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This is the second of a two-part look at the noteworthy news and
happenings of 2003. Part
1 appeared last week.
July
In what had been predicted as a fast $1 transaction, the fledging
city of Spokane Valley found itself in heavy negotiations with Spokane
County over park property. Holding up the deal was a 10-acre former
landfill in the Edgecliff area called Buttercup Park. City officials
worried Spokane Valley could become legally liable if waste leaked
into the aquifer.
The Spokane Valley's most infamous Boy Scout leader went to court
for possession of a chemical weapon in the form of ricin, a derivative
of castor beans. Ken Olsen - supported by his wife, Carol - swore
her husband had no intention of killing her or anyone else. A jury
didn't buy it, though, and Olsen was found guilty in about two hours
of deliberation.
Spokane Valley had its own night prowler, as a brave (or incredibly
stupid) burglar entered unsecured residences - primarily in the
Sherwood Forest neighborhood - as home owners lay sleeping. The
crook generally took purses or cash lying around, but the suspect's
brazen nature worried police.
Spokane Valley City Council members had to pick their lower jaws
off the floor after they learned some of the higher-than-expected
costs for moving forward with the Mirabeau Point CenterPlace project.
All remained supportive of the project and asked staff to come up
with areas where costs could be pared down.
Administrators in the Central Valley School District began to hold
a series of meetings to drum up support for new school construction
and existing school renovation. A bond request in the spring only
garnered slightly more than 55 percent, not meeting the 60-percent
supermajority needed.
August
A day at the lake seemed to hold more interest than the upcoming
primary election, as the only real battle would come in the Central
Valley School District. Two candidates - Sandra Haupt and Debra
Long - looked to unseat Kay Bryant in Director District 3.
Meetings of the Citizens for Disincorporation took on an air of
desperation as Sally Jackson's would-be coup d'etat of Spokane Valley
city government began to melt faster than a popsicle in the Mission
Park parking lot on an August afternoon. Jackson's initial 125 supporters
had dwindled to 35 diehards. Jackson vowed to not go quietly into
the night, however.
Speed kills, and the Spokane Valley City Council said 50 mph was
fast enough, thanks, for any watercraft on the Spokane River. Some
council members wanted more restrictive regulations, such as age
requirements on some watercraft, but in the end it was deemed more
practical for the law to mirror Spokane County rules.
Despite a sticker price of over $400,000 to keep the building open,
Spokane Valley City Council members voted 6-1 to proceed with work
on the CenterPlace community center at Mirabeau Point. The one holdout
was Mayor Mike DeVleming.
Pavillion Park - or Party Central, as far as some Liberty Lake
residents were concerned - became the focus of a group who wanted
to ban cigarettes in the area. Apparently, nicotine addiction and
flying monkeys didn't go well together for some folks who attended
a screening of "The Wizard of Oz" in the park.
Bill and Ruth Bleasner inched closer to taking the long slide into
retirement as the couple were poised to sell their interest in Splash-Down
water-slide park. The Spokane Valley City Council agreed to support
a 20 year lease with two couples who planned to buy the popular
summertime attraction.
September
The Spokane Valley City Council became the target of a barrage of
e-mails and public testimony as it tried to figure out how to divvy
up $200,000 in lodging tax reimbursements. Reps from the Spokane
Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau said that too much cash
was going to the likes of Valleyfest and the YMCA Skate Park and
not enough to, well, them.
Eleven parks, the Spokane Valley Senior Center, Opportunity Township
Hall and the Western Dance Center all became the property of Spokane
Valley after officials for the city and county finally came to terms
for the deal. Council Member Gary Schimmels spoke for everyone when
he asked, "Are we finally finished with this?"
It took more than a few phone calls, but a technology levy in the
West Valley School District - which failed in March by seven votes
- finally passed. The replacement tax will add $11.5 million to
the district budget over the next three years.
Despite high costs and a dubious track record, the DARE program
got a second lease on life at Liberty lake Elementary School after
Police Chief Brian Asmus offered to oversee Drug Abuse Resistance
Education in his city.
Members of the Spokane Valley Senior Center had trouble wiping
the scowls from their faces after learning Spokane Valley city officials
were thinking about keeping rental fees from the facility. In the
past, the nonprofit organization has been allowed use rental funds
to build a cash reserve and pay its $12,000 annual rent.
The city of Spokane Valley rolled out its '03 model junk-vehicle
ordinance with few complaints after working with car hobbyist groups
to devise the law. The city had been looking for ways to be able
to tow away long-unmoving, eyesore hulks from residences.
October
In a clear case of making the name fit the acronym, Spokane County
Animal Control rechristened itself SCRAPS - Spokane County Regional
Animal Protection Services. The moniker stemmed from a new emphasis
to do away with euthanizing unwanted animals and a stiff $200 fine
for those who didn't license their pets.
After a four-year absence News Herald pages, former Editor Charlie
Plumb returned from the Midwest as the newest staff writer.. He
joined newcomer Joe Sova, who had just been at the Herald's sports
desk for about four weeks. Former Sports Editor Tom Fox had moved
to the Palouse to cover the Washington State Cougars for the Moscow-Pullman
Daily News.
Fire District 1 officials would find it business as usual in 2004
after the Spokane Valley City Council agreed to have the district
- along with Districts 8 and 9 in smaller areas - provide service
for another year. A decision for permanent fire service needs to
be made in 2004, however, warned city officials.
Thinking costs were rising too much, too quickly, town of Millwood
leadership was looking for other options for police service. Spokane
County Sheriff Mark Sterk said the $110,810 bill for 2003 was fair,
but Mayor Jeanne Batson wasn't thrilled the cost would go up to
$166,063 in 2004 and a projected $221,316 in 2005.
The Spokane Valley City Council agreed there was little choice
in 2004 but to agree to contract with Spokane County Library District.
But council members said they were keeping their options open for
the future.
November
A boring election season saw some late life as it looked like a
photo finish in a pair of Valley campaigns. Joanna Klegin survived
a challenge by Odin Langford for her Liberty Lake City Council seat
but had a scant eight-vote lead when polls closed Nov. 4. Monte
Nesbitt also fended off John Haley to replace Tom Gregory as fire
commissioner in District 1 by a handful of votes. The real election
surprise, however, came when incumbent Kay Bryant had to hang up
her many hats after 12 years as a Central Valley School District
board member. She was unseated by challenger Debra Long.
That stink coming from the Liberty Lake area was the continued
struggle for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District. City of
Liberty Lake officials offered to have the district retain control
of services in the area south of Sprague Avenue - and outside of
city limits - while the city would control assets within its boundaries.
District officials countered they would look at their legal options
before letting City Hall take over.
Central Valley School District board members proved they have ice
water for blood as they shaved $110,000 off its budget, despite
the emotional pleas from parents, staff and students. High school
C-squad sports were axed (with the exception of girls volleyball)
and will not be offered next year.
The Spokane Valley City Council voted unanimously to allow operations
at the senior center to remain the same for at least another year.
A new Spokane Valley Senior Center facility is set to open at CenterPlace
in 2005.
Erik Ohlund put the "principle in principal" as the University
High School head administrator said he would resign in the wake
of Central Valley School District budget cuts. Ohlund said he is
opposed to any staff reductions and the re-evaluation of the four-period
day at the district's two high schools.
December
District 9 firefighters had their hands full when a cargo plane
crashed in the hills north of Spokane Valley in heavy fog, killing
the pilot. Witnesses said they heard the plane flying low before
hitting trees, crashing and catching fire.
Fearing the possibility of greater headaches down the road, the
Spokane Valley City Council decided not to support a Spokane County
mandate for Sprague Avenue adult-entertainment businesses to pack
up and move by the end of next year. The businesses could end up
moving in areas nearer homes and schools, the city's legal advisors,
uh, advised.
In what's shaping up to be a bit of a land struggle, city of Spokane
Valley officials filed an appeal with the Growth Management Board
of Eastern Washington contesting the city of Liberty Lake's comprehensive
plan. At stake is the potential annexation of property between the
two municipalities owned by the Inland Empire Paper Co.
The Central Valley School District board of directors decided to
cut the search for a new superintendent short and opted to hire
interim boss Mike Pearson. Pearson, a longtime district employee,
said he was "very happy" with the decision.
Officials at Good Samaritan Center, a long-term care facility on
Mission Avenue, said they would close the facility's doors at the
end of the month. Residents were moved to other locations.
A contract with the Spokane County Library District was close to
being signed, but concerns by Spokane Valley City Council kept the
pen from the paper. The council said it was less concerned with
cost estimates derived from assessed valuation figures and more
with those that took into account estimates of people who actually,
you know, go to the library on a regular basis.
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