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Serving the Mercer Island Community Serving community Since since 1947 1947
MI | THIS WEEK
Wednesday, March15, 20,2014 2013 | 75¢ Wednesday, January
Clibborn holding out hope
Seahawk selfies
Planning Commission to review Coval proposal tonight The City Planning Commission will hold a meeting regarding the proposal to build 18 homes on the property owned by the Coval family on 84th Ave S.E. at 7 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Lawmakers return for legislative session but transportation package uncertain, tolling looms
Dial in to talk with Sen. Litzow
By Celina Kareiva
ckareiva@mi-reporter.com
School Board annual retreat is Thursday
Not all support plans to remodel Island’s library
The members of the Mercer Island School Board will hold their annual retreat beginning at 8 a.m., Jan. 16, in the Boardroom of the School District Administration Building at 4160 84th Ave. S.E. The meeting is open to the public until 12:30 p.m.
By Celina Kareiva
ckareiva@mi-reporter.com
Parent Edge talk on children’s friendships The Island group, Parent Edge presents parenting expert, Trudy Ludwig who will speak at 7 p.m., Jan 21 at Island Park Elementary School. Cost is free for PTA members or $10.
YTN’s Little Mermaid, Jr. opens Friday Tickets are on sale now for this special version of the beloved fairy tale. Go to www.youththeatre.org for tickets and information.
At a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 12, Islanders got a preview of narrowed design plans for a major remodel of the Mercer Island Library. The response was mixed. Many Islanders felt they were losing the most beloved elements of the existing structure, others questioned if the remodel was needed in the first place. “A lot of people were concerned they were doing things that aren’t necessary and very expensive, that will leave us with something worse than we started with,” said Islander Marcia Mellinger. The remodel, funded by a bond issue passed in 2003 by King County voters, was intended to address three main grievances: acoustics, lighting and flow. According to project
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bronze rabbit statue, a corner that will eventually become the children’s collection. Baleiko said the window would add light and activity to a section previously closed off. The bathroom will be outfitted with new furnishings and shear walls engineers the sloped wood of the will be added to the west perimeter skylight is the source of traveling of the children’s section (now the sound. Outdated ceiling tiles around meeting room). North of that, on the perimeter of the building will be the western wall of the library will replaced to further improve acous- be a multi-purpose space, two study rooms with storage behind them tics. Library staff and and a small attendants also acknowlmeeting room edged that many parts of in the norththe library were over-lit, west corner. while other corners were The information too dim. and check-out “We’re just improving Bart Dawson, Islander kiosk will also the character of what’s be shifted so it’s inside,” assured Ruth more centrally Baleiko, an architect located, but disconnected from the from Miller Hull Partnership. staff’s workroom. Wood slats will Most changes were confined by the footprint of the space but sec- be added over the skylight diffusing tions will be rearranged and the some of the glare, and with the hope, collection slightly reduced. Among said Baleiko, that it will feel like less the proposed changes are a floor- of a “big black mirror at night.” But some Islanders wondered if to-ceiling window to the left of the entrance, just behind the existing library | Page 2
“This feels like change for change’s sake.”
clibborn | Page 6
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Heather Kahan/ Special to the Reporter
John, Sarah and Leah Kahan on the turf at Century Link Field, joined with many Islanders during these last few weeks to support the Seahawks on their journey to the NFC Championship set for Jan. 19
On Monday, Jan. 13 lawmakers picked up where they left off with the opening of the 2014 legislative session. They’re faced with a new order from the state Supreme Court demanding faster compliance with the McCleary ruling to fully fund public schools. Lawmakers will also attempt to pass a transportation package and address climate change. With I-90 tolling still on the table, Islanders should be particularly attuned to Olympia’s happenings. “[Without] a transportation package, tolling is still in the
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Islander and 41st District State Senator Steve Litzow, will hold a telephone town meeting beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16. For details on how to participate read more on page 4.
e life Have th GO SEAHAWKS! ou want! y 2448 76th Ave SE, Suite 107 - Mercer Island
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