Snow recovers from surgery
City Council chair Christopher Snow is recovering from surgery in which his esophagus was removed following the detection of cancer.
The cancer had not spread to other organs, and Snow said he expects to recover fully.
“I still have things to do, and I intend to do them,” he said from his hospital room Friday.
The early-stage cancer was detected during a routine physical exam last month, and Snow underwent surgery this past Monday at Virginia Mason.
His esophagus was removed and the tract from mouth to stomach reconnected, a procedure Snow described as “pretty heavy duty” and “just as scary as it sounds.”
“I won’t be able to eat as large of meals as I used to,” he said. “It’s the hard way to lose weight, but never mind. The good news is, they got everything.”
Snow expects to be discharged from the hospital by the middle of next week.
He will miss the Aug. 22 council meeting, and has asked Bill Knobloch to serve as chair in his stead. He plans to return to his duties by the time the council reconvenes in September.
Snow is in his first term representing the island’s south ward.
– Douglas Crist
Bicyclist hurt in collision
A 63-year-old Bainbridge Island man was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Thursday evening following a car-bicycle collision at Day Road and State Route 305.
The man was heading east by bicycle on Day Road when he was struck at the intersection by a westbound car turning left from Day onto 305.
The driver of the car, a 53-year-old Bainbridge Island woman, told police her visibility was impaired by the sun. She was cited for failure to yield.
Officials said the man’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Volunteers sought for city
The city is seeking citizen volunteers for four commissions. Positions are available on:
Community Forestry Commission – advises the mayor and council on urban forestry issues, recommends policies and regulations to preserve urban forests, and coordinates with other city programs, agencies and community groups. Commissioners serve for three years.
Board of Ethics – promotes an understanding of ethical standards for city officials, officers and contractors, and for the general public. Trains elected officials and provides advisory opinions and waivers regarding the Code of Ethics. Members serve for three years.
Housing Trust Fund Executive Committee – Encourages development of moderate and lower income housing.
Salary Commission – responsible for preparing and presenting a study of the compensation and benefits of the city’s elected officials. Commissioners serve for three years.
Letters of interest should be sent to the mayor’s office at City Hall by Aug. 10.
Islanders ride for the cause
Four islanders are going on a bike ride to help children who need it.
They’ll be riding in the 16th annual Courage Classic this weekend to raise funds for the Rotary Endowment for the Intervention and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, the Children’s Advocacy Center located at all Mary Bridge Children’s Hospitals in Western Washington and the Children’s Trust Foundation.
All three work toward helping children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse.
According to the fundraiser’s website, the number of children treated for sexual abuse at Mary Bridge has increased 250 percent since 1988. The hospital sees about 550 patients a year.
Bob O’Hearn, one of the riders involved, said he became involved with the ride when he saw a notice for the Classic during another ride he was on.
“It’s an excellent charity,” he said. “It’s a wonderful thing to do with my daughter.”
Bob and his 13-year-old daughter, Keazia Thomas O’Hern, will take part along with fellow islanders Kay Jensen and Judith O’Hare.
The 172-mile ride started yesterday and goes through Snoqualmie, Blewett and Stevens Pass en route to the finish line at the Skykomish Air Field on Sunday. O’Hearn said he and his daughter have raised close to $1,000 for the cause.
“What’s a better way to (raise awareness than to) have a father-daughter team to spread the message?” he said. “To do it with your child, it’s a memory that she’ll have for the rest of her life that she took part in this.”
To learn more or to donate, visit www.courageclassic.org, click on the “Fundraising” tab, then click where directed. On the website, you can type in the riders’ names to visit their pages. Donations will be taken through Sept. 30.
Traffic slowed around BHS
Traffic restrictions will be in effect on High School Road near Bainbridge High School for several weeks beginning Tuesday.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane with flaggers, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The restrictions are related to construction of the new Bainbridge High School wing.
Motorist are urged to take alternate routes, “be patient and slow down,” said Dave Nelson, engineering technician with the city.
Updates on restrictions will be posted weekly.
