By Susan Baird-Joshi March 11, 2010 To: Governor Christine Gregoire Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna CC: NEWS (Network for Excellence in Washington Schools) Lake Washington PTSA Council presidents and legislative chairs Washington State PTA–Jeanette Muck, Leg. Dir; Kim Howard, Government Relations; Pres. Scott Allen Washington State PTA–legislative listserv Elected representatives... [Read more]
UPDATED Read The City of Kirkland’s news release on this subject. Google has announced a plan to develop an experimental fiber network with ultra high-speed broadband in a small number of trial locations across the United States. With internet speeds of over 100 times faster than typical connections, the 1 gigabit per second fiber-to-the-home also promises “open access” and competitive... [Read more]
By Rob Butcher UPDATED At their March 2 Study Session, the Kirkland City Council briefly discussed the issue of how annexation might affect Kirkland’s neighborhoods and how the neighborhoods might be re-partitioned in the post-annexation era. At issue is the size and population of the soon to be annexed neighborhoods of Finn Hill and Kingsgate in relation to Kirkland’s existing neighborhoods. The... [Read more]
By Margaret Bull Last year Kirkland City Council meetings were jammed packed with people objecting to the Parkplace Developer’s plans to build 8 story buildings in Kirkland. Where have all those people gone? You can still be involved in shaping the development of Parkplace. Monday night the Design Review Board meets to discuss what building C will look like. Once or twice a month they hold meetings... [Read more]
By Karen Story It wouldn’t be summer without concerts at Marina Park. But when the Utility Tax failed in November, the City of Kirkland cancelled the concerts they’ve been organizing for 32 years. But there’s good news: a group of citizens and businesses have stepped in to save the concerts! The Kirkland Downtown Association will be the fiscal sponsor. The primary business sponsors... [Read more]
By Debra Sinick A trail now on the BNSF corridor? Over 40 people came out for last week’s Eastside Trail Advocates meeting to hear about the possibilities of a trail on the corridor now, with a train, if needed at a later date. The ETA supports the publicly funded studies that have concluded commuter rail is not appropriate in the corridor for at least the near to mid-term future, which... [Read more]
“Juanita High School has serious deficiencies in many essential operating systems, including those for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. And the roof leaks.” By Barbara Billinghurst I dearly love the Juanita High School community. Many of my friends’ children have graduated from this school or currently attend. Although I don’t have children... [Read more]
Dear valued readers, Recently, several suggestions have been made by readers as to how Kirkland Views can better present Letters to the Editor. Some have suggested that letters be placed deeper within the website, and off the front page. Others think that providing prominence to voices which would otherwise be unheard is an important public service of this website. Kirkland Views is an open forum which... [Read more]
The sale of the BNSF corridor seemed like a done deal. The news media reported the sale of the BNSF line to The Port of Seattle at the close of 2009 with plans to sell the line to King County in 2010. But now some question how the sale will be funded. By Debra Sinick Keith Ervin of the Seattle Times said, After acquiring the rail line (which the Port has now done), the Port would sell the southern... [Read more]
The following essay on Kirkland was written by Rachel Walen, 11, of Golden, Colorado. Rachel turned in this work as a 5th grade homework project, and now she has shared it with us. Sometimes a child’s perspective helps us better appreciate the very special place in which we live. – Admin Kirkland, Washington By Rachel Walen As you walk down the long narrow hallway to anywhere but an... [Read more]
By Susan Baird-Joshi Dear Editor, I support Lake Washington Schools, and I voted YES to renew the two levies and approve the new construction bond on the Feb. 9 ballot. The Lake Washington School District Educational Programs and Operations Levy supports 19% of necessary general operations–textbooks, transportation, salaries, etc. In other words, the levy is a critical stop-gap measure to shore... [Read more]
By Paul Hall I understand from the Lake Washington School District’s web site that their proposed Bond Issue includes 134 million dollars for the ”modernization” of Juanita High School. That web site also describes “modernization” as the complete upgrading of a facility by either renovation or tear-down and replacement. Although there is no information in the... [Read more]
By Toby Nixon Last Wednesday in Olympia, the state House Committee on Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness held hearings on two bills regarding marijuana policy reform. These bills, HB 1177 (decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana) and HB 2401 (legalization of marijuana and sale in state liquor stores) will be voted on in the committee this Wednesday, January 20. Article... [Read more]
By Debra Sinick I always kid my husband that if we ever break up our dog is a real “people” magnet. He’d have no trouble meeting people, especially the female kind, if he has Henry, our dog, by his side. Dogs do that for their people. Dogs are magnets for other dog lovers. People love to talk to other people who have pets. Dogs help break down barriers between people,... [Read more]
By Robert L. Style The agenda for the city’s Jan 19th meeting is out. Staff’s report on annexation reflects just what we knew and the representatives in the PAA and some on the council ignored. It’s a mess and the consequences are even worse than we forecasted. We had credibility. It’s too bad we can hold only the two that remain on council accountable, Sternoff... [Read more]
Original oil painting titled, "Wednesday Market" will be auctioned off Monday evening. UPDATED When friends of Jodi Bardinelli made the call out to the community for auction items for this Monday night’s benefit dinner and auction (January 11), the response was tremendous. Phone calls, emails, cards and letters from far and wide have poured in. Auction items large and small have been... [Read more]
Dave Ramsay, our current Kirkland City Manager is scheduled to retire spring of 2010. This interview was conducted during the Fall of 2009. By Julie Metteer How long have you been City Manager for Kirkland? “Well, actually since you mentioned it, today is actually my 12th year anniversary of being here in Kirkland. In fact I’ve been working for cities for the past 36 years, and 22 of them have... [Read more]
UPDATED The first Kirkland City Council meeting of 2010 started with the ceremonial swearing in of the the new council members. Kirkland City Clerk Kathi Anderson administered the oath of office to Council Members Joan McBride (Position No. 1), Penny Sweet (Position No. 3), Amy Walen (Position No. 5) and Doreen Marchione (Position No. 7) who were elected to office in the November 2009 general election.... [Read more]
Jodi Bardinelli Mother, daughter, dear friend and neighbor. Truly a warm-hearted soul. You touched our lives and gave so much to our community. We owe you our deepest gratitude. Sleep well, in the arms of the angels. As many of you know, Jodi Bardinelli was diagnosed with terminal cancer just over a month ago. She passed away in her home on December 30th. Jodi managed the Kirkland Wednesday... [Read more]
By Jeff Heinz I have a big huge “thank you” to the Juanita Bay Park Volunteer Rangers! I for one visit the Juanita Bay Park on a regular basis. I feel very fortunate to have such an amazing place available so close to home. On Sunday, my wife and I went to the free tour at the Juanita Bay Park, that is guided by Volunteer Rangers. Yes, Volunteer Rangers! Its my understanding that because... [Read more]
