sammamishreview122111

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December 21, 2011 Locally owned Founded 1992 50 cents

Christmas in Sammamish

Photo by Christopher Huber

Candy canes, snowmen and presents light a walkway in front of a home along 217th Avenue Southeast near Southeast 28th Street.. For more photos, see Page 14.

Traffic cameras not likely here By Caleb Heeringa

Sammamish motorists won’t have to worry about red light or speeding cameras anytime in the near future, at least not in the city limits. At a Dec. 13 City Council study session, Sammamish Police Chief Nate Elledge recommended against installing the cameras in the city, citing their potential costs, the impersonal approach to police work and a skeptical public. “My recommendation is that we don’t move forward with this,” Elledge told the council. “I’m saying that because right now they’re very controversial – there’s this perception in the public that they’re being used to collect revenue rather to increase traffic safety.”

“There’s this perception in the public that they’re being used to collect revenue rather to increase traffic safety.” – Nate Elledge, Police chief –

Elledge had researched the cameras at the request of council members who had heard concerns from residents about speeding in school zones. Councilman John James wasn’t convinced the cameras were a good idea after Elledge’s presentation, but said he’d like to keep the option in mind in the future, particularly if a private

vendor began offering a moveable camera system that could be rotated among Sammamish’s many schools. “It’s impractical to put (a speeding camera) in front of one school only,” James said. “But do they make mobile units? … I’m trying to help kids get to school safely and make (drivers) more aware.” “We have one of those – it’s a police officer with a radar gun,” Elledge said. Sammamish Police often target speeding in school zones around the city. Elledge said the cost of the cameras – mostly administrative fees charged by the private companies that run them – can mean that the devices end up See CAMERA, Page 3

Sammamish Heritage Society nears goal for Freed House By Caleb Heeringa

The Sammamish Heritage Society is closing in on its financial goal for relocating the Reard/Freed House. Ella Moore, the society’s president, announced Dec. 13 that the group had received a $28,850 grant from 4Culture, King County’s arts and heritage agency. That puts their fundraising total at just over $65,000, within striking distance of the $71,000 they need to get the home moved and placed on a new foundation on the Pigott property next spring. At a Nov. 14 meeting, the City Council approved leasing the home to the society and allowing it to be placed on the Pigott property. The society and parks

Students see the invisible

EFR picks up toys

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community page 15

department plan on remodeling the home and converting it into some sort of heritage-themed facility. “We couldn’t believe it when we got the letter from (4Culture,)” Moore said. “We’ve worked real hard and done this in less than two years.” The council earmarked $70,000 in city funds for the project, but has yet to agree to dispense that money to the heritage society. The private developer who owns the land on which the home currently sits has given the city until April to get the home moved. Reporter Caleb Heeringa can be reached at 392-6434. ext. 247, or cheeringa@isspress.com.

Calendar...........22 Classifieds........23 Community.......14 Editorial.............4 Police................7 Schools............16 Sports..............18


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