REDMOND
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REPORTER
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SCHOOLS | Redmond Middle parents work toward improving math for the future [5] CRIME ALERT | Redmond Police Blotter [2]
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
SPORTS | Spotlight is on Redmond High girls golf and track and field. [10-11]
Prop. 1 could benefit local first responders, others SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
On April 28, residents in King County — including Redmond — will have the opportunity to vote whether or not to update the area’s emergency re-
sponse radio network. If passed, Proposition 1 — a nine-year, $273 million levy — would allow the county to update its communication systems for police, fire, Medic One and other emergency first responders.
Max Brown — campaign manager for Yes on Public Safety (which supports Prop. 1) — said other organizations and agencies that use the radio network include local hospitals, utilities and schools. The current system be-
ing used was designed in 1992. “It’s getting up there,” Brown said about its age. The network is made up of 26 transmitter sites — or individual towers — and Brown said the system is used about 1,000 times
a day as local dispatchers use it to connect with fire, police and other first responders. He said Prop. 1 would pay to replace the current towers with more powerful transmitters for more adequate coverage. [ more PROP 1 page 2 ]
Officers investigate alleged assault at skate park ANDY NYSTROM anystrom@redmond-reporter.com
City uses lean logic to improve customer service SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Arika Gloud and Matthew Gilbert star in SecondStory Repertory’s production of Dr. Seuss’“The Cat in the Hat” this weekend at 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond. Showtimes are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. For ticket information, visit www.secondstoryrep.org. Courtesy of Michael Brunk/ nwlens.com
Dr. Seuss’ ‘Cat’ comes to life
The City of Redmond is currently in the process of streamlining the way it does business in order to offer a better level of service to its customers. This transition to “lean” logic, began about a year ago. Carol Lewis, a permit tech and plans examiner supervisor for the city’s development services center, described lean as a process improvement. She said lean gives city staff a step-by-step procedure that allows them to identify problem areas in their work and improve upon them. “Some of the steps are so simple,” Lewis said. Lean, she said, is a behind-the-scenes way to analyze processes in the city and streamline in order to remove wasted time and effort — keeping the good work and removing repetitiveness. One example lean has helped Lewis and her department has been through the overthe-counter permitting process. She said to [ more LEAN page 7]
An 18-year-male was allegedly assaulted at the Edge Skate Park at about 12:36 p.m. on April 8, according to the Redmond Police Department (RPD). Witnesses observed the victim on the ground and someone who they believed to be the suspect running away. Witnesses said the victim was unconscious for about a minute and he was later transported to the hospital. According to police, the believed suspect is a Hispanic male, 5-foot-10, 220 pounds with short black hair, clean shaven and wearing light blue baggy jeans and a grey hoodie sweatshirt. Police have ruled out some suspects and are investigating the case. The skate park is located at 8420 161st Ave. N.E.
How cyclists and drivers can safely share Redmond roads, trails SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Spring is here and with the warmer weather comes a greater inclination to spend time outdoors. Part of that time may be on a bicycle and as more cyclists begin riding around town — sharing the road with motor vehicles — it is important to be aware of what is happening on and off the road. Peter Dane, a planner in transportation and engineering for the City of Redmond, said there are bike lanes all over Redmond providing a “pretty extensive network” for cyclists. “Every neighborhood has bike lanes
in it,” he said. Currently, Dane said there are 33 miles of bicycle lanes within the city that share the road with motor vehicles, adding that they are focusing on connecting this network of bike lanes and the plan is to bring up the total to 100 miles. “Bicyclists are allowed to ride on all roads in the city except freeways,” he said. “However, the city recognizes that the majority of people would prefer to ride in a dedicated bicycle facility, so the city is implementing a bicycle network with facilities such as bicycle lanes and paved trails.” It is rare for bike lanes to be painted onto only one side of a road, but Dane
said in some instances, it makes more sense from an engineering perspective for shared lanes. In these lanes, cars and bikes — just as the name states — share the road. Dane said these lanes are indicated by “sharrows,” double arrows paired with a symbol of a bicycle. He said these shared lanes are usually located on a road going downhill as bikes would be more visible to cars pulling out of driveways than they would be if there was a separate bike lane.
SAFER ON THE ROADS
While bikes are allowed to use the road alongside bikes, some cyclists do [ more SAFETY page 9 ]
Cyclists enjoy a ride out on the Sammamish River Trail. Reporter file photo