covington/maple valley reporter, july 27, 2012
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July 27, 2012 edition of the Covington/Maple Valley ReporterTRANSCRIPT
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RECESSION PROOF BUSINESSES | New businesses fi nd opportunity in weak economy [page 3]
GRABBING AIR | Cody McDonough earns spot at amateur motccross championship in Tennessee [11]FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2012
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COVINGTON | MAPLE VALLEY | BLACK DIAMONDREPORTER
Elexis Dixon practices with the Essential Steppers and Drum Squad before the start of the Covington Days Grand Parade July 20 on Kent-Kangley Road. Dixon will be a senior at Kentlake in the fall. KRIS HILL, The Reporter To view a slide show go to www.maplevalleyreporter.com
Stepping It Up
BY TJ MARTINELL
PJ’s Smoke Shack in Maple Val-ley was forced to close due to an unusual provision within the new federal highway bill that threatens so-called roll your own (RYO) tobacco businesses.
PJ’s Smoke Shack, located at 23714 222nd Pl. S.E, is one of several thousand businesses in the country that operate RYO machines, which customers use to roll tobacco into empty paper shells. Th e machines are roughly the size of an ATM.
As part of the highway bill that was signed into law July 6, an un-related provision, Section 100122, broadened the defi nition of a tobacco manufacturer to include RYO businesses, which makes them subject to the same federal excise taxes and regulations.
Karen Byrd, who runs PJ’s Smoke Shack along with Phllip Abbott, said the provision was “at-
Smoke shop forced to close due to federal law
BY KRIS HILL
Patience seems to fi nally have paid off for Brad and J Johnson, owners of Johnson’s Home and Garden in Maple Valley.
Crews began work in April on the site where the new hardware store will go just north of where the business sits now.
“Th ey started in April tear-ing down the buildings,” Brad Johnson said. “Since then, they’ve been grading the site. Hopefully by maybe the fi rst of next year we might have a building to move into and a few months aft er that we might be able to open.”
Johnson said he hasn’t allowed himself to get excited yet for the new building, which will be 35,000 square feet, because the wait for construction to start on it has been close to a decade.
“It’s been so long, I’m still not quite believing it’s really going to happen,” Johnson said. “Until I
Work under way at Four Corner Square
[ more SHOP page 6 ][ more SQUARE page 6 ]
BY DENNIS BOX
It was a hot time in the old Black Diamond City Council chambers July 19.
City Council members adopted a resolution pro-posing a change in government from the current strong mayor form to a council-manager type of leadership. By approving the resolution the measure will now go before city voters on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Voting in support of the resolution were Carol Ben-son, Tamie Deady, Ron Taylor and Joe May. Craig Good-win voted against the resolution.
“I am neutral. I can live with either one whether it is strong mayor, whether it is council-manager,” Taylor said. “My decision is whether or not I want to allow people to vote on this by putting it on the ballot.”
Gooodwin said he opposes the plan because his No. 1 priority had been to get a city administrator in place.
Th e city hired Pete Butkus as an interim city administrator July 2.
Goodwin said the council should remember the city has many issues to wrestle with, including
the budget and the preliminary plat application for phase 1A of the YarrowBay master planned develop-
ments.“To the extent we adopt this resolution and put it out to
vote,” Goodwin said, “we are basically bringing chaos to the whole process.”
He said the issue could have been brought to a vote aft er the council had done its “homework” and there had been a public discussion on the issue.
“What is going to cloud the issue as to the best form of government, is in many people’s view this will be viewed as basically a recall election of the mayor (Rebecca Olness). It is a backdoor recall,” Goodwin said. “Th at perception is fair. Let’s be very honest about it. Th at’s the objective of some. OK, that’s fi ne. But we have a vote coming up in 2013 (when the mayor’s term expires).”
Change of government goes to the voters
[ more CHANGE page 5 ]
BLACKDIAMOND
WEBSITE | Check the website for breaking news, sports and weather stories.maplevalleyreporter.com or covingtonreporter.com
July 27, 2012[2]
SEAFAIR SALEAUGUST 3rd - 12th
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[3]July 27 , 2012
Recession Proof Businesses
IN DIFFICULTY LIES OPPORTUNITYWhy entrepreneurs pursued their dreams and how theymade them work in spite of and thanks to the recession
Editor’s note: this is the second of a two-part series which explores how businesses survived or even opened and thrived during the recession which began in 2008.
BY KRIS HILL
In the depths of the recession some saw opportunity.
Despite the diffi cult economic climate, the challenge fi nding fi -nancing for new businesses, drops in benefi ts and extensive work force reductions, this environ-ment created chances for people to redefi ne themselves even if some of their friends and family wondered about their sanity.
Sue VanRuff , executive director of the Greater Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an email interview that it makes sense that some new businesses have opened up during the past few years and thrived.
“For many entrepreneurs, the recession began as a nightmare but ended up as a dream come true,” VanRuff wrote. “What I hear most oft en is people were almost pushed in to it because their former employer downsized or outsourced their job and there was nowhere to go. But that’s where outsourcing is a double-
edged sword — their previous job was outsourced but that company still had the need for someone to do that work —what an oppor-tunity to become that outside independent resource/contractor. Th e bonus with that is the inde-pendence, freedom, and fl exibility that self-employment off ers.”
SEIZING OPPORTUNITYChuck Reger, who lives on the
Auburn-Black Diamond border, has been in consumer lend-ing with various banks prior to industry-wide layoff s in 2008.
“I had interviewed with some banks and things over the last couple years and was becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of work in my career path so I was very motivated to fi nd another option to I turned to the franchising option,” Reger said.
He had tried with some success the small, home-based business model to pay the bills such as an ATM operation as well as selling service warranties for cars.
Earlier this year, Reger encoun-tered the ProTect Painters fran-chise opportunity, and decided to give it a shot.
“It is a home-based business, that was fi rst and foremost,” he said. “It was like my other career, where I worked out of my house, I liked that. No brick and mortar,
to no overhead costs. I was a home improvement lenders, so, I knew something about the home improvement businesses.”
With his knowledge of contrac-tors and the industry in general, Reger said, it seemed liked a good fi t.
Still, it wasn’t the fi rst thing that came to mind when he began researching business ideas.
“I didn’t really search out a painting franchise, it kind of found me,” he said. “Th ere’s a lot of deferred maintenance and (homeowners) may have been holding off on working on their properties, especially painting.I thought this was something I would enjoy doing talking to homeowners and helping their own properties while looking for a source of income while running my own business … and this is fairly low-risk investment.”
Since opening up his franchise, ProTect Painters of Covington, Reger said business has been good.
It’s been a pleasant surprise.“I thought that there would
be a lot of business when the economy turns, but, there’s been a lot of business going on this year,” he said. “Right now I have four diff erent crews, they’re subcon-tractors that are all vetted, so I check everybody out to make sure
they’re legitimate and insured then match them up for the job that’s most appropriate for their crew. Th at way the homeowner doesn’t have that worry, gosh, I hope I picked the right painter, I take care of that and then I project manage. It’s about producing a good project and outcome that people are happy with.”
Even still, VanRuff said new entrepreneurs should be careful, because “there are no guarantees, no silver bullets.”
It’s important to have a business plan, she wrote, to avoid getting
caught up in the emotion of start-ing a new venture.
Th is is particularly important for anyone starting up a brick and mortar store.
Th at doesn’t mean, however, that there can’t be success in that area, too.
“Retail ventures are usually launched because an aspiring entrepreneur saw a void in the market or a pent-up demand,” VanRuff wrote. “Historically, recessions have spawned new business models that were made
A Get Hot! Yoga patron works on a pose during a workshop at the Maple Valley studio in January. The studio opened in November 2010. Courtesy photo
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possible only because of a down-turn.”
Curtis Lang, owner of Curtis Lang Custom Homes, echoes VanRuff ’s advice to set emotions aside when opening a new busi-ness in a recession.
“In a climate where there’s a lot of business going out, I’m the kind of person who goes, ‘Well, that means there’s just that much more opportunity for me,’” Lang said.
Lang, who also counts Sawyer’s Village in Maple Valley as one of his busi-nesses, knows something about starting a new busi-ness. Less than a year ago Ristretto’s, a coffee shop in Sawyer’s Village, opened up in the lone stand alone pad in the center.
At one point there had been another concept for the building, but, Lang’s vision for it changed and he decided to put his expertise in other areas of business into a new one.
“It made sense for us to do it,” Lang said. “The other users, the medical users and the business users, they were saying, ‘We need some food, we need some drink in this center.’ That wasn’t the only reason, but, it made sense to build my stand alone marquee build-ing for that pad.”
And Lang saw a need
in Maple Valley, especially given that the city consid-ers that commercial center the third commercial zone along with Four Corners and Wilderness Village.
At first, the plan was to build then find a user.
“But, because of how I like to do things, I thought, ‘Nobody’s going to spend the money to do it the way I want it to look,’” Lang said. “So, we built it, and I said, ‘I think we also kind of know what’s missing out there.’ There was a need. I wanted to give them a place where people would want to go out on a date and have a nice place to hang out.”
Lang said it wasn’t just a decision to start a business he knew nothing about.
There was much more behind the choice to design it the way he did, to bring in a feel reminiscent of a lodge on a lake, to give it a cozy, warm atmosphere where customers want to sit, drink coffee, eat a sandwich, sip on a glass of a wine, all while having a conversation with friends.
“It was something that completed the center and in doing so it’s been a learning experience but it’s also been a lot of fun,” Lang said. “I think it’s also enhanced my building company. The people who come in and see, that has generated a lot of requests for what I really
do, which is building and design. It has proven in the first seven, eight months to really have the potential to be successful and people really like it.”
Lang has advice for aspir-ing business owners from his years of experience run-ning his own company.
“The key would be to try and keep your emotions out of it until you find out it’s something pencils out and performs,” he said.
Nicole Lucia and her sister, Celeste Palmer, made sure their business penciled out before opening up in November 2010.
Lucia and Palmer own Get Hot! Yoga in Sawyer’s Village and have had the opportunity to get advice straight from Lang, who is their landlord.
Both women, who grew up in Maple Valley, have practiced yoga since they were teens and both have led active lifestyles.
It was a dream for the sis-ters to open a yoga studio. Not a huge surprise they were inspired to become entrepreneurs, Lucia said, because they come from a family full of them.
CAUTIOUSLY FOLLOWING A BUSINESS DREAM
Still, that didn’t mean it was easy, especially during a recession.
“It always seemed far-
fetched,” Lucia said. “Then things just fell into place. We got certified … we thought, ‘Why don’t we try to open a studio.’ We both grew up in Maple Valley and there was nothing out here. Maple Valley seemed to be a health conscious area.”
One thing they did before even considering opening a business was saved up money, Lucia said, then they found a small business consultant who helped them put together a business plan.
“He made us think of things we normally wouldn’t have thought of,” Lucia said. “It was re-ally helpful to see actual numbers. He set up a graph in Excel that showed if you have this many students … he put us through the best case scenario and the worst case scenario and went from there.”
Another thing Lucia and Palmer did before they opened was get signs made once they signed the lease. The center the studio is in has high visibility on Kent-Kangley Road so there were banners hung, an A-frame sign on the sidewalk, just as two examples.
“The build out was a six month process so during that time we were talking to students,” Lucia said.
“It seemed actually
pretty overwhelming at the time because we were still dealing with the build out and the start up costs and we were getting phone calls asking, ‘When are you opening?’”
Because they opened up as the weather was cooling off, Lucia said, the first few months went well which was good because when the summer months rolled around business tapered off a bit.
“We were open long enough before those first summer months hit to get regular students and build a strong base to get us through those slow months,” Lucia said. “About four months or five months after we opened a studio opened in Covington and we felt that for a few months but we think com-petition makes us stronger. So far, it’s gone very well and I have no complaints. It’s what we love to do and it doesn’t seem like work most days.”
Lucia suggests to anyone who is interested in open-ing their own business to be prepared, to consider it from all angles, because “at first, it can be really drain-ing.”
“There are always little things that can pop up,” she said. “Really do your homework. There’s so many little details when it comes
to having a business.”
MORE LESSONS FROM THE RECESSION
Ron Flores, owner of Bike Masters and Boards in Maple Valley, is a neighbor of Get Hot! Yoga. His shop has been open little more than a year.
Like the yoga studio, there’s a seasonal element to the business, something Flores knew about thanks to his years of experience in the industry which includes four years at REI, years at independent bike shops in Norther California as well as a stint as a volunteer run-ning the American Velo out of Belgium.
Flores knew what he was getting into when he decided to open the store.
“Understanding that we were in a bad economic time and that the bicycling industry as a whole is a tough business to make a living in, I believe that you really have to follow your passions,” he said. “It’s who I am, really, it’s what I’ve al-ways done, it’s what people know me for. I just decided to roll the dice. I believe that I’ve got the skills and the industry know-how to survive, put together a good business plan, tried to start off small and conservatively and grow from there.”
Plus, it was a good loca-tion. Cycling, particularly mountain biking, is popular in this area with the trails nearby in Black Diamond as well as a short drive away in area parks.
“This is a very good place for cycling,” Flores said. “It was underserved at the time I opened the shop. The cycling area and commu-nity is growing. Mountain biking is growing and we’re
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fortunate to have miles and miles of trails in the Black Diamond area.”
For Flores, unlike the yoga studio, business is better when the weather is nice.
“As long as the sun is shining, we’re doing very well,” he said. “Winter was slow, which is normal for this business. We have been moving according to market trends, adjust-ing toward customer needs, wants and desires.”
As he considered opening the store, Flores said, he sought out advice from other business owners in a variety of industries.
“Be flexible,” he said. “Don’t stick to your guns in the face of reality. I had plans going in thinking my store was going to be one type of store, it turned out the market needs were something else so I remained flexible. Take advice from everybody, filter it through your knowledge and do what makes sense for me in my local area.”
Flores also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start small and grow business from there.
Todd Hulbert, owner of Finally Found Books in Black Diamond, didn’t really start small.
Hulbert, who lives in Kent, like Flores had one plan for his venture but decided to go another route when the opportunity to take over Baker Street Bookstore from Bob
Charles who decided to retire earlier this year.Finally Found Books re-opened under Hulbert July 7.“This is not the best time to be opening a bookstore
because they’re closing right and left,” Hulbert said. “My original intent was to buy large quantities of books, sort through them and sell the more valuable ones online. I thought if I have to have a warehouse to store the books I might as well have a retail outlet. In the end I decided this was the place to be. The Maple Valley-Black Diamond-Covington area just aren’t served by a business like this.”
Still, that doesn’t mean Hulbert isn’t aware of the chal-lenges of owning a bookstore, especially during a recession.
“The scary part is that so many people are moving over to the e-readers it’s causing many of the small, independent bookstores to go under,” he said. “It’s scary but I believe the community will rally behind us. The other thing we’re going to do is implement a buy local campaign and remind people that when they support their local businesses 67 percent of that money stays in the community rather than going to Wall Street.”
For Annette Cyr, owner of the Kid to Kid franchise in Covington, the recession seemed like the ideal time to open a store which offered values for families trying to stretch a dollar.
Cyr, a mom of two kids, also wanted the opportunity to
run a business which would allow her to be a parent.“It just seems like a necessary resource for families to
have around,” Cyr said. “Covington’s very family dense. We’ve experienced a tremendous amount of growth even in the recession. Last year our average monthly growth was about 25 percent. My little store has become a top 15 store of the 72 that exists and we have one of the smallest stores. Kids don’t stop growing during a recession.”
Still, the economic climate has had an impact, albeit indirect, on Kid to Kid. Whenever gas prices increase, there’s a trickle down effect, because it drives up the cost of shipping, deliveries, and so on.
“We’re trying to fight that off as much as we can with our own sales,” Cyr said. “If you pay attention to the quality of items that you’re buying and selling, people gain confi-dence in you and shop there for one or two or three kids … we become their main source. It’s working out really well.”
Still, even though Cyr may have found a recession-proof business, she cautions aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Washington is a very expensive state to have a busi-ness in,” she said. “That was eye opening. You have to be realistic about what people are wanting in their area. You need to tread carefully because people lose their shirts on business ideas all the time. That’s hard because people want to follow their dreams.”
[OPPORTUNITY from page 3]
PUBLIC COMMENT AND MORE
Prior to the 4-1 vote there was about 90 minutes of public comment from both sides.
Those supporting the resolution were seeking an opportunity to vote on the form of government. Those speaking against the resolution cited more than 50 years with of the current form of government and argued if the issue was go-ing to the ballot it should be done next year when the mayor’s term expires.
Also noted during the public comment period was Black Diamond does not have right of initiative and referendum in place that would allow residents to place a measure on the ballot.
There were some intense moments when those on opposing sides exchanged heated words.
Prior to the council con-sideration, Butkus proposed setting up a committee to study issues involving a change of government and forwarding a recommen-dation to the council and citizens.
Butkus also suggested the council may want to list the pros and cons concerning the two forms of govern-ment because once the resolution passed the coun-cil was “severely restricted from any further electoral participation by the Public Disclosure Commission.”
Deady said the issue is not new, but was brought up at a Town Hall meeting in January. She pointed to a Reporter article, “Change of government resolution in the air” from the Feb. 3 edition.
The council decided not to list the pros and cons and the resolution was moved to the floor by Benson. The councilwoman said the ma-
jority of emails she received came from community members asking the issue be put on the ballot, “and let people vote on it.”
“It hasn’t been a secret,” Deady said. “I have not got-ten one person to sit down and talk to me about the change of government.”
THE MAYORDuring a phone inter-
view following the approval of the resolution, Olness raised three main points.
“First, this is personal,” Olness said. “This is to get rid of me. Second it is to stop YarrowBay. Third, they want control and they (the council) think by going to another form of govern-ment they can control staff. They are trying to get rid of staff they don’t like. They really don’t understand government.”
The mayor said Benson brought the measure for-ward because she had been
selected by the Save Black Diamond group.
“There were highly quali-fied candidates that were totally disregarded because they wouldn’t pledge allegiance to Save Black Diamond,” Olness said.
Benson was appointed to fill a council seat vacated by Bill Saas, who resigned due to work demands.
The Save Black Diamond website states the group is, “a network of volunteers and supporters who are working together to protect the Town of Black Dia-mond and the surrounding areas from irresponsible land development.”
Benson said during a phone interview that she was not a member of Save Black Diamond prior to the group endorsing her to fill the position.
“I worked for 25 years for a civil engineer, developer and utilities contractor,” Benson said. “These were
the issues. I don’t think I was chosen by Save Black Diamond. I was not in the organization, but I was endorsed by them after they interviewed me and other candidates.”
Benson said she does not believe it is a personal issue against the mayor, “at least from my point of view. A lot of citizens contacted me. A lot of smart and involved people and they want the right to vote on this.”
Benson said she did not write the resolution but made the motion to place the measure before the council because of the responses from citizens.
Olness said she also is concerned about, “How do we pay for this? What is go-ing to happen to the city?”
The mayor said currently 75 percent of the interim city administrator’s salary is paid by YarrowBay.
There is currently no funding agreement with
YarrowBay to pay for a portion of a city manager’s salary, she added.
Of the Benson selec-tion, Goodwin said there were five “highly qualified candidates. They all were very good.”
Goodwin also said, “I would never do anything Save Black Diamond told me to do or anyone else.”
Olness said, “This City Council keeps saying they want to listen to the people. Do they want to listen to those who elected me or those who want to change the system?”
The change of govern-ment ballot measure requires a simple majority of Black Diamond residents to vote for it.
If the measure passes, Olness would complete her term as a council member, rather than mayor, through Dec. 31, 2013, and the council would have six members rather than five.
[ CHANGE from page 1]
July 27, 2012[6]
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see some walls going up I’m not sure how excited I’m going to be. We’re all very excited around here to be able to have a new, modern building, to be able to spread out some of our merchandise, to be able to merchandise better, to have customer flow be better.”
There will be a green house that will allow for plans to be in the garden area for more than a couple months when the weather cooperates and doesn’t rain. There will be more parking as well as easier access to the store.
Johnson’s Home and Garden has been in its current loca-tion since 1979 and in Maple Valley since 1969.
At one point Indianapolis-based Kite Realty, which owns Four Corner Square where Johnson’s is located, was ready
to walk away from redeveloping the commercial plaza. This was due a series of obstacles including the tanking economy, something Mark Jenkins, senior vice president of development for Kite told the Reporter in September 2009, nearly five years after the company purchased the property.
As of April 27, city staff told the Reporter that Kite had received land use approval for some new buildings as well as to remodel other buildings in the plaza, and at that time it was under building, engineering and construction plan review.
According to information on Kite’s website, kiterealty.com, the project is “planned as an 185,000 square foot community shopping center, Four Corner Square will host a big box and junior box tenants, plus new small shops.”
Maple Valley staff told the Reporter in April the only
tenant Kite had identified at that point was Johnson’s Home and Garden.
A detailed site plan available on Kite’s website also shows a Walgreens drug store where Johnson’s is currently located as well as several smaller retail sites between the future home of the hardware store and a Grocery Outlet.
Overall, Johnson said, with the redevelopment of Four Corner Square and the addition of Maple Valley Town Center across the street this could be a busy part of the city which means patience may finally pay off.
“We’re thinking that will be a big part of growth, Fred Meyer bringing more customer traffic to the corner,” Johnson said. “It will just be a better area to shop in and we’re hoping to be a big part of that.”
[ SQUARE from page 1]
tached like a safety pin” to the bill that otherwise had nothing to do with tobacco.
“It was buried deep,” Byrd said. “It was a bill that had to pass.”
According to Abbott, a 1998 Tahoma High gradu-ate, the store had been open since February before it was forced to close.
“I hate to see a lot of people getting shut down,” Abbott said. “There was no warning whatsoever. I was pretty devastated.”
Byrd stated the shop was forced to close down because it’s impossible for them to meet the require-ments the new law de-mands. Unless they find a way to comply with the law, or convince lawmakers to change it, the store will remain closed.
“Right now if we operate
our store it’s a federal of-fense subject to five years in federal prison if we get caught operating it,” Byrd said. “Some stores are stay-ing open, but I’m a single mom working three jobs with a baby I need to feed, so I can’t spend five years in federal prison.”
Byrd said she refers to their business as a “smoke shop” because of num-bers differences between cigarettes and the tobacco they sell.
“We use virgin tobacco,” she said. “We get our tobacco from an organic co-op of small farmers in Kentucky. Everything in our process is American made with American jobs, small farmers, American machinists making the machines in Ohio. Nothing is outsourced.”
The tobacco they use is also taxed at a different
level than manufactured boxed cigarettes. The tobacco is also taxed differ-ently at a federal level. In 2009, Congress raised the tax on RYO tobacco from $1.10 a pound to $24.78 a pound, but it raised the tax on pipe tobacco from $1.10 to $2.83 a pound.
Before the bill was passed, Byrd and Abbott said they received a letter from RYO Machine, LLC, which manufactures the machines. In the letter, President Phil Accor-dino stated that due to the impending legislation the company would not accept any requests for reloads of the machines unless the businesses were able to provide written proof they had obtained a tobacco products manufacturing permit from the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTTB), or that
they have entered non-profit status and use it for non-commercial purposes. He also stated they would not buy back any machines or accept return parts.
David Sutton, a spokes-man for Altria, the parent company of Phillip Morris USA told The Plain Dealer, a daily newspaper in Cleve-land, Ohio, that RYO busi-nesses are manufacturers that should pay the same taxes and comply with regulations. Sutton also stated that the RYO busi-nesses evade federal and state cigarette taxes, a claim Bryd called ridiculous.
“Our response is we paid a 95 percent tobacco tax,” she said. “They’re taxed al-most 100 percent before we even get it. I pay eight taxes on every dollar I make, so give me a freaking break.”
Rather than level the playing field, Byrd said, the
new provision is simply forcing small independent businesses like her shop to close.
“All these ma and pa shops are subject to rules and regulations that are impossible for us to meet,” she said. “We don’t have a tobacco washing station. But in order for us to get this manufacturing permit we have to have equipment that doesn’t even apply to our industry. They don’t have a format for us to even apply for this license. We fail the test because it doesn’t apply. It’s not equivalent….It was a dirty move. I’ve got six people out of jobs now. I was unemployed for a year and a half. My business partner has been unemployed for a year before we opened this business.”
Byrd said there is an online petition to have
President Obama look over the provision of the high-way bill, which needs 25,00 signatures.
In Washington state, RYO smoke businesses have been fighting a separate legal battle against new legislation that would have required them to put ciga-rette tax stamps on RYO products beginning July 1.
To see the petition, go to https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/we-are-retailers-not-manu-facturers/wgLndqTT?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
Reach TJ Martinell at 425-432-1209 ext. 5052.To comment on this story go to maplevalleyreporter.com.
[ SHOP from page 1]
[7]July 27 , 2012
Formality has had a hard time fi tting into this brave new world of informality. Whether it’s how we dress, what we say and even what we write, everything has progressively grown more and more loose and unrestricted.
I was very much raised in the formal world as a child. I was taught to ad-dress every single adult as “Mr.” or “Mrs.” And if they had an extra tagline to go with it, like “Dr.”, I was to use that, too. At Eastside Christian, the elementary school I attended, I was taught in the third grade how to properly write a letter with all the existing rules and regulations therein. So while other children’s “thank you” letters were about as long as a two-year-old’s fi rst full length sentence, mine resembled a Jane Austen novel.
Mind you, this was the pre-Internet age before Twitter, Facebook, instant messaging, emails and even the proliferation of cell phones (cue gasps).
Since I tend to like structure and order when communicating, the practice stuck with me through the years as all these rules, apparently, were tossed out the window and replaced with a botched, deranged version of Morse Code and socially awkward but culturally hip phrases.
Due to the emergence of smartphones, email has become a much heavily used method of communication, whereas I was taught in jour-nalism classes that phones were the way to go.
Th e trouble is there are no “unwritten” rules when it comes to the diff erences between writ-ing a Facebook message, a text message and an email. Or a letter.
So when I write emails, I have a natural proclivity to be as a formal as possible without sounding stuff y or pretentious.
For example, my fi rst week on the job, I re-ferred to city offi cials in emails as “Mr” or “Mrs.” Within a week, I was informed of my ability to speak to them on a fi rst name basis.
But I still continue to address people with “Dear” and “Sincerely” when corresponding unless I have spoken to them a thousand times
already and the level of formality had been cast aside.
Apparently adding two words to the begin-ning and end of one’s email is too much for my editor, Dennis Box. A few days ago, I was writing an email to someone to set up an interview which he happened to glance at.
With a single hair fl ip, Mr. Happy transformed into Mr. Grouchy so fast it would have made Dr. Jeckle inquire as to where he could fi nd a doctor giving out that kind of scrip. He reacted to the message as though I had made some horrifi c fac-tual inaccuracy when referring to a Greek myth.
“What are you, asking them out on a date?” he asked.
“What?”“What’s with the ‘dear’? Are you dating them,
or what?”Journalists, as some of you may know through
interacting with us, are never sarcastic. Ever. Never in a million years. Our profession would fall apart tomorrow if we allowed reporters to be sarcastic, especially with one another.
I therefore took his comment literally and attempted to explain a concept called “etiquette” which a group collectively known as “civilized beings” tend to use when addressing one another in an eff ort to separate themselves from illiterate savages, i.e. people who text each other when
they’re sitting on the same couch. “We’re not living in the 1800s anymore,” Den-
nis replied. “You’re a reporter. You’re not writing them a love letter.”
“So sorry for being polite toward people,” I answered. “I’ll do my best not to sound profes-sional for now on.”
“You’re hopeless.”“Don’t you have something better to do right
now?”“……dang it! My mind just froze!”Despite consuming an entire pot of coff ee, the
extra dose of caff eine couldn’t help Dennis dis-prove my main assertion, which is that when it comes to any sort of writing there is no tone and it has to be controlled to prevent misinterpreta-tion. I repeat: Th ere is no tone in writing. You may have a voice or style, but there is no tone. Too many people seem to not understand this, which is how the most innocent of messages can easily turn into a fl aming war worthy of Vulcan, or Hephaestus if you’re Philhellenist like Dennis.
Adding a little formality to messages helps prevent one from coming off as blunt or curt. It’s not the pillar of civilization, but it plays its part.
If you happen to share my sentiments, please feel free to let Dennis know at [email protected] or at 360-825-2555 ext. 5050.
Be sure to begin with “Dear Mr. Dennis Box.”
City Council needs to listen to citizens
A fellow at last Th ursday’s (July 19) Black Diamond City Council Meeting — where many attended because of the possibility that the coun-cil was poised to put a resolution on November’s ballot for voters to choose between a current mayoral form of government and a city manager form — stated, near the end of a very lengthy opening comment period, that there was “an
elephant in the room.”And then, he described “the elephant”: he did
not trust the mayor! Unfortunately, from the loud applause of the standing-room-only crowd, many seemed to harbor the same feeling.
Th ere was another zoo animal in the room: the gorilla: the YarrowBay developments. Th e YarrowBay developments are the same ones that have and still do threaten the quality of life of not only Black Diamond citizens but also those nearby jurisdictions and neighborhoods that will feel the impacts of underlying fl aws in the YB plans: overwhelming traffi c, fi nancial risk, the kids’ future education, environmental destruc-tion, loss of the rural, small town atmosphere and more, identifi ed for the former council (same mayor) by the Hearing Examiner — twice — and hundreds of concerned people through public testimony, repeatedly. Th ose same fl aws motivated the remarkable voter turnout that radically changed their City Council in the 2011 election.
Th e gorilla is not gone. Th e gorilla, likely with the help of the mayor, because of the relationship with the new council, has placed the resolution
to change the government in Black Diamond on the 2012 ballot again this fall.
In January, the new City Council began with courageous decisions, but the mayor appeared, time aft er time, to impede much of what the people asked their new council to do: correct the remaining, considerable fl aws in the YarrowBay plans. She gives the impression of following the YarrowBay agenda consistently. She seems to ignore the very loud, voting voice of her con-stituents.
Th e four new members who receive fl ack as rookies began, even before they fi led to run for offi ce, and continue to study the complexities of all the town’s issues — especially the devilish details of the developments…the Gorilla.
Th ey listen to all the people, continually, and many want their ears. At the public council meetings and forums, they each contribute and ask questions of the attendees. Th eir integrity is evident. It is obvious in those public meet-ings, committee meetings and work studies that they conscientiously “do their homework.” Th ey
● Q U O T E O F T H E W E E K : ”Some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some menjust want to watch the world burn.” - Alfred, “The Dark Knight”
The war of the formal worlds
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[ more LETTERS page 4 ]
July 27, 2012[8]
say they want the best for Black Diamond. It shows in their actions and reactions.
Because of the latter, the best for Black Diamond, they have persevered with the mayor and staff attempting to do what the voters have expected and for which they continue to ask …. until the approach of the KC Election Board deadline for additions to the November ballot drew too near. With many in-formed people urging them for months to do so, they approved the resolution last Thursday night.
Therefore, the elephant, most likely, will be back in the Council Chambers. However, without a doubt, Godzilla the Gorilla will be a major, underlying factor as preparations are made in the city of Black Diamond for the Presidential Election of 2012. Watch for him! He’ll likely be at the polls, too.
Judith CarrierUnincorporated King CountyEditor’s note: Carrier lives on Green Valley Road near one of the develop-ments proposed by Yar-rowBay.
YarrowBay not wanted in city
Last November the people of Black Diamond
spoke loudly and clearly about what they wanted for the future of their city. They voted in an overwhelming majority to oust the City Council members who supported developer Yar-row Bay’s plans for the city, and voted instead for Joe May, Ron Taylor, and Tamie Boxx-Deady.
Joe, Ron, and Tamie were elected by 75 percent, an historical margin. Approxi-mately 66 percent of regis-tered voters voted, which is a number equivalent to voting in a presidential election.
The vision of the Black Diamond citizens has not changed since last Novem-ber. They still see the mega development planned by YarrowBay as a blight on our city. They do not want the environmental, traffic and many other negative impacts.
Simply put, the people do not want Yarrow Bay in Black Diamond. How much plainer must they be?
The citizens recognize that the mayor of Black Diamond, Rebecca Ollness, has not gotten their mes-sage about YarrowBay. The mayor of Black Diamond is blocking the will of the Black Diamond people by pushing forward Yarrow-Bay’s agenda and thwarting the City Council.
The talk in the city is that the people would like to see the strong-mayor system replaced by a weak mayor-city manager form of government.
Yet, when Council mem-
ber Carol Benson attempted to pass a resolution on this issue, she was strongly criticized in this paper by Kristine Hanson, who just happens to be one of the City Council members ousted last November due to her strong support of YarrowBay. Ms. Hanson is not unbiased.
The people of Black Diamond will continue to make their voices heard. We support our City Council members. Democracy in Black Diamond will not be suppressed.
Theresa RobertsBlack Diamond
Rossi the wrong choice for seat
As I leave office, I have the unique opportunity to speak out, from an in-sider’s viewpoint, about the unfortunate processes by which decisions are too frequently made by in your government, ostensibly for your benefit. Those who believe that the end justifies the means are likely thrilled by the appointment of Rossi to fill my vacancy. Those who, like me, have come to believe that the means defines the end may be more interested in the game by which the end game is being played out.
Succinctly, this is about putting the proverbial lip-stick on a pig. Republicans know that their candidate, encouraged by a phar-maceutical lobbyist and
Wilbur and now promoted by the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, is an inferior candidate. Toft has a long history of disreputa-ble behavior, and a current history of trying to cover it up - including intimidation those who seek to expose him. Yet they act together to promote him to an un-witting populace. It’s wrong, and I told them ahead of time that I would not suffer it silently.
I’ve tried to minimize the rant that wants to slip out because of my strong feel-ings about about politicians who treat the electorate disrespectfully, here by concealing and misrep-resenting. Instead let me respond to likely questions/assumptions.
This is not sour grapes. I leave office in good stand-ing, not voted or pushed out of office, to accept a great opportunity as a graduating law student/bar candidate.
And I haven’t “flipped” to become a Democrat.
I believe in the Republi-can platform, emphasizing accountable government and individual freedoms, and I will be voting for Rob McKenna precisely because his integrity and wisdom will hopefully preclude this type of manipulation of the people in the future.
Grassroots Republicans do not show up for meet-ings, doorbell, donate, and put up signs for candi-dates with the expectation that those candidates will quietly sell out to corporate lobbyists and personally-beneficial tax decisions. I take this action precisely
because I came from the Republican grassroots, and I now return to the Repub-lican grassroots. I know for a fact that Democrats have similar issues, but I’m a Re-publican and I believe that you clean your own house first. Further, in elected of-fice my first loyalty is to the people I represent, regard-less of their party affiliation. That is why I chose the term “Independent Republican” when I filed for re-election this year.
Yes, Kirby Wilbur is frustrated by my refusal to follow him instead of my conscience on some is-sues. Here’s the deal: I was elected to decide on behalf of the 5th District, and Wilbur was not. Suggesting that Wilbur, or any partisan leader, has a right to direct the vote of duly elected representatives is to suggest corrupting our Govern-ment of the People. Now, not many care what Wilbur thinks. His “Pflug you!” re-sponse clearly undermines his pretense of standing for “family values.” Further, his many conspiratorial accusa-tions are silly because they fly in the face of the facts and timelines involved. I voted for marriage equality seven weeks before I even thought to apply for the GMHB position. I didn’t wait to tell the Party that I had a new offer and would be withdrawing my can-didacy. I called within two minutes of the governor’s offer, and my phone records affirm that. Yet, as long as the hyperbole was mostly directed at my reputation, I chose to let it go.
I am speaking out after Rossi’s appointment, ini-tially thwarted by skeptical Councilmembers, because it is the next step in the campaign to get Toft into
the Senate. No one seri-ously believes that Rossi is there to do my constituent work for 5 months. There were certainly other, better “caretakers.” I believe Rossi is there to use his stature as Senator to lend credibility to Toft and to continue to work his “friends” for money and endorsements. His appointment also ef-fectively shut out a write-in campaign by another Re-publican with credibility.
An arrogant Toft once told me that he thought I was tired. I do tire of good people doing nothing, and of abuses that need to be stopped. I do not tire of be-ing a committed American citizen - one with 14 years of experience behind those closed doors. My time in the Legislature was an amazing opportunity and I am grateful to the hundreds of thousands of people that I have had the honor to represent. I feel I owe you this candor.
Today’s inside backlash is instructive, “What is she thinking? She’ll be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life!” Are they serious? It was OK to ac-cuse me of corruption, of selling my soul, to take my children’s name as a verb, and to openly declare that they would “burn Pflug to discredit Mullet?”
Yet if I speak the truth, which media investigation will soon confirm, I should live in fear of retaliation? Such abuse of power only stops when you put your grown-up pants on, look the bullies in the eye, and call their bluff. I call.
Sincerely,Cheryl PflugMaple Valley
[ LETTER from page 6]
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We welcome new patients!
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The Covington/Maple Valley/ Black Diamond Reporteris published every Friday and deliverytubes are available FREE to our readerswho live in our distribution area.
Our newspaper tube can be installedon your property at no charge to you.Or the tube can be provided to you to install at your convenience next to your mailbox receptacle or at the end of your driveway.
Pick up your FREE tube at our Maple Valley offi ce, locatedat 22035 SE Wax Road, Suite 20 during regular business hours.(Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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Licensed Audiologist
Michelle L. Arbini, AudiologistMichelle brings over a decade of experience to lead Ascent Audiology
& Hearing. As the practice of audiology is as much an art as it is a science, Michelle utilizes cutting-edge hearingtechnology with quality personal attention to ensure she delivers superior hearing healthcare. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-HearingAssociation (ASHA), a Fellow in the American
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Wilderness Animal Hospital is a full service veterinary hospital providing care for your dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and pocket pets. We understand the special role your pet plays in your family and our entire health care team is committed to providing personal attention to the unique concerns of each individual pet owner.
We provide services for every stage of your pet’s life keeping them happy and healthy. We offer preventative medicine, geriatric-senior care, disease and emergency treatment, internal medicine, dentistry, and surgery. Our hospital is a full service facility with in-house laboratory, in-house pharmacy, surgical and treatment suite, digital radiology and ultrasound. It is our commitment to provide quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet.
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Free Children’s Book
FINALLY FOUND BOOKS
YOUR COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE IS NOW OPENCome in and browse over 100,000 titles, sip on a cup of free gourmet coffee and
sit and read in our comfortable lounge area.We have many events planned every month so please join us for author signings,
children’s reading hours, book groups, or bring your small group in for meetings. Please check our events page on our website.
Every Child under 12 will receive a free book from our free book bin every visit and if we don’t have a title you’re looking for, we will get it for you.
Remember, buy local and keep OUR economy strong.
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...who’s who
Catherine Hunter, D.O.
HUNTER WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE
27121 174th Pl SE, Suite 201, Covington WA 98042www.HunterWomensHealth.com
At Hunter Women’s Health Care, we seek to provide the highest level of care through our highly skilled health care professional and state of the art technologies. We are devoted to addressing the individual needs and demands of patients in a warm and caring environment.
With years of experience, Dr. Catherine Hunter, DO, demonstrates professionalism and expertise at every level. Offering a full range of gynecology services from your initial exam, through menopause, and minimally invasive surgery including robotic surgery. Our goal is to offer patient centered medical care based on mutual trust and communication.
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July 27, 2012[10]
King County Sheriff detectives served a search warrant at the Tobacco Depot in Maple Valley after spending nearly eight months investigating complaints of unlawful activity at the store.
According to King County Sheriff’s Spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, the search warrant was the culmination of the long investigation regarding the sales of “spice” at the Tobacco Depot, located in the 26900 block of Maple Valley Black Diamond Road.
“Spice” is a synthetic marijuana product that consists of green vegetation that resembles marijuana which is then coated in chemicals that mimic the euphoric effects of mari-juana when smoked. The product is often marketed as “potpourri.”
In December of 2011, the active chemicals in spice were made Schedule I controlled substances.
During the investigation, detectives also discovered that the owner of the business was selling illegal weapons such as brass knuckles, butterfly knives and nun-chucks.
In addition to selling illegal weapons the suspect was also selling glass “crack pipes.” These pipes are used for the ingestion of crack cocaine or methamphetamine.
Additionally, the suspect was selling glass pipes and bongs commonly used to smoke marijuana.
Maple Valley Municipal Code makes it illegal to sell drug paraphernalia unless proper signage is posted indicating that such items are for sale in the business, and that persons under the age of 18
are not allowed inside the business unless accompanied by a parent. These legible signs did not exist at the business.
During the service of the warrant, Detectives seized over a pound of spice, a small amount of “bath salts,” hundreds of crack pipes, thousands of baggies commonly used to package drugs
for sale, nitrous oxide containers for over 1,300 individual doses and small inhalers used to ingest nitrous oxide, commonly called “whippets.”
Detectives also confiscated a number of illegal weapons including 10 sets of nun-chucks, 20 sets of metal knuckles, one set of electrified metal knuckles, and three butterfly knives.
Community Note
MAPLE
VALLEY
Body Works Massage Clinic
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253-630-6614
At Body Works we customize each Massage to fit your needs. MASSAGE THERAPY is effective at reducing pain, aiding the body’s natural healing process, and preventing future discomfort. It restores balance and well-being, releases muscular tension, and allows your body to move freely and with greater strength. It relieves the effects of stress, anxiety and lack of rest.
Body Works is a leader in therapeutic massage. Therapeutic massage is a great way to manage pain and to heal naturally and we will bill your insurance. We combine the art and science of massage therapy with the scientific principals to get you back on your feet. Ask your doctor if massage is right for you. Let us improve your overall well-being.
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Mindy McClain
SUMMIT SOLUTIONS COMPUTER SERVICES
26929 Maple Valley Black Diamond Road
Computer Services & Consulting
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Leih Mulvihill
THE DAZZLED DAME!
360-886-9570
“The Dazzled Dame!” is a place a woman can come and update her look without investing in a new outfi t. Accessories are what make your look edgy, fashionable, chic, elegant, fanciful, or fun! Dazzle is not just for evening’s anymore, it is an attitude, a choice to let everyone know you feel fabulous. It is for fun, work, going out on the town or just hanging with the girls, they will want to know where they can get it too!
We have jewelry from around the world including made in the good old USA; we have bracelets, necklaces, earrings, anklets, and stretchable rings. We have scarves, handbags, sweaters, jackets, and lanyards. And, much, much more! Plus, if you are looking for something specifi c, we can fi nd it for you! “The Dazzled Dame!” is all about women’s accessories that are “Beyond the Ordinary!” You too can become a Dazzled Dame today!
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Covington Family Wellness
We focus on what YOU want. Whether it’s individual care or care for the entire family, whether it’s one visit, a few visits, or a lifetime of wellness care, we have a plan that’s right for you. The providers at Covington Family Wellness are committed to providing an offi ce where every member of the community can receive affordable chiropractic care, massage therapy and acupuncture. Our mission is to improve the quality of your life. We know that health is so much more than just not feeling pain. We strive to have our patients reach their fullest health potential. For all of your chiropractic, acupuncture or massage needs call Covington Family Wellness today. We want to remove as many barriers as possible so that any person, no matter what their age or physical condition, can receive regular check-ups. Covington Family Wellness offers Gentle Chiropractic Adjustments, Computerized Neurospinal Function Analysis, In-House X-ray Services, Massage Therapy, and Acupuncture. Dr. Treye Hovinga ~ Family Chiropractor, Kaye Eilers ~ 3R’s Massage, and Kay Kim ~ Acupuncturist. Like us on Facebook & receive a free gift on your fi rst visit.
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Polly Shepherd
REGIONAL PUBLISHER
Polly is the Regional Publisher of the Kent Reporter, the Covington/Maple Valley/Black Diamond Reporter, the Tukwila Reporter and the Auburn Reporter all part of the Sound Publishing Group. She is also the Regional Manager for the south division which also includes the Renton Reporter. Polly is heavily involved with the Chamber of Commerce’s throughout the cities she oversees. She started her newspaper career in 1999 after moving here from Chicago where she worked for Japan Air Lines for many years. When she is not out & about in the cities where she serves as publisher she can be found at the off-leash dog parks with her beagles Hank and Lilly Mae.
Dr. Curtis Barnett
DENTISTRY FOR KIDS
Dr. Curtis Barnett graduated from the University of Michigan in 1980. He provided general dental care until he was given an opportunity to work with children in a Pediatric Dental office. It was then that he made the decision to return to Graduate school in 1994. He graduated from the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in 1996. He was offered a job at a Seattle based Community Clinic to treat underprivileged children. In 1997 he opened Dentistry For Kids. Dr. Barnett continues to donate time to the community clinic he started out with in Seattle, during his time off from Dentistry For Kids.
Dr. Barnett is a member of: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Washington State Dental Association, American Dental Association, Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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...who’s who
[11]July 27 , 2012
Cheers to our newest restaurant & bar!Find the all-new BSB in our non-smoking section. Offering a variety of gourmet burgers, premium spirits and ice cold beer, there’s something here for everyone!
SPORTS
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BY KRIS HILL
Cody McDonough learned his colors as a toddler by
memorizing which brand of motorcycle was associated with which hue.
“It was Yamaha Blue, Kawasaki Green,” said Cody’s mother, Tina. “When he was almost 2, it sounds funny, we got him pedal bike and he would ride around the house. One day one of the pedals fell off and he would just ride around leaning one way.”
Not long aft er the other pedal fell off , she said, and before his third birthday Cody was riding a bike. Th at year the Easter Bunny, Tina McDonough said, brought her son a Yamaha
PW50 with training wheels.Cody, 15, grew up in
Ravensdale with his family. Close enough to Pacifi c Raceways to have a chance to get his start in motocross early.
And that early start has led Cody to his biggest op-portunity yet in the sport:
a spot in the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Moto-cross Cham-pionship July 31-Aug. 4 at Loretta Lynn Ranch outside of Nash-ville, Tenn.
Long before that, though, his parents fudged his age at Pacifi c Raceways — then known as Seattle Interna-tional Raceways — so Cody could race even though he hadn’t yet turned 4 which was the minimum age to compete.
It just made sense. Cody
had always been into mo-torcycles.
“As he got older, we tried soccer and he was in no man’s land,” Tina Mc-Donough said. “We tried him in tee ball. He had a good attitude but it wasn’t his sport. He tried wrestling
for a year and he did good in that, but, motocross was his thing.”
It has come to a point now that Cody trains with Shannon Niday in Singer, Texas and started taking classes online to earn his high school diploma.
At 15, Cody balances fi ve to six days of training a week with his school work, though he does get some time off during summer.
Some days he gets up early and rides at the track
GRABBING AIR
Cody McDonough rides in a race earlier this year. McDonough, 15, of Ravensdale, will competed at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee July 31-Aug. 4. Courtesy photo
[ more AIR page 12 ]
Cody McDonough celebrates his fi rst national title with his dad, Cory. Courtesy photo
MOTOCROSS TRACK REOPENS AT
PACIFIC RACEWAYSThe long-awaited return of
motocross to the Puget Sound region will happen in early
August as Pacifi c Raceways is set to re-open its track. The
facility located near downtown Covington will off er open
practice sessions beginning Friday, Aug. 10. The track will
open at noon with practice until dusk
There will be a $30 fee for racers and spectators or crew
will be charged $5. Call Pacifi c Raceways at (253) 639-5927 for
additional information.
Cody McDonough takes his lifelong passion to the biggest amateur motocross stage in the country at Loretta Lynn’s
July 27, 2012[12]
651489651489
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for three to fi ve hours, he said, then goes and works out. During school he has a bit more fl exibility in his training schedule, but, he will graduate when his classmates at Tahoma High graduate in two years.
“Online, it’s a lot harder to get everything done,” Cody said. “It’s all you doing it. You’ve got to be responsible and get every-thing done on your own.”
Training at the track as well as off are important, he said.
“Most people, when they think of motocross, they think of you just sitting on the bike and twisting the throttle,” Cody said. “It’s a lot more complicated than that. It’s one of the more physically demanding and dangerous sports out there. Th ere’s a risk of getting injured every time you’re out there riding. Your body has to be in tip top shape. If you wreck and you’re not in shape, you’re defi nitely going to get hurt.”
And sometimes getting
hurt happens even when a rider is in the best of shape.
In April 2011 Cody suf-fered a serious back injury when his rear end hit the seat hard aft er he overshot a jump.
It caused some of the discs in his spine to com-press and injured one so severely it was bulging.
He was taken from Mesquite, Nev., to a hospital in Las Vegas where he spent time recuperating. For a while he had trouble walking and sitting.
With a lot of physical therapy he fi nally recov-ered.
“Right now, I feel better than I ever have,” he said. “I’ve just been working hard to do well at Loretta’s since January. Ever since I qualifi ed, it’s just been about stepping it up a notch to hopefully go there and win.”
Th e Ravensdale teen knows something about winning because he’s done
his fair share of it, especially this year.
“Earlier this year, end of February, was the fi rst national of the year at Free-stone in Texas,” he said. “I won my fi rst title there, that was probably the biggest thing of my career so far until qualifying for Loretta’s so far.”
Tina Mc-Donough added, “He’s been racing all over, taking fi rsts and doing awesome.”
But it was at the Loretta Lynn Regionals in Tex-as in June where Cody earned fi rst and two third place fi nishes in the three classes he competes in, his mother said,
when he needed to fi nish in the top eight to go to the big event.
When he realized he had qualifi ed, Cody was in shock.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It was like a dream come true.”
In a few years, when he
turns 18, Cody will be able to race professionally.
Competing at Loretta’s, as it is aff ectionally referred to, can pave the way to that career.
“I’m using Loretta’s to get my name out there and pick up some manufacturer support for next year,” Cody said. “Pretty much just get more support, get more help out with parts, bikes, get support with engines, suspension … I want to do well enough to where they don’t just give us a discount, they give us free stuff , where they are paying us to ride for them or use their gear.”
Th e better he does, the more he wins, the easier it will be for Cody to make the transition into the pro-fessional class.
In the meantime, he plans to win enough to cultivate relationships with the kinds of companies that could provide support for his dream.
Tina McDonough said she and her husband, Cory, support their son complete-
ly. Th ey’ve done whatever it takes to help him achieve his goal.
“It’s a huge sacrifi ce on our family’s part,” she said. “For me, as a mom, for us doing things together as a family. Th e money, obvi-ously, so we’re hoping and praying that he’ll go down to Loretta’s and kick some booty and someone will see him.”
And though it’s heart wrenching for her as a
mother to let her 15-year-old son go thousands of miles away to train, Tina McDonough is there for him.“It’s become one of
those things where I want him to follow his dreams, to follow his passion,” she said. “It’s hard. I struggle with it all the time.”
But, thank goodness for technology.
Between Twitter, Face-book, texting and other means of electronic com-munication Cody and his family close the gap as best they can.
It’s the one thing the teenager has to do.
“Th e rule is that he has to contact me every day,” his mother said. “Whether it’s Twitter or Facebook or a text or a phone call. He knows the bikes will be shipped home if he is not in contact with momma bear.”
Now that Cody Mc-Donough is on his way to a professional motocross career, he may well start learning some new colors — those of the sponsors who may help him make his dream come true.
For more information log on to Cody McDonough’s web-site, www.codymcd.com, or visit lorettalynnranch.net for more about the event.
Reach Assistant Editor Kris Hill at [email protected] or 425-432-1209 ext. 5054.To comment on this story go to www.maplevalleyre-porter.com.
“Right now I feel better than I ever have. I’ve just been working hard to do well at Loretta’s since January. Ever since I qualifi ed, it’s just been about stepping it up a notch to hopefully go there and win.” Cody McDonough
[ AIR from page 11]
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Kentwood students participated in the MultiCare Health System’s ninth-annual Nurse Camp that ran from July 16-20 in Tacoma.
During the five-day camp, students got an inside look at careers in health care, students will spend time in various departments at all four of MultiCare’s hospitals, visit six local colleges and universi-
ties, and participate in rotations throughout the hospital.
“These local high school students are extremely motivated and interested in health careers,” said Liesl Santkuyl, Director of Nurse Camp 2012. “Several of them will be taking care of me and my family members in the not-too-distant future. I am always amazed at what bright, enthusiastic and motivated students attend Nurse Camp. We are lucky to have such talented people in our community.”
Throughout the program, students
shadowed professional nurses and health care providers as they care for patients in the Emergency Department, intensive care unit, surgical care areas, inpatient units and allied health areas at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hos-pital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, as well as Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.
During a full week of hands-on health career experiences, stu-dents:
· Learned to suture, cast, read heart rhythms, conduct C-Spine immobilizations, and learned about emergency preparedness in an emergency services rotation.
· Removed candy from a man-nequin with surgical tools. The procedure is called a “Skittlectomy.”
· Visited the OR while in “bunny suits” to ensure infection control standards are maintained.
· Learned first aid skills, CPR and other health care assessment
skills, using stethoscopes to listen to heart and breath sounds.
· Participated in scenarios designed to test their newfound medical skills.
· Worked on understanding the anatomy of the heart by examining a pig’s heart in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
· Visited the Mary Bridge pe-diatric Emergency Department to experience boarding and immobi-lizing young children.
· Provided community service to support programs at Mary Bridge and Tree House.
This year the theme was “giving back” and the students had several activities that allowed them to show their service mentality.
The students learned about organ donation, Tree House, and the Mended Little Hearts programs.
These programs help patients at MultiCare’s hospitals and clinics.
Community Note
[13]July 27 , 2012
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ABOUT NEUROSURGERYBreak down the word neurosurgery and it’s easy
to see that it is made up of the words “neuro” and “surgery.” Neuro references the parts of the nervous system including the brain, the spine, the peripheral nerves, and the arteries that are found in the neck. Surgery, of course, means the method of treatment. Neurosurgery is a highly specialized branch of medicine that treats the diseases and conditions that affect the nervous system, such as brain tumors, blood clots, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, and other problems. Because neurosurgeons are very highly skilled and have extensive training in treating and diagnosing nervous system problems, they are often called upon by other doctors for consultations.
To schedule an appointment with Southlake Clinic, please call us at (253) 395-1972. We are located at 27005 168th Place SE in Covington. Saturday appointments are now available.
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The third week of July is time to harvest the cool season crops such as peas, lettuce, chard, radish and beets. Young plants of warm season crops such as corn, beans, cucumbers and squash will appreciate a side dressing of slow release or organic plant food this week as they gear up for big time veggie production. Side dressing is not a fash-ion statement — it refers to the technique of spreading a band of fertilizer along the side of a row of plants where the tips of the roots would be growing.
Many veggie plants are in their adolescence and get-ting ready for peak growth so like teens everywhere they now have a huge ap-petite.
July is a good month to
consider adding a water feature to the garden. Birds
and other wildlife are naturally attracted to water and gardeners now have a lot more options for adding water beyond
the traditional in ground pond or pool.
WATER WHEN YOU HAVE NO SPACE:
Apartment dwellers or those with a balcony or tiny patio can enjoy the sound of water and visiting hummingbirds by choos-ing a table-top recirculating fountain. Even a small wa-ter feature will add humid-ity, sound and the soothing look of water. Table top fountains can be found at home and craft supply stores in kits that include the pump, water receptacle
and tubing.
WATER WHEN YOU WANT TO ENJOY PLANTS - BUT HAVE LITTLE SPACE:
If you have room for a half wine barrel or similar sizes porcelain container you can enjoy growing miniature water lilies and floating plants and make a great home for a gold fish or two.
Self-contained water gardens in pots work best when you pay attention to the delicate eco-system that is created when you group plants, fish and water together. The best place to explore your options for a mini-pond like this is to visit a garden center or nursery that sells aquatic plants. This is where you can also buy the container and special water plant fertilizer to get you started. Never use regular plant food near or in a water gar-den. The nitrogen will cause
an excess of algae growth and this robs oxygen from the fish.
WATER WHEN YOU HAVE SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE CONCERNS:
A recirculating pump and pondless waterfall is the answer if you have safety concerns about add-ing water to the landscape. A pondless water features includes a water fall that splashes into a bed of rocks and boulders and then the water drains below to a hidden catch basin and is recirculated back to the top of the waterfall.
There is no standing wa-ter so no risk of drowning and very little maintenance. Simply use the hose to top off the water collecting basin under the rocks every few weeks during periods of no rainfall. In our garden the pondless waterfall we had installed ten years ago needs filling just a couple of
times during the summer. It runs all year long with
no other maintenance, no algae buildup, no chemi-cals, no insects but plenty of birds, butterflies and a resident frog.
There are many versions of a pondless water feature including large boulders drilled with a center hole that spouts a trickle of water. The water overflows from the top of the rock and is captured below the rock-filled basin.
These drilled rock water features take up little room in the landscape but add plenty of drama especially when located near a front door or back patio and lighted at night.
Rock quarries and land-scape supply companies are a good place to start your hunt for the perfect rock fountain.
For the installation or a pondless waterfall or to learn how to install one
yourself in a weekend of work, contact author and local water garden expert Mark the Pond Guy at
www.markthepondguy.com
Water in the garden is a liquid asset that adds more than just home equity.Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of “Easy Answers for Great Gardens” and several other books. For book requests or answers to gardening questions, write to her at: P.O. Box 872, Enumclaw, 98022. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a personal reply.For more gardening information, she can be reached at her Web site, www.binettigarden.com. Copyright for this article is owned by Marianne Binetti.
A hearty harvest of cool season crops
The C
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BY TJ MARTINELL
The Maple Valley City Council is considering an ordinance that city officials say would help better define and clarify how the city would respond to an emergency.
City Manager David Johnston said the city currently has an interlocal agreement with King Coun-ty Emergency Management Department. The agree-ment, however, which was approved in 1999, said the city would be responsible for all areas located within the Tahoma School District, some of which are located
in unincorporated King County and outside the city’s jurisdiction. The new ordinance would be more compliant with federal guidelines for national inci-dent management systems (NIMS), which are required for cities to have if they seek federal reimbursement for damage done during emergencies.
“Whenever the governor issues an emergency or president issues an emer-gency our requirement for meticulous record keeping is critical,” Johnston said.
The local emergency management organization would handle emergency functions and operate
within the city limits. The LEMO would be run by a director of emergency management who would implement the city’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) through the organization.
The proposed ordinance would also give the city manager broad powers in the event of an emer-gency, such as a storm or earthquake. These powers include the authority to take command of the police department if the mayor issued a proclamation of emergency or disaster. The city manager would be also be able to issue executive orders related to the emer-gency or disaster, as well as require all businesses to close.
Johnston said that at present the city manager
has those powers under such a scenario, but the new ordinance defines those powers more clearly and what they are limited to. He also stated the ordinance also acknowledges existing networks in Washington
“We did understand that there is a local and county responsibility, but we’re also a part of Area Three communities,” he said. “We meet regularly to make sure we’re all on same the page and we know who we’re going to be working with. That network wasn’t really recognized (before). We were an island unto ourselves.”
Additionally, the ordi-nance sets out a chain of command in response to the injury or death of the mayor and city manager. The deputy mayor would
assume the mayor’s respon-sibilities, and the finance director would take over as city manager. If the deputy mayor were also injured, the council member with the longest tenure would take over as mayor. If the finance director is unable to fill the city manager position, the public works director would do so.
City documents which outline the new emergency management plan states in the event of a disaster or emergency, Maple Val-ley residents should be prepared to operate on their own for at least three days without any government assistance.
“It is the policy of the City of Maple Valley to make effective preparation for and use of available personnel, resources and
facilities necessary for deal-ing with any proclaimed emergency or disaster that may occur,” the docu-ments stated. “Disasters and emergencies, by their very nature, may disrupt or destroy existing public systems as well as the capa-bility of the City to provide public services, protect life, public health and public property.”
Johnston said the three days is a national standard.
“After three days after an event there’s an assumption that the true damage from that event will be under-stood by that time,” he said. “And then you’ll see things mobilized like the Ameri-can Red Cross. Things will have settled down, but during those three days you have to be responsible for yourself.”
City considers revamping emergency response plansJuly 27, 2012[14]
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CITY OF BLACK DIAMONDREQUESTS FOR
QUALIFICATIONS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE
The City of Black Diamond is seeking Requests for Qualifica- tions from well qualified attor- neys interested in serving as Presiding Judge for the Black Diamond Municipal Court. Minimum qualifications include JD degree from an accredited law school, license to practice law in the state of Washington, membership in the WA State Bar Association, and 8 years experi- ence as a practicing attorney or judge. Experience as a court commissioner, municipal/district judge, or judge pro-tem pre- ferred. For more information, visit www.ci.blackdiamond.wa. us or contact Brenda L. Martinez at 360-886-5700; email bmarti- [email protected]. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on August 9, 2012.
Published in Covington/Maple Valley/Black Diamond Reporter on July 27, 2012. #654278.CITY OF BLACK DIAMOND,
WASHINGTONCITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION ADOPTED On July 19, 2012 the City Coun- cil of the City of Black Diamond, Washington adopted the follow- ing resolution:
Resolution No. 12-823 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLACK DIA- MOND, KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON DECLAR- ING THE INTENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE RIGHT OF INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM FOR THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING THAT UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THE NINETIETH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF PUBLICA- TION THAT AN ORDI- NANCE ADOPTING THE IN- ITIATIVE AND REFEREN- DUM PROCESS FOR THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY SHALL BE PRE-
SENTED UNLESS A TIMELY AND SUFFICIENT REFERENDUM PETITION HAS BEEN FILED REFER- RING THE QUESTION TO THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY FOR AP- PROVAL OR REJECTION
WHEREAS, the City of Black Diamond is a non-charter code city and pursuant to RCW 35A.11.080 the City Council is authorized to provide for the ex- ercise in their city of the powers of initiative and referendum by approving a resolution giving notice of such intent; and WHEREAS, state law further provides that upon giving notice of intent pursuant to such resolu- tion and publishing such resolu- tion as required by law, upon the expiration of the ninetieth day after the date of first publication of the resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed pursuant to RCW 35A.02.035, as determined by RCW 35A.29.170, the intent expressed in such resolution shall at the next regular meeting of the legislative body be effected by an ordinance adopting for the city the powers of initiative and referendum; and, WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare, for the City Council initiate the process for authorization of town the powers of initiative and referendum by adoption of this resolution; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLACK DIAMOND, WASHINGTON, DOES RE- SOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Pursuant to RCW 35A.11.080, which permits the legislative body of the City of Black Diamond, to provide for the exercise in the City of the powers of initiative and referen- dum in accordance with the provisions of state law set forth in RCW 35A.02.020 et seq, the City Council of the City of Black Diamond, Washington, a non- charter optional municipal code city, hereby declares its intention
to adopt for the City the powers of initiative and referendum. Section 2. Within ten (10) days following the passage of this res- olution the City clerk is instruct- ed to cause this resolution to be published at least once in a news- paper of general circulation with- in the City. Section 3. Notice is given that upon the expiration of the nineti- eth day after the date of first publication of this resolution, but excluding the date of first publi- cation of the resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition is filed pursuant to RCW 35A.02.035, as determined by RCW 35A.29.170, the intent ex- pressed in this resolution shall, at the next regular meeting of the City Council, be effected by an ordinance adopting for the City the powers of initiative and refe- rendum. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLACK DIAMOND, WASH-
INGTON, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF, THIS19TH DAY OF JULY, 2012. CITY OF BLACK DIAMOND: /s/ Rebecca Olness Rebecca Olness, MayorAttest: /s/ Brenda L. Martinez Brenda L. Martinez, City Clerk Published in the Covington/ Maple Valley Reporter on July 27, 2012. #654296.
PUBLIC NOTICES
To place a Legal Notice,
please call 253-234-3506
or e-mail legals@
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CITY OF COVINGTON NOTICES
ORDINANCE NO. 12-12
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covington, Washington, amending Ordinance No. 08-11 to extend the moratorium on the establishment, location, operation, licensing, maintenance, or continuation of medical marijuana dispensaries, production facilities, processing facilities, and collective gardens within the City of Covington for an additional six months; providing for a public hearing on the moratorium extension; amending Ordinance No. 08-11; adopting findings of fact supporting the moratorium adopted by Ordinance No. 08-11; and providing for severability.
ORDINANCE NO. 13-12
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covington, King County, Washington amending Chapter 3.80 of the Covington Municipal Code relating to exemptions from ad valorem property taxation for multi-family housing in designated residential targeted Areas to include owner-occupied multi-family housing.
Passed by the City Council of Covington, Washington, at the City Council meeting of July 24, 2012 to take effect five days after publication.
Published in the Covington/Maple Valley/Black Diamond Reporter on July 27, 2012. #655152.
Rehearsals for Seattle Opera’s Tu-randot have been going by much faster than I imag-ined they would! I have made so many new friends and have learned so much! I have also noticed that all of the people in our Seattle Opera family have no particular ‘look.’ You could walk out onto the streets and you would never be able to pick out the group of people in the youth chorus or in the adult chorus.
One day when my mom and I were driv-ing to rehearsal, we heard something over all of the crazy sounds of Seattle. We heard singing. Unable to tell where it was coming from, we pushed it off as a street act or someone who turned their radio up WAY too loud. That was until we pulled up to a red light and a rusty red truck pulled up next to us with a man inside practicing music from Turandot with all of the windows rolled down. I can’t even explain the looks of the people on the side of the streets as he belted out the Italian words full blast. Almost EVERYONE did a quick double take to the rustic looking man in
the beat up Chevy. However he didn’t even think twice.
When we first heard the distant singing of that one man we were at least a block away. You can’t imagine
how loud it is to be in one room with 80 adults and 30 kids singing all at once. It’s a little overwhelming. Luckily most of the time the kids get to finish up their songs first and leave right on time. It usually takes an hour or two because of all of the big intros from the adults and the kids’ Italian that there is to fix.
We have all come so far since the first rehearsal when we all showed up not knowing a word of Italian except for ‘spaghetti.’ This week we start the long process that is ‘tech week.’ Although there are a lot of late nights, the rest of the kids that will be there with me will make everything worthwhile. We will have a lot of waiting for all of the lights, sound and cos-tumes to be tested before everything will start to run smoothly.
Turandot will be per-formed at McCaw Hall in Seattle. McCaw Hall is this gorgeous building with a chandelier in the lobby
made out of little ladders and trinkets and a little gift shop with things you can buy related to the show that is playing. Inside is the best. The velvety carpet and marble floors make you feel like a famous person walk-ing down the red carpet.
As well as the people performing in the opera having no specific look, some of the people who come to watch the opera look like they would have no interest! From ages 5-75 there always seems to be someone who enjoys visit-ing and hearing the stories of the opera. With opera, you really cannot look at a person and tell who might be on stage and who might be sitting in the audience.
In future weeks I hope to tell you all about how tech week went, and how the show is coming along at that moment.
Morgan Roberts is a 13-year-old from Maple Valley preparing to sing in her second production with Seattle Opera. She has been writing for The Maple Valley Reporter about her experiences as a youth chorister in Puccini’s Turandot which opens at McCaw Hall on August
4th. Morgan is a famil-iar face within Tahoma School District’s musi-cal theater after-school program, performing the roles of Pinocchio, Violet Beauregarde and Mary Poppins. She also ap-peared as Young Cosette in Les Miserables with the Hi-Liners in Burien.
HIGH CREDIT RATINGS LEAD TO LOWER COSTSHigh credit ratings are helping King County lower the cost of borrowing money to fund critical life safety and infrastructure improvements.
On Monday, the county sold $94.6 mil-lion in bonds to refinance outstanding general obligation (GO) bonds involv-ing Harborview Medical Center.
The bonds were originally issued in 2004 to fund seismic improvements at the facility.
The county’s outstanding “AAA” credit rating led to very favorable bids for the bonds.
Ten investment banks and securities firms entered bids, with the winning
bid coming from J.P. Morgan Securities. J.P. Morgan offered an interest rate of just 1.7 percent.
With this very low interest rate, the County expects to save a total of $16.4 million between now and 2023, the final maturity date of the bonds.
The savings in debt service payments will be passed on to taxpayers in the form of lower levy amounts for these voter-approved bonds.
Harborview Medical Center is owned by the people of King County and oper-ated by the University of Washington.
UNION HOSTS FUNDRAISER AUG. 4Machinists Union Local Lodge 751-E’s ninth annual “Shoes for Puppies” horseshoe tournament will be Aug. 4 near Maple Valley.
The event, which is a fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America, starts at noon Aug. 4 at the Red Dog Saloon, 18606
Renton-Maple Valley Road SE.
The entry fee is $50 per person. Registration forms are available at all Machinists Union District Lodge 751 union halls around Puget Sound, including the Renton Hall, which is at 233 Burnett Ave. N.
Local 751-E is affiliated with Machin-ists District 751, which is the top fundraiser in North America for Guide Dogs of America, a California-based charity that provides service dogs to people from across the United States and Canada who are blind or have impaired vision.
Community Note
[15]July 27 , 2012
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www.maplevalleyreporter.comAll notices are subject to verifi cation.
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[18] July 27, 2012 www.nw-ads.comwww.covingtonreporter.com www.maplevalleyreporter.comCemetery Plots Cemetery Plots
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[19]July 27 , 2012
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July 27, 2012[20]
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