Month: January 2008

Sand Trucks and Puff Pastry

Written by Randy Corman 1 Comment

Contributed by Benson Hill resident Kari Kopnick:

So I’m ready for spring. Anyone else? I mean, come on. I know we need rain to be the Evergreen State and that our salmon need the snow pack and that this is just how it is here, but really, couldn’t it be fifty degrees out and still rain a bit? Or how about if it just rains at night? That’d be good. We could live with that. And then we could have SUNSHINE during the days!

OK, OK, OK. Fine. This is just how it is, yes. And at least we don’t have ten bazillion snow days behind us already or an ice storm or a wind storm. And the only time the power has gone out this year it was short lived and it didn’t even have time to get cold in the house. All those people with those fancy shiny new generators are probably just crouched waiting for a good storm. But not me. Not this year. Please!

We did have that nice snow day or storm day or ice day or whatever we call it when you are listening to morning radio for the list of schools that are closed and your kids start whooping and yelling and jumping around.


The dog gets dusted with snowflakes in the back yard
But I couldn’t even enjoy it. I had family members out on the roads in the north and every two seconds the radio folks were talking about spin-outs and people in the ditches and accidents and head on-collisions and things that made me keep sitting by the radio and not getting a thing done.

The one thing I CAN do when someone I love is driving in nasty weather out there with maniac drivers is to cook. That I can accomplish. My hands can do something and my ears don’t have to bother to stop listening to the new accidents and closures that get listed on the radio. I know it’s neurotic, but in the scheme of things, it’s not so bad. No one gets hurt. I just make a monster mess in the kitchen.

So this week I decided that homemade scones might help pass the time or make a nice cozy welcome if my family all came home safe and sound. That was good. The SCONES were good, especially with jam and a steaming cup of tea.

But we still weren’t all under the same roof yet. By this time the roads were pretty clear and some trucks must have been out laying a bit of sand on the spots that had been icy earlier in the day. Is that a city job? How many trucks do we even have to DO that? Will it be better and faster after we’re really annexed over here on Benson Hill?

So I had to cook some more. I decided to roll with the English theme I’d started, so I made a meat pie, but of course without the meat since some of us don’t eat meat. I made a huge amount of fluffy mashed potatoes for the side, and even sautéed some steak on the side for the carnivores in the house. I rolled the puff pastry out and in true panic mode even cut some hearts to show the guys I live with that I really do love them, that is, I’d show them if they ever made it home!


My meatless “meat” pie!
Well, yep, FINALLY they all came home and no one was even in a little scrape. The sand that the trucks had dumped seemed to just sit on the hills, maybe ready for the next ice. It seemed like the whole mess had hardly even happened. Except in front of the fire at the end of the day, I was the hero. Horray for mom because she made a feast for us!

No way am I gonna tell them it was just a little therapy to deal with my monster anxiety. Let ’em think I’m the hero.

And please, everyone, pray for spring!

Kari

Richard Zwicker’s answers to council interview questions

Written by Randy Corman 1 Comment

During the council interview process, we asked seven questions of our eleven applicants. Rich Zwicker submitted his answers in writing, as well as providing the verbal response.

So, I am able to share them with you so that you may get to know him a little better.

He’s agreed to answer some additional questions for me, so that we can all learn even more about his plans/hopes for council. I’m developing these questions now. Please let me know if you have specific questions you would like me to ask Rich.

Meanwhile, here are the answers he provided to our interview process:

Continue reading →

Richard Zwicker is Renton’s newest Councilmember!

Written by Randy Corman 23 Comments

Richard Zwicker, from our North Renton neighborhood, was appointed to the vacant city council seat tonight.

He has been active in the leadership of his neighborhood, serving as president of the Neighborhood Association and in many volunteer projects.

He has also served on the board of Renton Technical College, and in numerous other community and civic organizations.

Rich was one of two out of the eleven applicants who has run for council before, having run for the seat currently held by Marcie Palmer in 2003.

I’ll write a more comprehensive bio when I have a bit more time.

Meanwhile, please help me in wishing Rich well in his new role.

Thanks,

Randy

Armondo’s dishes out help for the homeless

Written by Randy Corman 5 Comments

There is a really nice column about Renton’s Way Back Inn,  and local restauranteur Armondo Pavone, in todays Seattle PI.

They are working together to prevent homelessness, and get families back on their feet.

Here is the link to the story:

Armondo’s dishes out help for the homeless

And you can help by eating at Armondos, or ordering take-out, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and a portion of the proceeds from that day will benefit the Way Back Inn and HOME/ARISE.

Council appointment will be tonight!….

Written by Randy Corman 0 Comments

Tonight is the night we appoint a new councilmember! If you want to learn the choice in real time, you can watch the meeting starting at 7:00 on channel 21 (or be at city hall in person).

The agenda is long tonight, so the appointment may be a while into the agenda.

It will be fun identitying the new council member, and having a full council again. I again thank all applicants for throwing their names into the ring.

(For background on this topic, including the list of applicants, click on the “council appointment” link below.)

Best Wishes,

Randy

Rainier night-time closures and Hardie day-time closures extended to complete trestle work

Written by Randy Corman 0 Comments

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Mayor, Councilmembers,

We just heard from BNSF that the Hardie street closure needs to be extended one
more week. The Hardie closure will continue next week Jan 28, 2008 through Feb.
2, 2008, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The purpose is to complete painting on the bridge
and water proof the ballast pan on top of the bridge.

They have also told us that the Rainier closure also needs to be extended by one
additional week. Attached is an updated the flier with the updated information
for both streets. We are also posting the changes on our website.

Please contact Derek Akesson at 425-430-7243 if you need additional information.

Thanks

Preeti Shridhar
Communications Director
City of Renton
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
425-430-6569
www.rentonwa.gov


	


	





	

			

	

		
Benson Hill Business Outreach Meeting (Includes home business issues/questions)
		

				
	
	
		Written by		Randy Corman
	
			
			
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Renton staff are coordinating with Benson Hill Businesses in preparation for annexation. Below is a meeting notice that was sent out to the business community:


Note this meeting is intended to address business issues primarily, and the space is probably not large enough to accommodate many others, but those of you conducting home-business would be included in this group. And don’t fret…Renton allows reasonable home business, as long as certain conditions are met. I helped draft this ordinance many years ago. I’m sure this will be a topic discusssed.


 See the business outreach meeting notice by clicking here

	


	







	

			

	

		
Great interview with council appointment-candidates last night
		

				
	
	
		Written by		Randy Corman
	
			
			
				3 Comments			
		
			

			

	

		
We have eleven terrific council candidates to choose from at Monday’s council meeting, to fill the vacancy left by Dan Clawson.


I wish to thank all of them for their participation in this process.


For those that have not seen the interviews yet, the interviews will be played on channel 21 during the week and they should soon be available on our city website. In addition, one of the candidates furnished us written answers to our questions (an alternative we offered for applicants with a timing conflict), and we will read her excellent answers aloud at the council meeting on Monday night.


This will not be an easy decision for any of the council members, as everyone of the applicants has unique strengths and experiences that they can offer to the council.


I am proud to have all of these eleven individuals already making a difference in our community… it was clear from the interview process that the eleven of them together are touching thousands of lives already with their engagement in Renton volunteer programs.


I have no idea whom my colleagues and I will collectively choose on Monday, but we know there is only one spot and eleven applicants.


So there will be ten who won’t make it onto council on Monday, and I would like to share a little of my perspective and experience with them….


First thing to share is that when it comes time to face election, an appointment to city council is not the same thing as winning election to council. I’ve seen many cases of appointed candidates not winning in the first election cycle…I can think of two times that I have seen this in Renton School Board for instance. I think this is because the appointed candidate has very little time to get familiar with the responsibilities of the post while simultaneously gearing up for a campaign. They also have less time than an elected candidate to get to know people, and network with constituents, before facing the election cycle. Furthermore, they don’t have the name recognition that comes from winning a previous campaign, and they are barred from saying “re-elect …….” in their campaign material and on their signs. While being the incumbent can give a slight fundraising advantage in a campaign, without being able to ask for “re-election” it may never be clear to many of the actual voters that they are the incumbent. And on the downside, even though they do not get many of the traditional advantages of incumbency, they can still catch blame for anything that is going wrong, the way everyone does in public office. While this can really seem unfair for someone who has only been in office for a year when they start- off their campaign… welcome to politics.


The second thing I wish to share is that these eleven have all already made a difference. By being available to serve, they have shown our community and our neighboring cities that we have smart people ready to step up and take the reins of our city on short notice. And they have made a difference by sharing their perspectives on some important topics, in such areas as our business plan, annexation, growth management, and spending priorities, and their opinions are important to us.


So, to all eleven who applied to this position, I wish to say thank you very much. I hope they will all see themselves as winners no matter what the outcome on Monday….that is how I see them.


Best Wishes,


Randy

	


	





	

			

	

		
Our tranportation team tell us that the main railroad spans are back in place across Rainier Ave!
		

				
	
	
		Written by		Randy Corman
	
			
			
				0 Comments			
		
			

			

	

		
To all:


As of the morning of Wed., Jan. 23, the two 125 ft. long spans, and

about 6 or so cross braces, are in place — all lanes were open for

a.m. commute. This is what was planned (originally for Jan. 14, and

then delayed), but we were never 100% sure when.


BNSF has every interest to move as fast as possible so that by the end

of February the track can start being used — that is their target

date. In the 5 or so weeks to the end of February BNSF will finish the

bridges (Hardie should be permanently open in just a couple of days),

install concrete panels on Houser Way (Main to Burnett), and lay track.


The Hardie Ave. RR bridge work was good “warmup” for Rainier, and it’s

anticipated that the crews will be even more efficient in doing the work

— it’s pretty much identical routines.


The “light at the end of the tunnell” is the end of February when much,

even all, of the railroad pain will be over. Then a couple of weeks’

breather and then onto the Duvall Ave. widening project.


Peter


Peter Hahn

Deputy Administrator

Planning, Building, Public Works

City of Renton

1055 S. Grady Way

Renton, WA 98057

425-430-7242

fax: 430-7376

phahn@ci.renton.wa.us

	


	





	

			

	

		
Rose finds friendship and fun, even for her parents, at The Pickled Onion on Union
		

				
	
	
		Written by		Randy Corman
	
			
			
				1 Comment			
		
			

			

	

		
Guest columnist Rose McMahem describes one of her favorite Renton establishments, The Pickled Onion Pub, “The Eastside’s Only Authentic English Soccer Pub” Here is her column:




Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this.  I mean, why tell everyone about the bar I like and risk it becoming more popular and crowded than I prefer?  I doubt that’ll happen, despite my vast influence and all, but still.  The principle of the matter remains: if you like a place, keep it a secret.


Except I can’t, because I like it so much I’m compelled to talk about it.  Inherent in my statements will be my love of the joint.  I can’t avoid it.  There is no hiding my enthusiasm.


First off, let’s get something straight- I’m not a drinker.  I’m not a foodie, either.  Or a pool player, or a sports fan.  Which begs the question: why do I frequent a sports bar?  Well, because there’s so much more to it than that.  When I say I’m not a drinker, I mean not that I’m a complete teetotaler, but that I don’t drink enough to know one vodka from another, or whether the bartender knows what he’s doing.  Or be able to hold my liquor.  Oh, I enjoy my screwdriver or similar fruity-boozy thing from time to time, but is it good?  All I know is that it’s nice in my mouth.  Objectively speaking, I have no idea.


So clearly I’m not going to the place to tie one on; that’s just not my bag.  Similarly, I couldn’t tell you if their cottage pie is top-notch, although my unrefined tastes don’t think it’s bad at all.  I know the grilled cheese is good, but it’s hard to screw that up.


I don’t go to watch soccer, and I don’t go to play pool.


I go because there’s plenty of other stuff going on there.  There are people I know- or who I know now, at least, owing to the generally friendly vibe of the place.  There are bingo nights, and darts, and bartenders who remember your name and what you drink.  There are trivia nights, karaoke, and live bands.  I mean, this isn’t some boring little low-key dive, but at the same time it’s still small enough that after showing up a few times, you get to know the other regulars.




After seeing some dude with his mom at bingo night there last week, I decided to invite my own parents to trivia night.  The idea of bringing my parents to the bar I frequent hadn’t occurred to me before.  And you know what?  It worked.  The place isn’t too hip and loud for adults; it welcomes all ages and sizes…it’s like a little community center that just happens to serve alcohol and burgers.  What’s better than settling in for a game of trivia and having people bring you Newcastle?  I think my dad would argue: nothing.


If you’re going to show up, though, understand that we’ll beat you at trivia.  We may have only gotten second place last night, but we’ll own that place next week.


Rose

	


	





	

			

	

		
Important Blog Comment about Helicopter briefing/action schedule
		

				
	
	
		Written by		Randy Corman
	
			
			
				0 Comments			
		
			

			

	

		


Recieved earlier today:


Re: Conner’s helicopter


IP Address:(146.129.243.130)






The Planning Commission is NOT holding a hearing tonight.


The Planning Commission is going to be briefed on the issue of whether or not to allow heliports on water front lots with a conditional use permit. The Commission will accept audience comment after the staff briefing. Anyone interested in this issue is encouraged to attend. You may also submit comments in writing, but they must be accompanied by your full name and mailing address.


A public hearing before the City Council will take place on this issue, after the Planning Commission review and the Environmental review for this proposal are complete.


If you would like more information on this issue, please contact me at (425)430-6578 or econkling@ci.renton.wa.us


Erika Conkling, Senior Planner

City of Renton




	


	







	

			

	

		
Renton Police are aggresively working Highlands crime and neighborhood traffic issues
		

				
	
	
		Written by		Randy Corman
	
			
			
				15 Comments			
		
			

			

	

		
We recently received email from Mayor Law, with the following note and the attached memo. The memo provides the results from spending an extra $150,000 (in overtime funding) in 2007 on neighborhood policing, something the council asked to include in the 2007 budget. The police, using this overtime money, delivered strong results from the extra patrols.


Here is Denis’s note:


Dear Councilmembers,


As part of an effort to keep you informed on items you might be interested in knowing, or should be aware of in a timely fashion, I’ll be sending out occasional e-mails if I have something to share. We’ll talk a little about this tomorrow.


I do have an item that Chief Milosevich prepared for you (attached), which provides results of the traffic emphasis the council requested last year that was paid for with $150,000 in the police overtime budget. I’m impressed with the results and welcome your feedback. The Chief agrees that we should continue this effort. This is a classic example of responding to concerns by the public.


In terms of the Highlands effort, I also want to let you know that the Department has worked hard in the area to provide extra service in the sub-area, as requested by Council. The amount of crime occurring in this sub-area was actually much less than originally reported (incorrectly listed at 20% of the city’s crime). A review of the actual stats from Jan. through Nov. of 2006 put the serious crime totals at between 4% to a high of 8% of certain crimes. While this is much lower than we thought, the Department is still placing an emphasis in the area.


Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.

See you tomorrow.

Denis


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