News
Growth requires investment, risk | Ryan Ryals
A good business will invest in the future, even when times are bad.
Ryan Ryals
Opinion
Vote yes on Initiative 502 | Guest commentary
A little over a year ago in this space, I wrote about Kent city officials who were forced…
Opinion
Lessons learned from a road trip | Ryan Ryals
I finally finished a four-week road trip around the country this past week, driving nearly 8,000 miles. It…
Opinion
How to create an interesting town in Maple Valley | Ryan Ryals
I recently used this column to suggest that our towns aren’t interesting enough, and that our business leaders…
Opinion
Covington, Maple Valley and Black Diamond need new vision | Ryan Ryals
Last week, I hit the road and drove around the west coast and the southwest, armed with a…
Opinion
To legalize or not to legalize marijuana | Ryan Ryals
When I first read about the 75 medical marijuana supporters who visited the Kent City Council chambers last…
Opinion
Put the life vests on without the King County law | Ryan Ryals
When I first came out here 20 years ago, my uncle took me tubing down the Cedar River…
Opinion
Blame the love of fair food on your brain | Ryan Ryals
While driving through Maple Valley this week, I noticed the banner ads announcing “Maple Valley Days”; the city’s…
Opinion
Find the next investing bubble | Ryan Ryals
Just a few years ago, you couldn’t drive a few blocks without seeing a “We Buy Houses” sign…
Opinion
Some answers why the Tahoma School bond failed | Ryan Ryals
I’ve been trying to avoid the Tahoma school district’s $125 million bond issue for a few weeks now;…
Opinion
Taking the character of our children seriously | Ryan Ryals
Last week’s news about a cyberstalking case in Issaquah made the headlines, mostly due to the young age…
Opinion
Media relations for the quickly famous | Ryan Ryals
I’ve been watching “American Idol” on TV this season (it’s not what you think; I only watch it…
Opinion
Taking a stand this generation | Ryan Ryals
Last week, the online version of this newspaper ran an informal survey, asking, “Should the federal government make…
Opinion
State legislators face moral budget choices ahead | Ryan Ryals
I’ve tried not to pick on our state legislators too much, since they have an incredibly difficult job…
Opinion
The formula for finding entrepreneurs | Ryan Ryals
At work, I get a lot of phone calls from sales representatives. They’re always trying to sell stuff…
Opinion
Bold leadership for a bold plan | Ryan Ryals
Sleepy voters, it’s time to wake up again. The school levy machine is gearing up in the Tahoma…
Opinion
A tale of two town hall meetings – Covington and Maple Valley | Ryan Ryals
After attending the town hall meeting in Maple Valley this past Saturday morning, I had planned to write…
Opinion
Freedom is hard work and it’s worth the effort | Ryan Ryals
Our First Amendment got a major test last week, when the Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s reversal…
Opinion
Asking tough questions about Valley Medical-UW alliance | Ryan Ryals
If you’ve ever been to a local government meeting of any kind you already know how incredibly boring…
Opinion
Thinking more like an entrepreneur and less like a worker bee | Ryan Ryals
“I, for one, welcome our new computer overlords.” So said Ken Jennings, the second place finisher to IBM’s…