Editorial
August 1, 2008
City is moving in the right direction
In January, Newcastle News outlined its hopes for city accomplishments for the coming year. Here we are a little past the mid-point. We’re pleased the city hired a parks manager, has kept a watchful eye on Coal Creek Parkway costs and has put a proposed skateboard park on the back burner.
Kudos are also in order for residents west of Coal Creek Parkway, who approved Renton’s maintenance and operations levy, technology levy and $150 million bond. It took two tries, but the school construction bond measure will bring a new 10-classroom wing to Hazen High School, along with improvements to the kitchen and athletic fields. The technology levy will see computer upgrades at Hazelwood Elementary and McKnight Middle schools.
Newcastle went four years without hiring a parks manager before Michael Holly was chosen earlier this year.
He brings a fresh hands-on approach to the post. He’s also been instrumental in holding public meetings and seeking public comment on a proposed sports park facility in southwest Newcastle.
City officials continue to seek funding from county, state and federal partners for the Coal Creek Parkway project. Cost overruns have not cropped up and the project is on schedule.
The city is also to be commended for purchasing a generator for City Hall. The generator will help power the building during natural disasters, so City Hall can be used as a communication center and place where people can stop by to warm up during a power outage.
Newcastle has room for more good leaders. City officials are always looking to fill openings on the parks and planning commissions. We’re impressed with the quality of people who have come forward in the past six months to fill commission vacancies. And we would be remiss if we didn’t thank the dedicated group of volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to clear ivy from Newcastle’s historic cemetery near Lake Boren.
As for the skateboard park, skateboarders should have a safe place to skate, but Newcastle has a long list of recreation needs for larger segments of the population. The city should revisit the issue later.
A skateboard facility could be incorporated with the discussion of a new City Hall.
With five months left in the year, a new city goal should be a welcoming monument on the south end of town to compliment the one on the city’s northern entrance.
Letters to the editor
August 1, 2008
Mothers support group a valuable asset
In reading the story about the Eastside Mothers & More support group in the July Newcastle News, I cannot overemphasize the value of such groups.
Mine grew out of a baby-care course offered by a King County nurse - and we’re still together 22 years later. We very quickly determined that it was more helpful to meet without children, and have done so on alternate Wednesday nights since October 1986.
We have supported each other through all the usual children’s ailments and development challenges (from toilet training to driver training), our children’s school transitions, first romances and now job searches, as well as the death of parents. We sometimes suspect we’ll be together 30 or 40 years from now in assisted living.
Linda Carlson
Seattle
Death with Dignity initiative devalues life
I read the June 6 Newcastle News article about the Death with Dignity Initiative with interest.
This initiative is another attempt to devalue life. It gives the government influence into our lives and opens the door for abuse. In my opinion, this proposal is another step on the slippery slope that America is on.
First, we take prayer out of school. And then, we legalize abortion and affirm gay rights. Now, we are being asked to give our blessings to ending the lives of others. People see this as a step of assistance but it will eventually lead to the demise of the mentally, physically disadvantaged, the elderly and others that society deem unacceptable.
We need to stand our ground and hold fast to the truth that all human life is valuable and God should be in control of its beginning and its end.
Patsy Tosch
Newcastle
