Library drag queen story hours protested
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Elementary wrestling champ
REPORTER MERCER ISLAND
SOUND PUBLISHING, INC.
SINCE 1947
VOLUME 63, NUMBER 27
Page 16
MI-REPORTER.COM
75 CENTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
Council officially terminates plans for park By Madeline Coats The Mercer Island City Council voted unanimously on June 18 to terminate the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Mercerdale Park and prevent private development. The MOU had been in effect for the previous three years, despite various attempts by residents to block the potential of development. Similar to a contract, an MOU is a document that expresses an agreement between two or more parties. The form of settlement does not contain legally enforcement promises, so they are more flexible than contracts. In 2015, the city council proposed to lease nearly an acre of Mercerdale Park to a private organization for one dollar per year with an initial 50-year term. Mercer Island Center for the Arts, which is funded almost entirely by private donors, had planned to construct a 28,000 square-foot community arts building at an old recycling center in the corner of the park. The construction would have destroyed Bicentennial Park and the Native Plant Garden. Likewise, nearby wetlands would have been threatened by the new developments.
Efforts to save Mercerdale Park from private development were lead by Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks (CCMIP). Co-chairs Meg Lippert and Peter Struck believe that Mercer Island parks provide a landmark distinction and pride for residents, according to the group’s website. As stated online, CCMIP publicly opposed the city’s effort to move forward with the removal of public property without a democratic vote by the citizens. “CCMIP has been working for (three and a half) years to terminate the MOU as we believed that a huge privately-owned facility in the park was not in the best interest of the residents,” said Meg Lippert and Struck in a statement. Mercerdale Park is a 12-acre property next to the Mercer Island Town Center. The park includes a large lawn area used for community events and gatherings throughout the year. In previous years, citizens have protested and petitioned the City Council to protect public parkland against threats of construction. Since 1985, angered residents have battled to avoid the creation of community centers, public plazas, municipal offices, a library and a new fire station.
On June 18, the Mercer Island City Council voted unanimously to terminate the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would have allowed a private developer to construct a facility in Mercerdale Park. The action preserves the Island’s town center public park, including the native plant garden beside the skate park, for future generations. Photo courtesy of Meg Lippert
Celebrating the Fourth on the Eastside By Stephanie Quiroz squiroz@soundpublishing.com
Americans all over the country including the Eastside region will gather on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day. The Fourth of July commemorates the signing and adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Eastsiders can look forward to experiencing the Fourth of July with fireworks, parades, food and entertainment.
Mercer Island For the first time, Islanders will be hosting an All-Island Fourth of July Picnic at Mercerdale Park. Activities include kids games,
adult games, guided nature walks in the nearby Native Plant Garden with local plant experts, kid’s story time, and more. Locals can also come to meet City Council candidates and present councilmembers. The picnic runs from noon to 4 p.m.
Bothell-Kenmore In Bothell, the celebration starts off at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Downtown Fire Station. At about 11 a.m., locals can head out to Main Street for the children’s parade, followed by the annual grand parade at noon. The Northshore Senior Center will continue the celebration from noon to 4 p.m. with food trucks,
bouncy houses, beer and wine, face painting, a pie eating contest, and touch-a-truck.
Kirkland In Kirkland, festivities will include a children’s parade at 11:30 a.m. followed by the old fashioned parade at Lakeshore Plaza and Kirkland Ave., a community picnic, live music, and the fireworks display off of Marina Park at 10:15 p.m.
Snoqualmie Valley Nestled in the Snoqualmie Valley, the city of Carnation will celebrate America’s birthday with a parade, 5K Run/Walk, pancake
breakfast, live music, three-onthree basketball, car show, vendor village, strawberry shortcake feast and fireworks. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. and continue until dark.
Bellevue Bellevue will celebrate the Fourth at its annual Bellevue Family Fourth event. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the Bellevue Fourth on the Fourth Dog Jog at Ashwood Park. Other activities include kid’s entertainment, an outdoor food court and live music. Fireworks begin at about 10 p.m. which will be synchronized to a live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra.
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