Holding their third and final Candidate Forum during their monthly luncheon on Wednesday,
October 19, Maple Valley/Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce invited both Black Diamond
and Maple Valley City Council candidates to answer questions.
Those candidates in attendance from Black Diamond included: Kristine Hansen (incumbent)-Tamie
Boxx-Deady; Leih Mulvihill (incumbent); and Joe May-Pam McCain. Candidates for Maple
Valley included: Linda Johnson (incumbent running unopposed); Layne Barnes (incumbent
running unopposed); Bill Woodcock-Sean P. Kelly; and Noel Gerken (incumbent)-Karen
Crowe.
After candidates were introduced and made their opening remarks, Moderator Gary
Habenicht explained the proceedings of the forum before launching into the following
questions:
1) What is the role of the Chamber of Commerce in a community? Boxx-Deady stated
that the Chamber was the first place she goes when she wants to know about businesses.
Hansen wanted the Chamber to help connect businesses to the community and that the
Chamber needed to get out there more.
2) What have you done or plan to do to bring more businesses to your respective
city? Give an example of a specific business you would like to see here. May told
of his opening a business in Maple Valley and making it work. He stated that successful
businesses breed successful business. McCain stated that Black Diamond was on the
cutting edge of the 21st century with the master plan coming to Black Diamond. She
felt that Black Diamond could attract businesses with the master plan.
3) What is the one thing the city can do to support businesses? Although they are
running unopposed, Barnes and Johnson were given this question to respond to. Barnes
wants to remove the impediments through the existing codes and regulations. He felt
that there should be a common sense approach to how the city implements things.
Johnson stated that the permitting process had a lot of work to do to make it as
easy as possible to get businesses to come in – without giving away “the farm.”
She also stated that the fees should be kept as low as possible when considering
the impact to businesses.
4) Are you in favor of electronic traffic surveillance cameras? Gerken spoke about
“peddlers” coming in to the city to sell surveillance packages and that after studying
the information it was a – thanks but no thanks. Crowe stated that it made no sense
at this time and that the systems create more chaos. She also stated that perhaps
sometime in the future it might be needed, but for now – no.
5) What options are there for cities searching for potential sources of revenue?
Kelly wanted to redo the zoning to help expand businesses and taxing citizens. He
also stated that there was a need for new businesses. Woodcock was not for taxes
or fees, but that he would look first at spending reductions. He spoke of a need
to take action and not get caught up in aspects that would delay economic development.
6) How can the cities of Maple Valley and Black Diamond work together? Mulvihill
answered this question on her own as her opponent Rod Taylor was unable to make
the forum. Centering her comments on the Tri City forums that were already taking
place between Black Diamond, Maple Valley and Covington, she spoke as to how wonderful
it was to work together discussing various topics that affected one another from
BMU to transportation to regional affects.
7) What are your ideas for relieving congestion on Maple Valley Highway and Kent
Kangley? This question was given to all candidates to answer. Boxx-Deady wanted
to evaluate the impacts at certain intervals as the MPDs were being built in order
to see what impacts the roads were experiencing before moving on with additional
building. Hansen stated that Yarrow Bay already figured the impacts out with Maple
Valley. She also stated that there was a need to gather as one voice to hold the
state government accountable for their part.
Meanwhile, Mulvihill loves roundabouts. Acknowledging that we are “stuck with the
highways,” however, she would like to see by-passes for trucks. She also stated
that the Tri City was working with the state.
McCain stated that the MPDs brought a hint of the future with telecommuting and
relocating services in Black Diamond thereby taking the daily trips off the road
and locating them in Black Diamond. May stated that some relief could come from
synchronizing the lights. He also stated that the traffic congestion had to be job
number one.
Crowe suggested working with city centers in areas such as Hwy. 18 where there is
already infrastructure in place. She wanted to be sure that any funds coming from
Yarrow Bay would be put into the city’s transportation fund rather than going into
the general fund. Gerken spoke on a regional level and the importance of building
on the Tri City council’s corridor planning with SR 516. He also stated that Yarrow
Bay had to be held accountable for their part.
Kelly felt a need to go to Olympia and having more of a voice. He also wanted to
see metro used more as well as light rail expanded. Woodcock stated that the chamber
was already in their face. Once again he wanted to see if the spending priority
is right and what would give the most impact.
Barnes encouraged increased van and car pools. He also wanted to see good jobs locally
along with promoting telecommuting as well as satellite offices. Stating that Yarrow
Bay’s mitigation will be a pittance, Johnson encouraged living wage jobs here with
the traffic staying in town. She also encouraged metro.
During the candidate to candidate time where candidates could ask each other a question,
May was asked about some signs that had gone up in Black Diamond about saying no
to Yarrow Bay on which his name along with two other candidates was placed. He stated
that no one was opposed to growth and that he could not speak for the people who
had put the signs up. A few minutes later, Hansen fired back to May – if you didn’t
put the signs up, take it down.
Another interesting moment came when it was Gerken’s turn to ask a question of Crowe.
For nearly a minute, he spoke about himself, his accomplishments on a regional level,
and that he had a vision. He also stated that he had not been at Chamber meetings
as he did not feel welcomed – leaving the audience stunned and scratching their
heads. Later in his remarks he stated that he would try and make more Chamber meetings.
The final stunner came between Johnson and Barnes. Both were taxed with giving the
other constructive comments as to how they could be better Councilmembers. For her
part, Johnson praised Barnes for his dedication and outstanding job as a Councilmember.
However, when it came time for Barnes to comment, he began with a couple of positive
compliments for Johnson before stating that he felt she could be more effective
in how she came across with other Councilmembers.
Rounding out the questions was a question Maple Valley candidates as to whether
any of them supported a B&O tax – to which everyone voiced – no.
Pictured: Candidates for Maple Valley and Black Diamond City Councils met at the
Lake Wilderness Lodge for a final Candidate Forum during the Maple Valley/Black
Diamond Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, October 19.
