Tag Archives: Bob Keller

Analyzing the Sahalee Way improvement controversy

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Analysis

By Scott Hamilton

sahalee-roadThe Sammamish City Council once again debated the proposed improvements to Sahalee Way before voting down a design and engineering contract 4-3, split along the long-standing divisions between the H-3 and V-3 factions.

Mayor Don Gerend was, as he often is, the swing vote. He sided this time with the V-3, Ramiro Valderrama, Christie Malchow and Tom Hornish, to oppose approved a $1.57m contract.

The H-3 faction, Kathy Huckabay, Tom Odell and Bob Keller, are strong advocates for changes to Sahalee Way. Odell lives along the corridor. Keller and Huckabay live elsewhere in the City.

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Council rejects Sahalee Way design contract

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City_of_SammamishThe Sammamish City Council rejected a $1.57m design contract for Sahalee Way.

Voting to approve it were Tom Odell, Deputy Mayor Bob Keller and Kathy Huckabay.

Opposing were Ramiro Valderrama, Tom Hornish, Christie Malchow and Mayor Don Gerend.

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Keller named Deputy Mayor

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City_of_SammamishCouncil Member Bob Keller was named Deputy Mayor of the Sammamish City Council, as expected.

He replaces Ramiro Valderrama, who held the post for the past year. The Deputy Mayor position is selected annually.

keller

Bob Keller, the new Deputy Mayor of Sammamish.

Member Ton Hornish nominated Christie Malchow. Member Tom Odell nominated Bob Keller.

Hornish noted that Keller and Mayor Don Gerend are both up for election this year and he feels both leadership positions should not be up in the same election cycle.

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Sahalee Way project up for contract vote Tuesday

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sahalee-road

“The current design includes sidewalks on the west side, bike lanes, two 11-foot travel lanes, and a center turn lane or raised median island where needed. A traffic signal is also included for the intersection at NE 28th Place/223 Avenue NE,” the City writes.

A contract for the design of the controversial Sahalee Way road improvement project is up for a vote at Tuesday’s Sammamish City Council meeting.

Whether approved or rejected, the vote appears it will be a 4-3 split along the usual lines, with Mayor Don Gerend being the swing vote.

The project calls for a sidewalk along one side, bike lanes, a turning lane and additional stop lights between NE 25th and the Sammamish City Limits.

It does not extend to SR202, which is one mile beyond the City Limits. This means no improvements to Sahalee in this section, and this is one reason why three members of the City Council oppose the current plans.

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“Save Sammamish” formalizes, talks growth, trees, roads and budgets at first meeting

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jennifer-kim

Jennifer Kim

A group on Facebook that has about 1,000 followers formalized last night with its first meeting, at the Klahanie Fire Station 83 at Issaquah-Pine Lake Road and SE 32nd.

“Save Sammamish” is a group that discussed growth issues on Facebook. Created by Jennifer Kim, a two-year resident of Sammamish who moved here from California, the Facebook conversations are active if sometimes heated.

Kim distinguished herself from a large crowd in September when, during public comment at a City Council meeting discussing the prospect of a building moratorium, she came armed with facts and figures on a citywide basis instead of personal stories and emotional pleas.

About two dozen people attended the launch meeting, including Council Members Christie Malchow, Tom Hornish and Ramiro Valderrama. Council members Don Gerend, Kathy Huckabay, Bob Keller and Tom Odell did not attend.

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