Black Diamond is at a critical point. YarrowBay is set to proceed with their scheme that would multiply the size of our city. Is this a “done deal?” The answer is that it is never done. Depending on rulings for the legal appeal, we could go back to the start of the process. Do we want essentially what we have now to be shoved through again? Or do we want a development size more suited to our region? The person we have as mayor is crucial to this.

Or the rulings could let YarrowBay continue on their wildly expansionist ways. It’s not a done deal then, either. Hundreds of permits, with various possible conditions requested, will be required in the normal course of events. And expect YarrowBay to ask for minor amendments, variances, exemptions from requirements, favorable code interpretations, and so forth. These are matters for City staff, which is ultimately under control of the mayor.

There are reviews down the road, too. Again, the mayor and staff are major players as to how these reviews are done.

The person we elect as mayor is key to all this. Dave Gordon will work to control the massive YarrowBay developments. He has my vote.

But would residential growth provide revenue to the city budget? The revenue will not increase enough to cover the cost of providing City services to the new households. True, there is a onetime Real Estate Excise Tax for each home sale. But this is required to go to the Capital Improvement Budget, not the General Fund.

The only way to increase net revenue to the General Fund is by business growth. We can’t just close our eyes, cross our fingers, and wish really hard that if we build it (residential growth) they will come (business growth). YarrowBay doesn’t care about this. Their job is to build dwelling units. We have to do what other cities are doing to attract businesses that are mutually compatible with our City. Dave Gordon knows this. He has my support.

YarrowBay is a large corporation with plenty of resources at their disposal. They don’t need our elected officials to help them. We, the citizens, need our elected officials to protect us from potential excesses. Dave Gordon will look out for us. He has my vote.

Carol Lynn Harp

Black Diamond