Creating a sense of community
January 6, 2012
After 17 years, longtime Newcastle resident Sonny Putter steps down from City Council
Sonny Putter, longtime Newcastle city councilman, cuts into a cake celebrating his 17 consecutive years of service at his last City Council meeting Dec. 6. By John Jensen
As you flip through the pages of longtime Newcastle City Councilman Sonny Putter’s date book, you start to notice a trend.
For the month of October, nearly every date is bursting with small writing filling each box.
Council passes 2012’s $5.8 million budget
January 6, 2012
After a six-month process from its July budget retreat to final adoption, the Newcastle City Council voted to unanimously pass its 2012 budget Dec. 6.
But many members of the council said they won’t start patting themselves on the back anytime soon.
“I still encourage the Finance Committee and council to look to the long-term solution of how we’re going to be a viable city,” Councilwoman Carol Simpson said. “This was a good Band-Aid again … I still think we still have a lot of work cut out for ourselves in the next four years to put ourselves on track.”
The budget includes funding for several projects at Lake Boren Park and maintains the parks manager position held by Michael Holly, who faced an uncertain future after the council directed city staff to suggest positions and/or services that could be reduced.
“It’s a good budget. It’s a responsible budget,” Deputy Mayor Steve Buri said. “We have done an awful lot of cutting over the last three years, and I think most of the residents are pleased that those cuts have come without serious reductions in service.”
The city’s projected revenue for 2012 sits at about $5.8 million — an increase of about $147,700 from the preliminary budget released in October. Some of that increase includes money from the council’s Nov. 15 decision to cover the city’s anticipated $61,000 shortfall between revenue and expenditures for 2012 in part by taking an allowable 1 percent increase in property tax.
Residents can expect the city’s portion of their property taxes to increase an additional $11 next year for a $516,000 home — the typical home price in Newcastle as assessed by King County.
Residential designer hopes to bring new perspective to Planning Commission
January 6, 2012
Residential designer Jon W. Simpson is the newest member of the city of Newcastle’s Planning Commission.
Simpson was selected from a pool of five applicants to the commission that acts as an advisory board to the City Council. The commission offers recommendations on the city’s comprehensive plan, development codes and other land-use issues.
The new commissioner hopes his experience as a residential designer will bring a unique perspective to the board made up of seven members.
Jon Simpson
“What I’ve seen missing from the city government is the perspective from that industry and profession, and it shouldn’t be,” Simpson said. “There should be more people like myself, who have the knowledge and the experience, getting involved.”
Simpson’s background is in design and construction. He owns his own residential design firm and has designed homes all over the region.
“Design has been a passion of mine since I was a child,” Simpson said. “Some are artistically oriented and some are mechanically oriented. I grew up drawing house plans before I ever even understood how to draw a house plan. It’s just what I did since I was a child.”
Working in the construction and design industry, Simpson is quite familiar with the paperwork that comes with planning and land development.
Annual meeting set for Newcastle Trails
January 6, 2012
Newcastle Trails will host a summary of past and planned activities, elect officers as well as hold an open discussion between the group and residents at the group’s annual public meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Fire Station No. 9 on Newcastle Way.
Snacks will be served at 6:30 p.m. Robert Foxworthy, King County Trails coordinator, will be the guest speaker. Members of the Newcastle City Council, city staff and representatives of neighboring cities, agencies and clubs will be introduced.
Handouts at the meeting will include trail guides and maps.
Submissions sought for park-naming contest
January 6, 2012
Newcastle needs your help to name a local park.
The Parks Commission will consider entries and ultimately recommend a name for the park on the west side of Newcastle at Southeast 80th Street and 113th Avenue Southeast to the City Council.
Entries are due to the commission by 5 p.m. Jan. 31.
The site is about .15 acres or 100 feet by 60 feet; has small native plantings and pine trees; and includes picnic tables, benches and a gravel pathway.
The naming of park spaces should be based on the site’s relationship to certain criteria, including natural or geographic features, historical ties or features, individuals (living or deceased) who have made significant contributions to the park system, individuals who have contributed civic service to the city or neighborhood or common usage identification qualities.
Call Parks Program Manager Michael Holly at 649-4444, ext. 142, or email him at michaelh@ci.newcastle.wa.us for more information.
Newcastle City Council selects Rich Crispo for mayor in 2012
January 5, 2012
Newly elected Newcastle City Councilman Gordon Bisset (right) is sworn into office by Municipal Judge Wayne Stewart at the council’s meeting Jan. 3. Rich Crispo (center) was elected mayor at the meeting. By Christina Lords
NEW — 10:50 a.m. Jan. 5, 2011
As the Newcastle City Council looks to face its upcoming challenge in 2012, it will do so with new leaders at the helm.
Newcastle Trails annual public meeting set for Jan. 30
January 3, 2012
NEW — 12:55 p.m. Jan. 3, 2012
Newcastle Trails will host a summary of past and planned activities, elect officers as well as hold an open discussion between the group and residents at the group’s annual public meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Fire Station No. 9 on Newcastle Way.
Snacks will be served at 6:30 p.m. Robert Foxworthy, King County Trails coordinator, will be the guest speaker at the event. Members of the Newcastle City Council, Newcastle city staff and representatives of neighboring cities, agencies and clubs will be introduced.
Free handouts at the meeting will include trail guides and maps.
Council votes for 1 percent increase in property tax
December 1, 2011
Typical homeowner faces $11 increase next year
Members of the City Council have agreed to cover the city’s $61,000 shortfall between revenue and expenditures for its 2012 budget in part by taking an allowable 1 percent increase in property tax.
The move will provide the city with about $40,400 in revenue — closing that shortfall to about $21,000.
Other reductions are still on the table to balance the 2012 budget — including the elimination of the city’s parks manager position, reductions to the city’s communication funding and cuts to the city manager’s contingency money that acts as a cushion for unexpected expenses.
An ordinance to set the city’s property tax collection must come before the City Council at its Dec. 6 meeting before the action will be finalized. Final adoption of the city’s 2012 budget is also expected at that time.
“This is responsible on our part,” Councilman Sonny Putter said. “It enables us to move forward, and it seems reasonable.”
Gordon Bisset wins only contested City Council seat
December 1, 2011
Former councilman nets 72 percent of votes cast to beat Frank Irigon
Gordon Bisset
Frank Irigon
Gordon Bisset won the 2012 general election over challenger Frank Irigon for the Newcastle City Council’s only contested race this year.
With about 72 percent or 1,965 votes, Bisset will take on the council’s fourth position. Irigon earned about 28 percent of the vote, or 752 ballots cast.
“I’m very pleased with the results,” Bisset said. “I’d like to thank the voters of Newcastle and will be getting ready to carry out my campaign themes.”
About 51 percent of Newcastle’s registered voters cast a ballot in the election.
Bisset served a four-year term on the council from 2002-05 and has lived in the Hazelwood neighborhood for 41 years.
Irigon has lived in the Rainier Crest neighborhood for 25 years. This is the first time he has run for the City Council position.
Bisset said he would continue to attend meetings to stay current on issues, especially when it comes to the city’s 2012 budget discussions.
He will replace longtime Councilman Sonny Putter, who has continuously served on the council since 1994.
Incumbent councilwomen Lisa Jensen and Carol Simpson and incumbent Deputy Mayor Steve Buri were re-elected for their respective positions after they ran unopposed in the election.
Officials encourage council to support $219 million school bond
December 1, 2011
Issaquah School Board President Jan Colbrese knows the district must maintain equitable resources, infrastructure and quality education throughout its 15 elementary, five middle and four high schools.
That’s one reason the district will ask voters to support its April 17 $219 million capital improvement bond, which includes money for upgrades to nearly every school in the district — even during a time during such economic uncertainty, she said.
“Our problem is that we have children in school right now,” Colbrese said. “You can’t tell those kids, ‘I’m sorry, you’re in this economic time. It’s a really hard time.”
Members of the school board met with the Newcastle City Council on Nov. 7 to discuss the bond and other issues facing the district, including possible improvements to traffic flow in the drop-off area at Newcastle Elementary School.
“We’ll be coming to you with reports for support on this measure because if the district is soundly managed, and if the district is a place where people know a quality education is being provided, then it helps your city as well,” Colbrese said.
Because the new bond package is expected to be about half as much as the district’s bond debt that is retiring in 2012, residents in the district should see a decrease in school-related taxes, even if the bond is approved, according to the district.
