This autumn, Washington voters are facing what seems like a record number of initiatives. Five of these measures are almost exclusively funded by corporations and would damage our state’s quality of life. Here’s a guide to each and why you should vote no.
Last week, we put our dear cat, Algie, to sleep. Every day since has been long and empty. Yesterday I brought his ashes home. And the house still feels wrong.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about a possible 3 percent increase in the utility tax for Maple Valley, to pay for five full-time positions in the police department, and for a new emergency operations center. Obviously, I was in favor of it, but I also asked those of you who oppose it to speak up.
For many places in the United States, Election Day 2010 will begin and end on Nov. 2, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the 11th month of the year.
Several years ago, when my daughters were still shorter than me, my husband went to work sparkling. I’m not saying he has a scintillating personality, although if you need a bad joke to cheer you up, he’s your man. I’m saying big, tall, bearded, jet-engine mechanic, tough guy was walking around the factory floor sprinkling fairy dust all over. I knew about this, I just didn’t think he’d notice. Our youngest daughter got some new glitter jeans.
Last Monday night a handful of community service groups filed into the Maple Valley City Council meeting for their annual handout from the city. Officially, it carries the title of “community service grant funding,” but we can save seven syllables if we phrase it my way (and syllables aren’t cheap these days).
Public safety is important, but King County is wrong to ask voters to increase the sales tax to support it. Voters should vote “No” on King County Proposition 1.
The proposition would increase the sales tax 0.2 percent with 60 percent of the money going to the county and the rest to the cities in King County.
The mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg, has asked the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for permission to add sodas and other sugary soft drinks to the list of items that cannot be purchased with food stamps. The USDA finances the federal food stamp program and also sets the rules in terms of benefits and entitlements. Cigarettes, alcohol as well as certain restaurant foods and snacks are already excluded. A decision is pending.
Consider this your unofficial notice of public hearing.
You might already know that King County Sheriff Sue Rahr had planned to shut down Precinct No. 3 in Maple Valley, which is the main hub for sheriff’s deputies in the area. Earlier this year, we were told that this would happen in 3-5 years. That was shortened to about 1-2 years, and just last month, we learned that it’s going to start closing in January.
Last month I wrote about my return to the local library and, after reading the column, one of my readers was prompted to share with me the story of Mr. E.
Mr. E started working as a salesman after returning from World War II when he was 21 years of age. He supported a large (10 children) family over the course of his sales career and retired at age 60.
As Washington teens settle back into school, now is the perfect time for parents to talk to them about alcohol.
In the classic children’s story, “Alice in Wonderland,” a little girl falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a strange world where everything is upside down, where all the rules have changed and peculiar people do inexplicable things.
“Attend a debate between politicians? Nahhh, they’re all liars and crooks. Besides, William Shatner is in that new show premiering tonight, $#*! My Dad Says, and I don’t wanna miss that.”
A political season could not possibly take more twists and turns than the one playing out in the 31st Legislative District.
The race for the Senate seat offers high-profile incumbent Pam Roach, a populist lawmaker who has been taken to task by her own party, and challenger Matt Richardson, a Sumner city councilman who lands in the news for all the wrong reasons.
I have a sinking feeling that Maple Valley is about to become irrelevant in a few years, except as a provider of customers to Covington and Black Diamond businesses. The former alpha dog of the Valley towns is going to look more like the omega (last to eat) unless something changes drastically, and soon.
A major employer in our region is making big changes in its benefits package. Boeing’s non-union workers are going to pay more for their health insurance. And it’s likely that union workers won’t be far behind.
The news should serve as a dose of reality to private and public employees alike.
I just finished watching a political ad on TV from a local winemaker, who claims that they are going to go out of business if Initiative 1100 passes. The commercial shows smiling, hardworking Americans in very clean clothes making your booze on a sunny day in Washington (huh?). Well, this merits a few minutes of my attention.
The immigration bill should focus on providing a fair sensible program to satisfy the needs of the U.S. economy and it’s citizens. There are 12-30 million illegal foreigners in the United States dispersed in every state. They are situated in jobs that require the fulfillment by employers that appeal to mostly unskilled workers.
Congratulations are in order to the Washington State Council of County and City Employees. Members of Council 2, who work for King County, have voted to forego a cost-of-living increase for 2011.
The union becomes the first to partner with the county to cut county costs and help maintain public services.
Readers who have paid any attention to cable news channels or political journals lately have probably noticed that the Republican Party is already declaring victory in the 2010 midterms, cajoling the media to report that they’ve seemingly won before a single vote has been cast. The reality is that this is a very volatile and unpredictable election year. If anything is certain, it’s that nothing is certain.
