Bonney Lake and Sumner Courier-Herald, December 05, 2012

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SEE INSIDE: Bonney Lake police officers honored for valor, Page 3 . . . . Sumner Community Garden leads to hot debate, Page 12 . . . Pair of Panther wrestlers take top spots at White River tournament, Page 11. . . . Your photos in Community Click, Page 13. . . . Before and after pics of Bonney Lake’s Men of Movember, Page 5

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012 | 75 cents

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Bonney Lake to sell land to make up budget gap

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By Brian Beckley Staff Writer

Officials in Bonney Lake are attempting to close a gap between revenues and expenditures in next year’s budget with plans to sell off a piece of land originally intended for a new city hall. Aside from the land sale, officials for the city characterize the next biennium’s spending plan as a “no frills” and “status quo, bare bones.” “We’re trying to maintain what we have,” Mayor Neil Johnson said of his proposed spending plan. “We’re just trying to do more with less.” This year, for the third consecutive biennial budget, the administration is not proposing any layoffs or hiring in the city. Positions that are open, however, will not be filled. But the biggest budget issue facing the city this year is a gap of about $900,000 between expected revenues

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Members of the Bonney Lake Elementary School Viking Choir perform during the annual Bonney Lake Tree Lighting celebration Saturday at the Public Safety Building. The students provided the entertainment as the crowd waited for the tree and for the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who stayed to get pictures with all of the children in attendance. Photos by Brian Beckley.

See Budget, Page 4

Sumner votes to block pot businesses By Daniel Nash Staff Writer

Washington state voters approved legalization of recreational marijuana in the November election, but it seems the city of Sumner isn’t ready to hop on board. The city council voted unanimously Nov. 19 to approve an ordinance prohibiting the zoning of the three types of marijuana suppliers within city limits. The ordinance

also prohibits zoning of collective gardens, a supplier to medical marijuana patients. State Initiative 502, passed by 55.7 percent of the vote in November, legalizes possession of marijuana at the state level and defines a statelicensed supply chain to sell marijuana and marijuana accessories to consumers. Marijuana remains an illegal Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. As such, Sumner now finds itself

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in the unique position of disagreeing with state law—where sales are concerned—while upholding federal law. “Given the increased availability of marijuana through these facilities and potential social impacts, and the fact marijuana continues to be a controlled substance under federal law, makes it inappropriate for any zoning designation within the City,” read the summary explanation of the ordinance by

Community Development Director Paul Rogerson. Among other changes—some of which were explained in detail in the Courier-Herald’s Nov. 21 cover story—Initiative 502 expands the state laws concerning controlled substances to include definitions for marijuana producers, marijuana processors, and marijuana retailers; the three are the growers,

See Ban, Page 5

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