Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
Friday, July 19, 2013
www.issaquahreporter.com
To the ballot Klahanie’s potential annexation now in voter’s hands Phil Williams speaks to a group of volunteers for the Joshua P. Williams Foundation’s annual golf tournament fundraiser at The Plateau Club in Sammamish.
BY LINDA BALL LBALL@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM
Once the initial shock and grief of their son’s death subsided, Phil and Debbie Williams
Issaquah is indeed a city of annexations. At Monday’s regular City Council meeting, City Finance Director Diane Marcotte displayed a map of greater Issaquah, which depicted the original town center in the middle with annexations over the years surrounding it. Potentially adding to its irregular shape, the Issaquah City Council voted 6-1 Monday to put the annexation of Klahanie and its surrounding neighborhoods on the ballot in February 2014. The one dissenting vote was from council member Josh Schaer. If voters approve annexation, Issaquah should receive $6.48 million annually in additional revenue, from the Klahanie Potential Annexation Area, assuming it qualifies for the state annexation sales credit, which it must apply for and presently would last for 10 years. Cost to service the proposed annexation area is estimated at $5.85 million annually for the first five years, which includes one time start-up costs amortized over that period. Most of the start up costs are for public works and to hire an additional five police officers and one records specialist. Issaquah expects to see a net revenue gain of $600,000 to $650,000 a year. Marcotte said Klahanie is considered an urban development, which makes it ideal for annexation. There will be no changes in fire service to Klahanie – it would still be serviced by Eastside Fire and Rescue – and water and sewer still would be from Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District. Kids will go to
SEE JOSHUA P. WILLIAMS, 15
SEE ANNEXATION, 8
JOSH SUMAN, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter
‘WAKE UP AND LIVE’ Eleven years after his death, former Skyline student shines as bright as ever
BY JOSH SUMAN JSUMAN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
A
s Phil Williams speaks to a few dozen brightly clad teenagers and 20-somethings on a practice green at The Plateau Club, the unmistakable look of gratitude flashes in his eyes.
Williams goes through a quick checklist, mostly procedural items for the day on the course, remaining upbeat throughout as he hands out door prizes for a raffle among volunteers who will serve as caddies and event staff for a host of Sammamish residents, area philanthropists and local celebrities. When he is through speaking he thanks them again for their participation and commitment to the mission of the day, walking off the green before being greeted by more handshakes and seemingly familiar faces. Judging solely by Williams’ demeanor, it is impossible to know just how closely that mission is to his heart, or the pain endured to see it realized.
“We never imagined it would be anything like this. It’s a day of celebration and fun.” - Phil Williams
One of a kind Depending on who is asked, Joshua P. Williams was either a dependable friend, selfless mentor, dedicated athlete, loving son and brother or some combination of each. To classmate and friend Brandon Hemphill, who also played sports with Williams before he died in a skiing accident in 2002, Josh’s charisma and selflessness were his defining traits. “Josh was a very genuine kid,” Hemphill said. “There wasn’t anyone in our class who I can think of that disliked him.” Hemphill said he and Williams spent most of their time together on the baseball
diamond, where Williams was competitive, but never arrogant. While he took his time between the lines seriously, it was his dedication to community outreach that became his calling card and part of what made his family a Sammamish fixture despite moving to the growing area only four years earlier. Along with his schoolwork at Skyline and spot on the football and baseball teams, Williams spent much of his time helping shape some of the same organizations that now define the spirit of community in Sammamish’s quiet neighborhoods. At the time of his death, neither his own friends at Skyline nor those he made through the various groups he was part of could comprehend how the loss would affect them. But in time, and with the help of a community determined to keep his memory alive, everyone has found their role in that fight. And some of those Joshua worked closest with during his life have found a way to honor his legacy through their own burgeoning future.
A volunteer army