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SPORTS | Prep squads thrive in postseason tournaments [10] CRIME ALERT | Redmond Police Blotter [3] COMMUNITY | Sisters start charitable campaign; latest endeavor is art auction to benefit Old Dog Haven [2]
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Mayoral race comes to a close on Tuesday, election day SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
The first Tuesday of November is only a few days away and that means the Redmond community will soon learn who will be their mayor beginning in January 2016. The candidates — incumbent John Marchione and challenger Steve Fields — have been campaign-
ing for months and it all comes to an end Tuesday as ballots are due by 8 p.m. Throughout the campaign, there have been a few topics that the candidates have focused on as key for the future of Redmond. As previously reported, during a candidates’ debate on Oct. 14, Marchione’s three issues are growth, traffic and poverty, while Fields’
issues are a lack of confidence in government, affordability, homelessness and growth. Each candidate has spent time visiting residents and businesses, door to door, to learn about which issues are important to them. Both Marchione and Fields said they particularly enjoyed this part of the campaigning. For Fields, doorbelling — listen-
ing to and learning from the people in Redmond — was the best part of the whole campaign. “There is no better way to understand the ‘real’ Redmond than meeting people at their homes and discussing their concerns and getting their ideas,” Fields said. “Everyone was appreciative that I came out to meet them.” For Marchione, an election
provides another forum for the community to examine its values and direction. “Doorbelling is one of my favorite parts of a campaign,” he said. “My conversations with voters reinforced my belief that Redmond residents passionately love their city and want the best possible leadership to guide us for the next four years.” [ more ELECTION page 6 ]
BALLOT BOX
Voters can return their ballots from now until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, election day, at: Redmond City Hall 15670 N.E. 85th St.
FCD committee approves funding for Willowmoor floodplain project SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Zombies get their thrills
Approximately 3,000 zombies and attendees shimmied out to Redmond Town Center last Saturday for the seventh annual Thrill the World event produced by Redmond Zombies, and benefitting The First Tee. More than $2,500 was raised for the nonprofit organization, with their mission to instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. All ages enjoyed face painting, zombie attire from Goodwill, a live band, photo booth, merchant zombie treats and discounts while waiting for the grand finale, a simultaneous worldwide dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Courtesy of Jessica Morgan
Conforto starts for NY Mets in World Series ANDY NYSTROM anystrom@redmond-reporter.com
Michael Conforto
Darryl Beliel said Michael Conforto has a “rainbow that’s around his head.” Not only because the Redmond native is a member of the New York Mets baseball squad,
but because the 22-year-old is playing in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. Conforto started in left field and as a designated hitter in the first two games of the fall classic this week and he could get the nod again tonight in game three
at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Kansas City won games one and two at home: 5-4 in 14 innings on Tuesday and 7-1 on Wednesday. Beliel, who coached his sons along with Conforto at Redmond North Little League, [ more CONFORTO page 7 ]
The King County Flood Control District (FCD) executive committee recently approved to allocate $3.5 million for the Willowmoor floodplain project. The funding was unanimously approved by the executive committee, which sent the proposal to the full FCD board of supervisors for final action. Currently, the FCD executive committee is still working on the proposal, so no action has been taken. Willowmoor — which is the transition zone between the Sammamish River and Lake Sammamish, running through Marymoor Park outside of Redmond — has been a topic of discussion for a number of years as an area in need of habitat restoration. As previously reported in March, employees from King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks hosted a public meeting at the Redmond Senior Center to present project design alternatives to address existing flood-control and habitat issues.
According to a King County press release, the Willowmoor floodplain restoration project proposes to reconfigure the Sammamish River transition zone and adjacent undeveloped King County property. The release states that increased vegetation within the zone has raised concerns about high lake levels impacting properties surrounding the lake. The restoration project is focused on reducing the frequency and duration of high lake levels caused by the Sammamish River while continuing to protect habitat vital for recovery of salmon species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Funding for the restoration effort was part of the six-year CIP budget adopted by the FCD this year. King County Council members and supervisors Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert requested the additional $3.5 million, which will be used for permitting and construction of the project, the release states. The money will also help leverage funding with the other jurisdictions and [ more WILLOWMOOR page 8 ]