ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
Friday, September 2, 2011
www.issaquahreporter.com
Taking control of their destiny Homeowners at Issaquah Highlands to operate association BY CELESTE GRACEY CGRACEY@ISSAQUAH-REPORTER.COM
Roy Peterson, a history docent at the Issaquah Train Depot, is a bit of living history for the city, after serving as a City Council member through the ’50s and ’60s. CELESTE GRACEY , Issasquah & Sammamish Reporter
Mr. History Why does Issaquah have it’s distinctive street names? Ask Roy Peterson – he helped name them BY CELESTE GRACEY CGRACEY@ISSAQUAH-REPORTER.COM
Resting his hands on a cane, Roy Peterson sits back on a wood bench inside the old historic train depot, his memory as sharp as pick axe. Coal mining relics fill the cases of the little museum and shed light on Issaquah’s past, but they’re nothing compared to what’s inside Peterson’s mind. He was the man who named Issaquah’s streets, after all. Volunteering as a docent at the museum every month, the 84-year-old tells his stories to anyone willing to listen. “Did I bruise your ear?” he says, smiling wide. “I could go on for hours.” The few that stop for a moment will hear firsthand how a town of 1,200 transformed
HISTORY MUSEUMS Phone: 425-392-3500 www.issaquahhistory.org Train Depot 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday 50 Rainier Blvd. N, Issaquah Suggested donation, $1-2 Gilman Town Hall 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday 165 SE Andrews St., Issaquah Suggested donation, $1-2
into a bustling city. “I really believe you’re losing the history unless you hear some of these stories,” he said. “There is not many of us left.” While Peterson has something special to offer, Issaquah History Museums is looking for volunteers from all backgrounds to help cover its visitor hours. There is always a need for more docents, and the variety is welcome, said Karen Klein, the museums’ volunteer coordinator. “At the history museums, you never know who you’re going to attract.” Peterson found the history museum a few months ago after he participated in an oral history project. He served on the City Council through the SEE MR. HISTORY, 5
The Issaquah Highlands is only a few months away from letting go of its safety net and claiming responsibility for itself, and Brian Daniels couldn’t be more pleased. As the board president of the community’s massive homeowner’s group, it’s more than a sign of maturity, he said. “We get to control our own destiny.” Port Blakely, the master developer, announced plans to relinquish its majority control in the Issaquah Highlands Community Association this fall. The community’s first board election is planned for this winter, a major milestone for a neighborhood still under heavy development. Rene Ancincas, the Port Blakely chief, likened it to teaching a kid to ride a bike. The developer is about to let go of the seat, he said. However to Daniels, the community is fully grown. People have stepped up into leadership roles. It’s just a matter of letting go of Pt. Blakely’s financial and legal safety net, which has been a use in the past, he said. “It has to happen sometime. It’s not healthy to always rely on someone else.” While the master developer has always had the community’s best interests in mind, SEE HIGHLANDS, 8