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Friday, February 19, 2016
Hospital Board ends superintendent’s contract By Dylan Chaffin dchaffin@snovalleystar.com The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District Board of Commissioners has voted to terminate the contract of Superintendent Rodger McCollum. The decision, which was made during a special meeting Feb. 10, includes a 30-day
transition period with a three-month severance package. Board President Dariel Norris, in a press release, said the decision “was a result of concerns about the fiscal responsibility of some of his decisions.” The board decided on the option after a closed executive session, where board members discussed two other
alternatives as well: a 30-day transition and buyout of the superintendent’s contract, or a 30-day notice. The motion to direct staff to draft a severance agreement passed 3-1. Norris and board members David Speikers and Emma Herron voted in favor, Joan Young voted against and Gene Pollard abstained. The cost for a three-month
severance will cost the district between $44,000 and $50,000, plus additional severance costs. Hospital attorney Jay Rodne said the decision may result in a wrongful termination or contract breach lawsuit that could cost more than the buyout option of $145,000. McCollum, who has served
as superintendent since 2004, was contracted through early December 2016 with the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital. Norris said the board is discussing options for a replacement, and will likely look within the organization first. The board only has 30 days to find a replacement. See CONTRACT, Page 2
GOP hosts presidential caucus in North Bend By Dylan Chaffin dchaffin@snovalleystar.com
By Greg Farrar / gfarrar@snovalleystar.com
Raúl E. Peyret of Bellevue (left) and Issaquah’s Rich Payne take their places for a dress rehearsal of ‘K2’ on a ledge which makes up the entire set on the 10-foot wide stage at Theatre Black Dog in downtown Snoqualmie.
Theater at 27,000 feet Black Dog Arts Café takes drama ‘K2’ to new heights
By David Hayes dhayes@snovalleystar.com The Black Dog Arts Café hosts two productions a year by Theatre Black Dog. The small restaurant provides an intimate setting. With a limited cast and crew for its lat-
est two-man play “K2,” the weight of its success perhaps falls upon the set designer. “The most challenging part is making it look 27,000 feet up within the 8-foot tall stage,” Bob Hise said. Luckily for him, “K2” has an experienced crew at all
positions. Issaquah residents Patti Darchuk and Susan Bradford have been best friends going on 35 years. Both were budding young actresses performing at the Village Theatre back in the early 1980s. They needed
side jobs. “We were waitressing at Del Webber’s Feed Store. Within five minutes, we were best friends,” Bradford recalled. Bradford would go on See K2, Page 3
Local Republicans will have the chance to discuss presidential candidates and their merits in precinct caucuses in North Bend Feb. 20. Former King County Councilman David Irons will chair the event, which begins at North Bend Elementary School at 10 a.m. In all, the process — from dividing into small groups for discussion to voting — takes about an hour-and-a-half to two hours, Irons said. Though the Democratic caucus isn’t until March 26, all residents living in the 5th Legislative District are invited to attend and participate, he added. “Unlike some states, where See CAUCUS, Page 5 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER