• How should the City work to increase its supply of affordable housing?

• Should the City take steps to protect small businesses that provide many living wage jobs in Redmond? If so, what steps?

• What should the city of Redmond’s priorities be when planning for significant growth?

• Global warming is a concern for all of us. There are many proposals being discussed to require new construction and existing buildings and homes to become more energy efficient as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, all of these will add cost and may contribute to further reduction in housing affordability in Redmond. How do you feel the competing priorities of sustainability and affordability should be addressed? If one or the other should be given priority, which is it?

  Janet Richards, Redmond City Council, Position 2

  “… Microsoft is re-imagining their campus to be carbon neutral in the future … we can do this in an innovative way that enables us to continue on track from a sustainability and a housing perspective.”

  Steve Fields, Redmond City Council, Position 2

  “What I would like to see is more focus on the other factors that are driving up the cost of homes, which are the market forces, and this is something that we may have a little bit of control over.”

  Melisssa Stuart, Redmond City Council, Position 4

  “… our comprehensive plan update is the time to tackle the tough questions that are going to allow us to live out this vision of having both …”

  Dennis Ellis, Redmond City Council, Position 4

  “… I think that what we need to do still is not overly tax people at the expense of something that we may not even be able to manage.”

  Tara Van Niman, Redmond City Council, Position 6

  “… in terms of the end user costs, the government can step in and we can find ways to subsidize the building so that in the long run, they are providing the energy efficiency that we need them to.”

  Jeralee Anderson, Redmond City Council, Position 6

  “I don’t believe that they’re competing priorities. I believe that both sustainability and affordability are achievable.”

• What in your opinion is the most important issue the City of Redmond is facing and what are your plans for addressing it?
• 
  

Patch

Starting Monday,10/24 King County adults will need to bring proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or recently tested negative for the virus, before they can participate in a variety of activities, from dining indoors to attending concerts gyms and sporting events.

King County announced the new public health order back in September, aiming to give businesses and customers several weeks to prepare for the Oct. 25 change. Last week, local leaders demonstrated how the process would work and unveiled a new online "toolkit" to help business owners get up to speed.

Seattle's professional sports teams and many of its music venues already require proof of vaccination voluntarily, but the new rules will not be optional. King County is one of the nation's most vaccinated regions, with nearly 88 percent of eligible residents having at least one dose and more than 82 percent fully vaccinated.

PATCH article

Edited by Bob Yoder

Forested area just west of Redmond Town Center
by John Reinke

 

PATCH Election Guide And Redmond News

PATCH 2021 Election Guide 

(click link) 

Plus News On Redmond

UPDATED: Councilmembers Steve Fields And Jeralee Anderson Should Renounce "Safe Eastside"

OPINION, 10/27:  As you know, housing in Redmond (and across the Eastside) is terribly unaffordable. Those without technology jobs can barely afford to live here.  Add the COVID dilemma and some people just can't pay rent or their mortgage. Sadly, a few unlucky souls are left homeless, living in their cars and on friends' couches.

The County is trying to do something about it.  About a month ago they bought the Silver Cloud Hotel in south Redmond near Microsoft to provide a sanctuary for some who've lost their homes. Support services and warm meals will be provided. Information about the hotel is found HERE.  I can't thank the County and City enough for extending their hand to these traumatised people.   

There's a boisterous group known as "Safe Eastside" on a mission to terminate this homeless hotel.  This group is the cause of a lot of misinformation.  Signs are staked all over town and near schools warning "no injection sites." Parents, students and neighbors have been frightened. 

I've sat in on council meetings where they've verbally attacked the Mayor, her staff, a councilmember, and commissioner. They often blame and shame the mentally ill.  This hurts because I and many others have serious illnesses, yet are able to have a productive career and a nice home or apartment. 

Safe Eastside is actively campaigning, and endorsing Dennis Ellis, Councilmember Jeralee Anderson and Councilmember Steve Fields in the election.  I'm not sure what they did to earn these endorsements. Dennis, Jeralee, and Steve should emphatically renounce this spiteful group and support the greater good.

-- Bob Yoder, 10/21/2021

UPDATED: LWSD To Place Three Levies On February 8 Ballot

Two replacement levies and Building Excellence Capital Levy

The Capital Levy while needed, is a new tax.

These measures will be on the February 8, 2022 ballot

Redmond, Wash. - Lake Washington School District is planning three ballot measures for the February 8, 2022 election. The measures are a replacement of the existing Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy, a replacement of the existing School Technology and Capital Levy, and a Building Excellence Capital levy. A recommendation was presented to the Board of Directors on October 4, and they formally approved the levies at their October 18 board meeting. 

This Building Excellence Capital Levy will be "new taxes"

• Building Excellence Capital Levy – To continue meeting the needs of our growing district, this levy will help us add classroom space to our schools. The Facility Advisory Committee provided recommendations for future facility projects to accommodate our rapid enrollment growth and continue to provide learning environments that promote excellence for students. The board considered these recommendations, received information and feedback from the Levy Advisory Committee and considered multiple options for addressing short and long-term capacity needs in seven study sessions between January and September 2021. This levy would fund the first step of three funding measures to provide required student space by 2034. This Levy funds critical capacity needs required by 2024: 
• Elementary: Redmond area 
• Middle: Juanita, Kirkland and Redmond areas 
• High: Kirkland, Redmond and Eastlake areas

• How much are the installments of the Capital Levy and for how long do they last? 

  The 6-Year Building Excellence Capital Levy annual amounts are:

  2023 $35 Million

  2024 $45 Million

  2025 $45 Million

  2026 $58 Million

  2027 $56 Million

  2028 $56 Million 

"Eastside Business Alliance" Endorses Janet Richards

The Eastside Business Alliance endorses Janet Richards’ for Redmond City Council position two. Richards’ extensive volunteer work and community leadership prove the kind of councilmember she will be – a dynamic, active, and effective voice for all members of the community.

An almost 30-year Microsoft veteran, community service has been a lifelong passion for Richards. As a Human Services Commissioner for Redmond, she has been an advocate for some of Redmond’s most at-need residents. Richards also served as an early member of the Redmond Police Department’s Community Equity Action Team, where Richards helped daylight the concerns of historically underrepresented community members. Richards also volunteers on the Seattle Children’s Hospital Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion council and co-chairs the hospital’s Family Advisory Council. She was the only non-hospital employee included in the task force charged with reforming the hospital’s security policies to be more inclusive.

As the city and region face unprecedented growth it is essential that we elect experienced community leaders with proven ability to balance competing interests and complex issues. Janet Richards will be such a councilmember.

Candidate Janet Richards Will Bridge The Divide In Redmond City Council

 

Commissioner Janet Richards

Janet Richards is the vice chair of the Redmond Human Services Commission, which advises the mayor and city council on funding and policy on a range of issues from child care assistance to senior services. She's running for Redmond City Council, Position 2 to expand the city's sustainability efforts while equitably managing growth and advocating for a safe city that thoughtfully considers everyone's needs. 

Richards notes that the introduction of light rail is an opportunity to manage growth, and wants to see the city plan ahead for this with climate change and quality of life in mind. As an early member of the Redmond PD Community Equity Action Team (CEAT), she states that she is an advocate for gun violence prevention as well as engaging residents of color on the issues of policing and community safety. Richards also emphasizes the need for green education programs and investments in electric vehicles for the city.

 As a member of the Human Services Commission, Richards feels that the budget for COVID recovery does not adequately cover the community’s needs for additional mental health, food, and housing security, and wants to see a change in governance that reflects more voices in the community, both racially and socioeconomically. Richards also earned the endorsement of our partners at Washington Conservation Voters for her plans to turn her environmental positions into concrete action.

Supporters of both candidates point to division on the current council as an obstacle to passing important progressive legislation. If elected, we hope that Richards can help bridge this divide and be a force for progressive change on the Redmond City Council.

Progressive Voters Guide

sewar

 

King County recognizes that trees help slow climate change and provide many important benefits for human health and well-being, water quality, and habitat. When we design this project, we try to limit the number of trees we need to remove. Where we can’t protect trees, we make replanting a priority with a goal of creating a future tree canopy that is equal to or better than what exists today. I’ve attached a factsheet here with more information on our approach to trees for this project.

 

Our initial engineering plans did call for the removal of the stand of four cedar trees just north of the Central Connector where it crosses over the Sammamish River Trail. In response to community concerns, we were able to adjust our design to save two of the four trees.

 

The two trees that must be removed are located within the trench that we will have to dig to install the new sewer pipe. Unfortunately, there is no alternative sewer route or feasible way to narrow our construction footprint that would allow us to save those two trees.

 

We are looking at options for how we can incorporate the two removed trees back into the landscape. We will also consider how we can pay tribute and tell the stories of these trees. If you have ideas for how we could best do this, please do let me know.

 

Thank you again John for sharing your concern for these trees with us. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have further questions.

 

Best,

Kelly

Thank you John Reinke for your photo and finding the status of these trees. 

Vote Katie Grainger For "EvergreenHealth" Public Health Hospital Commissioner District No. 4

Katie Grainger lost to Chuck Pilcher

Commissioners are elected to 6-year terms!  The incumbent has been at EvergreenHealth for 47 years.  Is that long enough?  We need a leader with a fresh perspective, who's a good listener and a community neighbor who will reach out to us!  Vote for Katie.

Katie Grainger is endorsed by the LD 48 Democrats and the National Women's Political Caucus of Washington state.

Katie Grainger

Nice to meet you. I'm Katie Grainger. I'm the first in my family to do many things and that now includes running for office. 

I never thought I'd have the courage to do something like this, but then I was diagnosed at 28 with an autoimmune disease. I lost my best friend at 30 to a rare cancer. I developed a rare renal condition at 31. Since then, I've served as a volunteer ambassador for the Sjogren's Foundation, and I've lobbied on behalf of the Sarcoma Foundation of America. 

All of these experiences motivated me to work in healthcare. Having worked in clinical care operations for the third-largest non-profit health system in the United States, I see both the challenges facing healthcare and possibilities for reform. 

I know firsthand the struggles of navigating a system that is not always affordable or accessible. I continue to be an advocate for health by promoting awareness for autoimmune diseases and fundraising for cancer research. I don't need to be the medical expert in the room to provide governance that positively impacts my community. 

I intend to help make healthcare better for all Americans and that starts with impacting decisions made at the local level as Public Hospital (EvergreenHealth) Commissioner for District 2. 

Incumbent Chuck Pilcher, District #4 retired in 2010 after 36 years of service in the Emergency Department at EvergreenHealth.  We've discussed mental health at Public Meetings several times. He's numb to psychiatric care services. Sadly, there are no full time community psychiatrists or Advanced Nurse Practitioners at Evergreen, this at a time when we need them the most.

"Safe Eastside" - Activists Fighting Off The Homeless.

 "Safe Eastside's"  relentless attacks on Mayor Birney are unconscionable. Kudos to CM David Carson for his efforts to defend the Mayor and the City.  Anderson, Fields, Forsythe, Kahn and Kritzer should defend the Mayor and City, as well.  They have the same voice as the Mayor in representation of the public. Councilmembers, please actively stand up and defend the Mayor and City tomorrow.  B. Yoder, 10/18/2021

KAN QIU'S MESSAGE TO "SAFE EASTSIDE" VOLUNTEERS:

Please come to public comment Tuesday 10/19 to demand amendment of Ordinance No. 3059 at City Hall, 15670 N.E. 85th Street, Redmond, Washington, 6:30 PM, the last public comment opportunity before the council's study session 10/26 on this matter. We have all witnessed, in the public hearing nearly two weeks ago, Mayor shamefully staged her out of area supporters to call in before many of us who showed up physically since as early as 6:30. But we are more determined than what she could ever have imagined. We need to pack the room again, speakers make sure you sign up in advance on the sheet outside the chamber room. To help us track attendee numbers, please register at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keep-up-the-pressure-tuesday-october-19th-speak-up-at-redmond-city-hall-tickets-193136014017 .

What's even more outrageous after the shameful display of public hearing is that Mayor Birney's puppet in the council David Carson had to go the extra mile and filed a frivolous PDC complaint on October 14 against us in an apparent attempt to suppress public voices. Sadly as an elected official, puppet CM David Carson obviously forgot that this is America and people's rights express themselves are fully protected by the constitution, particularly on matters that are lack of government transparency. Since when citizens setting up and running a website to inform the public becomes an issue ? It's appalling that such despicable scare tactics have being used against average citizens who simply fill in the vacuum due to the very lack of information from the government!

Ballot and Pamphlet Delivery Delays

It's October 18th and my ballot and pamphlet still haven't been delivered.  I got no mail today. not even junk mail.  According to the State pamphlet, ballots were mailed out October 15th (normally we get the local pamphlet well in advance of that.)  I called King County Elections; they said they were having problems with USPS.  They kindly said they would hand-deliver if I didn't get my ballot and pamphlet by 10/19 or mail me a second  ballot. If you have similar problems call 800-448-4881.

-- Bob Yoder, 10/18/2021

End result:  My ballot came today, 10/20.  The second ballot is outstanding.  Yay!  I can vote!

2021 REDMOND VOTERS GUIDE

 2021 REDMOND VOTERS GUIDE

(CLICK LINK FOR THE GUIDE) 

Vote by November 2

Ballot Drop Box Locations:  (They close at 8pm on November 2.) 

Redmond City Hall*
15670 NE 85th Street
Redmond, WA 98052
Directions to Redmond City Hall* 

Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village*
6505 176th Avenue NE
Redmond, WA 98052
Directions to Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village*

Usually Staid King County Race Is Packed With Drama

 

Sarah Perry

Kathy Lambert

Incumbent Kathy Lambert, Metropolitan King County Council District 3 -- very short clip.

Challenger Sarah Perry, Metropolitan King County Council District 3 -- very short clip.

Note: the "Seattle Times" reneged on their endorsement of Councilmember Lambert owing to a racist campaign flyer (as defined by the entire King County Council.)

Vote For Melissa Stuart, Position 4

 

A very short clip of Melissa Stuart introducing herself at the 2021 OneRedmond Candidate Forum.  It's excellent.

Vote For Jeralee Anderson, Position 6

A very short clip of Council Vice President Jeralee Anderson introducing herself at the OneRedmond 2021 Candidate Forum.  

Vote For Janet Richards, Position 2

  

This is a very short clip of Janet Richards introducing herself at the 2021 OneRedmond Candidate Forum.  It's excellent.

 EMAIL info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org HOURS Please contact the office to schedule an appointment 2021 Society Partners with Sotheby’s International Realty Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty brokers Cynthia Olsen and Mary Sullivan have formed a unique partnership with the Redmond Historical Society in an effort to help raise money for the Society. Sotheby’s International Realty will give 10% of commissions to support the Redmond Historical Society when you or someone you refer is looking to buy or sell property. Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty established this program as a way to give back to organizations that are committed to the welfare of our communities. For more information, contact Cynthia Olsen at cynthia.olsen@ sothebysrealty.com, 425.877.9904, Mary Sullivan at mary.sullivan@ sothebysrealty.com, 425.449.2841, or call the Society Office at 425.885.2919. Society Seeks Volunteers The Redmond Historical Society actively collects, preserves, and displays artifacts from Redmond’s past. Are you interested in volunteering with us? Currently, we need volunteers for the Redmond Saturday Market booth on October 23, and there are two volunteer Board Member opportunities: • Vice President, Collections • Marketing and Branding Chair Please see page 9 for more details. Every town has a history. Discover ours. • October 2021 President’s Notebook Heavy Lifting For Light Rail! By John Oftebro This huge crane is busy doing some “heavy lifting” for the light rail that will be opening two stations in Redmond, 2024. It will be preceded by the 2023 station openings in Overlake and Redmond Technology (Microsoft campus)! While one new station will serve Marymoor Village near Marymoor Park, the final stop is in the downtown core area, just a block away from the Justice White House. Redmond’s first railroad, the Seattle Lake Shore and Eastern depot, was just across the street from there when it opened in 1888. In 1894, the Ernest Adams family moved to Redmond as he was the District Supervisor for Northern Pacific. The family with their four children lived in the depot for a time, which was likely very exciting for the children. Northern Pacific took over the rail line in 1901 and eventually it was purchased by Burlington Northern. This new rail service in 1888 cut down the two-to-three day steamer travel time up the Squak (Sammamish) River. It provided freight service to Redmond and an efficient method of getting logging industry products to market. Over the years the logging industry faded, but steady rail use supplying grains for the T-D Feeds remained a constant use of the lines. The Redmond Depot closed in 1970 after 80 years of service to the community. You can see what it looked like by visiting our website and typing Railroad in the Keyword Search in the Digital Archives section under Research Resources. There are several interesting stories there to give you a feel for life in Redmond back in the day. Here we are today, waiting now for the new Link Extensions, ~133 years after Redmond’s first railroad. Soon we can travel easily to Bellevue, Downtown Seattle, Northgate, or Sea-Tac Airport in style!

Melissa Stuart Runs for Council to Bring Advocacy for the Environment and Education

Melissa Stuart is running for Redmond City Council, Position 4 to bring her advocacy for the environment and education to the council. She is the Director of Individual Giving at Boys and Girls Club of King County, has served on the board of Zero Waste Washington and South Transit, and as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy. She has also worked at Youth Eastside Services to help provide behavioral healthcare for families.

She is running against finance analyst Dennis Ellis, who is running a conservative campaign for the seat. He states that public safety - specifically through policing - is the number one essential for a city. Ellis disagrees with the methods that other cities have taken in shifting funding to proactive community services that reduce crime, like health care and youth programming. He states that he will move the conversation away from topics like climate change or walkable infrastructure to making the city a more business-friendly environment, though he does not state exactly how.

Stuart has been endorsed by several leading Democratic representatives and elected officials. While her campaign platform is not fully fleshed out on her website, her long record of community and professional service speaks to a candidate who is ready to contribute meaningfully to the council.

Stuart is the best choice for Redmond City Council, Position 4.

-- Progressive Voters Guide

Incumbent Dr. Jeralee Anderson Focuses On Climate Action, Improving Infrastructure, And Economic Justice

 

• 

  Dr. Jeralee Anderson

  
  Incumbent Dr. Jeralee Anderson was first elected to the Redmond City Council in 2017. She is the president and co-founder of Greenroads International, which rates and advocates for sustainable transportation infrastructure. She has also been recognized for her achievements at the state and national level, working on the Gov. Inslee-appointed Washington State Public Works Board, as an alternate on the King County Regional Transit Committee, and on the Cascade Water Alliance board of directors.
  
  Anderson's re-election campaign is focused on climate action, improving infrastructure, and economic justice. She is committed to implementing the city's climate goals by 2030 and wants to expand the tree canopy. Anderson will prioritize reduce housing costs and rents so that seniors aren't displaced and first responders can live in the community they serve. In addition, she supports expanding mental health response services and focusing development around transit hubs.
  
  Anderson faces a challenge from AT&T program manager Tara Van Niman. Her platform emphasizes the need to take local action on climate change, improve community engagement, and promote smart growth that accommodates the influx of people moving to Redmond. Van Niman has earned the endorsement of some local leaders like Sen. Manka Dhingra and Reps. Roger Goodman and Larry Springer.
  
  Anderson's thoughtful platform and strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations make her the best choice in this race.