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COMMUNITY | What parents need to know about kids and drugs [7]
Arts | Q & A with Bellevue band, Velcro Mindset, that makes music that sticks to your FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013 brain. [21]
Sports | Totems making push on softball diamond behind deep, talented freshmen class [10]
First look at light-rail noise sees gain for neighbors BY CELINA KAREIVA BELLEVUE REPORTER
From their kitchen, Robert and Pat Rosell have a stunning view of the Mercer Slough blueberry farm. The couple, who has lived off Bellevue Way since 1988, jokes that they don’t need to turn on the news for a traffic report. If they look out their kitchen window, by mid-afternoon they can already see line of cars collecting on I-405.
Inside the traffic from both thoroughfares is no more than a hum, but when the couple steps onto their porch, they’re greeted by a wall of noise. Now, as early estimates of sound and vibration impacts roll in on cost savings options for the East Link extension, some reports predict parts of the alignment, like that along Bellevue Way, may actually improve traffic noise.
East Link’s cost savings plan inched forward Monday night when city of Bellevue staff presented a review of the EIS Addendum on cost savings options. A visualization of the route was shared and a peer review identified early predictions for the sound and vibration impacts on the refined East Link extension. An estimated 28 homes along Bellevue Way already exceed federal noise criteria.
East Link’s impacts still are not widely understood, but reports suggest that East Link could offer an improvement of existing noise conditions, thanks in part to a sound wall and retaining wall that would likely encroach on properties like the Rosells’. And by pooling the East Link project with the city’s construction of an HOV SEE NOISE, 3
Bellevue city manager resigns Steve Sarkozy served 12 years; search firm to help find replacement
Sherwood Forest Elementary kindergarten teacher Mariano Lizano reads with his students in Spanish. The teacher said his classroom is very visual and he communicates through body language and gestures along with words. JOSH SUMAN, Bellevue Reporter
Two-way learning
Bellevue dual-language program providing curriculum for cultural future BY JOSH SUMAN BELLEVUE REPORTERT
The response comes quickly and without hesitation from a kindergartener in Mariano Lizano’s classroom at Sherwood
Forest Elementary. Lizano just asked the youngster why she needs to leave a few minutes ahead of her peers, and she immediately produces a response (and ac-
companying adult) sufficient for her teacher, who wishes her a good afternoon as she walks out. Similar exchanges take place in classrooms around the country on a daily basis, but few happen in the student’s second language. For students in the Bellevue School District’s dual-language
immersion program, they are the sign of a changing present and for the rest of the district, a glimpse into the future.
Building a plan Heidi LaMare came to the Bellevue School District three SEE LANGUAGE, 9
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Bellevue City Manager Steve Sarkozy will resign effective May 15. In a resolution passed unanimously Monday night, the Bellevue City Council has chosen Deputy City Manager Brad Miyake to be the Acting City Manager as of May 16. “The City Council appreciates all that Steve has done for Bellevue,” said Bellevue Mayor Conrad Lee. “In discussions between the Steve Sarkozy council and Steve as part of his annual review process, it became clear that both of us were ready for a change. During the past two weeks, we’ve been working on the details of that transition.” That transition is already underway. The city will use a national search firm to find a new city manager who can forge a joint vision with the council, and will include opportunity for community involvement in the selection. Sarkozy will work with the city’s Leadership team in the transition. “Serving the City of Bellevue for the last 12 years has been a great privilege,” Sarkozy said. “Bellevue is known nationally, and more importantly by its citizens, as one of the finest places in the world to live, work and play. This is due in no small part to the central role the city government plays in almost every facet of the community.” The Council and Sarkozy have reached agreement on the terms for his separation with the city and the document was approved unanimously by the Council on Monday night.
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