Community 'beauties' extend beyond lake

How incredible it is to reside, work and play in Longview! I am constantly astounded by the beauty of Lake Sacajawea, Longview’s shining gemstone, and one of 17 maintained parks, which is centered perfectly in our city. Lake Sacajawea attracts wildlife in abundance and throngs of individuals and even some furry friends. With the warmer weather, I find I am drawn to the lake more each day. This past week I spied about a dozen jet black cormorants perched on the log at the north end of the lake, and a friend pointed out an eagle’s nest mid-way on the eastside of the lake. I even spied two feral Muscovy ducks (one black and white and the other chocolate brown and white) that dropped in to check out the Lake Sacajawea scene, all the way from South America. They looked a bit out of place amongst our traditional glossy green headed and speckled brown Mallards, and I must admit I felt sadness that the Mallards didn’t reach out to the Muscovy’s and invite them into their tribe for lunch.

I do believe that there is beauty all around if we choose to look for it. Here are some of the beauties I have been keeping track of this month:

• The Mint Valley Golf course, built in 1973, and city run for the past five years has now become the fifth “Best Golf Course in Washington State”. Beautifully manicured greens, excellent staff and fantastic lunch menu. Enjoy golf or lunch on the green this spring!

• There’s a new manager in town! With the recent retirement of Kurt Sacha following 45 years of service in the City of Longview. The City Council hired Kristina Swanson, former assistant city manager for the City of Longview, and former director of operations at the state of Washington auditors office and former Cowlitz County auditor. Kris comes to the city with a vast amount of experience and is Longview’s sixth city manager and first female manager.

• Hope Village, Salvation Army hosted, and city-owned micro-community has assisted four individuals to obtain permanent housing since December 15. Calls for services to the Alabama Street location have reduced to eight, and the 50 individuals living in Hope Village receive two meals daily and a comfortable safe environment, with life-saving services, to assist them on their path to wellness.

• Spending time with the JH Kelly team on St. Patrick’s Day and celebrating the birthday of the longest running business in Longview was a super treat! JH Kelly received the “Key to the City”, a token of friendship, trust and honor, and I shared in my comments my deepest gratitude for their exceptional service and long-standing legacy of

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Mike Karnofski Mayor