Page 2 | Wednesday, May 29, 2013
MERCER ISLAND REPORTER | www.mi-reporter.com
FIREWORKS| FROM 1
Megan Managan/Staff Photo
Red and ready. Students and their teachers enjoyed the sunshine and warm temperatures recently near the North Mercer campus on S.E. 40th Street.
SCHEID | FROM 1 Tolling is bad policy and can be defeated with committed council leadership.”
He believes that Grausz has hurt the fight again tolls. “In contrast, my opponent has testified in Olympia on the best way
REPORTER
Mercer Island
Volume 56, No. 22
7845 SE 30th Street Mercer Island, WA 98040 (206) 232-1215 Fax (206) 232-1284 www.mi-reporter.com Subscriptions (253) 872-6610 or circulation@mi-reporter.com
ADVERTISING (206) 232-1215 DEADLINE 4 P.M. THURSDAY CLASSIFIED (800) 388-2527 DEADLINE 11 A.M. MONDAY Submissions and letters to the editor can be sent to editor@mi-reporter.com or by calling (206) 232-1215. A Division of
William Shaw, Publisher wshaw@soundpublishing.com Mary L. Grady, Editor editor@mi-reporter.com Theres’a Baumann, Advertising tbaumann@mi-reporter.com Megan Managan, Rebecca Mar Staff Writers Melanie Morgan, Production The Mercer Island Reporter (USPS 339620) is published every Wednesday by Sound Publishing, Inc. Second-class postage paid at Mercer Island, WA. Subscriptions: $39 per year. Postmaster: Send address changes to, 7845 S.E. 30th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
to toll Mercer Islanders and he wrote. argued against the strong Scheid said it was his legal action the city coun- work against the school cil took. I believe his strat- bond last year that brought egy will result in tolling for him to consider a run for everyone. “ Council. He said that he Outgoing City now supports the new Councilmember Mike smaller bond proposal in Grady and Eva Zemplenyi, the works by the school disco-chair of the “No Tolls trict. He said many encouron I-90” committee both aged him to run. endorse Scheid. He is concerned about “This council the impacts of race is essential development on to keeping I-90 parking and accestoll free. I’m consibility in the Town cerned that the Center. He believes city council will that developers are revert to its prior not paying adeefforts to look for quate impact fees. a compromise,” He is not certain Kevin Scheid Zemplenyi said. that light rail is the Former Island correct approach to Mayor and State increasing mobilSenator Jim Horn also put ity, pointing out that studies his name in for Scheid. “I not indicate people do or endorse Kevin and believe will use it. And he believes he has the experience, skills it will negatively impact and values to make an parking. excellent councilmember.” “My issue with trains is Scheid believes he is pre- making sure that there is pared to meet other chal- adequate parking for everylenges facing Islanders as one to use,” he said. well as transportation and He has praise for the infrastructure issues. city’s parks and attractive “A fresh perspective will downtown. “There are so help maintain transporta- many things we do well,” he tion options, the strengths said of the city. and the character of our Of his opponent, Scheid city. These issues are espe- noted that Mr. Grausz had cially important since the said two years ago that he idea of expanding the would not run again. He Central Business District to said that while he respects the North was introduced the Councilman, “he has in a City Council session,” been on the Council too
injuires over the past few years. “We do not ‘upstaff ’ for July 4. That might be counterintuitive,” he said, “but our history shows that the risk seems very low,” he added, referring to the data his department collects. “People here are very responsible about consumer fireworks.” Chief Tubbs said that he and City Police Chief Ed Holmes talk often about issues related to fireworks. He said that there are complaints about noise, but there are few and neither departments track them. Councilmember Tana Senn and Mayor Bruce long.” A 26-year Coast Guard veteran, Scheid holds a B.S. in engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and an MBA from Purdue University. He worked in a variety of jobs including four years in Washington, D.C., where he managed a $140 million budget for Coast Guard aviation maintenance. His said his operational experience has included environmental protection, law enforcement and search and rescue. He finished his career as the Chief of Coast Guard Search and Rescue for Washington and Oregon managing more than 1,000 men and women at coastal boat and air stations. Scheid wrote, “My experience in a variety of areas will enable wise stewardship of tax dollars and pre-
Mercer Island candidates in general election In the City Council races: • Kevin Scheid is challenging incumbent Dan Grausz for position 2. • Incumbent Tana Senn is running unopposed for Pos. 4 • Benson Wong and Rich Erwin are both vying for
Debbie Constantine Managing Broker
Mercer Island
206.275.1313
“2012 Seattle Five Star Real Estate Agent” - Seattle Magazine 2012 President’s Elite Club
•
Condos to Waterfront Estates
•
Buying or Selling
•
Transactions Simple and Easy
•
Strong Advocate for Clients
Bassett also expressed their reluctance about allowing fireworks on the Island, but agreed that allowing consumer fireworks on the Island keeps illegal fireworks at bay. The Council voted 5 to 1 to approve the permit.
City emergency drill planned for June 7 The City of Mercer Island will be conducting its annual ‘large scale’ emergency drill beginning at 8 a.m., June 7, at the City Hall Council Chambers. For information, go to www. mercergov.org.
vent seniors from being taxed off the Island”. A long-time member of the Mercer Island Covenant Church, Scheid is now the vice president of “Best Christian Workplaces,” am Island-based consulting firm that surveys and assists Christian-based businesses and nonprofits from hospitals to churches, on management and values. Scheid has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, his church, the M.I. Girls Lacrosse Board, the High School Site Council, and the interview committee for the High School principal. He lives near the northeast corner of Pioneer Park with his wife Bobette. They have four grown children, all Mercer Island High School graduates and three grandchildren. City Council Pos. 6. In the races for Mercer Island School District Board of Directors: • Incumbent Dave Myerson is running unopposed for Pos. 2 and incumbent Adair Dingle is also unopposed for Pos. 4. Islander John Urquhart is running unopposed for the position of King County Sheriff.
Top John L. Scott Agent in the Mercer Island Office for 2012!
Mercer Island, WA
Serving Mercer Island, Seattle and the Eastside 206.853.5262