Local Republicans gear up for caucuses, a chance to pick presidential nominee
February 7, 2012
Local Republicans could tilt the national contest to nominate a GOP challenger to President Barack Obama, as residents across Washington gather for caucuses early next month.
King County Elections predicts 38 percent turnout in February election
February 7, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Feb. 7, 2012
King County Elections mailed 186,500 ballots for a half dozen special districts late last month, and officials expect voters to return almost 71,000 ballots in the Feb. 14 election.
In the Issaquah area, Fire District 10 officials asked citizens to decide on a $5.5 million bond to fund a fire station replacement and other capital projects. The district — a partner in Eastside Fire & Rescue — includes Klahanie, May Valley, Preston and Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah area, plus Carnation in rural King County.
Fire District 10 officials said a fire station built in May Valley could improve response times for rural residents and alleviate the workload for Fire Station 71 along East Sunset Way in downtown Issaquah — a station responsible for serving many neighborhoods inside city limits.
Register to vote in Feb. 14 special election on fire station bond
February 4, 2012
NEW — 4 p.m. Feb. 4, 2012
The deadline for people to register in person to vote in the Feb. 14 special election is Monday.
Many Issaquah-area residents received ballots late last month as Fire District 10 asks voters to approve a bond for a replacement fire station meant to improve response times.
Officials said a fire station built in May Valley could improve response times for rural residents and alleviate the workload for Fire Station 71 along East Sunset Way in downtown Issaquah — a station responsible for serving many neighborhoods inside city limits.
The district is asking voters to approve a $5.5 million bond to fund a rebuilt Station 78 and improvements to other fire stations throughout the sprawling district. The price tag for the rebuilt station alone is expected to reach $4.5 million.
King County mails ballots for Feb. 14 election
January 31, 2012
Voters in communities just outside Issaquah — Klahanie, Mirrormont, Preston and more — started to receive ballots in recent days for a Feb. 14 special election.
On Jan. 25, King County Elections mailed ballots and voters’ pamphlets to Fire District 10 voters. The district, plus a handful of school districts elsewhere in King County, is placing a measure before the electorate.
Former school board member enters race for Congress
January 31, 2012
Larry Ishmael, a former Issaquah School Board member and Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in 2006 and 2008, is running for Congress in the redrawn 1st Congressional District.
The independent candidate eschewed a party label for the latest run, but said voters seek a candidate unattached to the political establishment in either party.
“The reasons I ran in 2006 are the same reasons I am running today, bitter partisan politics have destroyed Congress’s ability to accomplish anything for the American people,” he said in a statement. “The only way to break the cycle of pain is to elect more independents that are willing to represent their constituents in Congress and not their political party or special interest groups.”
Ishmael faltered in the contests against the incumbent Democrat, garnering 32 percent against Inslee in 2006 and 2008 — both strong years for Democrats in Washington and nationwide. Inslee is running for governor against Republican state Attorney General Rob McKenna.
City Council could support Issaquah School District bond
January 31, 2012
City Council members could decide to support the $219 million bond the Issaquah School District plans to put before voters in April.
The measure is meant to generate dollars to rebuild Clark and Sunny Hills elementary schools and Issaquah Middle School, modernize Liberty High School and relocate Tiger Mountain Community High School.
Officials also plan to use bond funds to improve districtwide heating and ventilation, space and security; and improve athletic fields and stadiums. (Clark Elementary School, Issaquah Middle School and Tiger Mountain Community High School sit inside Issaquah city limits.)
The bond measure is due to appear on the April 17 ballot.
In the meantime, council members agreed Jan. 26 to hold a public hearing Feb. 21 to discuss possible support for the bond. Citizens can comment on the bond at the 7:30 p.m. council meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way.
Larry Ishmael, former Issaquah School Board member, enters race for Congress
January 30, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Jan. 30, 2012
Larry Ishmael, a former Issaquah School Board member and Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in 2006 and 2008, is running for Congress in the redrawn 1st Congressional District.
The independent candidate eschewed a party label for the latest run, but said voters seek a candidate unattached to the political establishment in either party.
“The reasons I ran in 2006 are the same reasons I am running today, bitter partisan politics have destroyed Congress’s ability to accomplish anything for the American people,” he said in a statement. “The only way to break the cycle of pain is to elect more independents that are willing to represent their constituents in Congress and not their political party or special interest groups.”
King County mails ballots for Feb. 14 special election
January 26, 2012
NEW — 8:30 a.m. Jan. 26, 2012
Voters in communities just outside Issaquah — Klahanie, Mirrormont, Preston and more — should receive ballots soon for a Feb. 14 special election.
On Wednesday, King County Elections mailed ballots and voters’ pamphlets Fire District 10 voters. The district, plus a handful of school districts elsewhere in King County, is placing a measure before the electorate.
Fire District 10 serves residents in Klahanie, May Valley, Preston and Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah area, plus Carnation in rural King County.
The ballot measure in Fire District 10 asks voters to consider a $5.5 million bond meant to build a fire station in May Valley, closer to more district residents.
Voters to decide fire station replacement
January 24, 2012
Many Issaquah-area residents should receive ballots in the days ahead as Fire District 10 asks voters to approve a bond for a replacement fire station meant to improve response times.
By Dona Mokin
Officials said a fire station built in May Valley could improve response times for rural residents and alleviate the workload for Fire Station 71 along East Sunset Way in downtown Issaquah — a station responsible for serving many neighborhoods inside city limits.
In a measure put before voters in a Feb. 14 special election, the district is asking voters to approve a $5.5 million bond to fund a rebuilt Station 78 and improvements to other fire stations throughout the sprawling district. The price tag for the rebuilt station alone is expected to reach $4.5 million.
Ballots should start to reach residents in unincorporated King County near Issaquah after Jan. 25.
Fire District 10 is the Eastside Fire & Rescue partner serving residents in Klahanie, May Valley, Preston and Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah area, plus Carnation in rural King County. The district encompasses about 130 square miles and about 28,000 people.
Officials plan to use bond dollars to relocate crews from Fire Station 78 from 16135 S.E. 113th Place near Renton to a modern facility at a more central location at Southeast May Valley Road and 207th Avenue Southeast.
State Rep. Glenn Anderson is running for lieutenant governor
January 17, 2012
State Rep. Glenn Anderson entered the race for lieutenant governor Jan. 5, as 2012 campaigns coalesced for local candidates.
Rep. Glenn Anderson
The formal announcement had been expected for days, after the Fall City Republican said he did not intend to run for another term in November.
Anderson joins a crowded field angling to fill the state’s No. 2 job. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, a Democrat, also faces challenges from former GOP State Sen. Bill Finkbeiner and independent candidate Mark Greene, a Newcastle resident.
“We all know that our nation and state face exceptionally challenging circumstances. This situation requires very hard work and creativity to recapture the American dream in Washington,” Anderson said in a statement. “Olympia must step out of its comfort zone of bending to organized special interests — of both the left and the right — to empower the greater, common good.”
Anderson outlined a campaign focused on education, economic development and spending issues.
The longtime lawmaker said he plans to start campaigning for the post after the legislative session concludes in March, although special sessions to address the state budget gap could shift the schedule. (Legislators returned to Olympia on Jan. 9 for the 2012 regular session.)
State law prohibits campaign fundraising for lawmakers and other elected state officials 30 days before a regular legislative session, and during the session.
Chad Magendanz, a Republican and the Issaquah School Board president, entered the race Jan. 5 to succeed Anderson in the House of Representatives.
