sammamishreview091411

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September 14, 2011 Locally owned Founded 1992 50 cents

Firefighter’s union agrees to contract EFR board must still approve deal that calls for 2 percent raises By Caleb Heeringa

Eastside Fire & Rescue staff will receive a 2 percent raise every year through 2014 under a labor agreement that will go before the agency’s board Sept. 19. Craig Hooper, president of IAFF 2878, the firefighter’s union which also represents battalion chiefs and office staff, said the 2 percent wage increase garnered the support of around 70 percent of union members. The EFR board must approve the agreement before it takes effect. EFR Chief Lee Soptich confirmed that the new labor contract – technically an extension of the old contract – contains automatic wage increases, but declined to comment on the

specifics until it came before the board. The contract had called for wage increases to be determined by comparing EFR’s firefighters’ salaries to those of neighboring departments and averaging the numbers out. In past years that has led to wage hikes as large as 3 or 4 percent. With the recession squeezing the budgets of EFR’s partner cities – Issaquah, Sammamish and North Bend – the union agreed to forgo that comparison process the last two years. Wages were frozen in 2010 and tied to the cost of living in 2011, meaning a one-fifth of 1 percent increase. Fire administration officials warned Sammamish representatives earlier this year that the See EFR, Page 3

City talks about buying Mystic Lake Property just outside city limits could become 117 houses By Caleb Heeringa

A sprawling 44.5-acre property outside City Limits just west of 244th Avenue could be developed into a 117-home neighborhood, though city officials are considering buying the land for use as a park.

The property, which is known as Mystic Lake Dairy, contains a small lake and covered riding arena that neighbor Vicki Baggette says could be used for horse shows, dog shows and Future Farmers of See MYSTIC, Page 3

Photo courtesy of Suzi Robertson

A procession of religious leaders from different faiths was a part of the memorial service.

9/11 event brings unity, healing By Christopher Huber

The tears were flowing at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Sammamish Sept. 11. As leaders from area religious organizations and congregations formed a circle of unity, a children’s choir sang. The leaders held hands in a circle, and, moved, by the emotional act of solidarity, event goers also joined hands. Many quietly cried as they found healing from the day of prayer and reflection, said the Rev. Suzi Robertson, vicar of Good Samaritan. Together, members of many faith communities commemorated the events of Sept. 11, 2001 in a Prayers for the World event held in Sammamish. “Filled with love, compassion, healing, faith and song. It was beautiful and such a treasure to watch the ‘peace’,” said Good Samaritan member Sybil Lynch in a statement.

Prayers for the World brought together leaders and practitioners from Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and of Christian faiths, including Robertson, Rabbi Olivier BenHaim, Tarik Hassane, of the Sammamish Muslim Association, and representatives of the Seattle

“It was exceptionally healing and showed such unity of spirit on the plateau.” – Suzi Robertson, Vicar of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church –

Area Sathya Sai Baba Centers. “It was like, overwhelming,” Robertson said Sept. 12. “It was exceptionally healing and showed such unity of spirit on the plateau. To have four of the five major religions in one place…” The sanctuary was full for the

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10 a.m. special service. Leaders opened up with a procession, each carrying a torch to represent light. The leaders took turns offering uniting words to address the hurt on all sides caused by the Sept. 11 attacks. They quoted Ghandi, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and prophets from the respective religions, and also prayed for the victims of the attacks and their families, Robertson said. Children in the Hindu choir also sang songs during the ceremony. “The whole service was solemn,” Robertson said. The idea for a prayer service on Sept. 11 came months ago when Robertson and a friend were discussing a similar topic. In the end, she said it was more powerful than she and many others expected. “This service should be done for the entire six billion people. We can initiate that,” said Khadambi Venkat of the Seattle area Sathya Sai Baba Canter.

Calendar...........16 Classifieds........19 Community.......10 Editorial.............4 Police................8 Schools............12 Sports..............14


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