NEW — 2:31 p.m. Aug. 11, 2015
Seafair
Blue Angels’ plane models are beautiful when used for peace
My wife and I attended Seafair on Saturday, Aug. 1, and the air show again amazed me.
As I was watching the precision maneuvers of our Blue Angels and the incredible versatility of the Raptor F-22, it hit me that I am so fortunate that I live in a country where lethal flying weapons are here for my entertainment and not my containment.
I hope in my lifetime, calmer heads around the world can come to a place where these magnificent machines take one’s breath away, but not one’s heartbeat.
Peace through strength and diplomacy.
Rob Schnittker
Issaquah
Tree harvesting
Let’s hope clear-cut rules have gotten better
In the July 23 issue of The Issaquah Press, I read about the tree harvest on Tiger Mountain. This is a letter of warning to residents of that area. I would like to pass onto them my experiences with the Department of Natural Resources.
I live in the Apollo area, east of Renton. I bought my home in 1987. Above us was about 15 acres of trees, bushes, etc. In 1989, the owner of the property got a $50 permit from DNR so he could clear cut, leave it blank for six years and then develop it. I wished I had known what would happen before it happened.
I have a stream — Greenes Stream — flowing through my yard to May Creek. I live in King County. The clear cut took place and the property looked ugly. Starting that fall and winter, whenever it rained, we had muddy, cruddy water flowing into May Creek. We had a lake in our side yard, a big sand bar, leaves, etc. I have pictures.
I talked to DNR about this and they didn’t seem to care about how our property or May Creek was destroyed. With this permit, there came no erosion control of how downstream residents’ property was protected. I would like to warn the residents of Tiger Mountain of what they may expect from this clear cut. Do whatever you need to and protect your property. I hope my experience doesn’t repeat itself.
How will the buffers protect the streams? We didn’t have any protection for our property.
Claudia Donnelly
Renton
Election
It’s time for change, and Chris Reh for council
I’m voting for Chris Reh for Issaquah City Council.
When I looked at my options for who I wanted to represent me on the Issaquah City Council, I asked a simple question: “Is Issaquah a more livable community today than it was four years ago?” For me that answer was really easy — no.
I see no reason to return incumbent council members that have mismanaged this city for the past four years.
There have been a lot of plans, but very little action. Lots of talk and little change. Traffic is a significant challenge with developers getting a free ride, and you and I are being asked to pay the bill. I don’t want four more years of that.
Chris Reh is my choice for Issaquah City Council. Unlike the current City Council, Chris knows how to listen and present plans that make sense, are balanced and most importantly can be implemented. Chris has the background as a management consultant to make real change. For 20 years, he has been working with state and local government across the country to understand their challenges and how to make change work.
My choice is easy. I encourage you to think about what is important to you. It’s time for new ideas, new priorities and new voices on the City Council.
Kirsten Tucker Koomen
Issaquah
Public safety first
Who is monitoring construction sites?
I almost hit a runner last week. I was stopped at the intersection of Seventh Avenue Northwest and Gilman Boulevard, next to the Atlas construction project, and looked both ways. I looked again, counted to three, and very slowly entered the marked crosswalk zone, only to have to slam on the brakes as a runner appeared in front of my car, gave me a dirty look, and kept running. How did I not see him?
I went back to look at the intersection. Atlas construction’s fence is out to the street-edge on Seventh Avenue Northwest, and close to the sidewalk on Gilman Boulevard. The 6-foot fence along both streets is covered with green, solid, fabric, and several large contractor’s marketing signs. The sight lines for vehicles approaching on Seventh, as well as for pedestrians approaching via Gilman, are blocked. In addition, there is a large electrical cabinet on Seventh that further blocks the sight line. The Marriott construction has similar issues.
How are these unsafe conditions allowed to happen? Is city code not strict enough? Is it not being enforced?
On a another note, the Chinese restaurant behind the Atlas project has been essentially cut off by this project for two years, and the restaurant has to haul A-frame signs out to the street every day, just to advertise to people that they still exist, while the construction company gets to advertise at will. It is just wrong to impact a small business like that! What kind of city lets this happen to its existing businesses? What are the impacts to the children’s school? What is in those 55-gallon drums stacked next to their fence? Has anyone checked?
Mary Lynch
Issaquah