Drivers must stop for pedestrians waiting to enter crosswalks

I’ve been living on Mercer Island in the “town” area for about six months. In this area, there are numerous crosswalks, many where there are no stop lights. I am continually amazed that drivers either don’t know or don’t care that they are required to stop if a pedestrian is waiting to enter a cross walk. I saw a television news story about how Redmond police were doing “sting” operations to emphasize this law. I’d like to see Mercer Island police do the same.

Ted Uyeno

Hines development and the moratorium

On Feb. 2, 2015, the City Council on a 6 to 1 vote adopted a moratorium that [I believe] grants special and unequal rights and privileges to a single party when it exempted the Hines proposed project from the moratorium.  It appears to me that the granting of special and unequal rights to Hines, or anybody for that matter, in this instance cannot be legal.  In any event, the special treatment offends any notion of what is fair and right.

On Feb. 17, 2015, a written request was made to the City Council to get an independent and non-biased legal opinion regarding the legality and risks associated with making provision for these special privileges to Hines. The City basically rejected that written request within hours of receiving it.

The City’s rejection raises some very serious issues, including:

•The citizens of Mercer Island elected each City Councilmember based upon the idea that each of them would consistently support local, state, and federal law.

•The citizens also trust and assume that each City Councilmember would take all the necessary steps to determine whether a matter is legal before voting or supporting it.

•Why is the City Council refusing to take the steps to determine the legality and risk of granting those special privileges to Hines?

•Does any Councilmember believe that by claiming to “not know that an action is illegal,” that somehow justifies the action as legal?

•Does any Councilmember believe that avoiding the necessary steps to find out the legality of an action relieves them of the duty to act legally?

The rejection of the Feb. 17, 2015 request for an independent and non-biased legal opinion has broken our citizens’ trust in the City Council.  At a minimum, the City Council was to obtain an independent and non-biased legal opinion before the Moratorium’s Hearing by Monday [March 2]. This is the date when, according to the City Attorney, the City must publish and present the “Findings of Fact” that would justify and render the Moratorium legal or not.

Thomas Imrich

Open Library Board seat is still unfilled

Eager to serve on the Mercer Island Library Board, I applied Jan. 30. However, no replacement has yet been selected to fill Joel Wach’s place, which was vacated when Mayor Bassett asked him to resign in January following his appointment as City Councilmember.

I am hoping to be selected to serve the citizens of Mercer Island in this new capacity, having worked for over 13 months to solicit Islander input into KCLS plans for our library in many ways including: talking with patrons outside the library over numerous weekends, collecting petition signatures, participating in study groups (including lighting, acoustics, furniture, glass walls, energy efficiency, and meeting room use), organizing site visits to other KCLS libraries, leading tours of our own and other libraries, initiating informational videos, preparing and giving reports to the City Council and KCLS Board, serving as Secretary of Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Library, and engaging in research pertaining to the library—making phone calls, interviewing experts, collecting data, etc.

I would like to use my passion and experience not only in the current work to engage our community in our library updates, but also, following the updates, in carrying out the Library Board mission and in filling out the Library Board term until December 2016 as an active and engaged library patron. I not only use the library continuously and extensively for my own research as a published writer of 22 books, but I also have experience telling stories professionally in many KCLS branches during summer KCLS library programs.

I am concerned that the position has remained open for over a month, since there is much work to be done and a full Library Board would be helpful. I hope that I am appointed to help fulfill its mission. My application for the Library Board is posted on www.libraryremodel.org.

Meg Lippert,

Secretary, Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Library

YTN’s annual Gala Fundraiser is March 14

Dear Mercer Islanders,

I invite you to join the Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) Community on March 14 for a magical and fun evening. Together we will “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” to support the creative aspirations of Mercer Island’s munchkins.

YTN’s Annual Gala has become one of the community’s most exciting and anticipated events. Buoyed by the success of last year’s 30th anniversary, we have conjured up an even grander celebration. Join us for cocktails, appetizers, a gourmet dinner, and a delicious array of desserts. Tatoosh Distillery will pour the evening’s signature cocktail and host an open scotch and whiskey tasting bar. The Methow Valley Ciderhouse is bringing its national award winning hard cider for open bar tastings. Between food and drinks, you’ll have opportunity to mix and mingle with friends while perusing an enchanting array of valuable and unique auction items.

A highlight of the evening will be our talented and engaging children who will perform and certainly delight. YTN Director Halie Looper will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies and celebrated local performer Matt Smith will preside as Auctioneer. We are also very excited to reveal this year’s Footie Award winners!

Founded in 2013, the Annual Footie Awards honor the creative heroes in our community. Through their values, passion and deeds, youth explore creativity and achieve their ultimate potential. This year’s honorees represent the very best of Mercer Island: Ellen Hochberg, Lesley Bain, Kate Swenson and Todd Kelsay. We will also be inducting two new members into the Alumni Hall of Fame; State Representative Drew Hansen and Seattle Public Theatre’s Artistic and Education Director, Shana Bestock. Please join as we toast these amazing individuals and give them a well deserved round of applause.

Since the move from our 30 year home, YTN has walked a difficult and uphill road. Now is the time for celebration as the road turns towards the “Emerald City,” our future home at the Mercer Island Center for the Arts. Please come and support this milestone in our ongoing adventure.

Manny Cawaling

“Follow the Yellow Brick Road” YTN’s Annual Gala Fundraiser begins at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14 at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. For tickets and more information visit YouthTheatre.MaestroWeb.com or call Jessi at 206-232-4145 x 104.