In the fall of 2009, I submitted a letter to this newspaper regarding the election between Aaron Heide and Mike Miller.
I had observed Dr. Heide professionally since 2003, and I was concerned that the behavior I had seen in him would be detrimental to Valley Medical Center, if he were to be elected to the Board of Commissioners of Valley Medical Center.
The Democrats are at it again. Again, they try to subvert the will of the people. The Democrats are trying to push through Senate Bill 5297 (anti-initiative legislation) that would severely restrict the right of the people to hold government accountable by way of the initiative process. Not surprising the bill also increases the cost of government; the Democrats’ specialty. They seek to place far more restrictions on the sponsors of initiatives even though they’ve been seeking to lessen restrictions that allow illegal voting.
Dr. Aaron Heide is concerned about the circumvention of the democratic process. He is against the proposed affiliation between University of Washington Medicine (UW) and Valley Medical Center (VMC) and he would like the voting public to believe that his motives are based purely out of an altruistic responsibility to democracy.
I am writing this out of concern and hopefully a call for action regarding the upcoming affiliation between the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle and Valley Medical Center (VMC) in Renton. Although, on the surface this appears to be an incredible opportunity for VMC and a welcome addition to the already growing influence of the UW, there are several details of the potential deal that I believe are quite concerning. The most egregious aspect of the affiliation is the attempt to circumvent our democratic process.
For the past year and a half, hundreds of the citizens of Black Diamond and surrounding communities have been fighting an attempt by the international developer YarrowBay to quintuple the size of the rural city of Black Diamond by building a city of 6,050 homes and apartments. The citizens were stymied by an inability to communicate effectively with the Black Diamond City Council, due to the process put in place by the city’s and the developer’s lawyers to push through the MPD that the developer wanted.
Thank you – we had a ball!
The Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra would like to extend it’s sincere thanks to the people of Maple Valley and the surrounding areas for helping us put on our most successful Waltz Gala Ball yet. Our event sold out and a grand time was had by all.
The Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council regular monthly meeting was Feb. 7. Several major topics were discussed including upcoming Black Diamond master planned developments hearings; King County comprehensive plan update and King County Executive’s unincorporated area council chairs’ meeting.
On Feb. 7 the Maple Valley City Council went out of their way to show disdain and downright contempt for two long-serving volunteers in our community. These two ladies have served for over 10 years on the Library Advisory Board.
I would like to bring to your attention of the kindness of a local family.
After spending a long day at a Seattle hospital while my daughter had surgery to remove a brain tumor, my granddaughter, sister and I went to the new Covington IHOP for a late dinner. It was after 9 p.m. and we were all very weary.
The city of Maple Valley, The Maple Valley/Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce, and the Tahoma School District joined forces to develop and launch the Maple Valley PowerCard “Buy Local” campaign last November. The feedback so far has been positive and the continuing objective is to increase awareness and usage of the program throughout the community.
Flaming Geyser State Park is a 480 acre multipurpose park with more than three miles of freshwater shoreline on the Green River. The park is located just 11 miles from the city of Auburn and Highway 18. With an average of over 3,000 visitors per day during the summer, this park is among the most popular and utilized parks in the state.
At Valley Medical Center’s Board meeting on January 18th, the CEOs of University of Washington Medicine and Valley Medical Center signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore a strategic alliance through which Valley would integrate into UW Medicine.
Maple Valley CERT, boy scouts and community members thanked for sandbag effort during flooding
St. Vincent de Paul volunteers at St. John the Baptist Parish helped 852 needy people with food, clothing, rent, utilities and more.
Today my flag is flying half staff, unfurled in the crisp Pacific Northwest wind, it seems free although in mourning. Standing for truth, as well as any nation can. We are all praying for the Honorable U.S. Rep. Gabriel Giffords, other victims and their families.
Last September, the Black Diamond City Council approved two Yarrow Bay Developments that would add over 6,000 densely packed houses and apartments to our small community, thereby increasing the population to five times present size.
A standing-room-only crowd helped the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council ring in the new year at its Jan. 3 regular monthly meeting. Several major topics were on a busy agenda: area council officer elections; unincorporated area council funding, Black Diamond master planned developments, King County comprehensive plan update and King County code recommendations.
Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services staff and board of directors would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the countless individuals, businesses, organizations, clubs and churches who brought the magic of the holidays to local families this past season. Given the challenges that our nation’s strained economy presented, the acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity shown by our community were extraordinary.
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.
With record lay-offs, home foreclosures and many families turning to public assistance; 2010 has been tough for many in our community. But true to form, the Kent Fire Department comes to the rescue once again. The Kent Fire Department has for many years now organized the Toys for Joy program that collects, wraps and gives out toys to disadvantaged children in the Kent community. This year the program is needed more than ever.
