2018 October Splash

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2 • OCTOBER 2018

The Park Bench

Sky’s the Limit – Jochim piloted success from humble start

By Craig Howard Splash Editor Rest assured, Stan Jochim can handle any turbulent topic that may arise at meetings of the Liberty Lake Planning Commission.

From the complexities of multifamily housing to the debate over RV parking on city streets, Jochim – the current commission chair – is known for his wise, calm and prudent approach to community development matters.

The unruffled outlook is no surprise, considering Jochim spent 35 years as a commercial pilot following a tenure with the U.S. Navy that took him to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. His first deployments were on aircraft carriers – the USS Yorktown and USS Hornet – that have now found a second life as museums.

Jochim left active duty in 1968 and continued with the Navy Reserves, serving in the Northwest at Whidbey Island, finally retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1973.

As a private sector pilot, Jochim dealt adeptly with challenges in the air – at all sorts of altitudes. There was the time when he and his crew flew out of Minneapolis and the engine failed at 18,000 feet.

“I couldn’t believe it quit,” Jochim recalls. “Engines are very dependable. You learn to count on them.”

Jochim remembers addressing passengers about the situation with a voice “that sounded like we were in a helicopter” due to the plane’s general instability.

“I just told them that obviously we were going to be delayed,” he said. “It was inconvenient but I just needed to be calm and confident. You can’t have anxiety or fear.”

The crew and passengers headed back to Minneapolis for a backup aircraft – problem solved.

Jochim developed a sense of self-reliance and determination growing up in Yakima, as one of five kids. His dad worked at a bank but the life of a silver spoon was not

NEWS the norm for Stan and his siblings.

His father had also worked in the local cannery and in insurance and Jochim, early on, developed an appreciation for hard work. While his friends were playing high school sports, he was busy with part-time jobs, saving money for his first car, a 1954 Buick.

“I played football one year of high school and then went to work,” Jochim recalls. “I remember one time, some friends asked me to be in the school play and I said, ‘Sorry, I have to work.’”

Jochim’s heritage features lessons in scarcity as well as gratitude for better times. He has relatives who originally migrated out of the Dakotas and experienced the hardships of the Dust Bowl as they migrated West in the 1930s.

As a kid, Jochim built model airplanes and remembers the grainy, black-and-white news reels that recounted stories from World War II. “They showed planes aboard an aircraft carrier and I thought that was pretty cool,” he said.

He enrolled at Yakima Valley College after graduating from Eisenhower High in 1961 when rumblings from Vietnam were affecting the future plans of many young people. Thinking he might be drafted, Jochim talked to military recruiters at his new campus and took an entry test. He was the only one in his group who passed with scores sufficient enough to be a pilot.

“The Navy needed pilots and I thought this was my best option,” Jochim said.

He enlisted as a Naval Aviation cadet and began flight training in Pensacola, Florida with subsequent stops in Texas and California before he shipped off to Southeast Asia.

He hauled cargo and troops as a carrier-based pilot.

“I don’t think I fully understood how dangerous it was,” Jochim says.

By October of 1968, Jochim was released from active duty and stepped into his role as a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines (now Delta). He flew to nearly every state in the U.S. as well as destinations in Europe and Asia. The year after he signed on, Jochim met his future wife, Karina, a native of Germany.

“After one date, I knew she was a keeper,” Jochim says of his sweetheart.

The couple will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year and have two grown children, Cordila and Raif, both graduates of Central Valley High School.

Stan and Karina are also proud grandparents of triplets.

In 1984, the Jochims moved to Liberty Lake, at the time a sprawling rural patch of unincorporated Spokane County.

Stan would continue to fly for another 19 years, with home bases that included Seattle, Minneapolis, New York, Detroit and Anchorage.

Despite the rigorous travel, Jochim says the sacrifice was worth it.

“I wanted to park my family somewhere so they would be stable,” he said. “And I could be the shock absorber.”

The family’s first house was a condominium on Liberty Lake. They then lived on Second Avenue near the water and built their current home on Third Avenue 13 years ago. As his kids grew up, Jochim was the pilot of a Century Resorter boat that carried waterskiers across the ripples outside the family home.

Jochim was smart about his professional path, venturing into fields like real estate and furniture sales while still a pilot after seeing the wave of strikes in the airline industry. He retired as a working pilot in 2003 at the age of 60. He still flies as a hobby and has been a mentor for Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson who recently earned his pilot’s license.

For someone who has seen so much of the world, Jochim remains grounded in simple values like being a good neighbor and staying involved in his community. The

The Splash

Yakima roots are still there as well. When asked to list some of his favorite stops for international cuisine, Jochim hearkened back to a Chinese restaurant in his hometown that serves a wedge of lettuce with an original house dressing that has become a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

“When I was flying, I enjoyed the diversity of food – like how many ways you can prepare rice,” Jochim says. “But, I’ll tell you that dressing (in Yakima) is something else.”

Q: Growing up in Yakima, what were some of the traits you developed and lessons you learned that later translated into the success you had as a pilot?

A: Three words come to mind concerning traits – self-reliance, common sense and perseverance.

These three are steadfast pillars for any success in life. Concerning lessons learned. Well, that is a long list. I think about my early employment years, working as a paperboy, picking fruit, mowing lawns and later working in various grocery stores. During my high school and college years, I also worked as a hanger sweeper, cropduster loader and self-employed painting contractor. I could go on, but these experiences provided a basic school for the development of a positive, dependable work ethic.

The only thing troubling about the

See Jochim, Page 3

Stan and Karina Jochim moved to the Liberty Lake area in 1984 when Stan was a pilot with Northwest Airlines. The couple will celebrate 50 years of marriage next year. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.

Photo by Craig Howard

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Stan Jochim worked as a commercial pilot for 35 years after serving in the Navy. He has been a fixture on the city of Liberty Lake’s Planning Commission and lives near the lakeshore with his wife Karina, a native of Germany. Photo by Craig Howard

JOCHIM

Continued from page 2

lessons from these experiences is how many times they had to be repeated before I actually realized the benefit from them.

Q: It seems like you grew up appreciating your surroundings, family, school and the town itself. How much did you think about expanding your horizons beyond Yakima when you were a kid? Did you ever think you'd travel to so many places across the world?

A: Yakima was a great place to grow up as a kid, back then at least. That is probably true for a lot of smaller towns at the time. The land and weather there are very similar to that here in the vicinity of Spokane. Life seemed much simpler and there was a measure of contentment. I don’t remember thinking much about what was beyond Yakima. I took my first commercial flight on Northwest Orient Airlines from Yakima to Portland many years ago. My grandparents lived in Vancouver, so I knew where Oregon was and Idaho seemed somewhere far away. We did take a family trip to see relatives in Texas one time, but the only thing I remember was that it took a long time to get there. From that time period, I was clueless that I would soon begin traveling to a fair portion of the world.

Q: You and your wife made

a decision in 1984 to move to the Liberty Lake area despite the extensive commuting it would entail for your work.

Looking back, are you happy you settled in this community when you did?

A: Oh absolutely! It was a daunting decision at the time but, with reflection, the right one. At the time Northwest had only two pilot domiciles – Minneapolis and Seattle. Spokane was kind of in the middle and I could commute either way. This proved to be a good choice as it provided the family with stability and did not necessitate moving them as I progressed through the pilot positions and the subsequent additional pilot base assignments.

Q: What are some of your recollections of Liberty Lake when you first planted roots here?

A: Well, it was out in the country, but close enough to population.

There really wasn’t much here – an A-frame building, the Trailhead golf structure and a big weathered sign claiming a shopping mall was coming soon, mostly vacant land.

But the area did provide a quiet resting place away from the big cities and airports. The lake itself was postcard beautiful so we made our home here. In those days, there was great excitement when we upgraded from a stop sign to a

See STAN, Page 6

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NEWS

Key brings layered background to planning, engineering role

By Nina Culver Splash Correspondent Lisa Key spent several months as Liberty Lake’s interim planning manager before being hired as the city’s permanent director of Planning and Engineering Services in early August.

She said she enjoys working for a small but growing community and wants to focus on streamlining processing, simplifying the customer experience and focusing on engineering project management. She also wants to make sure the city is addressing infrastructure needs as it grows.

“It’s such a well-planned community,” she said. “The devil is in the details as you build out.”

Key was most recently the city of Spokane’s planning director until she was let go with little notice in March, a move that surprised and upset several City Council members. Key said the decision had nothing to do with her but more to do with Mayor David Condon’s desire to reorganize some departments.

Key said she knew her role was at the whim of the mayor.

“At the end of the day, I was blind-sided but I wasn’t surprised,” she said. “This was the mayor’s sixth reorganization in seven years. I understood the terms of engagement. I enjoyed the two years I was there.”

Key grew up the granddaughter of a coal minter in an upper Pennsylvania county that had 19 percent unemployment. “I wanted to change the world,” she said. “I wanted to make a difference in that kind of an environment.”

Though Key holds a degree in community development, planning is not her only area of expertise. She began her career in New York, where she developed an award-winning countywide recycling program for Broome County and proudly called herself a “garbage geek.”

“At the time, solid waste was the biggest issue they had to deal with,” she said.

The story of how she came to move to Washington is one of

The Splash

second chances. While living in New York she was dating a man who took a job in Spokane with Greater Spokane Incorporated.

When he moved they broke up, but a little over two years later they reconnected at the wedding of a mutual friend and decided to give the relationship another try. They were married soon after and she followed him to Spokane.

She worked for the city of Hayden in North Idaho, where she was the project manager for the Government Way revitalization, the transportation plan update and updates to the city’s sewer and water plan.

“I certainly have had a great deal of experience and a lot of project management,” she said.

She then worked for David Evans and Associates, where she described herself as “a planner trapped in an engineering world.” She was also a hearing examiner for Kootenai County for more than eight years, at times the only one the county had.

“I loved that job,” she said. “I loved being able to dig in to the legal aspect of the cases.”

Her job with the city of Spokane was much broader, which was difficult for someone who enjoyed doing things herself. “I was so high level and there was so much going on I didn’t have the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get my hands in the clay,” she said.

While she was still working for the city of Spokane, Liberty Lake’s City Administrator Katy Allen called her to ask her to recommend someone who could be their interim planning director after longtime Planning and Building Services Manager Amanda Tainio left the city. Key provided a couple names, but neither worked out.

“Then I became available,” she said.

She signed on as the interim director in April while the city did a search for a new director. Key put her name in for consideration and was selected, thanks in part to the engineering and technical skills she learned during her varied career.

“Liberty Lake is very fortunate that we have Lisa Key on our team,” said City Administrator Katy Allen. “She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our city that has proven to be very valuable. In addition, she

See KEY, Page 5

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Photo by Nina Culver

KEY

Continued from page 4 has just an outstanding work ethic and has stepped up and delivered on some big projects at City Hall. She’s a team player.”

Her job with the city of Liberty Lake requires her to be more hands on, which she loves.

“I have to be much more involved in the day to day activities,” she said. “I love that. My heart has always been with the small city and you can have so much more of a direct

impact.”

Being both the planning and engineering services director requires a greater breadth of experience that Key believes she has.

“I’ve done a lot,” she said. “I have never considered myself a planner. I consider myself to be an implementer.”

Key says she’s looking forward to her work with a growing city.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the team here at Liberty Lake,” she said. “It’s a great group of people to work with.”

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STAN

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Q: As a longtime member of the city's Planning Commission, what are some of your priorities when it comes to growth and development?

A: In a word – balance. There are always competing forces in any community, particularly in the formative stages as a community becomes established. Developers want to build, and prospective owners want to buy what they build, but once the community reaches a certain level of maturity a natural tension builds where developers and land holders want to continue development but the community progressively tends to want to maintain the status quo. The trick here is to facilitate progressive development until the buildout of the community is complete, yet protecting the interest of the established community in the process. The idea here is to acknowledge that progress will take place, but when it does, it continually translates into the desirable place where we all want to work, live and enjoy.

The priority here is to obtain the ultimate result.

Q: As a resident who lives just outside city boundaries, you are in the minority on the commission. Why do you think it's important to have representation on this group from those who don't live in Liberty Lake proper?

A: Because it embraces the idea of community. This is actually a philosophical question. There are those within the city who desire to have their city representatives staffed only by those people who actually live within the city limits.

This is indeed a valid position to have and the question does come before the Planning Commission and City Council from time to time.

When the city was first formed there may not have been enough qualified people available who were willing and able to serve in these unpaid positions. Now that the city has grown, there may now be enough people to staff accordingly. There is another part of this question which is more philosophical in nature. The mayor and the early city fathers had a larger and more futuristic view of the community. Their view was not confined by the boundaries of the present city but embraced the idea of how those boundaries wove into the mosaic of the community of the local region. This is an extended

parenthetic that embraces a larger future concept that will likely be embraced by another generation.

Q: As a longtime lakeside resident, how would you characterize the feelings of your fellow neighbors south of Sprague when it comes to the city? Do you ever foresee a time when the area around the lake could be part of a municipal annexation?

A: I don’t know that there are feelings one way or the other on this question. The subject of formal inclusion within the city of Liberty Lake is not part of the current commentary in our circle of friends. Long-term residents we know here have always considered where we live as Liberty Lake, no particular lines anywhere, it’s just this area in the vicinity of the lake, the edges sort of fade where ever they are. As far as future municipal annexations of areas around the parameter of the current city, well this is always a possibility. There are both positive and negative benefits to this question. Any future annexation activity will most likely occur on the west side, but even that is speculation.

Concerning the area around the Lake, I really don’t know. There is nothing pushing it right now. Times change, people change, situations change. Who knows, maybe the next generation.

Q: Back to flying, if you had a chance to pilot a plane anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

A: That is actually a hard question to answer. It’s kind of like choosing which color of the rainbow do you like best. I would revisit all the places I have been before if I could. They are all beautiful and interesting for different reasons but, I will say that an early morning departure from Anchorage with the rising sun casting an orange glow on the western mountain peaks is a definite repeat.

Q: Beyond Dramamine, any advice for those of us who still get a little anxious about flying?

A: No need to be anxious. There are all kinds of other things one can worry about. Flying isn’t one of them Just remember, the pilots have stuff to do when they get home.

Q: Finally, you've called Liberty Lake home for over three decades now. As someone who has visited many towns and cities all over the map, what makes this community special?

A: Because it’s home.

The Splash

OCTOBER 2018 • 7

The Lookout MEMO from the

Mayor

By Mayor Steve Peterson Liberty Lake is a Bicycle Friendly City! These signs are not only next to the road but apparent in the bike activity of our community!

With school back in session and going full blast, Liberty Lake Elementary fence is full of bikes and scooters. A real display of kid art!

Rapid transportation when

you’re a kid but an embraced form of transportation as we grow older; get out of the car and head to work or just exercise and play.

This brings me to address the fun weekend that Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary provided us with their RIM Ride.

Sept. 15 was family day and Sept. 16 was the 15,25,50 and 100-mile rides. They had record turnout with over 500 riders and 50-plus volunteers along the routes. Did I mention that you also get a swag bag of goodies, long sleeve T-shirt and a very distinguished medal for finishing?

Topping off this beautiful day was lunch at noon and a drawing for prizes. A top-notch event by this energetic group and truly geared toward young and old.

What’s not so noticeable is the advent of power assist bicycles and recumbent bikes. Where they once were priced in the $4,000 to $5,000 range, they are now much more affordable. They truly benefit those who want to ride but whose body may no longer embrace the traditional cycle.

I personally know two participants using these bicycles during the RIM ride who have just recovered in the last

Maintaining the city’s canopy

By Joice Cary City Horticulturist Fall is here, and once again our beautiful canopy is putting on a show of striking color before bidding farewell until spring. Since pruning is best done in late fall, winter or early spring, this is the perfect time to review the city’s maintenance standards for street trees in order to keep our trails, sidewalks and streets safe and accessible. To help you maintain the street trees in or adjacent to your front yard, here are a few helpful hints: • Trees adjacent to streets should be maintained and pruned to clearance for snow equipment, large trucks and pedestrians. Our recommendation is to prune branches to 13’6” on the street side and 7’6” on sidewalk and trail sides • A routine of yearly or bi-yearly pruning is acceptable to obtain those heights over time • Certified arborists are trained specifically in pruning and shaping trees, only removing what is absolutely necessary to maintain the health of the tree and aesthetics, while accommodating clearance requirements Please visit the city website at www. libertylakewa.gov for more information on the city’s maintenance standards for trees and bushes in the city, as well as obstructions to sidewalks, streets and rights of way.

October 2018 year from somewhat debilitating strokes. I knew several who had bad knees, hips, hearts or were just a bit out of shape and were in need of the bikes to be out there!

Others I’m sure just needed the assurance they would finish.

Young or old, there is no excuse not to ride. Get out there, ride your bikes on our trails, sidewalks and bike lanes that are provided for in our streets. I really hope you take the opportunity to participate in our Bicycle Friendly City! It’s just another reason Liberty Lake is Spokane County’s premier address!

New look at Rocky Hill Community Garden

City introduces Events pay new volunteer tribute to program Mogen

This month, the city of Liberty Lake will begin a new program called Volunteers in Pruning, VIP, and we need you.

The city will provide training to properly prune and care for trees in exchange for volunteering to pruning trees within the city. This beneficial knowledge will be yours for life.

The focus of this program will be to establish structure and canopy as smaller trees mature.

As a Tree City USA, Liberty Lake has lots of trees! Please join us in caring for them. Contact Joice Cary, City Horticulturist at jcary@libertylakewa. gov for more information.

Wooden raised beds at Rocky Hill Community Garden have served gardeners well, but sun, water, dirt and the years have taken a toll.

After Nov. 1st, the official close of this season, the 11 old, wooden beds will be removed and replaced by 16 concrete beds each 3 feet by 7 feet. A new configuration allows for the addition of five more beds to the popular garden. The new beds will have a longer life, increase the number of planting plots and add to the beauty of the park.

Join the city this month in recognizing and thanking the only library director Liberty Lake has ever had.

Pamela Mogen is retiring at the end of October after serving as director of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library since 2004.

A reception will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall for Mogen while an open house will take place at the library throughout the day on Friday, Oct. 26 for the community to bid farewell to a city employee who built the library into what it is today.

https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa • www.libertylakewa.gov

8 • OCTOBER 2018

Council mulls over options to fund signature events

By Craig Howard Splash Editor Talk to most people who either live in Liberty Lake or have visited here and they will tell you the community is widely known for its greenspace and complimentary agenda of summer entertainment.

Just how those outdoor events are funded might just draw some puzzled looks.

“Rarely do I go out in the community where someone doesn’t say, ‘Liberty Lake is known for our parks, our activities and events,’” said City Adminstrator Katy Allen during a workshop at the Sept. 18 City Council meeting that addressed financial support of Liberty Lake’s trademark festivities.

With the city recently forming its own Parks and Arts Commission and the well-established volunteer group Friends of Pavillion Park (FOPP) backing off its signature fundraiser this year, municipal officials are having some serious conversations about the future of civic staples like the Summer Festival, Barefoot in the Park and Fourth of July celebration.

“This community is recognized for our parks, open spaces and activities,” Council Member Dan Dunne said. “But there hasn’t been policy at the level of the city that recognizes that.”

Allen ran through city costs related to this year’s summer schedule, including Fourth of July (just over $13,000), Barefoot in Park (nearly $25,000), Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales (just over $4,000) Meanwhile, no municipal money has been spent on public art this year.

Allen mentioned numbers associated with these events for 2019, including Fourth of July ($13,000), Barefoot ($30,000), Yard Sales ($5,000) and adding the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert with the Spokane Symphony at nearly $14,000.

A parks/arts/events budget would also include additional utility box wraps ($7,500), Orchard Park garden sculpture ($15,000), Orchard Park dedication sculpture ($20,000), Pavillion Park mural ($20,000) and beautification ($10,000).

The Lud Kramer concert, which drew around 4,000 people to Pavillion Park Sept. 1 is facing

NEWS

The Splash

Friends of Pavillion Park has been the catalyst for events like the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert that traditionally draws thousands of attendees each Labor Day weekend. The city of Liberty Lake is looking at ways to provide funding support for this and other events that have come to characterize the community.

Contributed photo some funding questions for 2019 as FOPP has announced that, for the first time in years, it will not host the Holiday Ball, the organization’s primary fundraiser and a catalyst for bringing the symphony to Liberty Lake.

Joe Frank, FOPP president, spoke before council at the workshop, making it clear that the group had not abandoned fundraising efforts.

A holiday lighting fundraiser has been brought up as a possibility this year. The price tag on the 2018 Summer Festival – including concerts, movies and Shakespeare in the Park – ran $33,421.

“Our plan as a board is to continue to look for fundraising opportunities,” Frank said. “There’s a plethora of ideas out there on how we sustain FOPP.” Frank said the 21st rendition of the Summer Festival was one of its best yet. A total of 14 events were held with overall estimated attendance of over 15,000. Liberty Lake Kiwanis brought in $6,000 providing concessions at the events “We believe it was very successful,” he said. “Fourth of July, symphony and Shakespeare in the Park, I think all had recordbreaking crowds. It was a great year.”

Frank said cost per attendee to the Summer Festival rang in at $2.23.

“We want to show the council that we are efficient with the money,” he said. “It’s critical that we maximize those dollars.”

Allen said it should be a priority for the city to outline reliable funding sources for events that have come to define Liberty Lake.

“We really need to talk about what policies the city has when it comes to parks, arts and events,” she said. “We have some traditions here and would be nice if we had some stability related to this funding.”

The city’s admission tax – charged to those who golf at the three municipal golf courses – raises around $90,000 each year. Allen noted that the city of Spokane sets aside 8 percent of its budget each year for parks.

Also important to the discussion, Allen said, is including the city’s fastest growing area.

“We have a whole community

being built on the north side of I-90,” she said. “When that happens, it’s going to cause changes in the events we have. What’s going to happen in this park? What’s going to happen in that park?”

The Parks and Arts Commission has been working on its own multi-year strategic plan to address funding priorities. Laina Schutz, chair of the Parks and Arts Commission, told council that discussion about costs has been very preliminary.

The mayor’s budget is expected to include some placeholder for

See EVENTS, Page 9

Barefoot in the Park is a summer event hosted by the city of Liberty Lake, part of an extensive warm weather agenda that includes concerts and movies in Pavillion Park and other sites. The city recently formed a volunteer-based Parks and Arts Commission that is looking at programming of events and activities in community parks.

Contributed photo

The Splash

EVENTS

Continued from page 8 parks and arts funding related to the commission’s proposal. On Sept. 18, Council Member Mike Kennedy recommended the council hold another workshop to address the details.

“I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing,” Kennedy said. “It’s great that this will be will included in the 2019 budget.”

“I look forward to what the best funding source for this is,” added Mayor Pro Tem Shane Brickner.

Council Member Hugh Severs said he was “so thankful for a group in place to look at this.”

“I think this gives us an opportunity to prioritize projects,” Severs said.

Updated population build-out analysis Planning and Engineering Director Lisa Key appeared before council on Sept. 18 with some revised data that shed a new light on build-out population projections for the city of Liberty Lake.

The original report on the city’s projected capacity was completed in 2015 by a master’s student at Eastern Washington University and had anticipated the city’s population at build-out to reach 25,470 by 2042.

“The land use analysis was really good but it made really broad brush assumptions,” Key said. “When we saw this, we found that it was 37 percent overstated.”

That means the new revised build-out projection places the population of Liberty Lake proper at 18,708 by 2042. Housing unit capacity has gone from 6,472 three years ago to 3,728.

There was also no distinction made between single-family residential and multi-family residential units in the original report, Key said. In addition, most of residential zones have preliminary plats or final plats now approved that give the city a better idea of how many people will be living there.

Bella Lago, for instance, only has water capacity remaining for 13 units, Key said.

Key called the projections “a good tool” that inform city needs for planning capital facilities and infrastructure as well as operational level of service and traffic analyses, open space and parks planning, and school facility service boundaries.

“I think we’re on pretty solid ground,” Key said of the revised projections. “Things may change, zoning may change, zoning regulations may change, but we have a high degree of confidence in this number.”

City Council News and Notes – October 2018

NEWS

By Craig Howard Splash Editor • Out of 30 trip hazards identified on city sidewalks, only seven remain, according to Jennifer Camp, Operations and Maintenance director. In these cases, city code enforcement sends a homeowner a letter asking for repair. If homeowner cannot make the repair, then a liability waiver is signed by the homeowner to have the city repair the issue. Camp said the city dedicates one day a month to address trip hazards. City Administrator Katy Allen reiterated that sidewalk maintenance concerns are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. If that property owner is not able to address the issue, the city will fix it if the hazard is less than 2 inches.

• Camp told council she is hoping to add asset management software to be utilized by the Operations and Maintenance department.

The software would provide facility condition assessment on roofs, HVAC, flooring, etc. from an unbiased perspective. “Moving forward, you can track our future work,” Camp said. “It will provide us with a 30-year projection on this work. For example, it will let us know when the Pavillion Park roof needs to be replaced. It will help staff be more proactive, not reactive to fixes.” Council Bob Moore said the software “sounds like a great idea,” adding, “hopefully, it will prevent any more surprises, like replacing an irrigation system.”

• The library’s summer reading program was one of its most successful ever with 700 registered. A total of 242 completed the entire program.

The 11-17 age bracket had the highest level of completion at 53 percent. The library’s inaugural chess tour was also a resounding success.

• Moore attended the library’s volunteer appreciation event in August and gave kudos on behalf of the City Council to those who

donate time to help. “The library couldn’t function without these volunteers,” Moore said.

• Commenting on the city’s parking enforcement related to RVs on city streets, Chief Brian Asmus said his department is addressing such issues based on complaints received. “We have to prove the vehicle has not moved in 72 hours,” he said. “We are doing are best to deal with those issues.” He noted that five of the six vehicles on Homestead are no longer there. Asmus recommended calling Crime Check at 456-2233 to report concerns.

• Asmus said an officer will be on site at larger issues held at Pavillion Park such as the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert and Fourth of July Concert and fireworks.

• A “Cruising with the Cops” event was hosted by LLPD on Sept.

15 to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

• Chief Bryan Collins of the Spokane Valley Fire Department told council that the outdoor burn ban is still in effect.

• Resident Holly Woodruff thanked the city, the police department and Friends of Pavillion Park for the Fourth of July concert and fireworks, Barefoot in the Park and the Lud Kramer Memorial Day Concert.

“It’s makes us so glad that we moved here.” Woodruff also told council that on her morning jogs, she has nearly been hit a number of times by cars entering the Meadowwood Technology Center. She asked council to consider a safety amenity such as a crosswalk to protect pedestrians. Peterson said Allen would follow up on the issue with property owners.

• Overlay paving in the Heights neighborhood should take about three days, starting on Oct. 8, according to interim City Engineer Dennis Scott.

• Grass seed will be planted at the new Orchard Park this fall, according to Allen. She added that the influx of weeds will need to be managed next spring • Council accepted an annexation request from the Central Valley School District regarding a property of approximately 60 acres adjacent to the southwest corner of the city where a third traditional high school will be built. The best-case scenario, according to Planning and Engineering Director

OCTOBER 2018 • 9

Lisa Key, is the annexation could take place in January 2019 with two public hearings occurring this November. Key has recommended simultaneous adoption of a comprehensive plan land use designation and zoning designation as part of the transition. Allen said staff is recommending the city accept the annexation application. “A simple way to say this is, ‘No one is being annexed other than the school district.’”

• Barb Oviatt of The Mat gave an overview of the business which started eight years ago and specializes in yoga, taekwondo and nutritional support. Around 20 classes are offered each week.

• A reception will be held Oct. 16 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to recognize Pamela Mogen, retiring library director. An open house will take place at the library throughout the day on Oct. 26 for the same purpose.

• The library is offering complimentary tickets to the Spokane Symphony and Mobius Science Center on a first-come, first served basis. The tickets are being purchased by Friends of the Library.

• Council Member Mike Kennedy proposed reactivating the city’s salary commission which has not reviewed compensation for the mayor or council since 2014 • Council accepted a bid from High County Masonry in the amount of $5,331.20 to repair the Harvard Road monument • Council authorized the mayor to sign a banking service agreement with Banner Bank.

Washington Trust Bank and US Bank were also being considered by the city • Council approved a change order in the amount of $131,805.56 to provide a maintenance building at Orchard Park. Another change order for $36,691.44 was approved for splash pad swales and six willow trees at the park. A swale modification in the amount of $12,937.41 was also approved by council for Orchard Park • The city continues to seek applicants to the Library Board of Trustees • The design of the Harvard Road Bridge widening project is expected to be completed by next November, according to Allen

The Splash

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SVFD Report – October 2018

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 83 emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area* from Aug. 21 – Sept. 19: • Emergency medical services – 60 • Motor vehicle accidents – 5 • Fires - 4 • Building alarms – 6 • Service calls – 1 • Dispatched and cancelled en route – 7 *Service area for SVFD Station #3 in Liberty Lake Burn Ban – As of July 16, outdoor recreational fires and open burning are restricted due to high fire danger in the cities of Liberty Lake, Millwood, Spokane Valley and unincorporated Spokane County. This means any outdoor fire without a chimney – including campfires and backyard fire pits (with or without screens) – are prohibited. Open burning of fields, yard waste and garbage is always prohibited. Read more at www. spokanevalleyfire.com Vehicle fire – Sept 5 – SVFD Liberty Lake Engine 3 responded to a reported vehicle fire at the corner of Appleway and Signal just after 6 a.m. They arrived to find a 2011 Jeep Wrangler with light smoke and an electrical odor inside the passenger compartment but no visible fire. Firefighters disconnected the battery and stood by while the smoke dissipated. The vehicle owner called a tow truck.

Service call – Lock out – Sept 8 - Shortly before 2:30 p.m., SVFD crews responded to a child locked in a vehicle in the 1300 block of North Dunbarton Oaks Lane.

They arrived to find a non-running vehicle parked in a driveway with a young child in the car. Firefighters were able to open the vehicle and get the 18 month-old boy out

before he became overheated.

Brush fire – Sept 9 – Firefighters responded to a reported brush fire in the 1000 block of South Windsong Lane, shortly after 6:30 p.m. The arrived to find a halfacre slow moving fire in grass and brush with flames about 2 feet in length. There was also a power line hanging from a nearby power pole that was intermittently arcing.

Multiple crews quickly contained the fire which was burning near several homes that were not threatened. The origin of the fire was at the base of the power pole. The probable cause was determined to be arcing from an overhead power transmission line that had been broken by a falling tree. Firefighters secured the area until Avista arrived to take care of the live electrical line.

About SVFD - Spokane Valley Fire Department serves the cities of Liberty Lake, Millwood, City, Spokane Valley and unincorporated areas of Spokane County including the communities of Otis Orchards, Pasadena Park, and the area surrounding Liberty Lake, with a combined population of 125,000 across approximately 75 square miles.

SVFD firefighters and paramedics responded to more than 17,280 emergency calls in 2017. Established in 1940, SVFD is an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), one of only a handful in the state of Washington.

SVFD operates 10 stations providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials response, special operations rescue, fire investigation, fire prevention, commercial property inspection, CPR and fire safety training.

SVFD provides free fire safety inspections and installation of free smoke detectors. For more information call 928-1700 or visit www.spokanevalleyfire.com.

The Splash

OCTOBER 2018 • 11

The city of Liberty Lake began using goats to remove noxious weeds in 2012. The municipal herd has proven to be effective in clearing meddling brush and become popular with residents along the way.

Photo by Linda Ball

City goats set for transition to off-season home

By Linda Ball Splash Correspondent Have you wondered what happens to Liberty Lake’s beloved goats – those four-legged, pseudocelebrities that mow down noxious weeds throughout the city – when the cold weather arrives?

As it turns out, Jen Camp, the city’s Parks Operations and Maintenance director, takes them home with her.

Camp has a 2.5-acre spread with a barn in Otis Orchards, and she said they are easier to take care of than her dogs. And, as it turns out, three of the goats are her own but she considers all 10 of them family.

The city started using four goats to knock down annoying brush in 2012, which it rented from Green Goat Rental. In 2014, the city purchased the original four – “Rosie,” “Kevin,” “Woody Jr.” and “Banshee” – when the owner of the rental company wanted to get out of the business. Camp said before Green Goat, the city had rented a herd of 70 goats from a different goat keeper, but that was far too overwhelming.

Camp purchased two goats, “Sugar” and “Spice” in 2012 and in 2015 she rescued two more of her own – “Annie” and “Oakley.”

They had not been abused but their boney little bodies showed signs of neglect. Now, they are happy and filled out. Then last year Sugar passed away after suffering a urinary tract infection, which caused the animal’s urine to crystalize.

In the spring of 2018, the city received a donation of three more goats from a family who lived south

of Liberty Lake who wanted to travel more, so “Keenai,” “Turk” and “Kahn” were added to what Camp calls “the maintenance staff.” And that is where the herd stands now, at 10, however Camp has two other people, each with two goats, who want to donate to the municipal fleet. She rolls her eyes, not sure if she’s ready to take on four more.

This crew has it made, Camp says. Not only do they have a barn, they have a goat shack with heated ceilings and a door like a dog door to go in and out of.

“They love it,” Camp said. “It’s like a big giant doghouse. These are my pets – I love them like I love my dogs.”

Some residents have worried that the goats aren’t being fed or cared for properly, but that’s hardly the case. They have a regular diet of Timothy hay and also sweet feed, which is a grain blend with molasses - like a goat candy – and they love it. They are also given Arm and Hammer baking powder to neutralize acid in their stomachs

and mineral salts similar to a salt lick, plus plenty of water.

A segment on KXLY TV in July spotlighted the goats and featured Camp quickly dispelling any concerns related to treatment of the animals.

“They are very well fed and very well cared for,” Camp told KXLY. “They are spoiled, absolutely, probably more than any other goats in this community.”

The report also referred to the goats as “a huge asset to Liberty Lake” and “the face of the city” as well as “a community quirk that may catch out-of-towners off guard.”

Here’s how the goats do their job. Camp decides where they are needed the most and they set them up in a pen full of noxious weeds, most likely knapweed. First they will eat the better tasting flowers that contain the seeds, so not only are they enjoying the flowers, they are alleviating further pollination. Then they go for the leaves, followed by the stems and eventually anything in the ground. They are very efficient at their job.

“It’s natural, way better than pesticides,” Camp said. “City folks need to understand that they are grazing animals, that’s what they do. They prefer noxious weeds over the grassy weeds.”

Camp said the state even has a registered noxious weed board that drives around looking for the meddling plants because they invade healthy food crops. However tempted you may be though, Camp says don’t feed the goats because species such as yews, rhododendrons, green cherry leaves and lupine are toxic to the animals.

The goats are absolute superstars in Liberty Lake, emerging as the most popular topic on the city’s Facebook page. New to the city this year is a Parks and Arts Commission, which is planning to create interactive goat sculptures in each of the city’s parks for visitors to enjoy.

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Serving the greater Spokane Valley since 1985 Residential and Office Cleaning Licensed and Insured Hourly Rates When the cold weather descends, the city goats transition to the rural home of Jen Camp, the city's Operations and Maintenance director. The animals stay on Camp's 2.5-acre farm in Otis Orchards.

Photo by Linda Ball

The Splash

12 • OCTOBER 2018

Safety Scroll Don’t smoke?

Smoking fires can still impact you

By Chief Bryan Collins Spokane Valley Fire Department The statistics are grim. In 2018, every significant residential fire in the Spokane Valley Fire Department service area has been caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials. In fact, with one exception, every residential fire fatality in our community since 2015 was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars and ashes.

Don’t smoke? Fires caused by smoking materials can still impact you, especially if you live in multifamily dwellings like apartments, condos, townhomes or mobile homes in close proximity to your neighbor. Many of the fires caused by smoking materials this year

not only threatened the life of the smoker and their family, but the lives and property of neighbors living next to them, including: • Jan. 26: A woman smoking while on medical oxygen caught her apartment on fire in the 500 block of North Pines Road • March 14: A man smoking caught his apartment on fire when his cigarette ignited paper in the 9400 block of East Montgomery Avenue • April 20: Cigarettes improperly discarded on a deck caused a house fire in the 1100 block of North Girard Road • July 29: Cigarettes improperly discarded on a deck caused a house fire that completely destroyed a single-family home in the 1300 block of South Wright Drive in Liberty Lake, as well as threatening several nearby homes • Aug. 19: An improperly discarded cigarette caused a twoalarm fire at the Central Park Condominiums in the 6000 block of East Sixth Avenue. The fire claimed the life of the man who lived in the unit where the fire started. The fire also displaced families from the 15 adjacent condo units and caused significant fire damage to the property.

These fires were tragic for the individuals involved, all the more

so because they were caused by human error and completely preventable.

If you do smoke, commit to becoming a “fire-safe smoker.”

Follow these tips to prevent causing a fire: • Smoke outside. The most significant change you can make today to make your home safer is to always smoke outside. Many items in your home are flammable and can catch on fire if they come in contact with something hot, like matches, cigarette butts, ashes and joints.

• Never smoke where you sleep.

Mattresses, bedding, couches, and lounge chairs can catch fire easily.

Do not smoke in bed or in other places where you typically sleep or take naps.

• Extinguish smoking materials in an ashtray or a bucket with sand.

Make sure to use sturdy metal, ceramic, or glass ashtrays that won’t tip over.

• Potting soil is highly flammable!

Do not discard smoking materials in mulch, bark, potted plants or other landscaping vegetation. Potting soil and other landscaping products are highly flammable and smoking materials discarded in them have started several significant fires in the Spokane Valley area in recent years.

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• Put smoking materials out – all the way out, every time. Don’t walk away from lit smoking materials.

Put water on the ashes and butts to make sure that they are really out before you put them in the trash.

• Never smoke around medical oxygen. Medical oxygen can explode if a flame or spark is near. Even if the oxygen is turned off, it can still catch fire. The use of medical oxygen creates a super-oxygenated environment; the air, carpet, fabric in the home, as well as the clothing, hair and skin of the person using medical oxygen become saturated with oxygen, making everything more flammable.

Change occurs when knowledge meets action. You are a key component to reducing the number of fire incidents experienced in our community due to improperly discarded smoking materials. The Spokane Valley Fire Department encourages you to share this important fire safety information with your family, friends and neighbors – especially if they smoke. As always, make sure that your home has working smoke alarms that are less than 10 years old, make a fire escape plan and practice it. You could save a life.

For more information home fire safety and being a fire-safe smoker, visit the “Fire & Life Safety” page on our website at www. spokanevalleyfire.com.

The Splash

OCTOBER 2018 • 13

FOPP halts Holiday Ball, explores new fundraising efforts

By Tyler Wilson Splash Correspondent The Holiday Ball is off for 2018.

The formal dinner and auction had served as the primary fundraising effort for the Friends of Pavillion Park (FOPP), which facilitates the schedule for Liberty Lake’s annual Summer Festival. Last December, the group held their 19th annual Holiday Ball at the Davenport Hotel.

FOPP will now explore different fundraising opportunities, but the group doesn’t expect Summer Festival events to change as a result of not hosting the Ball, according to Laura Frank, FOPP board secretary and the group’s Holiday Ball committee chair.

Frank said the mission of FOPP continues to be providing free, family-friendly recreation, arts and education opportunities in the community.

“Not only will we continue to plan and execute the events at Pavillion Park, but we are looking to expand our offerings as other city parks come online,” Frank said.

The decision to cancel the Holiday Ball this year was not made lightly, she said.

“Over the last several years we have seen a decrease in community participation at the event,” Frank said. “While the Holiday Ball is our primary fundraising event it is also, at its base, a celebration of our community.”

FOPP is now exploring fundraising ideas and opportunities that allow for broader community participation, Frank said.

“We have not ruled out the possibility of hosting the Holiday Ball again in the future,” Frank said.

“We are continuously looking for events and activities that meet the needs of our growing community.”

Dave Himebaugh, vicepresident of the FOPP board, said the event could return at some point as something less rooted in fundraising.

“We talked about wanting to someday see the Holiday Ball get back to just a night where everybody can get together, dress up and enjoy the Christmas festivities, and not worry so much about filling the tables,” Himebaugh said.

Himebaugh also confirmed continued support for the Summer Festival, which attracted large crowds again this year for outdoor movies, live music and

Join Us

in Celebrating our new location with an

OPEN HOUSE! The Holiday Ball ran for 19 years at the Davenport Hotel as the main fundraiser for the Friends of Pavillion Park. The organization has decided to cancel the gala this year but says it remains committed to supporting local events. A holiday lighting fundraiser is being organized this year by FOPP. File photo performances at Pavillion Park. He said the city of Liberty Lake, as well as sponsors like STCU, which funds the lineup of outdoor movies, will continue to work with FOPP to support community events.

Both Frank and Himebaugh are also members of the Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission, a newly formed citizen volunteer group working to support the city’s existing parks and recreation efforts as well as make recommendations for future growth.

While the Ball is off, Friends of Pavillion Park will have a new effort for 2018 in the form of a community-wide home holiday lighting competition. The first-ever “Light Up Liberty Lake” will serve as a fundraiser for FOPP. “People can make a donation to Friends of Pavillion Park to register their home in the contest and compete for prizes,” Frank said.

Early bird registration of $15 runs through Nov. 22, which can be started by visiting the FOPP website at www.PavillionPark. org. Judging will run between Dec. 8-16, with prizes awarded in several categories, including: “Mayor’s Pick,” the “Clark Griswold Award” (for “excessive” use of outdoor decorations), the “Reason for the Season” (religious display) and more. Prizes include a $250 Avista house warming certificate.

While the group is moving forward with new efforts, fond memories remain for the Holiday Ball. Frank, who has been the chair of the Holiday Ball committee for

12 years, said the event started simply as a way to celebrate the holidays together.

“It has been fantastic to see everyone coming together to celebrate both the holidays and the amazing community that we live in,” Frank said. “Even more rewarding is seeing the number of people who attend our events in the summer knowing that the Holiday Ball was an integral part of that.”

FOPP is an all-volunteer group, with 100 percent of fundraising proceeds going directly back into the Liberty Lake community in the form of safe and affordable recreation and arts activities. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was established in 1992. Pavillion Park, located on Molter Road at East Country Vista Drive, includes a pavilion stage and natural grass amphitheater, alongside many other park amenities supported by the city.

FOPP sponsors the Liberty Lake Fun Run and a variety of performances throughout the Summer Festival, which has included outdoor movies, live music from both regional and national acts and performances by the Montana Shakespeare in the Parks group from Bozeman, Montana.The Summer Festival culminates on Labor Day weekend with the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert featuring the Spokane Symphony.

For more information on future events and fundraising efforts by the Friends of Pavillion Park, visit www.PavillionPark.org.

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The Splash

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Sept 29 │ Spokane Valley Fire Department Annual Open House, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 2411 N. Pioneer Lane, Spokane Valley. Everyone is invited to join SVFD for a day of free family fun. Watch live safety demonstrations and see fire engines, trucks and a helicopter. Meet firefighters and try on gear. Enjoy hot dogs and beverages before you take home cool giveaways. Call 892-4155 or visit www.spokanevalleyfire.com for more information.

Oct. 2-3 | Avista Energy Fair, Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana, Spokane Valley – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This free community event will feature information on utility bill assistance (do not need to be an Avista customer to qualify), energy efficiency and other resources. SNAP and other local nonprofits will be represented along with Avista officials.

Oct 6-7 | Fall Show hosted by Inland Empire Coin & Stamp Show, CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. There will be over 25 different vendors with 55 tables. Tons of U.S. coins, world coins, tokens, stamps, currency and more. Hourly door prizes and on Oct. 7, a drawing for one gold coin and five silver dollars.

Admission is $2 per adult, kids 12 and under are free. Hours: Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information call 595-0435.

Through Oct. 13 | Liberty Lake Farmers Market – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Town Square Park, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane. This popular open-air market features local food and farm vendors, artisan crafts and baked goods, music and more. The Pie Festival will take place on Aug. 18. The venue is open each Saturday through Oct. 13. For more information, visit www.libertylakefarmersmarket.com.

Oct. 16 | Central Valley High School Marching Band and Color Guard presents “Dessert and a Show!” 7:30 p.m., Central Valley High School Stadium, 821 S Sullivan Road. Come see this awardwinning group perform their 2018 production of “Empire State.” After the performance, gather in the CVHS Commons for dessert. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact: cvmbPublicity@ hotmail.com Oct. 16 & 26 | Events honoring retiring Liberty Lake Library Director Pamela Mogen. Liberty

Lake City Hall, 22710 E Country Vista Drive, will host a reception from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The library, 23123 E Mission Ave., will host an open house on Friday, Oct. 26 during normal business hours to honor Mogen who has served as director since 2004.

Oct. 20 | Willow Song Music Therapy Center open house, E. Wellesley Ave #102-103, Otis Orchards – 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free and open to the community. The open house will feature drumming and other music experiences, visitors can learn about Willow Song Music Therapy; who they serve, where, and why. Find out about current programs being offered at Willow Song Music Therapy Service. Enjoy refreshments and the drum circle at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.willowsongmusictherapy. com or call 592-7875.

Oct. 13 | Harvest Dinner hosted

by Veradale United Church of Christ, 611 N. Progress – 5-7 p.m. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Adults $10. Children (4-12) $5 All proceeds benefit ministries and missions of VUCC. Questions, call 936-7173 Nov. 3-4 | Fall Craft Show benefiting the Central Valley High School Marching Band and Color Guard – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information contact: cvmbPublicity@ hotmail.com. Admission: $2

RECURRING

ACT 2 senior classes | Affordable classes offered by Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire. A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. “Focused Fitness on Dishman Mica,” a yoga class, is now part of the schedule.

More at www.sccel.spokane.edu/ ACT2 Al-Anon family meetings | Mondays, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. No meetings on holiday Mondays.

Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon family groups can help. For more information call 456-2125 Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11: 30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Call Steve at 8934746 for more information Baha’i Fireside Conversation | 7 to 8 p.m., third Thursdays of the month.

Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Discussion of Baha’i teachings, history, and perspectives on resolving the challenges facing

humanity. All are welcome. More at 599-2411 or www.bahai.us Catholic Singles Mingle | meeting times and locations vary. This group, with no dues, is for single adults of all ages. More at www.meetup.com/ Catholic-Singles-Mingle DivorceCare Recovery Support Group | Mondays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Eastpoint Church, 15303 E. Sprague Ave. Learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future. DivorceCare for Kids (ages 5-12) meets at the same time and location. Cost is $25 for workbook. More at 892-5255 or eastpointchurch.com Grange Meeting and Dessert | 6:30 p.m., third Wednesday of the month, Tri-Community Grange, 25025 Heather Street, Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more information call 226-2202 or see us on Facebook Liberty Lake Library | 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake. Various clubs and weekly meetings including book clubs, children’s story times, LEGO club, computer drop-in class, knitting club, and more. More at www.libertylakewa.gov/library Men’s Weekly Bible Study | 7 a.m.

Tuesdays.

Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. The men’s weekly Bible Study meets in the Reception Hall with different members sharing in the leading of the study. All men are invited to join. More at www. milwoodpc.org Spokane County Library District | Locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards and Spokane Valley.

Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs. More at www.scld.org Toastmasters, Liberty Lakers #399 | 5:45 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays at the Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake. This is a speaking and leadership development club.

Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley.

Open to all interested in sharing ideas and skills of our quilting craft.

Participants have can access a comprehensive library, can engage experienced teachers and participate in community service projects. More at www.svqgspokane.com Free Lunch the Last Sunday | Spokane Valley United Methodist

The Splash

Church, 115 North Raymond Road, Spokane Valley - 12:30 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall, Room 115

MUSIC & THE ARTS Oct. 18 - Nov. 11 | Spokane Watercolor Society Juried Show, Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture - Helen South Alexander Gallery, 2316 W. First Ave., Spokane. Days/ times: Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. 5 p.m. The opening reception and awards program will be held Oct. 18, from 5-8 p.m. The jurist is nationally and internationally known watercolor artist Birgit O'Connor.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 15 | "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by Charles M. Schulz. The classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation, in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. Visit www. libertylaketheatre.com for more information.

RECURRING

Pages of Harmony | 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road. If you enjoy singing, you will love the four-

OCTOBER 2018 • 15

COMMUNITY

part, a cappella harmony of this men’s barbershop chorus. More at www.pagesofharmony.org Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:45 p.m., Tuesdays. Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. More at 218-4799 Spokane Novelists Group | noon to 4 p.m., second and fourth Saturday of the month. Otis Orchards Community Church, 23304 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. A support/critique group for writers. Open to anyone with an interest in writing fiction (no memoirs, nonfiction, poetry, etc., please). Participants should bring 5-10 pages to read aloud and 6-8 copies for others to read along and critique. More at 590-7316 Spokane Valley Camera Club | 7:15 p.m., third and fourth Monday of the month (September through April). Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District building, 22510 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake. All levels of ability—students through experienced photographers—are invited to learn. Social events include field trips and workshops. More at 951-1446 or www.sv-cc.org Teen Writers of the Inland Empire | 4 p.m., first Thursday of the month

(except holidays). Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Writers (sixth grade and older) meet to write and share their work. More at 8938400

HEALTH & RECREATION Oct. 2 | Quit for Good – Tobacco Cessation class. Have you tried quitting smoking before without success? INHS and Providence Health Care are teaming up to provide a free four-week program designed to help you have long-term success in quitting tobacco. Tobacco cessation tools will be available to you as well as tobacco cessation experts. The class includes Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) while supplies last when NRT is not covered by participant’s health insurance. This is a live, interactive webinar. Log in information will be emailed with your registration confirmation. For more information, call 232-8145 or visit www.inhs.info.

Oct. 5 | Stronger Together Gala hosted by the Summit Cancer Foundation – 6 to 10 p.m., CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. Learn how you can make a

difference for cancer patients in the Spokane area by being “Stronger Together.” Event includes plated dinner, silent auction, live music and dancing. Tickets are $125. Visit www.summitcancerfoundation.org for more information.

Oct. 10 & 29 | Pre-diabetes screening, INHS Community Wellness Center, 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Spokane. This simple blood test provides information about a person’s average levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past three months. Immediate results are provided and can be discussed at the time of appointment with a registered dietitian and/or a certified diabetes educator. For more information, call 232-8145 or visit www.inhs.info.

Oct. 12 | Autism Grown Up, CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Networking social starts at 4:30, providing an opportunity for interaction with local and national thought leaders.

Registration closes on or before Oct. 5 based on availability. Contact NW Autism Center at 328-1582 or visit www.nwautism.org for more information.

See CALENDAR, Page 16

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The Splash

16 • OCTOBER 2018

CALENDAR

Continued from page 15 Wednesday mornings | Mindful Music & Movement class, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Specifically designed for those living with chronic health issues such as: Parkinson's, dementia, COPD, MS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cancer. Supporting body, mind and soul. $10 donation suggested. Facilitated by boardcertified Music Therapist, Carla Carnegie. Willow Song Music Therapy Center. 21101 E. Wellesley #102.

Otis Orchards. For more information, visit www.willowsongmusictherapy. com or call 592 7875.

RECURRING

HUB Sports Center 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Various activities and events occur throughout the week including: • Pickleball drop-in: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Mon. through Thurs.; 10 a.m. to noon Tues. and Thurs.; and 6 to 8 p.m. Wed. and Sun. $3/seniors ($5/ non-seniors) • Classes including Kenpo Karate and Zumba Aerobics. See website for cost and times Tuesday afternoons | Decreasing Anger Group, 3 to 4:30 p.m., the Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Eligibility: Combat

veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors, Contact Steve at 893-4746 to make an intake appointment.

CIVIC & BUSINESS Sept. 27 | HUB Sports Center All Star Breakfast – 7:30-8:45 a.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel - 1100 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley.

This annual fundraiser has helped the HUB expand its outreach to the community with the HUB 360 afterschool program for at-risk youth, Policy Activity League for kids to have a positive interaction with law enforcement and a P.E. program for home school families. Please RSVP

by Sept. 13 either via email, (info@ hubsportscenter.org) or phone, (9270602).

Sept. 29 | 2018 Sugar Rush 5K – 9 a.m., along the Centennial Trail, starting at The Warehouse Athletic Center, 800 N. Hamilton in Spokane.

Registration is $30 for adults; $15 for kids (15 and under). Proceeds go to support the Inland NW Diaper Bank at Spokane Valley Partners (SVP).

This year is the first year for SVP to host this event. Just like previous years be prepared for lots of sweets and fun when you complete the course. Packet pickup will take place

at SVP (10814 E. Broadway Ave.) on Thursday, Sept. 27 (4-7 p.m.) and Friday, Sept. 28 (2-7 p.m.). Contact Nicki Slack at execasst@svpart.org with any questions.

Mondays in October | Financial Literacy with Dycelia Weiss – 12:30 to 2 p.m., STCU Community Education Kitchen and Classroom at Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank and Family Services, 10814 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley. Call 9271153 or visit www.svpart.org/foodbank/ for more information.

RECURRING

Central Valley School Board | 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, CVSD administration building, 19307 E. Cataldo, Spokane Valley Liberty Lake City Council | 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake Kiwanis | 6:45 a.m. on the first through third Wednesdays of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

Fourth Wednesday, the club meets at noon at Barlows restaurant, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road Friends of Liberty Lake Municipal Library | 2 p.m., the last Wednesday of each month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave.,

Liberty Lake Liberty Lake Lions Club | Noon to 1 p.m., every first and third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are at Barlow's Restaurant, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road. For questions, call Mary Jo at 558-5426 Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club | Noon to 1 p.m., every Thursday at the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water building, 22510 E Mission Ave. For more information, go to www.LibertyLakeRotary.org Liberty Lake Merchants Association | 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Liberty Lake Portal, 23403 E. Mission Ave., Suite 120. More at 999-4935 Liberty Lake Municipal Library Board | 10:30 a.m. the first Thursday of each month, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Liberty Lake Planning Commission | 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake SCOPE (Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort) | 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Board | 4 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, 22510 E. Mission Ave.

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The Splash

Guarisco named newest SVFD commissioner

By Benjamin Shedlock Splash Correspondent The Spokane Valley Board of Fire Commissioners has appointed John Guarisco to fill the vacant seat of Joe Dawson, who retired as commissioner last May. Guarisco officially began his Board service on Aug. 27 with the current term expiring on Dec. 31, 2021.

Guarisco joins the board at a time when the department has positioned itself as a leader in fire protection on the eastern side of the state. It boasts the highest fire protection designation in the region, runs a surplus, and operates within budget. Guarisco looks forward to stewarding the department’s pioneering reputation.

“We’re really on the leading edge,” Guarisco said, noting that other fire departments are looking to the groundbreaking work of the department. “(I want to) keep that going and stay with that culture.”

According to Board Chair Patrick Burch, Guarisco also stood out for his business experience and interest in the fine-grain details of the

OCTOBER 2018 • 17

departmental budget. Burch lauded Guarisco’s “desire for continued fiscal responsibility in the Spokane Valley Fire Department.”

The department’s innovative culture was established in part as a result of Dawson’s tenure, which spanned 40 years. Dawson spent 20 years on the fire board and served on the civil service commission in the 1980s.

Commissioner Bill Anderson, who was a firefighter from 1970 to 2000, said Dawson “brought a different culture and made things better for the guys.”

Guarisco knows he is inheriting a legacy.

“I’m filling some pretty big shoes,” he said.

Guarisco brings 25 years of board experience to the position. He serves on the board of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, where he once served as chair. He also sits on the board of the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club, which he also represents at the Rotary district level.

“John’s dedication to service for many years to our community through Rotary and our chamber of commerce really stood out,” Burch said.

Guarisco’s work on these boards has helped him hone skills in analyzing budgets, revenues and expenses.

“Every board is all about budgets and fiduciary duty,” Guarisco said.

“You only want to do what you and

the community feels is the right decision.”

Guarisco’s family has called the Valley home for four generations.

His grandfather had a farm on Broadway Avenue where he grew the “Hearts of Gold” cantaloupes that are synonymous with the Valley. Both of his grandfathers worked at the White Pine Lumber Company, where one was a carpenter.

Like his grandfathers, Guarisco has led a varied career, working as a restaurateur and a marketer. His diverse interests can be traced back to his youth, when he was determined to become either an on-air radio DJ or a firefighter. He went with being a DJ, which led him to found Marjoni Marketing in 2004. In 2010, Marjoni merged with MDI Marketing, where Guarisco still works.

“I should have been a firefighter in hindsight,” Guarisco said.

When the fire board position came up, Guarisco responded partly as a way to fulfill that early aspiration, but also out of a sense of call to serve his community. With his deep roots in the Valley, which now include a business, children and grandchildren, safety has become more important to him.

“It’s important to me that first responders stay strong,” Guarisco said.

He doesn’t have any immediate plans for changes to the department,

which he believes is running very well. He has begun work on the Loyalty Committee, which serves as a bridge between the community and department. As he learns more about the board, he plans to be assigned to more sub-committees.

“John's talents, experience and commitment to our community will not only be a positive example for the Board of Fire Commissioners but a positive example for the Spokane Valley Fire Department and the citizens we serve,” Burch said.

Long-term, Guarisco feels his career as a marketing entrepreneur makes him a good fit for the stateof-the-art department in another key way.

“I’m a visionary guy. I like to look ahead,” he said.

As a planner, Guarisco is not content with being an interim commissioner, and he plans to run for a full term in 2020.

“I didn’t go there just because they needed a seat filler,” he said. “I’m all in.”

Guarisco will run in a special election this fall to serve the remainder of the term. In fall 2020, the seat will come up for election according to the board’s regular cycle. The five commissioners serve on six-year terms that rotate to prevent the simultaneous turnover of several commissioners.

The Splash

18 • OCTOBER 2018

RV parking debated on planning, code enforcement levels

By Nina Culver Splash Correspondent A disagreement over RV parking in Liberty Lake is brewing as residents in some parts of town complain regularly about neighbors parking their boats and RVs on the street while a developer is seeking permission from the City Council to add RV storage to certain areas north of Interstate 90.

Parking RVs on the street is currently banned in Liberty Lake. The City Council passed an ordinance in March prohibiting the parking of any RV, trailer, boat or other vessel on the street for more than 72 hours.

Last year the council voted to ban mini-storage facilities and RV storage, said Director of Planning and Engineering Lisa Key. Existing mini-storage facilities on Harvard Road and Mission Avenue have been grandfathered in and an RV campground currently under construction 22751 E. Appleway Ave. was permitted and authorized before the new rule took effect, Key said.

The request to add RV storage comes from Greenstone Homes, which is developing land north of I-90 on both sides of Harvard Road.

“This is a privately initiated code amendment to add RV storage,” Key said.

The code amendment would add RV storage to land zoned “River District Neighborhood Center.”

That zone exists only south of the

RV parking on streets in the city of Liberty Lake has become a hot topic in recent months. In March, the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the parking of any RV, trailer, boat or other vessel on the street beyond 72 hours. Greenstone Homes has appealed to the city to pass a code amendment that would allow for RV storage in an area zoned as "River District Neighborhood Center" encompassing the Trutina community, Greenstone's development for active seniors. The city's Planning Commission has issued a recommendation against the proposal.

File photo Spokane River to Mission Avenue on the west side of Harvard Road and to Indiana Avenue on the east side of Mission Avenue.

Key said the idea is to allow the RV storage in the Trutina neighborhood for residents age 55 and over on the east side of Harvard Road.

“Those are the folks that are specifically requesting it,” she said. “It could happen anywhere in here.”

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held a hearing on the proposed code amendment and recommended against allowing RV storage in the River District Neighborhood Center zone.

Minutes from the meeting show that five of the seven planning commissioners believed that adding RV storage was “not consistent with the comprehensive plan and is detrimental to the public welfare.”

Some commissioners also expressed concern because the amendment did not include any size limitations to a proposed RV storage area and there were no requirements for “aesthetics,” including screening the site.

“I think that was the biggest problem,” Key said. “It might have flown if it was proposed as a conditional use and included specifics.”

The commissioners had a lengthy discussion about the matter, Key said.

“Some members were fairly adamant about it,” she said.

The proposed code amendment will now go to the City Council, who can either override the Planning Commission and approve it, reject

it or make changes. Greenstone also has the option of proposing changes before the council holds a public hearing, Key said.

Though the proposal generated intense interest on the Planning Commission, no citizens spoke for or against it.

It’s a different story, however, with illegal RV parking on city streets.

Police Chief Brian Asmus said he receives a lot of complaints, many focused on Homestead Drive south of Mission Avenue. The street is home to large apartment buildings and condos.

“They have limited parking where they live so they’re parking in the street,” he said.

Many people appear frustrated with the process officers must go through to ticket and remove an illegally parked RV, Asmus said.

People often say that the offending RV has been there more than 72 hours, but officers must observe the RV for themselves and the 72hour clock doesn’t start until an officer has witnessed the violation, he said. Officers mark the tires so they can tell if the RV has been

See RV, Page 19

The Splash

RV

Continued from page 18

moved.

“Even though residents may be frustrated because they see a violator, for us to take action under this ordinance means we have to follow process,” Amsus said. “We can’t assume it’s been there the whole time. Law enforcement has to know that it has been there for 72 hours.”

Once the 72 hours is up, the owner of the vehicle is notified that they are in violation and given time to move the vehicle. If nothing is done, the RV is ticketed and can be towed if it is still not removed.

Asmus said his department did ticket and tow an RV and boat with trailer parked on Homestead.

The owner paid to get them out of impound and then promptly parked them back on the street, Asmus said.

The owner took advantage of a large loophole in the ordinance, which states that the RV must be in the same place for 72 hours.

Moving it even a foot or two down the road starts the 72- hour clock over again. In this particular

OCTOBER 2018 • 19

instance, the owner of the boat and RV moved them to the opposite side of the street every day.

The owner did eventually move them off the street, but Asmus said he’s not sure what he can do about someone that determined to outwit the ordinance.

“I don’t know how you legislate your way out of allowing that to happen,” he said.

Asmus said his officers don’t have time to patrol simply to look for RV parking violations. In July the department responded to 750 calls, its busiest month ever. When an RV complaint is received, it has to wait until an officer is available to respond.

“This is not a priority call for service,” Asmus said.

But Asmus added the RV parking situation is much better than it was before the ordinance, when it was common to see them on the streets.

“People were storing them,” he said. “The jacks were on, the covers were on.”

Most RV owners move their vehicles after they receive a warning, he said.

“The majority of the time that’s all it takes,” he said.

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The Splash

20 • OCTOBER 2018

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The Splash

OCTOBER 2018 • 21

Commission makes splash with decorative utility boxes

By Craig Howard Splash Editor Welcome to Liberty Lake’s open-air art gallery.

No need to talk in hushed tones or even impress others with your grasp of the Post-Impressionism, this venue is accessible to all – with no charge for admission.

In late August, four utility boxes received makeovers courtesy of the newly formed Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission. Two of the boxes stand at the corner of Liberty Lake Road and Country Vista, decorated by mountain scape art from students at Liberty Lake Elementary. The other two – a little to the north, near the I-90 Appleway exit – feature recreations of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” by students at Liberty Creek Elementary as part the school’s “Meet the Masters” program.

STCU, the local credit union that has its administrative offices in Liberty Lake, stepped up to fund the boxes as the first official sponsor of a commission project.

Commissioner Tom Sahberg said the group has been encouraged by the public reception since the wraps were installed.

“The overwhelming positive response of everyone to our first visible accomplishments have far exceeded our expectations,” he said. “A special thanks to STCU, who stepped forward as the sponsor and made it possible.”

The commission began meeting in January and consists of a dozen volunteer representatives from across the community, including three student commissioners.

Jennifer Camp, the city’s Operations and Maintenance director who serves as the municipal liaison with the

THE

The newly formed Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission has already made strides adding enhanced aesthetic value to the city. A quartet of utility boxes – including the one above at the corner of Country Vista and Liberty Lake Road – now features art from local elementary school students. Commission Chair Laina Schutz and Co-Chair Dave Himebaugh are pictured with the utilitarian art.

Photo by Craig Howard

commission, said the group’s effort on the wrap project was indicative of its commitment to the cause.

“There was a significant amount of time and effort put into them by the commissioners that people may not realize,” Camp said. “Much coordination had to happen between the commission, the city, STCU and the vendor, but they pulled it off and celebrated the first pieces of artwork by the commission.”

Commission Co-Chair Laina Shutz said she appreciates the various viewpoints that have been brought to group discussions in the first few months.

“I like how diverse our group is,” she said. “We’ve got moms, we’ve got retired people, a lot of different perspectives.”

The commission has been savvy in educating itself early on, bringing in experts like Dr. James Harken of the Spokane Valley Arts Council, Karen Mobley, former director of the Spokane Arts Commission, Joe

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Sharnetsky of the Coeur d’ Alene Arts Commission and Ross Schneidmiller, founder of the Liberty Lake Historical Society. Mayor Steve Peterson and representatives of municipal staff and City Council have also addressed the group.

Sahlberg said all who have passed along counsel and support “have helped us refine our focus and start and finish projects, work on budget priorities and our strategic plan.”

The commission’s next project will entail wrapping two utility boxes in Pavillion Park with historical photos courtesy of Schneidmiller. There are 65 utility boxes within city boundaries.

“We’ll do a call for artist for future wraps,” Schutz said. “We’re looking at what art says about this community.

Is it going to be golf carts? Is it going to be the city goats? We’re also looking at interactive art, something we can put in our parks.”

Commission Co-Chair Dave Himebaugh said he has already

noticed the impact of the group on the conversations residents are having about art.

“People are talking about ideas they have related to art,” he said.

True to the community tradition of volunteer-led efforts that built Pavillion Park and the trail system, the commission seems determined to rally interest and support.

“We’re not a grassroots movement but in many ways, it feels like we are,” Himebaugh said.

Camp said she has observed that the group “wants to give back to the community.”

“I hope they continue to move forward, meeting by meeting, with the same ambition and excitement they all share now,” she said. “I hope the motivation to grow these artistic opportunities only continues to flourish. It is a fantastic group of volunteers that have the best interest of the city and citizens at heart and they have many wonderful ideas for art, events and parks in the future.”

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The Splash

22 • OCTOBER 2018

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Spokane native Beck named new chamber CEO

By Craig Howard SPLASH Editor Lance Beck is about to enter some new waters.

Most recently the director of marketing with the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Beck was announced as the next CEO and president of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce last month. He will begin his new role on Oct. 8.

“He’s going to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” said Chamber Chair-Elect Kelly Fukai. “He’s also going to be joining a great team already in place.”

A native of Spokane, Beck graduated from Mt. Spokane High School and went on to earn degrees in marketing, business and leadership from Whitworth University. His first job out of college was with the Spokane Shock indoor football team in marketing and operations.

A chamber press release from Sept.

13 stated that Beck “has involved himself deeply in his community, serving in leadership roles on local tourism and community college boards.”

Beck takes over for previous CEO Katherine Morgan who resigned last March to accept a position with Bank of America. Morgan had led the chamber since September 2014 when she replaced Eldonna Shaw who oversaw the chamber for 13 years.

“Katherine stepped into some big shoes considering what Eldonna had built,” Fukai said. “Now, I think Lance can take that platform that Katherine established and expand on it.”

A search committee consisting of chamber members and board members was formed in early July to secure Morgan’s replacement.

Interviews began in mid-August.

Around 40 applied for the job from all over the country.

“I think that bodes well for our region,” Fukai said. “It’s exciting that so many people want to be part of our community.”

Fukai said the committee was impressed with Beck’s grasp of the chamber’s mission, vision and a history that goes back to 1921.

“He’d done his research,” she said.

Beck was traveling and unavailable for comment before presstime.

Chamber membership skyrocketed during Morgan’s tenure and is now over 750. Fukai said one of Beck’s main responsibilities

Lance Beck was recently named the new president and CEO of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

A graduate of Mt. Spokane High School and Whitworth University, Beck most recently worked as director of marketing for the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Contributed photo will be to continue promoting the chamber’s “BIG 5” initiative that places a priority on making strides in a quintet of key areas – the outdoors, goods, learning, cures and vision.

The chamber press release said Beck’s “unique perspective on the BIG 5 and the chamber's role in the

Greater Spokane community make him an excellent choice to lead the organization.”

While Beck does not have any professional background working with chambers, Fukai said the committee indicated it was his skill set and enthusiasm that tipped the scales.

“We also are very cognizant that we don’t want to put people into boxes,” she said.

Fukai acknowledged that Beck will face “a steep learning curve” but expressed confidence that he will not be alone.

“It’s not just going to be him,” she said. “He’ll have the collaboration and support of the entire community.”

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The Splash

Special Election Guide

Dear Readers:

With the upcoming election heating up and the sea of political signs filling our streets, we at The Splash wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some information about the

candidates seeking your position? vote this election cycle.

2. What is the most In order to give you important issue that more insight into who needs addressed? these people are we While not everyone reached out to all of the chose to respond to our candidates appearing on request, a good number your ballot and asked have and I hope that them to please provide you find their unedited a 300-word response to responses helpful for your the following questions voting consideration. (which we would publish In addition to the at no cost). information listed in the 1.

W h a t following pages we have best qualifies partnered with University you for High School, East Valley t h i s High School and West Valley High School to host a candidate forums to give you the opportunity to come and hear directly from the candidates f o r

OCTOBER 2018 • 23

2018

Spokane County Commissioner and individually connect with a number of the other candidates that will be in attendance for the open house before and after the formal program. The event is free, so we hope that you will come and join us October 10, 2018 5:45 at East Valley High School Gymnasium.

Thanks for reading The Current, we hope you enjoy it!

The Current Team P.S. If you have any feedback on how we can enhance the voter’s guide or if you found it valuable please let us know by emailing us at elections@ libertylakesplash.com or by calling our office at 509-242-7752

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24 • OCTOBER 2018

Ballot Drop Off Locations Liberty Lake Library 23123 E Mission Ave Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Otis Orchards Library 22324 E Wellesley Ave Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Spokane Valley Library 12004 E Main Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Argonne Library 4322 N Argonne Rd Spokane, WA 99212

Spokane County Commissioner Dist. 2

Rob Chase

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have served as County Treasurer for eight years and under my supervision my office has accomplished many good things for all Spokane County residents, regardless of Party.

I fought for legislation that allowed Spokane County taxpayers to make property

tax payments of any amount at any time on current and delinquent taxes. This is a first in Washington State. We streamlined our processes by involving all staff in finding solutions to bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

As County Treasurer I invoked Coordination to force the Washington Utilities and Trade Commission to work on an equal basis with local officials to prevent any negative impact on the County regarding the acquisition of Avista by Hydro One. This was also an historic first in the United States by a local official.

I am a generalist by experience and nature. I believe being so makes a better Commissioner since the job itself requires one to be multi-faceted and well read on a variety of issues that will come up.

What is the most important issue that needs to be

addressed?

Keeping taxes low and making sure all spending adds value. I will not raise taxes until I am assured all spending is justified and alternatives are studied. We need to treat the County Budget as if were our own.

Public Safety comes first but I disagree with the decision last year to take from the Road Fund to balance the budget. Good roads are also needed for public safety so that responders can get to where they are needed quickly and safely.

In addition, we need more transparency to the public on how we spend our funds. We need input from the public since they have to live with our decisions and many have access to knowledge that we may not be privy to.

Spokane County Commissioner Dist. 3 and introduce innovative processes and solutions will translate well to the county level where I can help fight against deficit spending and work to balance the budget.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Robbi Anthony

What best qualifies you for this position?

My name is Robbi Katherine Anthony and I am running for Spokane County Commissioner, District 3.

I’m a Democrat who puts fiscal responsibility first.

As a business owner of two companies, I believe my ability to effectively manage expenses, raise revenue,

Additionally, I’d like to work to help improve the condition of our roads and help build out our digital roads, specifically by working to bring fiber optic internet to the county. If we can balance the budget, we can make these improvements happen.

A balanced budget and improving our infrastructure isn’t a partisan position.

It’s something we all believe in, and if given the opportunity to serve you as your Commissioner I’d do everything in my power to

make those goals a reality.

I’m not looking to launch a political career or extend one. I’m just looking to spend 4-years doing right by the people of Spokane County.

My campaign has not taken any donations from larger entities, ergo I am entirely free of special interests.

I am a different kind of candidate running a different type of campaign.

All the same, I need your vote.

Please visit www.

RobbiAnthony.com to learn more about our campaign.

You may also contact us at 509.220.0817 or Robbi@ ElectRobbiAnthony.com Thank you for being a voter and participating in this process!

Al French

What best qualifies you for this position?

It’s been an honor to serve as your County Commissioner.

My qualifications for this position include 8 years as a Spokane City Council member and the last 7 ½ years as your County Commissioner.

Unlike others that want you to believe that if you elect them they will be able to do things they have never done

The Splash

Mary Kuney

What best qualifies you for this position?

It’s an honor to serve as your County Commissioner.

I ask for your vote, so I may continue to work collaboratively to address the issues facing our community.

I bring fiscally responsible solutions that protect the public, grow our economy, and maintain our infrastructure. I am a CPA with a successful career in the private sector

OCTOBER 2018 • 25

before serving as a Washington State Auditor. I was in-charge of the Spokane County audit for two years, ensuring that the County complied with all laws and regulations. In my former role as Chief Deputy Auditor for Spokane County, I worked with all departments across the County, establishing relationships based upon trust, mutual respect and honesty, which is the foundation for collaboration and working in the best interest of the community.

We can work together to find solutions as opposed to defending positions.

I have been volunteering in the Spokane community for 30 years, helping the youth of Spokane. This includes Hutton Settlement, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Junior League, and HUB Sports Center.

All these organizations provide opportunities for kids and teach them to be valuable members of our community.

As your County Commissioner I’ve been breaking down silos between departments, improving efficiency, and promoting collaboration to make your government work better for you. I will continue this work with your support.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Public safety must be our top priority at the County.

Altogether, public safety is 75% of our budget including the sheriff, courts, clerk, jail, etc. If we have a safe community, people will want to live here, companies will want to locate and grow here. All of this will lead to a strong economy and good paying jobs. I’m endorsed by Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, as the only person in this race he trusts when it comes to protecting our community.

Lost your Ballot?

Now you can go online to get a replacement! Input your information and it will generate the correct ballot for you. Simply print it off and take it to a ballot drop off location. To utilize this service go to https:// weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/ MyVote/#/login

3rd Annual Candidate Forum before in their lives I come to you with a proven track record of success and awards at the local, state and national levels for my leadership skills.

Commissioners from across the state consistently elect me to represent their interest on issues impacting counties because of my balanced and creative approach to county government.

I’ve worked to bring more and better jobs to the community, streamlined processes, reduced the cost of government, and developed balanced budgets without new taxes. Most of all I have worked to protect you, your family and our quality of life.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

My goal continues to be keeping you and your family safe, bringing more and better

jobs to the community, enhancing our quality of life and being a good steward of your taxpayer dollars.

My top priority is keeping you and your family safe and that is why I am endorsed

by Sheriff Knezovich and Fire Fighters from across the county. I am leading the effort to improve our criminal justice system to insure equal justice quicker and that those that want to do harm to you and your family are incarcerated and that those suffering from substance addition or mentally ill are diverted to treatment facilities not jail.

I would be honored to receive your vote and continue our journey to success, working on the issues important to you and the community.

October 10, 2018 5:45 pm - 8 pm East Valley High School Gym

Join Us!

For a formal program featuring the Spokane County Commissioner candidates Along with an open house with candidates for other positions

Thank you to our local high schools for working together to make this event happen!

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26 • OCTOBER 2018

Spokane County Assessor

Leonard Christian

What best qualifies you for this position?

Elected Experience: Former Washington State Representative (Appropriations, Capital Budget, Government Oversight, Government Operations, Labor & Workforce committees), Spokane County Board of Equalization-a voice for the taxpayer providing impartial and economical adjudication of tax appeals, Republican Party District

Leader, Precinct Committee Officer since 2008, Solid Waste Advisory Council.

Professional Experience: Professional Spokane Real Estate Broker since 2005, Graduate of Realtor Institute, Certified Negotiation Expert, Retired US Air Force Aircraft Mech a n i c-Re cr ui te r-C om pute r Technician-Security ManagerCommander’s Staff-Engine Shop Manage. Certified FAA Mechanic and Private Pilot.

Education: Graduate Joel E Ferris HS, Master of Business Administration (MBA) Webster University, Bachelor of Science Embry Riddle University, Associate Degree Air Force Community College.

Community Service: Volunteer instructor Moody Aviation, Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue Pilot, The River food bank volunteer. Teach Washington State Bond first time homebuyer classes.

People matter and I have the drive, education and skills

required to be your next Assessor and will do everything possible to keep your taxes low. I’m Leonard Christian, a Leader who Listens and I ask for your vote.

What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

The Assessor is an executive level position requiring not only a solid understanding of Spokane property values, but also the education, leadership and management skills to oversee the tax-payers multi-million dollar budget and office workforce.

My priorities are equal, fair and accurate property assessments with exceptional customer service -- skills I learned while serving over 20 years in the USAF and being married to my high school sweetheart over 34 years. Currently Spokane County has the second highest number of property tax appeals in the state. I know implementation of new technology will save time, money and improve accuracy; greatly reducing this issue.

Tom Konis

Courts. This is the largest electronic change for the state legal system in approximately 40 years. I have spent two years preparing for this transition. Using my extensive leadership, organizational and managerial skills I have developed a detailed transition plan incorporating staffing, training and equipment.

I budgeted two years ago to purchase equipment so staff could train on the equipment first before having to learn the new computer program.

Furthermore, I have developed a comprehensive training schedule so staff can familiarize themselves and train on the new program before we actually “go live” this November. Finally, to help staff with the transition I had my five individual departments develop standard operating procedures to incorporate them into our training making the transition easier.

Michael A. Kirk

What best qualifies you for this position?

My name is Tom Konis and I want to be your next Spokane County Assessor. I have a complete knowledge of the duties of the office.

I have worked in the Assessor’s office for over 25 years. Starting as a residential appraiser in 1993 and now the commercial/ industrial appraiser. With my

Spokane County Clerk

Tim Fitzgerald

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have been your County Clerk for almost 4 1/2 years. I have significantly modernized the Clerk’s office to better serve the public and the legal community. Accomplishments include: opening the office during the lunch hour, installing credit and debit card transactions for the public and offenders paying court ordered

financial obligations. Added an electronic stamp and drop box for filing documents after hours.

Implementing electronic letters vice using a typewriter as was used when I first took office and establishing bar code scanning for all legal documents speeding up the process making us very efficient. These are just a few of the many improvements and cost savings I have made in my first term. I have the extensive leadership, organizational and executive level managerial skills to run the second busiest office in county government and my performance over the past 4 1/2 years demonstrates this.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most important issue is the implementation of a new case management electronic system directed statewide.

This is a very comprehensive transition involving all 39 County Clerks and Superior

What best qualifies you for this position?

Not only did I do recordkeeping, archives, and work with legal documents during my years in ministry, similar work to most of the departments of the Clerk’s office, I was also trained to be an advocate for people, to work in solidarity with the suffering. There are problems in Spokane County,

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OCTOBER 2018 • 27

Spokane County Sheriff experience in the office I can insure that the appraisers are performing their best for the taxpayers of Spokane County.

My opponent has no experience doing this type of work. Fair and equitable assessments is the goal of the office meaning that we as property owners are all treated the same and only pay our fair share of the taxes.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The Assessor’s office duties are defined by over three hundred laws and statutes including a portion of the State Constitution. I know these rules and can be an effective Assessor from the very first day. The Spokane County Assessor’s office is ranked by the Department of Revenue, which oversees all the Assessor offices, as one of the best in Washington. We are the second lowest funded office per parcel in the entire state yet rank at or

near the top in all categories tracked.

I am endorsed by the retiring Assessor Vicki Horton, and 100% of the employees presently working in the Assessor’s office, their unions as well as the Spokane Home Builders Association and the Association of Realtors.

In this historically escalating real estate market we need to have a full and well-trained staff to keep up with the expectations of the taxpayers of Spokane County by maintaining the level of service and accuracy that they have come to expect from our office.

I have previous management experience and for the last 16 years have also officiated high school and college volleyball.

Please vote Tom Konis for Assessor.

in poverty, in crime, in schools, in criminal justice and in the county clerk’s office. These issues need to be addressed proactively, especially considering it’s people’s lives and liberties that are at stake. Every day we collect information in the Clerk’s office that could help us to understand what’s happening and why. By analyzing this data instead of just archiving it, we can get ahead of problems and forge real solutions rather than expensive bandaids. As our world changes around us, we need information to stay ahead, and as we put more and more of our legal record on computers, we need cybersecurity to keep our privacy and justice system safe. When it comes to the skills we need, both old and new, the person trained for the tasks at hand is me, Michael

Kirk for County Clerk.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The first major issue that needs to be addressed in the Clerk’s office is access to the courts for low-income people. If a person can’t get access to the courts, they can’t get justice; they’re less free. For example, some single parents can’t pay the filing fee to get child support without taking food, shelter, or medicine from their child.

I’m writing a bill to change RCW36.18.020 that sets court fees. Since the Clerk also sits on the Regional Law and Justice Council, I will also advocate to create a Safety and Justice in Schools Subcommittee to work with school boards to improve student outcomes and overall safety.

Ozzie Knezovich

What best qualifies you for this position?

The experience I gained over the last 12 years serving as your Sheriff has positioned me to continue leading the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to new levels of professionalism and enhancement of the programs designed to keep you and your family safe. Maintaining your trust in your Sheriff’s Office is my leading concern. I believe high standards lead to highly trained and motivated professionals who keep our community safe and maintain the public’s trust. Maintaining high standards over the past 12 years has resulted in the lowest violent crime rates in two decades and the reduction of property crime rates over the past four years.

What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has developed the reputation of being one of the best law enforcement agencies in the state. We are leading the nation, especially when it comes to training. Training is the key to professionalism.

The United States Air Force has offered to partner with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in building a stateof-the-art firearms training facility which would also serve as a regional training center for all law enforcement agencies in the Spokane County Region. It is my goal to see this project completed in order to provide you with the best trained and professional deputies possible.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is an accredited agency in nearly every critical mission we perform. It is my goal to ensure that our training unit, forensics unit, and Department of Emergency Management all receive national accreditation.

Why is this important some may ask? Accreditation ensures that the key aspects, performed by the Sheriff’s Office, are being performed according to: best practices, national standards and within the best policies and procedures possible. It ensures that the service we are providing you is the best that we can provide. Thank you for your continued support.

Dump Ozzie Dot Com

Unfortunately this candidate was in a tragic accident and passed away.

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28 • OCTOBER 2018

Spokane County Treasurer

District Court Judge 1 since 1988, I’m a member of the Washington State and Spokane County Bar Associations and attended the Washington State and National Judicial Colleges.

I’ve been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court for over 25 years and an Honorary Member of the Fairchild Bar Association.

hold a degree in economics from WSU, and I taught economics at Harvard as a Teaching Fellow, while completing a Masters Degree in Public Administration. I worked on economic development and investment projects in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Michael Baumgartner

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have been honored to serve as State Senator for Spokane’s 6th District for the past eight years.

I’ve built a proven track record of trust, fiscal responsibility, fighting tax increases and bringing Republicans and Democrats together for important projects like our new WSU medical school, record highway funding, reduced college tuition and historically high K-12 education funding.

I have an extensive background in economics, finance and management.

I served as Vice Chair of Washington State’s Senate Ways & Means Committee, helping write a $34 billion state budget – a balanced budget - without unnecessary tax increases. I served as an Economics Officer at US Embassy, Baghdad during the Iraq Surge, and on a US State Departmentfunded project in Afghanistan. I

David Green

What best qualifies you for this position?

I’m a first-time candidate, not a career politician looking for my next elective office.

As a CPA since 1984 with

As State Senator, I worked alongside our Spokane Treasurer’s office and prime-sponsored a historic bill allowing taxpayers to make flexible property tax payments, helping residents struggling with late penalties.

As County Treasurer, I’ll ensure the effective stewardship of public funds, and the provision of excellent, responsive customer service to taxpayers. Alongside that, we can do much more to keep our local government efficient, accountable and transparent. I pledge to make financial data easier for the public to access and understand, to offer independent budget analysis, to hold regular ‘town halls’ for sharing information and gathering feedback, and to fight wasteful spending.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Our County Treasurer is elected to ensure independence and direct accountability to the public.

Taxpayers deserve to know how their property taxes are spent, and to feel confident that they are used in a fiscally responsible, efficient manner.

management and supervisory experience from working with two “Big Four” accounting firms, I’m uniquely positioned and qualified to lead the staff in the Treasurer’s office and invest your tax dollars prudently and responsibly.

I’ve passionately served people my entire working life, providing tax and financial advice for over 36 years. I’ll bring that passion for service, as well as a track record of community involvement, to the Treasurer’s office.

County treasurers don’t make policy choices, but instead follow state law with respect to how public funds are handled, managed, and invested. I met many county treasurers at the June 2018 meeting of the Washington State Association

Randy Arnold Brandt What best qualifies you for this position?

I am best qualified because I have over 21 years judicial experience...the only candidate with judicial experience. I’ve heard tens of thousands of cases beginning as a Judge Pro-tem in 1993 then Court Commissioner followed by Administrative Law Judge then District Court Judge. A licensed attorney

Having heard thousands of cases in Spokane and other counties throughout Eastern Washington I’ve presided over every type of case before the court. My peer Judges elected me Acting Presiding then Presiding Judge. Accordingly, I oversaw all dockets including but not limited to the Mental Health, Veterans, DUI and Domestic Violence Courts.

A lifelong resident of Spokane I attended Lewis & Clark High, Gonzaga University and Gonzaga Law School. For many years I’ve enjoyed volunteering in community organizations

YOUR VOTE COUNTS of County Treasurers where I learned what county treasurers do (and what they don’t do) in our state. I’ll use that knowledge and work to do what’s best for Spokane County taxpayers.

If I earn your trust and I am elected, I pledge to serve the entire four-year term as I have no interest whatsoever in running for any other elective office.

I humbly ask for your vote.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Accountability.

The Treasurer is ultimately responsible for everything that is done in the office. There are two senior staff members reporting

directly to the Treasurer, the chief deputy treasurer and the finance deputy.

A Treasurer without significant financial and accounting experience is in effect delegating his statutory responsibility to the two senior staff members (because he doesn’t have the technical skillsets to effectively supervise them). And if that’s the case, why bother to have an elected Treasurer?

I’ll use my financial and accounting experience to effectively supervise the two senior staff members who directly report to the Treasurer.

And I’ll be accountable to you.

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OCTOBER 2018 • 29

including Campfire Boys and Girls, Exchange Club, Spokane River Association, Central Lions Club, Honorary Commander Fairchild Air Force Base, Holiday Food Delivery and President, Spokane Regional Law Enforcement Museum. I served as a charter member of the Spokane Regional Law & Justice Council.

What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

There are many important issues before the Court, including ensuring Access to Justice by all persons and a comprehensive review of the entire Spokane regional criminal justice system.

With a life of community service enhanced with nearly 30 years legal and 21 years of judicial experience gives me time tested experience to serve as your District Court Judge.

Patrick T. Johnson

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am the BEST candidate for District Court Judge based on Balance, Experience, Support and Training. My balance comes from 20 years of prosecuting thousands of cases with the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office. I am currently a Senior Deputy Prosecutor. I have handled serious felony matters such as

murder, robbery and sex crimes, as well as non-felony matters such as DUI and trespassing. I also have 17 years of experience defending the rights of soldiers. I am a Major in the US Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. I have completed more than 25 years of military service. During my time as an attorney, I have completed more than 150 trials, including more than 100 felony trials.

This combination of balance and experience generates broad support. I am proud to have the endorsement of Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, County Prosecutor Larry Haskell and County Public Defender Tom Krzyminski. I have broad support among our local judges including the endorsement of the incumbent (Judge Peterson) who is retiring this year, and the endorsement of all 12 Superior Court Judges.

I also have extensive training in Elder Crimes and for more

than five years I was the Elder Crimes Prosecutor for Spokane County. I have presented numerous trainings on the topics of ethics and elder abuse.

international terrorism case U.S. v. Ressam. I also prosecuted organized crime cases and served as the Hate Crimes Prosecution Coordinator. After September 11, I lectured on international terrorism prosecution to U.S. Attorneys in Washington D.C. I have also served as a Domestic Violence Prosecutor for the City of Seattle, and practiced business law. While in private practice, I regularly provided pro bono representation to people who could not afford to pay for a lawyer. I also bring administration experience as former Chair of the Access to Justice Board. I am rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by eleven judicial rating organizations in Washington, including Washington Women Lawyers and the Veterans Bar What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

disproportionality, and issuing our opinions sooner. I am passionate about open access for all to our judicial system.

The courts are facing significant budget reductions when more people can’t afford attorneys. We must adequately fund the courts, simplify the legal process and reduce the need to appear for multiple hearings when there are more efficient ways to manage cases. We must lead the effort to integrate technology in ways that improve access to justice, not diminish it, and allow us to issue our opinions sooner. We must bring creativity and leadership to redesigning the jury system so that it remains relevant to our society. Please read more at www.justicegonzalez.com or www.votingforjudges.org. or www.votingforjudges.org.

What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

The most pressing issue that I am uniquely qualified to address is the vacuum which will be created by the retirement of the incumbent, Judge Peterson, who started Veterans’ Court in 2009. Judge Peterson is the only veteran on the District Court Bench, and I am the only candidate who has served in the military.

Finally, the huge volume of cases in District Court requires quick and fair decisions. My experience and efficiency will help to ensure that we maximize the impact of tax payer dollars.

Superior Court - Justice Pos 8

Nathan Choi

After multiple attempts The Current was unable to get a response from this candidate.

Steve Gonzalez

What best qualifies you for this position?

I won election to the Washington Supreme Court in 2012. Before this, I served for ten years as a trial judge on the King County Superior Court.

Prior to joining the bench, I practiced both criminal and civil law. I was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Washington where I successfully prosecuted the

The most important issues are maintaining the independence of the judicial branch, eliminating

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Washington State Representative Leg. 4, Pos 1

Ted Cummings

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am the best qualified candidate for this position because unlike the incumbent I want to live in the state of Washington and I am not advocating for a 51st state. I keep an open mind and I enjoy and respect all people not just those who look and think like me.

I understand and appreciate

hard work and the value of a dollar and I want to bring that understanding to Olympia. I believe that we are stronger when we stand together and that collectively we are smarter and more effective than when we are divided and arguing against each other.

I have a vision that we can solve issues like growing our middle class, reducing the cost of health care and housing, investing in education and supporting programs to make our educational system more effective.

Rebuilding our infrastructure will give us a platform for good wages and benefits giving working men and women relief from rising costs while reducing stress.

What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

The most important issue that needs to be addressed

in this election is returning trust in our elected officials and in one another.

Our current political and social state is one of acrimony, this hostility and mistrust of government along with ideas and groups different from our own is a toxic mixture that must be overcome and resolved. I believe that my character and my actions will go a long way in returning trust in our elected representatives and in our neighbors.

When we believe and work with one another we can solve all the challenges we face.

We need to rely on science, sound data and the belief that all people really want the same thing, the best for our families and friends and the best for our country and our future.

Matt Shea

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am currently serving as 4th District State Representative.

Prior to graduating “Cum Laude� from Gonzaga Law School, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Gonzaga University, while simultaneously completing the R.O.T.C. program as a Distinguished

Voter registration deadline is October 8 Go to https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVote/#/login to get signed up before it is too late!

Ballot mailing begins October 17 and need to be postmarked by November 6 to track to your ballot go to http://www.spokanecounty. org/2994/Track-Your-Ballot

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Military Graduate. I am an honorably discharged Army combat veteran with tours in both Bosnia and Iraq. I currently practice at M. Casey Law in Spokane, Washington.

I am an allied attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a lifetime member of the VFW, member of the American Legion, and involved in various local church ministries.

What is the most important issue that needs addressed?

Returning home after serving in Iraq, I was amazed at how much state government had grown, and how much taxes had risen. We are literally being taxed and regulated out of the American Dream.

This must stop.

My Less

OCTOBER 2018 • 31

Freedom. For me to support legislation, it must pass three conservative tests: Is it needed? Can it be done more efficiently in the private sector? Will it increase taxes? I will always support legislation that limits government, promotes job growth, and defends our Constitutionally protected rights.

I would be honored have your vote.

to

Thank you and God Bless!

Rep. Matt Shea matt@voteshea.com www.voteshea.com

motto is: Less Tax, Government, More

Michelle (Shelley) Szambelan

What best qualifies you for this position?

Judge Shelley Szambelan seeks

Spokane Superior Court Judge Pos 10

to keep her seat in Superior Court, position 10. Previously, Shelley was a full-time judge for 9+ years in the nationally recognized Spokane Municipal Court. She served as a pro tem District Court judge on civil cases. With 27+ years of legal experience, she has been a judge for more than twelve. She served as dean and faculty of Washington’s State Judicial College. Shelley is the only candidate who has received the highest judicial evaluation ratings for this position, been a judge or presided over a trial.

As an appellate prosecutor, Judge Szambelan briefed and argued cases at all levels of state court.

She worked in the City’s civil legal department, and was counsel of

Dennis Cronin

What best qualifies you for this position?

Representing people from all walks of life for 33 years; hired in 1987 and mentored by Carl Maxey; an attorney and mediator with appellate opinions in Eastern District, Ninth Circuit and Washington Courts; Spokane County Superior Court Pro Tem, 2005-2015; President, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts - Washington; Chair, Spokane Family Law Section for over ten years; Former Chair, Spokane City Human Rights Commission; Current Chair, Spokane City Ethics Commission, serving each commission with bipartisan support. J.D., Gonzaga School of Law. As an appellate attorney and Superior Court Pro Tem from 2005 - 2015 presiding over cases presented in Superior Court, Dennis is uniquely qualified to understand how judicial decisions

record on a case at the United States Supreme Court. Prior to her work with City of Spokane, she enjoyed a varied, complex civil litigation practice for several years in both state and federal courts.

As detailed on her website, Judge Shelley Szambelan has earned broad and balanced community and peer endorsements. Both prosecution and defense support her. Law enforcement, including Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, exclusively endorse Shelley. Business leaders and organized labor endorse her.

She has the support of both parties, as well as Mayor Condon and Council President Stuckart for her proven leadership as a judge. She has the right experience, and is the

and the court process impact families for life, underscoring the importance of clear judicial decisions and policies consistent with the comprehensive spectrum of Federal and State laws. For 33 years, Dennis has represented ordinary people in the areas of experience required of a Superior Court Judge, concentrating since 2000 on complex family law including domestic violence, adoptions, criminal, juvenile, and military law and retirement ramifications in divorce.

Judges are your public servants.

As a small business owner with proven experience, Dennis is uniquely qualified to improve our court system for families.

His work ethic, legal knowledge, independence, impartiality and persevering commitment to justice by ensuring the law is applied fairly to all is recognized by state and local judicial ratings of “Well Qualified” and “Exceptionally Well Qualified” and endorsements across partisan lines by ordinary people and organizations. Dennis is honored to continue working to earn your vote for election November 6, 2018 as your next Spokane County Superior Court Judge, Position 10.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Access to Justice fairly and impartially administered with equality, integrity and expertise in a timely and cost-effective manner.

right choice.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Maximizing limited resources in the face of increasing case filings is the most important issue because all of the challenges are interrelated. Bringing the court into the digital age will help manage inefficiencies, data-driven policy decisions and improve procedural fairness. As a proven collaborative leader, Shelley is already serving on a caseflow management team that seeks to improve how cases are processed so that courts better accommodate higher numbers.

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32 • OCTOBER 2018

Washington State Representative Leg. 4, Pos 2

Mary May

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have over 25 years of experience in community improvement, city planning, and policy work that have prepared me to be a state legislator.

My professional experience has taught me how to listen objectively, balance benefits and concerns, and to use all available resources to create innovative solutions.

I know how to cut through the

red tape and bureaucracy to get things done, with an emphasis on process improvement and fiscal responsibility.

Our current leadership would rather walk away from the table than to find solutions. We need strong negotiators advocating for our needs in Olympia.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most important issue that needs to be addressed is that our current representatives are not representing our best interests at the state level.

We deserve to have more than one view represented at the table when decisions are being made that impact all of us.

I will bring strong, balanced, fiscally responsible representation to our 4th Legislative District.

My top community priorities include: ● Healthcare that is

affordable, and lower prescription drug costs, so that no one has to choose between the healthcare and medication they need, or putting food on their table. ● Public schools that prepare our children for success, and support our educators.

More access to vocational and technical training, as well as apprenticeship programs. ● Affordable secondary education, including college and vocational training, without crippling student loan debt. ● Safe, well-maintained roads and infrastructure receiving fair funding so that we can get to work on time, and get our kids to school safely. ● Veterans receiving the services, care and support they deserve. ● Protecting our earned benefits so that seniors can retire with dignity and security.

products. When the US export credit agency, which helped 144 Washington companies export more than $52 billion in products ranging from commercial airplanes to leather boots, came under attack, I fought to keep it open.

For small businesses to grow, we need to increase investments in infrastructure.

This year we secured $9 million to improve railroad crossings at Barker and Flora roads.

Improving freight movement through Spokane Valley means we can improve our ability to move Washington state products to overseas markets, boost our economy, and create good paying jobs.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Act and eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions. I’ve pushed for improvements to the Affordable Care Act, like expansion of the Basic Health Plan, to lower premiums and outof-pocket expenses. Prescription drugs must be more affordable, which is why I co-sponsored legislation to allow the safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada

Bob McCaslin

What best qualifies you for this position?

I believe that public service is essential for any active community member; my 31 years as an elementary school teacher, 2 years as a Spokane Valley Planning Commissioner, and the last 4 years as your state representative in the 4th District qualify me uniquely for this position. The biggest

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

What best qualifies you for this position?

Every day I wake up and fight to do what’s right for Washingtonians. I’m proud to represent our state and our values.

I’ve fought to ensure our economic prosperity lifts us all up, not just a few. We have opened new markets for Washington’s exports, including agricultural

Everyone needs access to affordable, high-quality health care. That’s why I’ve fought back efforts to repeal the Affordable Care

We must continue to strengthen the economy of rural Washington. In addition to our world class jobs for tech workers, we need to grow all sectors of our economy. My mission is to ensure our prosperity is shared, so I fight for things working families need like education, job training, affordable housing, and affordable child care. A strong economy is built on making sure our fellow citizens have access to affordable, high-quality health care and that no one can lose coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

Susan Hutchison

What best qualifies you for this position?

Issues are fundamental.

But as your Senator, my opinions are not enough. I will move words into actions, opinions into policies. Like you, I’m weary of hearing politicians say “we must…” and “we should…” My promise to you is WE WILL get it done.

Unlike Senator Cantwell, I

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employers in our District are public schools; we have really good schools and jobs in our district, and we need to preserve and improve on that.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

In public education, we need to continue to provide the tools for our students to attain their goals, encourage good citizenship, and offer good choices for them to connect with careers. This can be attained through college, or other means. I’d like to see our schools work together with the private sector to do this more; many educators do this already.

would have voted for the historic tax cuts that have boosted our economy by giving our working men and women real tax relief—not crumbs, as Nancy Pelosi says. The thriving economy (currently 4%+ growth) has created more jobs, record low unemployment for African-Americans and Hispanics, and increased wages, which will lead to stronger tax revenues. Politicians who say they care about the poor and working class are disingenuous when they vote against economic growth. Lifting people out of economic despair can only be achieved when jobs are plentiful. I WILL always vote for bills that help grow jobs and the economy for all.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

You deserve better than an ineffective Senator seeking an undeserved 4th term. We

OCTOBER 2018 • 33

Prop 1 - East Valley School District No. 361 Capital Levy for Safety, Security and Infrastructure

Resolution 2769

A resolution to of the Board of Directors of East Valley School District No. 361, Spokane County, Washington, providing for the submission to the voters of the District at the special election to be held on November 6, 2018, in conjunction with the State General Election to be held on the same date, of a proposition authorizing an excess tax levy to be made annually for two years commencing in 2018 for collection in the years 2019 and 2020 in the aggregate total amount of $13,064,000 for the District’s Capital Projects Fund for District-wide safety, security and infrastructure improvements (including installing alarms, security cameras and entry/ access controls; upgrading phone and intercom systems; replacing plumbing and HV AC; relocating middle and high school fields/ grounds to accommodate road construction):l Section 1. Findings and

need a Senator who truly cares about the concerns of this Washington, not the other. Unlike her, I’ve been in every county and corner of the state these last 5 years-and I’ve heard you! And I have been fighting for you: Against a state income tax, against reckless spending of your taxes. For children’s health, for public schools, for fair elections in King County.

Unlike my opponent, I would have voted for working-family tax cuts, for our military, for the first woman to head the CIA. I will champion Washington’s farms that feed the world. I can bring home vital infrastructure dollars, which she cannot.

I’ll be your voice. I’ll fight for you.

Let’s win this together!

For more information, see “18 Reasons to Vote for Susan Hutchison” at www. susan4senate.com/18reasons

Determjnations. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of East Valley School District No. 361, Spokane County, Washington (the “District”), takes note of the following facts and hereby makes the following findings and determinations: (a) Safety and security concerns, educationally outdated school facilities and deteriorating infrastructure require the District to levy excess property taxes to support the construction, modernization and remodeling of school facilities, all as more particularly defined and described in Section 2 herein (collectively the “Projects”). (b) It appears certain that the money in the District’s Capital Projects Fund for the school years 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 be insufficient to permit the District to pay costs of the Projects during such school years, and that it is necessary that an excess tax levy of $6,997,000 be made in 2018 for collection in 2019 and $6,067,000 be made in 2019 for collection in 2020 for the District’s Capital Projects Fund to provide the money required to meet those costs. (d) The best interests of the District’s students and other inhabitants require the District to carry out and accomplish the Projects as hereinafter provided.

Section 2. Description of the Proiects. The Projects to be paid for with the excess property tax levies authorized herein are more particularly defined and described as follows: (a) Make District-wide safety, security and infrastructure improvements, including, but not limited to: (1) acquiring, installing, upgrading and/ or improving alarms, security cameras, controls for entry/ access (including, but not limited to, entryways, doors, locks and parking) and other safety and security systems; (2) upgrading and/or improving phone, clock, bell and intercom systems; (3) replacing and/or upgrading plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HV AC”), roofs, electrical systems and gym dividers; (4) relocating fields and grounds at East Valley High School and East Valley Middle

School to accommodate Spokane County and City of Spokane Valley road construction projects; and (5) making other capital improvements, all as deemed necessary and advisable by the Board. (b) Acquire, construct and install all necessary furniture, equipment, apparatus, accessories, fixtures and appurtenances in the foregoing, all as determined necessary and advisable by the Board. (c) Pay incidental costs incurred in connection with carrying out and accomplishing the Projects. Such incidental costs constitute a part of the Projects and shall include, but are not limited to: (1) payments for fiscal and legal costs; (2) costs of establishing and funding accounts; (3) necessary and related engineering, architectural, planning, consulting, permitting, inspection and testing costs; (4) administrative and relocation costs; (5) site acquisition and improvement costs; (6) demolition costs; (7) costs related to demolition and/or deconstruction of existing school facilities to recycle, reclaim and repurpose all or a portion of such facilities and/or building materials; (8) costs of on and off-site utilities and road improvements; and (9) costs of other similar activities or purposes, all as determined necessary and advisable by the Board.

The Projects, or any portion or portions thereof, shall be acquired or made insofar as is practicable with available money and in such order of time as shall be determined necessary and advisable by the Board. The Board shall determine the application of available money between the various parts of the Projects so as to accomplish, as near as may be, all of the Projects. The Board shall determine the exact order, extent and specifications for the Projects. The Projects are to be more fully described in the plans and specifications to be filed with the District.

Notwithstanding anything in this resolution to the contrary, the excess property tax levies authorized herein may be used only to support the construction, modernization or remodeling of school facilities.

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34 • OCTOBER 2018

US Representative Congressional Dist. 5

Lisa Brown

What best qualifies you for this position?

I’m running for Congress because it’s time to put country over party and make things work in our nation’s capital. As an educator, economist, and former state Senate majority leader and chancellor of WSU Spokane, I understand the challenges and potential of our region.

I worked with business, government, higher

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

What best qualifies you for this position?

It’s my great honor to represent you in Congress.

As your Congresswoman, I’ve fought for our Eastern Washington priorities: agriculture, rural health care, our military, veterans and hydropower.

I’ve had an extremely successful year, with ten of my

education, and community leaders to serve our families and build our economy. I bring independent, experienced advocacy to eastern Washington that the 14-year incumbent, mired in the dysfunction of Congress, cannot deliver.

When we created the WSU medical school, in-state tuition for those serving at Fairchild, and transportation investments for eastern Washington, we did it to represent our districts, not as Republicans and Democrats.

When I worked with a prominent Republican to create the state’s Rainy Day Fund, I did it to bring fiscal responsibility to our state’s budget, despite my party’s initial rejection. When we put together economic development incentives used by Liberty Lake and investments at Mirabeau Point, I wasn’t just looking at my district in Spokane, but working with your legislators to create jobs and enhance our quality of life.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Despite the rising costs of premiums, deductibles, and prescription drugs, Congress isn’t doing anything to improve healthcare. The bill Rep. McMorris Rodgers voted for was opposed here by hospitals, patients, disability advocacy organizations, and the chamber of commerce.

I will work for solutions, like when we expanded children’s health care and created the breast and cervical cancer screening program that saved lives and taxpayer dollars. I will protect people with preexisting conditions and vote for the federal government to use its purchasing power to negotiate lower prescription drug costs.

And, I oppose privatizing the VA and will protect Social Security and Medicare.

I would be honored to receive your vote this November.

bipartisan bills passing the House, and five signed into law.

I’ve worked to rebuild America’s military might, ensuring Fairchild Air Force Base is protected and expanded, winning funding for more air tankers and giving our troops their largest pay raise in nearly a decade.

I secured a ten-year extension for children’s healthcare funding, and expanded support for the Spokane Teaching Health Center and community clinics to help put more doctors in rural communities.

I played a leadership role in passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saving the average local family more than $2,000 a year.

I’m proud of my Faster Care for Veterans Act being signed into law, which cuts wait times for veterans, allowing patients to schedule appointments online or using an app.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

My vision is for an America of opportunity. I believe in empowering everyone to choose their own path.

That means lowering taxes to help create jobs. It means helping small businesses get loans, bringing more doctors to our communities, and supporting our military. It means giving local people more say in managing our federal forests. It means being a passionate advocate for those with disabilities, like my son Cole who was born with Down Syndrome.

Safeguarding America as the land of opportunity is the most important issue for me in this election.

The people of Eastern Washington are hard working, independent, and patriotic.

Some issues may divide us, but we are united in caring about our families and community, wanting a strong and more prosperous America, and being willing to work together for a better future.

Thank you to all of the candidates who took the time to respond and answer our questions for this Special Election Guide.

We appreciate the hard work you are putting in and your willingness to serve our commmunity in these public service roles.

Thank you to the staff of The Current for your hard work in creating this special feature as a service to our community.

Please note that these statements were provided by the candidates or their staff and have been printed ‘as is’ and without any editing

by The Current.

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George Washington 1789-1797 Federalist “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led like sheep to the slaughter.”

He fought in the French-Indian War and commanded the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. George was unanimously elected our first president.

This was the first time a president had been elected anywhere in the world. He was married to a wealthy widow named Martha. After his election, his inauguration ride took eight days. From growing hemp and tobacco, he became our country’s first millionaire. Our nation’s capital is named after him but, he is the only president to not live there. He was instrumental in the diamond shaped layout of the city and choosing the design of what came to be known as the White House.

Federalists believed in a strong federal government and industry.

John Adams 1797-1801 Federalist “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it.”

John was Boston’s most prominent lawyer. Being strongly opposed to England taxing the colonies without any representation in Parliament, he believed independence from England should be a priority. It was his suggestion for Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. He was successful in obtaining money in Europe for the colonies. As George Washington’s vice-president he didn’t feel valued. John and his wife Abigail were the first couple to live in the mansion which would come to be known as the White House in the nation’s

new capital, Washington D. C., when he became our ENROLL second president. He is one TODAY! of two of the founding fathers that signed the Declaration of Independence Our coaches are passionate about to become president. As president, heonestablished gymnastics and focus teaching quality gymnastics in a fun and safe the Library of Congress. His son, John Quincy Adams environment. Classes run year-round became our sixth president. with three 13-week sessions (Fall,

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Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809 Democratic-Republican “In matters of style, swim with the current, in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

He is most known for writing the Declaration of Independence. Gaining independence from England was a priority to him so he rallied the French government and citizens for funding. Serving as governor of Virginia, secretary-of-state for Washington, vice-president for Adams and being fluent in five languages gave him a lot of knowledge for his presidency. As president, he purchased the Louisiana territory from Napoleon which doubled the size of the United States. He then commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition to survey and explore the new territory. He invented the wheel cipher which was used to code messages during the Revolutionary War. After his presidency, he founded the University of Virginia. When the British burned the Library of Congress in 1814, he sold it 6,000 of his book collection to reestablish one. He and John Adams were the only two founding fathers that signed the Declaration of Independence to become president.

They both died on July 4, the Declaration’s fiftieth anniversary. He is memorialized with a monument in Washington D. C. and is one of the presidents on Mt. Rushmore.

Democratic Republicans favored strong states and agriculture.

36 • OCTOBER 2018

James Madison 1809-1817 D emocratic-Republican “The truth is that that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.”

Our fourth president, James Madison, is known as the “Father of the Constitution”. He grew up in Montpelier, Virginia. He is our shortest president (5’4”) and one of the most educated. He married Dolley Todd, a Quaker widow. She was expelled for marrying a non-Quaker.

He was a close advisor to George Washington and served as secretary–of-state for Thomas Jefferson, most notably assisting with the Louisiana Purchase.

He supported having three branches of government; judicial, executive and legislative. He drafted the Bill of Rights. As president, he declared war on England.

During the War of 1812, the British burned much of Washington D. C. including the White House.

Dolley saved as many things as she could including a painting of George Washington. She was voted an honorary seat in the House of Representatives. They lived in the Octagon House while the White House was rebuilt. He was our first president to wear long pants. He and George Washington were the only two presidents that signed the Constitution. Strangely both of his vice-presidents died in office. Madison wrote 29 of the Federalist Papers. He was against slavery but understood how many felt the labor was necessary. He assisted with making Liberia a safe place for freed slaves. He was the last survivor that had signed the Constitution to die.

James Monroe 1817-1825 Democratic-Republican “The best form of government is that which most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil”.

James was the fifth president of the United States.

He grew up in Virginia and left school to join the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. After being seriously injured he became a lawyer, then a delegate to congress before becoming the governor of Virginia. He went to France to broker the Louisiana Purchase for Thomas Jefferson. He served as secretary-of-state and secretary-of-war for James Madison. Five new states were added during his presidency. During his presidency, the Missouri Compromise was created which said that Maine would join as a free state and Missouri would be a slave state. He enacted the Monroe Doctrine which

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told all European countries that any interference or attempt to colonize would be viewed as an act of war. He was the third president to die on July 4. He was the last founding father to be president and the last that fought in the Revolutionary War. He was unopposed in his second term election. His daughter was married in the White House, a first and he started a radical new trend; he wore no wig.

In the George Washington painting crossing the Delaware, James Monroe is the soldier holding the flag. He is the president that president’s mansion white so that it would forever more be known as the White House.

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OCTOBER 2018 • 37

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By Mayor Rod Higgins City of Spokane Valley The Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) trait for this month is Responsibility, a many-faceted word encompassing a wide range of moral, emotional, ethical and common-sense situations.

But let’s start with the trite and not too informative dictionary definition.

Responsibility: The quality or state of being responsible, in areas such as moral, legal, or mental accountability.

It then offers synonyms such as reliability, trustworthiness and dependability.

Responsibility definitely is all those things, but it means something more.

Responsibility is also about knowing yourself and constantly striving to be the best person possible. And, of course, being vigilant to see what you can do to improve conditions and help others. When you practice responsibility, you’re working to make your life, and the lives of those around you, the very best they can be!

Here are some relevant quotes about responsibility: “When you blame others, you give up your power to change.” – Author unknown “Never point a finger where you never lent a hand.” – Robert Brault “Though I am not always responsible for what happens to me, I am responsible for how I handle what happens to me.” – Zig Ziglar “Winners take responsibility. Losers blame others.” – Brit Hume “In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take on responsibility.”

– Michael Korda “A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” – Bob Dylan “The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King, Jr. “The price of greatness is responsibility.” – Winston Churchill How do you deal with responsibility as it applies directly to you? In a recent opinion piece, author Richard

Maybury stated that he bases his beliefs on common law and two guiding principles: 1. Do all you have agreed to do, and; 2. Do not encroach on other persons or their property.

Good words for personal conduct.

He goes on to elaborate on the legal principles stemming from his proposition. Ask yourself, among your friends and family, are you known as a “stand-up person”? Can you be depended upon? Is your word, your bond? Are you the person you’d want in the foxhole next to you? In short, are you responsible, not just to yourself, but in consideration of others in how you manage your affairs?

Those questions are intended to generate a look in the mirror. The world quite often perceives you differently than how you view yourself.

Have you taken time recently to put aside your cell phone and ask a friend or family member how they are? Did you look into their eyes and note their facial expressions, so important to communication, and thus gain personal understanding?

The responsible person is like a magnet. They “have it together.” As a responsible person, they also employ the entire list of PACE traits in the conduct of their daily lives. To quote Malcolm Forbes, “Those who enjoy responsibility usually get it; those who merely like exercising authority usually lose it.” That would seem to indicate that responsible people are often not just leaders, but effective ones.

Responsibility means all those things, but it’s so much more. It’s consistently doing all you can to be a better person while working to help others in improving themselves. In short, when you practice responsibility, along with all the other PACE traits, you’re on your way to making your life more fulfilling and worthwhile!

Mayor Higgins has been a supporter of PACE since being a member of the City Council. He regularly attends the annual PACE Awards where 40 area students are honored for displaying good character.

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Vote!

Please take a moment to fill out and return the following survey to let us know what kinds of activities you would like to see in the wave next year.

Check all that you would like

Crafts Recipes Book recommendations word searches crossword puszles Eye Spy Animal Flashcards COloring pages contests mazes art studies New Themes: Animals Alphabet Activities other:______________ Other Ideas: ______________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________

We want to hear from you Please mail to PO Box 363, Liberty lake, WA 99019 or send a photo to publisher@libertylakesplash.com

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OCTOBER 2018 • 39

Student of the Month Sami Smith has lettered in varsity volleyball since her sophomore year at Central Valley. She is one of five returning varsity players this year and is currently one of the top outside hitters in the Greater Spokane League. As a labero last season, Sami had 35 digs against Lewis and Clark and was part of a Bears’ team that advanced to the second round of regionals. The senior has also played softball at CV and has won regionals and qualified for nationals in beach volleyball. The Liberty Lake resident maintains a 4.0 grade point average, is taking three AP classes and is on the school’s board of the National Honor Society. She is CEO of CV’s DECA program that focuses on marketing skills. With DECA, Sami has qualified for state the last three years.

Citizen of the Month

& Thanks you for all you do in our community

Como se llama “excellent student?” Ethan Hagmann can tell you in words and achievements.

The Central Valley senior is enrolled in Spanish 4 and AP biology, literature, government and calculus. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is on the board of CV’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

His sophomore year, Ethan volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala and plans to donate time this year as a volunteer with Sacred Heart Medical Center. The Liberty Lake resident is a letter-winner in cross country and has participated in both school and club soccer. He also helps plan school events as a member of the leadership class.

He is looking at career options that include physical therapist, ER doctor or pediatrician.

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Athlete of the Month Since 2004, Pamela Mogen has led the Liberty Lake Municipal Library with grace, wisdom and care. As the only director the library has ever had, Mogen is responsible for starting the Book Club, the reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Spokane County Library District and the early literature and digital literature programs.

She also saw to it that residents around the lake were recognized as resident borrowers. In 2011, Mogen was awarded Washington Library Association’s Merit Award for Advances in Library Services.

Five years earlier, the Association of Washington Cities recognized the Liberty Lake Library with its Municipal Achiever of the Year award. Mogen is also a wellrespected author whose books have been published by Simon and Schuster. After 43 noble years as a librarian, Mogen is retiring this month. The community thanks you Pamela.

We deserve to have more than one view represented when decisions are being made that impact all of us.

I will bring strong, balanced, fiscally responsible representation to our 4th Legislative District.

I would appreciate your vote!

Mary May’s endorsements include: Washington Education Association & Spokane Education Association Washington State Labor Council & Spokane Regional Labor Council United Steelworkers District 12 International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers, Local 77 Former Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey Former Spokane Valley City Council Member Chuck Hafner Paid for by Friends of Mary May, PO Box 14935, Spokane Valley, WA 99214

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40 • OCTOBER 2018 Brought to you by

Evergreen

About and for Liberty Lake seniors

Pickleball enjoys net gain as area’s trending sport

By Benjamin Shedlock Splash Correspondent Just after 9:30 on a Tuesday morning, visitors to the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake can hear what sounds like the first telltale drops of a spring rainstorm on a tin roof. As the minutes go by, the noises grow steadier until the consistent thrumming of plastic-on-wood fills the university-style field house.

Pickleball drop-in has begun.

Pickleball, a racket-and-net game, has developed a serious following among the retired set in Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake.

Pickleball’s popularity began a slow burn in the area in the mid-2000s, its local interest owing to its regional roots. It was developed in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound area by former Lieutenant Governor and Congressman Joel Pritchard.

But it has experienced a surge in the last few years as more players, particularly seniors, discover the health and social benefits it offers. And, just how fun it is.

“Dozens of players, mostly retired, migrate to the HUB four times a week or more. Pickleball has attracted converts quickly.

The sport can now be played on dedicated indoor and outdoor courts in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls and Coeur D’Alene every day of the week.

“The word ‘committed’ is well used,” said Margaret Riedling of Spokane, who began playing two years ago and now plays three to five times each week.

Riedling and Jeff Nicol of Liberty Lake, who has also been playing for two years and now makes it to the HUB four days a week, learned what Phil Champlin has known for years.

“Talk to any pickleball player, and they’ll tell you it’s addictive,” said Champlin, who is executive director of the HUB. Champlin has stewarded the growth of pickleball here since 2011, when the Spokane Valley Senior Center approached him about opening some courts. Under pickleball rules, anyone aged 50 or over is considered a senior, but the category is broad. Last year, the HUB lost a beloved four-year veteran player at the age of 96.

At first glance, the sport’s popularity is hard to grasp.

Played on a small, badmintonsized court, it uses an oversized and square-edged Ping Pong style paddle to volley a whiffle ball in a mimicry of tennis-style gameplay. It is a Franken-sport, and the end-product makes for a unique spectator experience.

But the unlikely mixture of these fun and familiar games is what makes pickleball accessible.

“It’s the easiest sport to learn,” said Riedling, “but the hardest

SE

NI

OR

to master.”

The local pickleball scene includes a wide range of skill levels, so new players are always welcome.

“The community was welcoming and patient,” Riedling recounted of her experience as a beginner. “Besides being told I was in the kitchen 50 times,” she said, referring to the novolley zone behind the net. The HUB has designated several pickleball “ambassadors,” experienced players who help new players feel comfortable.

To give new players a baseline understanding of the rules and play, Nicol teaches a beginner clinic.

“When we teach clinic, we encourage them to stay and play,” Nicol said. The clinic is held at the HUB on second Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $10. Equipment can be checked out, so beginners can show up without any gear.

New players often improve quickly, and the sport has a

Fountains

LIVING COMMU

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TY

depth of technique and strategy that helps keep their interest.

Champlin compared the gameplay to that of tennis and racquetball, which have power and finesse play.

“Picklers” – the trendy moniker for pickleball players – who have learned the basic rules and rhythm of the game can take advantage of advanced clinics taught by experienced players.

One teacher, Larry Stoker, has learned to play while traveling to places like Salem, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah. In midSeptember, he had just returned from participating in a level-up clinic in Montana.

“I’m going to teach new players to be consistent with basic tools,” said Stoker. Once they get these down, advanced players develop skills like putting spin on serves and slicing shots.

Dinking, or dropping the ball into the kitchen where it’s harder to hit, is a key strategy on the

See PICKLEBALL Page 46

Invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1965, pickleball has surged in popularity over recent years. A tournament at the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake last month drew a large turnout of competitors.

Photo by Craig Howard

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OCTOBER 2018 • 41

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Rowe hits pitch running as new CV soccer coach

By Mike Vlahovich Splash Sports Editor If you see someone walking the sidelines at a Central Valley girls’ soccer match wearing crazy plaid pants in CV’s signature sky blue and white, don’t be alarmed – it’s the Bears’ new coach Rob Rowe.

He wore them on the sidelines as the head coach at Freeman High School and says he will continue styling at CV matches, where he already teaches.

“The nice thing,” Rowe says, “we’re basically the same colors at CV.” The Bears have scarcely missed a beat in transition despite the graduation of key players and loss to injury of star goalkeeper A.J.Crooks, who will continue her soccer career at Alabama after healing from an injury.

“She tore up her knee in the spring so isn’t available,” Rowe said.

Clair Kauffman, a sophomore, and Drew Scott, a junior, tend the net in her absence and through five games had allowed six goals, three

Liberty Lake Women’s Golf Club – 2018 Championship

From Splash News Sources The Liberty Lake Women’s Golf Club wrapped up its season with a three-week championship tournament. The results are as follows: Club champion: Rose Jones gross 239 Championship Flight Winners: Low gross: Gisue Peters - 254 Low net: Joyce Skidmore - 210 First Flight Winner: Low gross: Carol Schultz - 269 Low net: Ann Eure - 203 Second Flight Winners: Low gross: Jean Hatcher - 322 Low net: Darcy Bailey - 234 Overall low net of the field: Elise Bozzo - 198

against Wenatchee.

The Bears opened the season with six wins and a tie, including a victory over state perennial Curtis.

Senior midfielder Kailyn LaBrosse scored a hat trick against Curtis and had two assists in the Bears first four matches. Megan Robertson scored four goals, three against Wenatchee.

They had key matches back-toback against title contenders Mead and on Oct. 3 rival University (after presstime).

Seniors Mady Simmilink and Maggie Ames, Rowe said, are doeverything seniors among eight returning players. There are 10 seniors on the veteran team. One, Marissa Bankey, broke her leg and missed last year, but is back this season.

Dori Ames, a junior midfielder/ defender, is “playing lights out for us in the middle,” Rowe said.

The new coach has big shoes to fill following the success of Andres Monrroy, whose Bears teams placed second in state last year and won back-to-back 4A in 2014-15.

Monrroy declined comment when asked about his reason for leaving.

He remains the boys’ coach where he has coached five state qualifiers and placed among the top four three times.

Rowe teaches at CV although he spent six years making three state appearances as Freeman’s coach. Moving up from Class 1A to 4A brings its challenges, but also means more depth of talent.

CV has 80 players to draw from.

Freeman had 25.

Is there pressure being “the man” who replaces “the man”?

“I would say, ‘Yes and no,’” Rowe said. “Obviously I put a lot of pressure on myself. I know how successful the program has been. I know what the girls are capable of.”

The Central Valley girls' soccer team started the season with non-conference wins over Curtis of Tacoma and Wenatchee. The Bears also won their first two Greater Spokane League games against Ferris. Junior midfielder Marissa Bankey (above) had two goals in a 4-1 over Ferris on Sept. 19.

Photo by Erik Smith Any coach would like to put their stamp on a program, Rowe says, adding that players “have been very accepting” from the start.

“I’m a very big believer in possession soccer but soccer with a purpose,” Rowe said.

He brings a different style to the program, emphasizing ball control and putting more emphasis on his defenders to be part of the attack.

The longer a team controls the ball increases the difficulty for the

opponent to score, Rowe explained.

“What I’m trying to get across to the girls is the defense needs to finish and the forwards and midfielders need to get back,” Rowe says. “I coach at practice and make minor adjustments at the game.”

He didn’t expect Monrroy to step down, but knew he’d apply if that was an eventuality.

“The program he built is pretty amazing,” Rowe said. “I’m hoping I can build on that legacy.”

sprinkler blowout and water quality Before you blow out your sprinkler system this fall, remember that we are all relying on you to help keep our drinking water clean. Once water enters your irrigation system it can become contaminated with lawn chemicals and bacteria. If your sprinkler system doesn’t have adequate backflow protection, blowing out the system may push this contaminated water back into your home’s water supply. For more information, a list of certified backflow assembly testers, or to learn if your system has backflow protection contact Chad Jennings at 922-5443.

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The Splash

SPORTS

OCTOBER 2018 • 43

Splash Sports Notebook

rushing for 93 yards. The Bears found another threat, 200-pound senior Zack Jongeward, who ran 23 times for 193 yards in its 4139 heartbreaking loss to LC and added 94 yards in 11 carries against Mt. Spokane.

CV followed the Mt. Spokane win up with a string of four games against the GSL’s other four teams, all with winning records, to determine three playoff teams.

McAuliff leads volleyball Listed at 5-foot-5 on the roster, Hayden McAuliff has come up big. Through seven matches the senior outside hitter had four games with double digit kills including 19, 16 and 10 twice.

Junior setter Olivia Minnick set up hitters, including assists of 22 and 13 for a team that was 3-4 in its first seven matches.

Other key performers were server Sami Smith, middle Elli Rodgers and defensive specialist Kylie Becket.

Slowpitch Bears in hunt As expected, the Bears were in the middle of things midway through the slowpitch softball season for a game that typically piles up runs. Led by third baseman Jordan Williams, rover Grace Stumbough, Serena Cobbs, Giana McCoy and Kiara Morse, this year is no exception.

CV shared second place behind University halfway through the

season.

Runners return New coaches have taken over both boys’ and girls’ cross country.

Girls track coach Geoff Arte coaches the boys and Doug Pecha the girls.

The Bear boys have business to take care of after losing by a point for the state 4A championship last year and bringing back nearly the entire team, including defending individual winner Ryan Kline.

Other veterans for the Bears are Sheamus Mahoney, Evan Peters, Joey Nicholls and junior Tyler Hunter. Olivia Sine is a girls’ state veteran.

Olympic reflections with a gold medal brother

go to the Olympics when I got home. I charged him with the logistics: Getting plane tickets, finding lodging and securing tickets.

He learned there was no way to procure the event tickets, but we were willing to take our chances.

What happened in Mexico City that October made me a firm believer in fate.

The world was in turmoil then: College anti-war protests that turned violent; time for hippies to tune in, turn on and drop out and racial turmoil. The latter, it turned out, would play a huge role at the Olympics – and we had a front row seat.

Jerry and I hopped aboard for an Olympics adventure that made track and field history. We’ll get back to that a bit later.

My Valley Herald story was more about our overall experience than the games themselves. “Prior to the Olympics,” I wrote, “there had been stories of warning – ‘Don’t eat the food, don’t drink the water; don’t drive your car, watch out for the shoe shine boys.’ The only way to find out about what Mexico City was like was to…find out for oneself.”

Turned out food and water caused no distress and the light-headedness caused by the altitude in the city was temporary.

Transportation was another story.

“Attempting to travel from the airport to our place of residence the taxi driver ran out of gas. It embarrassed the driver … (but) he did get us within one block of

where we were going.”

When we got there it turned out the apartment we had reserved was rented to someone else. We spent the night exploring our options while spending the night in the maid’s quarters. Luckily we found a place to stay with a Mexican family that took in a total of eight people and were the perfect hosts. They even gave us a tour of the city.

Trying to get to our lodging after the first night of track and field, “We climbed aboard the Tlalpan bus, a bus meant for 40 people but with 50 on board. It would be easy, just follow the green stripe that was guide for marathon runners and walkers (and) we would eventually end up back at the house. The green stripe ran out and it didn’t look good.”

We got out and “ran through calf deep water to get to a police station a quarter of a mile down the road. We found the station (and) communicated though neither of us spoke each other’s language, but ultimately discovered we were only three blocks from our house. About then we figured it might be better to be watching ABC’s ‘Wide World of Sports.’”

The rain that poured for a time during our first night at Estadio Olympico sent everyone scurrying to exit tunnels for shelter. “Jerry didn’t touch ground the whole time he was in there,” I wrote in my column, “he just moved when other people shifted weight.”

Little did we know we’d ultimately experience a “you were there” eyewitness moment in track and field history. Scalpers were hawking tickets. We bought a pair and took our seats, the awards podium directly below.

In front of us that night, John Carlos and Tommy Smith finished one-two in the sprints and stood stunningly on the podium arm’s upraised, hands hooded by black gloves in silent protest of racial inequity. It became an iconic photograph worldwide.

The second day we also found tickets, this time in a row near the bottom of the stands on the opposite side of the stadium, directly in front of the long jump pit. Bob Beamon would rise as if on wings and soar astonishingly past us the length of the pit. I did my best shaky math to convert metric to feet and came up with a mind-boggling figure that if true would break the existing world record by nearly 2 feet. It wasn’t until we got home that I learned my math was spot-on. He leaped a world record 29-feet-2 ½ inches that stood for 23 years.

Come the third day we found seats in a corner of the stadium near the high jump area. It was there Dick Fosbury stunned the crowd, winning gold in unconventional style what would become the “Fosbury Flop” that revolutionized the event.

Our spur of the moment flightof-fancy turned into history right before our eyes.

Rest in peace, Bro.

By Mike Vlahovich Splash Sports Editor The early part of Central Valley’s football season saw the Bears struggle although they came within a missed field goal in the league opener of being undefeated. CV righted the ship with a huge win, 31-14 over previously unbeaten Mt. Spokane on Sept. 21.

In that game senior Hunter Chodorowski rushed 175 yards on 22 carries and scored three times. He had 193 yards on 23 carries against Lewis and Clark and had half of CV’s offense,

By Mike Vlahovich Splash Sports Editor Fifty years ago this month, on a whim, my brother and I flew into the unknown in what proved to be a memorable as well as historical odyssey. Upon our return, I began my sports writing career with a column that chronicled our once-in-a-lifetime experience in Mexico City and the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Half a century covering sports at the Valley Herald, The Spokesman-Review and now corresponding for the Liberty Lake Splash and Valley Current, time flies when you’re having fun. Those first athletes are social security.

Jerry and I were a grade apart in school and practically joined at the hip while graduating from West Valley and Washington State University.

Jerry died in late-August at age 72 and the memory rushed back as I sought words to deliver at his eulogy. I ran to the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum to exhume that November ’68 column.

I was nearing the end of twoyear stint in the Army and we had written back and forth during my year tour of duty in Vietnam. For whatever reason I got a wild hare and wrote him that we ought to

The Splash

44 • OCTOBER 2018

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The Splash

HISTORY

OCTOBER 2018 • 45

The Splash

46 • OCTOBER 2018

PICKLEBALL

Continued from page 40 small court. Although many picklers come for the technical gameplay, most stay for the exercise and community.

Champlin has heard anecdotes about how picklers’ blood pressure and cholesterol levels improved after they started playing.

“It’s physical,” agreed Joyce Nicol, Jeff’s wife. “The ball doesn’t come to you, you have to run to the ball.”

Because of its small court and light racket and ball, pickleball gives players a workout without taking as big a toll on their bodies as tennis. Champlin noted that it puts less wear and tear on joints in particular.

Others have experienced more profound benefits, like Riedling, who discovered the sport while she was looking for something to help her recover from breast cancer, and it helped her get active again.

Pickleball also lends itself to socializing. According to Champlin, the small court allows players to carry on a conversation throughout the game. These kinds of interactions have created a tight-knit pickleball community in Spokane County.

“Pickleball gives the senior community a place to go and get out of house, to connect and socialize,” Champlin said.

With people playing most days of the week, it seems inevitable that players would become close. But courtside friendships have spilled over to caring off-court communities.

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Pickleball has taken off at the HUB Sports Center since it became part of the agenda here in 2011 following a request by the Spokane Valley Senior Center to make a few courts available. Each Tuesday morning, the venue hosts a pickleball drop-in time.

The city of Liberty Lake recently added a pickleball court at Pavillion Park in response to the demand. Photo by Craig Howard

created a ladies-only session on first Wednesdays and the women often have coffee afterward. A couple that met through pickleball got married, and 60 picklers held a goingaway potluck in September for a regular player.

“It’s a really neat community,” Champlin said.

The community is based around the HUB, which can accommodate up to 15 lined courts at once. Players interested in an outdoor playing experience can use the new courts at Pavilion Park in Liberty Lake,

which opened last summer after Jennifer Camp, Liberty Lake’s Operations and Maintenance director, learned from Champlin about the popularity of the sport.

“We decided it might be a good fit and was time to test it,” said Camp. “The court definitely has been used quite a bit.” As a result, Liberty Lake is considering planning to stripe four courts at the new Orchard Park and may also add courts in Rocky Hill Park.

Jeff Nicol was on hand to cut the ribbon for the Liberty Lake courts.

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“It’s fantastic,” Nicol said.

“Outdoor pickleball includes the wind and sun and all the other excuses you can come up with.”

Interested in becoming a pickler? Hub pickleball drop-in hours are: Monday–Thursday from 12:30–2:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30–11:30 a.m.; Sunday and Wednesday nights from 6–8 p.m. (depending on time of year) and ladies only on first Wednesdays from 9:30– 11:30 a.m. Cost for drop-in hours are $3 for seniors and $5 for non-seniors.

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The Splash

Cat Whisperer – Local woman earns unique distinction

By Staci Lehman Splash Correspondent Some cats just can’t be trusted not to scratch your furniture, eat your plants, keep dead critters outside and clean themselves appropriately. Clean themselves appropriately?

Yes, according to the National Cat Groomers Institute of America (NCGIA), your cat may have poor hygiene habits.

Julie Beeman, owner and operator of Hooked on a Feline Cat Grooming, agrees that cats need a little human help to stay suitably clean. That is why she spent 18 months completing NCGIA’s program to become a Certified Feline Master Groomer- the only Master Groomer in Spokane, the fourth in the state of Washington and 300th in the world to earn this designation.

"I actually went to a grooming seminar in southern California because I was interested,” Beeman said. “I believe that you should be a certified groomer. Right now in the U.S. there is no requirement to be certified. Anyone can open a shop.”

Beeman has been a groomer of animals in the area since 2005 and noticed a definite need for someone who specialize in felines. Today she says she is the only mobile groomer for cats in Spokane.

"There are just a lot of groomers who won't do cats," she said. "Some are allergic, some are scared. Cat bites can be bad. A lot of vets won't groom cats unless they put them under (anesthesia.)"

But does your cat really need to be groomed? Beeman and the NCGIA say yes; all that licking cats do to clean themselves builds up saliva on the fur over the years, cat litter gets stuck on paws and fecal material stuck in fur. Cats also shed dead skin like humans, sometimes have dandruff, fleas and ticks. Their hair also can get severely matted. All these issues can be prevented or treated with regular grooming.

If you do choose to have your cat groomed, Beeman says a mobile groomer causes the least amount of stress. Having a groomer come

BUSINESS

OCTOBER 2018 • 47

Hooked on a Feline Cat Grooming is owned by Julie Beeman who spent 18 months to become a Certified Master Groomer. She became the only person to earn this distinction in the Spokane area and only the fourth in Washington. Photo by Staci Lehman to you eliminates loading a cat in a carrier, taking it for a car ride and leaving it in a strange location with other animals.

While mobile grooming is successful with most felines, not every cat leaves a happy customer.

Beeman has had to return a few to their owners before grooming was complete due to a lack of cooperation.

"They say that cats have turkey timers,” she said. “When they pop, they're done.”

Considering she generally grooms six to eight cats per day and has only returned a total of about four ungroomed, Beeman's stats aren't bad. She says cats require much more patience than dogs when it comes to grooming.

Beeman has learned a lot about grooming cats over the years, including that most will tolerate water if introduced in a gentle way; regular grooming leads to less shedding, which leads to less hairballs and cats will also tolerate having their fur blow dried. Not with just any hair dryer though.

Her mobile business is operated out of a van equipped with ever grooming need, including a special blow dryer that fits the entire cat body into it.

"It looks like an incubator," she said. "I put a thing over their ears

so they can't hear the dryer. It’s called a 'happy hoodie.' It looks like a little babushka when it's on."

Following the drying is usually a comb out and sometimes a trim.

"I do a lot of ‘lion’ trims in the summer," she said. A lion cut consists of shaving the cat's body and legs but leaving a "mane" around the head and a ball at the end of the tail.

That was one of the areas Beeman was tested in to become a Certified Feline Master Groomer.

She had to pass four written exams that test the taker's knowledge in health and anatomy, temperament

and handling, breed and color and business development. A practical exam tested skills in areas like "lion trims," "comb cuts" (trimming the hair shorter but not completely shaving it) and bathing both long and short haired cats.

Beeman recommends a regular grooming about every six weeks and gets booked out a couple months in advance sometimes.

You can find out more about Hooked on a Feline and the Certified Feline Master Groomer program on Beeman's Facebook page at www. facebook.com/hookedonafeline.

Cats should be groomed about every six weeks, according to Julie Beeman, owner of Hooked on a Feline Cat Grooming. Beeman says her mobile service creates less stress on cats who often are not enthusiastic about the process.

Photo by Staci Lehman

The Splash

48 • OCTOBER 2018

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OCTOBER 2018 • 49

LL Kiwanis among local service clubs to see slump

By Keith Erickson Splash Correspondent The central force behind a host of popular Liberty Lake events and programs – including Liberty Lake Community Yard Sales, the Father/ Daughter Dance and funding local scholarships – seems to be losing its drive.

Liberty Lake Kiwanis, an organization synonymous with community activism and philanthropy, has reached a breaking point due to declining membership, says group secretary Dan Dunne.

It’s a situation that could adversely impact several highprofile community events that attract thousands of people each year.

“There has been talk of disbanding and if that happens we would have to seriously restructure or eliminate some of those events,” said Dunne, who also serves on the Liberty Lake City Council.

“We have a lot of people that say, ‘I love the Kiwanis and I appreciate what they do,’ but to be direct, participation is the highest form of appreciation,” he said. “So, yeah, many of these programs are in jeopardy.”

Founded in 2001, the Liberty Lake Kiwanis has about 30 members, but only a handful actively participate in the organization’s community activities, which also include fundraisers that provide up to $15,000 a year for local student scholarships.

“When it comes right down to really being a part of it and owning it, it tends to be the same 10 people,” Dunne said.

Approaching 50 himself, Dunne said he is among one of the younger Kiwanians.

“The Baby Boomers, they know what’s going on and they do it,” he said. “Gen X, I can count three members. And the Millennials – crickets.”

That’s somewhat disheartening, he said, “because our focus, by nature, is elevating and supporting the young people in our communities. Right now, we’ve got a bunch that run this and have done so many great and amazing things and it’s like, where’s the next generation to support and carry that on?”

Perhaps, Dunne says, it’s

Service clubs assist our community in numerous ways, including procuring funds to award scholarships to local students.

Pictured above are the 2018 recipients of the Liberty Lake Kiwanis scholarships. Kiwanis has seen its numbers of active members drop in recent years. The local Lions and Rotary clubs are also seeking to bolster their ranks.

Photo by Ben Wick a matter of awareness and a realization of the satisfaction that accompanies giving back. “Being part of a community gets that much more rewarding when you really participate.”

The dip in service club interest has been occurring for awhile now. Robert Putnam’s 2000 book “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,” notes that attendance at service club meetings declined 58 percent between 1975 and 2000.

The Liberty Lake Kiwanians aren’t alone in their quest to grow their ranks.

Jeff Grimes, immediate past president of the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club, said while the club’s membership numbers are not declining, “we’re definitely always looking for new members.”

With about 32 members currently, the local Rotary Club is bucking a national trend that is seeing fewer people interested in becoming Rotarians, Grimes said.

Still, he underscored the importance of educating the public on the importance of civic organizations.

“I think we can all do a better job of marketing what we do to make our community a better place to live and encouraging partners to come in and take a look at us,” he said.

Known primarily as a group for professionals, Grimes emphasized the local Rotary welcomes all new members. There are no barriers for

membership, he said.

Last year, two long-standing Rotary clubs to the west combined to form a single group. Spokane East Rotary and Spokane Valley Rotary merged to bolster their new membership count to around 50.

The Centennial Rotary Club supports a wide range of causes, from schools to libraries. The organization is also a strong advocate of the military, helping with the Northwest Honor Flight, a program dedicated to transporting veterans to Washington, D.C. each year, to experience the memorials of the war in which they fought.

Like Kiwanians, Rotarians are focused on giving back to the community in a myriad of ways.

“We never say no to a project,” Grimes said.

Meantime, the Liberty Lake Lions Club is also no stranger to membership struggles.

Alene Lindstrand, Lions’ past president and current membership chair, said the Liberty Lake organization formed in 2009 as an offshoot of the Spokane Valley Lions and enjoyed initial interest from the community – but it didn’t last.

“Within the first two years, we probably lost about half our members,” Lindstrand said. “So there were some growing pains.”

Today, through spirited events like the bed races at Valleyfest, the Lions is as active as ever and sponsors a number of

events geared toward supporting charitable causes with a focus on helping people suffering from eyesight and hearing deficiencies and with diabetes.

With 17 members, Lindstrand said the Lions’ membership is steady and represents a good mix of people of young and old.

“We’re trying to make it fun and appealing to those who want to serve a community and do it in the most fun way possible,” she said.

“We’d love to see younger people donate a little bit of their time.”

Like her counterparts in the Kiwanis and Rotary, Lindstrand said new members are always welcome.

“I can’t image a time when would say, ‘No we’re too full,’” she said.

Get involved – How to join LL civic clubs

Service clubs are always looking for new members interested in supporting the community, meeting new people and having fun. The commitment can be as little, or as much, as what fits into one’s schedule. To learn more about these service clubs contact: Liberty Lake Kiwanis. – 850-0845 Centennial Rotary – 385-4925 Liberty Lake Lions – 869-7657

The Splash

50 • OCTOBER 2018

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes.

CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $23.50 per month and business services are $35.00 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in a government benefit program (Lifeline) to make residential telephone or broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers are those that meet eligibility standards as defined by the FCC and state commissions.

Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or broadband service per household, which can be on either wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be 15 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload or faster to qualify.

A household is defined for the purposes of the Lifeline program as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Lifeline service is not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in the program. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain Lifeline telephone or broadband service can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.

The Water Front

Algae Bloom Battle – LLSWD addresses concerns over lake quality

By BiJay Adams LLSWD General Manager The Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District (LLSWD) previously contributed three articles to The Splash and the district’s biannual newsletter discussing the algae conditions in Liberty Lake observed in 2015 and 2016. These articles focused on the lake algae blooms and a synopsis of the possible contributing factors.

On July 12, 2016, LLSWD received a petition with 166 signatures to “urge the district to take decisive and prompt action, employing all available technical and financial resources, to mitigate algae blooms and improve lake water quality.” Before I begin to discuss the research grants the district received, it is important to recognize and summarize some of the contributing factors of algal blooms outlined in the district’s articles.

The growth and proliferation of

algal blooms are the result from a combination of environmental factors such as nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), air and water temperatures, sunlight, ecosystem disturbance, hydrology (including snow pack, runoff, drought, ice cover), water volume (lake level) and water chemistry.

The combination of factors that trigger and sustain an algal bloom is not well understood and it is not possible to attribute algal blooms to any specific factor. However, the district’s monitoring program dating back to 1968 is aimed to understand baselines and trends in an effort to recognize deteriorating water quality conditions and prescribe possible management strategies.

In response to the petition, the district embarked on three primary campaigns: 1) Increase public education about lake health, ecology and toxic algae blooms. 2) Hire an environmental consultant to conduct an assessment and evaluation of the existing longterm water quality data set, as well as climate and weather data, to determine the driving factors behind the blooms in 2015 and 2016. The key findings from this research will be used to help understand nutrient dynamics in the lake and how they influence algae growth. 3) Apply for Washington State Department of Ecology Freshwater Algae Control Grants to conduct research into Liberty Lake water quality impairment, nutrient dynamics, algae bloom

See WATER FRONT, Page 51

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A Woronichinia algae bloom in Liberty Lake from August 2015 is pictured above.

In July 2016, the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District received a petition with 166 signatures urging the district to take action to mitigate such algae blooms and improve lake water quality.

Contributed photo

The Splash

WATER FRONT

Continued from page 50 development and potential algae and nutrient mitigating measures.

In February 2017, the district was informed that its Freshwater Algae Control Grant application for the development of an Algae Control Plan was awarded by Washington State Department of Ecology in the amount of $48,750 for fiscal year 2018. A year later, in February 2018, the district was awarded another Freshwater Algae Control Grant for $62,500 over two fiscal years for a Trophic Cascade Effects study.

The purpose of the first grant, the Algae Control Plan, is aimed at identifying sources of water quality impairment, analysis of current nutrient dynamics, evaluation of other factors leading to harmful algal bloom development, as well as develop recommendations and preliminary design plans for algae and nutrient mitigation measures.

The second grant, Trophic Cascade Effects on Algae Blooms in Washington Lakes, will analyze trophic cascade effects of trout stocking on plankton species in Liberty Lake using data collected over the past 50 years. The study will also evaluate trophic cascade effects on phytoplankton biomass and cyanotoxin concentrations in 85 other Washington lakes using water quality data routinely collected by local jurisdictions for over 10 years, along with cyanotoxin data compiled from the Washington State Toxic Algae Program and fish stocking data compiled from Washington Department of Fish

OCTOBER 2018 • 51

and Wildlife.

The district has not yet initiated work on the Trophic Cascade Effects study. However, model results and management alternatives for the Algae Control Plan are now nearly complete. The district’s consultant, TetraTech, recently gave a public presentation at the Aug. 13, 2018 LLSWD Board of Commissioners meeting. Results for the nutrient budget and model results were discussed. In summary, internal loading (e.g. phosphorus retention) for Liberty Lake makes up the sizable portion of the annual Total Phosphorus (TP) load to the lake.

In fact, internal loading contributes to over 80 percent of the summer TP load.

Fortunately, internal loading is not the only factor causing harmful algae blooms in Liberty Lake. Climate and hydrodynamic conditions (wind mixing, lake outlet flushing, etc.) contribute significantly to whether a bloom will occur or not. From the data analyzed, harmful algae blooms and poor water quality did not occur in years with wet hydrologic conditions and significant spring flushing, even with internal loading.

Examples even include the most recent years of 2017 and 2018 (to date) where we had above average snowpack, precipitation, lake outlet flushing and near average climate.

Perhaps the most important thing to recall in 2015 that was different from the previous decade of data is that the 2015 water year was the hottest and driest on record.

Liberty Lake data shows that the

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The growth and spread of algae blooms such as the Anabaena algae bloom in Liberty Lake shown above from September 2016 are caused by a variety of factors, including phosphorous, nitrogen, air and water temperatures, ecosystem disturbance, hydrology, water volume and water chemistry.

Contributed photo

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OPINION

52 • OCTOBER 2018

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

Danica Wick

The Splash

ben@libertylakesplash.com CO OWNER

danica@libertylakesplash.com

EDITOR

Craig Howard

craig@libertylakesplash.com OFFICE MANAGER GRAPHICS

Paula Gano

paula@libertylakesplash.com

Hayley Schmelzer

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CIRCULATION Larry Passmore

circulation@libertylakesplash.com CONTRIBUTORS

BiJay Adams, Linda Ball, Bryan Collins, Nina Culver, Craig Howard, Staci Lehman, Ross Schneidmiller, Benjamin Shedlock, Mike Vlahovich, Tyler Wilson The Liberty Lake Splash P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.libertylakesplash.com The Splash is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Liberty Lake area.

Additional copies are located at drop-off locations in Liberty Lake and Otis Orchards.

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Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Splash.

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Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions must be

received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.

Correction policy The Splash strives for accuracy in all content. Errors should be reported immediately to 242-7752 or by email to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.

Advertising information Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 242-7752 for more information.

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Dear Editor:

The Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who participated in the eighth annual Rotary in Motion (RIM) Ride!

This year’s family 5-mile family RIM ride was held on Saturday, Sept.

15 and the 15, 25, 50, or 100-mile routes were held on Sunday, Sept.

16.

The Liberty Lake Rotary Club was thrilled to set a new record with 500 cyclists participating this year!

We would especially like to thank all of the volunteers for their help and support to make this event a success!

Volunteers included The Christian Motorcycle Club, The Bike Hub, Wheelsport, MoJo Cyclery and all of our Liberty Lake Rotarians. Momentum Ink printed our very cool Tech-shirts. Everyone enjoyed the Liberty Lake Jimmy John’s sandwiches during the lunch party. We appreciate the support from our major sponsors including The Spokane Sports Commission, Washington Trust Bank, Greenstone and George Gee. A big thank you to Greenstone for providing the Meadowwood Technology Campus again as a perfect venue!

Please visit www.rotaryinmotion.

com and our Facebook page - RIM Ride (Rotary in Motion) for more information Thank you!

Mandy Desgrosellier President - Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club

Dear Editor:

Thank you for printing the article “Avista’s solar facility shines as eco-friendly success" by Linda Ball in the September issue. I signed up for the program when it first became available. At the time I thought it sounded too good to be true, so I was kind of hesitant, but signed up anyway since it seemed like the right thing to do. It has been awesome. My power bills used to be huge and now they are tiny. I have even had some months where my credits are larger than my bill. I think we need to listen to the people who are telling us that we do not need to pollute the planet in order to heat and cool and light our homes.

Kerry Masters Liberty Lake

Dear Editor:

Every Halloween, I dress up and hand out candy at my daughter's house on Homestead. Last year I handed out over 525 pieces. Every child and I mean every child said, "Thank you." Don't worry world, we are still raising great children.

Michael Walsh Liberty Lake

About the Opinion Page The Splash opinion page is intended to be a community forum for discussing local issues. Please interact with us by sending a letter to the editor or Liberty Lake Voices guest column for consideration.

Letters to the editor of no more than 350 words or guest columns of about 700 words should be e-mailed to editor@libertylakesplash.com or mailed to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. A full name and telephone number must be included for purposes of verification. A photo of the author must be taken or provided for all guest columns.

The Splash reserves the right to edit or reject any submission. Business complaints or endorsements will not be accepted, and political endorsement letters will only be accepted if they interact with issues of a campaign.

Views expressed in signed columns or letters do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or its staff. Editorials, which appear under the heading "Splash Editorial," represent the voice of The Splash and are written by Publisher Ben Wick.

The Splash

OCTOBER 2018 • 53

T h e N a t i o n a l ly A w a r d - W i n n i n g C e n t r a l V a l l e y h i g h s c h o o l T h e a t r e D e p a r t m e n t P r o u d ly A n n o u n c e s t h e 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9

Season of American Heritage

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The Splash is committed to serving Liberty Lake through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships with The Splash and its partner publications:

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Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Splash.

SPRING PRODUCTION

Amaculate Housekeeping 11 Banner Furnace & Fuel 18 BECU 46 Cafe 19 14 Candidate Forum 12 Casey Family Dental 6 Cathy McMorris Rodgers 4 Central Valley Theatre 53 Century Link 50 City of Liberty Lake 7 Cornerstone Penecostal Church 19 CV Boosters 22 CV Wrestling Club 50 David Green 20 Demars Financial 6 Eagle Rock Rv and Boat Storage 51

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Evergreen Fountain 41 Fieldhouse Pizza 15 Friends of Mary Kuney 48 Greenstone 44 Inland Empire Utility CC 11 Jim Custer Enterprises 48 John L Scott - Pam Frederick 10 Liberty Lake Athletic Club 12 Liberty Lake EyeCare Center 3 Liberty Lake Family Dentistry 5 Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market 10 Liberty Lake Municipal Library 19 Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District 42 Lilac Family Eye Care 48 Mary May 39 Mint Condition Dental 16

North Idaho Dermatology

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Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Splash’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Splash’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@libertylakesplash.com. With story ideas, contact editor@libertylakesplash.com.

The Splash

54 • OCTOBER 2018

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The Tri Community Grange Event Hall is an affordable location for parties, receptions, dances, reunions and meetings. Full kitchen, stage, piano, tables and chairs, NEW AC, handicap accessible, large parking lot and free signage Meeting Times: 6:30 pm the first Wednesday of every month.

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“Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a special cover section that will champion what the Valley area has to offer in the way of gifts and food. Advertise in this holiday guide aimed at area consumers and businesses — and as a bonus we’ll include your idea as part of our story featuring can’t-miss local gift ideas. Restaurants are encouraged to advertise and contribute a tantalizing menu item for our article on dining out.

On November 19 and 20, the guides will be distributed throughout the greater Valley area via The Splash and The Current. The December issues are strategically scheduled to land before Thanksgiving, just in time to remind residents about supporting local businesses on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 25) and throughout the holiday season.

A total of 35,000 copies of this guide will be included in the December issues of both The Current and The Splash. That’s right-be part of both publications for one price!

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LAKE

Continued from page 51 lake experienced a long and stable period of stratification (lack of water column mixing) as a result of high temperatures with low winds.

In addition, the drought impacted the lake volume where Liberty Lake hit the second lowest lake level observed in 62 years. The year after was not much different. April 2016 was the second warmest on record and according to NOAA, June 2016 was the warmest June on record for the contiguous U.S. dating back to 1895. A culmination of back-toback years of drought and above average climatic conditions.

So what is the best management strategy? Climate and hydrology are not manageable. The most practical management strategy is to reduce lake TP by reducing internal loading.

TetraTech evaluated several different management methods for algae control and formulated recommendations in the Algae Control Plan. The consultant illustrated that implementation of a nutrient inactivation (i.e. alum treatment) does not appear to be warranted given the good water quality conditions, however with climate change and increase in dry, hot summers; this may not always be the case.

The consultant’s recommendation is to wait on implementation until the lake experiences several dry years back to back or until the water quality conditions worsen over a sustained period of time, but in the meantime prepare for such a treatment.

As previously described, it is not possible to attribute algal blooms to any specific factor. It is important to recognize that the decade’s past water quality data would suggest that the 2015 and 2016 climatic events is what most likely attributed to the water quality conditions observed in those years.

In nature, as in humans, responses to extreme events (such as an injury) are immediate and the recovery from such an event is gradual.

The district is committed to lake health and understanding algae blooms, if they will become more frequent and intense, we will determine what management strategies can be employed to abate future blooms. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us at 922-5443. For more information visit http:// libertylake.org/algae/ and https:// www.nwtoxicalgae.org/.

The Splash

ON THAT NOTE

Athletic programming at Itron connects employees

By Tyler Wilson Splash Correspondent Itron’s forward-thinking approach isn’t only related to its energy and utility industry technologies.

The company’s approach to active lifestyles has also grown into a vibrant network of employee wellness programs.

In 2015, Itron’s Liberty Lakebased corporate headquarters introduced “Itron Fit,” a program consisting of several athletic clubs designed to connect employees via shared active interests.

“It was more of an employeeled, grassroots effort,” said Darren Rieger, director of benefits at Itron in Liberty Lake. “It’s really meant to create a sense of community amongst our employees.”

A survey was sent out to employees to determine the kinds of activities and sports that could spawn enough interest, Rieger said. The company also began identifying employees to volunteer as team leaders of the various groups.

The kickoff event consisted of a three-day basketball tournament that took place around employee lunch schedules. There was a barbecue on the third day and Rieger said prizes of Itron logo “swag” proved to be an contributing factor in drumming up more interest.

“Once employees started to see some of those swag items, they wanted it too, and that was a big part of getting more people to participate initially,” Rieger said.

With or without the swag, the activities themselves began to

Liberty Lake-based Itron introduced a program called "Itron Fit" at its corporate headquarters in 2015. The approach features a collection of athletic clubs designed to create a sense of community within the company. The first event consisted of a three-day basketball tournament that coordinated with lunch schedules.

Contributed photo draw attendance. Currently, Itron said.

Alison Mallahan, who handles has 17 Itron Fit teams in Liberty Lake. Popular teams include biking, Itron corporate communications, hiking, soccer, softball, swimming, also serves as a team leader for the tennis and volleyball. There are running group. She said Itron Fit also badminton teams, ping pong, also operates around seven special frisbee, flag football and snow events designed to attract all sports teams. Based on the success employees. Events have included of the program in Liberty Lake, golf tournaments, a Bloomsday Itron Fit has since expanded to Blitz 5K and 10K competition to many of Itron’s other offices across help prep Bloomsday participants and even a putt-putt competition. the globe.

“I feel like it’s definitely been a Some events occur on so-called good morale booster and it really “company time” too.

“The hiking group may leave doesn’t take up a lot of extra time,” town at 3 p.m. for an outing, some Mallahan said. “(The events) are events happen on lunch hours, just a fun way to take an hour out some happen before or after work of your day and to be able to do – our office is conducive to that something with your colleagues.”

‘A perfect season’ flexibility and we are all treated as One Itron Fit team is a co-ed adults who will get their work done without having to necessarily clock softball squad, which plays in the in and out at certain times,” Rieger Spokane County recreation league

There are currently 17 Itron Fit teams out of the Liberty Lake corporate office. Areas include biking, hiking, badminton, ping pong, Frisbee, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball and snow sports. Itron Fit has gained popularity with employees at the company's other sites across the world.

Contributed photo

OCTOBER 2018 • 55

for spring and fall seasons. Team leader Sarah Ricciardelli, an internal communications and marketing specialist, played softball growing up and saw it as an opportunity to get out and play with an eclectic group.

“It’s about relationship building -- there are a lot of people on the team who work in my department but there are also people from other departments where it’s the only time I see them,” Ricciardelli said.

The team is open to all employees regardless of skill level, and Ricciardelli makes a point of rotating everyone into games fairly.

“We’re in a company where a lot of people travel, so it’s nice to carry a big team if some people aren’t available,” she said.

Winning and losing doesn’t matter much either. Ricciardelli said while they’ve had more successful seasons before, the last season pitted them against an especially tough schedule of teams. She jokingly referred to it as a “perfect season” (they didn’t win a game).

Still, morale was strong and they’re ready for the fall season.

“We’re not going to be winning any tournaments, but we’re having fun,” Ricciardelli said.

Itron Fit into Vitality Itron Fit feeds into a more complex employee wellness program at Itron called “Vitality.”

It’s a points-based system that allows employees to earn perks and benefits from healthy choices and preventative health care.

Participation in Itron Fit teams counts for points, as does participation in marathons, 5K runs, etc., Rieger said. Preventative measures include going for an annual physical, routine dental and eye checks and getting a seasonal flu shot. Points can go toward gift cards, charitable donations and some credits toward benefit packages.

“The participation is very high – about 70 percent of employees are actively participating in the program,” Rieger said.

Coupled with interest in Itron Fit, Rieger said the Vitality program has been credited with a reduction in the company’s overall medical costs.

“We are seeing some results from a medical claims standpoint and this year we are under budget for our medical costs, whereas more traditionally a few years ago we were running over budget,” Rieger said.

For more information on Itron, visit www.Itron.com

The Splash

56 • OCTOBER 2018

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