Name change may bring new perception to Cherokee Bay

My family has lived in Cherokee Bay since 2001 and we are very fortunate to live on a good street with equally good neighbors. We keep up our homes, watch out for each other and enjoy our standard of living.

However, I witness the reactions of other Maple Valley residents when I mention Cherokee Bay. It ranges from terrible, crack haven to crime area. While we all know that crime and property violations have dropped considerably due to our contract police force and compliance efforts by the board, the negative perception still exists. That needs to be changed.

And the most efficient way is to change the name of our community.

Before 1983, Seattle was known as Jet City, Queen City, Rain City and even Gateway to Alaska. Promoter Bob Walsh helped organize a contest for residents to pick a new moniker for Seattle and The Emerald City was chosen. Then Walsh and his team promoted the new title at every opportunity: sports broadcasts, literature, news reports and letterhead until the name finally stuck. Now The Emerald City is thought of in the same breath as The Big Apple, The Windy City and other large city nick-names. It changed the perception of Seattle from a large northwest town that built airplanes to a city that is home to leading technology, a very affluent population and a vibrant community with traditions as strong as any other large city in America.

Cherokee Bay needs that same kind of change.

Despite its origins as a camping ground, Cherokee Bay and Community Club are outdated. There were never any Cherokees Indians in this area of Washington state. And the area does not reside by a bay. It borders two lakes. And residents do not belong to a club. It is a homeowners association with a board of directors comprised of residents.

I propose a contest to choose a new name for our community. Residents can submit a name and a top five can be chosen as finalists, followed by a vote for the best name that truly fits and brings positive attributes to our community. I acknowledge this idea will also bring out suggested names that will be negative and hurtful, but Cherokee Bay Community Club is not helping our community at the present time.

It may cost a little money to change the letters on our entrances, letterhead, documents, but the power of a new name and perception can’t be valued in terms of dollars.

Jim Flack

Maple Valley