A2 • Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Issaquah Press
The Issaquah Press
Wednesday, August 1, 2012 •
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Opponent’s plastic bag ban repeal fails to qualify for ballot By Warren Kagarise wkagarise@isspress.com The effort to repeal the Issaquah ban on most retail plastic bags did not qualify for the ballot, although the organizer behind the effort said the fight could continue. The development came days after the city attorney declared the issue closed, after repeal organizers failed to gather enough signatures from Issaquah voters to force a repeal measure. City officials had asked repeal organizer Craig Keller to provide at least 2,458 signatures for the measure to be sent to King County Elections for validation. Organizers submitted 2,178 signatures — including 124 names determined ineligible and crossed out before organizers submitted the petition sheets — to the city July 5. But Keller cited a provision in state law that he said allowed the repeal effort another 10 days to gather signatures after the initial deadline. The city received 2,458 signatures from the repeal campaign July 20 — too late to send to the elections office, officials said. City Attorney Wayne
BUSINESSES REACT TO PLASTIC BAG BAN Local business leaders raised concerns about shoppers bypassing Issaquah after a retail plastic bag ban for retailers of 7,500 square feet or more goes into effect March 1, 2013. The measure does not go into effect for smaller businesses until March 1, 2014. In addition to limiting most plastic bags, the legislation requires retail stores to collect 5 cents for each paper bag provided to customers. The fee is meant to help offset the changeover cost as retailers eliminate plastic bags. Issaquah Chamber of Commerce leaders urged consumers to continue shopping in Issaquah. “While relatively small in
Tanaka said the signatures submitted then from Keller’s group, Save Our Choice, did not meet the threshold to send the signatures to King County Elections for validation. The additional 10 days mentioned in state law ap-
number, we are growing concerned about the increasing number of comments made by members of the public indicating they are considering shopping elsewhere in response to this issue,” chamber CEO Matthew Bott said. “We urge consumers to continue to support our business community.” Chamber leaders said Issaquah relies on regional consumers. The city is a retail hub on the Eastside, and sales tax revenues fill city coffers. The chamber did not form a position on the bag ban legislation, but in a survey, members did not endorse the ban. In April, chamber leaders received responses from more than 70 survey participants; a little more than half opposed the proposed legislation.
ply “only if the initial petitions submitted within the correct time period have a total number of signatures equal to or in excess of the minimum,” Tanaka continued in a July 20 letter to Keller. “In that case, the city
City leaders modeled the plastic bag ban on a similar ordinance in Seattle. The measure went into effect in Seattle last month. Theron Andrews, vice president of marketing at Bartell Drugs, a chain operating stores in Seattle and Issaquah, said the Seattle ban readied the Seattlebased company for the Issaquah ordinance. In Seattle, Bartell started offering a stronger plastic bag as a reusable bag and offers paper bags for sale. The local chain operates under a plastic bag ban in Edmonds, too. “The good news for us is, it looks like everything that we did in Seattle will just really translate into Issaquah straight across, so it should be a pretty flawless and easy transition for us,” Andrews said.
would proceed to further validation to determine if the signatures were valid,” Tanaka continued. “After such check, if the number of valid signatures fell below the required minimum, then and only then would the petition circula-
tors have an additional 10 days to collect additional signatures.” Keller said Save Our Choice is pursuing a legal challenge against the city, although he did not offer specifics. Keller said city officials did not observe state law throughout the process. Ordinance goes into effect next year Meanwhile, city officials said the matter is closed, and notified the council about the petitions. In a 5-2 decision, City Council members passed a plastic bag ban June 4 after gathering input at numerous public meetings. The ordinance goes into effect March 1, 2013. Keller claimed the ban amounted to “nanny” legislation and set out to gather voter signatures to put the measure on the Nov. 6 ballot. In addition to limiting most plastic bags, the legislation requires retail stores to collect 5 cents for each paper bag provided to customers. The fee is meant to help offset the changeover cost as retailers eliminate plastic bags. The ordinance includes exemptions for numerous everyday uses, such as
plastic bags to carry dry cleaning and newspapers. Keller also led the unsuccessful effort to repeal the Seattle plastic bag ban. The ordinance in Seattle — a model for the Issaquah legislation — entered into effect last month. “It was the same person who led the campaign to try repeal it in Seattle, so I feel like when he failed there — he isn’t an Issaquah resident — he just showed up in Issaquah solely for his own agenda,” said the lead plastic bag ban proponent, Issaquah Councilman Mark Mullet. “He’s not someone who lives here or represents the citizens here.” Save Our Choice representatives canvassed neighborhoods throughout the city and solicited signatures at high-traffic shopping centers. Mullet, a pizza restaurant owner in addition to a councilman, encountered a Save Our Choice representative at a resident’s door in the Issaquah Highlands as Mullet delivered a pizza. “The information I heard him saying at the door was that the council was passing this without getting the voters involved,” he said. “Obviously, I thought that was completely false.”
Voter education emphasized as deadline approaches By Warren Kagarise wkagarise@isspress.com Elections administrators used the last days before the Aug. 7 primary to remind voters to follow proper ballot instructions. Otherwise, administrators warned, improperly signed or postmarked ballots might not be counted. “Following the instructions and returning ballots as early as possible helps us process ballots efficiently and provides time to resolve any issues that may occur with voters’ signatures,” Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a statement. King County Elections mailed about 1.1 million ballots July 18 for the Aug. 7 primary. The summer primary — bumped up to accommodate military and overseas voters — allows local voters a chance to decide a property tax measure and cull the field in federal, judicial, legislative and statewide contests. The electorate selects the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, in the all-mail primary election. The top vote recipients then advance to an allmail general election Nov. 6. In the Issaquah area, voters
Local representatives join Bellevue College Foundation board Issaquah Councilman Joshua Schaer joined the Bellevue College Foundation board, as the organization elected a president
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WHAT TO KNOW
Join The Issaquah Press at www.issaquahpress.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ issaquahpress and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/issaquahpress for the latest information and results from the Aug. 7 primary election.
King County Elections mailed ballots to voters in late July. Track ballots online at the King County Elections website, www.kingcounty. gov/elections. Follow the “Ballot tracker” link to check on your ballot. Voters can return completed ballots at a drop box or through the mail. Mailed ballots require a 45-cent first-class stamp. Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 7. The elections office opened a ballot drop box at Issaquah City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way. The ballot drop box in Issaquah and other locations countywide remain open until 8 p.m. Aug. 7. Elections administrators opened
must select the top candidates for state House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives seats, in addition to selecting hopefuls for judicial and statewide posts. The ballot also contains a $200 million King County property tax measure to fund a juvenile justice center, Proposition 1. In the run-up to Election Day, officials embarked on a starstudded campaign to educate voters about the ballot process. Local elections administrators enlisted renowned chef Tom Douglas, travel guru Rick Steves, Seattle Storm players and other local celebrities to remind voters to follow ballot instructions. Campaign encompasses ballot basics The elections departments in
and greeted other local members. Issaquah representatives Dellanie Fragnoli, assistant vice president for international finance and administration at Costco, and Mark Pellegrino, Rainier Group Investment Advisory LLC
King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, plus the Office of the Secretary of State, collaborated on the voter education project. Under state law, elections staffers cannot open and process a ballot unless the signature on the return envelope matches the signature on a voter’s registra-
president, also joined the board. So did Sammamish representative Cheryl Gunderson, executive vice president and chief lending officer at Fortune Bank. The foundation also
accessible voting centers for disabled voters to cast ballots independently and privately at the following locations: Bellevue City Hall 4450 110th Ave. N.E. 4Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug 3, 4, 6; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 King County Elections 4Open: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Aug. 6; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 4919 S.W. Grady Way, Renton Find a complete list of ballot drop boxes, ballot drop-off vans and accessible voting centers at the King County Elections website. tion. Often, elections staffers cannot process some ballots because the voters returned the ballots too late or failed to sign the declaration on the return envelope. Crews could not open about 2,000 ballots from the August 2011 primary due to missing signatures.
chose Seattle resident Paul Swegle as board president for a one-year term. The terms for the president and other officers started July 1. Swegle succeeds Bill Kent, a construction executive at M.A. Mortenson
VOTE ON THE WEB
2012
Find more coverage at www.issaquahpress.com/category/election.
“I’m happy to pitch in to help — if my voice in a message helps more votes get counted and saves some of our taxpayer dollars for other things, we all win!” Douglas said in a statement. Douglas and other celebrities involved in the campaign agreed to donate time for the effort. Funding for the program comes from the county elections offices and the Office of the Secretary of State. Plans call for additional celebrities to join the education campaign as the November general election nears. The campaign includes radio, TV and online advertisements to remind voters to sign return ballot envelopes, return ballots on time and follow other important instructions. “Using celebrities to help deliver our message is a strategy that we think will help us connect with more voters,” Huff said.
Co., as president. The president-elect for 2012-13 is Sammamish representative Sarah Langton, founder of and partner at Langton Spieth LLC. The foundation is directed by a 30-member
volunteer board. Established in 1978, the nonprofit foundation manages gifts, grants and awards for Bellevue College. The foundation raised more than $2.4 million for the 38,000-student college in 2010-11.
The Issaquah Press
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COMMUNITY
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012
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Prepare to get drenched at Splash Day
By Christina Corrales-Toy news@isspress.com
BY GREG FARRAR
Truitt gives Jerry Snider, of Kirkland, a friendly lick on the face while making rounds among chemotherapy patients with Laurie Carlisle at Swedish/Issaquah.
HEALING HOUND Therapy dog brings smiles to Swedish/Issaquah By Christina Corrales-Toy news@isspress.com
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hen Laurie Carlisle and her Shetland sheepdog Truitt walk into Swedish/Issaquah they possess the magnetism of celebrities. Every eye in the lobby gravitates toward the 4-year-old sheltie. Visitors stop to pet Truitt and passers-by can’t help but smile at the lovable canine. Truitt attentively sniffs the hands of visitors and flashes his signature goofy smile as his tongue flops out of his mouth. He is a very energetic dog that participates in agility competitions, but at the hospital, the sheltie puts his game face on. Every Tuesday, Carlisle and Truitt visit patients in the Swedish/Issaquah Oncology Department, bringing smiles and a moment of relief to patients, and staff and family members in the department. Carlisle said Truitt understands the setting and adjusts his behavior accordingly. “He knows why he’s here,” she said. “He’s BY GREG FARRAR just very calming for Laurie Carlisle and Truitt, her Shetland sheepdog, arrive in the lobby at Swedish/Issaquah for the patients.” their weekly volunteer service to provide pet therapy to patients. At right, Truitt’s hospital badge It is heavy stuff, “To hear a patient that’s visiting with patients looks like the badge of any other hospital volunteer serving at Swedish/Issaquah. in the hospital in a lot receiving cancer treatment, but a visit from Truitt during the visits. She greets of a pain saying, ‘For Truitt can make a each patient by giving him or her a world of a difference. souvenir of sorts — a trading card just a few minutes, I See a slideshow of Truitt at work “It’s very rewardwith Truitt’s face. Carlisle is entirely at Swedish/Issaquah at forgot why I was even ing,” Carlisle said. attentive to each patient. She listens, www.issaquahpress.com. “I was visiting one asks questions and makes a connechere. For a few minutes, woman who said to tion based on their love for animals. She doesn’t ask about the cancer, she I didn’t have any pain,’ me that Truitt and I are angels sent from doesn’t mention the treatment. She that’s worth it all.” heaven, from God, and like when the small dog leaps into his simply asks about patients’ pets. she got all teary-eyed, owner’s arms from a few feet away. It’s that passion for animals that — Laurie Carlisle and that was just so Joan Myers is an outpatient at the drives Carlisle to provide this service. Owner of therapy dog Truitt wonderful.” department who enjoyed Truitt’s “I come here because I know how Truitt entertains visits. She fondly greeted Truitt as he much I love my dog and animals, with his arsenal of approached, remembering him from and no matter who you are, what tricks. The black-and-white sheltie a prior visit. On what was her last day you look like, whether you are well, takes his cues from Carlisle and puts receiving radiation treatment, she whether you are sick, just a touch of on quite a show. He does the regular wanted to make sure she had one last an animal and feeling their soft fur doggie tricks — sitting, staying and moment with the sheltie that brightbrings a smile to my face and to the lying down — but he also knows his ened her day during visits. patients’ face,” she said. “To hear a right from left and turns either way “Truitt’s visits gave me something patient that’s in the hospital in a lot of upon Carlisle’s commands. Carlisle to look forward to,” she said. even tells patients the sheltie can Carlisle may not realize it, but she fly — and that’s exactly what it looks is just as important and impactful as See HOSPITAL, Page B3
ON THE WEB
The Issaquah Parks & Recreation Department is offering children 12 and younger a chance to cool off at this year’s Beat the Heat Splash Day on Aug. 1. Children can expect to run through sprinklers, blow bubbles and get doused with water by an Eastside Fire & Rescue fire truck. The aim of the water carnival is to give kids a chance to get relief from the heat, but the event will go on in rain or shine, according to city Recreation Coordinator Cathy Jones. “We’ve had a few chilly Beat the Heats and we’ve had some blazing hot Beat the Heats,” Jones said. “Hopefully this year we will actually have some heat to beat.” Beat the Heat Splash Day
IF YOU GO Beat the Heat Splash Day 4For ages 12 and under 41-2:30 p.m. Aug. 1 4Community center lawn 4301 Rainier Blvd. S.
costs $2 per child to participate and the money goes directly toward the cost of putting the event together, Jones said. The event held on the Issaquah Community Center lawn begins at 1 p.m. with a series of water games and craft projects. From 1-2:30 p.m. participants can make fans, sit in pools full of ice blocks or wear hats made of water-drenched sponges. They can also play a variation of musical chairs, where tubs of water replace the seats. At 2:30 p.m., the grand finale begins when EFR will turn on the truck’s fire hose for about 20 minutes. At that point, everyone should expect to get wet, even parents. “Moms and dads that come should prepare to get wet as well,” Jones said. “When that fire hose goes off, no one is safe.” Children should come in swimsuits, or clothes they are comfortable getting wet. Organizers also suggest children wear water shoes, rather than walking barefoot on the lawn. Parents may want to come prepared with towels or a set of dry clothes for their kids after the event. Beat the Heat Splash Day is in its 15th year and drew a crowd of nearly 600 last year. Jones hopes it is an event that kids will remember and enjoy for years to come. “This event is just community building and memory making, in a nutshell,” she said. “That’s what the Issaquah Parks & Recreation Department is all about.”
Dreamers can complete bucket-list adventures Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah asks dreamers to build the ultimate to-do list and then turn bucket-list dreams into reality. The hotel chain and National Geographic Traveler magazine launched the
Life’s Ultimate To-Do List contest July 10 to encourage consumers to enter for a chance to accomplish bucket-list dreams. Organizers ask each entrant to share his or her top to-do list item and ex-
plain why he or she should win the prize. The contest runs through Aug. 5 on Hilton Garden Inn’s Facebook page, www.facebook. com/HiltonGardenInn. Ideas could be running a marathon, trekking into
a rainforest or backpacking across Europe. Organizers plan to add entries to Hilton Garden Inn’s ongoing Ultimate To-Do List, a comprehensive guide to fun and interesting things to explore
around the globe. The 10 best entries qualify as grand-prize winners, and the entrants can fulfill their to-do list items. Each winner receives a three-day, two-night trip worth up to $5,000. The
trip includes roundtrip airfare for the winner and a guest near a Hilton Garden Inn, spending money, a camera to document the adventure and a yearlong subscription to National Geographic Traveler.
The Issaquah Press
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Wednesday August 1, 2012
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Lakeside prepares youth for the future By Matt Carstens ip-sports@isspress.com
BY GREG FARRAR
Runners from local municipal parks and recreation teams jump at the starting gun for a 1,600-meter race hosted by the Issaquah Gliders recently at Issaquah High School.
Guiding the Gliders Alumni return to coach, support former youth track and field team By Brandon Adam news@isspress.com
GET INVOLVED
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oanne Hartmann has volunteered with the Issaquah Gliders for 15 years. The Issaquah Gliders is a track and field team featuring events for young children between ages 5 and 14. The program functions as an athletic experience to introduce young children to track and field, and overall health and wellness. The program “is to gain an appreciation for fitness for running outside, running in all different kinds of weather,” Hartman said. She said the focus of the program is to have children and their families participate in the program. “Hopefully, they will be encouraged
Positions open for Eastside baseball club By Christina Lords newcastle@isspress.com The Bellevue Warriors Baseball Club is recruiting players for its 13 and under, 14 and under and 15 and under teams for 2013. Several parents from Newcastle organized the Warriors team in August 2009, so children in the area would have a program in place that offered a higher level of competition than was available in the area’s Pony League. Athletes from across the Eastside are welcome to participate. Players may not be older than 15 by May 1. Players who are younger and have advanced baseball skills and physical development may try out for all of the teams. The coaches for the Warriors have a combined 54 years of coaching experience, with 29 years at the high school coaching level. Coaches aim to build solid players and help them attain skills to be successful on and off the field. Players must be able to dedicate a specific amount of time for fall ball, practice and league play throughout the year. In September and October, players will need to devote about four See OPENINGS, Page B5
Learn more about the Gliders program, philosophy, track meet schedule and coaching staff at www.thegliders.8k.com.
to participate in a lifetime of fitness,” Hartman, 49, of Issaquah, said. As lead coordinator, her responsibility is to organize practices for the young children being introduced to the sport. Hartman said she feels positive about the program’s philosophy. “I feel very excited about it, it’s See GLIDERS,
BY GREG FARRAR
Robert Rudd (left), a coach with the Snoqualmie Valley Track Club, confers with Issaquah Gliders volunteer lead coordinator Joanne Hartman during a recent Issaquah Parks Page B5 & Recreation track meet.
Frank Lawhead, head coach of the Lakeside Recovery 15U team, knows that baseball is a game of failure. After going 29-12 entering the Lee Johnson Tournament July 25-29, his team was ready for a challenge. “We were playing in an older tournament with some better competition,” Lawhead said. Lawhead’s team went 1-4, winning their last game in the tournament, 5-3, against Showtime. Despite the rough time over the weekend, Lawhead said he knows it was a good experience for his kids. “For them to see what they have to do next year is important,” he said. “We’ve done that several times this year, we played in a 16-17-year-old tournament and we did a little bit better there. We’re just trying to get them to understand that when they get to high school there is no age limit, they’re competing against 16-, 17- and 18-year-old kids. “It was a pretty positive experience for the boys. I think they rose to the occasion a little bit.” The Lakeside 15U team was one of the strongest in the league this year and went on several torrid winning streaks that gave them the best record in the league. After the Viking Memorial Day Tournament in Kenmore on May 28, Lakeside went on a 10-1 See LAKESIDE, Page B5
Freshman leads Eagles with third at state By Lillian Tucker ltucker@sammamishreview.com Going into the final round July 27 of the Washington Junior Golf Association, Zachary Overstreet was leading the 14-15 boys division by two strokes. This was the Issaquah High School freshman’s fourth appearance at state but the first time he made it out of the second-day elimination round. “Going into the third day was an accomplishment itself,” he said. “But being the leader the third day was shocking and exciting at the same time. It felt really good.” Out of the gate July 25 at Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent, Overstreet was pulling ahead with a birdie on the third hole. Having finished the first nine with three bogies he was able to make up for it by birdying holes No. 15-17 and finish the round in first place at 72 strokes. When he finished the second round July 26 at Renton’s Fairwood Golf and Country Club he
Barret Dowling, 15, of Issaquah, tees off on the par-4, first hole July 25 in the WJGA state golf District 2 championship at the Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent.
PHOTOS BY GREG FARRAR
Zach Overstreet (right), 15, of Issaquah High School, watches his golf ball on the first hole July 25 during the first round of the WJGA District 2 championship at Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent. Taylor Swingle (left), 15, of Issaquah High School, follows through on his tee shot on the first hole. still had a tight grasp on the lead after shooting 75. Even though Overstreet still has not tried out for his new school’s team, he was walking both courses with an Issaquah Eagles golf bag. When it came time to order new bags last spring, Issaquah Coach Tom Bakamus ordered him one, Overstreet explained, adding that he is pretty confident he’ll make the team this fall. And
confidence is what Overstreet was looking to hold onto when he entered the championship round. “I tried to lift myself up and stay strong going into the last day,” he said, explaining that he knew if he went into the round with doubts they would become a reality by the end of the day. “I wanted to keep my hopes up. I had to give myself confidence that I could do it.” However, his good mood began to fade on the course as his short game began to elude him. Getting to the green was no problem but things began to slip with each missed putt. By the end of the final round July 27, back at Meridian Valley, he finished with 83 strokes, just enough for three of his competitors to catch up. With a total of 230, Overstreet tied for third place with Aubrey Mackenzie, from Poulsbo. The two finished just six strokes behind Spokane’s Tanner Comes, who slipped into the championship spot after shooting 70 the
final day. While he didn’t walk away with the title, Overstreet did still have a smile on his face. “I was really pleased. I really enjoyed state, but being the leader going into the third day was a learning experience,” he said. “I learned to not look down on any of the players because they are just as good as anyone out there. You have to look at any player as a threat … and not just focus on what they are doing but focus on what you are doing.” Also in the 14-15 boys division was Kelley Sullivan, of Skyline High School, who shot a 239 for 14th place. Nate Fischer, a 14-year-old freshman at Skyline, shot 178 in the first two days and Barret Dowling, of the Issaquah Eagles, scored a 92 on both the first and second round — both did not qualify for the final day of play. “I didn’t do so good,” said See GOLF, Page B5