The idea of a Mayor form of government may sound comforting for small towns. Although Black Diamond technically has a population and rural character that makes you long to have that idyllic setting of the Mayor reaching out to each its people the reality is that the developer, city staff and previous council has told us repeatedly that “Black Diamond is an Urban Growth Area” and we will grow.

The impending growth is massive. Good, bad or indifferent it is here and it is unrealistic to believe that we can find an unbiased professional with the skills to be the CEO of a moderate sized suburban city, with complex funding and development agreements from the limited adult population that currently resides in Black Diamond.

As much as the former mayors long for that idyllic setting and working relationship with staff and council that they remember from decades ago, that is certainly not what exists now. In fact, the mayor/city administrator form of government was/has been in absolute turmoil with special investigations and wrongful terminations for years, even prior to this administration. Remember the informative Covington Reporter article: Investigations, firings, and resignations! http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/79834452.html

There has been an incredible concentration of power to a few that negatively impacts Black Diamond, and the surrounding communities of Enumclaw, Maple Valley, and beyond. Instead of reading opinion pieces, please do the research and get the facts. For example, over the last several years the office of the Mayor has:

• Allowed the changing the SEPA official from the Public Works Director to the Community Development Director; [Public Hearing 3/17/2010:PG:2792]

• Had a wrongful termination of previous city administrator — settlement paid; had a wrongful hiring and then termination of the next city administrator — Settlement filed; had a special investigation of the city attorney by the state auditors which resulted in an interim attorney and then a new city attorney. http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/79834452.html

• Removed all authority regarding SAO decisions from the stewardship director and transferred it to the community development director; [Internal Memo dated 3/22/2011]

• Denied the hearing examiner additional hearing time per his request during the FEIS hearings; [TV FEIS PG 13:4.5]

• Under sole decision making authority as CEO of the city waived more stringent compliance of the tree ordinance for the developer when over 100 trees were cut down without a permit. http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/98981429.html

• Under the development agreement process all minor amendments (Type II decisions) are now the Mayor’s authority even though the BDMC requires a skilled professional and cites the director. Of course in this case the community development director is paid by the developer under a funding agreement and this would create a conflict of interest; but why not council consent? [City Webpage and audio of 9/20/2012 Council work study] The appearance of a violation of section 18.1 of the Council Rules and Procedures

• Regarding the K-9 Fundraiser cancellation. [LTE dated 9/5/12]; Section 18.1 forbids an official city position without a council Vote. http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/opinion/ letters/168635206.html http://www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us/Depts/Council/Docs/Council%20Rules%20and%20Regs.pdf

Finally, let’s discuss the intentional misinformation and fear mongering that is happening in Black Diamond specifically the one which states that a city manager equates to the loss of police and fire services. First, it is a travesty when regarded people use scare tactics to force a vote their way. Second, Council member Benson has already debunked this issue — the fact is that the city will have to pay for either a city manager or a city administrator regardless of which way the public votes on Prop 1, so they have to find the money in the budget. The reality is that this is an entirely new landscape for the community and the taxpayers and it isn’t personal — it is about how you want the future of your community to be governed. Sole authority and power that is behind closed doors and in secret or a professional, skilled management that is open and transparent government.

As a taxpayer who must decide whether to support levies on the proposed seven new schools and must ask you to vote yes Prop 1.

Cindy Proctor

Enumclaw