Mar 7, 2018 | Vol. 13 | No. 10
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 A Letter to the Community on School Safety
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Click to read the full letter to the community
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- How could a shooting like that have happened?
- Could that happen here on Mercer Island?
- What's being done to prevent a school shooting here?
Today, these agencies are publishing a
joint letter
to explain what is being done on Mercer Island. These efforts are not labelled "active shooter prevention" or "gun safety." They exist in the social-emotional curriculum taught in classrooms, availability of mental health and police support in every school, and expert speakers coordinated by the PTA's Parent Edge. Gun violence prevention requires a coordinated response rooted in stakeholder collaboration, evidence-based approaches, and in community mobilization.
The entire community is encouraged to
read the full letter
from Donna Colosky (MISD Superintendent), Cindy Goodwin (the City's Youth and Family Services Director), and Ed Holmes (MI Police Chief).
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Women's History Month and Women's Day on MI
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The five Island woman recipients (in center with documents);
click to read the full Proclamation
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At this week's Council meeting, Mayor Debbie Bertlin proclaimed March as Women's History Month, and March 8 as International Women's Day in the City of Mercer Island.
The proclamation recognizes that Women's History Month celebrates American women of every race, class, and ethnic background who have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our nation. It also acknowledges International Women's Day as a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
Mayor Debbie Bertlin, joined by Councilmember Wendy Weiker and City Manager Julie Underwood, presented the proclamation to Dr. Lisa Chin (President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of King County), Myra Lupton (Community Volunteer), Amanda Clark (past President of the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County), and Dana Berejka and Julia Graham (two of the three co-Presidents of the Gender Equality Club at the Mercer Island High School).
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Leap for Green Sustainability Fair, April 14
Mercer Island's Leap for Green sustainability fair started back in 2008, to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) by promoting environmental practices and activities for kids and adults, and to raise general awareness of local sustainability resources.
This year's theme is
On The Move
- getting around the Island and the region more sustainably. We'll have live entertainment and music from Yaamba Marimba and The Bus Boys, transit information and updates, electric bike demos, alternative-fuel vehicles, arts and crafts, educational activities (gardening, planting and composting), various sustainability vendors and booths, giveaways, and of course, several food carts.
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Change Your Clocks on Sunday
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Move clocks AHEAD one hour
this Sunday; click for related history
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This Sunday, March 11, at 2:00am, Washington State reverts to Daylight Saving Time, meaning that clocks must be moved one hour AHEAD. Most modern digital devices will switch automatically.
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Water Safety with MI Marine Patrol
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Teaching boater and swimmer safety;
click to learn more
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Marine Patrol officers are once again visiting area schools in their annual effort to gear up for a safe summer by teaching water safety to more than 1,000 Kindergartners, first graders and second graders. Students learn the importance of wearing a lifejacket (correctly!) and learning how to swim.
Outside the classroom, the
Mercer Island Marine Patrol is responsible for 24/7 emergency response on the waters around Mercer Island, Renton and Bellevue. The unit patrols daily during boating season, and in the off-season responds to requests for help, pursues necessary training and certifications, maintains buoys and boats, responds to requests for floating debris management, and spends time maintaining and repairing equipment. In 2017, the Marine Patrol issued 32 citations on 246 boat stops, and conducted 31 search and rescue operations; Mercer Island alone has almost 15 miles of shoreline.
The Marine Patrol is a vital component of the Island's emergency response plan. In the event that I-90 bridges are compromised, Marine Patrol boats can transport sick or injured individuals to awaiting aid units or medical facilities such as the University of Washington hospital.
The cost to operate Mercer Island's Marine Patrol is approximately $500,000 per year, with $210,000 of that deriving from vessel registration fees, service fees from the City of Renton, and grant monies. The City of Bellevue doesn't pay a service fee, but in exchange provides a range of services to Mercer Island at no charge (K-9 unit, forensics, firing range, bomb squad, major investigations, SWAT, and additional fire/EMS responses). Learn more about
Marine Patrol.
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