KIRKLAND .com
REPORTER
NEWSLINE: 425.822.9166
AMERICAN GIRL | Eastside girls take to the runway to raise money for Seattle Children’s Hospital [11]
Parade | Kirkland American Little League will FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2011 hold its annual parade tomorrow
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
19th floor | Kirkland business woman tells story of being in Japan during earthquake [2]
Kirby, Springer attempt to clarify issues surrounding House Bill 1812 Representatives request Senate to kill a bill that would end community councils in Washington state the Houghton community. The question now is what damage has been done to the epresentatives Steve trust between the elected offiKirby, D-Tacoma, cials involved and Houghton and Larry Springer, residents. D-Kirkland, along with the “There was a lot of opCity of Kirkland’s lobbyists position to this bill have all said this in Houghton as you week that they have would imagine,” asked the Senate to Houghton Commukill a bill that would nity Councilmember effectively end comSusan Thornes told munity councils in the Kirkland City Washington State. Council Tuesday, Both representatives Rep. Steve Kirby citing an online have also tried to petition that also took clarify Kirby’s statecomments from the ments on the matter in an community. “The two big effort to diffuse anger from concerns were the opposiBY MATT PHELPS
mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
R
tion to the bill, obviously, and Senate Committee and the the concern and suspicion of Reporter, in a subsequent the process. It seems that no interview in Olympia on elected official in Houghton March 8, that he had talked and Kirkland except for Rep. to Kirkland City Council Larry Springer was aware or members and city officials knew the details about the about the legislation. bill and of course that “What I thought was very disconcertI said was that I had ing to a lot of people talked to people who including myself.” have been on the It seems all the Kirkland City Counelected officials are cil,” Kirby told the attempting to clarify Reporter Tuesday. “I what they knew, never spoke to anyRep. Larry Springer one on the Kirkland when they knew it and who they talked City Council. That to. came from a converKirby said that he missation I had with Larry. I felt spoke when he told the bad that I threw people I have
Letter
Read Rep. Larry never met under the bus.” Springer’s letter in its Kirby said the mistake entirety on page 8. came when he used present tense and not past tense in talking about the council. he spoke with “representa“No, I haven’t ... just the tives of the city. I actually city council and mainly with don’t know all the players city officials, Kirkwithout a program. land in particular,” My involvement in Kirby said during this is just to facilitate the public hearing all this and whatever when asked by the happens, happens.” panel if he spoke with He cited Springer community council as one of those ofmembers. Following ficials and one other Penny Sweet the hearing, Kirby person in Olympia told the Reporter that he thought he has spoken with had served on the Kirkland Council members [ more 1812 page 3 ] regarding HB 1812. He said
KITH luncheon raises $48,000 BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Lake Washington High School students rehearse for the production of the Putnam County Spelling Bee in the school’s gymnasium. Play participants include LWHS students Jessica Andrews, Connor Bergren, Savannah Brady, Kelsey Early, Kimani Iba, Daniel Porras, Zack Pierson, Lauren Scovel and Dallen Smith. The play runs through Saturday, March 19 in the LWHS gym, 12033 N.E. 80th Street. Tickets are $8 and available at the door. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Preparing for the ‘Spelling Bee’
Felicia and her three children were in a bad situation. Her husband was abusive and when she began to fear for her children’s safety she knew it was time to get out. She picked up her kids from school and never returned to the place that had become like “hell.” But like many victims of domestic violence, she had nowhere to go and faced life in a shelter or even on the streets. Felicia eventually got in contact with Kirkland Interfaith Transitional Housing (KITH) through her church and things began to turn around. “Within one week we were in a house,” said Felicia, who’s son is autistic. “It was as if I had won the lottery.” Felicia told her story with her caseworker Vicki
Find us at KirklandWindermere.com 737 Market Street Kirkland, WA 98033 | 425-823-4600 469830
KITH client “Felicia” talks during a luncheon at the Woodmark Hotel on Friday about her experience with the organization. She is joined by her case worker Wicki Todd. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter Todd by her side during the KITH annual luncheon at the Woodmark Hotel Friday. “I now have the security of knowing that my kids are safe and warm and I get to build a life for my family,” said Felicia, who is studying to get her
accounting degree. Felicia’s family was just one of 42 that KITH helped find transitional housing in 2010. The second annual luncheon was meant to raise awareness of homelessness on the Eastside and [ more KITH page 5 ]
Windermere Real Estate/Central, Inc.