Rapid Response
February 3, 2012
Has the city’s response been adequate in light of the first major ‘snowstorm of the season?’
Yes! Days before the storm, I went for a run through Lake Boren and I saw the preparations of the trucks, equipment and all. They were ready. When the storm came on Sunday, the plows were hard at work and didn’t stop until it was over days later.
— Trina Sooy
The city has done a really good job in my part of Newcastle keeping the roads as passable as possible under difficult conditions. I live on a neighborhood arterial, and the plow and sander are constantly going by. I was amazed on Monday morning that they had been working all night, the results being the road was very clear. It has remained so all week.
— Valerie Young
Excellent, I saw them out there at 2:30 in the morning!
—Lee Strom
Juvenile criminals’ names should be public
February 3, 2012
The Legislature is now considering two bills that would restrict access to records of crimes committed by minors, only allowing disclosure in the case of “serious violent offenses” as defined by law. Lesser violent crimes and property crimes would remain confidential.
The bills are bad ones, and should be stopped.
When a juvenile commits a serious crime, nobody involved takes the matter lightly. From the prosecutors to the courts, to the media that reports on crime, everyone weighs the value of punishing an individual against the needs of society.
The policy at Newcastle News is to report the names of juveniles only when they are charged with a felony. We did not arrive at this policy lightly. We’re glad to say it is infrequent that we come across minors charged with felonies. We do understand the implications when we choose to publish the name of a minor. But we stand by the public’s right to know.
If you were the victim of a string of home burglaries or neighborhood arson fires, you’d want to know who did it. We believe you’d want to know regardless of whether it was an adult or a teen — especially if the suspect lived next door.
It is just as important to ensure that the wrong people are not accused of a crime. Too frequently, the school-based gossip mill implicates an innocent person. Reporting in the media can make clear who is actually the suspected criminal.
Letters to the editor
January 6, 2012
Re: Hazen orchestra students share their passion for music
The article illustrates that instrumental music programs teach kids valuable lessons about hard work and dedication.
Clearly, the students profiled are great kids that have benefited tremendously from both playing and teaching music. They all appear to have bright futures ahead of them in college and beyond … and it all started in the instrumental music program at Hazelwood Elementary School.
Unfortunately, the article misses a key point in its conclusion. There are no “future cherubs hoping to follow in their footsteps at Hazelwood.” That opportunity no longer exists. The Renton School District cancelled instrumental music education in elementary schools three years ago.
Pity.
Kelly Paletta
Newcastle
Hats off to Newcastle volunteers
Thanks to the many volunteers helping out this year in both the planning and production of the various projects and events that occurred in Newcastle during 2011.
This past year was packed full of terrific events and valuable projects making Newcastle the livable small community it has become. Some volunteers worked during several events or projects, and many more volunteered whatever time they could give from a few hours to several days.
A special thanks to Grace Stiller, from the Newcastle Weed Warriors, who graciously stepped in to encourage, solicit and coordinate volunteers for Newcastle Days; and to Angela Wingate, from the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, who personally visited or called on local businesses to support Newcastle Days with sponsorships or donations.
Last but not least, thanks to the entire city of Newcastle Public Works Department staff, who put in a lot of extra hours to produce the city’s events and projects this year.
Michael Holly, parks program manager
Newcastle
Our 2012 goals for Newcastle
January 6, 2012
- The city must do all it can to facilitate the redevelopment of Mutual Materials’ brick plant site, a major change with potential opportunity for Newcastle’s future.
- The Newcastle library will open this summer, with a lot of opportunities for public involvement through classes, book clubs, book sales, homework helpers and more. It could very well become the city’s de-facto community center. Let the celebration begin!
- Continue to encourage business development in Newcastle’s downtown along the lines of recently revised requirements that are more development friendly. Now is also a good time to look at sign codes, fees and customer service. Also work with the chamber of commerce and landlords to identify businesses that would add to the mix in Newcastle and reach out to them to fill vacant storefronts.
- Create a city Celebrations Committee to plan both Newcastle Days and other new city traditions and events. It need not be a commission with paid staff involvement, although any plans must be coordinated with City Hall.
- Seek a long-term budget fix that will get revenue on pace with expenditures in the next five years. Many projections show the city could be in real trouble if this isn’t addressed.
- Fund projects that enable connectivity and mobility via sidewalks and trail systems. Residents have repeatedly said that this is important!
- Continue to pursue a ZIP code for the city of Newcastle.
- Continue working with the Renton School District to implement the Safe Routes to School program, primarily near Hazelwood Elementary School. The continued exchange could lead to grant money for sidewalk improvements and is a great way to get kids active and walking to school.
- School leaders and citizens should set aside their opposition to cutting the school year by four days, provided the total hours of class time remains the same. It offers a good way to save precious education dollars.
- Voters need to be committed to learning all of the pluses and minuses of school construction bonds coming before voters in February and April. For Renton, it means a new junior high school in Newcastle. Issaquah’s bond includes improvements to Liberty High, Maywood Middle and Newcastle Elementary schools. But is the time right?
Letter to the editor
December 1, 2011
Consider vets when hiring
Dear Washington state business owners and employers:
What is the one thing that makes your business the best?
I’m guessing it’s your employees.
How would you describe a great employee?
Motivated, dedicated, high integrity, solution finder, team player.
What if I told you that I can find you employees with those traits, and they can make your business even better?
It’s true.
Shorter school year wouldn’t be all bad
December 1, 2011
Gov. Christine Gregoire has floated a couple of ideas to deal with the state’s budget crisis. One of those is a half-penny-per-dollar increase to the sales tax, to go before voters in March. First, legislators would have to approve the ballot measure. The new revenue would be targeted for education.
Another idea to help local school districts deal with looming budget cuts would be for the state to reduce the required number of school days per year. We like the idea, although we acknowledge that it could be a burden for working parents who have to pay for more childcare.
State law currently requires students to have no less than 180 separate school days.
But take a closer look. Another state law requires districts to provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction time for students in grades one through 12 and at least 450 hours for kindergarteners.
Gregoire’s proposal to drop the 180 days per year down to 176 days would not reduce the average total hour requirement.
I-1125 not right answer to new tolling fees
November 3, 2011
Initiative 1125 is one of those ballot measures that does so much more than put limits on what can and cannot be done with gas taxes and toll revenues. It’s one more initiative that screams, “We don’t trust our elected representatives to run the state!”
We get that sentiment, and encourage voters to hold their representatives accountable.
Tim Eyman’s I-1125 ballot measure is supposedly about reinforcing laws already on the books. It makes assumptions that the Legislature has run amok, bending rules on road tolls and taxes. It covers state bids and contracts for vessel dry-docks and goes on to specify that there will be no tollbooths. And then it slips in a little wiggle that stops light rail from expanding across Lake Washington via Interstate 90.
I-1125 limits road tolls to funding of a project — only.
Letters to the Editor
November 3, 2011
Support Gordon Bisset on Nov. 8
For four years (2002-2005), Gordon Bisset was an outstanding Newcastle City Councilman.
And fortunately for us, he will again be a Newcastle City Councilman on Nov. 8.
I urge Newcastle’s voters to support Gordon, as he is a man who really cares about the city.
As president of Hazelwood Community Association, his leadership spearheaded a neighborhood improvement at Donegal Park with the Gene Porter Memorial Barbecue.
As a concerned citizen, he regularly attends City Council and Parks Commission meetings, adding to his vast knowledge about how the city functions.
All of Gordon’s hard work and discerning expertise are what the city needs in these tough economic times.
Diane Lewis, vice chairwoman
Newcastle Parks Commission
Rapid Response
October 9, 2011
What should be done about drivers passing buses illegally at the intersection of Newcastle Way and Coal Creek Parkway?
I think they need a legal way to do it so they don’t end up obstructing traffic that may be backed up onto Coal Creek Parkway.
Peggy Price
Make it not illegal. That “intersection redo” is the biggest waste of taxpayers’ money I have ever seen. Move the bus stop back to in front of HomeStreet Bank.
Gary and Suzi Beerman
The bus stop should have been designed to have a deeper pullout area to get the bus out of the traffic flow, with a merge lane. This intersection and stop should have been a “hub” stop for the area defining itself as our city center. The City Council needs to address this without effecting traffic flow.
Jeff Skocelas
Editorial
October 9, 2011
Initiative 1183 — putting liquor sales in the hands of retailers instead of the state —is worth a yes vote.
Last year, voters were asked a similar question, challenging the state’s monopoly on liquor sales. The voters said no. But I-1183 is vastly different.
For one thing, small stores like mini-marts will not be allowed to sell liquor, squelching the fear that teens will have more access than ever. Only stores larger than 10,000 square feet will qualify, unless a smaller store is the only option in town.
