Year in Review – December

Published 3:08 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

Bourasa’s departure delayed

Duvall City Director Jim Bourasa planned to retire at the end of this

year, but his plans were suddenly changed when the mayor asked him to stay

a few months longer.

Bourasa has been with Duvall for 12 years as the interim police chief

and city director.

Grouse Ridge DEIS postponed

The release of Cadman Inc.’s Grouse Ridge Draft

Environmental Impact Statement was delayed until January. Officials said the

report needed more work and additional research before it could be published.

Later in the month, Weyerhaeuser’s legal attempts to

immediately force the removal of the Fiorito family’s Homestead

mining operation from leased land atop Grouse Ridge was denied by the

court. The issue will come up for trial in September 2000.

County plans natural area

If King County has its way, about $5 million will be used to enhance

the Three Forks area on the northeast fringe of Snoqualmie. The

Master plans include a pedestrian and equestrian trail, a 300-foot wildlife

corridor and several parking lots.

Opponents of the plan said the dollar amount is way too high

and should be spent on wildlife stewardship instead.

Ridge offered affordable homes

Quadrant Homes announced it would designate 38 homes

on Snoqualmie Ridge as affordable housing. The “Quadrant Cottages” are

detached condominiums priced from $133,000 to $150,000.

The homes were available to families and individuals who met

certain income qualifications.

County cuts budget

One of the most drastic cuts to the King County budget was the

reduction of Metro bus services in the Valley.

Transit officials initially announced it would eliminate three

of the four routes that service the Valley next February. But with

anticipated funding from the state, the county decided to hold off on cuts at least

until the middle of next year.

Tribe opposes development

The Snoqualmie Tribe raised concerns over Puget Western Inc.’s

(PWI) proposed Falls Crossing Development because of the negative impacts

it would have on the nearby Falls.

PWI hired an archaeologist at the request of the Tribe to survey the

area. The findings will probably be released in January.

Church celebrates 100 years

The Fall City United Methodist Church celebrated its 100th

anniversary this year. The church was originally built by Charles Cooper of

North Bend for a Baptist congregation.

But in 1913 the church fell on hard times and the members needed to

decide if the building would become a tavern or a Methodist church. It

has been a Methodist church ever since.

Council appoints mayor

The Carnation City Council appointed councilman Bob Patterson

as mayor at the city’s first meeting under its new form of government.

He “ran” unopposed for the post.

Patterson was originally appointed to the city council in April 1998

after former councilman David Shoemaker resigned.

Winery land preserved

The Snoqualmie Winery, which burned down in February, will

likely be sold to the U.S. Forest Service for preservation as a component of

the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

Snoqualmie city officials said about 110 acres will be sold to

the group, but the city will retain about 8.5 acres for a park and amphitheater.

Riverview

to run levies

The Riverview School District will ask voters in February to support

a $7.4 million Maintenance and Operations replacement levy, a $1

million technology levy and a $210,000 Performing Arts Center Levy.

If all of the two-year levies are approved, a homeowner with a

house assessed at $200,000 can expect to pay about $590 a year.

Surface water fees approved

The King County Council voted to extend the county’s surface

water management program to the Valley, Enumclaw, and Vashon and Maury

islands.

Valley residents will pay about $85 a year to fund the program that

will try to reduce the environmental impact of runoff into waterways.