Covington/Maple Valley Reporter, February 08, 2013

Page 1

REPORTER

COVINGTON | MAPLE VALLEY | BLACK DIAMOND

NEWSLINE 425-432-1209

COMMIT TO BE FIT |First part of series featuring fitness journeys [page 3]

ON THE MAT | Kentlake’s Nick Smith wins subregional title, Tahoma runs away with FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013 team crown at tournament [9]

A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING

WEBSITE | Check the website for breaking news, sports and weather stories. maplevalleyreporter.com or covingtonreporter.com

Joe May resigns from Black Diamond City Council a majority of the City Council. May is the second council member to resign in the past 13 months. Bill Black Diamond City Councilman Saas resigned Jan. 21, 2012. He won Joe May resigned his seat Tuesday. his seat in November 2009. May was elected in 2011 to PosiCarol Benson was appointed by tion No. 3 when he defeated Pam the council to fill the vacancy left by McCain 1,143 to 357. Saas when he resigned. The city is seeking applications There will be three council seats for the position from residents. up for election in November as well The term will run until the Nov. Joe May as the mayor’s position. 5 general election. The council seats on the ballot The position will be filled in the will be Position No. 2 , currently interm by an applicant who is appointed by held by Councilman Craig Goodwin, PosiBY DENNIS BOX

dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com

tion No. 3 which May held and Benson’s seat, Position No. 4. Rebecca Olness is currently serving her first term as mayor. Black Diamond’s form of government is strong mayor with five council members. May did not return a call for comment as of press time Tuesday afternoon. According to May’s biography on the city of Black Diamond’s website, his family moved to Washington state from Montana in 1951. He graduated from Highline High School in Burien then attended the University of Washington. He spent 15 years in the airline industry

before opening a physical therapy center at Four Corners in Maple Valley. May has lived on Lake Sawyer since 1997. For more information on how to apply for the position, call Black Diamond City Hall at 360-886-5700.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5050. To comment on this story go to www. maplevalleyreporter.com.

Maple Valley Fire puts levy to the voters

Donut Hole and fields top priorities

BY KATHERINE SMITH

BY KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@maplevalleyreporter.com

ksmith@maplevalleyreporter.com

The Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety fire commissioners are asking the public to consider a levy on the April 23 ballot to fill an almost $1 million dollar funding gap and allow the district to maintain staffing levels and improve response times. Despite cuts, Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety, which is King County Fire District No. 43, had to fill a $932,000 budget deficit in 2013 due to falling home values. According to Fire Chief Brad Doerflinger, the district used money from its reserve fund to make up the difference, leaving about $347,000 in the fund. The fire district is funded by property taxes that are based on yearly assessed valuations. According to the district, assessed valuations have decreased 27 per-

Economic development, public safety, transportation and addressing the city’s need for ball fields will be among the top priorities for the Maple Valley City Council in 2013. “The number one thing is economic development,” Mayor Bill Allison said. “To do it right you have to create the jobs, if you establish those you’ll see everything else grow.” One of the council’s top priorities when it comes to economic development this year is the annexation of the Donut Hole, 154 acres off Kent-Kangley Road and Southeast 228th Street that is owned by King County and is home to a county transportation maintenance facility, nine holes of Elk Run Golf Course as well as undeveloped land.

We’re Celebrating the New Year

2013

Seraya Young, a fourth grade student at Rock Creek Elementary, helps to assemble a mural inspired by artist Laurel Burch in the school hallway. The mural is made of over 900 pieces of artwork created by Rock Creek students as part of the Art Docent Program sponsored by the school’s PTSA. To view a slide show go to www.maplevalleyreporter.com. KATHERINE SMITH, The Reporter

Maple Valley

[ more PRIORITIES page 5 ]

Don’t just live...

Thrive!

(425) 432-1199 27411 Maple Valley Highway, Suite B-106 thrivecf.com/maple-valley-home.asp

Join Today Starting at $19.95/mo

733307

[ more LEVY page 5 ]

Art of a vivid imagination


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Covington/Maple Valley Reporter, February 08, 2013 by Sound Publishing - Issuu