Retired Councilmember Hank Margeson Seen as a Council Resource

(l-r) Councilmembers Richard Cole, Hank Margeson and Pat Vache', circa 2010

At this week's Council study session many interesting topics were covered - SE Redmond Park,  Reservoir Park, and a Community Advisory report on Vision 2050 - but what stood out for me was Councilmember Anderson's brief comment that retired 3-term councilmember Hank Margeson is "a resource" and was open to help/consult with council when needed.  He "leans left" and is a good fit.  

Margeson chaired the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the new Senior Center.  He gave a very impressive summary report to council on the Center (without notes.)   

I did a blog search on "Hank Margeson"   You might find it interesting.  Additional stories can be found at this "Margeson label" search.  

-- Yoder, 1/2024

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

School District V.P. Mark Stuart Running For Re-election

LWSD School Board V.P. Mark Stuart

I am proud to say that the following organizations and individuals are raising their voices in support of my candidacy:

King County Democrats
45th District Democrats

48th District Democrats

41st District Democrats

1st District Democrats

(4 for 4 in LWSD)

Labor Organizations

Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA)

Teamsters Local 763

LiUNA Laborers Local 242

Elected Leaders

State Senator Patty Kuderer, 48th LD

State Senator Derek Stanford, 1st LD

State Representative Vandana Slatter, 48th LD

State Representative Amy Walen, 48th LD

State Representative Roger Goodman, 45th LD

State Representative Larry Springer, 45th LD

State Representative MyLinh Thai, 41st LD

State Representative Shelley Kloba, 1st LD

Tanika Padhye, Redmond City Council President

Vanessa Kritzer, Redmond City Councilmember

Penny Sweet, Kirkland Mayor

Jay Arnold, Kirkland Deputy Mayor

Neal Black, Kirkland City Councilmember

Jon Pascal, Kirkland City Councilmember

Amy Steele Falcone, Kirkland City Councilmember

Joyce Bottenberg, Chair of Sammamish Human Services+

Eric Laliberte, LWSD President+

Ram Dutt, Snoqualmie Valley School Board Director

Roy Captain, Redmond Planning Commission &

Lake Washington School Foundation Chair

Community Leaders

Sarah Perry, Candidate for King County Council

Janet Richards, Candidate Redmond City Council and LWSD parent

Tara Van Niman, Candidate Redmond City Council and LWSD parent

Joan McBride, former 48th LD State Rep and Kirkland Mayor

Hank Margeson, former Redmond City Councilmember

Byron Shutz, former Redmond City Councilmember

Arnold Tomac, former Redmond City Councilmember

Pat Vache, former Redmond City Councilmember

Dave Asher, former Kirkland City Councilmember

Santos Contreras, former Kirkland City Councilmember and Deputy Mayor

Ramiro Valderama, former Sammamish City Councilmember and

Deputy Mayor

Jackie Pendergrass, former LWSD president

Sue Stewart, former chair of Redmond Human Services Commission

Larry Gilmore, Kiwanis immediate past president

Rabbi Burt Schuman

Anu Gopalam

Renay George

Cary Young

Reetu Gupta

CJ Kahler

Mardi Rhodes

Susan Weston

Tori Cannaday Jesse

Lisa Guthrie

If that's not enough. Read Mark's website.

Councilmember Jessica Forsythe, Position 3

Jessica Forsythe is an award-winning Creative Director and owner of a small graphic design studio which works primarily with clients who seek to better their community. Ms. Forsythe is a thoughtful, creative thinker who takes a holistic approach to every project. She believes strongly in being involved at the local level and knows first-hand the impact one person can have on their community.

Originally from Northeast Ohio, Jessica graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design with a concentration in Environmental Design. She has worked in environmental design, architecture, branding, and was the Art Director for the Seattle Symphony. She has volunteered with numerous community and charity organizations, most notably her decade-long involvement with Help Portrait International for which she is the Founder of the Redmond, Washington Chapter. Jessica has also served on various non-profit boards including the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County Executive Board and as the c3 Treasurer.

She enjoys hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, skiing, and rock climbing.

Jessica upset Hank Margeson in the 2019 election. 

-- redmond.gov

UPDATED: Dr. David Morton, Redmond's Most Prolific Speaker

Dr. Morton posing at the Youth Climate Strike

In my 13 years of observing and reporting on city government I can say Dr. David Morton, a citizen of greater Redmond with a PhD in Chemistry, is unarguably the most prolific public speaker in the City of Redmond, and perhaps it's history.  For six years David's been speaking during  "Items From The Audience" at the beginning of  each and every  Regular meeting held by Council. Since David's first speech on Sept. 17, 2013 he's delivered 124 prepared  four minute talks.  Besides public speaking, David participates in Redmond's "Green Redmond" program, planting trees and restoring urban forests.

David is a gentle spirit, obsessed with anything having to do with pollution in our city. An activist by nature,  environmental sustainability and pollution in Redmond are his top priorities. He works exceptionally hard with extreme persistence to raise awareness. Very rarely the city takes action but he's had a couple wins along the way.

Dr. Morton's first and longest sequence of speeches (rants) was about the pollution and smell emanating from Watson Asphalt.  He doesn't live far from Watson and was concerned and fearful that plumes of carcinogenic air were blowing into the neighborhoods.  Citing scientific and case studies, he stubbornly recommended  newer scrubbing technology but Council didn't act, though Watson quietly stopped using "cutback asphalt." So David picked another topic to harp on -- leaf blower air and noise pollution.

The Myers - Kahn Race

History is happening. Women now have a total of 6 seats on the Dias, including the mayor. Varisha Kahn secured 6666 votes winning by 66 votes.

Credit/ Redmond Reporter

VARISHA M. KAHN

Voters' Pamphlet:
https://www.electvarishakhan.com/meet-varisha

Education:  Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication journalism, University of Washington.
Occupation:  Community Organizer; Former Political Action Committee Director, OneAmerica Votes.
Statement:  As a proud Redmond resident, I running to make Redmond a leader in solving issues we share across the region.  If elected, I will prioritize environmental sustainability solutions to reduce our carbon pollution an the face of climate change, and advocate for better, accessible transportation options so residents can get around with less traffic.  I pledge to make Redmond a more affordable place to live, work, and play and will up uplift our diverse vibrant communities through meaningful collaboration and inclusion. We need new leaders with the courage to put people's needs first,and that's why I'm the only candidate this race rejecting money from developers,  Proudly endorsed by: National Women's Political Caucus; King County 45 and 48 LD, KC Young Democrats; Planned Parenthood; State Senators Patty Kuderer and Mona Das; State Representative Vandana Slatter; City Councilmember Tanika Padye.  I would be honored to earn your vote.  Thank you!

HANK MYERS

Voters' Pamphlet:
 https://www.HankMyers4Redmond.com

Education:  Bachelor of Arts, English, California State University.
Occupation:  Transportation consultant.  Past clients include Microsoft's Award-Winning commute program.
Statement:  Hank Myers brings together the best of Redmond and is an energetic voice for compassion and fiscal responsibility. He is Redmond's advocate for salmon recovery and clean water in our region.  A leader in reducing the cost of government, he fights to keep property taxes affordable.  As former board chair for the Together Center, Hank served those in our community who need help.  From volunteer days in Redmond's parks events to events supporting our police officers, Hank is out with the public, listening to concerns and solving our problems.   Call him at 425-830-4265 and see for yourself. That approach earned him the support of police officers, environmental activists, small business owners, seniors, education advocates, and leaders in our diverse communities.  Redmond is changing and facing new challenges. Hank will represent what is best about our community today and for the future.

The Myers-Kahn race was possibly the closest recorded in Redmond history. Ms. Kahn is only 24 years old which could be a record as well. So what contributed to this loss?  For one, probably the rapid change in our demographics.   

Myers conceded November 25, 2019:  "With only 52 votes in doubt against a 64-vote lead, it is time to concede. My 15 years as a King County poll judge made that decision easy."  

  

31,140 registered voters.  46.92% ballots counted.     

Of Note:               
Angela Birney vs. Steve Fields. Birney won the mayoral position with 60.04% of the votes.
Vanessa Kritzer defeated Eugene Zakhareyev for the open seat with 70.98% of the votes.
Jessica Forsythe challenged Hank Margeson for Position 3 and won with 54.67% of votes.
Varisha Khan challenged Hank Myers for Position 1 and won with 50.15% of the votes.
Incumbent David Carson defeated Carlos Jimenez for Position 7 with 53.02% of the votes.
Steve Fields, Tanika Padhye, and Jeralee Anderson remain on Council.

-- Reported by Bob Yoder, December 6, 2019

Sources:  King County Official Local Voters' Pamphlet, November 5, 2019
               Public Disclosure Commission (PDC)  
               Candidate websites

Women Rule In Redmond Politics

Angela Birney / Facebook / November, 2019

Well, the votes are certified with Angela Birney winning the coveted mayoral position. Four women won Council positions this election, add in two sitting women councilmembers (Tanika Padhye and Jeralee Anderson); in total, six women officials will represent the citizens of Redmond. Steve Fields and David Carson remain.

Angela Birney vs. Steve Fields. Birney won the mayoral position with 60.04% of the votes.

Vanessa Kritzer defeated Eugene Zakhareyev for the open seat with 70.98% of the votes.

Jessica Forsythe challenged Dayle "Hank" Margeson for Position 3 and won with 54.67% of votes.

*Varisha Khan challenged Hank Myers for Position 1 and won with 50.15% of the votes.

Ms. Kahn secured 6666 votes vs. Mr. Myers' 6600 after a machine recount.  Mr. Myers lost by 66 votes...the closest Redmond race in memory. The final count was officially certified by King County Elections on December 6th. 27 write-ins. The Seattle Times wrote an excellent article on Varisha, December 6th. I encourage you to read it!

Councilmember Tanika Padhye's Seat #4 will expire on 12/31/21. Councilmember Jeralee Anderson's Seat #6 will expire then as well.

Reported by Bob Yoder
12/6/2019

2019 Candidate Contributions

Hank Myers

"Campaign Funds For Community," Hank Myers  Redmond Reporter, 11/14/2019

"Thanks to all the Redmond voters that made this election energetic and the best reflection of public values in 12 years. I sent the following message to all 10 candidates for city offices and hope they will join me.

As we close down our campaign accounts, perhaps you have some money left over. There are several things you can do with the money. I am hoping you will join me by donating any money left to nonprofit operations that benefit Redmond and its residents.

My first give is to the Green Redmond program. One-gallon Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees cost the city $3.50 each. I am hoping to donate $350 to plant 100 trees. If all 10 candidates do that, we can reforest a couple of acres at least.

My second choice is The Sophia Way women’s shelter. They have had a rocky time recently with organization and management. Additional money should help stabilize them and help them hire a permanent executive director.

Third on my list is the Landing, the young adult shelter operated by Friends of Youth at the Together Center in Redmond.

If I have any money left over, it will go to Union Gospel Mission, which is ramping up its Eastside efforts. You may know Jason Dick, a Redmond resident who is their development director. By next Tuesday, I should know how much I have left, and will again encourage candidates to put any leftover funds into community good."

Hank Myers

Redmond city council candidate

Candidate Contributions:

Hank B. Myers $19,575.00   Varisha M. Khan $38,175.98

David M. Carson $9,730.00   Carlos S. Jimenez $4,595.00

Vanessa E. Kritzer $30,804.51   Eugene Zakharaeyev $1,839.95

Jessica G. Forsythe $13,530.98  Dayle "Hank" Margeson $16,460.58

Angela E. Birney $105,636.00   Steven J. Fields $22,524.40

Reported by Bob Yoder

12/6/19

 PDC

UPDATED: Exciting Art Planned for Overlake Village

In the October 1st Council Committee meeting some exciting news was reviewed about two large-scale Overlake Village art projects in the vicinity of 152nd Ave. NE.

152nd Ave NE  is planned to become the main street, pedestrian and retail focused corridor in Overlake Village that connects Bellevue, the bus transit center, two city parks and the Overlake Village Light Rail Station.  Bike/Pedestrian and Gateway art are planned.

Gateway "wall art" is planned for the corner of 152nd Ave. NE and 124th Street S.to welcome travelers coming to Redmond by light rail. Councilmember David Carson (running for re-election) recommended focusing the art on the north wall to greet the incoming light rail travelers. Parks Committee Chair Councilmember Hank Myers (also running for re-election) was concerned  the current SW and NW walls would be cut into existing properties, like Goodwill. He was re-assured the walls would remain at the same level, that it was more of a Department of Transportation issue, not affecting art. Staff assured council the art wall will be small and fit well with the landscape design.

The Bike/Pedestrian SR520 Bike/Ped "black" bridge to Microsoft has exciting large scale art in the design stage. It's a square tunnel decorated with tiles made, by a robot. with rainbow colors arched over the tunnel and two rows of palm trees leading up to the tunnel. Staff coined it "a celebration of the LGBPQ community." Staff assured Mr. Myers and Mr. Margeson tagging with graffiti wouldn't be a problem.

I was put off staff labeled and pigeonholed this art as they did. Personally, it made me feel happy like I was heading off from our dreary weather to a vacation in Florida. Council President Angela Birney (running for Mayor) thought it was cool too.  Councilmember Steve Fields asked what inspired the City to install it as is?  He referenced his knowledge of art in Santa Clara.  

Hank Meyers said he has a lesbian daughter but Redmond had many other cultural opportunities; that LGBPQ didn't represent our greater community.  Staff answered that Redmond already has a diversity of art! Can you believe it?!  He and Councilmember Steve Fields (running for mayor ) were disappointed by the poor public notice, saying community feedback was insufficient. I agree! Staff responded with a very weak response, referencing: an arts commission review, a 2013 "public process,"  a 2015 survey and a hearing in 2014.

The total budget for this public art project is $180,000, including a one percent allocation from the project. As usual, Steve Fields brought up the budget. $90,000 was spent on the tiles through a $32,000 grant and the general fund bringing the city over-budget. Councilmember Hank Margeson (running for council) said adjustments to the general fund weren't unusual. He appeared to be the go-to man for knowledge on city finances.

-- Bob Yoder

Jessica Forsythe challenges Hank Margeson for Position 3

Meet Jessica Forsythe 

---

Ms. Forsythe is challenging Mr. Hank Margeson for Position 3.  

"I have been a small business owner and Creative Director of a design studio since 2006. I work primarily with non-profit organizations and clients whose core values revolve around serving and improving the community. My work has ranged from domestic and international LEED-certified large scale mixed-use architecture projects, like the ones popping up in downtown Redmond, to establishing the brand for the Seattle Symphony’s Grammy Award-winning record label. Being a creative thinker in these industries means taking a holistic approach and putting people at the forefront of all decisions; I hope to bring this kind of thinking to the Redmond City Council. 

Dayle ("Hank") Margeson BIO

Mr. Margeson holds Position 3 seat and is being challenged by Ms. Jessica Forsythe. Margeson lost.

Hank was honored to be elected to represent his fellow residents on Redmond's City Council in November 2007 and is now serving his third term. He has represented the City at the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee (SCA PIC) since 2009. During his tenure he served a term as the Vice-Chair and chaired the SCA PIC Nominating Committee until 2015. In December 2017 he was reelected to represent the Northeastern King County cities on the SCA Board of Directors for another two years, where he's served on the Finance Committee and Board Nominating Committee. Hank is in his seventh year on the Puget Sound Regional Council's Growth Management Policy Board, serving as the Board's Vice President and as the SCA Caucus Chair. He was appointed as a member of the King County Regional Transit Committee in 2018 after serving two years as an alternate representative. He currently represents the City on Redmond’s Disability Board, and he has represented the City and SCA on numerous other committees and boards during his tenure as Councilmember. 

He also serves as President for the Northwest Baseball Umpires Association board and is a former president of the Eastside Timebank board. Prior to election to the City Council he served on the Parks and Trails Commission and was the Vice-Chair for the Education Hill Citizens Advisory Committee. Hank works for Liberty Mutual (Safeco) Insurance as a Senior Compliance Analyst and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation from the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters in 2003. 

Hank is married to Patti and they raised their two adult children in Redmond over the past 25 years. They recently completed adding an accessory dwelling unit onto their Education Hill home where their son, daughter-in-law and wonderful grandson now reside. He and Patti also own acreage in the Sammamish Valley where they keep their three horses. Active in local sports, he coached youth soccer, baseball, basketball and currently umpires local high school, youth and adult baseball games.

-- redmond.gov

Redmond is becoming drab and needs art

According to the Project Viewer, this "LMC-Marymoor" master-plan project is still under review.  It's 5-6 stories, with 433 residential units, 41,500 commercial space and 524 parking stalls, completion 2022.  It sits in a 4.9 acre parcel with room for additional projects.  LMC-Marymoor is master-planned and should integrate public art into this development.  I certainly hope so. 

"The Mayor and Council has requested clarification of the Arts and Culture policies and procedures to more effectively encourage the integration of public art into private development. That directive has become time-sensitive as master planned developments are beginning to provide public art through the public benefit provision of their agreements and as Marymoor Village."

Councilmember Hank Myers was disturbed to find 29 pages of design regulations.

-- Source: 3/5/19 Parks Council Committee meeting & memo (edited)

The Design Review Board stated "As a primary goal for this Marymoor Village is that it become a cool/eclectic place, the architecture, and/or some of the primary elements of the development, should exude eclecticism. On the contrary, the goal of the neighborhood is that it be different from the Downtown neighborhood in that it should be funkier, cooler, eclectic, and different looking than Downtown. The Redmond Zoning Code is silent on how these goals/elements are to be achieved. Therefore, much of this will fall to the Design Review Board to establish. Thus, these ideas need a great deal of attention from the Design Review Board."  (Yes, their recommendations appear quirky.)

-- Design Review Board, 9/20/18

###

A great deal of attention is needed by more than just the Design Review Board!  For a project of this magnitude, the City hasn't sufficiently engaged the community in art selection and  other "cool and eclectic" elements for Marymoor Village. The Arts Commission and Park Planning & Cultural Arts Manager should hold 1-2 community meetings in City Hall to present their plan and ask residents for their ideas.  Councilmember Hank Margeson agrees. We need  splashes of art in the development not just buildings. 

-- Bob Yoder

Redmond Council member Hank Margeson named Treasurer of Sound Cities Association

Redmond Councilmember Hank Margeson has been selected to serve as the 2019 Treasurer of the Sound Cities Association (SCA), which represents 38 King County cities and provides a regional voice for more than one million people. He will be one of five individuals to serve on the SCA Executive Committee.

“Councilmember Margeson will help SCA continue to be an important regional catalyst in addressing the challenges and opportunities that face King County communities,” said Deanna Dawson, SCA Executive Director. “He has a tremendous track record in creating innovative partnership and initiatives that create solutions to local and regional issues. We look forward to his leadership in the coming year.”

“Councilmember Margeson has a long history of leading on regional issues and I am pleased that he has been elected Treasurer of the SCA Board,” Councilmember Claudia Balducci, King County Council. “In my experience, he shows up, he pays attention, and he asks hard questions. All of which make him a great choice to help lead SCA. I look forward to working with him in his new role and wish him great success.”