renton
.com
Reporter
founded 1995
‘Annie’ | Renton Civic Theater’s production of the classic begins Dec. 7 [2]
NEWSLINE: 425-255-3484
City to impose $600 transport fee to a hospital
FRIDAY, NOV. 30, 2012
Marijuana | 500 marijuana plants removed from fire-damaged house on Renton’s Talbot Hill [8]
Swim previews | Lindbergh looks for district title with several talented returners [12]
A world-class vision for Renton’s aerospace training center | page 10
City would bill insurance companies; fee needed to help balance budget By DEAN A. RADFORD dradford@rentonreporter.com
Over the objections of the city’s firefighters, the Renton City Council is ready to charge a $600 fee to pay for transportation to a hospital by the city’s medic unit. The fee is needed to help balance the city’s 2013-2014 biennial budget, “The goal is to have no impact on which the council will formally adopt on Monday night at its 7 p.m. individuals.” Preeti Shridhar, City of Renton meeting. Under current estimates, the fee spokeswoman would raise about $325,000 starting in 2014. The money would go to the city’s general fund, which pays for fire services. Without the fee, the potential exists for layoffs within the fire department. The City Council considered a transport fee in 2010, when other layoffs were made. For this biennium the city is facing continued budget reductions because of revenue shortfalls. The City Council initially approved a resolution and ordinances related to the $457 million biennial budget Monday night. All votes were unanimous, although council [ more fee page 11 ]
Suzanne Dale Estey has served as the City of Renton’s economic development director for six years. dean a. radford, Renton Reporter
City’s economic development director to leave after six years By DEAN A. RADFORD dradford@rentonreporter.com
Suzanne Dale Estey, who helped keep the 737 in Renton and helped
bring jobs, the Seattle International Film Festival and new businesses to the city, is resigning as the city’s economic development director. Her six years in Renton is the
longest time she’s spent in any one job in her private career and a public one that has spanned most levels of government, including in the Clinton White House. She has developed relationships that she has been able to “bring to bear” to help Renton, she says. Dale Estey, 42, wears a number of hats for the city; she’ll spend the next [ more ECONOMIC page 10 ]
Ivar’s Clam Lights to light up the sky Friday; Christmas tree lighting is Saturday at the Piazza | page 9
For Renton nothing less than 50,000 lights Ryan Fleming, of Fleming’s Holiday Lighting, checks a bulb on the Holiday Hamburger display at Gene Coulon Park. adam mcfadden, Renton Reporter
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park will undergo quite a change Friday when the City of Renton Clam Lights are flipped on. But what exactly goes into making this show come together? Fleming’s Holiday Lighting put up the 50,000 lights. The company has 20 employ-
Kick off the Holidays with us!
ees working for about three and a half days, with a total of 700 man hours, to install the lights. The City of Renton and Ivar’s both pay for the contract with Fleming’s. New last year was Candy Cane Lane about 50 light posts decorated as candy canes. “We wanted to create a little bit more of an atmosphere,” said Ryan Fleming, owner
of Fleming’s Holiday Lighting. Fleming’s has done the Coulon lights for the past three years. “With the use of LEDs the power consumption went way down,” Fleming said. “We had a lot more power to work with.” The project switched to the LEDs in 2010. In addition to Candy Cane Lane, Fleming’s also extended the lighting to the extreme [ more LIGHTS page 9 ]
Tues., 12/4 – Santa arrives at 4pm! Music, food, fun! Ho-ho-ho! Fri., 12/7 – Holiday Happy Hour at 4:15 – Enjoy good spirits and snacks! Sun., 12/9 – Holiday coffee and Christmas treats! RSVP to one or all events 425-226-3312 now! 1414 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA
Evergreen-place.net
708392
By ADAM McFADDEN amcfadden@rentonreporter.com