Black Diamond voters created a new City Council majority and ousted (Craig) Goodwin and (Ron) Taylor last year because the voters didn’t get what they wanted from them.
When it comes to picking out a college to go to after high school, a lot of people expect they will go to a four-year university. At least when I went to high school, that’s what a lot of my peers thought.
Lest there be any lingering doubts about council members (Pat) Pepper, (Brian) Weber and (Erika) Morgan, they answered it at last Thursday evening’s City Council meeting. Unbelievably, they voted no and denied issuance of an event permit for the upcoming Black Diamond Labor Days event. Is it about money? No, the event is funded by community donations. Is there something about this year’s planned event that is cause for concern about issuing a permit? No. How many years has our community been doing this? Just 102. Is there something new that has come up? No? Well, what is it?
It’s looking like Washington’s new bathroom laws are staying in place, for now.
Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety is asking voters to change the way tax dollars are collected for emergency services by approving a fire benefit charge. Quality emergency services are important to public safety, strong home values and thriving communities. Just as important is a sustainable and predictable method of financing those services. We believe this proposal is worth approving on the August primary election ballot.
During a recent editorial department meeting our star goddess reporter Ana Karen Perez Guzman described her idea for a series of columns about becoming an adult. The first installment was last week. It was a very fine column about protecting yourself from burglary and what to do if it happens.
Dear Neighbor,
In a recent letter (July 6, 2016 edition of the Courier-Herald), Jon Buss has offered us an attempted but failed effort at character assassination of Hillary Clinton and collaterally of Barack Obama, focusing on the tragic events in Benghazi, Libya. Over the course of four years, republican members of the House have tried repeatedly to tie the death of Chris Stevens and his staff to some heartless actions of both Clinton and the President. During seven Republican controlled committees, 21 hearings and the expenditure of over $7 million in taxpayer money, the allegations asserted by Buss and cribbed from hot talk radio have been investigated in depth and with the assistance of a republican chosen military expert. Secretary Clinton endured over eleven hours of grilling from the hostile Republican members without wilting.
The Food for Families Program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at the St. Barbara Parish donated over six tons of food and supplies this past 12 months. Their program started over again July 1.
I writing this because I feel people have a right to know what a mess our state has made of medical cannabis and how recreational cannabis use has been given priority over patients health.
The following is written by former Washington Secretaries of State Sam Reed, Ralph Munro, and Bruce Chapman.
Wednesday, June 8th, I had the honor of participating in a truly exceptional program provided to a group of special needs students by a truly exceptional teacher, Alison Markley, at the Tahoma High School.
The Black Diamond Community Center was full of Hawaiian-clad party-goers on Friday, June 24, at our our first, but not the last, Pig Roast. The food was great, and the music got people dancing. The coconuts contest, wild shirt contest, and worst costume delighted all who attended. Thank you everyone who attended our event.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to find a new apartment. Apartment hunting and moving are my least favorite things. It can get really stressful and I get grumpy. Surprisingly enough, I’m no fun to be around when I’m a big grumpy pants.
Editor’s note: John Scearcy is the principal officer at Teamsters Local 117. Teamsters Local 117 represents a group of 11 professional staff at the city of Black Diamond.
I wish to express my concern regarding the current proposed zoning for the Town Center area in Maple Valley, and to urge readers to support a more sustainable solution that meets the city’s most urgent needs.
I want to thank our city of Maple Valley citizens who turned out to vote during the April 2016 special elections. On the ballot was the much anticipated, and widely discussed, city of Maple Valley parks bond measure. As your mayor, I respect your vote and the council hears you loud and clear. This bond was not what the majority of our citizens wanted. We will take this vote as a strong message about what our community wants and needs.
OK, which other small town in King County would you make all the people move to as the population grows? Don’t you think they feel the same way? Of course they do.
Council member (Pat) Pepper asked “for the floor” to speak at the beginning and after each agenda item. The mayor (Carol Benson) obviously refused to call on her. The mayor may “preside” over the meeting, but she is not supposed to keep a council member from speaking. But she did. In contrast, the mayor’s friend Council member (Janie) Edelman was able to talk at length.
Joan Wallace couldn’t sleep.
