Agencies eye adding pedestrian access to Hazelwood Page 20
Local athlete prepares for Ironman World Championship Page 19
‘Do not pass’ sign to be added to Newcastle Way bus stop
October 7, 2011 VOL. 10, NO. 10
Schools funding School Board delays bond ballot question. Page 2
Police blotter Page 9
By Christina Lords
Incumbent councilwomen Lisa Jensen and Carol Simpson and incumbent Deputy Mayor Steve Buri have filed to run Frank Irigon for re-election this fall in their respective positions. Each will be unopposed on the November ballot. “If we reorganize and get rid of some of directors or man-
New “do not pass” street signage will be added within the next two weeks near the bus stop on Newcastle Way near the Coal Creek Parkway intersection in an effort to warn drivers not to pass buses loading and unloading passengers there. The Newcastle City Council voted Sept. 6 to add the sign after members of the community, the council and the city’s Public Works Department expressed concern about drivers performing the dangerous, illegal lane changes. The sign will be installed in the landscape strip on the north side of Newcastle Way before the bus stop. “We’ve heard from council members who feel strongly that there is a safety issue here,” Councilman Sonny Putter said. “It would be inappropriate for us to do nothing.” The council opted out of Public Works Director Mark Rigos’ additional preferred alternative of adding about 10 mounted plastic traffic delineators along the route to create a physical barrier for motorists attempting to pass the bus. Alternatives considered by the council also included increased police presence in the area, installing curbing along the route or taking no action on the issue. Rigos said drivers who pass the bus illegally could ultimately cause a dangerous a head-on collision. A $1,000 traffic study was conducted by consulting engineers to determine options to address the problem, and the sign and its installation should cost about $500, Rigos said. Drivers have a tendency to leave the westbound travel lane to pass the stopped bus — which blocks the traffic lane and bike lane because there is
See ELECTION, Page 5
See BUS STOP, Page 5
Home & Garden Recycling is not limited to just aluminum cans. Page 10
Football in the balance Liberty, Hazen teams line up efforts for post season. Page 18
By Greg Farrar
A bite of Newcastle Days Fearless children brave a ravenous alligator, one of the inflatable bouncing rooms, obstacle courses and slides at the 17th annual Newcastle Days community celebration at Lake Boren Park. See more photos on Page 3.
You should know The city of Newcastle has dimensional and location requirements for all political signs during an election cycle. Learn more about the do’s and don’ts of election signage at the city’s website at www.ci.newcastle.wa.us and click the election signage brochure tab under the “what’s new?” section on the main page.
Contact us: newcastle@isspress.com 392-6434, ext. 239
50¢
Longtime Newcastle residents square off in contested race All budgetary options on table as candidates vie for council spot By Christina Lords As the city prepares to hammer out its 2012 budget in midOctober, the two men running for the only contested seat on the City Council say all options are on the table to combat continued decreases projected for the city’s revenue streams. Gordon Bisset, who dominated the Aug. 16 primary by gathering 70 percent of the
votes, said the city must focus on its true needs, not its wants — even if that means laying off some of its staff. Bisset faces Gordon Bisset Frank Irigon for the Position 4 seat on the council in November. The winner of the general election will replace longtime Councilman Sonny Putter, who was elected to the council in 1994.