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Annexation will save Kirkland money on new garbage contract BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
M
ost economic talk about the annexation of Kingsgate, Finn Hill and Juanita residents is centered on how much will it cost current Kirkland residents. But when it comes to garbage collection, the addition of annexation residents may save current Kirkland resi-
dents money. For customer in the annexation area already receiving service, the rates will decrease. “It is an economy of scale,” said John MacGillivray of the Kirkland Public Works Department. The addition of 34,000 people to the city was one
of the factors that allowed Kirkland to negotiate an otherwise lower rate with Waste Management. The Kirkland City Council will consider customer rates this fall. “The negotiations went very well. They were not adversarial,” said MacGillivray. “Both sides
were motivated to get it done. We were really looking to keep what we had and just add services because it is a good contract.” The council, during its March 15 meeting, unanimously approved the seven-year contract with Waste Management, Inc. (WMI) for the collection of garbage, recyclable items and compostable materials beginning on July 1. The
[ more CONTRACT page 3 ]
BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter
BY CARRIE WOOD AND BILL CHRISTIANSON Reporter Newspapers
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tion area residents downsize.” The 4.4 percent is directly attributed to the King County tipping fee increase, a CPI increase to Waiste Management and the addition of solid waste staffing.
Long-time KITH advocate, Bill Petter dies at 79
Union pickets Evergreen for new contract Holding signs like “New ER, same uninsured families” and “Evergreen be a good neighbor,” nearly 50 Evergreen Hospital Medical Center union workers and employees picketed in front of the main hospital’s emergency room entrance in Kirkland on March 16. Later that week, workers also protested outside of the new Redmond facility in Bella Bottega Shopping Center on Saturday. The purpose of the picketing was to draw public attention to Evergreen’s “troubling” practices, according to Linnae Riesen, communications [ more UNION page 5 ]
contract provides for services to residential, multi-family and commercial properties in current city limits, along with residents that will be annexed to the city on June 1. Under the new contract, the city is projecting a 4.4-7.4 percent rate increase for current Kirkland residents. “4.4 percent of that is pretty firm,” said MacGillivray. “The other 0-3 percent depends on how fast annexa-
Kirkland, play ball! 60th annual parade kicks off season
Above, Kirkland American Little League team, the Bandits, parade down Central way with dozens of other teams to kick off the organization’s 2011 season on Saturday. More than 800 parade participants and spectators flocked to downtown. PHOTOS BY CARRIE WOOD, Kirkland Reporter Right, A KALL team runs out onto Lee Johnson field at Peter Kirk Park as part of the opening ceremony. Special guest Ray McMackin, one of the original 48 players for KALL in 1951, also made an appearance. For the full story, see page 20. MORE PHOTOS ONLINE kirklandreporter.com
Very few people leave a mark on a city like Bill Petter did in Kirkland. The long-time Kirkland resident, Kiwanis member, former president of the Kirkland Chamber of ComBill Petter merce and board member of Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing died early Monday of a heart attack. Petter was 80 years old. “He was probably the most friendly guy in Kirkland,” said former Kirkland Mayor Bill Woods, who was a founding board member with Petter on the Bank of Kirkland. “I worked with him on many things but I considered him a great friend.” Petter’s family and [ more PETTER page 4 ]
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