A2 Mercer Island Reporter
II
By Wendy Giroux to make it work. and Jonson knew, they were set for "I did everything to make my
Mercer Island Reporter "Now that I've made it work, the next 15 years, dream work, and this is what's
With the recent announcement they're doing this to me," Sotelo When surveyors started workhappening," she said.
that ERA Care Communities is said. (Ana with one "n" refers to on the property in July and Sotelo While the restaurant could
purchasing the property where the previous owner.) was told the owner was consid- find cheaper rental rates off the
Ana's and Haruko's restaurants do The business pays less than ering selling the property. They Island, Sotelo lives here and has
business, many community mem- $5 per square foot under its cur- didn't get official word until enjoyed becoming a part of the
bers are wondering what will rent lease. Quotes for space in October. business community. They have
happen to the popular eateries, the new multi-use projects being "I would have never gotten sponsored a variety of sports
The answer is, with the own- built downtown -- The Mercer into this venture if I had known teams, which often hold season-
ors still considering options, it's and Island Market Square -- start this was the case," Sotelo said. end banquets at the restaurant.
probably too soon to tell.at $24 per square foot, Sotelo "It's just wrong not to have this This summer, Ana's will host an
"(Haruko's) food is just ter- said. disclosed." organic farm stand in their park-
rifle," said Jane Becker, who has "No one can afford that," she She has turned the matter over ing lot -- the idea sprang from
lived on the Island since 1981. said. "My opinion as a small busi- to her attorney, who feels confi- a partnership with the Napton,
She and her husband, Jim, have ness owner is those places are dent about the terms of the lease. Wash. farm Alvarez Brothers,
been going to Haruko's since it going to be vacant. There's just no "How can these people an- which Sotelo purchased in-season
opened, pr0fiit." nounce this when I have a 15- organic produce from.
"It's one of the better places to ERA Care plans to developyear lease?" Sotelo asked. "I'm "We're just trying to be here for
eat on the Island" Becker said. "It the site at 2420 76th Ave. S.E. just disgusted and disappointed" the community," Sotelo said. '~I
will just be a shame to lose them. into an upscale senior living com- The sisters have had more than wanted to see these children grow
It's great food, friendly service, munity, just a hard location and minimal up and to be able to provide
easy to get into and out of." Before the property was sold customer base to deal with -- in Mercer Island with a clean, com-
And Ana's, which has only to ERA Care, the building Ana's February, their mother was struck fortable family environment with-
been open under its new owner- rents was owned by Stuart Ewing and killed by a truck, out having to leave the Island."
ship for about a year, quickly es- of Ewing and Clark. It was for- "We really overcame a lot this Her 4-year-old son, David, of-
tablished a loyal following of merly occupied by Mi Pueblo, year," Sotelo said. "We lost our ten seats customers and is some-
customers and is already mak- which Sotelo and her sister pur- mother traumatically. To be hun- what of a fixture of the restau-
ing a profit, chased, and before that, by a est, I would have rather just stay rant, which Sotelo has worked
Last year, owner Anna Sotelo Denny's restaurant, in bed, but it gave me more in- hard to remake in true "family
signed a lease she thought would The pair renegotiated a contract centive to make it work." style."
last 15 years. She and her busi- for the property before opening for Sotelo works 14 hour days. "People know they can come to
ness partner and sister, Tania business, and were given a five- The restaurant employs 20 peo- my restaurant, their kids can throw
Jensen, sunk all their savings, year lease with two five-year op- ple, and the restaurant's numbers rice on the floor, and we'll smile
time and energy into the restaurant tions to renew. As far as Sotelo are.finally in the black, and say, 'See you next time.'"
Medical care for retired firefighters, police costs city
By Wendy Giroux The issue is one that affects
Mercer Island Reporter cities and counties statewide. The
Association of Washington Cities
Medical care for retired police
has approached the Legislature for
officers and fire fighters who were
hired under an old law costs the assistance and continues to lobby for
city a considerable amount every some sort of legislative fix.
According to the AWC, a study
year.
City staff and City Council mem- in 2000 estimated local govern-
bers will have to decide how to ments' liability at well over $800
fund the costs in the coming decades, million.
As part of that process, the council
will receive an actuarial study at
the its next meeting on Jan. 3 by
Milliman USA about the firefighters
pension fund, which covers em-
ployees who were in the system
before March 1, 1970.
' Decisions must be made on how
the city will pay for the future im-
pacts of the firefighters pension
fund and LEOFF 1 (Law
', Enforcement Officers and
; Firefighters retirement system plan
1 ). The LEOFF 1 system was cre-
ated in 1969 by consolidating sev-
eral existing pension systems.
Employers were then required to
cover medically necessary servic-
es for all full-time police officers
and firefighters even after retire-
ment.
MERCER
ISLAND
FLORIST
"The Homeguy"
Jack Alhadeff
BAIN ASSOCIATES
Servicing Mercer Island
and the Eastside
homeguy @ coldwellbanker.com
(206) 230.5460
"It's a very expensive law," Sylvis n't known about -- because they
said. were all too young -- was the bit
In 1977, the plan was changed, about long-term care" Sylvis said.
but any employee who was hired It's not an .easily predictable sit-
while the plan was active will receive uation, and it's hard to estimate
the benefits, how long the costs will continue
"It kind of snuck up on us in since the provision will last as long
the sense that we weren't really as the retirees live.
thinking about this and all of a sud- Total medical bills for retirees
den, it's like you have 30 additional are a considerable amount -- the
employees" Sylvis said. annual costs for just the one retired
Thirty-six retired Mercer Island employee who is in long-term care
firefighters and police are current- are $50,000. The money is budget-
ly receiving benefits; four current ed out'of the city's benefit fund,
city employees will be eligible un- which is about $2.4 million per year.
der LEOFF 1 when they do retire. City officials received their first
The Milliman study also will ad- long-term care claim in 2002, from
dress the potential medical bene- the family of a retiree who was in
fits of LEOFF 1 members, a nursing home for one year be-
Costs can range from regular fore his death. That claim totaled
physician's visits to surgical pro- $74,318. Mercer Island's Disability
cedures to placement in a nursing Board, which reviews medical care
home. costs for LEOFF 1 members, ap-
"One of the things that we had- proved reimbursement of $58,146.
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UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED:
Council Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at
City Hall the first and third Monday of every month;
Special Meetings and Study Sessions begin at 6:00 pm;
Regular Meetings begin at 7:30 pm.
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Slohn .$coff
REAL ESTATE
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M' PORTERIs
Published by King County Journal Newspapers
7845 SE 30th Street P.O. Box 38 * Mercer Island, WA 98040
Phone: (206) 232-1215 Fax: (206) 232-1284 Hours: Mouday-Fdday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Mercer Island Reporter (USPS 339620)
is published weekly every Wednesday.
Second-class postage paid at Mercer Island, WA.
Subscription rotes: $3 per month; $36 per year.
POSTMASTER: Send address
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Subscribe:
Call 425453-4240 Monday through Friday
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Advertise:
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Retail Advertising: 206-232-1215
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Administration:
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Messages 24 Hrs: 425-450-121,7
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Vice President/New Media:
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Editor & General Manager:
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Advertising Account Executive:
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News Staff:
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Grady, Matt Phelps, DeAnn Rossetti
Photographer: Sophie Pangrazzi
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Newsro~m:
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CITY OF MERCER ISLAND
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Councilmembers:
Bryan Cairns, Deputy Mayor
Sven Goldmanis
Dan Grausz
El Jahncke
Steve Litzow
Alan Merkle, Mayor
Jim Pearman
Councilmembers do not have
offices at City Hall; however,
they do receive their mail at:
City of Mercer Island
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA 98040
To leave a message for a
Councilmember call 236-5300.
The City Council Regular
Meeting of Monday,
December 20th, 2004
has been CANCELLED.
The next Regular Meeting will be held on
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 7:30 pm in
City Hall Council Chambers.
Agenda items are tentative. Verify schedule by
calling the City Clerk's Office at (206) 236-3572.
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