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police blotter | String of mail thefts on Education Hill [5] local| Eastside program promotes awareness of Native American history [10]
BUSINESS | Experience French culture FRIDAY, March 23, 2012 in Redmond at new bakery [8]
Making a difference for local youth
SPORTS | Power-laden Redmond High fastpitch set to overcome low turnout numbers [15]
48th District Rep. Deb Eddy announces retirement it worked. But I quickly realized I wasn’t going to accomplish things in It is no secret that Deb the other areas … I am Eddy (D-Kirkland) has a change agent but that been an agent for change. means that you use up poAs a State Representative litical capital very quickly. for the 48th District, which I didn’t understand that includes parts of Redmond, until I was in politics for a she helped push the new while.” state law allowing The building of for gay marriage; a new 520 bridge she has never been has been discussed one to toe the party for decades and is a line for Democrats major accomplishand she was a big ment. part of getting “I am going to legislation passed Deb Eddy miss her in so many allowing for the ways,” said House new Evergreen Transportation Point Floating Bridge to be Committee Chair Judy Clibbuilt. born (D-Mercer Island). But it was the last ac“Her influence here over complishment that was not the last six years can’t be only the biggest, but the overstated. She changed the most costly. place, but so often her work “Honestly, it cost me has been behind the scenes.” my legislative career,” said Eddy began her career as Eddy, who announced last an agent of change living in week that she will retire the Bridle Trails Neighborafter her current term has hood during its annexation ended. “I would never into Kirkland in the late be a committee chair or 1980s. The annexation had afforded a leadership role. some major zoning conflicts Crossing the speaker (of in relation to horse stables. the House) is not a good “The city didn’t have a career move.” clue on how to deal with the She said that when she zoning,” said Eddy. “We had was elected in 2006 it was a new owner piling manure not a big secret that Speaker at the corner of his property of the House Frank Chopp and it became a public(D-Seattle) was generally health issue.” opposed to the 520 bridge After attempting to fight in its current design. city hall, Eddy decided to But Eddy is not one to fight the issue from the back down from a fight, inside. even if it is within her own “I knew that if I was party. The former Kirkland going to change anything mayor, who is known for I would need to get on the working across the aisle, City Council,” said Eddy, worked for most of her who won election to the legislative career to get the council in 1993. bridge replaced. Eddy would serve six “It was apparent we years on the Council, with needed to put pressure two of those as mayor. on him (Chopp),” said [ more eddy page 2 ] Eddy. “It was my job and Matt phelps
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City of Redmond Mayor John Marchione encourages guests attending the annual breakfast of Youth Eastside Services (YES) to donate to the nonprofit and help local young people facing various issues including substance abuse, depression, physical or sexual abuse, suicidal thinking and more. Keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart, an abduction survivor who is now an ABC News correspondent, shared her story of overcoming adversity as more than $520,000 was donated to YES through the event. “We are overwhelmed by the amazing community support,” said YES Executive Director Patti SkeltonMcGougan. “To have a place where all kids and their families can come for help is a key to a healthy community.” Photo courtesy of BAKER RAWLINGS
Annual Friends of Youth Luncheon also a success, raising $156,000 in funds And this was just what Olsen needed. “Some people say I was good at beLife has been good to ing bad,” he said. Steve Olsen. He said he received a second Now in his late 60s, he has chance twice as he stayed at a loving family and 48 years the home for several months of marriage under his belt. on two separate occasions and But things weren’t always expressed how proud he was of great. the different values he learned In 1958 at the age of 14, he about during his stays. Steve Olsen became a resident of Friends “I really think that 53 years of Youth’s (FOY) Griffin ago that Friends of Youth Home Residential Treatment changed my life,” he said. Center, a home for troubled adoOn Friday, Olsen shared his story lescent boys. According to the FOY at FOY’s 7th Annual “Celebration of website, the Griffin Home in Renton Youth Luncheon,” a fundraiser for offers a “caring, therapeutic environthe Redmond-based nonprofit whose ment” where residents can learn mission is to deliver a broad range of about responsibility, making healthy services to youth and their families choices and self-sufficiency for the throughout King and Snohomish future. counties to improve their emotional samantha pak
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stability and self sufficiency. Terry Pottmeyer, president and chief executive officer for FOY, said the luncheon brought in $156,000 and they are still accepting donations. As he addressed the crowd, Olsen discussed the people at the Griffin Home who cared for him such as the home’s cook who used to sneak him cookies and his suspicions of the new experience. “She would treat me like a king,” he said. “I never had that in my life.” In addition to Olsen, Natasha Mercado also spoke at the event, which was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue. The 21-year-old is a current FOY client in the supportive permanent housing program and has been [ more youth page 2 ]
FaithLutheran Lutheran School of Redmond Faith School of Redmond Kindergarten to 6th Grade Kindergarten to 6th Grade
www.faithredmond.org ~ 425-885-1810 ~ 166th NE Ave. NE www.faithredmond.org ~ 425-885-1810 ~ Ave. 166th