Who are we?
Friends For Newcastle is made up of your neighbors who, just like you, love Newcastle and call this special place home.
We are families with kids in local schools (as well as home-schooling).
We are business owners and professionals.
We are retired long-term Newcastle residents.
We are active volunteers, including pro-Newcastle Planning Commissioners, Community Activities Commissioners, and the majority of current and former elected city officials.
We appreciate the current level of city services and want Newcastle to remain fiscally viable.
We know that all residents will be impacted if the city cannot replace declining income from development fees and construction sales taxes.
We are NOT a corporate funded lobby group.
We are your Newcastle neighbors.
We are residents who have chosen to be factually informed and be actively involved with how our city works for all of us.
If any of this sounds like you and you would like to be a part of this growing local community, join us!
"Our family moved to Newcastle in 2013, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. The friendly police officers join in our block parties. There are well-maintained parks everywhere. We enjoy walking the trails and biking around the beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods. The City’s newsfeed keeps us informed and invites us to the regular community events at Lake Boren. We are proud members of Friends For Newcastle, and we look forward to making more memories for years to come in our special hometown."
— Jim Quigg
“I am proud to be a part of and a supporter of Friends For Newcastle. My family has lived in Newcastle for over 31 years. We moved here well before it was actually the city we know and love today, Newcastle. We are proud to call Newcastle our home.
Who am I? I am your neighbor. I am a husband and father of two fantastic daughters (who were raised in Newcastle). I am your friend, your trusted volunteer on the City’s Activities Commission, and a volunteer on our neighborhood homeowners association.”
— Nathan Stix
"We moved to Newcastle in 2013. We love the parks, the neighborhoods, the convenience of shopping and dining locally. As volunteers in our church (choir and feeding the homeless) and the city (Charlie is on the planning commission), we can really see the impact that a few individuals can make in a small community."
— Charlie & Sharon Gadzik
“Our family bought property in Newcastle in 1989, and built our house in 1991. Some longtime friends purchased along with us, so we formed a small community together at the edge of the woods, where there are no fences to mark property lines. We were involved in the campaign for incorporation, and have never regretted it. We are very happy with the local control that we have in Newcastle, where we know people on the board and at city hall, and our voice can be heard. Because Newcastle became a city, we have a trails organization, a historical society, community events and a local library. We love that we can hop on a beautiful trail just down our street. Recently it has been great to see so many people out walking; we've often said that the stay at home order isn't so bad when you live in Newcastle. ”
— Joann and Dan Wilson
“Like most households in Newcastle, our family has had to learn and adapt to life in 2020. One of the greatest realizations we’ve had during this time is just how great of a city we live in. Newcastle has everything that we cherish, which means we rarely had to leave! Parks, trails, sidewalks, and bike paths for recreation. Grocery stores and take-out options for food, and a dedicated police department for safety.”
— The Finan Family
“Since moving here in 1973, then a rural community, we raised our three children and have witnessed many many changes. These are some of those changes which cause us to LOVE NEWCASTLE:
Parks - well cared for with Lake Boren Park being a gem for gatherings be they for play or sports areas, covered picnic shelters, fishing pier, and hosting public events.
Trails - well maintained, which we and our visitors enjoy often.
18 Hole Golf Course with an awesome view & dining for celebratory occasions.
Library much used by many.
Police - accessible, capable, with a caring Chief and his officers.
Fire Dept. nearby - contracted with Bellevue for services.
Roads - well maintained, street gutters cleaned when necessary, de-icers in winter, ensuring safe travel.
City Council - Elected members whose monthly meetings (virtual forum now) are open to all. They too LOVE NEWCASTLE!”
— Lil and Bruno Reinys
“During our 47 years as area residents, we have committed ourselves to giving back to our community as volunteers. This began with taking part in the original studies to form the city of Newcastle 26 years ago. We continue to work to keep Newcastle the best place we can for all residents.
As a couple or individually, we have volunteered over the years in Renton schools, by coaching baseball and soccer and being co founders of the Newcastle Community Association. In addition, we have contributing thousand of hours volunteering to enrich the city and its parks, family activities via the Park Commission (now renamed the Community Activities Commission} and the Newcastle Historical Society.
We have enjoyed our service and getting to know countless other volunteers helping make Newcastle the wonderful safe city it is. We are impressed by the sincerity and dedication of our city staff and elected officials supporting maintaining our public safety.
Please volunteer to get to know your neighbors and to make a great city stay a great city.”
— Diane & Ray Lewis
What Friends are saying…
“My wife and I moved to Newcastle from the ‘city’ 8 years ago and never regret our decision. The people, raw beauty, and conveniences of this small town in a sea of cities is unmatched. I can’t imagine raising our family in a better and more grounded place.”
— Andrew Goss
“As residents of Newcastle, we love the city parks and trails, our friendly neighbors and the thriving community that has been built in large part because of events sponsored by the City (Newcastle Days is a family favorite!). We support Friends For Newcastle and hope you’ll join us in keeping our city sustainable for years to come.”
— Tyler & Maggie Jantzen
“Living in Newcastle gives us an amazing opportunity to teach our children the importance of local government. We support Friends For Newcastle because we believe in preserving Newcastle’s independent voice as its own city.”
— Ariana & Ryan Sherlock
“In 2003 we bought a house still under construction in a new development in Newcastle. We found more than a house; we found a home. A community. One where we engage, learn, serve and actively partner with other residents to support our caring and committed City staff who provide the services that Newcastle residents value. Friends For Newcastle was formed to foster an ongoing sense of community as well as provide accurate information regarding city issues that have implications for the future of our beautiful city. We support Friends For Newcastle for that reason, and invite you to consider doing the same.”
— Patti & Tom Magers
“We love the city of Newcastle and support Friends For Newcastle!”
“In a town this size, if you call the mayor, you get a personal response. In a town with only 27 city employees, you can get to know some of them, and when you do, you discover that every one wears multiple hats. The guy that repairs the park benches is also driving the snowplow and filling the potholes. We support Friends For Newcastle because we think this a special place, in part because the city does a good job of maintaining our streets and parks and protecting our safety, and we want to preserve that specialness.”