Valley Views
SNOQUALMIE
4 • March 23, 2011 • Snoqualmie Valley Record
Valley Record SNOQUALMIE
Publisher Editor Reporter
William Shaw
wshaw@valleyrecord.com
Seth Truscott
struscott@valleyrecord.com
Carol Ladwig
Do more views equal safer roads?
www.valleyrecord.com
W
hen avalanches close Snoqualmie Pass, all of North Bend turns into a truck stop. During shutdowns this winter, King County Sheriff ’s Deputies counted hundreds of trucks entering the city, converging on North Bend’s TravelCenters of America hub. Drivers who couldn’t get a stall—and that was the vast majority—wound up parking along the highway or rumbling on city streets. There’s a reason this part of North Bend is called Truck Town. The former name of the Seth Truscott truck hub passed Valley Record Editor into local lexicon and is synonymous for many with east North Bend. Truck traffic and an industrial feel still define the place, but change has come. New industry and new schools are located there. Recently annexed into city limits, the area is poised to grow. Among possible projects is expanded trucking services—much in need, if you listen to the truckers—but the area could also become a center of industry, jobs and housing. We know that Truck Town needs
change. But how do we fix it and keep the easternmost part of the city livable and prosperous? Loop roads and low-emissions tech, anyone? Answers, hopefully, will come as the city takes comment, studies transportation impacts and sets a vision as part of its latest comprehensive plan update. Some residents have already approached the council on this matter, raising specific concerns about the proposed scope of a transportation study that’s part of North Bend’s comp plan update. More, and more official, opportunities for public involvement and study are coming soon, and I encourage attendance by residents and anyone with a stake in the future shape of North Bend. I think more viewpoints will equal safer roads. That’s because the broader the involvement, the clearer the picture, allowing the city
to better focus its energies in study and planning. This kind of open public participation is good for cities. Hopefully, those folks who come to the Tanner and transportation sessions will stay involved after this issue is off the table.
Young Snoqualmie Does Snoqualmie need something more for its youth? I had the opportunity to ask question that several times over the last few weeks to residents of all ages, and I was surprised by the responses. Adults and children seemed content with parks and playfields, and I didn’t hear one mention of a Valley teen center—perhaps because a teen room is planned as part of the YMCA.. You’d think that transportation and more youth-related programs
would loom big for teens, but when I approached a teen manga club at Snoqualmie library, most of the participants were fine with how things are. Most, but not all, are able to travel to where they need to go and keep busily occupied in their youth-buzzing communities. So, in the absence of any standout suggestions, how about this: With the library, the new YMCA, biking course and the someday skate park all on the Ridge, we need to make sure that youngsters from all neighborhoods, including the Valley floor, can get where they need to go. If families need a connector, perhaps the solution is the Snoqualmie Tribe-sponsored bus system. Now, I put the question to you? Is something more needed in the youth mix? What are your ideas? Share them with me at editor@valleyrecord.com
What would you do if a natural disaster struck the Valley?
cladwig@valleyrecord.com
C reative Design Wendy Fried wfried@valleyrecord.com Advertising David Hamilton Account dhamilton@valleyrecord.com Executive
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“I don’t know, stay home I guess, or go hunting. I’d be worried, but there’s not much I could do... maybe go to eastern Washington and stay with my Dad where it’s safer.”
“I would certainly get under something secure, under a table or something like that. We have a son and his family who moved back here from Japan a month ago, so we count our blessings.”
Erik Kasprowicz Snoqualmie
Marian Nelson North Bend
“That takes a lot of thought. Hopefully we learn from this tragedy, learn how to prepare for it and learn what we need to change in our codes.”
“Well, you’ve got to be prepared for it, make sure you have enough food and water. Call the family and make sure everybody’s OK. Family is the most important part.”
Sig Jones North Bend
Jeanne Jackson North Bend