Weekend roundup: Meet the firefighters, buy some bricks and learn about Facebook
October 4, 2013
NEW — 2:20 p.m. Oct. 4, 2013
There are always a multitude of things to do in Newcastle, but here is a quick roundup of some notable weekend happenings.
File
Newcastle residents can meet the firefighters that serve the community at an Oct. 5 open house.
Bellevue Fire Department hosts open house Read more
City development is top topic at annual town hall
October 4, 2013
The city of Newcastle will host its annual town hall Oct. 22, and while past events have focused on city finances, this year, attendees can expect to hear about a slew of projects that mean a great deal to Newcastle’s future.
Development of the Mutual Materials site, potential plans for Lake Boren Park improvements and a presentation about Newcastle 2035, the city’s Comprehensive Plan, are all on the agenda for the meeting, City Manager Rob Wyman said.
Residents will have an opportunity to offer their thoughts on those topics and, at the end, ask their own questions of the City Council. The city will again use pulse pads to gauge audience opinion. Read more
Council suggests street name change
October 4, 2013
Southeast 88th Street corridor could become May Creek Park Drive
A 1.5-mile stretch of road in the south end of the city could get rebranded as May Creek Park Drive after the Newcastle City Council discussed it at its Aug. 20 meeting.
The street that begins off of Coal Creek Parkway as Southeast 89th Place actually changes names six times along its route, making it difficult to give directions, said Councilman Bill Erxleben, who suggested the name change.
“This goes back to 2002 when the council then first decided that for its major directional roads that rather than have multiple street numbers that we have a name for the entire section to provide clear directions to people,” he said.
The name change would add a certain prestige to the road, eliminate the confusion that comes with multiple street names and add a directional element since the road goes to the entrance of May Creek Park, Erxleben said. Read more
2014 budget process begins
October 4, 2013
The 2014 budget season officially began in July when city staff members presented a five-year financial forecast to City Council members at a budget retreat.
Boosted mainly by incoming development revenue, and improving sales tax funds, city finances appear relatively sound for the short-term future.
In fact, city Finance Director Christine Olson projected a budget surplus for 2014, the first such occurrence since City Manager Rob Wyman had been appointed in 2010, he said at the retreat. Read more
Give input for vision of the city’s future
October 4, 2013
The city of Newcastle’s volunteer Planning Commission is reaching out to residents for feedback as it looks to update the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan, effectively rebranded as Newcastle 2035 for the remainder of the update, is a document that outlines the city’s vision and goals for the future.
Residents can offer their opinions about the city’s future, and what they would like to see in the next 20 years in an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/DCGR99P.
A statute requires cities to update their comprehensive plans by June 2015. Newcastle last completed its Growth Management Act-mandated update in 2003.
Register to vote by Oct. 7
October 4, 2013
Election Day is not until Nov. 5, but citizens should prepare now to make sure their voice counts by registering to vote.
Oct. 7 is the deadline for mail-in registration, address change and other updates.
More information about registration — by mail or online — is available at the King County Elections registration website, www.kingcounty.gov/elections/registration.
In order to register as a Washington voter, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a Washington resident, at least 18 by Election Day and not under the authority of the state Department of Corrections.
In Washington, voters do not register by political party or declare political party membership to vote.
Baima House is important remnant of Newcastle’s past
October 4, 2013
By Bob Cerelli
Newcastle’s Baima House is one of the oldest buildings in King County. The property’s owners, Pam and Gary Lee, have fixed it up as seen in this recent photo.
If walls could talk, the Baima House would tell quite a story, one that spans more than a century, and includes moments of revelry, sadness and even mischief. Read more
Get to know the Newcastle City Council candidates
October 4, 2013
Newcastle residents will see three City Council positions up for election on their Nov. 5 ballot, but only one race is contested.
Council candidates John Drescher and Mark Greene answered questions about numerous issues facing Newcastle in the years ahead. (Answers had to be 25 words or less.)
John Drescher Read more
Tree-planting event marks Arbor Day
October 4, 2013
Contributed
Volunteers will plant trees on a public parcel adjacent to China Creek on Oct. 26.
The city of Newcastle will celebrate Arbor Day with a tree-planting event Oct. 26.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will plant trees on a public parcel adjacent to China Creek. Attendees are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring a shovel or trowel. Read more
Public Health holds enrollment events
October 4, 2013
Beginning this fall, Newcastle residents will have a new way to find, compare and enroll in affordable health insurance coverage.
King County Public Health’s Washington Healthplanfinder is a part of the county’s effort to ensure all residents who are newly eligible for health coverage are enrolled.
All health plans offered through Washington Healthplanfinder include basic benefits like doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions, maternity care and preventive care.
Free or low-cost coverage is available. Enrollment begins Oct. 1 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2014. Read more
