Although a year can pass too quickly and 365 days may often seem uneventful, evidence exits that indicates the year 2005 was full of news.
Looking back at excerpts from The Shoreline/ Lake Forest Park Enterprise is proof that the cities have changed and grown tremendously in one quick year.
JANUARY
Gateway Plaza construction begins
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Jan. 13 at the Gateway Plaza, located in the 18500 block of Midvale Avenue North. The Gateway project proposes to redevelop the former QFC site with 64,560 square feet of retail shops and office space. Tenants at the site will include Bartell’s Drug Store, which will reside in the north building, and numerous other tenants in the south building, including a liquor store and John L. Scott real estate.
Final map keeps north cities intact
The citizen Districting Committee adopted the final districting plan Jan 15, which redraws the boundaries of the metropolitan King County Council, including District 1. District 1 currently includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell and Woodinville. Modifications to the final plan, in comparison to the draft plan, include the southern boundary of District 1 starting at 75th Street, rather than 80th Street, and the portion of Woodinville in District 1 decreased. County Charter Amendment A, passed by voters, reduced the number of Council districts from 13 to nine.
FEBRUARY
Townsend lawsuit settlement reached
A $600,000 out-of-court settlement was reached in a lawsuit filed by Shoreline resident David Townsend on Dec. 9, 2002, after his 11-year-old daughter died when struck by a car in a North City crosswalk. The settlement was reached after mediation on Feb. 7. The city of Shoreline will pay $500,000 and defendant Arthur Pedersen’s insurance will pay $100,000. The basis of the claim against the city is that the crosswalk at the intersection of 170th Northeast and 15th Ave. Northeast is dangerous for pedestrians to cross. The claim also alleges that Pedersen was negligent by not stopping to let Tia Townsend and a friend cross the crosswalk.
Fircrest lawsuit
is dismissed
Those trying to stop the downsizing of the Fircrest School have agreed to a dismissal of their lawsuit — and the anticipated May trial date is crossed off the calendar. The plaintiffs, however, have appealed the case, with the hope that the process will be expedited once out of trial court because a discretionary review process, required in Superior Court, is not needed.
The lawsuit was filed Dec. 18 in King County Superior Court by three former Fircrest residents, Friends of Fircrest and Washington Federation of State Employees. The dismissal came when a King County Superior Court judge denied the remaining elements of the suit. The plaintiffs in the suit sought a permanent injunction to keep Fircrest open and asked that residents not be moved without the consent of guardians. DSHS officials contended that the 2003 Legislature budget directed them to begin downsizing Fircrest.
Echo Lake site no longer an option
The Shoreline City Council crossed off their number one choice for a new city hall — the south end of Echo Lake. Although some members favored the site at the south end of Echo Lake and others opposed the location, the unanimous vote to not proceed with the purchase and sale agreement came after members deliberated in executive session at the March 21 special meeting.
City manager Steve Burkett recommended the Council authorize him to terminate the purchase and sale agreement for the Echo Lake site after detailing areas of concern, including not yet negotiating a development agreement with the Shoreline/South County Family YMCA, which had planned to build a new $10 million to $13 million facility at the same site. Another issue of concern was the refinement of budget estimates and the realization that structured parking was estimated at $2.3 million.
APRIL
Chang receives no criminal charges
No criminal charges were filed against Shoreline Council member John Chang after police officials completed a two-month long review. Seattle Police Department detectives, who consulted with investigators with the Fraud Division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, announced April 13 that they found insufficient evidence in an allegation involving attempted possession of stolen property, specifically DVD players, said Dan Donahoe, spokesman for the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
MAY
People with guardians can vote
A bill signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire expands voting rights for people with guardians. House Bill 1876 was strongly supported by members of Voices in Action, a program of Banchero Friends Services (which provides case management services to people with developmental disabilities in north King County) and ARC of Washington State. According to the House Bill 1876 report, an incapacitated person under either limited or full guardianship will not lose the right-to-vote unless a court specifically determines the person to be incapable of rationally exercising the franchise.
North City ground breaking
More than 50 Shoreline residents gathered to celebrate the city’s ceremonial ground-breaking for the North City Project on Saturday, May 21. Shoreline mayor Ron Hansen welcomed guests and provided an overview of the project, which includes underground utilities, new street signals, six-foot sidewalks with planting and utility zones, on-street parking and new storm drainage.
JUNE
Aurora Project awarded
With a 4-3 vote, Council members approved a construction contract for $23.6 million at the June 6 City Council meeting for redevelopment of a mile of Aurora Avenue N. The bid was awarded to Gary Merlino Construction Company to construct the Aurora Avenue North Multimodal Corridor Project from N. 145th to 165th streets, as well as the Interurban Trail Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing projects. The Aurora Avenue Project includes 7-foot sidewalks, two Business Access Transit lanes, bus shelters, telecommunication undergrounding and a center median with left and U-turn pockets.
Progress Shoreline group forms
A new political action committee has formed with the goal of having a big impact on city council elections. Called Progress Shoreline, the group of city residents filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission and is raising money for certain council candidates. The group identified four candidates to receive the group’s support, including incumbents Paul Grace and Ron Hansen and newcomers Keith McGlashan and Bonnie Mackey.
JULY
Portion of South Woods purchased
Instead of squatting on a 15.59-acre parcel known as South Woods, Council members decided to stand up and immediately purchase three acres. Council members also designated $6 million in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan to eventually purchase the entire 15.59-acre parcel at the Monday, July 11 meeting. They decided to do so with a variety of funding sources: bonds, grants, general fund money and councilmanic bonds..
Teen struck in
marked crosswalk
Joseph Green, 14, was struck by a car on July 20, while crossing 175th Street just west of I-5 in Shoreline. The westbound Oldsmobile that hit Green did not stop, but the driver was arrested later that day. Green was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. A ninth-grader at Shorecrest High School in the fall, Joseph Green was kept in a sedated coma, until brain swelling went down, his father said.
Vanderveen hid drug money
Lake Forest Park resident A. Mark Vanderveen, 45, pleaded guilty to failing to disclose a $20,000 cash transaction. Vanderveen, along with James Lloyd White, 49, an Edmonds Municipal Court judge, pleaded guilty Friday, July 24, to federal crimes for hiding thousands of dollars of illegal drug money, some of which arrived in a backpack and a brown paper bag.
Vanderveen, who has a law practice in Shoreline and is a member of the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary, has been involved with and donates to a number of organizations in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. In 1999, he joined the Shoreline Community College Foundation board of directors, and served as its president since 2001.
AUGUST
Schnall’s medical license suspended
Shoreline pediatrician and past school board member, Dr. Bill Schnall, has had his license suspended by the state medical board after allegations of inappropriate patient-doctor relationships. Schnall’s license was suspended Aug. 15 by the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission, after allegations that he violated boundaries with a number of adolescent patients, all of whom were male. State Department of Health officials began investigating Schnall in April. Schnall was not immediately charged with a crime, but had 20 days to respond to the accusations of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. The commission alleges the boundary violations are sexual in nature and occurred in the past two years, with eight adolescent males.
Moore bids farewell at SCC
Shoreline Community College President Dr. Holly Moore’s resignation was announced at the college’s Board of Trustees meeting Aug. 18. In a statement, Moore said she strove to provide a cost-effective, high-quality education to all students at SCC. She said “most of my goals for Shoreline have been achieved and I am now looking toward future challenges and opportunities.” The board appointed Lee Lambert, the college’s vice president for human resources, as acting president beginning Sept. 1, until an interim appointment will be made.
Picket line drawn at Fircrest School
Union members and other advocates for Fircrest School put up picket lines Thursday, Aug. 25, outside the main entrance to Fircrest School for the developmentally disabled, on the corner of NE. 155th Street and 15th Avenue NE. Union members are upset, they say, because Gov. Christine Gregoire intended $3.7 million in budget cuts to be aimed at trimming management positions, not front-line service jobs. The protest was sponsored by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME and its Fircrest affiliate, Local 341.
Students ‘check out’ new iBooks
Kellogg Middle School and Echo Lake Elementary students were the first in the district to receive school laptops at a one-to-one ratio. Each fourth- through-eighth-grade student had the opportunity to check out an Apple iBook for the entire school year. Funding for this opportunity came by way of a voter-approved facility and technology bond from 1994, at a cost of $375 per student who receives a laptop, per year during a four-year period. Each family must pay a $60 fee to receive a laptop, to cover insurance and a carrying case, and scholarships are available. Approximately 1,500 students in Shoreline schools will receive laptops this school year.
Appeals Court favors transfers
The state Appeals Court ruled in favor of the Department of Social and Health Services in the legal battle that has ensued over downsizing at the Fircrest School. The Aug. 30 decision was issued by three judges in the Appeals Court in Seattle, and states that the budget bills passed by the Legislature direct DSHS to downsize Fircrest School for the developmentally disabled, in Shoreline. The Court of Appeals issued an order that affirmed the decision of the King County Superior Court on Jan. 31, which dismissed the case.
SEPTEMBER
Gambling tax slightly lowered
Casino owners had a winning hand when the majority of Council members voted to keep the city’s gambling tax at 10 percent. At the Sept. 12 meeting, Council members approved keeping the gambling tax at a lower rate. The city’s gambling tax rate was previously reduced for six months from 11 to 10 percent, while staff analyzed the profitability of area casinos by reviewing audited financial statements.
Edmonds opts to concede primary
What turned into a week-long marathon between two Metro King County Council members to represent District 1 finally concluded after Carolyn Edmonds conceded to Bob Ferguson in the primary election. Edmonds fell behind on Monday, Sept. 26, after new absentee tabulations indicated Ferguson led by a wide margin. Results had bounced back and forth between the two contenders since the primary election. Ferguson faced Republican Steve Pyeatt in the November general election.
SCC budget cut by $1 million
Shoreline Community College must cut nearly $1.5 million to balance its $37.6 million budget. With declining enrollment, increases in rents and utilities, allocation reductions and salary increases, the administrators at SCC have proposed $1.44 million worth of cuts that will provide short-term solutions.
OCTOBER
Towne Centre design guidelines
Visions of Lake Forest Park task force members, consultants and residents — combined with ample paper and ink — have resulted in a second report regarding the future redevelopment of Towne Centre. The report presents draft design guidelines for Towne Centre and was presented to the City Council at the Oct. 13 meeting. The owner of the 16-acre site, GE Properties, intends to sell the property, which was built in the 1960s. Many in the community agree the site is an underutilized area. The report identifies existing conditions at the site and what the community would like to see built, as well as the process for redevelopment.
NOVEMBER
Shoreline Council gets new faces
Results from the general election revealed incumbent mayor Ron Hansen would retain his seat on the Shoreline City Council after being challenged by newcomer George Mauer. Incumbent John Chang was not so lucky, however, and lost to newcomer Keith McGlashan. The open seat for position 5 is to be filled by Cindy Ryu and the race for Position 3, between incumbent Paul Grace and Janet Way, was too close to call after election day.
Kiest will stay put on LFP Council
Longtime incumbent Lake Forest Park City Council member Alan Kiest will return to his seat on the City Council, joined by three political newcomers. General election results indicated that incumbent Alan Kiest would retain his seat on the Council and newcomers Sandy Koppenol, Don Fiene and Donovan Tracy would take seats for the first time.
Beatles legend visits bookstore
Album covers were traded for children’s books when Sir Paul McCartney visited Third Place Books on Friday, Nov. 4. But the line of fans — most of whom were adults — didn’t seem to mind. McCartney visited the bookstore to promote his new children’s book, “High in the Clouds.” McCartney, 63, performed in Seattle’s Key Arena on Nov. 3 before heading to Portland for a Nov. 4 performance. While visiting Third Place Books he read a portion of the book to school children, met fans and signed books.
Ferguson will
serve District I
If success can be measured in votes, Metro King County Council member Bob Ferguson experienced instant success in the general election. The incumbent held a wide lead over newcomer Steven Pyeatt for District 1. Results from the Nov. 8 general election show Ferguson with 73.7 percent of votes and Pyeatt with 25.8 percent of votes.
DECEMBER
Make Way for new Council member
With recount results giving Janet Way a victory in the race for Shoreline City Council Position 3, she was sworn-in at City Hall amid much confusion. Machine recount results indicated Way won the race against incumbent Paul Grace with a 61-vote lead, but city officials were unsure whether Way could be sworn-in immediately. Grace was appointed by the Council two years ago to fill the remainder of Linda Montgomery’s term and Way contended that state law says a candidate elected in such a situation should be sworn into and assume office as soon as the election is certified. Way was eventually sworn-in to fill the remainder of Montgomery’s term, which expires Dec. 31. She will begin serving her term on Jan. 1.
District gets help from Olympia
A state House committee meeting was held on Friday, Dec. 2, to outline potential solutions to the financial impact of a cluster of group homes for autistic children, called Fodor Homes LLC. Two issues were discussed at the meeting: how to remedy the short-fall from last year and how to move forward a solution so the funding problem will not recur. The outcome of the meeting was a decision to focus efforts on a budget proviso that would appropriate funding to reimburse the Shoreline School District. This would remedy the short-fall from the past two years. To address the long-term funding issue the Washington Learns Steering Committee will be asked to assess the situation.
Vanderveen sentenced
Two lawyers who used their legal skills to protect the business interests of a major drug-trafficking ring fought back tears Dec. 2 as they were sentenced to federal prison terms. A. Mark Vanderveen, 46, a former Snohomish County deputy prosecutor who worked as a defense attorney in Shoreline, was sentenced to three months in prison and three months in home detention, and was fined $10,000. He’d earlier admitted failing to report $20,000 that came from one of the drug traffickers.
Burkett resigns due to new majority
The shift in power on the Shoreline City Council was demonstrated when four members speedily accepted city manager Steve Burkett’s resignation. A 4-3 majority of council members, which included newly sworn-in Janet Way, voted to accept Burkett’s resignation at the Dec. 12 meeting. Council members Maggie Fimia, Bob Ransom, John Chang and Way favored Burkett’s resignation. At the end of the meeting, Ron Hansen resigned as mayor in protest. Hansen said the council’s process was flawed.
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