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

20 closures on SR 520 this month

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 12/3

REDMOND, Wash. -- The Washington Department of Transportation is warning that State Route 520 between Lake Washington and Redmond will be closed 20 times in December for construction.

The department says the closures on the heavily traveled highway in Seattle's eastern suburbs will all be at night. But it says that still can mean delays or detours for nighttime holiday shoppers.

Three major projects are under way on the route, including a freeway overpass being built in Redmond.

On the Net: 
SR 520 construction information: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr520 .

OPINION: J.P. implores the Mayor to reign in the spending.

OPINION, by J.P.Panesko

"... it really bothers me that when private businesses and citizens are hurting and are cutting back expenses, the city declares "full steam ahead, pay raises for everybody, and let's build a new park!" Now I'm certainly not against parks by any means. But gee whiz, we already have plenty of excellent parks here. If we can manage to just keep those existing ones open and well-maintained during this downturn, then we're doing really well. But to be talking about (and spending on) expanding parks and building new ones right now, that's just plain crazy. When good times return, then sure, do those kinds of things. But right now, let's focus on the basics, the need-to-haves.

And don't you wonder how many of the laid-off employees could have been saved if they had only frozen salaries a year or two ago?  That's what a lot of companies (like my former one) did, in order to save as many jobs as possible.

I watched the council meeting on TV a few weeks ago (you blogged about it) when hundreds of people were down at city hall from those two churches. That was impressive, and certainly the most people I have seen in council chambers. Too bad that more of them didn't speak up (I think many immigrants are fearful to challenge authority, as it probably wasn't done in their home countries, not to mention the language difference). So I guess there are a few others out there suffering due to lack of city sewer on their street.
 
You know, I don't think anybody ever challenges him (mayor), and he is so used to getting his way that it causes major cognitive dissonance when somebody actually says "NO". Not that I think he's a bad person or anything, quite the contrary."
 
J.P. Panesko
Redmond, WA.

Your opinions and letters are welcome!  Please send them to me at:  redmondblog@gmail.com, 
--Bob Yoder

High school graduates remember Redmond before Microsoft

High%2Dschool%20graduates%20remember%20Redmond%20before%20Microsoft

Carlson, 99, grew up in what was then a rugged timber and fishing outpost with little more than a butcher, a hotel and a few bars. Her four-mile daily walk to then-Avondale Elementary was via a muddy, unpaved Northeast 116th Street.

Anatomy of the LW School Board's parliamentary process

Below, is a record of how the LW School Board voted on three funding resolutions for the 2/9/2009
election.   I recorded their decision-making process from the archive video-tape of the meeting, as follows:

After about 25 minutes of general discussion by the Board and Superindendent the voting process started, as follows".  (Nancy, Chris, Jackie, and Doug are School Board Directors). 

Nancy:  Did Doug move?  Do you want to get it on the table?

Jackie:  Yeh, we can have a motion to approve, if you'd like.

Doug:  I'll move adoption of .... do we want to have these as a package?

Nancy:  I'm fine with a package.   (is this supposed to be the second to the motion?)

Jackie:  I'm fine with all three.  (the three resolutions?  which ones?  they weren't read).

Doug:  All right, I'll move we adopt all three, but I want to amend that so that we give staff the authority to:  1) deal with the issue that Chris raised, that if there's any flexibility of formatting the ballot we give that, and 2) we give flexibility to insert the appropriate name of the entity that's actually going to be conducting the election.

Jackie:  So we have a motion and a Second. 
(We do?  Was the Second named?  Did the motion identify the resolutions for the public and record?)

No vote was taken.  Discussion ensued.

Twelve minutes passed before a second motion, by Pres. Pendergrass, was put on the table: 

Jackie:  "I'll entertain, aahh... we have a motion and a second  (Doug questions the second)...
Jackie:  Yes, Nancy seconded. 
The motion is to:

allow changes in language that need to be appropriate for the......whatever the elections are called these days....and then to check on the ballot measures to make sure that they look as consistent with one another that is possible.

Jackie:  With that, all those in favor say Aye (four Ayes) - any opposed? (*silence).  Our work is cut out for us over the next few months".

Again, the measures were not read prior to the vote.  My point, is how can the viewing public be expected to know what's going on in this vote?  And, if the resolutions were never read by a Director, then how can they be voted on?   

*Director Ravi Shahani did not attend the meeting.  His district is in the Education Hill area.

Part One:  The public is left scratching their heads after the School Board funding vote.

Updated EDITORIAL: I'm taxed out.

Updated, 12/4:  As the holiday season comes upon us, so does the tax season.  Unfortunately, all of our local governments but Evergreen Hospital District  (presently $.24/ 1000) will have their hands out to the taxpayers, at a terrible economic time when we can least afford it.  For perspective, one in four children and one in eight adults are living on food stamps in America.

Watch Redmond citizen J.P. Panesko's forceful 4 minute challenge to the council and mayor requesting spending cuts. The Mayor was noticeably shaken. (advance the video to minute 5:50).

The Lake Washington School District levies and bond measure would raise taxes on an average assessed home by $294 over four years (2010 - 2014); the remainder of the bond ($234 million) is paid down like a mortgage.  The King County Redmond Library would lift the lid on taxes about $40/year for the average home in the school district ($505,000).  If this isn't enough, the Redmond City Council last night approved an ordinance levying a 1% property tax increase commencing January 1, 2010!   My cup has overflowed.  (Though the Evergreen Hospital levy is not a measure this year, taxpayers  currently pay $121.20 for a  home  per year within the LW school district.)

Councilmember Cole claimed the levy funds ($13.25/year/house) were "necessary to keep the city running, especially public safety."  OMG.  The Mayor claimed the city's "long range slow and steady position is Redmond's salvation".  Like a squirrel stuffing his cheeks for a winter?   Councilmember Myers even joined the herd, claiming the ~ $360,000 levy was a very small increase but it can be used to "attract the best and brightest" employees. (In THIS economy?)  Thousands of of qualified workers in Redmond are hungry for work, myself included. 

Councilmember McCormick claimed the $359,198 levy is "tiny", then went on to strike every nerve in my body.   Ms. McCormick  implied the city uses the money to cover rising costs of employee health insurance (!), buy $200,000 traffic signals, and pay employee salaries.  My Oh My!  Many citizens don't have even  basic health insurance.  Some none.  Others, pay $1000/month just for premiums.  Enough said.

Madam President. Mr. Mayor. Have you ever considered implementing salary freezes where you can or cutting COLA's til the worst is over?   It happens all the time. Here's a kinder choice than salary cuts:  One percent of all public works projects goes to pay for art installation on city construction sites -- whether it's a new manhole cover or under a bridge! 

Yes, you now have cap measures on Executive performance bonuses. But, are they implemented?  Yes, the Mayor's salary is substantially below market compared to LWSD Superintendent Kimball and CEO Brown of Evergreen Hospital.  But, does the Mayor's "salary freeze" justify uninterrupted, slow and steady annual salary increases for your employees?   Yes, you've cut 19 jobs, four of them yesterday.  But weren't over nine of them contracted Microsoft workers?  

Praise to the three councilmembers voting against the levy ordinance -- Pat Vache', Kim Allen, and David Carson.  Councilmember Pat Vache' is truly attuned to the business and neighborhood communities.  Vache' commended the Mayor on achieving $2.6M in 'innovative' cuts.  Yet, he claimed the dire state of the economy changed everything and "what is nice to do is not really necessary" under the circumstances.  He wisely noted procedures were in place to tap money in response to an "event".

(NOTE, 1/2/11 - Vache voted FOR the 1% property tax this 2011-12 budget cycle and Myers voted against it). 

While I am not against most of these measures,  I'm taxed out.  How about you?

by Bob Yoder

High School Sports Blog | Redmond football coach Mike Pluschke resigns | Seattle Times Newspaper

High School Sports Blog Redmond football coach Mike Pluschke resigns Seattle Times Newspaper

Passionate comments from my FaceBook friends on Sen. Lieberman's role in health care.

Joe Lieberman must go.   What do you think?

Sen. Lieberman has indicated he plans to join with Republicans to filibuster any health care bill that contains a public option. Alone, the Republicans don't have the votes for a filibuster. So by joining with them, Lieberman would be tipping the balance of power in order to sink health care reform. - Facebook

Hank:  For those of us who believe in choice, Joe is more than just a traitor.

Dan:  I don't get it. He doesn't agree with you, so.... HE'S A TRAITOR! Was there some espionage going on? Did he aid the Taliban? How is he a traitor? How about a little tolerance here.

Kim:  Time to use our majority to change the numbers needed to filibuster. If not this,then what? If not now, then when? Real health care reform cannot wait any longer.

Dan:  Arguments in favor of ANY legislation that will increase spending are moot in light of the fact that we have a deficit. If you really want to push for some legislation that spends more money, first cut an equalent amount from the budget. Anyone can spend when they have control of the printing presses, it takes a little more intellectual honesty to prioritize and make the hard decisions when operating WITHIN budget limits.

Bob Yoder:  Dan, I'm sorry but you are sounding a little like an accountant. Bean counters aren't going to solve this generational health care problem. It's simply too big of a problem for both parties to deny. Tax dollars will be spent by the Right or the Left to either patch it or fix it. I'd favor a healing transfusion over a slow bleed anyday.

Dan:   Bob, I will assume that you are willing to increase the budget deficit in order to fund additional spending on heath care. That's very generous of you to pass along the cost + interest to the following generations of citizens. Why not just pay as we go along? Then we will feel the immediate impact of our financial obligations without pushing them off onto our children. BTW the only way to avoid sounding like an accountant when discussing buget issues is to ignor the facts and just focus on the emotions.

Dave:  Joe Libermann is a traitor because he agreed to become part of the Democratic caucus after his failed campaigning for John McCain. In turn for his allegience to the party, the Democrats awarded him with a committee chairmanship and other perks reserved only for Democrats which is of course the majority party.

Now when the Democrats need him most the sides with the stonewalling Republicans and doesn't even leave open the possibility of compromise. If that's not a traitor, I don't know what is.

Could it be that his decision is influenced by the fact that he has taken more money than most politicians from the health insurance industry, many of which are headquartered in Connecticut? Nah, that couldn't be it!

Dan:  Well then, take away his chairmanship. Maybe the Democrats can sell it to another senator in exchange for his/her vote.

Readers:  (Feel free to chime in.)

Last names have been withheld for the privacy of the participants. 

NOTICE, 12/19/2010:   RNB has a new Privacy Policy, effective 12/19/2010. (see "About Us). This is the only old post I will update with this announcement.  The new Privacy Policy is implied on all other posts in RNB published after 12/19/2010.  by Bob Yoder 

Sonic Forest, Grand Opening!

Christopher Janney’s Sonic Forest will be at Redmond Town Center December 4-12. We’ll have an opening at 7:30 pm on December 4 at the center plaza at Redmond Town Center. It is free and everyone is invited. Drummers are welcome to bring their drums!

Sonic Forest runs from December 4-12, 9am-10pm.

Updated, 12/8: The public is left scratching their heads trying to figure the School Board's funding vote.

The School Board in a semi-monthly Public Work Study Session with the Administration

OPINION:  Updated 12/8:   I spent over 3 hours this weekend  watching the video of the LWSD School Board's, 11/23 Regular Meeting.  They were voting to approve the Superintendent's levy/bond funding measures

In review, I noticed what appears to be several errors and omissions in the voting process.  I brought this to the attention of the Administration and the School Board.

My observations:   The Board's Motion, Second and Vote to approve Resolutions 2044 (levy),  2045 (levy), and 2046 (bond) was incomplete.  At minute 26 of the video, Director Eglington made a motion to approve "the package of three measures." He didn't read the measures aloud or hand them to the Chair.  Director Bernard's Second was question.

The only Board vote was 12 minutes later (38 min) after Pendergrass motioned to allowed for changes and consistency in language.  Bernard's "Second" was questioned. (for the second time)

If you want to see the 11/23 meeting video for yourself?  GO HERE .  Advance the video to 26-27min. and to 37min to see watch the motions.  The one vote taken had the shape of an  'amendment' allowing for changes in language. (37min.) 

I am not a lawyer, but in my brief research of  Robert's Rules of Order (RRO) I noticed the following  shaky parliamentary procedures.

1) A Director never "read the resolution(s) and handed it over to the Chair." (RRO)  Nor did a Director or the Chair read the resolutions or resolution numbers.  How does the public know what was voted on?

2) "The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations" (RRO), as is the Superintendent's report and so they can't substitute for reading the resolution.

3)  The final Motion (by the Chair) and seconded by (Bernard?) was "to allow changes" (amendments).  The Chair never read the resolutions or referred to them other than as "ballot measures".

4)  The Chair didn't declare, "The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted" (PPO). The resolutions were never identified or read.

This voting appeared  loosey-goosey, disorganized and lacking common sense parliamentary process. Yet, the District's attorney says it's legal.  Of course.   Scrutiny of the tapes show the LWSD School Board parliamentary process is problematic.

Why do I care so much?  I honor and respect the Board's service. But, the Board's current voting process leaves anyone viewing the vote (especially, without the resolutions) confused about "what was going on."  Voting on $300M measures is serious business and the public should expect it's done right, so it's understandable and appropriately recorded for the record.
 
What do you think?  Wendy, you too. What's right about the School Board's process?  Will you listen to the tapes?   Dr. Kimball's comments and the District legal counsel's argument are beyond capacity of this blog platform.  

11/23/09 meeting video tape.

by Bob Yoder

PS. No need to download "Silverlite" to view the video.  I don't recommend it.

Washington’s Lighthouses: Point No Point

Washington’s Lighthouses: Point No Point

Beautiful photography.  Compliments of the Redmond Library Blog.

A Parent's Notes on the School Board's levy/bond vote

OPINION:  Updated 12/13.  The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors  approved Superintendent Kimball's proposal for two Levies (#2044, #2045) and one Bond (#2046) at their Regular Meeting on 11/23.   A citizen levy committee is currently promoting the resolutions to the community.  The LWSD Press Release on the School Board's decision is here.   (photo is a "public work study session").

The School Board of Directors are elected by over 102,000 active voters.  I thought you'd be interested in what our representatives had to say.
The School Board of Directors and Superintendent "commented" on the three funding proposals for about 38 minutes. (The public wasn't invited to comment).  Superintendent Kimball had the most to say by far.  You can watch the website meeting video archive here.  I couldn't find any comments from the Directors on the website or local print media.  My notes and some quotes from the tape are, as follows:

Four of  five Directors were present for quorum.  Director Ravi Shahani's absence was excused.  Mr. Shahani's district includes the "Education Hill Schools", Einstein, Redmond El, Rush, Audubon, Rosa Parks,Wilder, and Lake Washington High.

Dr. Kimball made it clear to the viewing public the funding review work was not done "behind smoke filled rooms."  Chip rattled off some "statistically reliable" survey numbers.  More on this another time.

After Kimball reviewed the facts and benefits of his proposal,  Director Doug Eglington (Sammamish)   kicked off the "comment session".  Mr. Ellington referred to polling data from State School Directors Conference:  1) the public feels state public education is on solid ground and performance is good but, 2) anti-tax sentiment is probably higher than it's ever been in fifteen years, 3)  recommended including the Bond measure with the levies. 

Director Nancy Bernard (Kirkland) thanked Chip Kimball and staff for their hard work on the measures.  She said it was a "huge public process".   Some other comments:   1)  how hard it is to go out for a bond in our current economic situation. 2) but, it's more economical to deal with school modernization now rather than later, 3) Juanita High needs to be modernized, 4) going to four-year high schools will reduce the need for two more elementary schools, 5)  staff and the board "didn't go for everything"; that "according to Focus Groups or whatever you call  them and the other work that was done" the proposal offers less than what some wanted. 
  
Director Chris Carson (Kirkland) commented that 1) going to four-year high schools is "revenue neutral", 2) that you either grow 3-year high schools or go to 4-year schools, 3)  that it doesn't influence the amount of money in the bond.   Kimball concurred and expanded.  Earlier, representative Carson asked staff to look at the ballot and try to keep the three measures as consistent with one another as possible.

President and Director Jackie Pendergrass (Kirkland) had an issue with finding enough land for the elementary schools.  (Without the bond approval additional elementary schools would have to be built).  She reiterated the levies have to be renewed, like a magazine subscription, or they lose the money.

Director Doug Eglington finished by saying:  1)  The levies used to pay for innovative upgrades and today levies are required just to support ongoing basic education.  (Kimball agreed and emphasized the state is "not fulfilling their constitutional duty".)  2)  school construction would create jobs, stimulate the economy and generate school sales taxes.

I noticed a few of omissions in the voting process that seem serious.   The Board's Motion, Second and Vote to approve Resolutions 2044, 2045, and 2046 never took place.   At minute 26 of the video, Mr. Ellington made a motion "to approve the package" seconded by Ms. Bernard but the Board never voted on the motion!  The only vote the Board made (12 minutes later) was on a Pendergrass motion to allow for changes and consistency in language.  That's it!  Go to the 11/23 meeting video and see for yourself.   Advance to minute 26-27 and minute 37 to see for yourself.   (No need to download staff's Silverlite program!). 

by Bob Yoder

LWSD November 23 Press Release -  School Board funding approval. 
The November 23 Meeting "Packet" -

LWSD Administration's published proposal omits $124 in taxes /house.

"The total of all three measures would increase the total tax paid on a home with the average assessed value in the district from $1444 in 2010 to $1606 in 2011."

-- LWSD Superintendent's levy/bond proposal to the School Board.  

What the District doesn't tell you in their press release is that additional taxes totaling $124/house will be assessed over the next three years.  $47 (2012), $41 (2013), $36 (2014). 

Opinion by Bob Yoder

Attempted child luring reported in Redmond

Attempted child luring reported in Redmond KOMO News

UPDATED: The Lake Washington District School Board proposes a $294/home levy/bond increase in one year and revises it to $170 after citizen input.

UPDATE, 12/01/2009

Two school levies and one bond measure are approved by the School Board for the February ballot.
 -- LWSD website 11/24

Comments: 

A citizen reported on an error and omission on the district website news column of 11/24, as follows:

"The total of all three measures would increase the total tax paid on a home with the average assessed value in the district from $1448 in 2010 in 2014 to $1742.  (This is a total increase of $294 over four years.)

The Administration later revised their website news with the same date to:

"The total of all three measures would incease the total tax paid on a home with the average assessed value in the district from $1448 in 2010 to $1618 in 2011, or an increase (over one year) of approximately $170."  11/24

The Administration never reported the "total tax paid" in their 11/27 issue of the Redmond Reporter and they didn't change the date of their revision piece so I cannot verify this information.  If the Administration has made changes to be accountable to the Public, I hope they would comment here for my Readers. If they send a correction to the Reporter, I will document it under "comments".  

CC:  LWSD Administration

King County Library System - Proposition 1 would cost the average homeowner $32/year.

King County Library System - Proposition 1 - on the February 9 ballot

Washington State Basic Health can't keep up...

The wait list for Washington State's Basic Health Plan now exceeds enrollment (more)  http://bit.ly/1Jr3qT

Slavic property owners plead case to save their Overlake office park.

OPINION:  PART II:  The City Council Meeting of 11/17 was a Big Show.  Emigrant Slavic (mostly Russia) and Egyptian citizens turned out in record numbers.  It was standing room only at City Hall.  Egyptian citizens were asking to extend a sewer line on church land not annexed by the City; the Russian citizens came to protect their "Limited Edition" office park from being destroyed by a Public Works project.

The City has a grand plan to build an gigantic underground regional stormwater treatment facility in Overlake.  It would the size in volume of two city halls!  The Sears parking lot is probably one of the best locations for the facility from a stormwater engineering perspective.  However, in my opinion, the city is now looking at the Limited Edition and seven other sites should the Sears deal fall through.  Doubtful. 

In any event, the Limited Edition Slavic office owners and workers stormed City Hall to plead their case.  They've even brought along an engineer and planning/policy experts to assist and persuade Council.     

The eighteen Limited Edition buildings are individually managed by 13 owners.  The office park has 32 businesses and generates 400 jobs. The park has two churches.  "Elana" described her Russian church as costing $700,000 to change the use to a church and $2M for remodeling.  They rent the building to a Spanish Church and may rent to a Taiwanese Church.  A language school for kids operates out of their community center.  A couple of doctors gave their case about losing their practices.  Of significance, a Russian woman said their "only competition was a parking lot."  I think this speaks volumes.  What do you think?   

In all it was an emotional display by an immigrant minority that I never knew lived, worked, and played in Redmond.  Did you know about this Slavic enclave?  I can't ever imagine the City Council would allow these small businesses to be uprooted.  Certainly not Councilmember Pat Vache' - an avid proponent for small business.  What do you think? 

A public Community Meeting is tentatively planned for the third week of January.  Contact the mayor's office  mayor@redmond.gov for the exact date, location, and time.

The LWSD Surplus Technology Equipment Sale!

Agendas, Information Packets and Minutes for present and future School Board Meetings and Study Sessions

If you haven't yet found that perfect, reasonably priced holiday gift, you may want to try the Lake Washington School District.  That's right!  In the near future, the District (425-882-5100) may be releasing some of their surplus technology equipment for sale to the general public.

The SCHOOL BOARD approved "Surplus Material and Equipment" Resolution No. 2047 at their Regular Meeting, 11/23.

"A large portion of the surplus items include district furniture and equipment due to ongoing modernizations, computers due to ongoing staff and student upgrades and textbooks.  It will be offered for sale/redistribution through RCW 28.A.335.180.  This could include providing technology equipment to indigent students, sales to other private and public schools and sale to the general public and/or disposal."  - LWSD Board Meeting packet, 11/23 (page 10).

For more information, try rlandis@lwsd.org or call the District. 

A few of the surplussed items:

Camcorder (64 units)  CD burner (11)  Computers, Compaq & HP (262)  Digital Cameras (127)

Document Camera (127)  Laptops (10)  Monitors (196)  Printers, HP (95)  Printers, Xerox (47)

Proliant Servers, Compaq & HP (11)  Video Editing Decks (13)  Refrigerators, small (LOT)

Popcorn machine (3)  Filing cabinets (LOT)  Ice Cream Machine (1) Lathes (3) Chairs, adult (LOT)

Basketball Backboards (4) Drillpress (Rockwell 15-017) 1  Band Saw (1)  Bookcase (LOT)

What do you need? 

by Bob Yoder

CC:  LWSD Administration

Microsoft's private shopping mall.

Microsoft Commons: It’s a Mall World After All

The Sonic Forest

Link to more information

Part I - Over 250 Russian and Egyptian citizens turn-out at recent City Hall meeting.

The last City Council meeting (11/17) could be labeled "organized chaos", "a monster meeting", "history in the making".   For Mayor John Marchione it was a home run.  One of  Marchione's Budget priorities is to "build a sense of community and connections with others" and to measure it by counting  turnout at council meetings. Probably, close to 300 citizens showed up!  See for yourself  here.

Two items of  "new business" caused the high turnout;  the Christian Egyptians of NE Rose Hill and the Russians of Overlake, trying to establish their cultures and connect their citizenship to the Greater Redmond community.  (Coptic church painting on left).

More than half  were members from St. George Coptic Orthodox Church - a growing, peaceful community of Christian Egyptians seeking  freedom from religious prosecution in America.   The *church members came to Council seeking a sewer line extension to service a new church they've planned in NE Rose Hill.  The project site is on county land planned for annexation.  The annexation currently has 59% election approval: it needs 60% approval for annexation into Redmond.

Councilmember Richard Cole laid the hammer down referring to Redmond's long-standing urban growth boundary policy denying city sewer extensions into the County.  Mayor Marchione summed up the Council's decision stating:

"We welcome the St. George Coptic Church into the community, but this in not the vehicle in which  to do it.  The vehicle is through annexation."

Greater Redmond christian Egyptian immigrants may not have achieved the immediate infrastructure connection they had hoped, but they made significant progress towards connecting their culture and building our Greater Redmond community.

* Members of the Coptic church presently holds services in space leased from Rev. Tim White's, Washington Cathedral.   Rev. White addressed the Council speaking in support of the church community.

The Russian community of Overlake story will be presented in Part II, above this one.

by Bob Yoder

Ordinance approved, 12/14  http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/20091215pdfs/AM09296.pdf

Redmond Natural Resources Dept. hits a home run with their Bear Creek Water Treatment Facility.

Swale behind Safeway parking lot

Bear Creek riparian will be restored

Have you heard about the proposed Bear Creek Wetland Facility behind Safeway?  The facility will treat and clean the dirty stormwater running from the Bear Creek Plaza parking lots and roof-tops (eight acres).  Currently, the filthy stormwater is virtually untreated and piped directly into the Creek!  This trashy, warm water is loaded with toxic heavy metals, asbestos, oils, and chemicals.  The creek's endangered salmon are bothered, to say the least.

When the location of the stormwater facility site was pointed out by a city stormwater manager I felt instant relief.   The facility is long and skinny strip of land, like a sliver, and only three feet deep.  Best of all, it's west of the blacktop 'trail' nowhere near the creek or it's beautiful riparian vegetation!

The new stormwater facility will function like a wetland as it treats run-off by filtration!  It won't be smelly or full of weeds.  It will probably be dry in the summer and most of the year.  The city natural resources dept. (DNR) will enhance and restore the area with plant and trees.  If you drive behind Safeway you'll see a row of large Ceder trees. DNR has found a way to keep all those trees!  They're not hitting home runs on this project.  They're hitting a Grand Slams!

But there's more!  What's the good of a beautiful urban salmon stream habitat if the public can't enjoy and learn from it?   Upon recommendation from Park/Trails commissioners (new and old), a barked foot-trail looped to a large salmon-viewing boulder is planned.  Bear Creek Plaza shoppers can take a break on the trails and learn about the local habitat.

My only regret?  The city didn't involve the public in this environmentally friendly project from the start.  A decent map delineating the Safeway store, parking lots and hard surface trail would have gone a long way towards understanding the site location.  A statement in the Notice or a flyer explaining the use and value of a wetland facility would help.  This DNR project is something to be proud of, not hide from. I hope public education will come earlier on future high visibility City stormwater treatment projects.

In the end, the city was extremely informative and accommodating and I am most thankful!   Our Department of Natural Resources is great!   DNR, thank you for improving Bear Creek water quality!   Does a reader want to comment?

by Bob Yoder    

Part III: Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce: Leadership

The Beaverton and Hillsboro Chambers of Commerce in Oregon push above and beyond  the boilerplate chamber tenets of 1) promoting community, 2) fostering a vibrant local economy, 3) representing and supporting business, and 4) networking and referrals.

The Hillsboro Chamber mission impliments "relevant business education" to youth.  (Part II).  The Beaverton Chamber of Commerce "builds community leaders"..

The Beaverton Chamber of Commerce started "Leadership Beaverton" in l997.  Their mission statement is "To develop a diverse network of visionary civic and business leaders who act in accordance with the principles of community-centered stewardship."   

Leadership Beaverton (LB) grew from a desire for more knowledgeable volunteers, board members, and elected officials in the city.   LB's purpose is to provide training so that better decisions are made in the community.  Topics discussed include:  Beaverton history, government, human services and quality of life.  Twenty-five citizens attend class one full day/month every year from September to May.  Each student completes a community project.  (Their twenty-five graduates per year are substantially greater than either Redmond program.) - Beaverton Chamber website

Two leadership programs are available to Redmond citizens:

1)  A brief  "City College" program taught by staff to whomever signs up.  I think (not sure) the "college" opens every election year.  Topics include lessons on the various city departments:  Planning & Public Works, Parks & Human Services, Finance, Human Resources, etc.  A community service project is not required.  I'm not aware of graduates joining a commission.   If anyone knows, please comment.

2)  Past Leadership Eastside (LE) graduates are Mayor Marchione (prior to council), one councilmember, an arts commissioner and a non-profit leader.  The problem is, the program cannot keep up with the needs of the community.  This year, a commissioner (and future councilmember) and a promoted deputy fire chief signed, but the city still in a very serious crunch for qualified commissioners.  

According to a Beaverton Chamber officer, "Beaverton Leadership" has 287 graduates with at least 50% now serving as boards, commissions, and non-profits in some capacity.  Two graduates sought and won city council seats, and the current Mayor (was on city council) went through the program.  Five graduates ran for state office. One County Commissioner graduated. 

It's quite clear the Chamber of Commerce model for developing and enriching leaders works!  Our Greater Redmond of Chamber Commerce can learn from Beaverton on how to  "promote community" by fostering leadership.

by Bob Yoder

Jeff Johnson’s cartoons add sizzle to the Redmond Reporter

Johnson’s cartoon enhance newspaper 

by Bob Yoder

Sammamish Trails Boy Scouts volunteer on projects to enhance riparian habitat and clean residential stormwater.

Hi John and Bob- The Council’s 100th anniversary team is (finally) beginning to follow up with all the service project requests. We realize of course that this is long overdue, and we are grateful for your patience as the service project team is a work in progress.

It turns out you both requested the same project and I’ve contacted Peter Holte at City of Redmond Public Works and he’s suggested that we wait until early next year and throughout the spring to complete some of these projects including: stenciling and gluing buttons on/near storm drains, a planting/species removal event around Earth Day, and participate in the Cascade Land Conservancy that would involve harvesting, cutting and pounding willow branches near streams (neat project for younger Scouts that cannot glue the buttons).

Thank you both for your participation and encourage you to continue to submit projects as you see the need. Bob, we’d love to get some of these projects, once in action, posted on your Redmond blog of course!

Thanks again,

Darla Sklar
Marketing Director
Chief Seattle Council, BSA
206.902.2353
www.seattlebsa.org

Part II: Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce - the value of Education and Technology in the mix.

Reviewing the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce as compared to Hillsboro, OR and Beaverton OR Chambers of Commerce, it is notable the Redmond Chamber Board is loaded with government-related members and thin on technology and education, as follows:

Government representation:  1) Rob Odle, City of Redmond (COR) Staff Director  2) Richard Cole, COR Councilmember, 3) Pat Vache' COR Councilmember (Kinections), 4) Tom Martin, Evergreen Hospital V.P (public hospital)., 5) Auggie Kempf,  Evergreen Hospital District Board of Directors (Kumpf et al).

Government orientation:  6) William R. Garing is the Chamber's "governmental affairs" (Evans land use) and 7) Gene Wilkstrom (Executive Director of NW Career Colleges Federation).  NW Career College prioritizes governmental affairs and advocacy for private career colleges.

Technology:  Microsoft.   Education:  NW Career College Federation.    

Sidebar:  Not all government is excessive.  Auggie Kemp brings many resources to the table as a small businessman, elected official , and affiliation with Kirkland-based Evergreen hospital.   Pat Vache' has a valuable perspective as an elected official , small business owner and trustee of Hope-link and Lake Washington School Foundation. 

The City of Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce combines technology with education to grow and train their city's present and future workforce.   Their *Technology Center and "School to Work" (STW) programs are twin pillars towards this end.  The Chamber's popular program  has three staff dedicated to STW.  STW recruits business owners to volunteer their time to develop their future workers by:

•  visiting a classroom and talking to students about your career (1 hour investment)
•  inviting a student to job shadow to get an inside look of your job and company. (3 hour investment)
•  site visits to provide a tour of your work-site to a class of eager students. (1-2 hour investment).
•  an internship:  students work on specific tasks in your business on a regular basis related to classroom studies.  (15-30 hour investment). 

Can you think of Education and Technology community leaders that could drive similar programs for the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce?  Washington Voc. Tech.?  Digipen?  LWSD Superintendent?  Nintendo?  Physio-Control?  The Mayor?

A vibrant local economy starts with a vibrant Chamber.  Part III in this series will be on how the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce can help meet community and city needs for leadership.

  by Bob Yoder

OPINION: Part I: How does the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce stack up?

OPINION:  The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce isn't often held under "the looking glass".  I think the Chamber should be reviewed by the public every once in a while.  Here's my try.  Your comments are certainly welcome.

My method  was to study the Redmond Chamber website and compare it with the Beaverton, OR. and Hillsboro, OR Chamber websites to look for patterns and trends.   I selected the Oregon cities for their similarity to Redmond, WA. in demographics, hi-tech businesses (and Nike), transportation, and close location to a major city. 

The Redmond Chamber newsletter is full of articles and resources, many with City of Redmond topics.  
The standard chamber mission statement is found on each site --  promote community, strengthen the economy, representing business to government (city, school district, etc), and networking.  Hillsboro adds "presenting relevant business education".

Of the three Chamber websites, I found the Redmond Chamber (RC) the most lop-sided with city and hospital government representation (almost 25%).  The RC has three city government officials and two hospital government officials on the Board.  Councilmember Cole is an officer, Councilmember Pat Vache' a director (trustee), as is City Planning/Development Director Rob Odle.  Evergreen Hospital Auggie Kempf (Evergreen Board of Directors) and Tom Martin are trustee officers and trustee William Biggs is a Group Health official.  It appears government is representing itself to business rather than the other way around! 

The RC has only one Director in high-tech.  Hillsboro and Beaverton Chambers don't have a single officer, director, or board member associated with their city government.   Notably both include the Superintendent of Schools, Mayor, and Chamber President as  "Ex-Officios".   Hillsboro also includes fire and rescue district officer. Do you think giving more representation to high-tech businesses and less to city and hospital government would energize, renew and bring vitality to our Chamber, the community and our economy?

The Oregon city chambers offer three "added values".  Hillsboro Chamber has an incredibly exciting "School to Work" program (with 3 staff) and Beaverton has "Leadership Beaverton".  I'll post a description of the programs soon.  

As Microsoft is to Redmond so is Intel to Hillsboro.  The Hillsboro Chamber hosts the "Intel Technology Center" to promote the use of advanced technology in the workplace.  The Center has 10 IBM laptop computers with Intel mobile technology.  Chamber members can use the center for staff training and to learn what the latest technology can do for the bottom line.  The total investment was $25,000 to $40,000.

So what's stopping our Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce from moving forward with Greater Redmond's high-tech businesses?   Do you think less government and more high-tech business on the Board would energize our community and economy?

Opinion by Bob Yoder

http://www.redmondchamber.org/
http://www.beaverton.org/
http://www.hillchamber.org/

Education Hill homes have experienced a recent rash of burglaries.

 
Heads up...... I heard there were 2-3 burglaries on the street by the pool..... people posing as landscape workers.....
  --Tracy
 
From the Redmond Police:
We have seen an increase in residential burglaries over the last few months. Most began in the Overlake area, and now they have started on Ed. Hill. I can't stress enough to urge people to file reports when crimes occur. Not doing this only allows this trend to continue. Even if nothing was stolen, the more information we have, the better. We recently had one neighborhood that didn't have any crime in quite some time have a burglary, two vehicle prowls, and a suspicious person knocking on doors. Only one was reported to us.

I encourage you all to communicate with your neighbors and let them know what to be on the lookout for and phone 911 if anything looks suspicious. We did get one solid tip from one of the burglaries where a white "work" van pulled up outside of a house, set up cones as if they were doing landscaping work, and it turns out they were burglarizing the house. I encourage to keep an eye out for this type of activity--it's not uncommon for burglars and prowlers to change vehicles frequently.

The only businesses (not including non-profits, etc.) who should be peddling and have a license to do so are the following companies:

BDW Design and Construction
Edward Jones
Evans Glass
Evergreen Tree Care
TRG Solutions (Verizon FIOS)
Trugreen Landscape

When asked, they should be able to produce a business license, and if they are peddling, EACH INDIVIDUAL should have their own peddler's license.

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach Facilitator
jbove@redmond.gov

--forwarded by Tracy, Education Hill, 11/14

What could it cost taxpayers if the LWSD levy/bond measures pass in the February election?

UPDATED, 12/1/09 Last night Redmond Mayor Marchione asked Council if they wanted to endorse the LWSD Levy and Bond that's up for vote in a Special Election on February 9.  Six councilmembers gave their support to endorse, saying our schools are vital to Redmond neighborhoods and contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in our City.  Councilmember Kim Allen did not want to endorse the measure owing to impact fee issues.  Kim is usually a strong advocate for the neighborhoods.

Council's support for the school levy and bond were positive but conditioned on learning more about the measures.   I've been to several School Board "Work Study" meetings so will try to share what I know.  By the way, I encourage you to attend these Work Study meetings.  Work Study sessions are a close and personal and fun way to get to know our Board Members, Superintendents and Staff and learn how the system works.

The February 9 ballot will have *3 boxes to check:  1) Capital Projects Levy for Facilities and Technology (4-year), 2) Educational Programs and Operations Levy (4-year) and 3) Capital Facility Planning Bond.  Last Monday, Superintendent Kimball gave his recommendations to the School Board, based on extensive in-person, PTSA Committee, and web input surveys and of course, Board conversation.   The School Board will make the final decision.  In my opinion, it's doubtful they would make any substantive changes.  Dr. Chip Kimball was hired by the Board and unquestionably runs the show.  He is likable and extremely capable and effective.  I'm convinced governance could improve with more intra-Board deliberation and leadership.

Superintendent Kimball's Levy/Bond recommendations provide examples of the cost for a home in the District with an average assessed value of $505,000.  Items 1,2,3 below may negligibly differ.

1)  The Facilities and Technology Capital Projects Levies will be combined into one Levy for the Election. Thus, the total Capital  Projects Levy is $83M over four years, or .55 cost / 1000 of assessed value or $278/house in 2011.

2)  The Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&0) is $205.5M over four years, or 1.30/$1000 or $656/house in 2011   Years 2012, 13 and 14 will be adjusted for changes in assessed property values.

3)  Capital Facilities Planning Bond is $234M over four years, or .33 / $1000 of assessed value or $166/house in 2011.

The TOTAL amount for the two levies and one bond up for vote is $2.18/1000 or $1101/house in 2011. The assessed value changes every year so years 2012, 13, 14 are projected roughly $20 - $30
higher per year.

Add in the existing voter approved Debt Service, and the two levies and bond issue, if passed, will total  $1606 in 2011, $1636 in 2012, $1651 in 2013, and $1672 in 2014.   School Taxes for the year 2010 have already been voter approved and are expected to be $1444/house for a house with an average assessed value of $505,000.

Thus, with passage of all levy/bond measures, the average local school tax per home is expected to increase $162 in 2011.   12/01 update:  after a few tweaks by Kimball, the average tax/home is approximately $170 in 2011 and  $294 over 4 years.

Good schools do everything to prepare our children for the future, build good neighborhoods and raise property values.  So, what will the schools and students receive for this property tax increase?  What do you think?  Stay tuned for Part II when the benefits of our hard-earned tax dollars will be spelled out. 

Watch Superintendent Chip Kimball present his levy/bond recommendations on video, 11/9.  View the LWSD Press Release, 11/13 on Dr. Kimball's proposal.

*The LWSD School Board holds their WORK STUDY dinner meeting  and REGULAR Meeting starting at 5:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month..  The Public is invited to both.   Work Study Meetings are unstructured and have no video or audio recording and no Minutes (one sentence) so the meetings can be very interesting!  Look here for the extended agenda for Work Study and Regular Meetings.   

by Bob Yoder

$81,921 DONATED TO LWSD SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER DONATIONS TO LWSD

"and a little bit more"

Environmental & Adventure School PTO to EAS -- $38,100 -- to provide stipend for extra office help for activities ($8,100) and support outdoor education and student supplies.

Juanita Rebels Booster Club to Juanita High School -- $2,331.60 -- to provide coaching stipend.

First Teach to Rosa Parks Elementary -- $2020.20 -- to support building program.

A.G. Bell PTSA to Bell El. -- $1800 -- To provide classroom enrichment at teacher's discretion.

Louisa May Alcott PTSA to Alcott El. -- $2012.60 -- To provide student leadership and assembly stipends.

Elizabeth Blackwell PTSA to Blackwell Elementary --$21,000 -- To provide student and teacher curriculum aids ($11,000); staff development ($5000), purchase library books ($200); and support field trips ($3000).

Rachel Carson PTSA to Carson El. -- $10,039 -- to provide stipends for intramural program ($2013), website administration ($2013), Green Team program ($1006), and Student Council Program ($1006); purchase health room equipment and supplies ($500); and support field trips ($3500).

Juanita Schools Foundation to Juanita Elementary -- $4617 -- to support volunteer program ($1,315) and building program ($1289) and provide outdoor education stipend ($2012).

"a little bit more"

Participation by the community in the LWSD School Board's governing process is lacking:  1) the School Board at large didn't show up for the levy input meetings,  2) citizens aren't attending the Board 's Work Study Meetings. because the BOARD doesn't announce the Topic or times during their Regular Meetings  3) Work Study Meeting Minutes are only one sentence long so we never know what's going on behind the closed doors.  What do you think?  If you want to sit in on a meeting check the "extended agenda" on the sidebar under LWSD links.

by Bob Yoder 

The adventures of Bear Creek's young buck

While exploring the Bear Creek stormwater facility site, I found this young buck foraging for food along Bear Creek behind Safeway.  Grass and shrubs must have been scarce from the flooding. The buck crossed Avondale Way and headed downtown, but then came back.  It was touch and go crossing Avondale Way.  Both lanes of traffic stopped.   Do you see him on the shoulder of the road?  Can you believe it?  (click upper right photo to enlarge). You can see Bear Creek flooding onto the trail that goes under the Avondale Way bridge.  Normally the buck would probably take the safe way North under the bridge, but you can see it's blocked by the flood. When the new stormwater facility on Bear Creek is built, food and shelter will probably be in shorter supply; since  ~ 3,000 sf of riparian buffer will be lost.

by Bob Yoder

Photos taken today when walking the stormwater project site.

Redmond SecondStory Repertory needs $80,000 to stay afloat

Redmond%27s%20SecondStory%20Repertory%20needs%20%2480%2C000%20to%20stay%20afloat

How and Why you should help the SecondStory Repertory.

Donate Today! 

Why should you patronize and donate to Redmond's Second Story Repertory? 

1. Because the repetory is one of the brightest attractions on Seattle's Eastside, with nine Mainstage            and four children's productions this season.
2.Because over 20,000 people depend on experiencing live theatre at SecondStory Repertory.
3.Because you love having live, professional theatre in your community.
4.Because if you love the arts, you should contribute to organizations creating it.
5.Because more than 200 kids take theatre classes here after school and in the summer.
6.Because over 5,000 school kids will be introduced to the magic of theatre here this year.
7.Because we really, really need it - $80,000 is needed by December 31 or the theatre will leave Redmond.
 
DID YOU KNOW
•SecondStory Repertory is a cultural institution with a mailing list of over 5,000 local households, with an average household income of $96,000, according to Redmond Town Center research.

WEB SITE & DONATE HERE:  http://www.secondstoryrep.org/supportssr/donate.html

DROP YOUR KIDS OFF DURING  RTC HOLIDAY SHOPPING
"Drop and Shop"  http://www.secondstoryrep.org/classes/publicclasses.html

This website information and plea for support was posted in response to Holly Plackett's urgent request.  Holly is a past Redmond City Councilmember, Planning Commissioner and community activist.

Redmond High Principal Jane Todd and associates report to the School Board

Updated, 11/11:  It's Superintendent Chip Kimball's practice to host one school per month and today was Redmond High School's opportunity.   Redmond High School Principal Jane Todd (speaking) and her associates, Ms. Pointer and Mr. Higgins, gave their presentation during the  October 12 regular meeting.

According to Superintendent Kimball, Redmond High ranks in the top 85 high schools in the country.  Ms. Todd celebrated the achievements of her students and teachers.  83% of Redmond High graduates go directly onto a post-secondary institution.  854 students took AP tests in 27 subject areas.  The SAT mean score is 40 points above the state mean for the last five years.  PSAT testing has taken a huge jump.

Surprisingly, despite Redmond High's obvious success, the school is  "under improvement" for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)!  Why?  They fell below standard in one of 37 areas -  "Special Education of Students."  The Federal program, 'No Child Left Behind' is decidedly askew. Kimball anticipates the law will be  changed in a couple years.

When Einstein and Redmond Elementary fell below standards this year, 100 students opted to transfer to other schools.  Federally supported Title One schools have a transfer option.  Even if Redmond High was a Title One school it's highly doubtful students would transfer because the school is so highly rated.

Jane and her associates talked of their efforts in "building culture" at the school.  Several programs are implemented:

•  "RHS HELP" - 160 students 'in need' receive financial support from Microsoft, the PTSA, and other groups for everything from lunches to school supplies. 
•  The Latino demographic -  Latinos meet once a month - usually on college tours - to build leadership to establish better connections and fill in social gaps with the student body.
• Afro-Americans have started a Black Student Union with similar goals as the Latinos. 
• A sophomore core of teachers and students meet regularly to smooth the transition into high school.
• A new attendance and vacation policy holds the students and parents accountable for absences.  

Chip recognized Ms. Todd for her progress in "building culture".  Ms. Todd experienced a general culture of "NO" at the start.  A "can do" attidtude is the status quo today.

by Bob Yoder

Election Night Final Results

FOR NOVEMBER 2011 ELECTION RESULTS GO HERE. 

http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/p/2011-election-voting-guide.html

#####

Election Night Summarry:  (next report is 4:30pm  11/4).

NO - I-1033;     YES - Referendum 71   YES Charter Amendment 1-4;
Dow Constatine over Hutchison,  Kim Allen over Chen, Charles Pilcher over Linquist.

http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200911/results.aspx

Election Night Final
KING COUNTY   11/3/2009    8:07:20 PM

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842 23.55%

Initiative Measure No. 1033
YES    78111        34.28%
NO    149739       65.72%

Referendum Measure No. 71  PASSED, 11/4
APPROVED 164724    65.91%
REJECTED    85188    34.09%

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842   23.55%

King County Charter Amendment No. 1
YES  176174   85.09%
NO      30863   14.91%

King County Charter Amendment No. 2
YES   166128    82.05%
NO       36345    17.95%

King County Charter Amendment No. 3
YES 191012     91.13%
NO     18597      8.87%

King County Charter Amendment No. 4
YES   170222    80.49%
NO      41257     19.51%

KING COUNTY
Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842   23.55%

County Executive short and full term
Susan Hutchison  104622   42.76%
Dow Constantine 139501   57.01%
Write-in                    561      0.23%

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 5547 / 25447 21.80%
Redmond City Council
Council Position No. 2
John P. (Pat) Vache 3614 98.61%
Write-in 51 1.39%

Council Position No. 4
Sally J. Chen    1778    37.69%
Kim Allen         2920    61.90%
Write-in              19       0.40%

PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT NO. 2  (Evergreen Hospital)

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 36086 / 157168 22.96%
Commissioner District No. 1
Al F. DeYoung 22633      98.87%
Write-in               259         1.13%

Commissioner Position No. 4
Charles A. Pilcher 19156        72.06%
Rex H. Lindquist     7352        27.66%

Redmond Councilmember Kimberly Allen speaks on the environment

Dear Redmond blog readers: 

As your councilmember, I have been a vocal champion of tree preservation and sustainability in Redmond. I helped craft the last Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Management Plan, both of which set ambitious goals for growth in Redmond while protecting the natural environment and moving toward transit oriented urban centers. I also work hard to make sure that Redmond is one of the leaders in adopting its critical areas and shoreline regulations.

As an elected official, I have endorsed the Wild Sky and Alpine Lakes Wilderness Addition, as well as the Roadless Rule Resolution. I also support Redmond’s partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy to restore acres of our urban forest to health.

We are now beginning work on a Green Sustainability Initiative for the city to celebrate Redmond’s upcoming centennial. It will involve ambitious goals for energy conservation and carbon reduction, waste management and resource conservation, sustainable development and green infrastructure, and ecosystem conservation and stewardship. One thing I learned from the new Budgeting By Priorities process is that if you don’t measure progress with goals and metrics, you generally don’t get any progress. This initiative holds us accountable to deliver a sustainable city to our children and I want to spend my next term in office keeping the momentum on this critical work.

by Kimberly Allen

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

Redmond's "Rocket Man" and sons end the season with a Bang.

I first met Dave Randall and his family during a Hartman Park forest restoration work-party. His boys are Scouts and BMX jumpers. Linda, his wife, works for the LWSD.   Dave’s largest rocket is 22 feet tall, 150 pounds and reaches up to 2,500 feet.  Randall's “the Redmond Rocket Man”!  And his younger son, Joshua  is learning fast (right) with his upscaled Estes kit, "The Mosquito".   

Here's Dave's story: 

In Redmond, 60 Acres park is often used for flying low power model rockets when soccer is not in session, including the winter months. We head to rural areas to launch our 5 pound and larger rockets.

Last weekend, hobby rocketeers gathered in the small central Washington town of Mansfield, near Chelan, for the last big launch of the 2009 Washington Aerospace (WAC) flying season. Students from University of Washington and Ingraham High School participated while learning and demonstrating real rocket science in action.

David's latest project was a team effort with three other local rocketeers. "We wanted to go big. Real big," David said about his team's rocket named "U4EA". At 22' tall and weighing 150 pounds, it was the biggest rocket ever launched at the Mansfield site. "The liftoff was absolutely majestic. And the feeling as we watched it take to the sky, was, well, U4ic!" The rocket used a cluster of five rocket motors to achieve its required thrust and carried two cameras on board. Special altimeters recorded the flight and ensured the parachutes were deployed at the perfect.

While some folks remember the Estes rockets flown in schoolyards or local parks, WAC hosts launches with bigger rockets. The larger rockets can weigh over 100 pounds and fly as high as 14,000'. Coordination with the FAA ensures safe flying for both rockets and airplanes. Rockets at Mansfield fly to an average altitude of 4,500' and weigh around 5 pounds.

Redmond rocketeer Dave Randall says: "I fit squarely into the group of adults known as 'BAR's' - or Born Again Rocketeers." Many adults in the hobby, like Dave, returned to the hobby with their own children participating in rocketry as a science class or Scouting activity. Indeed, the entire Randall family participates in rocketry. From Estes kits to big scratch built rockets, a crowd-favorite "Tin Man" rocket that was featured on the cover of a national rocketry magazine.

Typical rockets require over 20 hours to assemble, paint, and prepare for flight. Schedules for northwest rocket launches can be found at www.rocketsnw.com. The hobby boasts over 3,000 active flyers nationwide with local launches occurring in many states across the country.

- Dave Randall

Dave's rocket story is timely with NASA’s launch of the “Mars Rocket” (2 min. video) on 10/28. The booster on the Mars Rocket was 100 meters long, it reached 150,000 feet and traveled almost 5X the speed of sound.

NAR website (http://www.nar.org/) and WAC website (http://www.washingtonaerospace.org/)
Story and photos by Dave Randall
Edited, Yoder