Lamb Island Qld

Eastside Mayors Discuss Business Development, Transit

Mayors Don Davidson of Bellevue, Mark Lamb of Bothell, Joan McBride of Kirkland, Jim Pearman of Mercer Island and Don Gerend of Sammamish discussed the shared interests and unique problems of Eastside cities at a forum in Bellevue Thursday.

In response to a question about competition, Kirkland's McBride said that the cities have been more cooperative and dependent on each other than in past years.

"Our boundaries are much more flexible now as far as the way we work together," McBride said. "The city of Kirkland thrives and doesn't thrive depending on the cities around us. We're sort of all in this together.

"With Kirkland, what do we want to be now and in the next 20-30 years? We want to be the most progressive, we want to be the most inclusive, welcoming and safe city on the Eastside. That's our goal, and we can't be that without the robust business environment and all those other things you put in place," McBride said.

Sammamish's Gerend agreed.

"We actually compete with Seattle and sometimes King County. We have our issues with the state and with the federal government, but none of us ourselves," Gerend said.

Gerend said that the city of Sammamish does not have many businesses yet, but that the city has been working on plans to spur more business and creating a gathering center close to downtown Sammamish.

"I think urban planners many years ago made the mistake of deciding to zone one area of town for manufacturing, one area for residential, one area for retail and depending on the automobile to get you from one place to the other. We are now going back to the more traditional--what you see in Europe--with the mixed use gathering center in downtown," he said.

Bellevue mayor Davidson was put in the hot seat when asked about the city's independent study of an alternative light rail route for Sound Transit's plan for the East Link portion of light rail.

The Bellevue City Council, in split decisions, has put $670,000 behind the study of a route that would take the trains away from a path that roughly follows Bellevue Way SE -- Sound Transit's preferred route-- and put them on a former rail line that roughly follows Interstate 405. The decision is set to be made later this summer.  Read more about that topic here.

The council and local residents have been split over the issue.

"I swore to protect single-family neighborhoods. I think that's a mainstay of the city of Bellevue. And I continue to say that Surrey Downs and Enatai deserve to be protected," Davidson said. He criticized Sound Transit's preference as something that would disrupt wetlands and create traffic tie-ups along Bellevue Way SE.

Lamb Island Queensland « Sunrise…Travel Talk with Maggi

Surrounded by the tranquil waters of Moreton Bay, these islands are arguably the last unspoilt coastal residential environment in South-East Queensland, and still something of a secret even to Brisbane people, let alone the rest of Australia. And although the word is now starting to get out, so far this lack of awareness has kept island property prices relatively low.

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Lamb Island is home to many retired people who enjoy the serenity of living on an island.

Shopping is on nearby Mcleay Island or Russell Island or the  mainland with excellent shops at Victoria Point or Cleveland, both a short distance by b us which meets the ferry. There is a vehicular ferry which is used regularly by services. It is expensive for regular vehicle use, and most residents either keep two vehicles, or travel to the mainland every month or so to buy stocks of household supplies.

Lamb Island is a peaceful retreat for those wanting to live a quiet life  by the water.

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