Covington/Maple Valley Reporter, November 01, 2013

Page 1

REPORTER

COVINGTON | MAPLE VALLEY | BLACK DIAMOND

NEWSLINE 425-432-1209

LOCAL | Kentlake students partner with task force to raise awareness about dating violence [page 3]

WEBSITE | Check the website for breaking UNDEFEATED | Kentwood’s girls golf news, sports and weather stories. team continues winning ways with SPSL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2013 North and league tournament crowns [17] maplevalleyreporter.com or covingtonreporter.com

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Black Diamond denies former police officers’ claims BY DENNIS BOX dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com

A multi-million dollar claim for damages filed by two former Black Diamond police officers against the city was denied, according to a letter from attorney Robert L. Christie, who represents the police department, Mayor Rebecca Olness and Police Chief Jamey Kiblinger. The damages are sought for alleged unprofessional behavior and sexual harassment by Kiblinger. A notice filed the first week of August by Covington-based attorney Robert Kim,

who represents Eric Weinreich, sought $2 Mr. Oak’s claims for damages.” million. The brief stated Weinreich was According to Christie, Weinreich and terminated March 27 by Olness. The claim Oak “submitted complaint letters after they for damages names the city police were disciplined for misconduct department, Olness and Kiblinger. and in the case of Mr. Weinreich Kim filed a second claim on misconduct involving dishonesty. behalf of Scott Oak at about the Until consequences were imposed same time. Oak was laid off Dec. for their misconduct, they never 27, 2012, and his claim is for $1 made any complaints about how million. they were treated by the Chief or Christie, of the Seattle-based the City.” Christie Law Group, wrote in a As of Oct. 25, Kim stated in an Jamey Kiblinger letter to Kim, “The purpose of this email interview the two claim briefs letter is to notify you that the city is were not filed in court. formally denying both Mr. Weinreich’s and Kim wrote regarding the letter, “I think

Mr. Christie’s response was geared toward the media to at least some degree. He didn’t address some core issues. It also appears that certain BDPD members have not been honest with him and issues of credibility and character exist as well.” Yvonne Ward, an attorney based in Auburn, is representing Kiblinger. Ward said in a phone interview Oct. 25 a defamation countersuit is being prepared for her client against Weinreich and Oak. Ward was the interim city attorney in Black Diamond for a short time in November 2009 when the city administrator, [ more CLAIMS page 11 ]

Wings of Karen hosts successful fundraisers

Sheriff’s Office plans progress on Precinct 3

BY KRIS HILL

BY KATHERINE SMITH

khill@maplevalleyreporter.com

ksmith@maplevalleyreporter.com

Kristi Blair is devoted to her mission to end breast cancer and the support her nonprofit Wings of Karen received in 30 days could help make significant strides toward that goal. With some $250,000 funds raised by the Bra Dash 5K in September, the Pink Carpet gala and the Gina Grant Beats Breast Cancer Zumba event in October, Blair, who founded the Maple Valley based organization, said the trio of events were an incredible success. All that money will go toward research in the region, Blair wrote in an email interview. “We are looking to fund a Tumor Vaccine group at UW led by Dr. Nora Disis, a leader in immune therapy,” Blair wrote. “A $100,000 dollar grant will help a

Plans to reopen the King County Sheriff ’s Office Precinct 3 in Maple Valley are moving forward. Precinct 3, also known as the Hicks-Raburn Precinct or Southeast Precinct, is slated to return to its former home located off state Route 169 in Maple Valley. Reopening the precinct is contingent upon the King County Council approving a proposed $655,556 in its 2014 budget for capital projects that need to be completed at the site. Major Brad Thompson, who was named commander for Precinct 3, explained the closure of the precinct came about two years ago in response to the Sheriff ’s Office moving from a precinct model to a zones model in order to cut costs. Now the Sheriff ’s Of-

[ more WINGS page 12 ]

Making A Difference

Kiley Clemens, 6, rakes leaves at Lake Wilderness Elementary Oct. 26 which was one of many projects in Maple Valley’s Make A Difference Day. The annual event is part of a larger national movement which started more than 20 years ago. DENNIS BOX, The Reporter To view a slide show go to www.maplevalleyreporter.com.

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