the river corridor.]

Mayor Birney and Council, please zone for greater use of promenades, wider sidewalks and bike lanes, specifically in the Nelson Master Plan and SE Redmond Neighborhood (where new schools are planned.)  Thank you.  B. Yoder

READ MORE for the abridged Berger report and my opinion:

UPDATED: Downtown transit station designing moves forward

Redmond council members still haven't formally approved design and construction of the downtown light rail station but may take action soon once Sound Transit signs off. 

From everything I've read and heard, the west Downtown transit station will be elevated and located near Redmond Town Center in the vicinity of 164th Avenue and NE 166th Avenue. A spur may run towards Half Price Books....I don't know why.  Everyone seems to worry the elevated station being an eyesore - I'll be packing my ear-plugs! 

The east station will be in the vicinity of Maryooor Park. About 1400 parking spaces are planned in and around the Marymoor station, mostly to service Sammamish ridge commuters and future aquatics center users. Nancy McCormick (retired councilwoman of 24 years) says the parking spaces will also benefit Redmond commuters "by unclogging east-west streets."  It is not yet known if the parking will be in two garages or scattered around "the new neighborhood." President Margeson  doesn't care a wit for garage parking.  Two Marymoor developers are lobbying council to allow parking in their proposed buildings but they expect compensation for the lost space.  

Some trivia:  In their reports, city planners name the Marymoor station neighborhood a "sub area."  To personalize the sub area President Margeson's been calling it "Joe's Neighborhood."  Councilmember David Carson enjoys calling it "Marymoor Flats" and was the first to suggest a friendly name. Not so trivial, Councilmember Angela Birney insists on a more "eclectic" look and feel for the new neighborhood.  I totally agree...our city is in sorry need of some personality.  

Bob Yoder

Downtown Park Groundbreaking 2

Credit/Jeni Craswell

Nancy McCormick (retired CM) is far left.  She's a strong advocate and defender of the Downtown Park. On the night of her retirement from Council she gave a check towards the Downtown Park to Mr. Mayor. Nancy is now a member of the One Redmond Foundation.  Rep. Joan McBride of the 48th District is right of Nancy.  Councilmember David Carson is the tall guy in the blue shirt. Molly Hill, the wife of Sen. Andy Hill is speaking. Mr. Mayor is behind her. King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert was present.  Is that John Aftebro  (V.P. RHS) in the foreground with the blue cap?

The photographer, Jeni Crawsell was Marchione's 2007 campaign manager, the Executive Director of  "Realize Redmond" (precursor to the One Redmond Foundation) and now works for Hopelink.

An individual on Facebook thought the Park should be named after John Couch, the city's Park director of 30 years.  Nancy McCormick the "Facebook park defender" responded a park can't be named for someone until they've been deceased for at least 2 years.

Photo source:  Facebook

UPDATED: Downtown Park Groundbreaking 1

l-r, David Carson, Hank Myers, Byran Schutz, Molly HIll (State Senator Andy Hill's wife) John Marchione, Nancy McCormick, Joan McBride 48th District, Hank Margeson, Tanika Padhye, Angela Birney, John Stilin  credit/C.O.R

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert was present but is not in the photo.  She lives on Education Hill

Council passes the "Bear Creek Parkway Extension"

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

This is an edited 2008 report, and video on the Bear Creek Parkway Extension. In the video I said the extension would improve aesthetics. Wrong!  B.Y. 2016.

Council passes the Bear Creek Parkway Extension construction project

The July 15, 2008 Council conversations on the $23 million "Bear Creek Parkway Extension" project were interesting, yet challenging to follow. I had to contact the City Clerk to confirm the final 4-2 vote FOR the project.

All councilmembers (Mr. Pat Vache' was absent) wanted the construction project approved, but two councilmembers Kim Allen & Richard Cole were seriously upset with the proposed alignment. In the beginning Councilman David Carson went along with Mr. Cole's original stance against the project. By the end of the debate only Carson and Allen voted against the project. Cole reluctantly voted for it.  Read More >>

The Vision of "OneRedmond Foundation" is to be a leader in activating Redmond's downtown, Councilman John Stilin is President

Editor's note:  Jim Stanton is an executive at Microsoft.  Bill Biggs is an executive at Group Health (Kaiser).  Jason Van Nort is at executive for PSE. 


Mr. Yoder:

The mission of the OneRedmond Foundation is to promote, coordinate and fund activities, events and projects that encourage people to live work and play in Redmond and to build community.  Its vision is to be the leader in activating Redmond’s downtowns.

Members of the Board of Directors include: Beth Sigall, Bill Biggs, Dr. Traci Pierce, Jane Wither, Jason Van Nort, Jessica Lambert, Jim Stanton, John Duncan, John Stilin, Mary Morrow, Menka Soni, Nancy McCormick and Pat Vache.

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.

Bart Phillips                   

BART PHILLIPS, CEcD | CEO P: 425.885.4014 x101| M: 360.607.3610 8383 158th Ave NE Suite 225 | Redmond, WA  98052 www.oneredmond.org

LETTER: The Bear Creek restoration project was much more than Marchione's doing

A Redmond resident wrote a  September 11 Letter to the Editor saying that “ John Marchione single handily convinced our state representatives to find money for the recently completed $10 million restoration project on lower Bear Creek.”  This statement is a complete misrepresentation. 

Here’s how it played out:  A citizen sent pictures of flooding on 520 to Finance Chair Representative Ross Hunter.  Councilmembers Kim Allen, Richard Cole, and Nancy McCormick traveled to Olympia to lobby Ross for funding of the lower Bear Creek restoration.  Ross Hunter was impressed by the pictures and the lobbying and called Representative Deb Eddy who contacted the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for funding.  Councilmember Hank Myers also had a long conversation with WSDOT.  John Marchione may have had some input at that point – I don’t know – but the accomplishment involved more than his sole participation.  The citizen’s Letter also erroneously stated the Bear Creek restoration was a $10 million project when in fact it was a $12 million dollar project with the City of Redmond contributing only $2 million.  The citizen slanted his Letter to favor Marchione’s campaign.  We should give our councilmembers and state representatives credit where credit is due. The Bear Creek restoration project was much more than Marchione’s doing. 

Pam and Bob Yoder

Redmond

"ONE REDMOND" Chairman Bill Biggs gives progress report to Redmond city council

UPDATED:  Bill Biggs, V.P. Administrative Services for Group Health and Chair of Redmond Economic Development Association (REDA) gave Council a progress report on ONE REDMOND (OR) this Tuesday during their study session.  Mr. Biggs was introduced as the new Chair of OR. 

Biggs defined OR as an organization that "integrates community development, business retention, and business recruitment and choreographs how they connect and work together."   He said integration of the city into OR is important to land new businesses. 

Andrea Lachmann of PS Business Parks and Chair of the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce and Nancy McCormick, a Director of Realize Redmond (RR) and Past Redmond Council President were present and gave insight into how their organizations would fold into OR.  REDA, the Chamber and RR planned to finalize their recommendations for a OR work plan yesterday with a specific work plan expected by December, 2013. 

Chair Biggs said "assimilation of the Chamber of Commerce into One Redmond is going very well and this week we'll bring that to culmination." He said the legacy of the chamber is business retention and that chamber staff will be folded into OR.  Biggs said OR will keep the Chamber brand and maintain it's association with the Eastside and National Chambers.  On web searches it will be found rostered under ONE REDMOND. 

Andrea Lachmann wrote a thorough update on ONE REDMOND in the October 2012 Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce newsletter.   I recommend you read it here. 

McCormick said Realize Redmond is aligned with OR in their mission to develop the community by focusing on:  a sense of place, community involvement, cultural attributes, cultural diversity, and quality educational system.  She said they've been involved with writing the By-Laws of OR during a quiet fundraising period. 

Councilmember Tom Flynn asked if Realize Redmond was still fundraising for the Downtown Park and McCormmick no, it's delayed.  Mayor Marchione said park construction isn't planned untill 2016-2017 with 2014 being a "design year" and 2013 a "community input year."  (write:  mayor@redmond.gov)

President Vache' said the $50,000 feasibility study showed the Downtown Park was not a top priority.  Chair Biggs said "the first park priority is what happens in and around the park, the buzz, and how it creates a sense of place and attraction to the people to visit here, work here, and live here."  He hadn't seen traction from the community side to see how the park would perform.  Read More >>

"ONE REDMOND" Economic Development Organization still in formative stages

Economic Development was a topic of discussion at last night's joint Redmond City Council - Kirkland City Council meeting in Redmond City Hall.  Mayor Marchione described his plans to consolidate the Redmond Chamber, Redmond Economic Development Association (REDA), and Realize Redmond Foundation into one entity, called ONE REDMOND.

BACKGROUND:  The genesis for ONE REDMOND was May 19, 2009 when Council approved $105,500 taxpayer funding of "Angezo Economics" consultant's stragtegic plan for community development.  Soon thereafter the Council approved $200,000 to fund a public-private partnership with newly formed REDA.  $50,000 of these funds were used to fund an Executive Director for Realize Redmond (John Marchione's mayoral campaign manager, Jeni Craswell).  Another $50,000 were spent to fund REDA's Executive Director, Larry Williams.  And another $50,000 were spent on a "feasibility study" to test market "five key elements of the ONE REDMOND plan."  In that study 60 businesses and 20 community members were surveyed in depth.   Currently none of these entities have an Executive Director. (See my July 12, 2011 story "Redmond's Evolving Economic Development Plan")

In the joint Council meeting with Kirkland, Mayor Marchione listed the five key elements of ONE REDMOND as: 1) Capacity to expand in Redmond which is difficult because of land mostly, 2) retaining companies, 3) recruiting employers from Boston, Austin, Silicon Valley and North Carolina - the competition, 4) transportation, affordable housing and other quality of life and community development isssues, and 5) an educated work force - especially a need for machinists and computer programmers. 

The mayor said it's been a difficult process of forming ONE REDMOND and getting people to sign off on the dotted line.  (Below see a list of interim Board members).  "I'm not ready to declare a victory yet but remain optimistic" said Marchione.  

Marchione said he expects "by the 1st quarter of next year ONE REDMOND will be it's own entity and that the Redmond Chamber, REDA and Realize Redmond will have folded into that and no longer exist as their own organizations." 

Councilmember John Stilin said: "ONE REDMOND brings organizations with different interests in one room where they all have to agree on something that's in their mutual interest of all parties involved.  It's no longer 'you-guys', it's 'us-guys.'"

Mayor Marchione said the technology companies on Willows Road had no reason to go to Chamber meetings since they didn't see themselves as retail businesses.  ONE REDMOND gets them more engaged in our economic development. 

According to Council President Pat Vache', the implementing Board of Directors include three members from the Boards of each of the originating organizations (REDA, Realize Redmond, The Greater Redmond Chamber Of Commerce) and three from The City of Redmond :  Read More / See list >>

City expects to alter Bear Creek channel this summer



Aerial View of Redmond Town Center, Bear Creek and SR520 - before widening
Historic Bear Creek 100-year Flood Plain in blue (Macy's is red box)



In 2008 WSDOT decided to widen SR520 from 4 lanes to 8 lanes.  The widening occurred in 2009 on the northside of SR520 towards Bear Creek.  The impact to Bear Creek and Redmond Town Center's flood plain was significant enough to warrant realigning (relocating) the creek away from the widening project. 

Earlier, Councilmembers Richard Cole, Kim Allen, and Nancy McCormick traveled to Olympia to request funding to relocate the Creek.  State Finance Chair Ross Hunter allocated $8 Million towards the project.  The City Department of Natural Resources and WRIA (watershed agency) funded another $2 Million.  The project has been held up by the Army Corps of Engineers. 

Yesterday, Roger Dane, Redmond Natural Resources wrote:

"The City continues coordination with the Army Corps in order to secure permit approvals. We believe the agency and their partners are working towards approval, and at this point we expect to be under construction in summer 2012."

Bear Creek is a protected  "Shoreline of the State."   Chinook, a federally-protected Endangered Species live and spawn in it's channels and backwaters.  According to local experts, the salmon run was poor this year.  If you have any questions or suggestions for the city, contact Roger Dane at rdane@redmond.gov.  Word has it the funding is contracted for 5-years before it expires.

The aerial flood plain photo is courtesy of Susan Wilkins, a citizen-geologist.  Sue published  the photo in  her "OPINION: THE SR520 EXPANSION BETWEEN THE SAMMAMISH RIVER BRIDGE AND REDMOND WAY - From 4 lanes in 1992 to 8 lanes in 2008. But at what cost? "

Redmond's Downtown Central Park is Approved, Opening New Possibilities

The new Downtown Central Park site is behind & just east (left) of the Redmond Shopping Square.  This old mall will be leveled, 161st Street extended and converted to a promenade connecting Redmond Way to Cleveland St.

Redmond's Downtown Central Park is Approved

http://redmond.gov/aboutredmond/pressreleases/pr09149.asp

After Council approved the downtown park last week, retiring six-term Councilmember Nancy McCormick handed Mayor Marchione a donation check for the new Downtown Park Foundation.  (About a year ago, Ms. McCormick donated $30,000 to Hope-link).
 
The approved site is located between Cleveland Street and Redmond Way and bounded to the west by the proposed 161st Street extension and to the east by the historic Stone House property. (I've heard that a "linear park" along the BNSF rail spur connecting to the Downtown Park is on the drawing boards). 

The Park is close to transit service and has many opportunities for pedestrian access. It is a short walk to Redmond Town Center, Slough Park and the Sammamish River Trail.  Additional parking will be provided along Redmond Way and Cleveland Street after they are both returned to two-way streets.  (In about six months).
MORE

The City of Redmond admits some of the 2009 jobs they eliminated were funded by Microsoft.

It is not a surprise to anyone that most government revenues have fallen in 2009 and it is no different for the City of Redmond.

This past summer, Redmond eliminated several temporary positions funded by the Microsoft Corporation when Microsoft discontinued its Redmond construction projects and exercised its option to terminate the funding agreement with the City. This fall, the City has made the difficult decision to eliminate several  more  positions in the Development Review division, due to a marked slowdown in development activity.

"Just as we did this past summer, the City continues to right-size its operations for the current economic conditions," states Mayor John Marchione. "While reducing positions is always done with very deliberate thought, we committed to this balanced approach to our finances during our 2008 budget deliberations."

"Through specific budget reductions, holding the line on expenditures and the one percent property tax increase provided for in the 2009/2010 budget, we are confident we can continue to honor our service and program commitments to the City's residents and businesses," states Redmond Council President Nancy McCormick.

The City of Redmond will begin planning for the 2011/2012 budget biennium early next year. As in 2008, residents and businesses will continue to play a role in confirming the City's budget and service priorities. For information about these next steps, contact the Mayor's office at 425-556-2101 or mayor@redmond.gov .

-- City Web Site, 12/5

Redmond City Council President Nancy McCormick endorses Kim Allen

"I have known Kim Allen since she joined Redmond’s Planning Commission in 2002 and we have served together on the Redmond City Council for the last 4 years. I have watched Kim quickly learn her way around the issues in the areas of transportation, planning, growth management and environmental stewardship and we have gone together to carry Redmond’s needs and concerns to our state legislators, many of whom have endorsed Kim’s reelection—as have I.

Kim and I represent Redmond’s interests in transportation as voting members of Eastside Transportation Partnership where we have worked to secure more buses and transit for Redmond. She has promoted Council’s presence in the community and I look forward to working with her as Council lead as we rewrite Redmond’s zoning code. Her background and connections to the Redmond community give her an understanding of our city’s interests and have made her an effective Councilmember for Redmond. That’s why I am supporting her campaign for the chance to serve another 4 years."

Nancy McCormick
nmccormi@halcyon.com
by email, 10/22

Kim Allen
Redmond City Councilmember, #4
kim@kimonthecouncil.com
http://www.kimonthecouncil.com/
425-894-8237

Attn Readers! Post your election endorsements here!

Post your endorsements here!   You are invited to email your endorsement to Bob Yoder at  redmondblog@gmail.com for posting on this page.  (please include your address for verification purposes)

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I have gotten to know Susan Hutchison over the last few years. She is a woman of integrity, a hard worker, a collaborator and one that is willing to look for new and better ways to do things. It would be so refreshing to work with an executive that cares about all the citizens in this county.

Kathy Lambert
Education Hill neighborhood
Redmond, WA.
10/24
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Dear Bob,

"Kudos to Council President McCormick for her strong endorsement of Councilmember Allen. We have been observers and sometimes participants in Redmond politics for nearly thirty years. Never has the City faced such a confluence of adverse circumstances as it does today. To steer the City through these hard times requires steady, experienced hands at the wheel of government. Compare these days to the crash of the US Airways flight in the Hudson River: those fortunate souls survived only because they were in the hands of a mature and experienced pilot.

Kim Allen belongs in that category. She has years of experience and a maturity shared by few in government. Hers is a steady hand. She is the type of person we can trust at the wheel. These are not just words. We have known her (Marty worked with her on the Redmond Planning Commission), and observed her sterling performance on the City Council for years. She is the real deal and we are lucky to have her. We certainly commend Ms. Chen for her interest in good government. However, now is not the time and the City Council is not the place for a beginner. When Ms. Chen has put in years learning the ropes and demonstrating her competence, we would then consider her for a position on the Council, but not now and certainly not as a replacement for someone of such demonstrated competence, intelligence and experience as Kim Allen."

Marty & Lori Snodgrass
Redmond, WA
E: help@snodgrasslaw.com
10/23
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"I have known Kim Allen since she joined Redmond’s Planning Commission in 2002 and we have served together on the Redmond City Council for the last 4 years. I have watched Kim quickly learn her way around the issues in the areas of transportation, planning, growth management and environmental stewardship and we have gone together to carry Redmond’s needs and concerns to our state legislators, many of whom have endorsed Kim’s reelection—as have I.

Kim and I represent Redmond’s interests in transportation as voting members of Eastside Transportation Partnership where we have worked to secure more buses and transit for Redmond. She has promoted Council’s presence in the community and I look forward to working with her as Council lead as we rewrite Redmond’s zoning code. Her background and connections to the Redmond community give her an understanding of our city’s interests and have made her an effective Councilmember for Redmond. That’s why I am supporting her campaign for the chance to serve another 4 years."

Nancy McCormick
nmccormi@halcyon.com
10/22
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"Most of you probably skip voting for Hospital District Commissioner like I usually do because you don't know any of them. I have known Charles Pilcher for 25 years, he was my boss for several of those, is a good MD, headed the emergency department at Evergreen for many years, supports health care reform and is a good person. I think he would do a great job for us and Evergreen."

Terry Lavender
10/20

The King County Elections ballots are in the mail! "Let the games begin"!

Council President Nancy McCormick is retiring after 6 terms of dedicated service to the City of Redmond.

Redmond Council Vice President Pat Vache' and Arts Commissioner John Stilin are both running unopposed. 

Councilmember Kimberly Allen is running for re-election (Seat #4) against upstart Sally J. Chen.   

Chuck Pilcher is running for commissioner of  Evergreen County Hospital District #2 against Rex Lindquist.  Dr. Pilcher is endorsed by every hospital district commissioner except Lindquist.  Redmond Fire and Medics endorse Pilcher. 

King County Charter Amendments One, Two, and Three are mostly housekeeping.   Charter Amendment Four is significant and deserves study.   The Municipal League of Woman Voters recommends "yes" on all four. 

LWSD Directors Nancy Bernard ("Kirkland" area District 3) and Doug Eglington ("Sammamish Plateau" District 4) are again running unopposed.   Julie Wright has withdrawn from the race, according to LWSD. 

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert is running unopposed.

The Big Race is for King County Excecutive.   "Outsider" Susan Hutchinson is running against King County Councilmember Dow Constantine.   Do you care who just got the Seattle Times endorsement?

All local candidate websites and charter amendments are posted on this sidebar.

For these and all other Eastside races, the link to the King County Candidate website is:    http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/200911/contestscandidates.aspx

text and photo by Bob Yoder

Mental Health Court and Emergency Preparedness are 'studied' by Council

City Council Study Session with City Directors present

Updated:  The City Council and staff are pictured above in their September 29th  "Study Session."   Council President Nancy McCormick chairs the sessions twice a month on Tuesdays.

The Directors and Council were in session to get emergency preparedness "training" on how they fit into the  "Incident Command System" (ICS) program.  ICS is a nationally mandated standard cities must follow to qualify for federal funding disaster relief.  Pictured with backs to us, giving the training are (l-r) Mayor John Marchione, Emergency Specialist Tom Osborn, and Deputy Fire Chief Tom Norton.

Stephanie D. Mapelli, President of Leadership Eastside, was a first presenter at the Study Session. Leadership Eastside is a three-year teaching program that promotes connections, develops and enriches emerging  leaders, and provides a catalyst for communities.  John Marchione, Jeni Craswell, Hank Margeson, and Tom Flynn are a few who have graduated from the program.  Arts Commission Chair, John Stilin and Deputy Fire Chief Norton are "on deck".  The student mix is:  60% profit, 20% government, and 20% non government non profit.

Ms. Mapelli brought up the issue of Mental Health.  She stated that pretty much everyone knows someone afflicted with a brain disorder.  She commended Mayor Marchione and Councilmember Hank Margeson on their work through Eastside Leadership, to push for a suburban  Mental Health Court.  (The hard work has been done by our leaders, yet, the suburban mental health court is delayed by lagging taxes of the poor economy).

Council President Nancy McCormick usually holds a "council talk time" at the end of the session.   Hank Myers said that 70 citizens showed up at a weed-pulling work party at a city park.   Mr. Myers is known for biking to these programs with his large clippers.

Would you like to see how LWSD "sessions" compare to the city's sessions?   They are strikingly different.  Come back and see? 

story and photo by Bob Yoder

updated to correct "Mental Health Court" link. 

"ATTENTION! The comment under this Council Committee story may make you drowsy. Do not operate a vehicle after reading it!!"

For the sake of brevity and your reading enjoyment, I've posted edited excerpt's of my correspondence with City Clerk, Michelle McGehee under "comments".  

To find our Q&A please press the "comments" button underneath this post.

Chair Hank Margeson's Planning and Public Works Committee meeting, 9/17

This committee meeting had quorum and voted to advise staff on an annexation issue.

 L-R Hank Myers, Kim Allen, Richard Cole (by door), Hank Margeson (under clock)

Council President Nancy McCormick

story and photo by Bob Yoder