Sue Stewart states why she's running for Redmond City Council

Sue Stewart

Candidate for Redmond City Council Seat 7

 UPDATED: Sue Stewart, a 30-year resident of Redmond is running in the November 2011 election for Redmond City Council Seat 7. Who is she? And, why is she running for this office?

Ms. Stewart provides answers in a newly published Municipal League of King County 2011 questionanaire. The " Muni League" of King County rated Sue Stewart "Very Good". Her opponent, Council member David Carson is rated "Good" by the League. (I'll write-up David next.)

In July, the Municipal League released valuable information about the political history of the candidates. Sue lists the following history of her work for the City:

• Code Rewrite Commission, September, 2009 - November, 2010, Vice Chair
• Budget By Priorities, "Results Committee" 2008
• Parks and Trails Commission, 2002 -2007, Chair
• BITI Committee, (Business Tax Transportation Improvement) 1996 -2003

I live in the same Education Hill neighborhood as Sue and know of her experience and participation with neighborhood traffic and safety programs, land use development process and the LW School District.

Stewart wrote the following one-page statement answering the Municipal League's questionaire question: "Why are you running for this office"?

"My family and I have lived in Redmond since August 1981, when I began my current position as a Safety Officer for METRO Transit. I initially chose Redmond for its proximity to work but quickly fell in love with both the environment and the deep sense of community. Read More >>

Redmond was small by Los Angeles standards but as the years went by our family grew along with the community of Redmond. I knew it was important to get involved to have an opportunity to shape the vision for our growing city. Read More >>

Kris Bennett organizes scavenger hunt on Education Hill for exchange students

Josep Pau Ballart "We hope the "gorilla" doesn't

 travel to Spain!"  (Kris on right)

Program manager and parent Kris Bennett organized a competitive scavenger hunt on Education Hill as a culminating event to her summer Spanish exchange program.  Here's how Kris describes it in Facebook: 

We had a group of 40 or so Spanish exchange students and host siblings divided into 5 groups roaming the neighborhoods of Education Hill on a scavenger hunt. They each started with a ball point pen and were suppose to knock on doors, use their English skills, and explain they were in a competition to "trade up" for the best object. They had an hour to return and then we voted on who got the best item(s). Look on my Facebook at the pictures of what they brought back (in my second album). Your trophy was traded for the winning gigantic gorilla. Other interesting and close finishers were: a team with a Razor Scooter and X-Box (no cords or controller brought it out of first place), a bag with a bunch of colorful bras, and a Dirt Devil vacuum and CD/DVD Player. It was a great chance for the students to use their English AND see how friendly Redmond residence are. This is just one more activity that leaves them always saying, "I can't believe how friendly and open Americans are! This is not what I expected!" Thanks for participating!

Did they ring your doorbell?

Parents and students wishing to host a family next summer:  Contact Kris at  BennettBunch@aol.com or call the EF Educational Homestay nonprofit organization at:  800-521-0083.  The program also hosts high school girls.

By Kris Bennett

Education Hill parent

Program Manager for Redmond Boy's Exchange Student Program

Published with permission from Facebook. 

Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane and Simulator visits Bella Bottega Shopping Center

 J. Michael Kelly's "Degree" Hydroplane, courtesy Reinke

UPDATED:  If you happened to be shopping at Bella Bottega, Tuesday the 26th, you may have notices one of Seafair's unlimited hydroplane's in the QFC parking lot.  Visitors were invited to test out their skills behind the wheel in a Nascar Simulator. 

B-Reporter John Reinke observed  Seafair racer "J. Michael Kelly's signature scrawled across the hatch" of the trailered hydroplane.

Kelly resides in Bonney Lake, WA.  He's started in 45 races during his six year career driving unlimited hydroplanes. The 31-year-old Kelly was named 2004 Rookie of the Year  He will race for the Chevrolet Cup at Seafar, August 3-7.

Find the informative Seafair calendar of events here!

City receives $3.3 million grant for pedestrian improvements on Cleveland Street

SEATTLE – Redmond will receive $3.3 million for transportation improvements via action this week by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).

The funding will help construct pedestrian improvements on Cleveland Street from Redmond Way to 164th Ave NE.  “Helping communities secure federal transportation funding is one of the key roles of the PSRC,” said PSRC President, Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown. “This project rose to the top on its merits and can not only deliver improvements for the future, but help grow jobs in the near term.” 

Redmond City Council President Richard Cole is on the Executive Board of PSRC.  Council member Kim Allen represents "Suburban Cities Association" on the PSRC Growth management planning board and chairs the Eastside Transportation Partnership.  Read More >>

City Council gives District go-ahead to remodel Redmond High School; modifies parking plans

Redmond High School 

UPDATED:  City Council modifies LW School District's Redmond High School plan to construct two building additions, three portables, and additional parking.  Passes amended Ordinance 2608  approving RHS remodel. (6-1, Cole opposing).

The district is required to impliment and maintain detailed management plans for "event parking" and "daily operating parking".

It's a known fact, traffic is bad on 104th Street and 166th Avenue when school is in session.  During the July 19th city council meeting on the proposed Redmond High School (RHS) building additions, even Council President Richard Cole said he avoids driving these roads whenever possible.  Richard has this luxury; his kids graduated years ago. 

Susan Wilkins, a mother of two RHS students, unfortunately doesn't have this option.  In the July 26 permit Hearing, she bravely spoke for almost 10 minutes on district traffic study omissions and school project costs. City and district lawyers and officials listened intently.

"With 500 more potential parent drop-offs of 9th graders, traffic will be horrible" Wilkins said.  "I can't even get on 104th Street without making an illegal left turn".  She said her "kids had to walk on Avondale just to get on a bus, just so the District could get paid [for that route]."   Wilkins advised that a state law goes into effect this September giving eligibility for busing only to those kids living outside a one mile radius from school (not counting twists and turns).  She concluded, "It's better to drive my kids".

Ms. Wilkins focused her argument on severe lack of school and Metro bus ridership stating:

"Only 300 ride the bus to RHS, of 1450 students.  That's less than 20% of the population.  At Lake Washington High School almost 1000 students or, 50% ride of the kids ride the Metro bus".   

She said the District needs to provide more buses or give Metro incentives.   Unfortunate for Ms. Wilkins and her supporters, Council didn't address busing.  A traffic planning ordinance (TMP) and lack of documentation appeared to limit Council on the issue.

What the District committed was Read More >>

General Manager of Borders Books dreams of opening a Redmond bookstore

Stuart Burnett, General Manager of Borders, dreams of opening a bookstore in Redmond

Rumor turned to reality on Friday when Borders bankruptcy sale signs hit the streets.

For years, Borders was part of many Redmonites lives.  Especially on rainy days, Borders was always there for us, to warm up, browse for a good book or magazine, have a cup of coffee, or rest in a good chair.  Borders was a significant gathering place for our community and similar the Top Food's closure, will be sadly missed.

Stuart Burnett, the dismissed General Manager of Borders/Redmond and a 43-year native of Redmond, had the same nostalgic words for his past employer.  Read More >>

Community Meeting on Backyard Chickens and Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry

Webster's definition of  "animal husbandry": 

archaic : the care of a household
2: the control or judicious use of resources : conservation
3a : the cultivation or production of plants or animals : agriculture b:  the scientific control and management of a branch of farming and especially of domestic animals.

The City of Redmond will hold a meeting on August 3 from 6 to 8:15 pm at City Hall for a community conversation on backyard chickens and animal husbandry in general.  At this event, participants will have an opportunity to share their interest, questions and perspectives with city staff  about possible amendments to Redmond's policies.

Currently, Redmond's regulation addresses domestic animals and limits the ownership of small animals such as chickens to lots one-half acre or larger. Ownership of larger animals such as horses and cattle are limited to lots one acre and larger based on the type of animal.

Residents have been asking for backyard chickens to be permitted on lots smaller than one-half acre.  If you can't make the meeting and wish to post a comment below, please do. 

Posted by Yoder
Internet photo

UPDATED: Cultural growth spurt: Ananda Mela festival in Redmond to celebrate Indian culture, July 29 -30

PREVIEW the Anando Mela Festival
By Latha Sambamurti

 

2010 Anando Mela - Photo by Bob Yoder

 
Cultural growth spurt: Annual festival in Redmond to celebrate Indian culture - Redmond Reporter:

By Samantha Pak
Redmond Reporter


"Pat Pattabhiraman and his wife [Latha Sambamurti] moved to Redmond almost 10 years ago from Vancouver, British Columbia.

He was hired by a small local technology company and back then, the area's Indian landscape was a lot different: There were only a few Indian restaurants and grocery stores and even fewer cultural events and entertainment opportunities.

In 2011, things have changed."   Read More >> 

From The Joy of India Festival Photos by Bob Yoder, 2010

Two-alarm apartment fire extinguished with no injuries - Redmond, WA.

Redmond Fire-Rescue Vehicles

Two-alarm apartment fire extinguished with no injuries Redmond, WA.

The Redmond Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex at the 4800 block of 156th Ave NE shortly before noon today. 

Fire and EMS units were dispatched at 11:55 a.m. to a working structure fire reported by a neighbor which sent firefighters from Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville. 

First units arrived at 12:01 p.m. and found one apartment well involved with fire extending 15 feet out one window before being extinguished.  The alert neighbor and quick response prevented the fire from extending to the three adjacent apartment units.  There were no occupants in the involved apartment at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. 

The fire is currently under investigation by the Redmond Fire Department.

Prepared and released by Jim Bove, Redmond Police Department
Internet photo

Redmond Spur railway demolition marks the end of an era.

Collage of BNSF Redmond Spur Railway Demolition, 7/20/2011

Demolition of the BNSF railway spur for the "Redmond Central Connector" has begun, marking the end of an era.   Once the rails are pulled and recycled, the city will install a huge regional stormwater pipe under the railroad bedding.   A trail and "linear park" will be built on top of the pipe.  The trail will connect to the Downtown Park.

Central Connecter video narrated by three planning commissioners, the mayor and staff directors.

By Bob Yoder
Photographed, 7/20

Borders close

Redmond Town Center - Borders

Borders still operates 9 stores in Washington state, Seattle Times Newspaper, July 19,2011:

"Nine Borders locations are expected to close in Washington state as the bookseller prepares to liquidate its remaining stores.

Susie Detmer, senior director of retail services for Cushman & Wakefield, said once Borders closes its doors, she expects its storefronts to stay vacant through the holidays. Those that are a single level will go the quickest because of their great locations, she said.

Stores in the Redmond Town Center, downtown Seattle, Southcenter Mall and Tacoma, however, will be problematic to lease because they are two levels, she said.

Story and excerpt
By Christine Harvey, 7/19,2011
Seattle Times business reporter
Internet photo

Visit http://www.borders.com/ this week for store closure updates

School Levies | Ross Hunter

Ross Hunter
48th District Representative
Chair, Ways and Means

"We spend MUCH to heavily on local property tax to fund  education"
  
-- Ross Hunter, Chairman of House Ways and Means,  Ross Hunter's Blog

School Levies Ross Hunter: "For the past two years we’ve had a group of technical experts working on proposals on how to fix school levies.

Read more about the basic problems with local levy funding

Council trying to shift gears on Redmond Economic Development Plan

Redmond's economic development plan, coined "Community of Excellence Project", underwent serious study during Council's July 12 meeting.  Several councilmembers appeared frustrated by the lack of progress and lack of background information on the plan.  Council Vice President and REDA member, Pat Vache' tried his best to explain the problem and offer solutions.

 The "Community of Excellence Project" is referred to in city documents as:

• a "complete Live, Work, Play and Learn community....of diverse businesses, quality schools, state-of-the-art healthcare, gate way ports to the world economy, commitment to environment sustainability and excellent quality of life..." 
• the Project is a collaborative effort between the City, "Realize Redmond", the Chamber and "Redmond Economic Development. Alliance" (REDA)

The Project envisioned the intent to "leverage the strengths of each organization, clarify roles, and reduce duplication of efforts and energize."   But, Council admitted this wasn't happening.  They proposed a revised working statement, called "One Redmond Initiative".   Read More >>

Laughs are on President Richard Cole as Council plans the Centennial

President Richard Cole

Laughs are on President Richard Cole as Council plans the Centennial

UPDATED:  At the end of each Study Session Meeting, Council usually has a "Talk Time" to chat about miscellaneous things not covered in their business session.   The July 12 session was literally one to remember.   It started with chatter about this year's Derby Days event and ended with belly laughs from tales of President Richard Cole's days past.  Here goes:  Read More >>

Upper Bear Creek "Music in the Park" Concert Series

Upper Bear Creek ‘Music in the Park’ Concert Series

Upper Bear Creek Community Council announced it is bringing "Music in the Park" back to Cottage Lake Park this summer. The series of six FREE family concerts will be in the park on Thursday evenings in July and August from 7-8:30 p.m. You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the park at 190th and NE Woodinville-Duvall Road in Woodinville. More information is available at http://www.upperbearcreek.com/.

Mark your calendars. 

Courtesy of King County Representative, Kathy Lambert

Emergency Department Wait Times Now Online - Overlake Hospital Medical Center

from the desk of Bob Yoder...
I first heard about Overlake's ER website feature from Tech Flash here.   And now the King 5 TV clip

Emergency Department Wait Times Now Online - Overlake Hospital Medical Center - Bellevue, WA: "Published on July 18, 2011

Overlake First in Seattle Area to Introduce New Website Feature Displaying Emergency Department Wait Times

Patient convenience greatly increased by Overlake's innovative new web feature  Read More >>

UPDATED: "To da dump, to da dump, to da recycling center dump!"

Lining up for the big city recycling event

UPDATED:  The Friday night fireworks at City Hall were a lot prettier than Saturday's city recycling event.  But, in a much different way, going "to the city recycling dump" with our neighbors was just as much fun!  Read More >>

Edible crayfish and clams found in Sammamish River

The daily limit on Signal crayfish is 10 pounds. 

Walking along the Sammamish River near the Leary Bridge a few weeks ago, I saw a young teenager in the river.  He was in a bathing suit with a net catching crayfish.   He was standing in the water a few feet from the shore, industriously turning over rocks and scooping.  He had caught about 20 crayfish.

He said they are "signal crayfish" and native to this area.  He's found them between 3.5 and 6 inches long.  I asked him what he planned to to do with his catch, and he said "eat them".  No license is required to catch crayfish in Washington, although the daily limit is ten pounds!!

He also netted a number of shellfish a little larger than the size of a quarter.  I contacted Peter Holte, Redmond's Habitat Stewardship Coordinator to learn more about the shellfish.  He said they were  Asian clams, an invasive species.  Notice that several of them have had their shells bored through by some kind of predator.

The clams originate in Southeast Asia and are eaten by the locals.  I even found some recipes for them on the internet. Anyone for Asian clam chowder?  

Story and photos by John Reinke
Redmond photographer
7/16  (edited for brevity)

Kirkland Chamber of Commerce celebrates new visitor center

The local business community and City of Kirkland officials celebrate the grand opening of the new downtown Visitor Information Center during a ceremony on Wednesday.

Contributed by Bob Gassen/Humanature Photography

 Kirkland Chamber of Commerce celebrates new visitor center - Kirkland Reporter: "Jul 14 2011, 5:51 PM

The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA) members celebrated the grand opening of the organization's new offices and Visitor Information Center during a ceremony on Wednesday.  Read More >>

Evergreen collaborates with LW School District on health initiative - Dr. Kimball joins Redmond Chamber

Sup. Chip Kimball

UPDATED:  LW School District Superintendent Chip Kimball recently joined the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce.  He is an Ex-Officio member on the Board of Trustees.  

Dr. Kimball also joined "Redmond's Economic Development Alliance" (REDA).  REDA is an elite group of leaders in Greater Redmond public and private organizations dedicated to local economic and community development.  REDA raises and allocates funds to support Redmond economic and community initiatives.

RECENT CHAMBER DEVELOPMENTS:  Evergreen Healthcare is an active member of the Redmond Chamber.  The Chamber's Chair is Tom Martin, a Senior V.P. at Evergreen. (This link details recent chamber/REDA developments).

Sup. Bob Malte
 Evergreen Hosp.

In December, 14, 2010  "Mr. Malte, Superintendent of  Evergreen Healthcare, recommended Evergreen allocate $200,000 towards a "Community Health Initiative" with LWSD, Northshore, and Riverview School District."  These three districts reside within the boundaries of Evergreen's King County Hospital District #2.
    --Laurene H. Burton, Evergreen's Director of Governance and Public Records, 12/14/2010

This Spring, "Mr. Malte scheduled a meeting with the three local school district superintendents in the hospital district. Obesity and immunizations are possible collaboration themes. [Specific levy expenditures for this program haven't been authorized by the Hospital Commission.]
  -- Regular Board Minutes, 6/7/2011.  

No doubt, Dr. Kimball appreciates knowing you care about his participation with Evergreen and the Chamber to improve student health and wellness.  Of course, thanks goes to the Evergreen Hospital Commissioners and Malte for their leadership in this student health initiative.  

If you have input, suggestions, ideas for Evergreen's proposed community initiative please write Evergreen's Laurene Burton, lburtton@evergreenhealthcare.gov and Chip Kimball, ckimball@lwsd.org .

Report & Opinion By Bob Yoder

Photo courtesy of District / Internet

Mayor Marchione extends Derby Days with fireworks Friday, July 15.

The grand finale fireworks show set for Derby Days will now be held on Friday July 15 at 10pm on the City Hall campus lawn.

"Think of it as an extended Derby Days" said Mayor Marchione at Tuesday's Council Meeting. 

In addition to the fireworks, two bands are scheduled to perform. Beginning at 7pm is LeRoy Bell, one of Seattle’s top performers of blues and soul. At 9pm, Doctor Funk will perform some great funky music until the fireworks display begins at 10pm.  Read More >>