REPORTER
COVINGTON | MAPLE VALLEY | BLACK DIAMOND
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LOCAL | Maple Valley Food Bank expands services [page 3]
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015
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Purple lights shine for domestic violence awareness City Council splits on solid waste ordinances BY SARAH BRENDEN
Reporter
The city of Covington held its sixth annual Purple Light Nights Saturday in the Pier 1 parking lot. The evening began with a 5K and ended with a tree lighting ceremony. A total of 2,000 purple lights can be seen on downtown center trees in Covington. The Parks and Recreation Department provided the lights. Participants included the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force, Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions clubs and DAWN, Domestic Abuse Women’s Network. DAWN Development Director Brenda Chrystie and Covington Mayor Margaret Harto announced at the event that Covington Domestic Violence Task Force Director Victoria Throm will be presented with DAWN’s first Woman of Distinction Award at its 19th Annual Benefits Auction and Awards Gala Oct. 3 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. In June 2004, the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force was founded by Throm and Curt Lindsley. Two years later in September 2006, the task force became an incorporated Purple Lights Nights in Covington drew a large gathering of more the 200 to the Town Center for a 5K walk, barbecue and nonprofit. tree lighting to raise awareness of domestic violence and the harm it causes to victims, families and a community. Victoria [ more LIGHT page 2 ] Throm, lower left, founded the Purple Light Nights in Covington. Cedar Heights Elementary students, lower right, participated in the event. Dennis Box, The Reporter Check the website, www.covingtonreporter.com for a slideshow.
Public hearing on potential new Lake Wilderness Elementary remodel, the district said they think they can afford to build a new school. The Tahoma School Board Patterson said the school will have a public hearing during board discussed whether to its regular meeting Oct. 13 to use that savings to reduce the discuss the potential for buildremainder of bonds that need ing a new Lake Wilderness to be sold and return some Elementary. money to taxpayers by Last week, the board not incurring that debt, heard a report from MAPLE but ultimately “both the district staff regarding VALLEY board and bond overthe possibility of buildsight committee agreed ing the new school, as the money should be used opposed to the original plan to build a new Lake Wilderness of remodeling the current aging Elementary school,” he said via building. Kevin Patterson, spokesperson email. Patterson also said expandfor the district, told The Reporter ing projects, like building a new last week the district has saved school instead of remodeling the about $24 million on the new old one, can be done with the high school project because the money from the bond, but only crews haven’t run into any of after a public hearing. the anticipated and budgetedThe resolution for the 2013 for issues. With the $18 milmeasure stated, “…if available lion already ear-marked for the
BY REBECCA GOURLEY Reporter
A new Lake Wilderness Elementary school would be built on the playfield and the current school would then be demolished. COURTESY KEVIN PATTERSON funds are sufficient from the proceeds of Bonds authorized for the above purposes and/or state and local circumstances require, the District may use such funds to acquire, construct, equip,
modernize and make other capital improvements to the facilities of the District, all as the Board of Directors may determine, after holding a public hearing thereon pursuant to RCW 28A.530.020.”
BY DENNIS BOX Editor
The Covington City Council considered two ordinances for mandatory solid waste collection and both failed to pass. The council considered option one, which proposed mandatory solid waste collection. Option two was an ordinance for mandatory solid waste and yard waste collection. Jeff Wagner, mayor pro tem, recused himself from the COVINGTON discussion and vote because he works for Republic Services, the company providing solid waste and recycle pickup for Covington. Wagner’s recusal left six voting members on the council. Both measures tied at 3-3, failing to gain a majority to pass. Each ordinance would have gone into effect July 1, 2016 with criminal enforcement codes for illegal dumping. According to the background information provided by the staff, Auburn, Kent and Renton have passed mandatory solid waste collection ordinances. The staff report noted after Kent adopted a mandatory ordinance there was a decrease in “code enforcement cases regarding garbage, including dumping in areas around the city such as storm ponds and green belts.” During the council discussion of option two for both solid waste and yard waste, Councilman Mark Lanza said, “This summer we (his family) went three months without the need for yard waste. I very rarely have yard waste. I have a hard time justifying mandatory yard waste.” Councilman Joseph Cimaomo said he is against the mandatory yard waste provision. He said his family of three would have filled a yard waste container about one time over the summer. “We shouldn’t be asking people to pay for a service they will never use,” Cimaomo said. Councilman Sean Smith said by not passing the solid waste and [ more TRASH page 2 ]