Thank you voters of Black Diamond, you spoke in 2011, and once again this year in 2013, with a resounding voice that completely changes our local government. You rejected those who believed in unfounded wishful thinking, you put your confidence in people who respond to the hard facts of our real world.

Black Diamond will experience the promised “New Dawn” born of reality because of you. Our future will be directed by todays citizens. Democracy, government of the people, government by the people, and government for the people who live under its rules, will come to Black Diamond. There will be a lively public debate over every issue that has consequence for the lives of all of us who live in Black Diamond now. Our collective right and intent to protect and support the rights of our families, our way of life, our natural environment, our public infrastructure and road systems, and our walkable and in-city schools will become a reality.

I will be looking forward to hearing about your ideas and thoughts as we develop a more current community vision for Black Diamond. A vision that includes an understanding of our actual environment, the built and the natural. A community vision born of the special talents of our citizens, and local understanding and local experience, played in concert with the combined technical expertise of specialists who have studied our particular situation, our placement within the natural and built environment; where we live, play and work. A vision with today’s more advanced technologies and solutions, and in light of Black Diamond’s particular place in the Puget Sound Basin, Western Washington and the wider region generally, because this is our collective responsibility as human stewards of the land.

I owe a very special debt to you Black Diamond’s thoughtful and intelligent voters; and for the several endorsements by fellow citizens that appeared as “letters to the editor”; to my campaign volunteers who were willing to act as surrogates for me when a temporary family health crisis curtailed my participation and drew upon my time; and to the sign angels who performed countless acts of yard sign hygiene, making certain damaged and molested signs were promptly attended to. Some of you will know I regard, sign maintenance as an important indicator of the candidates regard for our environment, attention to detail, work ethic, and ability to manage others and cooperate with others to achieve a common goal.

Thank you everyone,

Erika Morgan Black Diamond City Councilor — Position 2