Hello, my name is Sean P. Kelly, and I’m running for Maple Valley City Council Position
Number 1 this fall. Having lived in Maple Valley almost all of my life, I have seen
it grow from a small town of a few thousand people to one of the larger cities in
the state (we are #42 out of the state's 206 cities).
This kind of growth has put some strains on our small-town infrastructures, and
is one of the main reasons I am running for the city council.
In the past decade, we've experienced a surge of changes in our city. Just like
you, I am frustrated by the increase in traffic on Highway 169 and Kent-Kangley
Road, and also with the forthcoming population explosion in neighboring Black Diamond.
That’s going to create a lot of extra traffic problems over the next several years.
While the city will receive some mitigation fees from YarrowBay, that’s only enough
to get started. My biggest concern is that I don’t want to see our main roads look
like the gridlocked South Hill of Puyallup, and unless we press the issue with our
state legislators, that's what we're going to end up with.
In addition, our city needs smarter economic development. Our existing businesses
need greater support from the city council, and we need to avoid burdening them
with excessive regulations and fees. We also need to aggressively promote new businesses
in the City of Maple Valley, and evaluate our zoning to make it easier for new businesses
to locate here.
We need a stronger retail tax base, but I still want to keep the small-town feeling
we have in Maple Valley, where everybody feels safe and wants to be involved in
the community. Our community events have some of the highest participation rates
in the state, and I want to preserve this
A recent survey of Maple Valley residents showed that public safety is the most
important factor for all citizens in our community. We need to keep supporting our
law enforcement and fire department by keeping them financially sound and continuing
the high level of service we expect for the 23,000 people in the City of Maple Valley.
Our young people need more positive amenities and environments to keep them busy
and safe. The City of Maple Valley needs more ball fields and a YMCA. I work for
the Tahoma School District, and I often I hear young people say there is not enough
to do in our city.
I’m a graduate of Tahoma High School, Class of 1993, and I currently work for Tahoma
School District as the Safety Coordinator. I also work for King County Roads Department
as a Customer Service Specialist.
Previously, I worked for the Boeing Company at the Everett Plant in the Hazmat Unit
for 6 years, and for the King County Sheriff’s Office as a Community Service Officer
at the Shoreline Precinct and as a Police Explorer and Volunteer at the Maple Valley
Sheriff’s Office Precinct.
I want to serve our community as a Maple Valley City Council member because I see
where we can greatly improve our performance in these and many other areas. As your
council member, I will work for the best interests of the entire community. I would
appreciate your vote on November 8, 2011. Thank You, Sean P. Kelly
Endorsements:
King County Police Officers Guild
Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety Fire Fighters Union
Public School Employees of Tahoma
Committee Involvement:
Tahoma School District Safety Committee
Washington School Safety Organization
Greater Maple Valley Disaster Preparedness Committee
City of Maple Valley Public Safety Oversight Committee
Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety Citizen Advisory Committee
Maple Valley Days, Vice-President
City of Maple Valley Parks & Recreation Commission, Vice-Chair
