Newcastle at 20
June 5, 2014
Creating a sense of community
January 6, 2012
After 17 years, longtime Newcastle resident Sonny Putter steps down from City Council
Sonny Putter, longtime Newcastle city councilman, cuts into a cake celebrating his 17 consecutive years of service at his last City Council meeting Dec. 6. By John Jensen
As you flip through the pages of longtime Newcastle City Councilman Sonny Putter’s date book, you start to notice a trend.
For the month of October, nearly every date is bursting with small writing filling each box.
Residential designer hopes to bring new perspective to Planning Commission
January 6, 2012
Residential designer Jon W. Simpson is the newest member of the city of Newcastle’s Planning Commission.
Simpson was selected from a pool of five applicants to the commission that acts as an advisory board to the City Council. The commission offers recommendations on the city’s comprehensive plan, development codes and other land-use issues.
The new commissioner hopes his experience as a residential designer will bring a unique perspective to the board made up of seven members.
Jon Simpson
“What I’ve seen missing from the city government is the perspective from that industry and profession, and it shouldn’t be,” Simpson said. “There should be more people like myself, who have the knowledge and the experience, getting involved.”
Simpson’s background is in design and construction. He owns his own residential design firm and has designed homes all over the region.
“Design has been a passion of mine since I was a child,” Simpson said. “Some are artistically oriented and some are mechanically oriented. I grew up drawing house plans before I ever even understood how to draw a house plan. It’s just what I did since I was a child.”
Working in the construction and design industry, Simpson is quite familiar with the paperwork that comes with planning and land development.
Diamond Awards honor community
December 1, 2011
Members of the Newcastle community who contribute time, energy and service to make the city a better place to live were recognized at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s Diamond Awards on Nov. 10.
Karin Blakley, Diamond Award emcee and chamber board member, said recipients in the event’s youth, education, business, community service and mayor’s choice categories exemplify service and community pride that make Newcastle a great place to call home and do business.
Kent Coburn and Roland Deex were honored with a Diamond Award in the youth category.
Valley Medical Center representatives accept the Diamond Award for the business category. Photos by Christina Lords
Coburn has volunteered at Newcastle Days, and for Arbor Day and various Weed Warrior events since 2008. He plays in Hazen High School’s jazz band and played at Newcastle’s Earth Day event in 2011.
Deex, a Liberty High School student, is a member of the honor society and tutors students before school, and he mentors a Newcastle boy with autism each week through the Athletes for Kids buddy program. During Deex’s Eagle Scout project, he organized service projects to benefit the East May Creek Trail.
Cathy Dean, a first-grade teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School, was awarded the education award for her ability to build good relationships with students that enable them to achieve a strong educational foundation.
Valley Medical Center was honored in the business category. The medical center was recognized for stepping up during tough economic times to become the main sponsor of Newcastle Days.
Diamond Awards recognize businesses, residents who serve Newcastle community
November 10, 2011
NEW — 3:50 p.m. Nov. 10, 2011
Members of the Newcastle community who contribute time, energy and service to make the city a better place to live were recognized at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s Diamond Awards on Nov. 10.
Karin Blakley, Diamond Award emcee and chamber board member, said recipients in the event’s youth, education, business, community service and the mayor’s choice categories exemplify service and community pride that make Newcastle a great place to call home and do business.
Kent Coburn and Roland Deex were honored with a Diamond Award in the youth category.
Fourth of July fireworks set at Lake Boren
June 3, 2011
Details emerging for Newcastle Days
UPDATED — 10:50 a.m. June 29, 2011
The city’s annual Fourth of July celebration in Lake Boren Park is a go this year, thanks to a $10,000 sponsorship from Lake Boren Townhomes, which opened in April on the north shore of Lake Boren. Resident Shel Neufeld also offered to match as much as $1,000 of contributions from local businesses for the event.*
This year’s celebration in the park will include music from Seattle cover band Shelley and the Curves, food vendors and — of course — a lot of fireworks to light up the twilight sky.
The celebration starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks starting at 10 p.m. Don’t forget a blanket. The new playground will be open for children in attendance.
“We are extremely excited to be part of the Newcastle community and are happy to do what we can to keep the celebration going,” Lake Boren Townhomes developer Claudio Guincher said in a news release. “Future homeowners will have a front row seat to the fireworks celebration. This is something we want them to be able to enjoy for years to come.”
Mayor John Dulcich said he was very grateful for the contribution from the developer.
Valley Medical Center to host chamber event May 12
May 11, 2011
NEW — 4:25 p.m. May 11, 2011
Valley Medical Center’s Newcastle clinic, 7203 129th Avenue S.E., will host a Newcastle Chamber of Commerce after-hours event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 12. The free event will showcase local businesses as well as the Newcastle Elementary School and Hazelwood Elementary School PTSAs.
There will also be an update on the Newcastle Library construction in addition to games and giveaways for children who attend.
Mayor John Dulcich will speak to open the event.
Call or email organizer Debbie Bird at 206-992-1669 or for more information.
Mayor ensures city is OK in the state of the city address
March 4, 2011
Mayor John Dulcich delivered the annual state of the city address at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s Feb. 9 luncheon.
During the speech, Dulcich also outlined the biggest achievements of 2010 — including the success of Newcastle Days — as well as the state of the city’s finances, major projects and outlook.
Financially, he said the city will be all right as long as the governing body is alert and responsible.
Mayor John Dulcich gives a state of the city address at the February meeting of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. By Tim Pfarr
“We’re OK,” he said about the city’s finances. “The reality is, there’s a little water in the bilge, but we’re moving forward, and we’re not sinking, and we’re not on fire.
“I think that’s important,” he said.
Dulcich also gave an overview of the largest construction projects planned for the city this year.
In addition to the library — which is now being built — a traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Newcastle Way and 129th Avenue Southeast.
State of the City address / Feb. 9, 2011
February 16, 2011
Parks Commission welcomes new member
February 4, 2011
City Clerk Bob Baker swore in new Parks Commissioner Jesse Tam at the Jan. 12 Parks Commission meeting.
Tam will serve until Sept. 1, 2014.
Mayor John Dulcich appointed Tam to the position.
