Newcastlenews020317

★ ★ ★ FINAL

VOL. 19, NO. 2

EDITION ★ ★ ★

NEWCASTLE’S LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER

N EWCASTLE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

98-YEAR-OLD IN CONCERT

NEWS

Regency Newcastle’s Verna Borup prepares for Feb. 23 piano performance Page 2

FAREWELL, NEWCASTLE Founded in 1999, the only newspaper devoted solely to the city falls victim to shrinking advertising revenue

BY CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY

ccorrales-toy@newcastle-news.com

AND SCOTT STODDARD

sstoddard@newcastle-news.com

The Issaquah Press Group, which publishes the Newcastle News, The Issaquah Press,

the Sammamish Review, the SnoValley Star and theeastside. news website, announced Jan. 19 the company will cease operations this month.

In a letter to readers and advertisers, General Manager Charles Horton wrote: “After several months of exploring

different paths for a sustainable future, we came to this difficult conclusion.”

The Newcastle News was founded as a monthly newspaper in April 1999, five years after the City of Newcastle was first incorporated. Former City Council members Ron

Todd and Bruce Morgan were instrumental in encouraging then-publisher Debbie Berto to start covering the community.

“The Newcastle News will be a welcome partner in our efforts to maintain our unique sense of community,” Todd wrote in the very first issue

published April 16, 1999.

The Issaquah Press Group’s affected employees include seven in the newsroom, four in advertising and one in operations. They were informed of the closure by SEE FAREWELL, PAGE 12

What’s next for city?

Officials talk about Newcastle’s future

BY CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY ccorrales-toy@newcastle-news.com

GREG FARRAR | gfarrar@newcastle-news.com

Recipients of the 2016 Newcastle Diamond Awards hold their trophies at The Golf Club at Newcastle on Jan. 19, 2017 after the annual Newcastle Chamber of Commerce event.

Chamber honors city’s best with Diamond Awards

BY CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY

ccorrales-toy@newcastle-news.com

Let the record show that Autumn Paige Photography — not fellow finalist ATI Physical Therapy — is the sole winner of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Business Award.

A Steve Harvey-inspired error that saw the first place and runner up mistakenly announced was more comic relief than disturbing, as the chamber rolled out the red carpet for its 11th annual Diamond Awards gala at The Golf Club at Newcastle Jan. 19.

This year’s ceremony opened with a special performance

by Yes drummer Alan White.

White, joined by members of the Liberty High School band, played a short medley of hits, including Yes’ “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”

The Newcastle resident and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer made the appearance, in SEE AWARDS, PAGE 7

By most accounts, 2016 was a difficult year for the City of Newcastle. City Manager Rob Wyman admitted as much during the City Council’s beginningof–the-year retreat at The Golf Club at Newcastle on Jan. 20.

From the controversial purchase of the City Hall building to a contentious budget season that revealed friction and trust issues among members of the City Council and the city’s staff, the facilitated retreat at times felt like a group therapy session, but it was a necessary tool to clear the air as the city embarks on an important 2017.

“My hope is enough of it got on the table that we can kind of clear the decks a little bit and say, ‘Let’s start working together,’ ” Wyman said.

One thing they all agreed on was last year’s budget process, which was less than ideal. They plan to fix that by beginning the discussion almost immediately.

“Nobody — staff, council,

public — enjoyed having that conversation that late in the year,” Wyman said.

There are challenges ahead.

Declining development revenue and rising public safety costs for a growing city has the general fund forecast seeing deficits of $666,024 in 2018, $893,296 in 2019 and by 2020, the number goes above $1 million.

For the 2017 budget, the council erased a $400,000 deficit through a series of budget amendments that did not require a new revenue source.

SEE FUTURE, PAGE 7

$2

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER

2

l

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

NEWCASTLE NEWS

98-year-old musician ready to dazzle at concert

BY CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY

IF YOU GO

ccorrales-toy@ newcastle-news.com

Regency Newcastle resident Verna Borup has a word of warning for anyone attending her Feb. 23 piano concert: temper your expectations now.

“It will not be a very expert concert, because gadzooks, I’m 98 years old, I don’t practice, my hands are no longer what they used to be and I don’t have anything memorized,” said the fiery, self-deprecating nonagenarian.

To be clear, she is just being modest. The classical pianist started taking lessons when she was 6 years old, studied the trade in college and was invited to study at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, a major American music school that has since closed.

She is also a founder of the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a fun and educational experience for young performers on the Eastside. The group, now in its 30th season, hosts an annual festival at St. Andrew’s Lutheran

Verna Borup classical piano concert 7-8 p.m. Feb. 23 Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road Pre-register for the free concert at goo.gl/6GkSRx

learned to love it. My theory is you don’t play like somebody else. You play with how you feel it, just as you feel it.”

The concert is the first event put on by the Newcastle Arts Council, a new community group working to bring together local artists.

“We’re still in our infancy,” said member Connie Futrell. “We hope to put on events and bring awareness to the artists in our area and help them with their exposure.”

The concert is free, but CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY | ccorrales-toy@newcastle-news.com attendees should preClassical pianist Verna Borup, 98, will perform a public concert at Regency Newcastle Feb. 23. register on Eventbrite because space at the wisecracks leaving her Church in Bellevue.

Newcastle senior living Regency Newcastle lobby cringing. My ears can’t mouth.

Borup is known for her — the same instrument community is limited. stand it and I wonder, “Something happened sharp, trained ear, which Free refreshments will be she’ll use for her hourlong how can anyone else?” is both a blessing and a served. set. she joked, before expertly to me recently where I open my mouth and the curse when she sits down Borup said she agreed “It’s out of tune. It’s so explaining how a to play an often poorlyto the concert after seeing badly out of tune that newfound sense of humor darndest things come out,” she joked. tuned grand piano in the how big an impact music at times, as I play,F.FINAL.SR.CMYK.PDF I’m has resulted far more LAURA 0127in LAM Expect to see some of can have on someone. She 05.18371.THU.0202.2X5.LAM that humor on display told a story of a fellow when she plays at Regency resident who she had Newcastle from 7-8 p.m. never seen talk, but when Feb. 23. She’ll play her Borup started playing interpretations of works the piano, the once quiet by acclaimed musicians woman came out of her such as Johannes Brahms shell to talk about her own and Frédéric Chopin. piano lessons.

“I’m just a person who “It sort of makes you has had a lot of piano feel good if you can reach LAURA F.ePROOF.SR.CMYK.REV1 0130 LAM lessons,” she said. somebody,” RVS “I 0130 RVZ.REV4 0130 LAMBorup said.

05.18575.THU.0202.2X3.LAM

Free Roses with purchase for your Valentine.

Let Your

Your Trusted Professional Jeweler Family Owned & Operated

1440 NW Gilman BLVD #4 Issaquah, WA

Monday-Friday 10-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun by Appt | Meadows/QFC Shopping Center-next to H&R Block

425-243-5885 05.18589.NN.S

05.18371.SR.S

425-270-3411 | www.marlowsfinejewelry.com

05.18575.SR.S

Love Shine…

NEWCASTLE NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

l

3

At least one council seat up for grabs in November

BY CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY ccorrales-toy@newcastle-news.com

When City Councilmember John Dulcich talks about Newcastle, there’s a certain tone in his voice. It’s serious, but subtly giddy at the same time, underscoring a childlike enthusiasm for the place he calls home.

“I so believe in this community,” the longtime councilmember said in a Jan. 26 interview.

Dulcich’s current term will expire at the end of the year and he does not plan on running for re-election, letting the sun

Liberty, Hazen athletes announce college decisions Hazen High School honored four graduating student athletes at a special signing day ceremony Feb. 1.

The event, which occurred after deadline for this edition, recognized the following students who will continue

set on a career in public service that began when the city incorporated.

He was first elected in 1994 and served until he briefly retired in 2007. He returned to the council after winning the election in 2009 and won re-election in 2013. Dulcich was Newcastle’s mayor from 200205 and again in 2010-11.

Dulcich did not make the decision suddenly. When he won in 2013, he already determined it would be his last term. He’s made it known publicly for at least the last year that 2017 would be his last.

He added that his departure has nothing to do with the

2017 budget process, a council undertaking that was quite contentious over the last few months.

“I’m just getting off because it’s time,” he said. “I’ve gotten far more out of it than I’ve put in.

I’ve met people I never would have met before.”

Dulcich’s decision means there will be at least one vacancy as council elections come up in November. The terms of Mayor Rich Crispo and Council member John Drescher are also set to expire, but neither has decided what they will do at this point.

The incumbents and any other citizens have until May to

their playing careers in college: n Joe Tryon, football, University of Washington n Alexis Rogers, track, Seattle Pacific University n Ethan Kem, soccer, Whitworth University n Drew Santana, soccer, Edmonds Community College Soccer player Ethan Diaz, who will attend Western Washington University, is the

only Liberty athlete signing during this period, according to Loren Krogstad, the school’s athletic director.

decide whether to make a play for a council spot. In-person and online candidate filing opens May 15 and runs through May 19. The primary election is Aug. 1 and the general election is Nov. 7. See what is required to file at kingcounty.gov/depts/ elections/for-candidates.aspx.

Regardless of his final decision, Crispo said he hopes citizens see the value in running for a council spot and making an impact on a local level.

“The most important political decisions that affect the average U.S. citizens are those that are made in the local jurisdiction,” he said. “If you really want to get involved, get involved

locally.”

Civic engagement is a wonderful thing, Dulcich added.

“If your agenda is I want to give back to the city and do my part to make the city a better place to live in, then that’s the right reason to run,” he said.

As Dulcich wraps up his final year on the council, he doesn’t plan to take his foot off the brake, pledging to work “right until the last minute,” while the city looks to find solutions to tackle forecasted deficits.

“I hope people know that everything I did, I did because of my love for the city, what I thought was best for the city,” he said.

swimmer Ethan Dang as a Class 4A Athlete of the Week Jan. 20.

The Hazen freshman broke a 34-year-old school record in the 100 breaststroke at last week’s Hazen swimmer tri-district meet. He also had a Dang named WIAA state qualifying time in the 100 Athlete of the Week butterfly. Then in a league meet The Washington against Mount Rainier, Dang Interscholastic Activities won two individual events and AssociationNEIL.noPROOF.NN.CMYK. selected Hazen led relays PDFtwo 0131 LAM to victories, with

all four races leading to district and state qualifying times.

All varsity level students in good academic standing at their schools are eligible to receive the WIAA Athlete of the Week Award. Winners receive a letter of recognition from the WIAA executive director, a commemorative WIAA Athlete of the Week beanie and a certificate.

Drew McGougan 206-387-6810

drewmcgougan@BHHSNWRealEstate.com

“Expert Help When You Need It Most” Million Dollar Sales Club Multi Million Dollar Sales Club

05.18582.NN.S

05.18582.FRI.0202.6X6.5.LAM

4

l

OPINION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

NEWCASTLE NEWS

Notes From Newcastle

Thank you for privilege of telling your stories

BY CHRISTINA CORRALES-TOY

the Newcastle Coal Miners’ Cemetery’s strongest advocate. That cemetery is an absolute treasure, but it’s rarely open to the public. She’s leading the charge to restore it to a point where it can remain open all year.

Thank you to Imelda Dulcich and Randy Ohlendorf for bringing the business community together through your efforts with the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce.

Thank you to Grace Stiller, volunteer extraordinaire, for annually planning the Newcastle Earth Day event and protecting the environment through the Weed Warriors organization.

W

ell, this is it, Newcastle.

It’s time for me to say goodbye and, more importantly, thank you. Bear with me, please; the list is long — very long, probably too long.

When I first took over the Newcastle News, I didn’t know much about the community. Like most people, I knew it as the city with the pretty golf course.

But over the past four years, I’ve had the chance to discover its ins and outs, see the good and bad and meet the passionate residents who make Christina Corrales-Toy Newcastle special.

As we publish our final edition, I want to thank everyone who allowed me to tell their stories and become a part of your community.

Newcastle City Hall I often spend my Tuesday nights sitting among a sea of empty chairs in the Newcastle City Council chambers.

Council meetings don’t tend to draw much of an audience unless there’s a controversial issue on the table.

Covering City Hall is an important part of my job and even if the meetings often run too long and sometimes yield little information for a story, I have to be there.

Thankfully, I’ve been lucky to interact with city staff members and City Council members who have always been accessible and open to answering my questions, even the hard ones.

That starts with City Manager Rob Wyman, who never refused a phone call or interview request. The same goes for all of the councilmembers I’ve covered during my time here: Gordon Bisset, Rich Crispo, Allen Dauterman, John Drescher, John Dulcich, Linda Newing,

Renton School District It’s been such a joy to cover schools in the Renton School District. I will always fondly remember going to Hazelwood Elementary’s graduations or taking in the school’s multicultural night.

Snapping photos at Hazen High School graduations was also a highlight for me. Every year without fail, I’d find myself skirting around the ShoWare Center with tears in my eyes as I watched these students embark on the next phase of their lives.

The district’s Randy Matheson was always open to answering my questions, even when the subject wasn’t always rosy, including the delay of the new middle school. Speaking of which, I am so disappointed I won’t be around to cover the grand opening of Vera Risdon Middle School.

Carol Simpson and former councilmembers Steve Buri, Bill Erxleben and Lisa Jensen.

For that, I thank you.

Community One of the best parts of the job is meeting ordinary community members doing extraordinary things. There are so many people who give so much to Newcastle, it’s impossible to list them all. But I do want to single a few of them out.

N EWCASTLE

NEWS Published the first Friday of every month by The Issaquah Press Group 1085 12th Ave. NW, Suite D1 | P.O. Box 1328 Issaquah, King County, WA 98027

Thank you to Garry Kampen and Jim and Peggy Price, the volunteer stewards of the city’s trail system. When I ask people why they love Newcastle, trails are usually near the top of the list.

Thank you to the late Milt Swanson.

The Newcastle historian kept this city’s coal-mining history alive. The city needs to establish a Milt Swanson Museum with all of his donated artifacts.

Thank you to Vickie Baima Olson,

STAFF Charles Horton.......................................General manager Scott Stoddard...............................................................Editor Christina Corrales-Toy................................ Digital editor Neil Pierson.............................................................. Reporter Greg Farrar.....................................................Photographer Laura Feenstra.................................................. Advertising CORRECTIONS We are committed to accuracy at the Newcastle News and take care in our reporting and editing, but errors do occur. If you think something we’ve published is in error, please email us at editor@newcastle-news.com.

Liberty High School Until this year, I covered high school sports, too. As my duties shifted to producing more online content, reporter Neil Pierson took Liberty High School sports off my plate.

They say there’s no cheering in the press box, but I’ll admit it right now, the Liberty community made a Patriot fan out of me. That’s a big deal coming from SEE NOTES, PAGE 12

CONTACT US All departments can be reached at

(425) 392-6434

Fax: (425) 392-1695 Email: editor@newcastle-news.com Online: newcastle-news.com ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS $26 for one year | $50 for two years Add $15 per year outside King County Add $20 per year outside the state of Washington

NEWCASTLE NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Letters to the editor Residents should choose to embrace future of Newcastle On my daily walks through Newcastle I’ve seen the same changes my neighbors have witnessed over the past few years. My wife and I moved here in 2003. We chose the community for its quick access to I-405 for our frequent trips to Sea-Tac. We chose Newcastle for its access to I-90 and downtown Seattle and for its small-town feel and friendly neighbors.

As we embark on a year filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety on a national level we also face changes in our hometown.

That quick access to I-405 and I-90 has vanished. New residential and commercial buildings on both sides of Coal Creek Parkway threaten to make access to just about anywhere a test of timing and patience for drivers. New residents are coming to Newcastle from all over the world. We see faces we’ve never seen before. They see faces they’ve never seen before. Those are the facts. Here’s the challenge.

We can either embrace the changes to our city, welcome the people who will soon call this home, or lock ourselves inside our houses and make believe nothing outside ever changes.

That’s our choice in America and our choice in Newcastle. We’ve always been a nation that welcomes people. Had that not been the case in the early 20th century, none of us would be here.

I grew up in a small town in New England whose main street was a dead end. We knew all our neighbors, knew all their kids’ names, played together on our street and the local fields. If neighbors had an issue, they’d talk it out and solve it.

I realize things are dramatically different in 2017 than they were in 1962, but I also realize that adjusting to those changes is the part of living in a civil society.

Let’s welcome our neighbors and encourage them to become part of our vibrant, growing community. We’re all in this together and we can make it work for everyone with a positive attitude and a selfless approach to the future.

Tony Ventrella Newcastle Ventrella is a member of the city’s volunteer Community Activities Commission

Puget Sound Energy’s report on pipeline safety has holes Puget Sound Energy bases its weak hypothesis on a report it cites from DNV GL. That report only addresses a subset of the electromagnetic safety issues regarding colocation of the proposed Energize Eastside project with the petroleum pipeline. Further, electromagnetic related safety issues are only a subset of the full spectrum of safety issues raised during the EIS process. The validity of the DNV GL report is dependent on information that was not independently verified and was provided by a very dubious source (PSE).

The DNV GL report essentially concludes the safety risks cannot be completely assessed until the project is complete and operating.

By then, it’s much too late.

l

5

Guest column To base their conclusion on so little information on such a small part of the overall safety risk created by the propose Energize Eastside project shows PSE’s systemic ignorance of the magnitude of the safety problem and the impact on the community. This also points to a large gap in PSE’s technical competence and their inability to perform a valid and complete safety risk assessment.

Safety is something that must be proven, not assumed. Safety is something that must be analyzed and designed in, not added on after something bad happens. All safety risks must be mitigated with adequate margin.

PSE claims victory but Energize Eastside isn’t even at square one yet on proof of safety.

Newcastle News was fundamental in drawing local attention to the safety issues that resulted in Olympic Pipe Line’s disaster in Bellingham on June 10, 1999. It’s unfortunate the attention was gained after lives were lost and after the damage was done. Media and public pressure brought about many positive safety changes. For Energize Eastside, we need to do the same, but before the fact.

Brian Elworth Newcastle

Newcastle businesses deserve support of city’s residents Newcastle is fortunate to have many local merchants who deserve our support. Just one example are a couple of jewelry stores in Newcastle. I have had good experiences with both shops.

But I wanted to give a shout out to Joe Waldman. He was willing to help my friend, Dennis, when his local Seattle jeweler would not.

Almost 40 years ago, Dennis had a massive stroke while teaching physical education in Kent. Yet he has managed to live a very full life independently in a wheelchair. Of necessity, Dennis is a thrifty man.

At breakfast one day, he asked me for help.

The local Ballard jeweler had sold him a nice watch. When it stopped running, he told Dennis that it could not be fixed.

He asked me if I knew someplace that might I might get it fixed for him. I told him there was a jeweler a block from my house, Porter Jensen. He knew the name, which is not surprising as the company has been in business 97 years, mostly in the University District but here in Newcastle for over a decade.

Joe took the watch, saying it might be tricky. I think it was. But when I picked it up, Joe insisted that there was no charge.

So I want to give kudos to Joe, who thrilled my friend. It was priceless to see Dennis’ face light up when I gave him the watch.

Dennis immediately reached into his pocket and pulled out a ten spot and said, “I want you to do something. Give him this and tell him to buy an ice cream and a coffee.”

Dennis repeated that four times. I thought I had an honest face!

Joe, I hope you have fulfilled that request despite what your wife, Nancy, said about calories in 2017!

So support our local merchants — even if you live in Ballard. (We need the sales tax, too).

Ed Corker Newcastle

Was incorporation of Newcastle worth it?

BY JON W. SIMPSON

M

y oldest memories of the area which became the City of Newcastle in 1994 would be from back in the late 1970s. I remember the intersection of Southeast 69th Way and Coal Creek Parkway having a flashing light with horse pastures on most if not all four corners. It felt a hundred miles away from downtown Seattle and had a very rural feel to it, quite a difference from today and the intense business of the two streets which still intersect in what is now the core of the city center.

Since those days of what now seems long ago, there are things my wife and I still like about living in the city, and then other things we want to escape from. We like what is still here in the natural environment, the trails and woods surrounding our neighborhoods, the ease of access to freeways going in all directions, but then there is the rapid growth and traffic which has come along over the years, which has us considering leaving the area to find that semirural feel we once enjoyed here.

As residents who voted for incorporation as our own city back in 1994, we were told by the proponents of the vote that our area would be annexed into either Renton or Bellevue depending on where one lived, that these two cities were already drawing up the dividing lines of what was then unincorporated King County and “wouldn’t that just be terrible” to become a part of either of those jurisdictions. We went along with supporting the incorporation even though the opposition, as well as the state of Washington, had shown the residents of our area that a city the size and makeup of ours would not retain economic viability over the long term. We did not have enough of a commercial base which would generate the necessary revenue to support the mandatory level of services and the ever-growing burden would fall upon the residential properties to make up the shortfall of a too small commercial core.

Fast forward some 23 years later and we find the truth of the analysis of diminishing viability impacting our city. In the years between incorporation and today, the City of Newcastle has become a services manager more than a provider. Our police, fire, schools, etc.

are all provided under contract to the city by the surrounding cities (Bellevue, Renton and Issaquah), as well as King County. As these contracts come up for renewal, the costs are increasing beyond what is feasible for a city the size and type of Newcastle to maintain without passing those costs onto the residents to pay for the bulk of because, remember, we don’t have a large enough commercial core to help offset those increases.

At the same time, the city and some residents are looking at creating more open spaces and parks around the town center, using up what limited amount of commercial property there is for things which provide no revenue and will place even more of a tax burden on all of us in the future, as well.

Due to zoning and planning criteria inherited from King County, other less-desirable forms of development have been allowed to be permitted, as well. The city has lacked the foresight to better understand the necessity of a diverse tax base and therefore plan for expansion of the commercial base to reduce the tax-burden impact on its residents. As a result, the city finds itself fighting the uphill battle of maintaining the level of services it is required by law to provide without continually requiring an increase of taxes upon its citizens.

As a property owner in Newcastle, the total amount of taxes we pay is very similar to what property owners in the surrounding cities pay, but the cost for the same level of services is spread over a broader and more diversified tax base. The issue of enough revenues being paid into those jurisdictions is not a constant challenge as it is here in Newcastle.

The issue of economic shortfall will not go away due to an undersized area to generate the everincreasing revenues to support the mandatory level of services within that area. We will continue to face this as long as our city exists as its own entity securing services from surrounding cities and county. I have to admit, the opponents and state of Washington were correct in their estimates, and in hindsight I would have preferred a no vote on incorporation in order to save all of the residents of our area the heartache and trouble of having to decide what to do in resolving this problem today.

Simpson is a former Newcastle Planning Commissioner.

l

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

NEWCASTLE NEWS

05.18298.NN.S

6

NEWCASTLE NEWS

AWARDS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

The Youth Award went to four students who made an impact on the community.

From Page 1 Hazelwood Elementary See a Diamond part, to call attention to the students Grace Bovey and Awards photo gallery Music Aid Northwest charBrinley Collins, and Liberty at newcastle-news.com.

High students McKenzie ity. The nonprofit supports King and Olivia Lesnik music education througheach went home with a out the state.

Alan and his wife Gigi commitment to Newcastle. diamond-shaped statue.

The Hazelwood fourthworked with local legisla- Dulcich is often referred to graders were honored for tors to design and impleas “Newcastle’s ambassament a special “Music dor” thanks to his desire to their embodiment of the Matters” license plate. The share the city’s wonderful school motto “STRIVE,” yellow plate is adorned qualities with everyone he which stands for selfcontrol, true grit, resilwith music notes, and meets. ience, integrity, vision and sales benefit Music Aid Dulcich has been with excellence. Both girls put Northwest. Last year, plate the city since the begintheir heart and soul into sales raised $80,000 to fund ning, serving as both schoolwork and take the school music programs. mayor and council meminitiative to give back to the “They’re having a hard ber. He was first elected community. time funding education in 1994 and served until King and Lesnik earned in our schools and we he briefly retired in 2007. thought it was really He returned to the council the award after showing important to fund music,” after winning the election a great deal of care and professionalism when they Gigi White said. in 2009 and won re-elecreached out to Newcastle’s Shortly after the pertion in 2013. formance, the evening’s Hazelwood Elementary HomeStreet Bank as part of their school DECA projmain festivities kicked off, staff member Patrick as Sara Biancofiori, the Manley won the Customer ect. The duo impressed chamber president and Service Award for his abil- the entire bank staff as they drafted a thoughtful, director of the Coal Creek ity to always go the extra expertly designed survey Family YMCA, and Randy mile. He helps run the to offer clients.

Ohlendorf, the chamber’s school’s Student Safety Mayor Rich Crispo handexecutive director, emceed Patrol Program, provides ed out the final honor of a program that honored main office support and the night, presenting longNewcastle’s top commuso much more while time residents Diane and nity members in seven also serving his country Ray Lewis with the Mayor’s categories. through the Air Force Award. The husband and Darren Stott, lead pasReserves. wife team are known for tor at the Seattle Revival The Education Award their volunteerism in the Center in Newcastle, was went to Steve Valach, a the night’s first winner, Liberty High School teach- community.

Diane Lewis is a longtaking home the Dennis er and coach. Valach had time member of the city’s Yarnell Inspiration Award. his Patriots football team In his nomination submis- back in the Tacoma Dome Community Activities Commission and has sion, Stott was praised for last year, but that’s not inspiring others and invit- what made him Diamond had a hand in planning Newcastle Days for several ing the entire community Award-worthy. years. Ray Lewis is spearto church events.

His focus on the details heading a project to put Photographer Jackie beyond sport is what Stone of Autumn Paige makes him special, accord- historical signage at points across the city, reminding Photography won the ing to his nomination aforementioned Business submission. He’s inclusive, residents about Newcastle’s coal-mining past.

Award, earning praise for caring and inspiring as “These two folks, this her ability to capture the he teaches students to be couple, to me, demonstrate special moments involving excellent in all areas of and show what volunsubjects young and old. their lives. He never stops She also donated time to asking how he can help the teerism is really about,” Crispo said. take pictures at Newcastle Liberty community.

Days for the city’s use this summer.

Cash buyers at Market Value Longtime Council member John Dulcich for your land or fixer upper home. earned the Community SCOTT Z.noPROOF.SR.CMYK. Leadership Award for his PDF 0127 LAM 05.18327.THU.0202.1X2.LAM

ON THE WEB

FUTURE

revenue much earlier in the year. Wyman said that would begin soon From Page 1 with presentations from But at some point, departments, starting simply cutting expenses with police, to outline without adding new needs for 2018. revenue will not be “It may be that 2018 enough to cover a is going to be the year projected shortfall, some we’re going to have to ask council members say. for some new revenue,” Others are steadfast Crispo said. “As we go in rejecting any new forward, we’re going to be taxes and question the very, very careful about worth of remaining an not asking for more than independent city with what is required to supa potential added tax port the people that live burden. here.”

Council member John Council member John Dulcich doesn’t see it as Drescher is adamant he an either/or situation, won’t vote to raise taxes though. He firmly believes after the council made the city is in a good, solid decisions he believes place. He sees the tax base hurt the city’s chance to growing through new extend its life and forced development. an accelerated debate Newcastle doesn’t have surrounding Newcastle’s a utility or business and sustainability. occupation tax like many He pointed to the city’s other cities. Dulcich said controversial purchase he sees those as positive of the City Hall building tools in the city’s arsenal. as a particularly poor “The way I look at it decision. Residents care now is we’ve got powder about roads, safety, in the keg,” Dulcich said. infrastructure and parks, “We’ve got our cannons and Drescher believes the ready. The one thing you city can fund those basics don’t want to do is shoot without raising taxes or your cannons too soon. resorting to new fees.

That’s why knowing that “All things equal, we have that capacity we I would prefer for can add at any time, we’re Newcastle to remain fine.” independent, but Mayor Rich Crispo that assumes keeping agreed, saying the city Newcastle what it is, has all the means to keep which is a boutique operating for years to city that does the basics come, but the council really well — paves the needs to be careful about roads, keeps people safe how and when it decides — but it doesn’t try to be to incorporate them. everything and anything,” That means identifyhe said. ing expenses that could Council member Linda potentially require new Newing is in the camp SCOTT Z.FINAL.SR.CMYK.

l

7

that believes the City Hall purchase shows a commitment to the city for years to come. She also believes the best way to build a sustainable Newcastle is for everyone to participate, as many residents did when they packed a council meeting to encourage a no vote on a utility tax last year.

Newcastle can remain a viable city for years to come, but there are some choices that have to be made, the city manager said. The fact that the city has been able to survive without utility or business and occupation taxes is a testament to how well the city has operated to date, he said.

“But we shouldn’t be a victim of our own success,” Wyman said.

He believes the city needs to diversify its revenue and it’s up to City Hall to effectively communicate to the public what it looks like and why it’s needed, something that didn’t happen last year.

“We have operated for a long, long time as a city in almost a survival mode, which is fine, that’s led to us not having to raise taxes,” he said. “You can only operate in that survival mode for so long.

“You want to be able to thrive as a city, and I think we’re at the crossroads of do we want to be a city and thrive, or do we just want to barely get by and survive? I think people want to have a thriving city here and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

05.18554.THU.0202.3X4.LAM

Paul F. Mackay Jr. John L. Scott-KMS paulm@johnlscott.com www.johnlscott.com/paulm

Bellevue 425-641-6100

Call 206-920-0399

895

#1 Sales Broker in 98056 and 98059 zip codes*

Simple Burial

*according to Zillow 5-23-16

Federal Way 253-874-9000

online arrangements available cascadememorial.com

05.16338.NN.S

05.18554.SR.S

Simple Cremation

$

05.18327.SR.S

495

$

8

l

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

NEWCASTLE NEWS

Laughing All the Way

We’ve been laughing all the way — until now

BY PAT DETMER

T

wenty-six years ago when we moved to Olympus, there was no Newcastle newspaper. There wasn’t even a Newcastle! There were scattered subdivisions, a construction debris dump up on the hill, Renton addresses, and lots of tall trees.

In time, it did become Newcastle, and the newspaper, then called the “Register,” began appearing in our mailboxes on a monthly basis. I Pat Detmer started writing for it soon after. My first article was about the difficulties my friends had finding Newcastle, and then finding our home.

When we’d have parties, I would send out directions that I believed anyone — including me — could follow, but I would still end up spending the first hour standing on our front porch directing lost attendees via cellphone, saying things like, “I just saw you! You passed us! I’m running into the street to flag you down.”

In time, resident Dana Sullivan contacted me and asked if he could be my Jeff MacNelly. For those unfamiliar, Jeff provided the cartoons for Dave Barry’s columns. Of course

I said yes, and ever since, he’s been making me look far less hefty than I am in real life. But Dana has only sketched me begrudgingly, because by his own admission his real passion

was drawing The Sainted One, who provided far better fodder for caricature.

It’s been great fun to have this little column, to be recognized by readers,

to hear from you via email or a get a smile in the store or at the Y. I’ve written about our little city, but also about my past, family, and neighbors.

I remember when I wrote about our Good Neighbors to the South (still Good Neighbors to the South) and their Lovely Daughter and Randomly Loud Son. After publication, another neighbor asked the GNS if it made her angry to see that in print, and she said that on the contrary, they’d been thrilled. For that response, I gifted them with a farewell column about Lenny, their semi-blind and untrainable dog of questionable pedigree.

So here I am with another farewell column. The last one. I am a humorist, but I find it hard to be funny about this. I could spend many words here talking about my concerns for the future of newspapers and unbiased news reporting, or about how we might gain information regarding the administration of the city in the future, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll just take this opportunity to thank the paper for their space, Christina Corrales-Toy for her responsiveness and for being there, Dana for his cartoons, and you for reading.

Thank you.

You can reach Pat Detmer through patdetmer.com, where she plans to add fresh blogs and columns in the future.

05.18571.NN.S

NEWCASTLE NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

CHARLES.ePROOF.NN.CMYK.PDF 0130 LAM 05.18579.THU.0202.6X13.45.LAM

l

Sun, March 19, 2017 10 a.m. - Noon

Dog owners and walkers are invited to bring their best pals for a walk around the park on a 5k trail or 3k all-accessible option. There will be an Agility Course along the way for added fun for the dogs, and all dogs will be invited to perform their best trick!

In addition, Doggie Village will include booths from local dog service providers. An exciting raffle will include special items from these and other local pet-friendly businesses and organizations.

The 2nd annual Walk’n Wag will raise funds for more park improvements.

Come meet other dog owners in the community, make new friends and enjoy the park!

COST:

$15 Kids 15 or younger $20 Ages 16+ Early bird special!

Register by March 1 and get two Walk’n Wag neckerchiefs (one for you, one for your pup!)

PLUS a free raffle ticket!

For more information, call 425-577-3657 email director@flssp.org

March 19 is a FREE day at the park, so no admission fees Register at EventBrite.com — search for Walk’n Wag Additional neckerchiefs and raffle tickets will be for sale at the event.

ALPINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

And media sponsors:

05.18579.NN.S

Thanks to our sponsor:

9

10

l

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

NEWCASTLE NEWS

Commission Corner

Police blotter

Community Activities Commission sets agenda for year of events

Safeway steal

T

he Newcastle courtesy of Planning n Spring musical at City Council Commission Chairman Seattle Revival Center has two volun- Tom Magers and CAC n Continuation of curteer advisory Chairwoman Diane Lewis. rent summer events boards.

The CAC also hopes to The Planning Community Activities build better relationships Commission offers advice Commission with community groups and makes recommendaThe CAC is defining by inviting representations on the comprehenits work plan for 2017. A tives from schools, the Y, sive plan, development joint meeting will be held Chamber of Commerce codes and other matters with the Newcastle City and library to meetings. related to development Council Feb. 21 to formally We also want to explore and land use. They meet establish the commisvarious ways to recruit at 7 p.m. on the fourth sion’s annual tasks. and utilize volunteers Wednesday of every Major business at the and continue hosting the month at Newcastle City Jan. 14 meeting was disannual volunteer recogniHall. cussion of the work plan tion event.

The Community items.

We’re also prepared to Activities Commission Under the discussed offer further involvement advises the council on Expanding Arts and with a Lake Boren Park city-owned park planning, Culture category are: improvement plan, if design and construction, n Historic sign unveilneeded. park and facility develop- ing of three completed In other business, the ment, renovation, trails signs CAC heard comments and paths, recreation n Finishing the other from a group wishing programs and special three signs for the historic to start a grassroots community events. They sign project Newcastle Arts Council. meet at 7 p.m. on the secn Discussion of possible Vicki Baima Olson of ond Wednesday of every arts projects the Newcastle Historical month at Newcastle City n Arts Council grassSociety gave an update on Hall. roots vs. Arts Commission clearing of wood debris Here’s what the comexploration and brush at the cemetery missions are up to, n An art fair and spoke of plans to preNEIL.FINAL.NN.CMYK.PDF 0131 LAM 05.18475.FRI.0203.3X6.LAM

serve and update it.

The CAC also elected Diane Lewis as chair of the CAC. Due to health issues, Victoria Sandoval stepped down from that position but plans to stay on the CAC as a member.

Planning Commission A special meeting of the Planning Commission was held Jan. 12 to provide the commission with updated information regarding public events to be held in January for the Downtown Strategic Plan.

A subcommittee of the commission participated with outside consultants and city staff to prepare a detailed communications plan for outreach to residents, downtown businesses and customers of the many services available in downtown Newcastle.

Since the public events were completed by the end of January, the next opportunity to hear and see a preliminary recap of public input will be at the City Council meeting on Feb. 7. This will be a joint meeting of the Planning Commission with the City Council.

Our next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

An unknown man stole $94.32 worth of goods from the Newcastle Safeway, 6911 Coal Creek Parkway SE, on Dec. 28.

Southeast Jan. 14.

Caught on camera

An unknown person broke into a car in the 11400 block of Southeast 77th Court before 7:30 Can I see some ID? a.m. Jan. 16. A neighbor A 20-year-old Redmond had security footage of a man was trespassed from man attempting to break the Newcastle Safeway for into his truck, and police attempting to steal beer believe the same suspect on Dec. 28. likely did it.

Commons commotion A K-9 search turned up empty after reports of a suspicious man seen at the Newcastle Commons construction site, 6640 Coal Creek Parkway SE, on Dec. 28.

Stolen car

Two men were arrested Jan. 5 for trespassing after police found them and a stolen car parked on city property in the 8000 block of Coal Creek Parkway Southeast.

Banned from Safeway

A 15-year-old Issaquah teen was trespassed and banned from entering any Safeway store for the next two years after he was caught attempting to steal cough medicine from the Newcastle Safeway Jan. 11.

Bad trip

An officer cited a Seattle woman for using a laminated trip permit to alter the dates the permit was valid for after stopping her for expired tabs in the 6900 block of Coal Creek Parkway

Whiskey

An unknown man got away with about five bottles of whiskey from the Newcastle Safeway on Jan. 20. However, as the man fled the store, police say he dropped the bag and most of the bottles shattered.

Paddle pilfered

More than $2,000 worth of goods, including a $1,300 paddle board, was stolen from a truck parked in the 7300 block of Coal Creek Parkway Southeast before 6:35 a.m.

Jan. 23.

What a tool

Someone stole a hand drill and compressor valued at $400 total from the 7900 block of 110th Avenue Southeast before 8 a.m. Jan. 23.

Trailer theft

A trailer and its contents valued at $5,505 was stolen from a residence under construction in the 11200 block of Southeast 76th Place before 6:33 a.m. Jan. 24.

HOME DEANNA.noPROOF. HOME SERVICES.CMYK PDF 0929 LAM 41.13065.FRI.1007.1X2.LAM

SERVICES

41.13065.NN.R

05.18475.NN.S

Washington State Construction

540 East Sunset Way, Issaquah 425-392-6444 • www.flintofts.com

05.18385.SR.S

Contractor law requires that all advertisers for construction related services include the contractor registration number.

05.HomeServices.NN.S

NEWCASTLE NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Newcastle Elementary kindergarten enrollment fair is Feb. 15 Parents can start registering their children for kindergarten in the Issaquah School District beginning this month.

Newcastle Elementary School will host an enrollment fair from 10-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. Feb. 15, where staff members will answer questions and help parents register their children.

To register for the 2017-18 school year, new students must turn 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2017.

Parent identification, immunization records

and proof of birth date are required, along with a utility bill and one of the following: home purchase papers or property tax statement, lease/rental agreement or notarized verification of proof of residence.

If you cannot attend the enrollment fair, registration packets will be available at the school office starting at 2 p.m. Feb. 15.

After that, enrollment packets can be picked up or submitted to the office from 8-8:30 a.m. or 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. every school day

except for Wednesdays, when the timeframe is 2-3 p.m.

Newcastle Elementary School is at 8400 136th Ave. SE. Learn more at connect.issaquah.wednet. edu/elementary/newcastle.

l

11

Students of the Month The Issaquah and Renton Rotary clubs honor local students every month.

Lamson Ho

Laurie Willoughby

HAZEN LIBERTY January Student January Student of the Month of the LAM Month NEIL.noPROOF.NN.CMYK.PDF 0131 05.18583.FRI.0203.4X11.LAM

Ian Weiss

Beth Tuschhoff

LIBERTY January Student of the Month

HAZEN February Student of the Month

LAURA F.noPROOF.SR.CMYK. PDF 0127 LAM 05.18177.THU.0202.2X2.LAM

Do tenants make you want to cry?

Hire a professional management team & let us take your pain away!

05.18177.SR.S

Call today for a consultation & receive 2 months free property management services with a signed contract

www.leasewithdebbie.com 202 W North Bend Way #C North Bend Wa 98045 | 425-888-8245

Certified Residential Specialists CRS agents are committed to helping their clients and customers be successful in completing a home sale or purchase. Each CRS member has completed rigorous education and training.

CRS agents are among the top real estate agents in the nation.

To learn more, visit www.crs.com.

Debbie Kinson Windermere Greater Eastside

(206) 948-6581

Kathy Lee

Coldwell Banker Bain Greater Eastside

(206) 465-7062

Steve Honnen

Coldwell Banker Bain Greater Eastside & Sammamish

(206) 819-6166

Cory Brandt

RE/MAX Integrity Eastside Community Specialist

(206) 419-2679

Bev Parsons

Coldwell Banker Bain Greater Eastside & Seattle

(206) 972-0649

“Fewer than 4% of the Realtors in the nation have their CRS designation but they account for 24% of all the transactions. Do the math.

Maybe it’s time to call CRS!”

Also try us at the CRS web site

www.crs.com

02.CRS.NN.S

05.18583.NN.S

-Jerry Rippeteau, Associate Broker, CRS CRS Washington State Chapter

12

l

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

TO OUR VALUED READERS AND ADVERTISERS On February 24, 2017, the Issaquah Press Group will cease all operations.

We will publish our final editions of The Issaquah Press and the Sammamish Review on Thursday, February 23, 2017.

We will publish our last edition of the Newcastle News on February 3, 2017 and our last edition of the SnoValley Star on February 24, 2017.

After serving our community since 1900, coming to this decision has not been easy.

Over the past 15 months, IPG employees in the newsroom, sales department and operations have all worked determinedly to realign our organization so that we could find an economically viable path forward.

Our newsroom reimagined how we covered our community, digging deep into stories such as the contamination of Issaquah’s aquifer. Their work led to volunteer subscriber growth during the first half of the year, as well as significant pageview growth on our websites.

Based on local advertiser input, our sales department introduced a number of new products for advertisers, including new digital tools and new events meant to help local businesses reach new customers. While we saw an uptick in revenue from local businesses, it wasn’t enough to offset losses from some major/national clients.

Regrettably, even with deep expense cuts, the above wasn’t enough to overcome revenue losses that began over six years ago.

After several months of exploring different paths for a sustainable future, we came to this difficult conclusion.

In a year where we’ve seen the spread of fake and inaccurate news, it’s important to remember that much of the truthful news you read online or watch on TV began at a local newspaper with a trained and dedicated journalist. Smart, accurate reporting isn’t free. For that reason, I encourage you to help support community journalism by subscribing to The Seattle Times.

It has been our honor and privilege to serve you and this wonderful community for so many years.

Charles Horton General Manager, The Issaquah Press Group

NOTES From Page 4

a Skyline High School graduate who loathed playing against the Liberty softball team as a student.

And “loathed” is not an exaggeration. In my senior year, it was the Patriots who beat us out for a state berth, something that I remember nearly a decade later.

But if the Spartans and Patriots met on a playing field today, I’d be rooting for Liberty and the tight-knit community that made me feel like a family member over the past few years.

An underdog mentality

that comes with being a small, often-ignored school at the edge of the district is what fuels the Patriot spirit and crafts an unrivaled bond among teachers, staff members, students, coaches and families.

After covering the community, I understand more than ever that those who ignore the little 2A school in the Renton Highlands do so at their own loss.

I want to thank all of the coaches and staff members over the years that have gone out of their way to give me access to their students and programs.

I can’t say enough about Kris Daughters and her powerhouse

FAREWELL From Page 1

NEWCASTLE NEWS

TO OUR VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIBERS

Horton during a noon meeting Jan. 19.

“I’m sorry we weren’t able to get where we needed to be,” Horton told employees.

In the letter to readers and advertisers, Horton said the company, which has been owned by The Seattle Times Co. since 1995, had rolled out newsroom and advertising initiatives with the hopes of turning around the company financially, but, even with deep expense cuts, it “wasn’t enough to overcome revenue losses that began over six years ago.”

The Issaquah Press was founded on Jan. 1, 1900, and published its first edition Jan. 18, 1900. The Sammamish Review was founded in 1992 and the SnoValley Star first published in 2008.

All four newspapers are distributed free and have a combined circulation of more than 45,000. The umbrella website for the newspapers, theeastside.news, experienced record traffic in October 2016, and the newsroom won a combined 18 journalism awards from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association that same month.

Horton urged readers of the four newspapers “to help support community journalism by subscribing to The Seattle Times.” In January, the Times reported that 23 people, through buyouts and possible layoffs, are expected to leave its newsroom, which is the largest in Washington.

Horton said voluntary subscribers to the Issaquah

Press Group’s newspapers will receive a letter detailing their options.

After news of the closure broke, readers went online to grieve the loss of their primary source of community news.

“Our family moved to Newcastle four years ago from Seattle and the Newcastle News has been an amazing resource for me to stay informed with both the positive and negative developments in our small slice of this Northwest paradise,” Andrew Goss wrote on Facebook.

Mayor Rich Crispo called it a tremendous loss for the citizens of Newcastle.

“It is the only paper that I read all the way through,” he said. “I read everything. I look forward to it every month.”

City Manager Rob Wyman said the closure would leave a significant hole. The city is currently considering several options on how best to fill the coming void and communicate news to their citizens, but there’s no obvious answer, Wyman said.

“The Newcastle News since its existence has been an essential

partner,” Wyman said. “I almost see it as another branch of government because you guys have not just reported the news and gotten the message out on things we’re working on, but you’ve held our feet to the fire, too.”

The closure of the newspapers was reported by The Seattle Times, seattlepi. com, the Puget Sound Business Journal, KOMO-TV and KIROTV, among others.

“Local news and storytelling will lose a trusted reporting source on Feb. 24 as the Newcastle News ceases operations,” the Renton School District wrote on Facebook.

“Reporter Christina CorralesToy was always professional and thorough in covering stories about students and families at schools in the north end of the Renton School District.”

Newcastle-news.com and all of its content will go dark once operations cease at the end of the month. But digital copies of print editions dating back to 2011 will remain even after the paper closes at bit.ly/ newcastlenewswa.

swim teams — it was an honor getting to watch you all hoist state championship trophies.

Tennis coach Mike Salokas’ passion for his athletes is so inspiring. He fought harder than anyone to make sure his teams’ new courts were the best they could be as they were relocated to Tibbetts Valley Park during the school’s construction.

I couldn’t be happier for longtime golf coach Jon Kinsley, who saw a lot of bad golf before helping the boys team capture a state title last year. Liberty basketball coach Omar Parker’s fiery passion on the bench can seem kind of scary during games, but when you meet him, you see a

devoted, friendly mentor.

I will also miss interacting with Michelle Munson, the school’s activity coordinator, and Dave Montalvo, Liberty’s student resource officer.

Their passion for the Patriot community is inspiring and certainly contagious.

Lastly, I want to thank Steve Valach for allowing me to be a small part of his Patriot community. I don’t think I can ever express how privileged I feel to say I know Steve Valach, a man who puts sportsmanship, pride, citizenship and family before winning. He runs a football program the right way and Liberty is lucky to have him.

Steve, you’ll always have a

fan in me.

Thank you for your past financial support. All voluntary subscribers will be receiving a letter in the next few days regarding the balances of their accounts. There are three options from which to choose: n If you are not a current Seattle Times subscriber, you may request delivery of the Sunday edition of the Times through the end date of your Newcastle News subscription. n If you are a current Seattle Times subscriber, you may request the balance of your account be applied as a credit to your Seattle Times subscription. n You may request a pro-rated refund.

Yup, this was long, and I know there are people I missed.

I’m sorry about that. This is the final edition, but I will attend one last Newcastle City Council meeting, mostly to say goodbye. You can find me at Newcastle City Hall at 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 — come say hi, if you feel so inclined.

I will end with this: From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Newcastle. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.

Notes From Newcastle is digital editor Christina Corrales-Toy’s column. Email her at ccorralestoy@newcastle-news.com.

Twitter: @bychristinact