I am writing regarding the politics going on in Black Diamond. I am sickened by what one candidate is saying to get people to vote for him.

I don’t usually voice my opinion on politics, but I feel people need to know how this candidate told lies regarding the husband of a very dear friend of mine. I cannot express the hurt I saw in my friends eyes when she talked about all the lies he was saying about her husband. This candidate talks about how involved he is in our community, but had no idea who the chairman of the Planning Commission was and that Black Diamond has a food bank and community center.

Does that sound like someone who is involved in our great community? Anyone who really cares about our city should be very concerned if this candidate gets elected as our mayor. If he is willing to tell lies to get elected what will it be like with him as mayor? If he can’t see evidence of the food bank or the Community Center in Black Diamond, how will he be able to see less visible aspects and needs of this community?

I have lived in Black Diamond for the past 18 years. When we were building our home here, the contractor told us that Black Diamond would be growing to a city of around 15,000. My sister-in-law works with a Lake Sawyer resident and has been talking about the issues of YarrowBay building here. My sister-in-law asked this resident, if you knew 18 years ago this was going to be coming why are you now deciding to do something about it instead of when you found out about the building. The Lake Sawyer resident’s response was, “now they are starting to go forward with it.”

So my question to everyone who think they can stop the growth is if it has been mandated by the state and county why do you think you can stop it? I agree that the development needs to be done in a controlled manner to help preserve the great city of Black Diamond, but I also know that growth is important. My kids are now adults, but they used to ask, “Why isn’t there a bowling alley or something for us to do close?”

I work in one of the local businesses here in Black Diamond, and if you think growth isn’t essential to the city, let me tell you what I hear from some of my customers. I have customers that live in Maple Valley and Enumclaw who tell me, “We don’t get here very often because it is too far.” So if we are too far for them to drive to support us, why should we have to be forced to drive outside of our community, to do our shopping? Everyone is about buy local, support local businesses. Wouldn’t it be awesome if this city could be self-sufficient and become a destination place with great businesses and residents that would draw people from the surrounding cities? If Black Diamond had grocery stores, specialty shops, and more things for our youth to do, just think of how much revenue our city would receive.

Please think long and hard when you vote for our mayor as the person in that office makes decisions that affect our future and our children’s future. I ask that you research and become informed on the issues and the candidates before you vote.

Patricia Love

Black Diamond