The year in Review
Published 11:27 am Thursday, October 2, 2008
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY – However common looking back at the past year has become, it is amazing to see how much happens in just 365 days.
This year will be remembered as a divisive election year both in and out of the state. Signs for both presidential candidates were subject to abuse and vandalism. As of press time, Christine Gregoire was the most recent winner of three vote counts to see who will be the next governor of Washington.
Public involvement showed that democracy is alive and well. Many Valley residents rallied together to protest King County’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), a group of development regulations that would hit the unincorporated areas in the county’s rural area the hardest.
Snoqualmie parents upset with the Snoqualmie Valley School District’s re-drawing of school boundaries packed public hearings on the decision, and there were 160 suggested names for the new elementary school being built in the Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood.
Long-time projects came to fruition or funding. Everyone who lives in the flood zones of historic Snoqualmie let out a collective sigh and cheer when the city’s flood reduction project (205 Project) finished up this fall.
The Snoqualmie Valley School District broke ground on a slew of capital projects, including a new athletic facility at Mount Si High School.
Sadly, each year ends with the realization of friends and family who will not be around for the next year. Many in Snoqualmie talked about the passing of Wilbur Fitch, a quiet man who served the city as a fireman for many years. Many also remembered Charles Oliver, an educator who worked in the school district for years. The passing of union and civic leader Garlie King was a blow, which was evident by his packed memorial service at Snoqualmie Middle School.
The year can’t be summed up with a quip or anecdote, so please take a moment to remember the past year with the Valley Record.
Happy New Year.
anuary
Snow dumps on Valley
Arctic blasts sifted snow into three-foot drifts keeping kids home from school for two days and closing businesses as temperatures dipped into the 20s.
North Bend gets new mayor
Ken Hearing was sworn in following the end of the eight-year reign of Joan Simpson. He said one of his first priorities would be getting city information to residents.
Bus driver placed on paid leave
The Snoqualmie Valley School District placed a bus driver on paid leave after the individual drove a bus off the road and into a water-filled culvert across the street from Snoqualmie Middle School. No students were on the bus at the time and the driver was unharmed. The accident caused $10,000 in damages to the bus.
February
Court decision clears way for SR II
The Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the petition method for annexing land was constitutional. The decision allowed Snoqualmie to accept an application from Quadrant Corp. to develop phase two of Snoqualmie Ridge.
Valley volunteer passes away
Wilbur Fitch, a former volunteer firefighter known for his quiet presence and helpful nature around the Valley, died at age 88.
QFC close to a promise
QFC was expected to announce its plan to build a store on the Snoqualmie Parkway at Southeast Center Boulevard.
Ten vie for open council position
Snoqualmie residents David Korma, Gil Tumey, Tony Yanez, Colleen Johnson, Maria Henriksen, Katherine Prewitt, Rowena Saturay, Matt Stone, Dick Kirby and Susan Ranf all applied for the position left vacant by Jay Rodne in January.
March
Lake Alice residents take issue with SR II
Many Lake Alice residents turned out at a public hearing to voice their reluctance to have a massive development built near their homes due to light and noise pollution as well as groundwater pollutants.
State auditor cites Snoqualmie
The Washington State Auditor’s Office cited Snoqualmie for allowing payments to the mayor in 2002 and 2003 that were either retroactive or were compensation for performance of regular duties.
Salish project land annexed
The city of Snoqualmie expanded its footprint by more than 40 acres to help accommodate a proposed Salish Lodge and Spa expansion by bringing the land that lies north of the city off Tokul Road into the city limits. The decision by the City Council ended two years of legal hurdles that prevented Snoqualmie from annexing the land.
April
Council approves SR II plan
The Snoqualmie City Council unanimously approved annexing 734 acres for SR II that will add thousands of new residents to the city of Snoqualmie. After many months of debating all sides of the move, consensus was finally reached on issues regarding the development that included affordable housing, environmental monitoring, parks and much more.
Maria Henriksen fills council seat
Maria Henriksen was chosen out of 10 citizens who applied for a vacant City Council seat after several weeks of applicant interviews by the council.
Carnation resident Howard Miller honored
The city of Carnation declared Feb. 29 “Howard Miller Day.” Miller, a longtime Lower Valley businessman, battled many physical ailments throughout his life but managed to stay very involved in the community. The 88 year old opened Miller’s General Store in 1938.
Si View changes management
Si View Metropolitan Parks District commissioners decided to change leadership at the Si View Community Center and pool in order to streamline accountability and efficiency. Friends of Youth, a Redmond-based nonprofit, turned operations over to the district.
May
Casino deal with tribe reached
The Snoqualmie Tribe and the city of Snoqualmie signed an agreement that will provide police, fire and utility services for the Tribe’s proposed 147,000-square-foot casino to be built just east of Interstate 90’s Exit 27.
Fall City approves fire levy increase
Voters in Fall City approved a levy lid increase for King County Fire District 27. The district’s former rate of $1 per $1,000 of assessed valuation was raised to $1.40. It was the first levy lid lift for the district since 1982.
Board approves boundary change
The Snoqualmie Valley School Board unanimously approved a move that was quite unpopular with many residents. Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood students had to start attending Chief Kanim Middle School as of September.
June
Fall City fire destroys barn
A barn used as an art studio suffered $15,000 worth of damage when a hot kiln had been left on for too long. No animals were harmed and the fires were subdued in about 40 minutes.
Snoqualmie state’s second fastest growing city
According to newly released U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Snoqualmie grew 70 percent in 2003, making it the 15th fastest growing city in the country. North Bend ranked third fastest shrinking in the state.
Snoqualmie Elementary student dies
Seven-year-old Tanner N. Jeans was run over after turning in front of a vehicle on his bike. Some 300 Ridge residents and neighbors attended his vigil.
Board approves $15-million projects
The Snoqualmie Valley School Board approved plans to build new athletic facilities and an addition to the gym at Mount Si High School while a new gym was approved for construction at Chief Kanim Middle School. The cost of both capital improvement projects came to a total of $15 million.
July
Thomas the Tank Engine arrives
For the third year in a row, Thomas the Tank Engine visited the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. Events based around the popular children’s television show were held throughout July, bringing thousands of visitors from all over the region to the city of Snoqualmie. Thomas is expected to make another stop in 2005.
New horse crossing opens on State Route 203
After years of working to build a safe passage across State Route 203 to get to the Snoqualmie Va
