Congratulations, Kirkland! The time, effort and dollars spent in improving Juanita Beach Park are nothing short of amazing. According to the City of Kirkland’s Web site, “visitors park in a more space-efficient parking lot complimented by new lighting and landscaping (and bio-filtration stormwater features), can enjoy new walking paths that lead to and from the beach and the pier, can take a swim, and have a picnic on the new picnic tables.” Apparently, more space-efficient parking means half the spots are gone, the ones left are smaller and the landscaping in the parking lot takes up more spaces. I know I appreciate landscaping in my parking lots. It gives me something to look at while I’m circling the lot trying to find a place to park.
In the recent scandal of Councilman Bob Sternoff sending inappropriate emails during Kirkland City Council sessions, the council decided (in a vote of 3 to 4) to launch an investigation concerning Sternoff’s actions. This wastes both time and money by investigating a matter that is already proven to have happened and is really quite trivial. An apology is good enough, since Sternoff was only talking behind his fellow members’ backs. Yes, it’s a bad thing, but not one that requires the whole judicial process.
In 2009, Kirkland City Councilman Bob Sternoff, who is running for reelection, admitted to sending hundreds of inappropriate and lewd e-mails to his girl friend, wrote e-mails that made disparaging remarks about fellow Kirkland City Council members, and even comments about the public. This was all done by Mr. Sternoff during city council meetings and study sessions. He used the City of Kirkland servers to send his messages, and now he wants your vote for a second term. Are you kidding? If he had any sense of ethics, he would have stepped down during his first term when it was discovered how he spent his time during council meetings. To add insult to injury, the tax payers of Kirkland paid legal fees to investigate his actions. Now he wants us to vote for him and forget about his lack of professional ethics. Mr. Sternoff’s campaign signs say, “I work for you”. Afraid not! You may represent the business community, but you don’t represent me.
Our men and women in uniform are currently involved in the longest deployment in the history of our nation. Whether it be in Afghanistan, Iraq, or elsewhere, they have fought for their country for over a decade, most serving an average of 3-4 tours, leaving loved ones behind, uncertain whether they’ll ever see them again.
But when they return home, too often these veterans do not find the support they deserve. That is why we urge you to approve Proposition 1 on your August 16th primary ballot, and join us in renewing the King County Veterans & Human Services Levy. Importantly, this is not a tax increase but simply a continuation of the Levy, which has been collected for the past 5 years.
Mr. Toby Nixon was not prophetic or prescient when it came to annexation. Instead, he was pathetic. He did not represent the citizens of Kirkland. Instead he endorsed more government controls, more regulations, millions more in debt, and policies that seriously impact our personal freedoms. He also failed to acknowledge the true cost to those in the annexation area.
This year marks the Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop’s 30-year anniversary. It all started when a group of 14 neighbors in Bellevue decided to hold a garage sale. The sale went so well that they decided to donate the money to some local charities. The charities were so grateful that the neighbors decided they were on to something. So, on Nov. 19, 1981, the Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop was officially formed.
I believe my letter several weeks ago began the discussion of the Kirkland Wednesday Market issue. I am pleased that some people agree with me.
Kirkland needs to take its own fireworks ban seriously.
As a new resident of Kirkland I’ve noticed with interest the enhanced patrolling of Kirkland officers in the annexation area.
To those annexed area residents who complain there are too many police officers in your “safe” neighborhoods: Please educate yourself.
I agree with the dissatisfaction of the Kirkland Wednesday Market this year. The crapes, pizza, food, beach, all the fun and what seems to be a mini version this year compared to the Marina Park and family fun has been missed by many.
I think there might be some misunderstanding as to the amounts of fruits and vegetables to purchase at the Kirkland Wednesday Market.
It is important to note that the Kirkland Wednesday Market is a Kirkland Downtown Association sponsored event.
I am constantly amazed at people who buy homes next to parks and then complain when people actually use the parks.
Toby Nixon is the right person for Kirkland City Council after all.
I agree with Edward J. Bell’s assessment of the Kirkland Wednesday Market.
The Wednesday Farmer’s Market was wonderful last year at the Marina. Not so much this year. Last year the open feel of the venue, the many vendors that included several food and beverage stands, made for a festive time.
I have never, in 23 years of living on Finn Hill, seen so many police officers patrolling my neighborhood since annexation took place.
Ms. Levenson’s comments are not only appropriate now, but will become more important at election time.
Do you own a property in Lakeview or Central Houghton? You likely have the expectation of “due process” if the city wanted to change what or how you could develop your property.
