Merchants are open during yearlong road closure
July 3, 2008
Merchants along Duvall Avenue Northeast near Sunset Boulevard are still open for business, despite the heavy Read more
Feds break up roving brothel ring
July 3, 2008
Asian hookers reportedly brought to Newcastle
Federal prosecutors accused two men last month of operating roving brothels in Newcastle, Renton and Bellevue.
Yin Hoo Yap, of Malaysia, and Kou-Chwung Liu allegedly arranged Read more
Slow economy causes delay in construction projects locally
July 3, 2008
The City Council voted to bump some construction projects due to a slumping economy and a downturn in home construction.
There were no single-family building permits issued in May and only eight in the first five months of this year. By comparison, 113 single-family permits were issued in 2005, when Read more
City spared proposed King County law enforcement staffing cuts
July 3, 2008
A $68 million budget shortfall in King County in 2009 should have little effect on law enforcement in Read more
Fleeing thief rams car with woman, toddlers inside
July 3, 2008
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. June 20, a woman returning home with her two preschool-aged children in the car saw a white Ford truck back into her gravel driveway in the 14500 Read more
Editorial
July 3, 2008
Summer’s here, but it’s time to vote
Summer is a great time to relax, but in just a few short weeks, voters will need to get back to business and prepare for the Aug. 19 primary election. Last year, the state kicked its long-standing September primary to the curb for its first August election. What that means is absentee ballots will be in the mail beginning July 30.
Voters need to keep in mind that among local and state elections, primaries are extremely important. Many of the most important decisions affecting local, county and state government are made during the dog days of summer.
The election winnows the field among candidates and sets the stage for the November general election ballot. The state Supreme Court races are often decided in the primary. If one of the candidates receives more than 50 percent of the ballots cast, he or she advances unopposed.
Those who plan to be on vacation in mid-August should consider applying for an absentee ballot. Everyone should consider adding a candidate forum to their list of summer activities, and adding the voters pamphlet to the list of good summer reads. To get a jump start, the elections department has a copy of the primary ballot on its Web site.
Residents who aren’t yet registered have even less time to get involved. Register online or by mail by July 17 to vote in the August primary. Or sign up in person by Aug. 4 at the King County Elections Office in Renton.
Online at www.metrokc.gov/elections you’ll find forms to register or apply for an absentee ballot.
To vote in Washington, you must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the state, at least age 18 by election day and not have had a felony conviction. You do not have to declare a political party to vote in the state’s primary or general election.
Historically, voter turnout has been a national disgrace, although record numbers turned out for presidential primaries across the nation earlier this year. The average election turnout in presidential elections barely tops 50 percent. School levy elections and primaries have even fewer voters. You can take the first step in turning that around.
So, pack the voters pamphlet along with the sunscreen as you hit the beaches and lakes this month.
Embrace democracy by becoming a 1) registered and 2) informed voter, and then be sure to vote.
Letters to the editor
July 3, 2008
Shuffling students presents too many questions about the effects on Liberty
The Boundary Review Committee has a problem. It has yet to answer how poaching students from out of the district to fill Liberty classrooms fulfills their mandate Read more
Support group offers social network for busy moms
July 3, 2008
Transitioning from the workplace to raising a family can be demanding, especially if you’re new to the area with no family or friends and a husband Read more
Hazen High School principal retires after 35 years in education
July 3, 2008
Sue Beeson retired last month after working 14 years as an administrator Read more
Hazen class of 2010 on track with state WASL requirements
July 3, 2008
Preliminary high school results show a great majority of students meet reading and writing standards
More than 90 percent of Hazen High School 10th-graders this spring passed Read more
