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]
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]
“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]
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 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]
In this letter to the editor written by Mr. Robert L. Style, some comments were made regarding Mr. Toby Nixon. We invited Mr. Nixon to write a response and we have posted it here in its entirety. -Admin By Toby Nixon It is incorrect to say that the city will “lose out on more than $75,000” by moving the effective date of annexation to June 1 from July 1, 2011. That figure is based on an estimate... [Read more]
By Robert L. Style At last night’s Council meeting, the Council approved annexing the PAA 4 to 3. It was one of the most serious breaches of trust between four elected officials and our citizens that we’ve seen in many years. The four did not represent the people who elected them. How we got to this vote is important. Several Councilmembers lead by Mr. Sternoff said they did not want... [Read more]
By Patty Tucker WHEN are we going to stop the senseless killing of our good citizens? WHEN are we going to hold citizens responsible for their actions? WHEN are we going to hold our court system to follow the penalties that juries have imposed on criminals? This past Sunday we lost 8 of our citizens at the hands of people who should not have been allowed out on our streets. I only knew Tom and Hilda... [Read more]
By Bob Style At 52 minutes and 18 seconds into the Council’s study session, Councilmember Asher questioned his ability to get to cause what was happening to the budget. He asked how come one week after the council fired 43 full time positions because of budget shortfalls; staff came up with $2.2 million dollars to pay for annexation preparation. That’s only for 2010. Staff predicted the amount... [Read more]
By Robert L. Style Honorable Councilmembers: Your agenda for Tuesday is jam packed, so much so that citizens may find it impossible to address their concerns within the allowed three minutes. If they are concerned about only one issue, the entire time can be directed to that issue; however, if they want to speak on 3 or 4 issues, their time is diluted and only allows for bullet items without the... [Read more]
By Bob Style It was refreshing to hear the good ideas that came out of last night’s neighborhood meeting in Juanita, ideas that are needed to improve the relationship between neighborhoods and the city. Too many good ideas have died on the vine not to mention the money wasted trying to appease special interest. The problem: When does the city allow neighborhood interest to supersede city interest? There’s... [Read more]
By Bob Style It rarely happens but when it does, it’s sickening. Our council who we elected to represent us has reneged on what we have entrusted them to do: represent us. Let’s look at the series of events. First, backroom deals were made with the county to select a method of annexation that would preclude a public vote of it citizens. Once selected, the Council would not even allow an advisory... [Read more]
By Robert Style At the latest budget study session, the council was still in denial as to what to do. The entire session was around how to make up for the “structural” difference in the budget, better know as a gap, deficit, debt, or shortfall. The plan is to cover the $13.1 million shortfall by using $4 million in reserves and $9 million in cutbacks, and that’s even before paying for the cost... [Read more]
By David Aubry Dear Editor: It is apparent to even the most casual observer that Change is needed on Kirkland’s City Council. Which candidates will bring this change? The primary theme of Kirkland Council candidate Karen Tennyson’s recent campaign mailer documenting ‘differences’ between herself and Amy Walen is Ms. Tennyson’s City experience and knowledge of the issues. But before any... [Read more]
By Scott Brady The allegations that I, and the No Kirkland Annexation Committee (NOKA) members have stolen or destroyed any signs is completely false. We are not thieves. Please do not refer to us as such. Every campaign has suffered destruction of signs, including ours. I have contacted KOMO 4’s management about the “editing mistake” that led to the elimination of the quote... [Read more]
By Paul Hall Dear Editor, I sent this letter to Karen Tennyson and I submit it as a letter to the editor in Kirkland Views: I was disappointed in the deceptive way that you implied the support of Matt Gregory in your latest mailing. The selectively edited, out of context quote from the Reporter, was clearly intended to imply his endorsement, and at the same time belittle Amy’s qualifications. Matt... [Read more]
By Kiri Rennaker Dear Editor, Having served on the Planning Commission for over nine years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a majority of the current Council members. I have worked with Jim Lauinger, Mary-Alyce Burleigh, Tom Hodgson, Jessica Greenway and most recently, candidate Karen Tennyson. With the exception of Mary-Alyce Burleigh, who has served tirelessly and with integrity... [Read more]
By Friends of Karen Tennyson Matt, Rob and readers of Kirkland Views: In response to a posting which appeared yesterday, please note that Matt Gregory was quoted (August 19, 2009 edition, Kirkland Reporter) as stating: “I feel that Amy is not qualified,” said Gregory, adding that Walen has never been on any neighborhood boards or held an elected position. “She is just very green.” We believe... [Read more]
By Robert L. Style KOMO TV’s coverage of the missing or mutilated yard signs had three major points, one from each side of the annexation issue and one from the media. The media harped on what was happening to the signs. They thought it was news. What should have been news were the reasons why the signs were vandalized. KOMO relied on the spokesperson for each side to make their point. On... [Read more]
