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TWO DECADES | Park Lane Gallery turns 20, public invited to birthday celebration [8]
Ham’n it up | Local club teaches residents to FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011 get radio operating license [3]
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Rhythmic | Local sport grows too big for local gym [11]
City may have to rehire Juanita Beach Park contractor DMSL BY MATT PHELPS AND CARRIE WOOD Kirkland Reporter
T
he City of Kirkland terminated DMSL Construction, Inc. on June 3 after the contractor failed to complete Juanita Beach Park renovations on time. City officials began to see a pattern of project delays and business issues with the company in October of 2010, according to documents obtained by the Kirkland Reporter. But the $1 million insurance bond for the project is complicating efforts to hire a new contractor and may lead the city to rehire DMSL to finish the park. The bond insured the city to receive up to $1 million if the original contractor failed to finish the project. The city is currently negotiating with insurer Pennsylvania-based First Sealord Surety, Inc. to determine whether to hire a new construction company. Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett said the city has identified a new contractor for the project, however, if the insurance company doesn’t agree, the city will lose the $1 million. “The insurance company ... has some authority to decide who the contractor is to complete the work. One option they keep bringing out is what if we find a way to ensure DMSL can finish the work,” said Triplett. “We’re
certainly willing to look at any option that can get the park done as soon as possible, but only if we felt confident that DMSL could actually complete the job and we’re very skeptical of that. But the reason we’re discussing that is the insurance company keeps pressing the option. Do we abandon our claim with the insurance bond and go out on our own?” DMSL President Debbie Welch said the company is committed to finishing the Juanita Beach project and is working with the City of Kirkland to resolve any issues that exist. “If they (the insurance company) want us to keep the option of DMSL alive ... We would not agree to that unless we were 110 percent sure that DMSL could complete the project and that would be a pretty high test for them to overcome given their performance to date,” he said. The pattern of business issues that emerged during Juanita Beach Park renovations not only concerned the city, but also state agencies. The Washington State Department of Revenue issued an order to the city on May 9 to immediately withhold all wages and other funds concerning a lien against DMSL Construction for a tax debt of $137,432. Regarding the tax debt, Welch said DMSL is “in the process of getting it removed.” [ more PARK page 2 ]
Guitarist Russ Thornburg, of the Kenmore band “Jar of Rain” rocks the crowd during the 10th annual Blue Fish Festival at Peter Kirk Park in Kirkland on Saturday. The event was hosted by the Kirkland Youth Council and the Kirkland Teen Union Building. CARRIE WOOD, Kirkland Reporter
Council races set, Asher to face primary Sternoff, Greenway to face single challengers, both from annexation area BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
On Friday morning it looked like Dave Asher would be the only incumbent to run unchallenged as it was the final day to file for Kirkland City Council. By the end of the day the three-term incumbent had three opponents for Position No. 6. On Tuesday the field narrowed as Finn Hill resident Scott Galbraith dropped out of the race. With the position having three candidates, there will still be a run-off election Aug. 16. “I thought it was just going to be Dave and I at first,”
said Galbraith, who filed to Galbraith said he would run against Asher late Friday consider running in the and then dropped out of the future when he isn’t so busy. race on Tuesday. Galbraith He also said he may serve on explained that he would be a city committee. gone for portions of the next Martin Morgan entered few months and was not the race on Friday against planning on campaigning Asher and is a strong advothrough a primary as cate of lowering taxes. no other challengThis is the second ers had filed when time Morgan has run ELECTION he submitted his for city council. Morpaperwork. gan, who has lived in “I have some Kirkland for 30 years, business obligalost to current Mayor tions in Asia and it will Joan McBride in 2009. require me to be out of the “No new taxes! The city country during the next must reduce spending,” said couple of months,” said GalMorgan on his facebook briath, who endorsed Asher page on June 9. “Why for the position after meetshould the citizens of Kirking with him on Monday. land continually have to pay
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2011
more taxes? The city government must stop their tax and spend approach. Where is our rainy day fund? Increasing taxes should be an absolute last.” Morgan, a Rose Hill resident, did not return a call from the Reporter seeking comment on his candidacy. Another challenger with a background in the building industry is Jim Hart, who has owned a surveying company, Jim Hart and Associates LLC, in Kirkland since 1964. Hart has also held various positions with the city. “I want to make sure the annexation goes as smooth [ more ELECTION page 12 ]
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