I am not surprised that Council member Linda Johnson opposed the Maple Valley City Council 2011 Budget on December 13. Nor am I surprised that she wrote a letter explaining in her words why she did so. Specifically, she once again expressed her dissatisfaction with the council’s decision to add additional police officers.
According to the state Constitution, education is the “paramount” duty of the state. Court decisions have held this to mean that “ample” funding of basic education comes before all other calls upon government for support.
The governor’s proposed budget is deficient on both these grounds. It does not amply fund education as the paramount duty of the state.
The Lake Wilderness Country Club holiday lights food drive on Dec. 18 took place lights or no lights and it was heartwarming to see people donate so generously. More than 500 pounds of food and $1,462 (which exceeded last year’s financial donations) was gathered for the Maple Valley Food Bank during the three hour drive.
Monday night, Dec. 13, was the last Council meeting for 2010 and the last opportunity for our City Council to approve the 2011 budget. We have had many discussions about various aspects of the budget over the last couple of months.
I read with much sadness ( Dec. 10 edition) that the Lake Wilderness Golf Course restaurant may close due to difficult economic circumstances. I just found the restaurant a couple weeks ago, and I’m looking forward to going back. My dining experience was perfect – from the friendly staff, fun, upbeat live music, to the delicious all-you-could-eat pasta bar.
The Jerry Woods Holiday Fire Engine Food Drive collected 5,351 pounds of food and $3348.28 in cash donations from citizens and local businesses over the last three weekends, improving over last year’s collection of approximately 2,000 pounds and $1500 respectively.
‘Tis the season for giving and donating. Please don’t forget our furry friends. Donated pet food is critical to rescue organizations, food banks, and senior assistance organizations. As a rescuer, I’ve learned that people are very generous with pet food donations, although dog food donations greatly outrank cat food donations to King County and the Seattle Humane Society.
The Black Diamond Bakery, Leih’s Gifts and The Silver Raven put their heads together this year to figure out what they could do for the needy in their community. It has been a bad year for everyone, lots of family, friends have lost their jobs, and these people would have to drop many Christmas traditions to make it through the season.
A big thank you to the city of Maple Valley, City staff, Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation volunteers, and others who made this year’s holiday lights festival in Maple Valley such a great success.
Monday, Dec. 6, the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council held its regular monthly meeting. There were several topics discussed including the Ravensdale Ridge, King County code, and Unincorporated Area Council funding.
I want to thank Dana Reid for her wonderful letter that extols the many reasons why the Seattle Museum of Flight should have a space shuttle when their useful life has ended. Dana’s letter provides an outline for a write-in campaign to NASA via the museum to convince NASA as to why our museum should have a shuttle.
As a 2009 graduate of Kentlake High School, the article “Preparing to raise the education bar at Kentlake High School” (published Nov. 26) caught my eye. I feel like Kris Hill really got to see what so many students at Kentlake have always wanted portrayed. They care more than the administration ever really knew.
I would like to say thank you to a local Santa’s helper who tried to help tow me out of a ditch Monday, Nov. 22. I hit a patch of ice on Petrovitsky and slid into a ditch. Not too long after that a local Air Force test pilot for Boeing drove up and offered to help.
On behalf of the Maple Valley Farmers Market (MVFM) Board of Directors, I would like to extend our deep appreciation and a huge thank you to all of our farmers, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, devoted customers and our community for an amazing second year! You are the reason that the MVFM is such a great place to be on Saturday mornings – three months out of the year. As our motto suggests, the MVFM is “The Saturday Morning Place to Be! ” We all look forward to our third year commencing Saturday June 19, 2011.
The Maple Valley Library Guild issues a huge thank you for the success of our recent used book sale, held at the Maple Valley Library. The community certainly stepped up in spite of the numerous obstacles we faced. Heavy construction traffic, no water facilities for the first day of the sale and some pretty rainy weather.
The Democrats have failed economics 101. They have failed it in the classroom and failed to learn while on the job. The economic depression sinks deeper by their “tax and spend” policies. The Democrats “stimulus,” giving money to those on Social Security did not, would not stimulate economic growth.
Have you ever been a part of something that changed history? The name of NASA’s first space shuttle, Enterprise, was decided by a letter writing campaign. What if a letter you wrote made a similar impact in the history of American spaceflight?
The Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council held its regular monthly meeting Nov. 1. The major topic discussed was King County Storm Water Management.
I am writing regarding significant grant funding that may be awarded to our community if Congress votes to approve conservation funding this fall. As many in the community know, we are blessed with a wealth of forested trails attracting outdoor enthusiasts like mountain bikers, runners, hikers and walkers.
Thursday Oct. 21, at an open invitation of the Social Outreach Committee of Kent United Methodist Church community leaders, city officials, pastors, non-profits, fund providers, service club representatives and citizens gathered together for the first Youth Summit Conference of 2010. The evening discussion started with time for the youth of the community to tell us what they wanted.
