Many issues lie ahead in 2004
Published 12:36 am Friday, October 3, 2008
With the passing of each year and the start of January comes a renewed enthusiasm for what lies ahead. The change also allows us to look back and learn from things that worked or didn’t work in the past.
As we move into the new year, many issues will face the Valley as we continue to grow and cohabitate in this great place.
On the national scene we will have an election this year. The question is can George Bush get re-elected or, more importantly, will challenger Howard Dean be able to unseat the man from Texas?
Can we expect a quick transfer of power to the Iraqi regime so we can get our troops home and allow some Valley families to sleep a little easier?
Will our constitutional rights continue to be eroded in the name of homeland security? This great country appears to be moving in the direction of a constant police state. Traveling by air is a headache that many have chosen to forego. The daily fear of a change in the national security level is a reality, albeit one that might not be taken as seriously by the masses as the government would like.
At the state level we have new challenges. Can we work toward balancing the budget and not impact teachers’ pay, school funds, or educational funds in general? Can the state endure another Tim Eyman initiative aimed at reducing property taxes by 25 percent? Will voters actually approve an initiative that could forever hinder things like emergency services, libraries, hospitals, parks and the infrastructure that we use on a daily basis?
At the county level, can we press our representatives to really take a look at reducing the number of Metropolitan King County Council seats? The county needs to reduce its size to more effectively deal with issues. I think we should all urge Kathy Lambert and Larry Phillips, along with David Irons Jr, to push a council reduction. Most of us on the outside see that it makes sense. Maybe it’s a little foggy on the inside.
Snoqualmie has an interesting year ahead. The new council will have a huge issue in front of them as they take office, Snoqualmie Ridge Phase II. This decision will impact the city for many years. There has to be a balance between fiscal responsibility, quality of life and business realities. Will the Snoqualmie City Council go ahead with Phase II? Will the council gel and tackle fundamental questions about the financial viability of Snoqualmie? Despite the influx of Real Estate Excise Tax money and continued development, at some point the tables will turn and Snoqualmie will have to survive on business and occupation taxes, property taxes and sales tax, just like any other city. Will the council be flexible enough to look at zoning changes for industrial properties to allow more retail. Business realities do need to be factored into the direction the city is going with regards to its tax base.
Another key for the new council is to step back and take a look at the entire city. I realize the new council members didn’t get many votes from historic Snoqualmie residents, but you still represent the entire city. Downtown revitalization needs to continue as a priority, as well as flexibility in zoning to allow for tax-generating uses. The council needs to set the tone to staff that small business is important to the economic growth of Snoqualmie and possibly even participate in some of the business/staff meetings to understand the issues.
Will the community center make it on to a ballot? I think the council and supporters heard the message loud and clear, that the past ballot submission was too expensive in one piece. A fiscally sound approach is possible that will provide a facility that the entire Upper Valley can utilize. The question is, will the voters, facing increasing taxes from schools, fire districts and parks, tax themselves further to create a community center? The idea of community cohesiveness is important to all of us and I do think a community center, with the right programming, can help erode the division between the two areas of Snoqualmie.
Will the Snoqualmie Tribe get the go-ahead to build the casino in 2004 and how will it impact the Valley? Many are wondering what the future brings for the Tribe, but we have already seen an increased level of participation from the Snoqualmies on various issues. The key seems to be the level of trust and open communication that happens between the Tribe, Valley residents and elected officials. I do think there are some unknowns but having talked with several nonprofit organization leaders, casino’s do tend to boost the available dollars for such agencies through donations. Something that all Snoqualmie Valley nonprofit groups can use.
North Bend has a new leader as I write this editorial, Ken Hearing. I have known Ken for many years and think he will do an excellent job as mayor. His heart is in North Bend and he truly believes he can make a difference. He will have to mend fences with some of the council members over the past election and anonymous attacks, but I would think that all involved want to move forward.
The North Bend City Council has many issues to deal with, from balancing the budget to the moratorium. The water issue appears to be headed in the right direction but it will take the constant eye of staff and council, along with the mayor, to make sure a solution is reached.
North Bend needs to take some of the same measures that Snoqualmie must take in terms of economic viability. Council members should set the tone, through policy and action, that a balance of fiduciary responsibility and quality of life can be achieved.
North Bend must tackle traffic and I am not sure things like roundabouts are the right answer. But, more importantly, involve not only the experts in the process but residents and business owners as well. North Bend has long based its actions on a survey that is now five years old. It’s OK to ask the questions again and not rely on old information. We need a park-and-ride lot somewhere in North Bend. Let’s move forward to get that done as well.
Next is Fall City. I have to say, I love Fall City having grown up there as a kid. It’s a quiet town, quaint in some ways, but is surrounded by increased development. Can an island of quaintness hold out in an ocean of growth. More importantly, can the County Council work more closely with Fall City residents to protect their quality of life? This doesn’t mean one-on-one meetings with Kathy Lambert, this means getting more of the council to recognize Fall City as a gem in King County. Some fundamental questions exist, though, such as sewers, parks and police protection. Because Fall City does not have its own council, I think they sometimes unfairly get dumped on by the rest of the county, or are not taken seriously.
Also, there seems to be a division between residents who may have lived in Fall City for many years and the recent additions who don’t want anyone else to enjoy such a great place. There is no quick answer but without strong representation of some kind, decisions will be taken out of the hands of residents and made by people worried about getting re-elected in their own districts.
The school district has an important year ahead of it as it looks to build a new elementary school and begins remodeling several existing schools. I truly believe that the opening of a new school on Snoqualmie Ridge will go a long way toward integrating those new residents into the Valley. Once those kids hit school age, families naturally get involved and let’s face it, many of our best friendships were started by meeting other parents at school functions.
One potential concern is the development of new athletic facilities at the high school. I have stated many times that building new facilities is the right thing to do to give our athletes the same competitive edge that other area schools provide. And Mount Si is the right school to develop. Of course, I have some bias in this case being an alumni but the thought of moving the athletic facilities to another location doesn’t set well with a lot of people.
So what about the newspaper, what a
