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

The magnitude of the storm was unusual for the region. I thought they did what they could given their tools. The city should close some hills sooner rather than later. We saw foolhardy drivers attempting dumb maneuvers and then abandoning their cars when it didn’t work out.

— Dave Martinez

What are your thoughts on the City Council providing funding in its 2012 budget for a reconstructed covered stage at Lake Boren Park?

Seems reasonable. That park is the heart of our city, and that stage gets a lot of use in the summer. Just build it to withstand wind shear.

— Lee Strom

This would be an excellent investment. Lake Boren is the hub and pride of the community that brings both sides of Newcastle (the 98056 and 98059 sides) together and provides a welcome place for visitors.

—Trina Sooy

As the library takes shape on Newcastle Way, what are you most excited for when it opens?

Teaching my kids about the joys of reading, research and books.

— Trina Sooy

I constantly put books on hold, and I am really looking forward to the convenience of being able to pick them up close to home. And to dropping by to relax and read the magazines.

— Valerie Young

Books, music, videos and meeting rooms! We’re members of various small organizations/clubs and finding quiet places to meet is always a challenge.

— Dave Martinez

Join the conversation! Sign up to receive Rapid Response questions by emailing newcastle@isspress.com.

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.

Juvenile defense attorneys are asking the Legislature to rewrite the law because the publicity can have a negative impact on the lives of children once they reach adulthood.

Certainly, a person should not have to suffer their entire life for a crime they committed when they were minors. But this proposal (Senate Bill 6292 and House Bill 2542) to restrict access to court records goes too far.

The public needs to understand what is happening in their community and who is doing it. Restricting access to juvenile court records goes too far toward protecting the individual over the community as a whole.

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

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.

They are our recently separated military personnel and our National Guard and Reservists and they want to put the skills they learned in the military to work for you!

Sure, their resumes may look a little different than someone who went straight from high school to work or college, but take an extra minute or two to think about how their skill set may bring a different perspective and better balance to your workplace.

Think about the training they received in the military: navigating sophisticated computer systems, interpreting technical data and focusing on important deadlines. Imagine the dedication and commitment it takes to put your country above yourself. That sense of purpose and duty is an asset to any business.

These men and women raised their hand to defend our nation. As business owners and employers, now it’s our turn to look out for them.

Make a commitment to reach out to veterans when you have openings.

The easiest way to do that is to contact the Employment Security Department’s Veteran Service Program and WorkSource.

These employment experts can help you connect with a veteran who will make your business better. They can be reached at 877-453-5906 toll free or HireaVet@esd.wa.gov.

John E. Lee, director

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

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.

It shouldn’t be that hard to squeeze 1,000 hours into four fewer days. Let’s do the math. Divide 1,000 hours by 180 days and you average 5.55 hours per day. With 176 days, the average day is 5.68. That’s an increase of eight minutes per day.

The Issaquah and Renton school districts already bus kids to school for a half-day at the end of the school year in June. That should be the first day to drop.

The advantage is the savings in utilities, transportation, and wear and tear on facilities. There could also be salary savings in some support staff, from the lunchroom cooks to the front office.

Whether or not the Legislature agrees to ask voters for a sales tax increase to support education funding — and the voters say yes — it might be time to also consider alternatives to the 180 school days per year.

Smaller class sizes and quality education are the priority, not the number of days students get on the bus.

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.

Nobody likes a road toll, but when the Evergreen Point Bridge tolls begin, the I-90 clog is sure to be worse than a stopped-up toilet. It’s possible that drivers on I-90 will be begging for equal tolling just to get back to today’s usual commuter gridlock. Do we want a red light on that option?

Eyman says tolls are just another name for a new tax. Yup. But aren’t user fees more equitable than across-the-board tax increases?

I-1125 says tolling rates must be determined by the Legislature, not an appointed commission. Good golly, why would we trust the Legislature to ever agree on a toll rate? We prefer depoliticizing the decision.

Most of all, those here on the Eastside voted along with the rest of the region to fund light rail from Seattle to Bellevue and beyond. If this option is off the table, do we get back our share of taxes paid?

I-1125 is misleading at best, convoluted for sure. Vote no.

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

Save our hospital and its services — vote for Mary Alice Heuschel

Valley Medical Center is at a turning point. There are those who would change the hospital’s status from public to private. And there are those who would cancel its new alliance with UW Medical.

Under its public status, Valley has grown to a large regional hospital with national recognition. Its alliance with UW will provide enhanced medical skills, research and services that benefit the entire Valley Medical region.

Mary Alice Heuschel is running for the vacant seat on the Hospital Commission. She is strongly committed to keeping the hospital’s public status and implementing the alliance with UW to its full potential. Look for Mary Alice on your ballot under “Public Hospital No. 1.”

You may know Mary Alice as the superintendent of schools in Renton. This year, she was selected as the Superintendent of the Year in Washington for her work in that position, and was further recognized as one of the top four superintendents in the entire United States.

Mary Alice will bring tremendous skills to the position of hospital commissioner, including personnel skills, cost control and managing large budgets. Collectively, these executive management skills are the essence of the position. Medical skills are not needed, and in fact could be construed as a conflict of interest.

Mary Alice is dedicated to education, but believes there must be a strong link between education and health if we are to achieve the best of both worlds. She is the only candidate who can establish that link.

Vote for Mary Alice. She will serve you well.

Jean Garber

Newcastle

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

Should speed humps be used in Newcastle neighborhoods to slow traffic down? Why/why not?

I’d rather we invest in speed displays to build awareness. Speeding is more pronounced on arterials where speed humps are not practical.

Lee Strom

No. Let’s spend the money for sidewalks on 89th from 116th to Coal Creek and on 121st Avenue Southeast from 89th to 91st Street. Those are just two possibilities.

Gretchen Paletta

They can help significantly if not too abrupt and at a pedestrian crossing. Plus, they are fun to ride over on a bicycle — especially on a downhill.

Peggy Price

I guess I would ask the question do they really work? Are they worth the price in dollars and ruined car air dams?

Gary and Suzi Beerman

No. I have to pass over several to get to and from my house now and they are VERY annoying. I have to slow to well below the speed limit for these. If the goal is to get traffic to go 10 mph then post that as the speed limit … chicanes are a much better solution.

Troy Hopwood

Speed bumps slow traffic effectively. The wider, well-signed and diagonally striped bumps are comfortable for riders and acceptable for emergency vehicles. More of these should be on arterials, especially on roads without bike lanes or sidewalks. The “turtle-back” speed bumps hinder snow clearing and EMT vehicles and physically jar older citizens.

Jeff Skocelas

What was your favorite part of Newcastle Days?

The morning Newcastle Days 5K Run/Walk becoming part of the fun!

Lee Strom

The performance by Cornerstone Dance Studio!

Gretchen Paletta

Join the conversation. Sign up to receive Rapid Response questions by emailing newcastle@isspress.com.

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.

Secondly, under I-1183, state revenues will increase with the state out of the liquor business, primarily due to retail license fees equivalent to 17 percent of all liquor sales. The state Office of Financial Management estimates I-1183 could increase state revenues by about $200 million in the first year, and by another $200 million in the next six years.

There are a couple of other factors we especially like in I-1183.

Liquor licenses can be denied to those outlets that do not demonstrate effective sales prevention to minors. In August, nine Sammamish retailers and restaurants were cited for selling alcohol to minors, following a police sting.

With the state out of the business of selling alcohol, the Washington Liquor Control Board would have more time to concentrate on enforcement and oversight of its license holders.

Don’t expect huge drops in liquor prices because the state’s high tax on liquor will not change. But, yes, prices will be more competitive with the state’s monopoly set aside.

That’s the way a free enterprise system is supposed to work, and it will under I-1183.

I-1183 is much improved over last year’s initiatives 1100 and 1105. There is little reason to vote against this bill. It is about privatizing liquor sales, not making access easier. Beware the anti-1183 campaign that attempts to create fears that are not based on the facts.

Ballots will be in the mail mid-October. Watch for them, and vote yes on I-1183.