UPDATED: Design Review standards: Point - Counterpoint

The opinion piece:"Vote for future-minded candidates" stoked this discussion with Planning Commissioner Sherri Nichols:

POINT:

I serve on the Planning Commission, and I've never met anybody from the Master Builders Association. Design review standards are not part of our purview; that's the Design Review Board. The designs for the buildings downtown were approved long ago, prior to appointments by our current mayor, so blaming anybody serving today for the "look and feel" of the buildings downtown is wrong.

Over half the Planning Commissioners currently serving have served less than two years. Next time, why not talk to one of us before calling us tools of developers.Our meetings are public, and we're always happy to talk to people.

-- Sherri Nichols, 
   Planning commissioner

COUNTERPOINT .

Thanks Sherri for your comment and you're volunteerism on the commission, I've watched Planning Commission meetings for years  Early in the Ives Administration I recommended adding an e-mail address to your website page to encourage participation. It was done, and I've used it a lot over the years. (planningcommission@redmond.gov.)  However, in this case it shouldn't take a formal e-mail or public presentation to know design standards are outdated... just look around: read the Redmond Reporter. 

You've twisted my words.  Never once did I accuse your commission as a tool for developers. In my opinion piece I called out the The Master Builder PAC not you. 

Even if, existing design standards were made years ago, as you say, this doesn't preclude standards can't be improved and updated now or  could have been updated at anytime during Marchione's terms.. It's disingenuous to blame the Ives Administraton for the design damage we have today.  

Many impactful projects are still  cueing up for land use and design approval -- the most immediate and significant being Marymoor Village, two 2-4 story Avondale projects, The Town Square District and who knows what  else.   The council-approved planning  commission  needs to adapt with the times to advise council on design improvements. In addition, the Design Review Board is atrociously non transparent and needs airing.

  - Bob Yoder

Steve Fields thanks community for high voter turnout

Credit:  down pour coffee bar

When I went to "down pour coffee bar" this morning I ran into Steve Fields, winner of the Primary for City Council Position 2. He asked me to thank everyone for the high voter turnout. The turnout  was over 35%!  Steve's wife, Roni, owns the cafe. I enjoyed an indescribable americano. The taste was something I've not found at "Charbucks" or any other cafe in Redmond. (Councilmember David Carson would love it.) Roni looked hard and wide to find the "Sleepy Monk" coffee roast from Cannon Beach, OR. It's a must sip!

Besides enjoying an awesome americano, down pour is a good place to meet Steve and tell him what's on your mind.  Steve's usually at the shop on Thursday's between 2 -4.  He can also be reached at 425-444-3188 or by e-mail at sjf13@comcast.net. His candidate website is www.ElectSteveFields.com.  He has an impressive site.

Byron Shutz is in the General Election as well. He's facing off to Steve for Position 2. According to the city website, Byron's e-mail is bschutz@rdmond.gov and phone number is 425-556-2143.  His website is: www.ShutzForCouncil.com. His vision for the city may catch your eye. Byron's very active with the Redmond Kiwanis; you can find him at most of their meetings and fundraisers.

Bob Yoder

UPDATED: "Ballotpedia"- Candidates Jinyoung Lee Englund and Manka Dhingra

Ballotpedia is an objective source of facts and news on the 45th District election and candidate

Jinyoung Lee Englund

https://ballotpedia.org/Jinyoung_Lee_Englund



Ballotpedia is also an objective source of facts and news for candidate
Manka Dhingra

 https://ballotpedia.org/Manka_Dhingra

UPDATED,6/19 Opinion: Vote for future-minded candidates

UPDATED:  Redmond City Council  is gripped by "The Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties."  50% of the spend in the City Council Primary thus far has been sourced by the Master Builders PAC...all of it spent on campaign mailers and services supporting two "City Hall" candidates. 

The "Master Builders PAC states "There are many timely issues that directly impact the homebuilding industry - critical areas regulations, design review guidelines, permitting processes....etc."  Of course these "timely issues" ultimately revolve around profit (that's okay) but sometimes at serious compromise to our city look and feel.

With the Master Builder's concerns for the "timely issue of design review standards" it's no wonder our downtown is built-out with inexpensively designed "row-house" apartment buildings fronting our signature Leary Way Gateway.  We'll be living with and seeing this wall of box buildings for the next 100 years.

We need to elect candidates who are independent of developer "timely issues" and to support those few sitting council members willing to sacrifice their standing with the development community to do the right thing.

Bob Yoder

I was inspired to write this post by Jason Antonelli Position 6 and Steve Fields Position 2.   Councilman Hank Myers wrote an excellent letter in the Redmond Reporter defining the candidates as "City Hall"  and "outsiders." which inspired me. 

Redmond Reporter: "Sounding off on last Issue's City Council Letter"

Redmond Reporter "Letter to the Editor"  July, 27, 2017

Phil Miller (Redmond Planning Commission) recently questioned why people without civic experience run for city council. His letter underscores key several issues facing Redmond voters.

First, why are we suddenly seeing so much interest in council races? The trend began three years ago with two levy increase proposals. The council was told victory was a lock. The council even reduced the cost by nearly half. Contrary to conventional political wisdom, Redmond voters soundly rejected both proposals. This year, for the first time in memory, all council positions on the ballot are contested. Each position has a “City Hall” candidate (Byron Schutz, Tanika Padhye and Roy Captain) and one or more “outside” candidates. Neither political party in the districts covering Redmond endorsed a City Hall candidate, another first. Anyone who thinks the levy elections and the current contests are flukes is missing the big picture.

Second, why do people without civic experience run? To get on a board or commission, you must be appointed by the mayor. With more than 30 years of government affairs and transportation experience, I applied four times and was rejected each time. If you represent an independent or contrary philosophy, it is unlikely you will be appointed to a board or commission. If I wanted to be involved in my community, I would have to get elected. David Carson, one of the most engaged and dedicated council members I know, was an outsider when he ran. John Marchione also ran for city council without having been appointed to a board or commission.

The most disappointing part of Mr. Miller’s letter was asserting reasons why all of Jason Antonelli’s ideas won’t work. The attitude is, “You have a new idea, I have complex reasons it won’t work.” In my experience, when the word “complex” is used as an explanation, it means, “you can’t possibly understand the issues, and even if you could, there isn’t much that can be done.” If you don’t like the current situation, accept it or move.

Why do people without experience run for office? Because they are told to stay out of the process. Told not to engage on boards if they aren’t an insider. Told to support tax increases and to trust that government will spend it well. As problems get more obvious and taxes increase, is it any wonder people have decided that the same old routine isn’t working for Redmond?

Hank Myers
Redmond City Council member

Sage for Schools, District 3

Cassandra Sage

for Lake Washington School District Director, District 3

Cassandra Sage has been active in the Lake Washington School District for the past 22 years as an involved parent and PTA board member.  She has four sons, two with special needs, and would like to ensure all our children receive a high-quality education.

“All kids deserve equitable access to high quality K-12 education.”

Nancy Bernard, who has served as Lake Washington School District Director for District 3 for the past 20 years and is not seeking re-election this year, has endorsed Cassandra to be her successor. She has also been endorsed by former Lake Washington School Director Jackie Pendergrass.

Cassandra feels the Lake Washington School District is doing a good job staying on top of technology in education, but would like to see more inclusion of special education students, more vocational education opportunities, and more assistance with college preparation for those going on to university studies.

--Excerpt from Cassandra's website

Redmond Kiwanis August Programs

The Redmond Kiwanis Club is part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  The Redmond Kiwanis Club meets each Friday at the Family Pancake house on Redmond Ave.  Meetings begin at 7:00 a.m. and end at 8:00 a.m.  The following programs will be presented at the meetings in August. 

Friday, August 4:  Larry Wright, Executive Director of the Lake Washington School Foundation, will present a program about the LWS Foundation.

Friday, August 11: Karyn Matveyenko will present a program about the Lake Washington School Foundation’s  “Pantry Packs.”  The Pantry Packs program provides weekend packs of food for approximately 750 LWSD students who are identified as being “food insecure.”

Friday, August 18:  Tricia Lazzar, Executive Director, will present a program about “Pushing Boundaries.”  Pushing Boundaries is the Northwest’s comprehensive recovery and wellness center for people with paralysis.

Anyone who is interested in any of the programs, or who would like to learn more about Kiwanis, is invited to attend a meeting.  If you are interested in attending a meeting, contact President Pat Vache' at (425) 883-2314.  Breakfast is optional, if you wish to eat breakfast, you may order from the menu.  The Club website may be seen at: http://www.redmondkiwaniswa.org/.

Bob Yoder and Ken Ormiston
Redmond Kiwanis Members

Steve Fields responds to "Washington Conservation Voters" Questionnaire

Steve Fields responds to Washington Conservation Voters

2017 Municipal Candidate Questionnaire:

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Steve Fields:  Please describe what motivates you to run for public office and what or who inspires you?

Throughout both my personal and professional life I have been active in environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.I am motivated to run for public office by a deep passion to ensure the well-being and sustainability of human life and existence. The most dramatic and important inspiration I received was from my then 6-year-old son, who is now 19. At that time, he was crying in the middle of the night and concerned about polar bears drowning and “his planet burning up and why was no one doing anything about it”. It was at this time I left a corporate position to work in local Government. I am also inspired by sincere and involved people from all over the world who address the issues of protecting our planet and work to create environmental quality along with quality of life. Conversely, I am also inspired by organizations who work against the interests of our environmental sustainability and work to expose or mitigate actions and perspectives that promote environmental damage and create an uncertain future. On a personal level,  I have lead a lifestyle since I was a child that focused on reducing my impact on our environment. I grew up in a home where my parents insisted that we to turn off lights and electrical items when not in use. Recycling was a major part of our lives and when plastic and disposable containers become popular my family minimized there use. I have commuted by bicycle throughout my 40-year professional career. I have supported the Sierra Club, was active in Greenpeace in the 1980s and have purchased numerous Robert Bateman art that supported environmental causes (“Spotted Owls Continuation Generations” for example)

On a professional level, I have worked throughout my career on environmental protection. Examples and Highlights include;

LETTER: Election Fallout: NAMI Eastside facing smear campaign

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, NAMI Eastside does not endorse any political candidate. Currently in the 45th district election, Mental Health advocate and long-time Board Member, former Co-President, President and current Vice President of NAMI Eastside, Manka Dhingra is running for the open Senate seat.  It was recently brought to our attention that political ads being sponsored by Working Families PAC and the Washington State Senate Republican PAC listed as the Leadership Council have been calling into question NAMI Eastside’s financial stability. These claims are unfounded. NAMI Eastside staff, Board of Directors and members take the stewardship of our organization very seriously.  The negative ads suggesting that NAMI Eastside “ran up large deficits and filed questionable financial reports” for three years, that is both completely false and very damaging to our reputation.  All of the crucial and essential services that we provide are free and fulfill a need that is sorely lacking in our State.