Public safety, budget cuts and development were among the topics discussed at the Black Diamond City Council forum Oct. 13.

The forum was at the Black Diamond Community Center and was hosted by The Greater Maple Valley Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce. The forum was moderated by Gary Habenicht. The forum began with an introduction by each candidate, followed by a lightening round of questions in which both the audience and the candidates answered simultaneously. The audience and the candidates seemed to share similar sentiments on most issues. For example, when asked if Black Diamond supported existing businesses, both answered no. They also said yes when asked if future growth was inevitable, if there was a future of mining in Black Diamond, and if they supported master planned developments.

Then there was a round of randomly drawn questions, which was asked of both candidates vying for the same position.

Incumbent Leih Mulvihill, who currently holds Position No. 5, and her challenger, Ron Taylor, were asked what they thought was the biggest issue facing Black Diamond.

Mulvihill noted the lack of revenue, “really put small towns like Black Diamond in a bind,” she said. “It becomes a real struggle. Black Diamond has come to rely on a lot of cuts just to keep the doors open. By watching our budget very, very closely and keeping it balanced and cutting out the fluff and concentrating on the basic services, Black Diamond will be able to stay balanced for the coming years.”

Taylor felt legal issues facing Black Diamond are a top priority.

“Regardless of the courts… I think that’s going to be the biggest drain on resources,” he said. “The way we’re going to have to face it is to be very careful and get a lot of good legal counsel and legal advice on that. I don’t see that issue going away or one that’s easy to navigate.”

During the candidate-to-candidate question round, Pam McCain, who is running for Position No. 3, asked her opponent Joe May about his stance on growth and development in the city.

“You have been extremely involved in the opposition to growth and change,” she said. “If elected, how would you be able to bring yourself around to a way of thinking that would be cohesive for the City Council?”

May stated the negativity in the city had polarized residents.

“I’ve spent about three years of time and effort trying to learn what I could about how it would affect us,” May replied. “Cohesiveness…that’s a tough question — when you have so much division in the city, and as I’m out talking to folks, it is very interesting. It mirrors what you have nationally. You hear, ‘She’s an idiot,’ or ‘He’s a “that.”’ It makes me crazy, because…we don’t have that much time. We have to work together as people.”

May then asked McCain about how she would support Black Diamond schools, which are in the Enumclaw School District, when she lives in the Kent School District.

“I do believe that growth will pay for more schools and that the kids in Black Diamond do deserve to be fought for,” she answered. “I’ve paid for schools that my children have never attended, and I believe that is the same theory that we’re going to move forward.”

Incumbent Kristine Hanson, who currently holds Position No. 1, asked her challenger, Tamie L. Boxx-Deady, what she thought of the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program.

“I have looked into this,” Deady said. “If I was elected to city council, the TDR (program) is not my sole decision to make. It’s not that I am for or against it. The people who (own) them will be able to come to council and voice their opinions about it. A council must listen to those voices (on) what should be done. If the majority are for the TDRs, then I would have to listen to the citizens.”

Deady then asked Hanson about alleged statements she had made on Facebook pertaining to feedback she had received from citizens at City Council meetings.

“(On Facebook) you were begging for friends to come and support you at the City Council meetings,” Deady said.

Hanson replied she was attempting to bring in more civic participation.

“Sitting on the council, people can say whatever they want to and you have to take it,” she said “We do listen, but as I stated before, there are codes and laws we have to abide by. It’s very difficult…when you know there’s people out there who are supportive of change and are positive, but they trust their council members. They are OK with that. So they just would rather not be around the negativity. It’s hard, because I do want people to come and share their thoughts, but people don’t want to because it’s so negative.”

Editor’s Note: The Reporter was initially a co-sponsor of the debate. As the editor I had to remove the paper from sponsorship or endorsement once I found the questions were sent to the candidates days before the debate allowing them to prepare answers. The questions were also forwarded to others in the city, and YarrowBay, for comment. I felt this violated an editorial code for a newspaper and circumvented the fair and spontaneous exchange of ideas. The editorial staff was no longer willing to participate as a sponsor or to endorse the debate in any way other than independently covering it as a news event.

This explanation is not a criticism of the chamber or the executive director. It is a difference of approach to a political event. The chamber still provided a valuable service by presenting the forum for the public.