The Fall City Community Association (FCCA) has been keeping an eye on the unincorporated town since 1972.
Being unincorporated in King County and having no city council, the FCCA has been doing everything from running the town’s festivities to making sure residents understand the issues affecting Fall City.
The FCCA’s predecessor, the Business Professionals Association (BPA) formed in the early 1970s, used to meet every Friday. Gradually, as less business owners and more community members became involved, the BPA changed its name to FCCA in the late ’80s.
One of the FCCA’s larger undertakings is Fall City Days – formerly known as “Logging Days.” Back in its early years the FCCA, a nonprofit organization, worked to raise money for a community center. Eventually, the concept of a center got too expensive to build due to rising costs of property and the idea was scrapped. Still, the money remains and is now used for community projects such as the Totem Garden, which was designed by Vanessa Allen, FCCA president. Much of the FCCA money goes to fund academic scholarships for local students.
“It has come in handy,” said Laurie Hauglie, treasurer for FCCA.
Other FCCA officers include Kevin Hauglie, vice president, and Christine Johnson, secretary.
Allen is regularly contacted by state representatives who want to make sure Fall City knows what’s coming down the pipeline from the county and state governments.
“We make sure the community is aware of what’s going on,” Allen said. “Everything from traffic to school safety – we keep an eye on things pertinent to the area and people. We don’t have a governing body so it’s good to have a group that keeps involved with what’s going on.”
Fall City is one of three remaining unincorporated towns in King County, along with Vashon Island and Snoqualmie Pass. When it comes time to fight legislation or other acts of higher government, it’s helpful to have a solid group that can speak with one voice, Allen said.
“We are an organized group and people listen to us. Things can’t run by us without us knowing what the heck is going on,” Allen said.
But it’s not all business and issues. Members of the FCCA like to think of themselves as a social group, too.
“We discuss what needs to be discussed, but we also have lunch and yuck it up a little bit,” Allen said.
These days FCCA meets for lunch at noon on the second Friday of every month. Their favorite place for many years was the Colonial Inn, which will be closing in September for remodeling. The FCCA doesn’t meet during July and August. The next meeting is Sept. 9 at El Caporal. On the agenda so far is a discussion on a proposal by the Snoqualmie Tribe to acquire ownership of the riding arena park owned by King County, and further discussion on a sculpture walk along the Snoqualmie River.
Anyone can attend the meetings, but to vote on issues they must be a member and live in the 98024 ZIP code area. A membership fee costs $30, or $20 for those living outside of that ZIP code, though members who live outside the ZIP code cannot vote. The FCCA currently has 40 members.
“If you’re interested in becoming involved with Fall City, the FCCA is a great place to start,” Allen said.
Scrapbooks detailing the history of the FCCA can be viewed at the Fall City library. To learn more about the FCCA, visit www.fallcity.org. To reach Allen for questions on the FCCA, e-mail vanessa@ammusic.net.
