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?

Council member Morgan questioned whether the Enumclaw School District had the authority to approve use of the ball fields. City staff said yes, it is consistent with their deed and the same approval they have been providing for the 35+ years that we have lived here. Morgan said that she would not accept this and needed to see the deed for herself. Though she had a week to get her questions answered, which staff would have happily done, she waited for the Council Meeting and then refused to accept staff’s answer at the meeting.

Pepper stated that she wouldn’t approve anything that didn’t come before the Council at least twice. How rude of her to treat Melissa Oglesbee and her team of volunteers with the Labor Committee like this. Now the Committee faces delay in their efforts to put on the event.

Weber offered no explanation for his vote.

I always thought that it was the role of the Council to serve the people, not vice versa. Not Pepper, Weber and Morgan. It’s very clear – they think of themselves as royalty. Bow down everyone.

Craig Goodwin

Black Diamond