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MI | THIS WEEK
Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947
Island mansion does not sell
Firetruck bears tribute to fallen
Sheriff to speak at Chamber lunch tomorrow
The price falls to $15.5 million without a bid; the curious outnumber qualified bidders
The September membership luncheon of the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce is set for noon, Sept. 8, at the Community and Event Center, 8236 S.E. 24th Street. The speaker is King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. As the county’s top public safety official in King County, Rahr oversees a department of nearly 1,100 employees and a $150 million budget.
By Linda Ball
lball@mi-reporter.com
MISD Board to meet Thursday The Mercer Island School District Board of Directors will hold its regular meeting on Sept. 8 in the board room at the school district administration building at 4160 86th Ave. S.E. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. for a closed session and the board will discuss a possible real estate acquisition. At 7 p.m. the board will reconvene and vote whether or not to ratify the 2011-2014 MIEA contract; discuss staff evaluations and compensation; the interlocal agreement between the city and the school district. Superintendent Gary Plano will also give the board a report on the opening of school last week.
The ‘Frazzled Mom’s Guide’ Islanders Linda Williams Rorem and Carol Gullstad, co-authors of “The Frazzled Mom’s Guide to Friendship and Renewal,” will discuss their book at 1:30 p.m., Sept. 18, at the library. Patrons are asked to register in advance.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011 | 75¢
Rebecca Mar/Staff Photo
Island firefighters, Alec Munro and Geoff Coburn, stand next to Engine 91, purchased in 2008. The truck came with the inscription in memory of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Teachers OK contract 7 percent say no, early release days to change next year By Linda Ball
lball@mi-reporter.com
The Mercer Island Education Association tallied their votes Aug. 30, and with a strong 93
percent of yes votes, ratified their new three-year contract with the Mercer Island School District. “We are looking forward to having a successful school year with our students,” said MIEA president Tani Lindquist. Lindquist said the 7 percent in opposition were either not happy with
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additional responsibility or the new schedule that will take effect in the 20122013 academic school year. The new schedule will switch the early release day from Monday to Wednesday, which will require teachers to re-tool many of their lesson plans. The Mercer Island School District Board of Directors will review the contract at their next regular meeting on Sept. 8.
The sun came out on Tuesday just as auctioneer Lanny Thomas with J.P. King Auction Company began the official auction at the residence of David and Becky Sandwith, located at 4137 Boulevard Place. Potential bidders, neighbors, the curious and several members of the press had the opportunity to tour the 13,600-square-foot home, while noshing on catered hors d’ouevres before the action started. “What we’re selling here is a lifestyle,” Thomas said before opening the bidding. But as it turns out, no one bought the lifestyle. Not yet, anyway. Each of the four registered bidders was required to deposit $100,000 with the auctioneer when they registered, which they will get back. Although there was no “minimum bid,” there was a reserve on the property — a number that the bidding would not be allowed to go under. Thomas warmed up the crowd by auctioning a lovely glass vase with the bidding open to anyone in attendance. The vase sold for $225 with the proceeds going to Children’s Hospital. Then he started off with an optimistic $34 million on the home — with no response, dropping to $30 million, $25 million, $17.5 million and finally $15.5 million, when he informed the crowd that must be the opening bid. J.P. King has the right to sell the property for several
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months. Tommy Board, vice president of sales for J.P. King, said the next step will be to meet individually with the four registered bidders and see if a sale can be negotiated. However, at least one gentleman who was there and not a registered bidder wants to talk to them, too. “I’m saddened; it’s such a beautiful home,” said broker Lou Glatz with John L. Scott Real Estate, who works as a team with her daughter, Lori Holden. Glatz said this home offered much more than the Lytle home, another Mercer Island waterfront mansion, which sold for $12 million last year. Holden said the house originally came on the market for $32 million. It was on the market for 689 days, during
MANSION | PAGE 2
The MIHS soccer and tennis team previews are inside. See Sports on page 8 for details.
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