REPORTER
Mercer Island
I-90 HOV lane opens eastbound
Ribbon in the rain
Easter egg hunt this Saturday, April 7 The annual spring Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 5. The Lil’ Ones hunt begins at 5 p.m. in Mercerdale Park for kids ages 1-6. Bring a basket to hunt for goodies — eggs, candy and prizes. Find a golden egg for an “eggstra” special surprise. A separate section will be reserved for children ages 1 to 3. Please, no children over age 6, and no parents on the field. Following the first hunt, the Flashlight Egg Hunt will take place at 8:30 p.m. for kids 7-10. Bring a flashlight and basket to find the eggs.
SJCC Family Seder next Monday, April 9 The Stroum Jewish Community Center will host a family seder dinner on April 9 from 4 to 5p.m at the Seattle location (12351 8th Ave. N.E.). The event, for families with children age 5 and under, brings people together for an evening of singing, storytelling, art projects and more. There is a fee for admission and the deadline to register is 5 p.m. on April 6. Learn more at www.sjcc.org.
Sound Transit/Contributed photo
The opening of the new permanent HOV ramp between Mercer Island and Bellevue brought, from left, Fred Butler, Issaquah City Councilman; Joni Earl, CEO, Sound Transit; Conrad Lee, mayor of Bellevue; Jim Pearman, former mayor of Mercer Island; Jane Meyer Brahm, Mercer Island Councilmember; Bruce Bassett, mayor of Mercer Island; Tana Senn, Mercer Island Councilmember; Rich Conrad, Mercer Island city manager; Pat McCarthy, Pierce County Executive; and David Dye, Deputy Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation.
Council takes on smoking in parks
Council wants to limit exposure of children to secondhand smoke By Mary L. Grady
editor@mi-reporter.com
The City Council debated the idea of prohibiting smoking in all or some of city parks and play areas on March 19. The Council sought to eliminate smoking near areas where children may be present. The Council discussed whether or not to post signs to discourage smoking in parks or around places where children may be present, or to make smoking in outdoor public places subject to a
ticket. The areas targeted initially would be within 25 feet of a place where children play or an event is held outdoors. The topic was brought to the Council by city parks and recreation director Bruce Fletcher, who said that discarded cigarettes and smoking were a problem in some areas. A recent clean-up effort produced 157 cigarette butts from around the Island, with the highest concentrations found near the skate park in Mercerdale Park, in parking areas and near the beaches. Fletcher also indicated that money was available for signs to limit smoking from a grant. Picking up the litter is “disgusting to do, it is time-consuming
and expensive,” said Fletcher. He listed several other cities that had posted the signs and had various enforcement strategies in place. The Council was split as to whether or not smoking in parks or near playgrounds was really a problem. Yet, since smoking especially around children is undesirable, how could the city protect children and respect the rights of citizens who smoke at the same time? In an hour-long discussion, the Council went from the idea of keeping smoking away from children to considering penalizing those who smoke in parks to simply posting signs to declare areas “tobacco-free.” Councilmember Tana Senn said that she believed it would be better to educate park users rather than look for a way to create more work for city staff.
HOV | Page 2
Smoke | Page 7
MI School Board RUBBER STAMPS FLAWED 21ST Century Committee Plan
www.no-mi-school-tear-down.com VOTE NO ON THIS SCHOOL BOND
A giddy group of officials from the agencies responsible for the funding and construction on I-90 for light rail and HOV operations came together last Thursday to cheer the completion of a major milestone. Sound Transit held a rainy dedication ceremony of the new I-90 eastbound HOV ramp from Mercer Island to Bellevue at 80th Avenue S.E. and I-90. Despite a drenching downpour, Sound Transit and Washington State Department of Transportation officials came to celebrate with contractors and local governments. Joni Earl, the CEO of Sound Transit, attended as
REPORTER
The newest MIVAL art show will open this Thursday, April 5. The Treasures in Miniature show features small-sized works. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 5. Come vote for the people’s choice award, which will earn the artist $200. The MIVAL Gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. Contact Sandra Parsons to learn more at (425) 445-3771.
By Mary L. Grady
editor@mi-reporter.com
Mercer Island
New MIVAL show opens this week
Transportation agencies meet important milestone for light rail
One year $39, two years just $59
MI | THIS WEEK
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 | 75¢
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