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Six Oaks | New development in Bothell holds grand opening [11]
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014
Failed levy not end of parks and open space projects BY DEANNA ISAACS disaacs@bothell-reporter.com
R
ecently, Bothell’s residents voted on the Parks and Public Spaces levy, which would have added an approximate $9.68 (for
$300,000 in assessed property value) levy tax to create new parks, finish public spaces and beautify the city. The levy, which would have raised $42 million, was rejected by voters. Overall, 53 percent of
voters (52.2 percent in King County and 54.7 percent in Snohomish County) rejected the Parks and Public Spaces initiative. “I think we made the decision as a council to provide the citizens with
an opportunity to accept this package and fund this package,” said Bothell Councilman Mark Lamb, who was in favor of the levy. “We think its important and all the projects are important, worthy projects.”
Veterans Day surprise at local elementary BY DEANNA ISAACS disaacs@bothell-reporter.com
Each year, U.S. citizens give back to veterans and military members. But on Friday, Nov. 7, Arrowhead Elementary School partnered with a local Marine to give a student a very amazing Veterans Day. Bryson Stevens, an Arrowhead Elementary student with special needs, hadn’t seen his big brother and hero for several weeks due to military training in Spokane. However, as the training ended on Thursday, Private First Class Mathew Stevens did everything he could to make it back to the assembly for his brother. “Mathew just loves
his brother,” said Laura Stevens, Bryson and Mathew’s step-mother. “He’s exhausted. [Mathew’s] literally been up since four o’clock in the morning yesterday morning, so he’s just running on adrenaline right now.” After three months of training and more than 24-hours of no sleep, nothing would stop this warrior from being there for his brother. “He said ‘No, I’m going to go home and [I’m going to] put on my uniform and be there for my brother,’” Laura said. So with less than three hours of notice, Arrowhead Elementary School staff members started to hustle [ more VET page 3 ]
Bothell Councilwoman Tris Samberg said that through many years of outreach with the community, it has become apparent that residents want the parks and community areas but did not want this levy.
“Bothell might not be able to find immediate funding for all of its projects,” Samberg said. “In terms of some of the projects that were on the Parks and Public Spaces bond, money for the [ more PROP 1 page 9 ]
Hawk squawk
Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, spent Friday morning at Bothell Healthcare ensuring residents, including Janet Weir (left), enjoy their home away from home. Events, such as this “Blue Friday,” bring residents together with the community that surrounds the decked-out Seahawks halls of Bothell Healthcare. DEANNA ISAACS, Bothell Reporter
Raising Orca awareness with crowdfunding and Kenmore Air seaplanes The Pacific Northwest may be home to a wide array of animals, but the Southern Resident Killer Whales, also known as Orca, are a mainstay of this region’s identity. However, like many whales
across the globe, the local pods are endangered - even here in our own backyard. That’s where the new project, created by Wild Orca in partnership with Kenmore Air, comes in. Wild Orca is currently crowdfunding, via IndieGoGo, an awareness campaign
that paints a Kenmore Air DeHaviland Otter seaplane like a Killer Whale and also creates educational pamphlets for Kenmore Air customers. “I’ve spent the last seven years flying up and around the San Juan Islands, and Victoria, and northern BC,”
said Anna Gullickson. “In the summer its not uncommon to fly over orca whales or grey whales, or even humpbacks. “They’re part of our daily life as pilots flying up there... seeing their natural habitat and how pristine it is. It brings it close to your heart.”
Even though the Killer Whales are so much part of our culture, they are not immune to the damaging effects humans have on the ecosystem. Among the many dangers Orca face is the overfishing of their primary food source, Chinook Salmon.
As a keystone species, salmon play a vital role in the Puget Sound and Strait of Juan De Fuca ecosystems. With a total of 137 different animals that rely on salmon - including 41 mammals, 89 birds, five reptiles, and two amphibians - salmon are [ more ORCA page 2 ]
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BY DEANNA ISAACS Disaacs@bothell-reporter.com