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GUEST EDITORIAL | Former Council member remembers a Kirkland icon [4]
Coffee | Popular stand reopens under new FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2013 owner with a lot of Kirkland ties [2]
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Community | Evergreen students donate to Childhaven [6]
Residents concerned about potential power lines on Rose Hill
BY RAECHEL DAWSON
rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
W
ith the Seattle City Light power lines already laced throughout the South Rose Hill neighborhood, many Kirkland residents can’t imagine having more power lines in the area. But there could be. South Rose Hill residents cite aesthetics, property value, environmental impacts
and health effects as major concerns of the potential 230 kilovolt electric transmission lines, proposed by Puget Sound Energy. Puget Sound Energy officials recently announced plans for Energize Eastside, a project that will run the high voltage power lines from Redmond to Renton to accommodate the Eastside’s rapid growth. Project construction is expected to begin in 2017.
But first, Puget Sound Energy officials need to pick where the lines will be routed -- through Kirkland’s South Rose Hill and Bridle Trails neighborhoods or through east Redmond? The Kirkland portion, segment B, is one of 16 segments of power line the energy company will need to consider as they conduct a “robust” public engagement process throughout 2014. Officials expect a final
decision by the end of 2014.
Why more power lines? During the past year, city officials have announced big things for Kirkland. Doubling the size of the Kirkland Google campus, the development of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, GoDaddy offices at Carillon Point and many capital projects are only a handful
New Councilman Jay Arnold to take office in January group of Council members and I think we’ll find somebody who can lead A Colorado native, us as a Council,” ArKirkland City Councilnold said. “ … It will be man-elect Jay Arnold assomebody that Kirkland sures he’s a Seahawks fan will be proud to have as a “through and through.” mayor.” “We’ll be cheering for But until then, Arnold the Seahawks but I would has been doing everylove it if they end up play- thing he can to prepare ing the Broncos in the Su- for his upcoming role as a perbowl,” Arnold laughs. Councilman. “I have some fun bets Arnold has met with with friends in Colorado. different people on city Even though I might have staff throughout Decema Denver Broncos T-shirt ber to further understand buried somewhere how the city in the back of works. the closet, it’s the “When people Seahawks.” come at me with a And it’s that problem, I want to same love for the be able to congreat Northwest nect them with a that prompted person in the city Arnold, 46, to run Jay Arnold and make sure for Council in a their problems city that he’s lived are taken care of,” in for more than 20 years. Arnold said, whose term Arnold beat challenger will expire at the end of Martin Morgan with 71.5 2017. percent of Kirkland votes Arnold said he’s been in the November general looking into several issues election. before the city in 2014, He will take the oath one of them being the of office for Position 1 Juanita pool partnership. on Jan. 7, the Council’s “I do think there’s some first meeting of 2014, urgency on looking at during which the Counpartnering with Wave and cil will also vote on a the school district, other new mayor. Mayor Joan organizations, [on whethMcBride, who currently er] we can put together a holds the Position 1 seat, plan that replaces Juanita announced January 2013 pool,” Arnold said. that she would not seek Arnold said the Kirkre-election. land:2035 Comprehensive “It’s a very talented [ more ARNOLD page 3 ]
of examples that represent how the city is growing. “By 2035, Kirkland will grow by 26 percent with employment growing by 47 percent, and we know that residents in Kirkland and the rest of the Eastside are counting on us to keep the lights on,” said Puget Sound Energy Vice President of Corporate Affairs Andy Wappler, citing information from the Puget Sound Regional Council. “And that’s
what we’ll do.” The Eastside is growing faster than any other region in Washington, energy officials say, but the growth is putting a strain on the region’s existing electric system. Wappler said the expansion would serve all residents of the Eastside along the whole length of Interstate 405 and as for east as Woodinville. [ more PSE page 7 ]
Winter is here
BY RAECHEL DAWSON
rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
Kirkland resident Danielle Wagner plays with her daughter in the snow on Dec. 19 near North Rose Hill Park. The snow caused havoc on Kirkland roads during the early-morning commute and cancelled classes in the Lake Washington School District. Saturday, Dec. 21 marked the official start of winter. SARAH KEHOE, Reporter Newspapers
Controversial Kirkland pastor Hutcherson dies at age 61 Former Seahawk was an outspoken, traditional marriage activist BY MATT PHELPS editor@kirklandreporter.com
Local pastor and former Seattle Seahawk Ken Hutcherson died Dec. 18 after battling prostate cancer for more than a decade. He was 61. Hutcherson co-founded the Antioch Bible Church in 1982 and preached in Kirkland
and Redmond. He was known to his congregation simply as “Hutch.” “The church, based on New Testament crosscultural ministries, is a leading force in the Pacific Northwest for infusing the culture with biblical truth,” said Claudia Blazer, a spokesperson. “Black and white
in a grey world’ is the statement used to describe both the church’s multi-cultural perspective and its commitment to the Bible as God’s infallible word. Hutch spent more than three decades training adults and young people to be on the offensive for Jesus Christ.”
Hutcherson was also one of the biggest activists in the nation for the traditional definition of marriage. He came to the forefront in opposition of the movement to legalize gay marriage in Washington state during 2012. “I think it is an issue that is going to become a big discussion on religious freedom [ more HUTCHERSON page 3 ]