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CRIME | North Bend man sentenced to 15 months for killing Kirkland native with car [7]
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2014
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
It’s Blue Friday! See inside for our special
Seahawks Section
Sports | Tennis twins get help from Kirkland coach [8]
Kirkland City Council narrows search for city pool location
BY RAECHEL DAWSON
rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
T
he Kirkland City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan. 21 that narrows down potential locations for a new aquatic center. Resolution 5029 commits the city to further analyze building an aquatic center at Juanita Beach Park,
North Kirkland Community Center or, as amended, South Norway Hill Park; however, the scope is not limited to these sites. The resolution also calls for city staff to design a facility to serve the needs of the Lake Washington School District and the “broadest possible general public.” It will require staff to conduct outreach with
the community and potential partners on possible facility components and site preferences. Another amendment called for a feasibility and cost analysis study on converting Peter Kirk Pool to year-round use as an interim solution if the city cannot finish the aquatic center by 2017, when the Juanita Aquatic Center is
projected to close. “It’s criminal that we use Peter Kirk Pool as little as we do,” said Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet, adding that she used to swim competitively at a dome pool in the 1970s. The Park Board will provide a recommendation to the Council on facility preference by April 1. Before the Council voted on the resolution, staff from
Local business celebrates Chinese New Year
For the 12th year, Mak Fai Washington Kung Fu Club visited Kirkland to bless Sea Port, an international seafood company based in Kirkland, for the Chinese New Year, which will take place on Jan. 31. About 30 people turned out to see the “Chinese dragons” dance through the premises to drums and symbols. The group also blessed the Seahawks and the 12th Man for the Super Bowl as spectators held up 12th Man towels. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Council considers limits for marijuana stores along Market St. BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
Kirkland’s Market neighborhood may not get marijuana stores after all. The Kirkland City Council directed city staff during their Jan. 21 Council meeting to look into interim regulations for two Market Street zones that several marijuana retail license applicants have expressed interest in. During the last two months, several, if not hundreds, of Market, Norkirk and Highlands residents have written, emailed and
spoken to Council members about barring marijuana stores along the Market Street zones, Market Street Corridor (MSC) 1 and 2, for fear of how it could impact their community. “I’m worried about a marijuana dispensary being allowed anywhere in my neighborhood,” said Sophie Larsen, a 14-year-old Market neighborhood resident who spoke at the Council meeting. “What if people try to sell marijuana to me?” While the majority of Council members weren’t in favor of a moratorium,
many felt steps should be taken to address residents’ concerns. “I’m willing to do whatever it is,” said Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet. “I think we need more time. It’s a scary proposition, it is the future.” Each Council member agreed to send a letter to the Washington State Liquor Control Board explaining the city’s stance on marijuana license applications and their potential Kirkland locations. The letter will be sent after the Council has taken action on the interim
regulations. “Residents of the [zones’] adjacent neighborhoods have expressed strong concerns about marijuana sales so close to the neighborhoods,” the draft letter to the Liquor Control Board states. “Kirkland Middle School is located several blocks to the east of the proposed marijuana retail sites; and although the school is not within 1,000 feet of the proposed marijuana retailers, the retailers are located along designated school walk routes.” [ more MARIJUANA page 2 ]
the Parks and Community Services department and a member of the Sports Management Group presented multiple site options during the Council study session. The sites were evaluated on their ability to hold a 38,500-square-foot aquatic center which could include an eight-lane lap pool with diving, a recreation pool with water slides, a spa/
warm water therapy pool, seating for 250, and a multi purpose classroom; or a 72,000-square-foot aquatic center and recreation center. The larger facility could include one court gym, a fitness room, wood floor studio, community kitchen, child-watch activity room, multipurpose classroom, [ more POOL page 3 ]
LWSD levies, bond on ballot for special election 2013 and Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce said 81 percent of residents who King County special elec- have moved to the district tions are coming up next in the last 10 years said month and residents living the quality of local schools within the Lake Washinginfluenced their decision ton School District will be where to live. asked to approve two levies “We are very proud of and one bond measure. the excellent educational The three measures will experiences we can provide go toward the district’s for our students, with the everyday operasupport from our tions, technology communities,” she needs and building said. “We rely on upgrades as well local dollars to fund as toward replacour schools and we ing aging schools know that quality and building new schools contribute schools to accomto the overall vimodate the district’s Dr. Traci Pierce ability, stability and growing enrolleconomic health of ment. The bond our communities.” measure would allow the Officials at King County district to continue with its Elections said ballots were modernization program mailed on Jan. 15. The with funds going toward vote-by-mail ballots are due replacing aging schools Feb. 11. throughout the district. Six schools are scheduled to be replaced, includThe first levy, the Educaing Juanita High School, tion Programs and OperaKamiakin Middle School tions (EP&O) Levy, is the and Peter Kirk Elementary second largest portion of School in Kirkland. The two levies are renew- the district’s general fund, covering about 22.5 perals and require a simple cent. According to a district majority of 50 percent plus brochure highlighting the one to pass. three measures, the EP&O Kathryn Reith, commuLevy “fills the gap between nications director for the district, said each of the lev- state basic education funding and the current ies is a four-year measure educational program.” It and it has been a long time helps pay for things such as since they have not passed. 30 percent of all teaching “It’s been many, many and 36 percent of all nonyears,” she said. teaching staff costs, teacher The district surveyed the community in March [ more LWSD page 7 ] BY SAMANTHA PAK
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Filling the gap