The Legacy of Rosemarie Ives

Mayor Rosemarie Ives - Redmond's unprecedented 4-term mayor

I have the strong opinion that the mayor should make the City a priority...in the beginning learning as much as possible about the organization, its responsibilities AND keeping in touch with the people in an authentic way on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, Mayor Angela Birney is president of Suburban Cities which I think shows poor judgement and she's not paying attention to what's going on at home. 

When I ran for Mayor the first time, I had four priorities and I believe they served the people of Redmond very well--they were real simple:  open and responsive government, environment, prudent financial management and a teen agenda...."Together, we create a community of neighbors" was my "theme."   I always said that if I was doing the right things, the right way at the right time  for our youth today and for the future, we adults would be fine too!

 

Some people make a thing of "legacy."  The ones who talk the most about it, do the least. Upon reflection I would like to believe my "legacy" was that the people of Redmond had an advocate at City Hall--someone who was always considering what was best for the people who call Redmond "home."  

 

There were so many accomplishments as a result of so many people willing to work with me to do our collective best...Yes, I am proud of the four environmental Riverwalk projects along the Sammamish River, that we went from 16 to 36 parks during my tenure, Youth Leadership Day, Old Firehouse teen center, the tagging wall, the skate park, Redmond Youth Partnership, so many environmental initiatives that were recognized at the national and regional levels,  Redmond Lights, flower pots on every corner downtown, rather than an enclosed mall that was proposed in 1988, when I was elected the Town Center owners came forward with a new, open air mixed use design , a senior center that flourished with great programming and high participation, the 40 year lease that I negotiated with the Lake Washington School District for the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center for a total of $80,000 (that John Marchione broke after 20 years)...televising city meetings and producing very informative programming, ...those are a few of the things that come to mind.

Posted by B. Yoder, 4/24/2033

Mayor Rosemarie M. Ives Biography

 Mayor Rosemarie M. Ives Biography 

First elected as Mayor of Redmond, Washington in 1991, Rosemarie M. Ives served an unprecedented four terms of this economically vibrant and naturally beautiful Northwest city, 16 miles east of Seattle.  The community of 51,000 residents serves as home to corporate headquarters for Nintendo of America and Microsoft as well as several thousand small businesses where over 90,000 people are employed.  Mayor Ives served as the full-time CEO, responsible for seven departments with over 500 employees and a biennial $368 million budget.  In addition to the oversight for day-to-day operations, Mayor Ives was a founding member of consortia on regional emergency communications, housing, and water and represented both Redmond and 39 suburban cities on regional committees on multi-modal transportation, emergency preparedness, youth, regional justice, environmental protection, and growth management. 

While Mayor Ives presided over a period of significant economic development in Redmond, she devoted much of her efforts to preserving residential neighborhoods, open space and other elements of Redmond’s unique quality of life.  Her vision statement for the City was and still is “Together, We Create a Community of Good Neighbors,” which reflects her approach to building civic partnerships that draw on the strengths of neighborhoods, schools, faith communities, and businesses.  Her priority issues included enhancing communications especially with the increasing culturally diverse residents, stewardship of the environment, commitment to youth, and improving mobility. 

Tom Hinman, Redmond Activist And Commissioner Passes

Tom Hinman
June 6th, 1945 - July, 24th 2022

Share a memory, expressions of sympathy, or give flowers on Tom's Neptune Society Page.

My sympathies will be shared on Tom's Neptune page.  BY

Dear Friends and Family,

This morning, Sunday, July 24th at 7:00 am, Tom went home to God.  I am deeply grateful for the 42 1/2 years of marriage that we shared. He asked that his memorial service and interment be held at the military cemetery at Mira Mar, near San Diego. All who knew Tom know what a wonderful, loving man he was.  His passing is a deep loss to our family and extended family.

Sincerely,

Monica Hinman

Tom Hinman, was a long-standing Redmond planning commissioner and environmental & community activist. 

He founded "Imagine Overlake" to organize and facilitate resident participation in the redevelopment of Overlake. Tom co-founded "Sustainable Redmond." and was nominated for a "Leadership Eastside" award. Tom's annual meetings were attended by council members, environmentalists and citizens at large. 

Tom loved urban trees and their contribution to our ecology and well-being.  After the Group Health clear-cut he led volunteers in salvaging and transplanting understory shrubs to the Audubon Bird Loop.  Tom activated urban tree conversations at Council meetings.  He pushed for and accomplished a city requirement to map trees on land use notices. 

Tom cited the Overlake Corridor expansion, Group Health clear-cut, and the Nokomis Building dispute as examples of the City’s long-standing disregard for resident and community input on issues of growth; and wrote abundant of emails to change that.

Former Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives' tribute: 

I am so very sad!!! Thought Redmond was blessed to have an outstanding candidate for the Planning Commission when I appointed him!   His participation there in addition to chairing the commission was exemplary! However, no one in recent times could match Tom’s public participation and diplomacy as a citizen activist from the time he left the Planning Commission up to last year. ..a span of 11 years. He was well researched, thorough, providing live testimony with written copies punctuated and substantiated by citations from City of Redmond documents.  From his Sustainable Redmond commitment to unsuccessfully saving 1200 significant and landmark trees at Group Health in Overlake, to updates of the Comprehensive Plan and related planning issues, he was most strident about the City’s less than authentic participation opportunities for the public…it was about a year ago when the “update of the tree protection regulations” was edited to “tree regulations” omitting the word “protection” that he conceded to me that preparation for and providing input to the City was a waste of his time and mine! Never would he or I know what his fate would be just one year later!

Tom and his wife, Monica, and Jon and I discovered that we had sons living in San Diego. There were years where we saw more of each other there than in Redmond! For several years we worked out at KOKO Fit on Cleveland Street too! He was a “go to” guy to discuss some really important city issues… he now joins Richard Grubb…I miss both of them!!! 

-- Former Mayor Ives

More on Tom Hinman

Pat Vache': Redmond Town Center's Early History

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

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

-- Pat Vache'

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE EARLY HISTORY - a quick story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

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

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

Update: 2022 Derby Days Grand Parade

Our City Council members are rounding the corner!  Council member Jessica Forsythe is the festive one in yellow sneakers.  She's Council President.  Do you see Council member Vanessa Kritzer with the baby bump?  She's making modern history in Redmond as the first ever pregnant Council member! 👶 Vanessa is Council Vice President in a very challenging year.  (Rent regulations, Tree regulations, Public Safety Levy, Town Center amendments, Evans Creek realignment, Senior Center funding decisions and on.)  Councilmember David Carson marches as the senior member with over 13 years under his belt.  Councilmember Melissa Stuart (in red) lives in Overlake Urban Center where representation is sorely needed.  Varisha Kahn is back from a long illness marching with hat. Jaralee Anderson poured OJ at the firefighters' breakfast.  Steve Fields wasn't seen. 
 

click to enlarge

Former Mayor of 16 years, Rosemarie Ives and Jerry Torell hold the banner as the Redmond Historical Society members march with organic vegetable and fruit costumes, in concert with the parade's sustainability theme.  

-- Bob Yoder, picture and video, 7/9/2022

OPINION: Vote "No" On Public Safety Levy, Rosemarie Ives

Redmond Police in library watching over the Community Court

Credit: Yoder / click to enlarge

On July 16th, Redmond City Council is making their decision on the Public Safety Levy.  You may give them your comments and opinion at this email:  Council@redmond.gov  BY

Good evening Mayor and Council,

Opinion:  My name is Rosemarie Ives, former Redmond mayor, 1992 through the end of 2007

I am here tonight to discourage the council from proposing a new levy to fund staff and programs in both police and fire departments.  At a time with the highest inflation rate in 40 years, the threat of a recession, rising gas, food and housing costs, this is hardly the time for the City to ask the people to increase what they already pay in taxes.  An additional levy will worsen an already unaffordable Redmond.

Commissioner Gary Smith Given High Honors By Mayor Birney

Gary Smith teaching child about trees

July is "Parks and Recreation" month.  During "Special Orders of the Day"  Mayor Birney honored  four citizens for their contributions to the City Parks & Rec.  One of them is a friend of mine, Gary Smith.

Allow me to paraphrase the Mayor's recognition of Gary.

• Parks and Trails Commission (2018 - present) Chair
• Advanced Sustainably pushing forward the East Redmond Corridor.
• ADA stakeholder working to improve access to all users of Parks and Trails
• Green Redmond Forest Volunteer for many years leading and working numerous forest restoration projects. Gary is the Forest Steward at Westside and Idlewood Parks. 
• Gives valuable input on the "Tree Canopy Strategic Plan." 
• Significant contribution to the pond restoration at Smith Woods Park (and project manager of the program honoring the owner who gifted the land.)
• Advocate for fish and fish habitat in and around the City. 

The Mayor praised Gary noting "this only scratches the surface" of his contributions to the City.   A list of posts on Gary's contributions and activities are HERE. 

Gary spoke to the Council and audience after the Mayor's recognition.  He thanked the Parks and Trails commission saying "the commission was his platform for multiplying efforts I might have given."

Gary gave thanks to the "Green Redmond" program kindly saying it was "started by Mayor Rosemarie Ives fifteen years ago."

Gary Smith is a public speaker extraordinaire - intelligent, whitty, powerful voice, emotionally controlled, with great presence.  His likable personality, deep passion for  Redmond's environment and ecology, and long-time commitment to the community makes him very special.  Thank you, Gary.  

-- Bob Yoder, 7/7/2022

Former Mayor Ives Challenges Staff On Puget Sound Energy Plan

Rosemarie Ives

Good evening Mayor and Council Members,

Rosemarie Ives, former mayor 1992-2007

I am speaking again against the Sammamish Juanita Transmission Line.  Though much information was provided,  I have one question:  why did City staff support Puget Sound Energy’s business interests over the environmental interests of the people of Redmond AND the Puget Sound region who have committed to preserve the Sammamish Valley farmlands and open spaces for decades? 

After becoming mayor in 1992, the  Comprehensive Plan  identified  the east-west Transmission line at NE 95th Street as the northern boundary for manufacturing and industrial uses and with everything north  remaining  rural.  The owners of the land north of that transmission line  approached the City with a proposal for a golf course that is Willows Run today.  After  extensive  negotiations, the City agreed to zone the property “urban recreation” with the understanding that this land would remain “open space,”  with the owners required to uphold a long list of environmental regulations and responsibilities, and that in perpetuity, the golf course would remain open to the public.  I believed strongly that zoning for a golf course was the best way to preserve the historically rural Valley, protecting it from any kind of business, manufacturing or industrial intrusion.

Rosemarie Ives Funds Two Scholarships For Redmond High Graduates

Rosemary Ives / soundaction.org

Four years ago, former Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives (1992-2007) funded a new scholarship to support a Redmond High School graduate furthering her/his education.   

"One of the most rewarding aspects of being mayor was observing and recognizing potential in people, telling them what she saw and believed about them, and encouraging them," Ives said.  As the words from the Bette Midler song "Wind Beneath My Wings" suggest, Ives hopes that the scholarship will provide a bit of "wind beneath their wings" of a Redmond High School graduate.

 

For the first time this year, there are two scholarship recipients:  Mia Moran and Delaney Chenevert.  Previous recipients are Asma Masude (2021) at University of Washington, Marina Montanez (2020) at University of Idaho, and Melanie Ortigoza-Rios (2019) at Washington State.

###

Several times when watching our daughter play basketball at RHS we saw Rosemarie and her husband in the bleachers!  So exciting to see her!  BY

Rosemarie is a Board Member of Sound Action.  "Sound Action is a watchdog group working to protect vital nearshore habitat."

6/16/2022

UPDATED, 6/26/22: Redmond's Heritage Oak Tree

• 
  

The Oak Heritage Tree
Chris Weber, Arts Administrator next to trunk 
(click to enlarge)

Opinion:  Mayor Angela Birney's "Senior & Community Center" groundbreaking ceremony yesterday was fabulous.  After the ceremony, we walked to City Hall for a poster session and to meet *city staff, our elected and city leaders.  

We were asked to "vote with stones" for a building name we liked best. I recommended "Red Oak Senior Center" on one side and "Redmond Community Center" on the other side. I really hope it's the peoples' choice.  So, what's so special about "Northern Red Oaks" Quercus Rubra?

• They grow 300+ years and have been in existence 400 years.
• Excellent shade trees, beautiful fall colors.
• Tolerant to urban conditions, powerful winds, drought.
• They originated in England. Not native to the NW.  "Easy and comfortable to transplant." 
• Fast growing, 2 feet/year, the first 10 years
• Top off at 70 feet - 88 feet, round shape
• Diameter:  47 inches.

This Red Oak may have gotten it's start from a sapling, a transplant (or an acorn 😁 )  Construction at the site will yield 191 tree replacements; I hope some of the  replacements will be Red Oaks. Perhaps a grove could be planted with tables and chairs under the canopy?  Three other landmark Red Oaks are on the property.

The Heritage Tree is decorated with lights every year for the holidays.  A mayoral ceremony under the tree usually starts the Luminary Walk.  The tree is actually not on the Senior Center site. 

* SEEN:  Hank Myers, Hank Margeson, Vanessa Kritzer, Angela Birney, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Laura Lee Bennett, John Oftebro, Cherl Strong Magnuson, Rosemarie Ives, John Couch, Jessica Forsythe, Eric Dawson (project manager,) Zach Houvener, Loreen Hamilton (parks director.) Jim Kalelage (architect,) John Marchione, Sue Stewart, Chris Weber, Marty Boggs, David and Chip. 

Source:  https://localtreeestimates.com/northern-red-oak/

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, 6/3/2022

Rosemarie Ives Upset With Redevelopment Process Of Redmond Town Center

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

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

Mayor Emeritus Rosemarie Ives Recounts Her Accomplishments

I asked Rosemarie if she would describe her three greatest accomplishments as Mayor of Redmond. She kindly offered the following:  BY

Rosemarie Ives with John Couch standing behind the memorial bench honoring 
 Don and Elaine Smith, donors of the land developed into Smith Woods Park. 
John Couch was Redmond Parks and Recreation Director for ~ 30 years.
Photo Credit / Kerry Smith

Mayor Emeritus Rosemarie Ives says...  Elected in 1991, served unprecedented four terms as the full-time Redmond mayor for  16 years --1992-2007

Greatest accomplishment? Wow?  2 others? When I think back to my initial campaign, there were four parts to my platform:  environmental stewardship, youth agenda, fiscal responsibility, and outreach to the public especially the residents.And with each re-election, those priorities never changed and probably I was more passionate about them with each re-election.

 

Environmental stewardship:  three? examples

Since we just walked Smith Woods, one that I would mention is that the City went from 16 parks when I started  to 36 when I chose to retire.

 

Then there's Riverwalk, the stretch of Sammamish Trail from NE 90th Street Bridge down to Leary Way Bridge. Four projects  re-channeled  the river making the river environment better for salmon, its flora and fauna as well as creating more water capacity within the new sculpted banks of the river that would protect downtown from flooding. 

 

In 1997 when pressure was great to allow development to proceed at a pace where the city could not handle many aspects such as building inspections, the costs of the city's part of the infrastructure and couldn't guarantee adopted  levels of service, I proposed a focused moratorium  on some new construction that lasted for 18 months. 

 

Youth agenda:

Old Firehouse Teen center, Skateboard park, youth members appointed to city parks board and arts commission,

Youth in Government Day

 

Outreach:

In every major decision making, I would always ask how it would impact the residents of Redmond in the near term and in the future. We introduced many different ways, both formal and informal for our growing diverse public to provide input in a timely manner far in advance of decisions being made.  I personally was "present" all around town a little less than 24/7.  

 

The month long Redmond Lights,, a celebration of Redmond's diversity, was an idea that I came up within 1999 for luminarias along Riverwalk.   At intervals there would be performers representing cultures, customs and faith representations from around the world.    

With regard to the Smiths...Don and Elaine Smith sold the first five acres in early 2000. From when I first met them, they were very clear that they wanted their property to remain as open space, perfect for a park. It was a beautiful piece of land with a creek and small pond, wonderful sequoia and fir trees and an extensive collection of dahlias. After Don died in 2009 they sold the remaining five acres to the city and Elaine moved to Emerald Heights where she resides now. I am in communication with their daughter Kathy.

-- Rosemarie Ives, February 25th, 2022

I would add Rosemarie is still very active in politics. She's been the pillar of Steve Fields' two campaigns for Mayor and two campaigns for Council. Fields says "she knows a lot of people." BY. 

ARCHIVE:

Rosemary's retirement story.

Mayor Emeritus Rosemary Ives Protests Group Health's 28 acre clear-cut

Redmond Celebrates Land Donation, Develops Smith Woods Park

 Don and Elaine Smith always had the idea of turning their 10 acres of diverse natural land into a public park and wanted to keep it natural for the enjoyment of others in the community. Don died in 2009 at age 94, Elaine now lives in Emerald Heights. She turned 97 on New Years Day, 2022.

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

 Forest Steward LeAnne Ludwig, Rosemarie Ives and
Gary Smith, Chair Parks and Trails Commission and Project manager.
Gary made it all happen.
Donors Don and Elaine Smith's memorial bench.
Photo credit / Kerry Smith

 

Rosemarie Ives with John Couch, Parks and Recreation Director of ~ 30 years
Photo Credit / Kerry Smith

 r-l, Leanne Ludwig,Smith Woods Forest Steward, John Couch,
Rosemarie Ives, Jon Ives,Gary Smith, Gary's daughter Kim with dogs, Gary's granddaughter Sabrina. Celebrating the new memorial Ginkgo tree. Photo credit / Kerry Smith

The memorial Bench is in honor of Donald A. Smith and Elaine E. Smith and their family
who shaped the land. Bench donors: Linda & "Kip" Hussey, Mayor Rosemarie Ives (1992-2007,)
Pat and Kathy Curry.
Photo credit / Kerry Smith

LAND DESCRIPTION:  "The 5-acre western half is heavily vegetated on a gently sloping floodplain with multiple wetlands and a seasonal stream (and pond which is the headwaters of Monticello Creek).  The 5-acre eastern half of the property has large expanses of grass and beautiful mature trees, including Sequoia, Cedar, Douglas Fir, and Ginkgo. There’s a north-south trail on each half of the property."

 -- Gary Smith.

The event was held on 2/21/2022 

Kerry Smith photographed.

Smith Woods Park is a few blocks east of Clara Barton school. 177th Ct NE &, NE 122nd St, 

Posted and edited by Yoder 3/3/2022

Former Redmond Councilmember Richard Grubb Passes Away

 
On February 14 former Redmond city councilmember Richard Grubb passed away five days shy of his

83rd birthday. Mr. Grubb has been a resident of Redmond since 1982.

Richard was president of CARE (Civic Action on Redmond Environment) , a citizens group devoted to

preserving the 120 acre Redmond Golf Links property that is now Redmond Town Center.

Mr. Grubb was a “regular” at City of Redmond Planning Commission and City Council meetings providing 

well-researched and thorough testimony on land use and environmental issues important to the people

of Redmond. such as the preservation of agricultural lands in the Sammamish Valley. After years of

providing testimony as a citizen activist and city hall watchdog, Mr. Grubb ran successfully for Redmond

City Council in 1991, serving two terms ending in 2000. During those years he served as the unofficial

poet laureate providing tributes for city officials upon their departures.

Mr. Grubb and his wife, Eunice who pre-deceased him in 2021, were residents of Education Hill for

close to forty years. Together they had a small crafts business as well as being committed to animal

advocacy in King County including providing foster care to small dogs and cats.

-- Courtesy of Rosemarie Ives, 2/24/2022

Ten Redmond Blog posts on Richard Grubb are here. (scroll)

Richard was a prolific and influential writer of Letters the Editor (RR.)   He gave me traps to catch a hoard of feral cats in my dense backyard.  I have a distant memory of Richard's testimony to Council complaining the stormwater prices were too high.  This was an unusual statement coming from an environmentalist, and he admitted it.  BY

  Our backyard feral cats - Richard helped neighbors capture adults for neutering.
Photo:  Bob Yoder

UPDATED 2/11/2022: Observations And History Of Troubled Evans Creek

 

Stormwater run-off pond seeps contaminated water into Evans Creek, 2006, B. Yoder

This blogpost focuses on the pollution of Evans Creek from Redmond's SE industrial district. Evans creek will be relocated and land rezoned as a result. My "Evans Creek Relocation" input was unreported at the Planning Commission Hearing of February 9th, 2022 so I'm trying to catch up here. Hopefully, elected officials will develop a greater understanding and empathy for the industrial district and  health of the creek.  Evans Creek borders north and east of the district. The presence of an aquifer is significant.

In a 2006 hike along northern Evans Creek I stumbled into the rough-and-tumble industrial district. Trucks blew horns; a few pushed me into narrow dirt shoulders. Clearly, they wanted no part of me. Curious, I sneaked back often, specifically looking for the creek and sniffing around the oil trucks.  Below, is some of the damage I found: 

• All Wood Recycling (now DTG) recycles or did recycle piles of toxic chemically treated wood and polluting concrete. Alarmingly, a shallow, high value aquifer lies  six feet below the surface.  Large chunks of concrete spill into the north eastern riparian, possibly the  creek. 
• An unmaintained, filthy, clogged stormwater pond with a sheen of oil and log-jammed debris has a natural connection to the creek about 30 - 40 yards away. The pond is a tell-tale sign of how little the industries and our jurisdiction cared about the salmon and and aquifer back then. Just a modicum of care would have made a  big difference but the City buried its head. 
• Some of the oil trucks never moved off the buffer, slowly dripping toxic fluids.

I reported the environmental abuses to Redmond's Code Enforcement Officer, Carl McCarty. He called in 5 agencies, violations were identified, fines were paid. Mr. McCarty recorded the outcome somewhere in his files.

No question, today staff is fully aware of the aquifer, the underground streams and general hydrology.  They will be prepared for a healthy transition to commercial zoning.

Some history: At least 20 years ago Mayor Rosemarie Ives hired Jon Spangler as Natural Resource Manager. Jon mapped the  Evans Creek Relocation plan; primarily he managed stormwater run-off. Redmond is now proudly one of the regional leaders in stormwater management. Mayor Ives may have also hired Cathy Beam.  She's the environmental principle planner for development. Ms. Beam is called upon to evaluate the influence of development on the environment. As I remember, she wasn't exposed in a big way to the early industrial issues of Evans Creek. However, I ran into her on-site once. 

Attention elected officials:  For values of preserving the aquifer and protecting our fish, I urge the City to expedite the transition from industrial  to commercial. I'm confident Mayor Birney will make certain the stormwater facilities are upgraded and toxins monitored, as needed.  (It doesn't hurt the Mayor is a Biologist.) We are extremely fortunate Council values so highly our environment - including protection and restoration of our streams, clean water, fish, riparian trees and varied habitats.

Note: I'm not sure of the operating status of the industries so at times erroneously switch the present with the past.  Dates are approximate and inaccurate.

-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 2/10/2022

TIME TO VOTE! ALMOST DONE!

Entrance to the Abby Road and Emerald Heights neighborhoods (click to enlarge)

A compilation of candidate blog reports, stories and opinions is posted at this link.  I hope you find some of this information helpful.

 I support Steve Fields for City Council Position #2.  Mr. Fields is endorsed by - the Eastside Business Alliance, "Friends of Osama Hamdan," King County Democrats (unanimous,) Washington Bikes, former Mayor Rosemarie Ives, among others.  

I endorse Kathy Lambert for County Council, Cassandra Sage for LWSD Director District #3 and Vandana Slatter for the 48th LD. -- B. Yoder

Click "Comment" below-left to read candidate comments 

Updated & Republished 4/13, 5:30AM Redmond Historical Society "Hero Awards"

History Hero Awards 2006-2014

Over the past five years we have given out 5 History Hero awards to people in the community who are making a contribution to preserving and sharing history in Redmond. Here is a list of this years' and past years' recipients of the award:

2001    Tom Fix. City of Redmond

2001    Dale Potter, Member & volunteer

2001    William "Billy" Dale Tibbits

2006    Rosemarie Ives, then Mayor of Redmond

2007    Charles Payton, then Director of King County's Heritage Division

2008    Dianna Brodie, then City Planner, City of Redmond

2009    Randy and Stephanie Reeves and Paul and Patty Gordon, owners of the Stone House

2010    Brad Best, owner Brad Best Reality

2011    John Couch, Former Redmond Parks Director

2012    Naomi and Jerry Hardy, for Naomi’s tireless work as a Founder, Director, and Historian; Jerry’s support

2012    Richard Morris, Webmaster, 2008 to 2013

2013    Gene and Cheryl Magnuson, volunteers and exhibit designers

2014    Miguel Llanos, co-founder and Newsletter editor for 16 years

We thank all the award winners for helping the Redmond Historical Society's mission of ensuring our History for future generations.

   -- The above article was found on the Redmond Historical Society web site: redmondhistoricalsociety.org

My Notes & Comments:

Tom Fix played a key role during the installation of the Perrigo Springs historical marker

Rosemarie Ives:  I've had long phone talks with Rosemarie over the years for one reason or the other. It's a bit challenging to put a word in.   Rosemarie probably knows more current city "history"  than any member of the Redmond Historical Society, but I feel she's frustrated because she doesn't seem to have an outlet.  Hopefully, the Society will  someday embrace her and record more of her knowledge and experiences.  A podcast would be nice.  Perhaps the society could fund a biography.

John Couch has moved back to Redmond.  The Redmond Kiwanis are hoping he'll become a member.  He was the city's Director of Parks for 30 years.  He supports Steve Fields for city council.

Naomi Hardy:  Naomi was inspiring! After she passed away in 2012 the city approved construction of the downtown "Naomi Hardy Clock Tower."  Years ago she called and asked me to run for council; she advised I write my blog at the 7th grade level. (That was easy!) She compared me to Ms. Beason.  From what I can remember of our one phone call, she seemed to have a phone manner similar to Rosemarie....excited, informative, passionate and long. 

Richard Morris is my neighbor of over 20 years. I introduced Richard to the society. When hiking along Evans Creek one day we came upon AWR oil trucks polluting the creek. This discovery eventually led to a crackdown by least 5 regulatory agencies.  We celebrated a "youth history event" at Perrigo Springs. I often see him running with his dog in the neighborhood and trails and chatting with the neighbors. 

Cheryl Strong Magnuson is an active RHS volunteer, one of the administrators for their Facebook page and posts nearly every day. (I confuse her with Laura Lee Bennett.) I met her at last year's "Poets in the Park" event next to her RHS display featuring Anderson Park.  Cheryl told me she volunteers almost everyday, "mainly providing programming for seniors including several musical groups and a gardening program."    

When Miguel Llanos was laid-off from MSNBC (a writer) he free-lanced and taught tennis. He now teaches at Overlake School.  Miguel is very engaging, likable, respected by his neighbors and always has a smile.  Naomi references him frequently in her "Redmond Reflections" book though still today he participates in the community as a member of the tourism board and landmark commission.   

The awards are presented each June.  In addition to the list published through 2014, the society has awarded three more in 2015 and 2016 and they'll  be announcing the 2017 recipient in the June newsletter.

Bob Yoder
Updated:  7/28/2017

UPDATED: A review of "Bob and Shirley Ferguson's presentation" at this Saturday's Historical Society Speakers Program

My wife and I went to the Redmond Historical Society speakers program today. It's been a long time since we went to one.  The program featured a terrific presentation by Bob and Shirley Ferguson, owners of the Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames store.  The Ferguson's two sons who now run the store were on stage spicing up the talk.  Read More >>

Nokomis Appeal before the Hearing Examiner, by Paige Norman

APPEAL BEFORE THE HEARING EXAMINER FOR THE CITY OF REDMOND REGARDING LAND-2014-01610

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Appeal before the Hearing Examiner for the City of Redmond; appellants Keith Brewe, Curtis Nelson, Rosemarie Ives, The Nokomis Club and Redmond Historical Society regarding “162TEN” {Natural and Built Environments (NBE)}; File Nos. LAND-2014-01610 and SEPA 2015-00017.

The appeal regarding LAND-2014-01610 was heard on July 9 and 10th, 2015 and will be decided by Sharon Rice; Hearing Examiner for City of Redmond, Washington on August 7th, 2015.

There is also a SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) appeal SEPA 2015-00017 in the works.  An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is in the process of being written.

Please refer to “Source Documents” below for detailed information regarding the appeal.  Read More>>