There seem to be a number of major misconceptions about the proposed move to a city manager form of government for Black Diamond.

First, the biggest misconception is that the change to city manager will somehow stop or seriously impact the development of the two master planned communities YarrowBay currently has under way.

The fact is that those two master plans are approved and vested and are moving forward.

After years of careful and detailed public discussion and city, state and county review, the master plans that have been put in place assure a process of controlled growth for the city of Black Diamond.

Further, the current process leaves room for significant on-going citizen input throughout the life of the development.

The change to a city manager will not stop the master plans.

Second, some proponents of a city manager form of government claim that it will increase the voice of the citizens in day-to-day affairs of the city of Black Diamond.

Actually, quite the opposite is true. Under the current form of government, the mayor is voted in by the citizens, who can make their wishes known, and their voices heard, at every election.

A city manager is appointed by and reports only to the City Council, not the citizens.

What the city manager system of government does accomplish is the insertion of another layer of bureaucratic process. And when there is a divided City Council, even more infighting and confusion can be expected.

Perhaps that’s why over eighty percent of Washington’s cities and towns continue to choose to operate with a strong mayor and representative city council.

It’s how we can assure all the citizens will be heard.

Be thoughtful in this coming election whether you are ready to give up your right to elect who you believe should be mayor of Black Diamond.

Brian Ross, CEO

YarrowBay Holdings