A fellow at last Thursday’s (July 19) Black Diamond City Council Meeting — where many attended because of the possibility that the council was poised to put a resolution on November’s ballot for voters to choose between a current mayoral form of government and a city manager form —  stated, near the end of a very lengthy opening comment period, that there was “an elephant in the room.”

And then, he described “the elephant”: he did not trust the mayor! Unfortunately, from the loud applause of the standing-room-only crowd, many seemed to harbor the same feeling.

There was another zoo animal in the room: the gorilla: the YarrowBay developments. The YarrowBay developments are the same ones that have and still do threaten the quality of life of not only Black Diamond citizens but also those nearby jurisdictions and neighborhoods that will feel the impacts of underlying flaws in the YB plans: overwhelming traffic, financial risk, the kids’ future education, environmental destruction, loss of the rural, small town atmosphere and more, identified for the former council (same mayor) by the Hearing Examiner — twice — and hundreds of concerned people through public testimony, repeatedly. Those same flaws motivated the remarkable voter  turnout that radically changed their City Council in the 2011 election.

The gorilla is not gone. The gorilla, likely with the help of the mayor, because of the relationship with the new council, has placed the resolution to change the government in Black Diamond on the 2012 ballot again this fall.

In January, the new City Council began with courageous decisions, but the mayor appeared, time after time, to impede much of what the people asked their new council to do: correct the remaining, considerable flaws in the YarrowBay plans. She gives the impression of following the YarrowBay agenda consistently. She seems to ignore the very loud, voting voice of her constituents.

The four new members who receive flack as rookies began, even before they filed to run for office, and continue to study the complexities of all the town’s issues — especially the devilish details of the developments…the Gorilla.

They listen to all the people, continually, and many want their ears. At the public council meetings and forums, they each contribute and ask questions of the attendees. Their integrity is evident. It is obvious in those public meetings, committee meetings and work studies that they conscientiously “do their homework.” They say they want the best for Black Diamond. It shows in their actions and reactions.

Because of the latter, the best for Black Diamond, they have persevered with the mayor and staff attempting to do what the voters have expected and for which they continue to ask …. until the approach of the KC Election Board deadline for additions to the November ballot drew too near. With many informed people urging them for months to do so, they approved the resolution last Thursday night.

Therefore, the elephant, most likely, will be back in the Council Chambers. However, without a doubt, Godzilla the Gorilla will be a major, underlying factor as preparations are made in the city of Black Diamond for the Presidential Election of 2012. Watch for him! He’ll likely be at the polls, too.

Judith Carrier

Unincorporated King County

Editor’s note: Carrier lives on Green Valley Road near one of the developments proposed by YarrowBay.