? Thumbs up for a new committee to study the state’s obligation to fully fund public education. The committee, appointed last week by Gov. Christine Gregoire, is the result of a bill sponsored by Mercer Island’s freshman senator, Brian Weinstein. The 12-member committee will study education in this state from early childhood through higher education and come up with an action plan to improve it, including legislative proposals.
“I think it was a good thing. It needed to come out.”
By Jim Pearman
It is time once again to send off another generation of Islanders into the next stage of their lives. Tomorrow’s graduation ceremony for Mercer Island High School’s class of 2005 is an event filled with fanfare and joy.It is inevitably bittersweet.
“I think that perhaps the Republicans didn’t have as much of a case as they thought they did. I think he’s wise to bow out at this point in time.”
It’s now the final week for students in the Mercer Island School District. The last day of school is tomorrow, Thursday, June 23, a week after seniors from Mercer Island High School formally graduated and were sent off into the world, diplomas in hand. The members of the Class of 2005 have accomplished much and are poised for even more success in the future. Much of this week’s Mercer Island Reporter is dedicated to the graduating seniors, their families and teachers.
By Melanie Shipley, John Jennings and Eva Zemplenyi
“I think I would. I did work four or five years longer. I would be satisfied if I got a little less even; anything for the future of our kids.”
The City of Mercer Island’s stepped-up enforcement this year of its ban on fireworks from public property — parks, school grounds and open spaces — is welcome and overdue. Consumer fireworks, the so-called “safe and sane” kind, are still legal to use on private property, but only on the Fourth of July holiday. There will be more police, firefighters and parks employees on duty that day to enforce the law and educate the public.
By Judy Clibborn
“I think it should be legal under (adult) supervision.”
The first time Brian Weinstein heard Reps. Judy Clibborn and Fred Jarrett speak was last year at a Chamber of Commerce lunch. Weinstein joined the two Mercer Island state legislators last month at another Chamber lunch, but this time as a freshman senator.
By Vicki Rackner
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