There were cheers, smiles and sighs of relief around the valley

when citizens learned that they will have a choice in the November election.

Di Irons declared herself a Democratic write-in candidate for King

County Council’s 12th District. Di has been active in government, most recently

as Brian Derdowski’s aide, and has a good grasp of the issues and hot

buttons. She understands the Growth Management Act and the tools it

contains that can be used to shape the growth this region will continue

to experience in order to benefit the larger community, not just the

developers. She knows how to listen and how to work with communities,

and she has sensible, practical plans for bringing groups together to solve

hard problems like transportation and affordable housing.

Remember this: the right to vote is precious. So is having a choice,

even if it means having the option to support and write in the candidate of

your choice. Whether you go to the polls or vote absentee, be sure to vote.

PPP

Join friends and neighbors at Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation

this Saturday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the Snoqualmie

Valley Watershed Festival. Local valley communities and King County are

bringing this festival to us, and it sounds like it will be lots of fun and a

chance to appreciate and learn more about the land, water and history of our Valley.

Activities include tree plantings at the park, tours of a creek

restoration project, forestry tours, nature walks and a look at spawning salmon in

a Tolt River side channel. The Snoqualmie Tribe is putting on

a salmon bake (Yum!), and there will be music, games, art activities and

all kinds of fun things for young and old alike. For more info call (206)

296-1951. Hope to see you there.

PPP

Last week’s paper had a great letter from Art Skolnik presenting

two interesting options for expanding community services in the Valley. If

you haven’t recycled the paper, get it out and read what Art had to say. In a

nutshell, he suggests looking at using funds earmarked for a proposed

community center at Snoqualmie Ridge and instead of building a center

up there, either improving and expanding the Si View Recreation Center

or locating a new center adjacent to the new playfields in the

Meadowbrook area. The idea is to think about the

way to “benefit the greatest number of people over the longest time for

the least amount of money.” Art’s suggestions seem worth considering.

PPP

The Rural Drainage and Water Quality Proposal that the county

Department of Natural Resources has been working on will be the topic of

a presentation on Wednesday, October 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Tolt

Middle School in Carnation. Call Susan Oxholm for details, (206) 296-1984.

This proposal hits a lot of important concerns, like dealing with

drainage and attendant problems; protecting creeks, streams and lakes in

order to preserve the rural environment; farm and forestry practices; and

compliance with various regulations. It is an attempt to see the big picture,

think ahead and be proactive.

News Notes items may be

submitted to Janna Treisman

at Box 1329, Fall City, WA 98024; or phone (425) 222-5594 or

e-mail treismaj@hotmail.com.