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Wednesday, August 6, 2014 | 75 cents
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Musical staged Enumclaw High School alumni present the musical “Company,” with all proceeds going to the EHS Drama Department. The show will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Aug. 10. Admission is $10. For information, call 360-802-7807.
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City to appeal Welcome Center debt By Kevin Hanson Senior Writer
Plans for an Enumclaw Welcome Center were formally snuffed out last week by a 4-3 vote of the City Council, but questions surrounding a debt of more than a half-million dollars linger. The idea for a Welcome Center floated on the periphery of city government for 14 years, taking different shapes as it was addressed by three different mayors and several roster turnovers of the seven-member council. During that time money was spent and now – with plans officially scrapped – it appears on the surface that expended grant money will need to be repaid. A total of $582,000 in federal money was spent on planning and design work. And the city, which is already digging into reserve funds
to remain financially afloat during 2014, may need to pay back every penny. But there might be a glimmer of hope, according to City Administrator Chris Searcy. He said there’s an appeal process the city intends to investigate, with the hope of having the debt forgiven. At the heart of the argument would be the fact that a number of factors conspired to alter the Welcome Center from its original design and intent. Resolving the debt question will be an immediate priority, Searcy said. In a worst-case scenario, the city will be on the hook for the entire $582,000. If it turns out that sum needs to be repaid, there’s $338,000 already appropriated in this year’s municipal budget, earmarked for Welcome Center construction. That money
The final Welcome Center debate
The council chose the latter of its two options with Chance LaFleur, Jim Hogan, Mike Sando and Hoke Overland casting the votes that closed the curtain on the Welcome Center. Voting to make more than a million city dollars available and keeping the project alive were Morgan Irwin, Darrel Dickson and Juanita Carstens. LaFleur was the first to speak on the 28th, making his feelings very clear.
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The ‘Game of Kings’ comes to Enumclaw
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Weather
By Kevin Hanson Senior Writer
The forecast for the rest of the week looks much the same for every day through Sunday: mostly sunny skies with daytime temperatures in the middle70s. Things will likely get cloudy during nighttime hours, with temperatures between 55 and 60. There’s no rain in the immediate forecast.
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Haying Season
John Van Wieringen worked his cut hay Friday preparing to get the field baled before the rain. Van Wieringen’s dairy farm is an all-organic operation. He was raised on the family farm. Photo by Dennis Box.
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could be transferred to satisfy the debt to the federal government, Searcy said, reducing the unpaid amount to $244,000. The city also maintains a “rainy day” fund that could be dipped into, Searcy said.
AUGUST 6TH 2014, 9AM
What do the Plateau and the sport of polo have in common? Not much, other than the letter “P.” That is rapidly changing, however. During the past year or so, a pastoral scene a bit north of town – west of state Route 169 on Southeast 400th Street – has been transformed under the guidance and ownership of the Seattle Polo and Equestrian Club. Now, the organization, billing itself as “the newest and premier polo club in the Pacific Northwest,” will host its inaugural event this weekend, Aug. 9-10, at the Enumclaw grounds. The public is invited to watch polo and, further, participate in the cultural and social aspects of the sport, which is known as the “Game of Kings.” On both Saturday and Sunday, spectators may attend to watch the two qualifying games. Attendees
are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to view the games, along with food and nonalcoholic beverages. Food also will be available for purchase. The SPEC’s 68-acre Enumclaw property includes a full-size polo field (approximately the size of nine football fields), plus two riding arenas, stables for 60 horses and a pasture for an additional 60 horses. Polo is said to be one of the oldest team sports in history, originating in Persia more than 2,000 years ago. The United States Polo Association was created in 1890 and now boasts more than 250 active polo clubs. A general admission pass is $10 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday or $20 for both days. Plenty of upgrades are available: Saturday tailgate access is $30; Sunday tailgate access is $50; and a Sunday VIP pass is $50. Tickets for the weekend event are available at www.seattlepoloparty. com.
BEST of the PLATEAU