INSIDE: Local police join DUI emphasis, page 3 . . . . Utility rates to increase 3 to 5 percent, page 14 . . . Holiday leftover plan shared with Rachel Ray, page 15. . . Saturday event tailor-made for Plateau business, page 16. . . . Bus tour highlights Enumclaw school programs, page 19. . . .Ceccanti skiing like there’s no tomorrow, page 17
EARL Y NOTDEADLINE N
Your hometown newspaper for more than 100 years!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Classified ...................... Page 21 Views .................................Page 7 Sports ............................ Page 17 Obituaries .......................Page 5 Binetti ............................. Page 10
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75 cents
Let’s Go! There’s Snow
Budget talk still centers on tax rate
Big & Small We Talk ‘Em All
All About Pets....
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Labrador retriever reigns as most popular purebred.
On the Web
By Kevin Hanson
Breaking news Enumclaw police reports updated daily Winter sports previews to begin soon
Editor
edged that one of Sortland’s duties was oversight of the property room. Thomas hinted there were additional concerns, but would not go into details. “There were other issues the city had with his employment,� is all Thomas would say about Sortland’s release.
As city leaders wind down the long, laborious process of crafting a 2012 municipal budget, the public will have one final opportunity to exert some influence. Monday’s meeting of the Enumclaw City Council will include a third public hearing on the property tax rate to be charged next year and a second and final public hearing on the budget as a whole. Following Monday’s meeting, the only public step in the budget process will come Dec. 12. That’s the date earmarked for adoption of the 2012 citywide spending plan. Between now and then, there’s plenty of financial intrigue to keep Enumclaw citizens interested. With regard to the 2012 property tax, city officials still need to formally decide what to do with the money previously collected to support the fire department. Now that the city has annexed into Fire District 28 and is no longer on the hook financially, council members must address the fire money, which amount to 89 cents in property tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. The majority of council members have remained adamant that the city should not collect the money, which would pump more than $900,000 into the allimportant general fund. One suggestion brought forward would have the city forfeit-
SEE AUDIT, PAGE 6
SEE BUDGET, PAGE 6
Weather The extended outlook is the same every day – plenty of clouds and rain, with daytime high temperatures in the upper 40s and nightly lows in the high 30s. For details go to: www.courierherald.com click on weather
Coming Up Check out this week’s issue of The CourierHearld for our annual Winter Discover guide. Inside, you will find a list of regional activities to keep everyone busy through the end of the year.
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Skiers and snowboarders flocked to Crystal Mountain Friday for the opening of ski season. Early-season snows piled up to 25 inches at the base and 35 inches at the summit allowing the resort to open before Thanksgiving. The Plateau also saw a dusting of the white stuff. Photo courtesy Crystal Mountain/To view or buy photos go to www.courierherald.com.
State auditor cites trouble with police property room Longtime officer was in charge; has been terminated by city By Kevin Hanson Editor
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Questions surrounding the Enumclaw Police Department’s
This way to Wellness
property room led to a cityrequested investigation by the state auditor’s office and apparently resulted in the firing of a longtime police officer. Lt. Eric Sortland was issued a letter of termination effective Oct. 31, according to City Administrator Mike Thomas. Thomas would not state directly that Sortland was fired due to the property room issues, but acknowl-
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What’s Inside
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Displa ov. 23 ED y Class Ads: Thur., ITION Ads F Nov. 1 Nov. ri., Nov. 18, 170, Noon Displa 30 ED am y Class Ads: Tue., ITION Ads: W Nov. 2 2 ed. N ov. 23 , 5pm , 4pm