Feb. 19, 2019: The Sammamish city manager is laying the groundwork to the city council to impose the first utility tax of up to 3%, to begin imposing annual 1% property tax increases and to undertake pinpoint traffic improvements—including the controversial removal of the 42nd St. barricade in Timberline.
These proposals are in the packet for tonight’s city council meeting, beginning at PDF page 65.
Continue readingThe Top 10 stories in Sammamish for 2018 revolved around traffic, the 
building moratorium and—surprisingly—a state legislative action concerning public records.
The Sammamish Town Center was the focus of controversy in 2018, connected to many of the Top 10 stories for the year.
Here are the stories most viewed on Sammamish Comment for the year. Continue reading
By Scott Hamilton
A second Sammamish city council member went on record, declaring that
Jason Ritchie
future growth should “focus” on the Town Center.
Jason Ritchie Tuesday joined Member Pam Stuart in calling for future growth to go to the Town Center.
As Sanmamsih Comment wrote Oct. 22, suggesting that future development be directed to the Town Center raises a host of questions.
The Comment posed these to Ritchie. He wrote back, “I’m happy with my statement as is. Nothing more to add at this point. I’ll be working with my fellow council members and their positions to find compromise and a path forward.” Continue reading
Kim Schrier, Democrat running for US Congress in the 8th Congressional
Republican Dino Rossi is losing badly on election night in his bid for US Congressman.
District, which includes Sammamish, jumped to a commanding lead over Republican Dino Rossi.
Schrier received 55% of the election night vote over Rossi, who lives in Sammamish. As expected, Schrier’s base lies in Democratic King County. The 8th includes portions of Pierce County and all of Kittitas and Chelan counties.
A loss by Rossi would be his fourth in a row. He lost twice for governor and once for US Senator.
Democrats appear to be sweeping State Senate and State Representative seats in the 5th, 41st and 45th Legislative districts.
The 5th includes the greater Klahanie area. The 41st is roughly the southern half of Sammamish and the 45th the norther half, roughly along a line of SE 8th St.
Election night results are below the jump.
Historically, election night results vary only a point or two from the final results, which won’t be tallied until after Thanksgiving.
By Scott Hamilton
As Sammamish drivers try to cope with congestion in the city, increasing transit service is often suggested as one solution.
Proponents of the developer STCA plans for the Town Center have, in part, pointed to the possibility of including a park and ride (PNR) in the plans as a reason to lift the building moratorium and let STCA file its applications for development.
Without getting into the pros and cons of the overall STCA plan for the Town Center, inclusion of the PNR at this point is more symbolic than substance. Here’s why. Continue reading
Sammamish Comment 