October 5, 2011 Locally owned Founded 1992 50 cents
Incumbent Whitten to face Richardson
Sun sets on summer
By Caleb Heeringa
For Kathy Richardson, the decision to run for City Council is a natural extension of her earlier public engagement – first representing fellow shoreline homeowners during the Shoreline Master Plan process and later as vice-chairwoman of the Planning Commission. Nancy Whitten, running for her third term against Richardson, has a longer-term
Photo by Caleb Heeringa
Skyline sophomores Madison Laycock and Julia Digenan sit at a table at the last Sammamish Farmers Market of the season Sept. 28. Laycock has been selling her homemade jewelry for the last several weeks and had made more than $60 at the final market.
Issaquah schools delay bond By Tom Corrigan
Voters in the Issaquah School District will have to wait a bit longer to make their feelings known on a proposed bond. The board voted to adjust the projects on the $219 million bond and delay its appearance on the ballot from February to April. The board moved the vote at the request of the bond campaign committee, Volunteers for Issaquah Schools. “They came and said, essentially, ‘We would like more time,’”
Board Member Brian Deagle said. “That carries a lot of weight with me.” Board President Jan Colbrese said the change would allow the campaign to become better organized. In 2014, voters also may decide a capital improvement levy — not a bond issue — to pay for some items removed from the original proposal for the 2012 bond question. The board removed the items largely at the request of Deagle, though he received support from Magendanz and board member Marnie Maraldo.
Deagle argued that for some seemingly routine maintenance items, the district should be using a “pay-as-you-go” approach. But even setting aside what he saw as a common-sense policy, Deagle and others said using a levy ultimately would save the district interest dollars. “At the end of the day, there are things we shouldn’t be borrowing money to do,” he said. When using bond financing, the district sells bonds to pay for projects, and then pays that money back — with interest — See BOND, Page 3
view of the election. Whitten, who sees herself as one of the strongest advocates for the environment on the council, was concerned enough about Richardson’s presence on the council that she switched seats at the last minute to run against her. She said she’s concerned of the effect Richardson’s election would have on the balance of the council when it comes to the recurring struggle between property rights and See COUNCIL, Page 2
Council candidates have wide-ranging discussion at forum By Caleb Heeringa
The phrases “fiscal responsibility,” “smart growth” and “crossover point” passed through the lips of nearly every candidate at the Sammamish City Council debate Sept. 28. But differences of opinion on those issues were on display as five of the six candidates running for three open spots on the council were quizzed on their plans for the city’s finances, the possible effects of the city building a community and aquatic center and the best way to provide fire service to the city in the future. Kathy Richardson, running against incumbent
Kosykh takes the lead
Videos for peace
sports page 16
community page 10
Councilwoman Nancy Whitten, was unable to attend due to an African vacation she said was planned long before her decision to run for council. A video recording of her opening statement was played and Peter Scontrino, one of her supporters, read a closing statement from Richardson. Asked what they would do to address the city’s reliance on property taxes and the looming date at which the city’s expenses outpace the tax revenue it brings in, Jim Wasnick called for the city to be more proactive in pushing along the Town Center Plan,
Calendar...........14 Classifieds........18 Community.......10 Editorial.............4 Police................8 Schools............12 Sports..............16
See FORUM, Page 6