I watched the Redmond Derby Days Parade. There are parts I love and parts I could do without, but I was amazed at the positioning of the Honor Guard. It came after the Seafair Guard? Also more than half the viewers didn’t stand, salute, stand at attention or anything.

Is Redmond so unpatriotic?

I know we have a lot of foreigners living here, but even they should respect the flag by standing. If anyone has that little respect for this country and our flag, then don’t go to a parade. Clapping was nice, but hardly possible if you respect the flag/presenting of the colors in the proper way. We even had to tell a Boy Scout in uniform to stand up as the flag passed. This is part of Flag Etiquette I found on the internet. I was taught to stand at attention/salute when the first (honor guard) U.S. flag went by in a parade. I wonder what others were taught to acknowledge this great country and flag?

– Barbara Dickson, Redmond

Code change meeting may impact Tent City

The City of Redmond is holding a community meeting for residents to learn about a proposed code change to the Redmond Community Development Guide. The meeting will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24 in the Redmond City Hall Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85th St.

The proposed amendment to the code is the Temporary Use section, which currently is duplicative and lacks clarity. The proposed changes are to delete one section of the code and modify the other section to make clear the code’s intent. The change will also include temporary encampments as an allowed use under specific conditions.

In 2007, a temporary Tent City 4 encampment at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Redmond was an extremely controversial issue. Many residents of Education Hill opposed the encampment, fearing that it would draw a criminal element to their neighborhood. Although the encampment’s presence was peaceful, it is likely that some residents would be concerned in the event that such a temporary land use would be proposed again in the future.

“We’re taking this extra step of holding an informational meeting for a code amendment prior to the official Public Hearing because we realize the issue of temporary encampments is sensitive,” stated Steven Fischer, senior planner for the City of Redmond. “We want residents to have more than one chance to express their views on the subject.”

A short presentation will be given at the beginning of the meeting and then residents will be encouraged to ask questions of city staff. This is not a Public Hearing, so public testimony will not be taken. The Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Commission later in the summer.

For more information, contact Steven Fischer at sfischer@redmond.gov or (425) 556-2432.