February 2022 Splash

FEBRUARY

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Liberty Lake's LEGO home

Local engineer uses original technology for one-of-a-kind project, pg 10

THE HARDT OF THE FALCON TEAM PAGE 2

COUNCIL DISCUSSES TRAILHEAD PAGE 9

DARLING LEADS BASKETBALL VICTORY PAGE 16

2 • FEBRUARY 2022

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Lead Falcon –Hardt brings top-

flight pedigree as RHS Principal

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

the line for everyone,” Hardt said.

“You don’t want to fail.”

Jesse Hardt may have not been the obvious choice as principal of Ridgeline High School in March of 2018 – the same year a capital facilities bond passed to build the school along with several other projects in the Central Valley School District.

Hardt remembers the nerves that accompanied showing up for practice as the kid from an unpublicized school.

Hardt’s teaching and administrative experience had been at elementary and middle schools, most recently at Horizon Middle School where he served as principal for 11 years.

Hardt’s work ethic – engrained on the family farm where he tackled a variety of chores,

“The competition was fierce but I listened and I was coachable,” he said. “I just worked hard and the coaches recognized that.”

including driving a wheat combine – emerged on the football field and in the classroom. He majored in Elementary Education at EWU with a minor in English and saw his grades soar from his high school days.

Hardt met his future wife Jennifer while at Eastern. The two were married in June 1996, the same month Hardt graduated with his college degree. His first job came at the Creston School District in Reardan, a community reminiscent of his hometown. The K-12 district had an enrollment of 120 kids. Hardt began as an elementary school teacher and high

Small saw something in Hardt, just like a college football coach had back in 1991 when the future principal was a senior at Odessa High School, a small farming community 75 miles west of Spokane. Hardt – one of around 100 students at OHS – was a standout linebacker and running back for the Tigers who played eight-man football and won a B-level state title his junior year.

Along the way, he felt the expectations of his rural roots pushing him to succeed.

“When you get a scholarship from a small town there’s a lot on

“I grew up a lot there,” he says.

“I had a lot to learn.”

While at Creston, Hardt began studying for his master’s in school administration from Whitworth.

Hardt was hired as a halftime principal assistant at Grant Elementary on Spokane’s lower South Hill in 2001. The other half of his duties involved work as an instructional coach to teachers. The stop gave Hardt experience beyond the sheltered environment of rural classrooms and a grasp of working in a Title 1 school where 90 percent of students qualified for free-andreduced lunch.

Shaw Middle School, in Spokane’s Hillyard neighborhood, hired Hardt in 2005 to be assistant principal. Another Title 1 school, Shaw provided Hardt with opportunities to sharpen his administrative skills as he dealt with issues like attendance, discipline and evaluating teachers.

Yet there was CVSD Superintendent Ben Small announcing Hardt as the inaugural principal of a yet-to-be-named comprehensive high school in Liberty Lake that would not open for another three-plus years.

Dick Zornes – head coach at Eastern Washington University – paid a visit to the Hardt home and offered the 6’3, 200-pound senior a scholarship. Hardt would redshirt his freshman year and suit up for the Big Sky champs as a sophomore in 1992. He made the switch to tight end in Cheney and earned two all-league selections along with the same number of allacademic honors.

school football coach, staying for five years.

Hardt’s first full-time principal role came in 2007 when he was hired at Horizon Middle School.

He worked there through the 201718 school year and then began the abstract task of training as a principal for a school without a name, campus or mascot.

Hardt spent ample time at Central Valley and University high schools during the 201819 academic year, culling ideas and input from staff with various departments about everything from space layouts, staff, user groups and more. He was also neck deep in the design of the school and hiring a core team of 13 teachers – all from CVSD.

Photo by Craig Howard Jesse Hardt was announced as the inaugural principal of Ridgeline High School in March of 2018, over three years before the campus in Liberty Lake opened. The native of Odessa, Washington played football at Eastern Washington University and earned a degree in Elementary Education before beginning his career as an elementary school teacher in the Creston School District in 1996.

“I worked with our core team to develop a culture and brand for the school,” Hardt says.

When Ridgeline eventually opened on Sept. 8, 2021, Hardt was leading around 60 teachers and 30 support staff on a campus that held 930 freshmen, sophomores and See HARDT, Page 4

FEBRUARY 2022 • 3

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HARDT

Continued from page 3 juniors. Seniors that would have gone to Ridgeline continued at CV, U-Hi or other schools.

“It felt like we’d been a school forever,” Hardt said.

Enrollment is set to increase to 1,250 next year and 1,400 by the following year. The campus on Appleway Avenue is built for 1,600 students.

Hardt, 48, commutes to work from his home in Cheney. He and Jennifer are proud parents of two grown sons, Cameron and Hayden.

Q: You grew up on a farm and learned the value of a good work ethic early. How have those lessons carried over to the rest of your life, both personally and professionally?

A: Growing up in a small farming community, we all learned to work at an early age. It’s just what you did. Those opportunities to operate large farm machinery starting around 12 years old taught me about responsibility and promoted independence and confidence.

This lifestyle also afforded many occasions where you had to figure things out on your own. We literally learned to fix things with baling twine and duct tape. During the summer it was important for me to get a job, mainly because I needed the money! But this pattern of school and work became a routine that I’m still following today.

Q: Were there teachers and/ or coaches who had significant influences on you growing up and may have even helped you determine your career path?

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A: High school sports put me on the path to becoming a teacher and a coach myself. I even spent some time as a high school senior in elementary classrooms. I hadn’t really committed to what I wanted to do and when I entered college at EWU, I still didn’t commit to becoming a teacher until the start of my third year there. Looking back I remember my own thirdgrade teacher who used to play guitar and we’d sing songs. Also, I always enjoyed kids and working with kids. Ultimately, I ended up starting my career as an elementary teacher and football coach.

Q: You attended a small high school where most kids who wanted to participate in athletics, music, drama, etc., had the opportunity to do so. What would you say about the addition of Ridgeline when it comes to providing similar opportunities to a greater number of students?

A: The opening of Ridgeline High School really does provide a greater number of opportunities for more students to be involved in athletics and activities. Nearly all of our students were originally CVHS students. So when they came to Ridgeline it created space on athletic teams and in activities where before they may not have made the team. Equally as important as having opportunities to make varsity teams, opening Ridgeline gave students and staff the physical space to move and breath without excessive overcrowding. CV High is finally coming back down to its appropriate capacity and we have room to grow into ours.

Q: How do you think your previous career stops paved the way to your current role as

Ridgeline principal?

A: I mentioned I began my career as an elementary school teacher. I transitioned to a position as an instructional coach and part-time assistant principal at an elementary next. My first eight years in education were in grades K-6. My next 14 years happened to all be in middle school as an assistant principal, and prior to Ridgeline as the principal at Horizon Middle School. I think that my varied levels of experience are a strength and I learned a great deal about the K-12 system through those experiences. I also learned so much from the many outstanding educators I worked with at the varied levels and in four different schools.

Q: When you were announced as principal of the yet-to-benamed high school back in 2018, how did you mentally prepare for

such a significant gap between being hired and actually working in a building again?

A: The challenge was identifying what needed to be done and when.

The “gap” time was the difference on this project. The three years not only allowed me to mentally prepare but also assemble our core planning team. This group of teachers and administrators are the foundation of everything that Ridgeline is today. I spent a fair amount of time at both U-Hi and CV during the first eighteen months after being hired. Part of the final design phase was to meet with staff from each department to get input on floor plans and preferred layout of a given space. That was an important step. Beginning in May 2018, the core planning team met every few weeks to begin having the most important conversations about creating a positive culture

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and identity. Remember, at that time we were always referred to as the “third comprehensive high school.” So creating an identity was a top priority, including our school name, mascot and colors.

Most importantly, we knew that in order to create an amazing culture we needed to be clear on our values and beliefs. From those discussions our mission was born: “Belong. Inspire. Grow.” Every important decision we make can be filtered through our three powerful mission words. If the decision doesn’t align with our values, we start over.

Q: What are some of your recollections of the process when it came to selecting a mascot, school colors and mission statement for Ridgeline?

A: Well, when you’re starting something new, everyone has an opinion about everything! This was a great time in the journey to open Ridgeline High School. In our core team meetings we had to spend many hours considering mascots and colors. We evaluated dozens of suggested mascots as well as our own favorites to consider what would proudly represent Ridgeline High School? In the end, we agreed, the Falcon, which is a majestic bird that represents strength, pride, and vision—is a mascot that we can rally around. Our green and grey colors are a combination of our feeder middle schools-- Greenacres green and Selkirk grey.

Q: Why is it important to recognize Ridgeline as more than just “Liberty Lake’s high school” moving forward?

A: We’re proud of and fortunate that Ridgeline High School is located in the Liberty Lake city limits. Our partnership with the city was an important step in the construction process.

It is also fun and exciting to have a new high school in your city and closer to your neighborhoods. We are also fortunate to have many of our amazing students and families come to us from other great neighborhoods in the city of Spokane Valley. It’s important to recognize that Ridgeline serves multiple communities. The cool part for our students is that once you enter the doors at Ridgeline, we’re all one community, one family, we are the Falcons!

Q: You’re a few months into the inaugural school year here.

What can you say about the development of Ridgeline culture and community to this point?

A: When you’re in the process of creating everything necessary and all the conditions to start a new high school, it was important to always be thinking about how you want people to feel when they are in your building. At the same time you have to plan for how people will act and behave. Assembling the Ridgeline staff was one of the most important steps in the process. It is absolutely true that a school or organization is only as good as its people. We have outstanding people at Ridgeline that understand our role to serve students and prepare them for life beyond high school. This level of care and professionalism translates into healthy and productive relationships and a culture where people do feel like they belong. I couldn’t be more proud of how our students and staff have come together and collectively embraced what it means to be a Ridgeline Falcon. Our students understand the opportunity to be the “first” to do something, and they take this responsibility seriously. They want to do it right and in the best way they know how. Ridgeline is a special gift for this community and the community has been amazing in embracing Ridgeline High School.

Q: Finally, with no seniors enrolled this year, Ridgeline’s first graduating class will receive their diplomas in June of 2023. What are your hopes for that group of students?

A: It is pretty cool for our juniors, the class of ’23 to get to lead our school for two years.

My number one hope for them is to have senior year that is full of awesome memories and fun times here at Ridgeline. Free of distractions or lost opportunities.

I want them to feel the full joy of a positive school culture with no limitations. As they walk across the graduation stage, nervous and excited about their future, I want them to always know they have a home here at Ridgeline. They will always be welcome and I hope they remember that Ridgeline’s identity, in large part, is because of them and is them.

FEBRUARY 2022 • 5

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6 • FEBRUARY 2022

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Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

Police Report - Dec. 2021 Splash news sources

Parking Violations 0 Suspicious Vehicles29 *The above numbers are as of 12/31/21

transported to the Spokane County Jail for Residential Burglary and Theft 2nd Degree.

Domestic Violence, 12/17/21; Officers responded to the 25000 block of Hawkstone Loop to a report of a domestic dispute. Officers arrived on scene and contacted an adult male and female in the house.

As they entered the residence, officers also noticed broken glass on the ground and a fresh hole in the wall. Officers learned the two had been drinking alcohol and got into a verbal argument that turned physical.

They determined the male did not strike the female but admitted to damaging the property.

The male was transported to the Spokane County Jail for a violation of Malicious Mischief 3rd DV.

Argument / Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 11

Burglary, 12/22/21; Officers responded to a report of a Burglary in progress around the 600 block of N Stimpson Lane.

Officers arrived and spoke with the owner of the residence who stated they came home and discovered several items missing. Officers determined through their investigation that a contractor’s employee may have taken the items.

Investigation revealed that an adult male working for the company did enter the residence to steal various items. There was no damage to the residence and the male was

Least Most

circles contain the number of incidents in a given area.

Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 493 Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 25 Citations (Traffic/Criminal/ Non-Criminal) 22 DUI (Driving Under Influence) 3 Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 10 Malicious Mischief 2

Officers responded to several vehicle collisions during the past month due to weather conditions.

The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to slow down during the winter season in order to get to your destination safely.

Stay well and be safe!

FEBRUARY 2022 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout The Community Corner

By Chief Damon Simmons

Liberty Lake Polica Department In 1829, Sir Robert E. Peel, considered the father of modernday policing, formed the London Metropolitan Police Department.

Peel recognized the important and often-forgotten principle: “The police are the public and that the public are the police.”

This concept means it is essential for every member in our Liberty Lake community to share the responsibility of preventing crime.

It is often said that opportunity makes a thief. This concept is true in the case of many other crimes when there is a likely offender who has the desire and ability to commit a crime, there is a suitable target and there is an absence of a crime prevention efforts. Researchers have found that crimes such as residential burglary involve very little planning on part of the suspect and occur a great deal of the time because of the opportunity to commit the crime. Furthermore, the opportunity to commit one crime often leads to the additional victimization of the same party or

others in the same community.

One common and often serious mistake that people often commit is thinking that crimes happen to others and would never happen to them. Truth is, we are all susceptible to crimes; however, there are things we can do to lessen the chances of becoming a victim of an opportunistic offender. It is imperative that, as a community, we all contribute to public safety.

Whether personal safety, home safety, school safety, pedestrian safety, or vehicular safety, we all have a responsibility to reduce the opportunities for criminals.

Arrival of spring means park reservations

At Orchard Park, the city’s newest park, one can choose between three shelters depending on their event size or preference. The park features a large splash pad area for those looking to escape the heat of summer. Located in a new neighborhood within the River District, the park is extremely

In closing, I leave you with a quote from Nelson Mandela, the late former president of South Africa, political leader and philanthropist: “Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment.”

Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe.

If you have any questions regarding safeguarding your family, yourself or your property, please contact the Liberty Lake Police Department at 509-7551140.

Upcoming events at the library

The children’s and teen events at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library kick off registration on Feb. 5 and all inperson programs are cancelled through the end of February, due to COVID. For the month of February, the events are as follows:

As spring approaches, the city receives its first requests to rent shelters at our three parks. From private group events to family reunions, birthdays and more, spaces at the city parks are always well-sought following the beginning of spring as the weather begins to shift.

The city runs three separate parks, Pavillion Park, Orchard Park and Rocky Hill Park. Each park is unique and serves groups and the community differently. Many of the city’s own events, or sponsored events, happen at Pavillion Park.

The amphitheater in front of the shelter’s steps provides the ideal seating area for watching the symphony or enjoying live music on the 4th of July. The park’s concessions stand, utilized most often by the Kiwanis group during city events, received a recent face-lift in the form of a stunning mural.

February 2022

Take Home Valentine Craft Bag for Children of All Ages.

Kits can be picked up Feb. 7-12.

walkable for the area and often attracts families for birthday parties and graduation parties.

The final park, Rocky Hill Park, is surrounded by lush green trees and sports a new snack shack.

The space features one of two community gardens in the city.

It is also quite popular amongst the children’s athletic recreation groups that host soccer during the summer.

The cost to rent varies depending on the shelter and day of the week and shelters are rented hourly with no deposits required. Shelters are rented on a first-come, first-served basis and dates can be requested Monday through Friday during business hours at City Hall or over the phone at (509) 755-6700.

Join virtual meetings

For a quite some time now, City Council Meetings and various commission meetings have been held remotely. The need for virtual meetings was created from COVID of course, and while at first it was a significant change, it has since become a pretty smooth process. The Zoom meeting links are always shared in advance over our website and Facebook page. Once you’ve joined the meeting, you can still share a citizen comment and hear news about City Hall and the community as usual. Residents are always encouraged to attend and participate when possible. If

Take Home Puppy Valentine Cardholder for Children Ages 6-9. Kits can be picked up Feb. 7-12.

Preschool Take Home Kits, which can also be picked up Feb. 7-12.

Registration for Teen Book Boxes will likely begin the final week of January with kits going out Feb. 1.

For more information on the Library and upcoming events, please visit the city website or call (509) 232-2510.

you’re interested in attending a virtual council or commission meeting, please visit the city website at www.libertylakewa. gov for more information and a calendar of upcoming meetings.

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

8 • FEBRUARY 2022

Liberty Lake City Council News and Notes – Feb. 2022

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• Council Member Chris Cargill gave a brief report of his tour of the 33,000-squarefoot Tesla Service Center under construction on North Pepper Lane. “That’s going to be an exciting addition to our community,” he said. The building, catering to electric car owners, is expected to be completed by early March.

• Wendy Van Orman was selected by council on Jan. 11 to fulfill the remaining two years of Holly Woodruff’s term as the Pos. 7 council member. Other applicants for the position included Dg Garcia, Stephen Ramirez, Charles Rodgers and Mike Behary. Van Orman was part of the inaugural Liberty Lake City Council in 2001 before becoming the city’s second mayor in 2008.

• Former Liberty Lake Police Chief and current Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner gave council an overview of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week on Jan. 5. According to the SVFD website, CRR “is a data-driven process that allows us to identify and prioritize risks in our community. The five CRR strategies include: Emergency Response, Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Economic Incentives. The goal of CRR is to build healthy, safe, and resilient communities.”

Liberty Lake, Millwood and Spokane Valley declared Jan. 1723 Community Risk Reduction Week.

• Council confirmed Mayor Cris Kaminskas’ selection of Teresa Tapao-Hunt to the Library Board of Trustees on Jan. 5.

•

Planning

and

NEWS Engineering Manager Lisa Key told council that the Kramer overpass project is ahead of schedule but will go into a winter shutdown shortly.

Work will resume in the spring when the weather improves and some of the long-lead construction materials can be secured.

• Finance Director Kyle Dixon said the city has spent just over $365,000 of the $3.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to this point. The city is expected to receive the second half of the $3.1 million in June.

• Council approved an expenditure of $7,840.00 for a subscription to NextRequest public records management software on Jan. 5.

• A discussion took place on Jan. 18 to open council meetings up to the public with a date of Feb. 15 brought up by Cargill.

Council meetings have been broadcast virtually since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attendees would be required to wear protective face coverings to the meetings. Council Member Phil Folyer noted the convenience of the Zoom meetings for residents. “Maybe we’re trying to fix something that doesn’t need attention,” he said. Council eventually voted 4-3 to reinstate council meetings being open to the public beginning Feb. 15 under the safety guidelines currently in place at City Hall. A Zoom option will still be made available. “I think it is unwise to open things up to public when there is a surge,” said Council Member Annie Kurtz. In the public comments section of the Jan. 18 meeting, Tim Olsen noted, “I think Zoom is absolutely awesome for keeping up on council.”

• An update on the city administrator search took place on Jan. 18 with Mayor Cris Kaminskas opening the discussion with an announcement that she was willing to withdraw her appointment of Bradley Myers who was fired from his job as city manager in Mascoutah, Illinois in November and is now facing legal action from his former employer. “Based on concerns raised by the council in executive session and subsequent follow-up, I am prepared to withdraw the conditional offer made to Mr. Myers so we can

start the search over for a city administrator through a recruiting firm,” Kaminskas said. Pro Tem Mike Kennedy stressed transparency in the process, noting he was not privy to applications that came in for the position until it came down to the final two candidates. He said council “was eliminated” in the search to replace Katy Allen who served as city administrator for the last decade. “We need to have the same information,” said Kennedy. “If we don’t have the same information, how can we say, ‘Yes, you’re making the right choice’? The challenge is it creates confusion with the public.” Kennedy noted that a vote was set to occur two weeks previously on Myers until certain information was discovered through an online search. Kennedy added that while the mayor has the prerogative to pick a city administrator, council must confirm the selection. He suggested hiring an executive recruiter to oversee the search for Allen’s replacement. “The system works best when there are checks and balances,” said Cargill. “That can only work when the council has all the information. I think that’s were the process kind of went sideways here.” Later, Kaminskas said there is “no detailed process in place” for selecting a city administrator, adding, “I could have handled some things better. I’m not so big that I won’t admit that.”

Council will hear recruiter options for the position at the Feb. 1 meeting.

• Kennedy will continue in his role as mayor pro tem after receiving the majority of votes around the dais for another two-year term. Council Member Dan Dunne was runner-up.

• Council approved $23,000 to install a new cabinet at the traffic signal near Ridgeline High School that was damaged in a collision. An expenditure of $7,820 was also approved for bollards to protect the cabinet.

• Council approved $20,000 for items to be sold at the Trailhead pro shop.

The Splash

Council faces crossroads on Trailhead project

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Like a rusty golfer whose scorecard balloons after a long layoff, the cost of Liberty Lake’s highest profile capital project keeps going up.

On Jan. 18, City Council received the latest news from a panel of experts hired to oversee the long-awaited upgrade of the Trailhead golf facility. Five weeks into the work, the group has already raised concerns about what sort of makeover will be afforded by an $8.4 million budget earmarked by the city.

“We’re wrestling a little bit with scope versus budget,” said Steve Roth of Architects West who is serving as project manager.

Roth told council that encouraging strides have already been made, including geotechnical investigation and topographic studies, parking studies and the establishment of design principles. Interviews with relevant players at City Hall have been conducted and a restaurant broker signed on.

“The organizing thought here is this facility should be a beacon of entertainment for the community,” Roth said. “This facility will say something about the city, one way or another,” The goal, Roth continued, is to provide “a convenient, efficient, customer-friendly, indoor/outdoor experience.” The problem is fitting all of that into a budget that may not fit the bill.

Jonathan Miller with OAC Services said the current construction market has seen steady cost escalation which will affect the Trailhead scope.

He pointed to the example of a school project where the base bid came in at $275 per square foot with an addendum of $104 per square foot to tack on six more classrooms. A few years later,

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NEWS

purchased with that number,” Roth said.

The second option would spotlight the pro shop with the same driving range format as the first option. The price tag would adjust to $9,775,000 with a new, 2,400 square feet pro shop, 1,000 square feet of flex space and 2,500 square feet of shell space for a restaurant. The same 3,500 square feet of cart storage would be included.

The third option opens up the driving range to 43 tees in a double-decker format, with 18 covered tees on the first level and 18 on the second along with seven grass tees. An exterior event space spanning 3,500 square feet would be part of this option with another 3,000 square feet of restaurant space.

Simulator bays for golf and other sports would be featured along and a 2,500-square-foot pro shop, 2,400 square feet of flex space and a cart barn covering 2,400 square feet. Cost for option three checks in at just over $11.9 million.

Photo by Craig Howard The netting that drapes over towering poles at the Trailhead driving range was at the center of a City Council discussion last month. Cost to replace the poles and netting at the city-owned course comprises around 40 percent of the overall price tag on the Trailhead renovation project. the price had escalated to $400 per square foot as a stand-alone project.

Miller said there will be a window early in the spring to get out bids on Trailhead then costs will go up significantly.

“We’ll be putting more effort into fighting the weather than putting up the building,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to provide value to the community.”

The existing Trailhead clubhouse spans 7,000 square feet with around 80 parking spaces.

The current driving range covers 245 yards with 21 tees. The onsite restaurant takes up 2,500 square feet.

Roth said the new site analysis is meant to “not ruin anything that’s already in place.”

A proposed new netting system would hover around double the height of the existing configuration. Roth said a

creative approach to the layout of the reformatted driving range would mitigate costs associated with the netting and poles which Roth said represents a significant portion of the overall cost.

Roth went on to present three options for Trailhead 2.0: The first option would adhere to the $8.4 million budget and emphasize the driving range with a new structure featuring 18 covered tees and seven grass tees. A remodel of the existing 7,000 square foot building would take place with new HVAC and electrical as well as interior and exterior refinishing. A 1,500 square foot shell for a restaurant, 1,000 square feet for a pro shop and another 1,000 square feet of flex space would also be part of this option. The lower level of the building would be converted to cart storage space, encompassing 3,500 square feet.

“We just want to make the council aware of what can be

“This option would offer revenue generating opportunities in warm and cold weather seasons,” Roth said.

A 20-week schedule for the project is “extremely aggressive,” Roth said. A public forum is scheduled for week 19 while Roth said he hopes to secure a building permit by week 20.

Roth said council must now make a decision on sticking with the original budget or opting for a version with a higher price tag.

“At this point we’ve gone pretty much as far as we can go without that direction,” Roth said.

Council Member Annie Kurtz expressed disappointment that each of the three options focused “just on golf” and not other family-friendly options.

“We talked about a total rebuild, not revamping the building,” Kurtz said. “I’m struggling with the cost idea of this.”

At one point, Kurtz brought up the possibility of another council retreat on Trailhead and “just starting over.”

Roth said after the cost of the

FEBRUARY 2022 • 9

driving range and parking were calculated “there was not a lot of money left.”

Scott McGlocklin of Bouten Construction said the driving range upgrade comprises around 40 percent of the overall project cost. He added that the cost of poles and netting has doubled since 2017.

Several council members expressed incredulity that a verdict on a plan must be delivered the same night the three options were presented.

“To think that we could make a decision tonight on whether to increase our budget by 40 percent is just not realistic,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kennedy.

Kennedy pointed out that less than 10 percent of Liberty Lake residents utilize Trailhead.

“The community has spoken loudly that they want community space,” he said. “If we only have $8.4 million, what do we get with that?”

Council Member Chris Cargill pointed out that the 150-foot height of the new driving range poles would be the same height at the clock tower at Riverfront Park.

He asked McGlocklin to follow up on the expected durability of the poles and netting.

“If that is going to comprise almost half of the total cost, that’s something we want to know,” Cargill said.

Cargill pointed out later in the meeting that the 42-percent overage in the third option is caught up in the cost of the netting and poles.

“It seems the driving range is eating up everything and driving up the overall cost,” Cargill added.

Mayor Cris Kaminskas said after the workshop that option three would likely generate increased revenue and could cover the additional cost of bond payments, adding that her “goal is not to put any additional taxes on the people.”

Council eventually decided to table the discussion and schedule a stand-alone workshop for Jan. 25 on the direction of Trailhead. The meeting came after presstime.

10 • FEBRUARY 2022

COVER STORY two bathrooms, an indoor pool and ample garage space.

As for the response to the nontraditional building approach, Martinez said he has heard “reactions in the entire spectrum.”

“Some people like it a lot and appreciate the ease of it,” he said.

“Others have said it’s not strong enough, that the brick and mortar solution is stronger.”

To get a grasp of the unique technology, imagine the future Martinez home clicking into place – piece by piece – as the blueprint develops into a building. The polymer joints form the framework that holds each concrete block in place while the elastic and compressive strength of the plastic grid enables flexibility and stabilizes the entire structure. The concrete blocks housed in those joints sit upon a traditional concrete foundation.

“It’s a new take on old materials and coming up with new ways to build,” said Jordan Krebs, a sales representative with Central Pre-Mix in Spokane Valley that has supplied Martinez with the concrete cinder blocks. “Laz is a very energetic inventor. I’m excited to see where he’s going to take it.”

Photo by Mark Anthony A software engineer by trade, Laz Martinez immigrated to Florida from his native Cuba at the age of 33 on a diversity visa. He and his family moved to the Inland Northwest in 2019. He hopes to have his unique home complete by the end of this year. When finished, the structure will span close to 3,000 square feet and feature scenic views of North Idaho to the east.

Building Blocks –

LL home utilizes pioneering technology

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

Laz Martinez doesn’t cringe when people refer to his home under construction in Liberty Lake as “the LEGO house.”

After all, it’s simpler to talk about the world-famous interlocking plastic bricks found in a variety of shapes and colors than a complex

material like acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) polymer that forms the framework for Martinez’s unique project.

The setting for the project is a picturesque bluff in the eastern portion of Liberty Lake featuring a stunning view into North Idaho.

You won’t find mortar and grout on this site but you will find polymer parts – durable plastic “layouts” used as the footprint for the wall and “joints” that encase concrete blocks and bricks. When finished, the puzzle pieces will form a one-ofa-kind property that Martinez hopes to move into by the end of the year.

The first phase of the work spans 1,800 square feet with the final layout closer to 3,000 with three bedrooms,

A native of Cuba who has been in the U.S. since 2004, Martinez first came up with the concept for the interlocking design while living in Miami. In the process of converting a garage at his home into a bedroom/ bathroom, he had to construct a new brick wall. While assessing the cost and time it would take to hire a master mason, Martinez ended up tackling the work himself using traditional brick and mortar.

“It was an absolute disaster,” he said. “It took a week and required a skill I didn’t have. I remember thinking it would be awesome if there was some sort of interlocking system to install real concrete bricks.

You could complete the work with the quality of a master mason at a low cost.”

Martinez rolled up his sleeves and got to work on the idea, utilizing his skill set as software engineer. He used CAD software and a 3D printer to produce the first interlocking units, paying for the work from his own software company, IS Horizons, LLC. While the LEGO metaphor is accessible, Martinez says the better

The Splash comparison is an ancient carpentry procedure known as “dovetail” that inspired the intertwining pattern for his revamped garage.

The approach works not only with concreate but other materials like glass and wood. From the sort of interior and exterior walls found at the Martinez home to columns, fences, stools, benches and more, the system appears to border on the ubiquitous. Century Mile Casino in Edmonton, Alberta utilized the Martinez method to construct walls made of glimmering glass blocks.

“This is designed for large-scale production at low cost,” Martinez said.

Martinez said he would also like to see the technique used to create affordable housing, including tiny homes and “pods” that come on a pallet that turns into the roof. The one-person shelter takes approximately an hour to build.

Martinez adds that the turnkey mode of construction makes it possible for builders from all backgrounds, including professionals, DIYs, organizations, communities and nations “to have a level of quality and durability that you normally wouldn’t have.” His design/construction company, Sharp Wall Technologies, incorporated in 2018 and he now owns two patents.

Krebs said he has been impressed by the way Martinez “refuses to accept failure.”

“His system is flexible as he’s developing it,” Krebs said. “If there is a concern, Laz just sees it as an engineering challenge that can be solved.”

Martinez and his wife Niurka currently live in Liberty Lake’s Rocky Hill neighborhood with their two children, Anthony, 11, and Amanda, 21. The project a few miles to the east, up Mission and across the rolling hills of North Idaho Road, has incorporated the entire family.

“Everyone in the family is working towards this,” said Martinez. “We’ve moved 3,000 concrete blocks from pallets and polished them. Above all, I want to secure a house for my family first, then expand the business.”

During the day, Martinez works for the city of Spokane in the Innovation and Technology Services

The Splash department and Public Works where he uses his expertise in areas like information technology, engineering, systems automation, streets, water and power generation.

He and his family came to the Inland Northwest from Florida in 2019.

Martinez was part of Leadership Spokane’s 2020 class and has helped to mentor computer science students at Gonzaga.

Most days after work, Martinez heads directly to the site of his future home.

“It was important to have a

COVER STORY

Home Depot nearby,” he says of the store on Country Vista.

Martinez grew up in Cuba’s Matanzas Province. His dad was a mechanic and his mom worked as a teacher’s assistant.

“My childhood was awesome,” Martinez said. “We were a workingclass family. My dad worked on American cars from the 50s and I learned a lot helping him” Martinez excelled in math and science from an early age and by the sixth grade was enrolled in an elite school that included farm

work in the morning and studies in the afternoon. In school physics competitions, Martinez was a standout.

By graduation, Martinez was awarded a scholarship to the country’s top technical college, CUJAE Havana, Cuba where he majored in computer science.

“It’s Cuba’s equivalent to MIT,” Martinez said. “The goal is to educate the next generation of scientists.”

After college, Martinez was hired

by Copextel, an IBM-like company,

FEBRUARY 2022 • 11

where he spent 10 years as a leader and turn-key technology solutions provider.

By the time he was 33, Martinez had settled in Miami thanks to a diversity visa. His wife and daughter joined him 18 months later. In Miami, Martinez worked for the city and studied at night.

He then transitioned to the city of Lakeland and completed his MBA at the University of South Florida.

It would be his second master’s to go with his advanced degree in IT Business Administration.

Bruce Russell was living in Fort Meyers, Florida and running a property lien search company when he first met Martinez. Russell’s company integrated software from Martinez and the two have remained friends ever since.

“Laz is humble and brilliant,” said Russell. “He listens to other people’s problems and really digs in to understand those problems, then he goes to work on solving those problems.”

Russell has followed the progression of Sharp Wall Technologies and said the effort reflects his friend’s ambition and ingenuity.

“I’ve never worked with anyone who works harder and has more integrity than Laz does,” Russell said. “To see this technology go from an idea to where it is now is pretty impressive.”

Martinez owns the molds that churn out the plastic joints and layout units for concrete blocks and bricks and glass blocks. The molds are currently in Florida but there are plans to establish a manufacturing branch of Sharp Wall Technologies in Liberty Lake. Niurka handles the marketing and distribution agenda for the company in the Sunshine State.

Martinez estimates his latest endeavor is “about 40 percent done.”

The next steps on the house will include trusses, the roof, windows and interior walls. Solar blocks will eventually be part of the roof and generate energy as they soak in sunlight.

Photo by Mark Anthony Liberty Lake resident is building a home from scratch in the eastern section of the city using a new technology that connects concrete blocks and bricks using plastic fastening grids instead of grout and mortar. The home has earned the nickname, “the LEGO house” because of the connection the construction technology has with the the popular plastic interlocking toy bricks.

“It just shows what can happen when you apply technology in the right places,” Martinez said of his unique home. “I’m having a ton of fun with this.”

12 • FEBRUARY 2022

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Darling leads Bears as multi-faceted point guard

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

No one on the Central Valley bench was aware that Dylan Darling was approaching the record.

The game against non-conference foe Post Falls on Nov. 30 was too close to worry about whether or not the senior point guard had a chance to eclipse CV’s single-game scoring mark of 41 points set by Dave Sanders back in 1984.

“You knew something special was happening because he wasn’t missing,” said CV assistant coach Geoff Arte. “We knew he was scoring a lot of points but we didn’t know how close he was to the record.”

Yet there was Darling, being “ridiculously efficient” in the words of Arte. By game’s end, Darling had sunk 20 of 24 field goal attempts and tallied 53 points in the Bears’ seasonopening 86-72 victory.

Darling said he had a good feeling going into his senior campaign – but putting up a new CV scoring milestone wasn’t part of the agenda.

“I didn’t go out trying to break the record,” he said. “I knew I was going to put up good numbers going into the season with the system we run and all the time I put in during the summer.”

For the Bears, Darling’s effort meant the difference in a competitive contest.

“It wasn’t like he was doing this in a game where we were ahead by 20 or 30 points,” said Arte. “Dylan had to be great.”

Swarming defense led to 14 of Darling’s points on steals and corresponding layups. Arte said the stat is just one reflection of the senior’s all-around game.

“Dylan does what it takes to help the team win,” Arte said. “He works so hard in practice and everyone just follows his lead.”

Darling hasn’t slowed down much since his record-setting effort.

In CV’s second game against Walla Walla, he put up 46. He leads the Greater Spokane League in scoring at just over 32 points a game for the Bears who improved to 9-5 and 3-1 in league play with a 74-59 win over Lewis and Clark on Jan. 22. Darling is averaging seven rebounds, six assists and three steals a game while shooting around 60 percent from the field and 40 percent from the threepoint arc.

For opposing coaches like Ridgeline’s Freddie Rehkow, Darling presents steep matchup challenges.

He wound up with 31 points in the Bears first game against the Falcons and 20 in the second. Only Union has held the senior under 20 – he had 16 against the Titans on Dec. 29.

“Dylan is a super quick athlete,” Rehkow said. “He’s a tough guard for anyone. You know he’s going to draw the attention of every team they’re playing and to still put up 30 or 40 points says a lot.”

Rehkow echoed Arte’s sentiments about Darling being more than just a scoring threat.

“He can just move the ball so well,” he said. “He gets his teammates involved. People also look at the numbers he’s putting up and don’t realize he’s playing defense, creating havoc and getting steals.”

Darling was a reserve on the 201920 CV squad that advanced to the 4A state championship game before losing to Mt. Si. As a sophomore, Darling stepped up big in critical post-season situations such as a

Photo by Erik Smith/Erik Smith Photography Central Valley senior Dylan Darling leads the Greater Spokane League in scoring at just over 32 points a game. The point guard tallied a school-record 53 points against Post Falls in the Bears’ season opener.

regional victory over Federal Way that propelled the Bears into the state quarterfinal. He contributed 17 points and was a defensive catalyst in the 76-72 win.

“That game was definitely a confidence-builder for me,” Darling said.

In Tacoma, Darling was at it again, this time with 14 points as CV eliminated top-ranked and undefeated Union in the semi-final, 63-55.

“What I think is so unique about Dylan is just his confidence and fearlessness,” said former CV head coach Rick Sloan. “He’s not afraid to go to the basket against bigger players. He’s just a tough kid.”

Sloan related one example of Darling’s ambitious mindset that came during a holiday tournament matchup with Kamiakin in late December. Driving to the basket, Darling was greeted by the Braves’ 6-foot-8 center Tyler Bilodeau, headed to Oregon State on scholarship.

“Dylan goes in and bounces off this guy but was able to maintain his balance and hit a shot that went in,” Sloan said. “He never lost his composure.”

Sloan, who played at CV before returning to coach, held the singlegame scoring record at 38 for years before Sanders set the new standard 37 years ago. He said Darling’s performance against Post Falls is worth commemorating.

“Post Falls is a high-level defensive team,” Sloan said. “You see what Dylan did and you know it’s legit.

People need to realize how unique and special that was. In the last 25 years, in the GSL, that’s the most points I can remember even with (former Gonzaga All-American and NBA lottery pick Adam) Morrison.”

In the classroom, he maintains a 3.3 grade points average and is part of CV’s Leadership program.

“It’s been a great four years,” Darling said of his time at CV. “Everyone’s been so supportive of each other and just tried to make the best of everything.”

A certified gym rat, Darling is known for honing his game at odd hours in the CV gymnasium as long as See SPORTS STREAM, Page 22

FEBRUARY 2022 • 17

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Student of the Month

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In the first year of gymnastics at Ridgeline High School, Caytlyn Lee has emerged as a standout. The sophomore competes in vault and bars and earned a 7.2 out of a possible 8.6 at a recent meet. All this despite only competing in the sport for one year previously in the seventh grade. She is part of a Falcons’ squad comprised solely of freshmen and sophomores.

“Everyone is so supportive of each other,” Lee says. In the classroom, Lee sports a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also part of Link Crew that helps to encourage and mentor freshmen. “It’s a great program,” Lee said. “There’s a lot of team building and talking that helps students increase their confidence.”

Lee also participates in marching band and pep band at RHS.

Nathan Rowell has been one of the catalysts to Central Valley’s winning ways on the basketball court this season. The senior guard had a season-high 19 points in a 79-73 overtime win over Mead and poured in 18 in an 81-77 victory against Cheney. He is averaging 10 points and five rebounds a game and recently returned from an ankle injury to bolster CV’s post-season chances. “Nathan is very calm and level-headed,” said CV head coach Mike Laws. “He competes hard on every play and provides leadership to our team. He will be a key to our run in the playoffs.” In the classroom, Rowell maintains a 3.8 grade point average and is enrolled in several AP classes. He also played baseball at CV and works part-time at a Christmas tree farm. He would like to study finance in college.

Since 1990, residents interested in the latest weather forecast have tuned to Tom Sherry. The longtime Liberty Lake resident announced recently that he will retire in March after a career at KREMTV that includes honors like the Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Sherry has consistently supported a variety of community causes, including Tom’s Turkey Drive, which he launched in 1999. The program has raised millions of dollars and provides Thanksgiving dinners to thousands each year. Sales of his signature barbecue seasoning have benefited the Northwest Autism Center. For years, Sherry served as MC of the Holiday Ball which raised money for events sponsored by Friends of Pavillion Park. He has also supported the Alzheimer’s Association, Communities in Schools and numerous Catholic schools. Tom and his wife Darlene are proud parents of two grown sons.

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SVFD Report – Jan. 2022 Splash news sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 169emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area from December 15, 2021, - January 15, 2022 • Emergency Medical Services 134 •

Motor Vehicle Accidents 11

• Dispatched and cancelled en route 9 •

Building Alarms

5

•

Fires 4

•

Hazardous Materials 2

•

Vehicle Fires

2

•

Service Calls

2

Of note: • Total Calls saw an increase from 150 last month to 169 this month.

• Emergency Medical Services saw an increase from 127 calls last month to 134 calls this month.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions increased from 5 last month to 11 this month.

• Fires stayed consitent with 4 last month and 4 this month.

Please • Drive Safely with winter and colder temperatures here.

• Be careful with portable heaters.

Keep flammable items away from them and turn them off when not in the room.

• If you have chicken coops, please make sure to use a fire safe heating pad inside the coop.

Heating lamps can catch straw and other flammable items inside the coop on fire.

• SVFD Calendars are out, pick one up at any Fire Station entryway or at the SVFD Administration Building, 2120 N. Wilbur Road.

Media Release December 22 - The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded at 10:31 am on Dec 21st to the 11100 block of E Mission, Valley Mission Park, for a sledding accident. Callers to 911 stated a woman had crashed into a tree and fractured her leg.

The first arriving unit, Squad 8 from Pinecroft Station, confirmed an adult female had struck a tree, and began medical care with the on-scene AMR Paramedic for a significant leg injury. Due to the icy conditions and the location of the patient on the hill, the technical rescue team was requested to bring the patient back up the hill to the awaiting ambulance.

First arriving members of the Special Operations Team, assumed Command and began establishing anchor points and a haul system using ropes, a Stokes basket, and mechanical advantage to ‘toboggan’ the patient back up the hill. This exact scenario had been planned and practiced twice in the last three weeks by the members of the team in expectation of wintery conditions.

and check the area below for any obstacles before hitting the slopes Media Releases: December 29 - The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a reported commercial fire at approximately 8:05 am today in the Spokane Industrial Park in Spokane Valley.

The first arriving crews found smoke coming from the roof and employees evacuating the building.

Truck companies laddered the roof to check for extension to the roof while additional crews ensured that all occupants were out of the building. Crews took handlines to the interior of the structure and extinguished the fire and ensured that the fire had not extended.

A total of two Engines, a Ladder truck, Squad 8, and two command vehicles were dispatched, bringing 14 firefighters to the scene. The patient was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The fire appears to have originated in a kiln area. Numerous sprinklers activated, preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the structure. The actual cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Special Operations Team consists of twenty-six members of Spokane Valley Fire trained in Swift Water Rescue and boat operations, Rope Rescue and High Angle Systems, Trench Rescue, and Confined Space Rescue.

A total of 12 fire units responded to the call. No injuries were reported.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department understands that sledding is extremely fun part of the winter season. We would like to remind our citizens that the sudden stop, sometimes into a tree, car, or other hard object is no fun at all. Please be safe. Wear a helmet,

SVFD would like to remind business owners to ensure that their sprinkler systems are working and serviced regularly.

Incidents: Smoke Investigation – December 30, 3:08 p.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 3 (VE3) crews responded to Investigate smoke around an apartment. Crews arrived on scene and after checking the interior and exterior conditions

noted no smoke in the area. No smoke or flames were seen. Crews returned in service after advising to call 911 if the smoke returned.

E Eaglebend Lane/E mission Ave MVA– December 30, 8:39 p.m.

- Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 3 (VE3) crews responded to the report of a car collision on Exit 296 off Liberty Lake. Crews arrived to find a vehicle had slid off the highway due to icy conditions. There were no injuries.

Crews returned in service.

Power Line Problem – January 10, 7:34 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 3 (VE3) crews responded to the report of a broken power line. Crews arrived to find a line sagging between Hawkstone Loop and Spokane Bridge on Appleway.

Avista was notified. VE3 crews investigated the area. With the pole and communication lines down, crews stayed until Avista arrived and took over the scene. VE3 crews returned in service.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas.

In 2021, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 22,400 emergency calls.

Established in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an accredited agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and by SVFD’s Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau

22 • FEBRUARY 2022

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the lights are on.

“I just love basketball,” Dylan said.

“I’m a really competitive person and just want to be the best at whatever I do.”

Darling remembers his parents buying him an indoor hoop that found a home in the living room when he was 6 years old. His dad, James Darling, played football at Washington State and later in the NFL with the Cardinals, Jets and Eagles. Dylan’s football days closed out after eighth grade and hoops have been the focus ever since. Last summer, Darling was part of Team LaVine, an elite AAU program based on the west side of the state.

Darling has drawn recruiting interest from a number of schools, including Eastern Washington, Idaho and Boise State. He recently gave a verbal commitment to Idaho State. As for the rest of this season, the senior said his goals are for the Bears to return to state and to earn GSL MVP – in that order.

Arte said Darling’s commitment to his team was evident when he injured his elbow against Coeur d’Alene earlier this season but was the most vocal YO U LO VE person on the bench in the following game against Cheney.

“Here he was in a sling and he’s standing and cheering louder than anyone,” said Arte. “He’s a great teammate.”

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LIBERTY LAKE

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Relocated to Liberty Lake

BUSINESS treatment whenever they need the assistance of an attorney.

Lam’s philosophy is that business owners should be happy in their work. “Spokane Business Attorneys was founded on the idea that business owners should have fun running their business and that happy business owners make more money and enjoy life more fully,” the firm’s web site says.

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

Greenstone Homes is in the midst of developing a commercial center in Liberty Lake’s River District and Spokane Business Attorneys is in position to watch the development go up around them. The businessfocused law firm recently moved into Suite 107 at 21802 E. Indiana Avenue.

Her clients range from small businesses to multi-million-dollar companies, Lam said. “I like seeing people grow and expand and learn that they have more potential than they thought,” she said.

“We get the first building,” said firm founder Christal Lam. “I like it.

The firm was housed in the Paulsen Building in downtown Spokane for the last seven years.

Lam needed more space for her growing firm and heard about new commercial space being built in the River District. She was familiar with what Greenstone did when they developed Kendall Yards as a mixed used development and liked the idea of being a part of something similar.

In moving to Liberty Lake, her firm got the extra space it needed, plus a brand-new building that they will eventually share with a restaurant. Greenstone currently has a welcome center in the building as well. “They’re finishing out the building we’re in,” she said. “We’re happy to be in Liberty Lake and watch the rest of River District get built up around us.”

Lam grew up in Seattle and earned a degree in philosophy from Biola University in California.

She then enrolled in the Gonzaga University School of Law. “I’ve always liked law,” she said. “I liked the rules and finding out how to work with the rules. My dad is the one who really encouraged me to look into law school.”

Once she graduated from law school in 2013, she took the advice of mentors who suggested she get litigation experience. She worked with a criminal defense attorney who has since retired and said the experience was beneficial. “You learn how to get in front of a judge, you get to learn how to think on your feet, because you have to,” she said.

In 2015 she decided to start her own firm specializing in business law. “I’ve always liked business

Lam has one other attorney and Contributed photo Christal Iam, founder of Spokane Business Attorneys, moved to a larger location in Liberty Lake.

FEBRUARY 2022 • 23

four support personnel on staff.

She is licensed to practice law in Washington and Idaho, as well as the U.S. District Courts of Eastern and Western Washington and the U.S. District Court of Idaho. She has experience in administrative law, labor law, personnel law, employment law and contracts. She has also done pro bono work with Spokane Volunteer Lawyers.

While she was a third-year law student, Lam was a Rule 9 law clerk for the Washington State Attorney General.

Spokane Business Attorneys can be reached at (509) 8183350. The web site is at www. spokanebusinessattorneys.com.

law,” she said. “I think it’s really cool to see somebody build something.”

Lam said she can help businesses just starting out or owners looking to sell at the end of a career or anything in between. “It’s pretty much everything,” she said.

The firm handles things that business owners can technically do themselves, Lam said, but owners have to figure out how much time and effort they’re willing to put in to learn how to do a particular task, such as hiring or creating contracts.

Hiring an attorney can help stop potentially costly mistakes before they happen, she said. “We can point out the pitfalls,” she said.

It’s not unusual for Lam to get repeat customers as a business grows and its needs change. “A lot of clients, if we help them start the business, they come back,” she said.

Lam said it’s important to her to build a relationship with each client, learning the long-term goals of the business owners and their plans.

That can be helpful if a client calls back in the future needing something else. “When they call us, they don’t have to explain everything all over again,” she said. “A lot of clients have said it’s nice to have someone to go to.”

For an added monthly fee, businesses can pay Lam a retainer to be their outside general counsel, or an outsourced legal department.

Those businesses get quick, VIP

Contributed photo Spokane Business Attorneys is now located in the first building in the River District, a new commercial space developed by Greenstone.

All for Love . . .

24 • FEBRUARY 2022

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