July 2022 Splash

JULY

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Area rich in history receives a renewed vision, page 10

MEET THE 2022 4TH OF JULY PARADE MARSHALLS PAGE 2

SPOKANE INDIAN CLUB PAGE 15

SVFD SEEKS LEVY LIFT PAGE 31

2 • JULY 2022

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Team Toreson – LL couple selected as parade grand marshals

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor The deck of Skip and Karen Toreson’s home peers out onto the water, providing a panoramic view of Liberty Lake from nearly every angle.

It’s a fitting perspective considering the inhabitants of the home have been part of the ebbs and flows of the community in a way that is nothing short of encompassing.

The lakeside residence was originally built as a summer resort home in 1905 but there is nothing temporary about the Toresons.

On June 16, the couple celebrated their 60th anniversary. They have lived in the house on Lilac Lane for the past 50 years.

“Same house, same spouse,” Karen says with a smile.

Skip was born in Texas but grew up in the area, attending the original Liberty Lake Elementary at the corner of Sprague and Molter. Karen is a Spokane native and met Skip when both were students at North Pines Junior High. They both went on to graduate from Central Valley High School in 1958.

This month, the two former Bears will serve as grand marshals of the Alpine Shores Fourth of July Parade.

“It was the honor of the Fourth of July Parade Committee to select Karen and Skip Toreson to be our 32nd annual parade grand marshals,” said Annie Tichy, parade chair. “Both Skip and Karen have been lifelong active community members. They are both always eager to support our community in any way. They were a perfect choice to be honored in the 2022 Fourth of July Parade after a two-year pause.”

A retired attorney, Skip has the distinction of serving as one of the original commissioners for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, established in 1973 as a utility that would protect the health and water quality of the lake. Skip served

as a commissioner for 17 years.

After graduating from CV, where he played football and tennis, Skip entered the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

“No one was more surprised than me when I received an appointment to the Naval Academy,” Skip said.

While Skip spent his summers at Liberty Lake, throwing the football around with friends and enjoying leisurely family picnics at Alpine Shores, Karen was off to Minnesota with her family.

“The bulk of our family is in Minnesota and we’d always spend summers there,” she said. “I’ve always said I have dual citizenship.”

Karen and her family lived in Spokane Valley until she was in the first grade. Then her dad was transferred to Pasco as part of his job with Shell Oil. The family also lived in Minnesota for several years before moving back to the Inland Northwest in December of Karen’s ninth grade

year.

“Coming back was difficult,” she said. “They had sock hops in the afternoon. I remember thinking, ‘What is this? I thought dances were at night.’”

After graduating from CV, Karen enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

“My mom was a teacher and I wanted to do something different,” Karen says.

Things changed as Karen immersed herself in the culture at PLU and experienced the influence of the education department.

“It really drew me in,” she said.

“It became very evident that’s what I wanted to do.”

After graduating, Karen started a journey in education that would span 31 years. She taught at Sunrise and University Elementary schools and later served as principal at Keystone, Broadway and Ponderosa Elementary schools.

Photo by Craig Howard Skip and Karen Toreson have lived in the same home near the shores of Liberty Lake for 50 years. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 16. The Toresons were selected as grand marshals for the Alpine Shores Fourth of July Parade, a summer staple that will make its return this month after a two-year hiatus.

Skip and Karen began dating when Skip was at the Naval Academy.

An invitation for her to attend “June Week” in 1961 at the end of his junior year served as a catalyst. The longstanding Navy tradition centers around graduation and includes dances, parades, athletic events and, in at least one case, an opportunity for romance. Skip and Karen were married the following June.

Skip spent eight years in the Navy after graduation, serving in South Carolina, Rhode Island and California and spending a year in Vietnam while Karen stayed in Minnesota. Enrollment at Gonzaga Law School followed. The couple moved into their home on the lake in 1972. Skip was 78 when he retired as a lawyer in 2019.

The Toresons are proud parents of two children – Mark, who passed in 1979, and Heidi.

Over the years, the Toresons have plunged into community causes.

Karen has been part of the Spokane Valley Sunrise Rotary Club for over 20 years and is the current presidentelect. Skip provided a substantial amount of pro bono legal work, worked on behalf of housing justice and served as a Guardian Ad Litem, advocating in the best interests of atrisk children.

In retirement, the Toresons have savored traveling, gardening, going to plays and dining out. Doting over their two grandchildren is also a priority.

As for their plans on the big day, the grand marshals already have a ride lined up to nearby Alpine Shores.

“We’ve known all the grand marshals over the years,” Skip said.

“We’re pleased and excited. I guess if you live long enough, you’re going to be eligible.”

Q: The first question is for both of you: How did it feel when you learned you had been selected as grand marshals for the Fourth of July Parade?

Karen: I was both surprised and pleased. The parade is a wonderful community event that we have enjoyed for years.

Skip: I was, of course, very pleased. We are joining some very special people from years past such See TORESONS, Page 5

JULY 2022 • 3

The Splash

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Spokane Valley FD Incident & Response Numbers for May and YTD - 2022

SVFD Report Splash news sources

Emergency Medical Services 119 Building Alarms 6 Dispatched and cancelled en route 5 Motor Vehicle Accidents 4 Service Calls 1 Technical Rescue 1 CC 1 Fires 1 Significant Events • Two welcomed two new Deputy Chiefs to our Organization – DC Zach Bond and DC Tom Hatley • SVFD Forensic Fire Investigation 101, a fire prevention program, to the 7th grade students at Centennial Middle School - June 1, 2022. o The program was developed

by Firefighter Rick Freier and implemented in 2011. Since then, more than 9,300 kids have taken part in this program. o The number of children 12 to 17 years of age that were caught setting fires has steadily decreased over the last 10 years. Of the 9,300 students that took part in the program, only three have been caught setting fires. o Forensic Fire Investigation 101 has been nationally recognized for its unique and innovative approach to solving the problem of youth set fires. o SVFD would like to remind residents that children can and have used lighters in the past, resulting in house fires. Keep lighters and matches out of reach.

Significant Incidents: • Moving Vehicle Collision (MVC), May 18 – 14:30 o Engine 3 (VE3) crews responded

to an auto vs auto with unknown injuries on near the 22600 block of E Mission Ave and Country Vista.

Crews arrived to find significant debris in the roadway. The Sherriff’s Office (SO) and AMR also arrived on scene. A second AMR unit was requested. Crews provided patient care for 1 adult with a broken wrist and for another patient with chest pain. The vehicles had been moved off to the side of the road and were not blocking traffic.

• Smoke Investigation, May 21 – 14:11 o Engine 3 (VE3) crews responded to an incident called in by a neighbor.

A white column of smoke could be seen near some trees and the air smelled like plastic. Crews arrived in the area of N Glenbrook Lane to find trash in a yard burning at the home.

The fire was extinguished, and fire safety and legal burning materials

The Splash were left behind for the occupants of the home.

• Unauthorized Burning, May 25 – 19:51 o Engine 4 (VE4) crews were dispatched to an illegal burn fire in a backyard near the boundary of Otis Orchards and Liberty Lake called in by a parent who was unable to get their teenage kids to stop burning in the backyard. Crews arrived to find small fire in backyard viewable from the street. Crews explained the fire was illegal due to burning of dimensional lumber and would need to be extinguished. VE4 extinguished the fire, spoke with the teenage children and parents about burning, left educational materials.

• Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC), May 26 – 19:00 o Engine 3 (VE3) crews were dispatched to a motorcycle MVC. Crews performed all ALS and BLS skills without ROSC. Scene turned over to WSP. About SVFD The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 136,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2021, our crosstrained 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. Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Splash

TORESONS

NEWS

Continued from page 2 as Jim Brumm, a dear friend and former school board member. For this reason, I was also humbled to be joining these ranks.

Q: Skip, you grew up near the shores of Liberty Lake. What are some of your early memories of Independence Day here?

A: As a young boy, I loved living at Liberty Lake. Fishing, playing football in the park which was a resort with lots of room for sports.

Basketball at the elementary school also. Boating and swimming on the lake were daily events during the summer, but the Fourth of July was the best. There would be company picnics at the park and we would join in the fun, food and games, even though we had no connection to the company.

Q: Karen, it sounds like most, if not all, of your summers growing up were spent with family in Minnesota. What do you remember about the Fourth of July from your youth?

A: Fourth of July in Minnesota was a family picnic at the lake with relatives, great food and fireworks that my uncle brought from Iowa.

Q: Skip, could you ever have imagined that the Liberty Lake you grew up in would become the multilayered, burgeoning community it is today?

A: When I left the lake in 1958 to go to school, the population was still confined around the lake proper.

The population was modest and there were only four of us in my graduation class from Central Valley High School. Even after college graduation and going on active duty with the Navy, it was quiet. When I returned on leave a couple of years later development on Alpine Shores had started but that was small change to growth that occurred with the creation of the sewer district in 1973. I am still in awe of the growth that occurred and is still going on.

Q: As a career educator, Karen, what did you enjoy most about being both a teacher and administrator?

A: As a teacher and principal in Central Valley, I loved the fresh start every fall with great students and talented staff members. It was always an opportunity to reach new goals and provide hope for the future.

Q: Skip, what are some of your recollections of the formation of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District in 1973?

A: I was in my third, and final, year of law school and excited about graduation and taking the bar exam.

I was aware there was activity about forming a special purpose district to protect the lake by a huge sewering project. I was also aware there was an election to approve the formation of the district and elect three commissioners. There was a slate of three proposed people to fill the commissioner positions. I received a call from Della Neyland, one of resort owners, and a community leader, asking me to agree to be a write-in candidate. I agreed thinking it would be a proper thing to support our community. The formation of the district was approved and surprisingly I was elected. We hired legal counsel and a civil engineer and began the adventure. That was the easy part.

Q: This one is for both of you.

We seem to live in a world that seems more defined by change than permanence. You two are exceptions, having lived in the same home for 50 years and married now for 60 years. Can you share your secret to stability?

Karen: Stability is a relative issue but holding onto your values, hopes and dreams helps. Listening and sharing are very important for stability.

Skip: We returned to the lake after eight years in the Navy looking for stability and a place to raise our family in a familiar place, one I was raised in, one which was out of the hustle bustle of Southern California.

We both found jobs here, the schools were good and living on the lake was ideal. Of course we had good times and bad. But the good always outweighed the bad. We never looked for anything away from the lake and our community. And now it’s been 50 years.

Q: You've both seen Liberty Lake undergo major transitions over the last five decades. Despite all the changes, what are some of the characteristics you feel have remained constant in this community?

Karen: Of course there have been many changes at Liberty Lake but I am thankful that our neighborhood has had few changes. Two things stand out – we never locked our doors and milk was delivered to our home.

Skip: What has changed is the political climate. We still cling to that of our parents and neighbors of our youth. What hasn’t changed is the strong love of the lake and desire to protect it.

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The Splash

The Lookout The Community Corner Park, to assisting with setting up all

By Dave Himebaugh

Parks and Arts Commission Making the move from Los Angeles to the Inland Northwest in 1990 was a big step for a young newly married couple. Having decided upon Liberty Lake, I felt there were many opportunities to serve the community.

I wanted to make the community mine, making our house a home.

Jumping right in, I saw a need to assist with Friends of Pavillion Park.

Fond memories of installing the playground equipment in Pavillion

Do you know the rules for driving your gold cart in Liberty Lake?

As we swing into the high point of the summer recreation season in Liberty Lake, it’s important to know the regulations and safety considerations for driving golf carts within the city limits when traveling to and from local courses.

Chapter 4 of the Liberty Lake City Code specifically outlines the rules of the road for those who operate golf carts in the city. If you’re taking to any of our area’s regular traffic routes with one of those vehicles, make sure you’re following these points from the city ordinances: * Operators of golf carts must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. * Those with a revoked or suspended driver’s license may not operate a golf cart. * Drivers shall not transport more passengers than the cart manufacturer’s designed seating capacity. * All occupants must be seated and wearing seat belts while the golf cart is being operated. * No golf cart can be driven at a speed greater than a reasonable and prudent speed for the existing conditions and must not be driven at a speed greater than 20 mph. * Golf carts must be operated at the extreme right of a roadway and must yield to all vehicular, bicycle

our amazing concerts over the last 15plus years. Chances are you heard me emcee many shows over the years.

Next came a chance to help with the board of directors of the HUB Sports Center. Helping our community’s youth with sports and teaching them life lessons was a very fulfilling and amazing time.

Eventually the opportunity presented itself with starting my own martial arts school – Northwest Taekwondo Academy. It has been an amazing journey and if, by chance,

and pedestrian traffic. * Golf cart drivers may cross a street that has a posted speed limit of more than 25 mph., but may not otherwise operate a golf cart on a street that has a posted speed limit of more than 25 mph. * Golf carts are prohibited from pulling trailers, boards, jet skis or other objects or people on the streets. * Golf cart operators must maintain proof of insurance coverage for the golf cart. * Golf carts must be equipped with reflectors, seat belts and rearview mirrors. * Golf carts shall not be operated during the period between 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, unless the vehicle meets all the lighting and other equipment requirements, such as having headlamps on the front, and red rear reflector and/or a lamp emitting a red light on the back of the cart. * Golf carts must be operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances, including all laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the possession and use of drugs and alcoholic beverages. * Golf carts shall not be operated in a negligent manner. * Violation of the golf cart ordinance is a civil infraction with a fine not to exceed $250.

Additionally, before driving any golf cart on the street, all golf cart owners must complete a Golf Cart Registration form and submit that application to the Liberty Lake Police Department. There is no cost for the golf cart registration. This form is

July 2022

you’ve trusted your children with me – thank you!

Most recently I have had the privilege of serving as co-chair of the city of Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission. The city and its leaders felt that we too could be like the artcentered cities such as Coeur d’ Alene and Spokane Valley. Perhaps you have seen some of our work? It includes the beautiful sculpture in the City Hall lobby, the mural at Pavillion Park, the “Liberty Lake Together” sculpture in Rocky Hill Park and the recently wrapped electrical signal boxes around town.

The signal boxes near Ridgeline

High School are next with some amazing art design from its own students. Of course, we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with and the Parks and Arts Commission has some very creative and amazing members. We look forward to providing and finding new opportunities of art within our parks and green spaces. If you have an interest to help, the Parks and Arts Commission meets at City Hall and virtually the first Monday of every month.

This is our community. It takes commitment and enthusiasm to make it our home.

available of the city of Liberty Lake’s website at: www.libertylakewa.gov/ DocumentCenter/View/2275/GOLFCART-REGISTRATION-FORM. To see the complete text of

Liberty Lake’s city ordinance on Operation of Golf Carts” go to: www.libertylakewapd.gov/ DocumentCenter/View/293/ OPERATION-OF-GOLF-CARTS-PDF.

Summer activities heat up again in Liberty Lake

the baseball fields at 10 p.m.

Summer Soiree: The Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library hosts its fundraiser on July 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Liberty Lake Wine Cellars.

Touch A Truck: The Liberty Lake Municipal Library’s event rolls back in on Friday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Orchard Park. This family-friendly activity allows children to explore a variety of trucks.

There will also be music, food and “special visitors”!

Barefoot in the Park: The city’s summer festival returns on Saturday, Aug. 6, at Pavillion Park beginning at 10 a.m. and running throughout the day.

Among the numerous attractions being scheduled: A car show, food concessions, inflatable bouncy houses and water slides, bed races, 3-on-3 soccer matches, and more. There will also be live music and a beer garden during the evening.

Liberty Lake Throwdown: Orchard Park tosses up this community cornhole tournament on Aug. 20 starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m.

Shakespeare in the Park: The Bard’s “King Lear” comes to a performance at Pavillion Park on Aug. 21 starting at 5 p.m.

It’s going to look a lot more like what summer is supposed to look like throughout Liberty Lake’s parks and other local sites this year!

Here’s a look at some of the community events worth marking on your calendar for the next two months: Movies in the Park: Eight movies starting at dusk will dot several weekend nights during July and August. Most movies will be at Pavillion Park, except as otherwise noted. On the lineup: “Ron’s Gone Wrong” (July 3), “Vivo” (July 15 at Orchard Park), “Sing 2” (July 16), “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (July 23), “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (July 30), “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (Aug. 12 at River Rock Park), “Encanto” (Aug. 13), and “Avengers: Endgame” (Aug. 20).

Fourth of July: Start your celebration of Independence Day with the traditional parade at Alpine Shores at 11 a.m. and wrap it up with a concert at Pavillion Park with Too Slim and the Taildraggers from 7 to 10 p.m., followed by the fireworks shows from the lake and

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

8 • JULY 2022

News and Notes – July 2022

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• Council Member Dan Dunne, who represents the city on the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) committee, reported that STA has documented increased transportation between Spokane County and Kootenai County and the need for interstate public transportation options.

• Mayor Cris Kaminskas met with representatives from the National Guard about the possibility of the city collaborating on a land swap with the Department of Natural Resources that may translate into community gathering space to be used by residents.

• Spokane Valley Fire Chief Frank Soto told council that the department can install grab bars when putting in smoke detectors “to keep residents from getting an injury.”

• Don Walker gave a report to council on June 7 about the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall that will be coming to Liberty Lake Sept. 15-19. Walker’s brother Richard was among the 58,220 documented U.S. military lives lost in the war. “This idea started in 2020 and has been through all kinds of ups and downs and now it’s really going to happen,” Walker said. He called organizer Dg Garcia, a veteran herself, “the brains and heads and heart of this thing.”

• City Engineer David Williams gave a report to council on June 21 that included updates on several projects including

NEWS

the signal at Harvard/Indiana intersection that was activated on June 7. The Country Vista signal project is scheduled to begin July 18 with a finish date of Aug. 19.

The project has been delayed due to supply chain issues. Williams said Legacy Ridge residents should take the recommended detour routes to Country Vista or Spokane Valley.

He also urged pedestrians around the Trailhead golf course to utilize crosswalks, particularly during construction.

• Marla Larson, organizer of the third annual Liberty Lake Boat Parade said this year’s festivities will include the addition of the Four Peace Band on a barge near the boat launch. “We are kicking this event off on the afternoon of July 3 at 4 p.m.,” Larson said. “Boats are to gather at the boat launch at 3:45 and the parade will begin immediately following the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ Please have fun decorating and showing your spirit for our independence and this wonderful community.”

• Fireworks and live music from Too Slim and the Taildraggers will headline the city’s Independence Day celebration this year at Pavillion Park, starting at 7 p.m.

• The 32nd annual Alpine Shores Fourth of July Parade will return after a two-year hiatus. Lineup is at 10 a.m. at the corner of Shoreline and Liberty Lake Road.

The golf-cart-centric parade begins at 11. No pets or cars allowed.

Longtime residents and community contributors Skip and Karen Toreson will be honored as grand marshals.

Games will be held at the Alpine Shores Park following the parade, including egg toss, gunnysack races and more. Keepsake ribbons will be given to all parade participants.

Liberty Lake Fourth of July T-shirts will be on sale July 3 at the Alpine Shores Grass Island on Liberty Lake Road from 4 to 7 p.m. T-shirt sales ($15 per shirt) help defray parade costs.

• Council authorized the mayor on June 7 to execute an agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology to develop a stormwater master plan.

Council also approved Parametrix as the developer of the plan.

• Council accepted a $50,000 donation from the Centennial Rotary Club of Liberty Lake for the new Trailhead clubhouse.

• After some apprehension from several council members on the increase in price, council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with Dardan Enterprises for the construction of the Public Works Building shell with a pre-engineered mezzanine for a cost of $1,911,988 plus $170,167 in sales tax. The vote passed 4-2 with Council Members Wendy Van Orman and Chris Cargill dissenting. Cargill said he supported the project but was concerned about the outlay of additional fund in light of the added cost to the Trailhead project and upcoming capital costs in other areas such as the library.

The overall cost of the project – after contingency and inspection fees – is not to exceed $2,273,354.

• Council heard a presentation from Visit Spokane and the Spokane Regional Sports Commission on June 21 regarding a countywide TPA – Tourism Promotion Area – a funding mechanism based on a hotel/motel lodging tax that is intended to grow the local tourism economy through increased visitor spending. “We see Liberty Lake as an asset,” said Eric Sawyer with the sports commission, who pointed to

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the recent state high school golf tournament held at Meadowwood and the abundant schedule of events at the HUB Sports Center.

The city of Liberty Lake currently has its own TPA which collects funds through local hotel stays at rate of $2 per stay, passing the funds on to Visit Spokane for marketing purposes. The new program could raise that rate to $4. In March, the city of Spokane Valley announced it would be withdrawing from the regional TPA and taking on its own marketing with funds raised by the hotel lodging tax. Last year, Liberty Lake’s TPA generated $130,000.

Under the proposed interlocal agreement, Liberty Lake would be represented on a new commission comprised of cities and towns within the TPA. Visit Spokane would receive 72 percent of the funds while the sports commission would receive 28 percent. Council did not make a decision on the proposal at the meeting. Local hotels will be contacted about the possibility and council is expected to revisit the idea at a future meeting.

• Jed Spencer was appointed June 7 to replace Jamie Baird in the Pos. 4 seat on council. Baird and her family have moved out of the area, leaving a vacancy at the dais.

Spencer works as vice president and vendor relations coordinator at NBS Promos in Liberty Lake.

He is a graduate of Central Valley High School and Brigham Young University-Idaho. Other applicants included Mike Behary, Linda Marie Ball and former Council Members Mike Kennedy and Keith Kopelson.

• Council approved the city’s Transportation Improvement Plan on June 21 covering projects from 2023 to 2028.

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The Splash

Council leans toward expanded version of Trailhead project

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

The rumblings from the gallery have raised a pitch for more – not less – at Trailhead.

At the June 7 Liberty Lake City Council meeting, the governing board heard the case for an expanded version of the Trailhead project that would take the price tag from $6.4 million to $6,995,000 while providing more flex space, natural light and restrooms.

The revised blueprint would also include an interior corridor providing access to the pro shop, restaurant and simulator bays – which would increase from one to two under the new design.

Joey Toews with Architects West told council that market conditions and material costs had an effect on the design team scaling down the project to the $6.4 million rendition presented previously to council.

“This expanded option is kind of the way we started with the building,” Toews said.

An open house on May 25 featuring Trailhead options drew around 40 people. A total of 36 surveys were returned with all

JULY 2022 • 9

NEWS

favoring the expanded format.

Input was also collected at the Liberty Lake Farmers Market by representatives of the Community Engagement Commission. Of 253 people surveyed, 80 percent leaned toward the expanded approach.

An online survey resulted in 115 of 160 respondents also favoring the upscaled design.

“I think it was important for the council to hear what the public wants,” said Lisa Key, the city’s Engineering and Planning manager.

Council heard how adding another simulator suite – which would feature golf as well as a dozen other sports like soccer, hockey and dodgeball – will increase revenue and allow the city to pay off a bond earlier. The expanded flex space would increase capacity from 80 to 100 while restrooms would go from four to seven.

“We don’t want to outgrow this facility before it’s finished,” said Mayor Cris Kaminskas.

Some around the dais were caught off guard by the hike in cost.

“I kind of feel like we’ve been put into a box here,” said Council Member Chris Cargill. “Council did not get a chance to see the expanded design that was presented to the public.”

The expanded option includes sales tax and soft costs.

Council Member Tom Sahlberg said the feedback he heard at the Liberty Lake Farmers Market leans toward the alternative design.

“From the gist of what I’ve heard, the citizens of Liberty Lake and surrounding vicinity are excited about the expanded option,” Sahlberg said.

“It helps to inform decisions to hear what the community is interested in,” said Council Member Annie Kurtz.

Finance Director Kyle Dixon gave council an overview of the dollar comparison between the two options.

Adding two simulators is expected to generate around $96,000 in revenue annually. Green fees at Trailhead are will increase as a way to pay for the improvements. The REET (real estate excise tax) fund has also been brought up as a funding source.

“This is what drew me to the second option is the opportunity for additional revenue to pay this note off sooner,” Dixon said.

Cargill said he was concerned with approving more money for Trailhead in light of a recent change in the price tag of the new public works yard.

“My challenge is we have a huge increase in the cost of the public works yard which is a priority,” said Cargill.

“I would rather put the money toward the public works yard.”

Work is underway on the Trailhead parking lot at a cost of $1.5 million. Construction is expected to

wrap up in August. The design team is scheduled to provide a project update at the Aug. 2 council meeting.

Demolition and abatement of the existing building is set for Sept. 5. Golf will continue at the site – including access to the driving range – through the construction schedule with the addition of a temporary pro shop.

Council has until Sept. 6 to approve the final design and GMP – gross maximum price – for the clubhouse/ restaurant portion of the project.

“Our goal is to move as fast as possible but to involve you (council) so we don’t get ahead of ourselves,” said Toews.

Dixon has recommended putting down $1 million toward the clubhouse/restaurant bond and setting another $1 million aside for driving range improvements. Council Member Phil Folyer pointed out that the city absorbed the cost of the Trailhead property on a note over the course of 15 years.

“Once you’ve had those payments and you’re living with a budget, to continue it is not the end of the world,” Folyer said.

The city purchased the 55-acre course and clubhouse in 2002 at a cost of $2.1 million. The final bond payment of $112,000 was made in 2017. At the time, the property valuation for the site was $5 million.

The expanded version won approval from council 4-2 with Cargill and Council Member Wendy Van Orman dissenting.

Liberty Lake Trailhead Golf Course City Council Presentation 6-7-2022

Agenda 1.

2.

3.

4.

Recap Design Options Review Public Feedback Schedule Update Request of Council

Contributed image (slide 4 – “Expanded Option – from PDF) Public input from a May 25 open house and surveys collected online and at the Liberty Lake Farmers Market has expressed support for an expanded Trailhead design that would add approximately $600,000 to the project cost.

10 • JULY 2022

COVER STORY

Meadowwood Technology Campus scheduled for developed a large portion of Liberty changes Lake. The company was run by Jim

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

For the last couple of years, the Meadowwood Technology Campus at Mission Avenue and Molter Road in Liberty Lake has resembled a ghost town, with empty parking lots and empty buildings. But changes are coming to the 69-acre site after the city council recently approved a zone change from light industrial to community center mixed use.

The change will allow a wider variety of businesses, including coffee shops, retail shops, restaurants and residential units in the form of apartments, town homes or vertical mixed-use buildings. Schools are also allowed in community center mixed-use zones.

The campus is owned by Greenstone Homes, which has

Frank for years before he passed off control of the day-to-day operations of Greenstone to his son, Joe, a few years ago. But Jim Frank isn’t fully retired and is involved in the plans to reshape the Meadowwood Technology Campus.

“The market for office space is evolving,” he said. “The pandemic has accelerated some trends where more people are working from home. We’re just looking to kind of adapt to the changes.”

Office-only spaces are not where the future is, Frank said. People want to live and work in integrated neighborhoods that are more lively. “They want a nice working environment,” he said. “The way people work is changing and we need to adapt to that.”

The campus has four buildings.

The largest building was built to

be the headquarters for Hewlett Packard, which later split into HP and Agilent Technologies. Agilent remained on the site for several years. The building that is furthest to the east was leased by Comcast to be a call center and the building in the center is leased by Liberty Mutual as a call center. The building furthest west is vacant, but the ground floor is currently under renovation for a future tenant, Frank said.

Since many Liberty Mutual and Comcast employees are now working from home, those buildings are largely empty even though they’re fully leased. The lease with Comcast is supposed to last for another five years, Frank said. “They still haven’t made a decision about whether they’re going to remain in the building,” he said.

All of the current buildings are of relatively new construction and will remain, Frank said, but there will now be a wider variety of tenants.

He hopes to see things like coffee shops and restaurants in the future, since the site currently has no such

Photo by Nina Culver This building was once the home of Hewlett Packard (HP) which eventually turned to Agilent Technologies.

The Splash amenities.

“We think people are looking for something more,” he said of adding amenities. “We also think having services in that area of Liberty Lake is beneficial for the people that live there.”

The process to get a zone change was lengthy, said Liberty Lake Planning Director Lisa Key. Greenstone had to request both a Comprehensive Plan map change and a zoning map change, which went before the city’s planning commission and hearing examiner before going to the city council for approval. The request was first made more than a year ago and was just approved in June, Key said. “It took a while,” she said.

Several residents said they were concerned that the site would become another multi-family development with dense housing that would conflict with the singlefamily residential area to the south.

Many said they were uneasy with giving Greenstone a “blank check” to develop the site however they wanted.

In response to those concerns, the city council voted to create a developer’s agreement between the city and Greenstone that would put several restrictions on the future development of the land.

Greenstone is allowed to create up to 250 living units in lieu of 250,000 square feet of office space, Key said.

If the development company ever wants to put in more than 250 units, they would have to get permission from the city, Key said.

Any free standing residential buildings are limited to two stories in height and are not allowed along Mission Avenue, according to the developer’s agreement. Any vertical mixed-use buildings are limited to three stories, with retail on the ground floor and residential units on the two top floors. Those buildings would be allowed along Mission Avenue.

Since the property is still surrounded by property that is zoned light industrial to the north and east, Greenstone must put in a buffer that includes a wall, trees and landscaping, Key said. “It’s not an inconsequential buffering requirement,” she said.

Though Greenstone now has many options as to what to put on the site, Frank said nothing has been decided. That includes whether or not residential units will be built.

“This is more long-term planning and visioning,” he said. “We don’t know for sure. I’m anticipating

The Splash

JULY 2022 • 11

COVER STORY

A look at the Meadowwood Past Splash archive

Thirty-six years ago, Elmer Schneidmiller came to Liberty Lake with his family. They began raising grass seed on the farmland north of Liberty Lake. The land, stretching from Valleyway, north to Mission, was intersected by farm roads and tractor trails.

Photo by Nina Culver

there will be some small amount of residential. The mixed use just gives us flexibility.”

Whatever the plan turns out to be, making changes to the site will likely be done over 10 years, Frank said. There’s a lot of undeveloped land at the site, particularly in the northeast corner. A portion of the large parking lots, particularly the lots that line Molter Road, will also be redeveloped.

“Some of the parking lots are unnecessary,” Frank said. “Agilent had plans to add a second building, which never happened.”

What the campus won’t become is a town center like Greenstone built in Kendall Yards and is working to build at Indiana Avenue and Harvard Road, which are dense areas that include retail, commercial and residential uses. “It’s not the right location to do a Kendall Yards type development,” Frank said.

While the campus will add a variety of additional uses, the office core will remain, Frank said. “The office uses will be prominent,” he said. “We think exclusive office zones don’t make sense anymore.

The future isn’t single purpose uses.”

It will be some time before residents see any sort of physical changes on the campus. The first thing to happen will be new tenants in the existing buildings. Frank said Greenstone is in discussions with the Liberty Launch Academy in regards to the main building that used to be the Hewlett Packard headquarters, but no final documents have been signed.

The Liberty Launch Academy is a private school that plans to launch grades K-8 in the fall, adding a grade level every year. The school, which already lists the Meadowwood Technology Campus as its location on its web page, was founded by Luke Kjar.

Kjar originally announced in early 2021 that he planned to open the Liberty Boys Academy in a home on the former Wallingford property at 22815 E. Eighth Avenue, an announcement that caught many neighbors by surprise. Many expressed concerns about Kjar’s desire to put in a full-sized sports stadium on the property. The school was intended to be a rugby academy. The website set up for the Liberty Boys Academy now redirects people to https://www. libertylaunchacademy.org.

Other new types of tenants will be welcomed into the existing buildings, Frank said. There’s also the possibility of creating conference rooms and audio/video facilities that people can rent on a short-term basis.

“You’ll see a wider variety of tenants in those buildings,” he said.

“It will be, I think, a year or two before you see any small commercial development. Buildings have to be designed and then they have to be constructed. The readaptation will take time.”

Key said there will be a lot of opportunities to bring new life back to the campus now that the zone change is complete. “The potential for redevelopment is good,” she said. “It does look like a ghost town.”

And then one day, about 22 years ago, Bill Main Sr. came along. “I came up with the concept of a planned community,” Mr. Main said, “for the 1200 acres that was owned by the Schneidmiller and Schultz families.” Having been in the development business for many years, what Mr. Main envisioned was a grand plan.

He wanted a variety of land use possibilities, drawn together in a cohesive community.

Mr. Main approached Elmer Schneidmiller with his vision for Liberty Lake in 1978.

Mr. Schneidmiller said, “we drove all over the fields and I remember distinctly telling him we didn’t want to do it unless we could do a nice project.”

MeadowWood Project

–

A

Nice

So, they formed a team. Bill Main, the real estate developer with years of experience. Elmer Schneidmiller, the land owner with a love for the Liberty Lake area, and Jim Frank, the young lawyer just out of college, hired to develop the environmental impact statement for the project.

What they set out to build was a very nice project indeed.

They envisioned homes and neighborhoods in “all different price brackets.” To complement the neighborhoods they planned recreation areas, and decided to attract businesses that would make good corporate neighbors for the planned community.

Corporate Clientele Of the first corporate neighbor, Hewlett Packard (eventually Agilent Technologies), Mr. Main said “we were wining and dining HP, trying to get them to move from California.” And though HP didn’t move, they did build a site here, and that was a start. From

that beginning, so many years ago, the Liberty Lake area eventually housed more than 14 high-tech businesses. According to Wendy VanOrman, spokeswoman for the Liberty Lake 2000 Committee, “businesses have moved in to supply approximately 5500 jobs in the area.”

Homes for Sale Although the project was approved in 1978, the neighborhoods didn’t begin to take shape till around 1988. According to Mr. Main, “development was slow at first because at that time, the market was terrible.” He described how they worked to attract HP first, and then “thought things would take off overnight.”

Things didn’t take off overnight, really not till over a decade. In 1988 the development effort became a joint venture between Bill Main and Greenstone Corporation. “We made the right choice when we got Jim Frank to finish it off,” said Mr. Main. “Jim is a really creative guy and really intelligent.”

‘Finishing it off’ has taken thirteen years already and will take about five more according to Jim Frank.

MeadowWood neighborhoods range from starter homes to large estates bordering the golf courses.

In each neighborhood, sidewalks and streetlights are standard.

Trees are planted at equal distances along the streets to give a groomed feel to the landscape.

Trails connect the neighborhoods.

And in the larger neighborhoods, community parks add to the recreation opportunities for families.

COMMUNITY

12 • JULY 2022

COMMUNITY

are only $25 for the entire car.

clubs. More at scld.org.

EVENTS

RECURRING

July 3 | Liberty Lake Boat Parade – 4 p.m. The Parade will kick off from the 3rd Ave Public Boat launch and travel counterclockwise around the lake. The 3rd annual Liberty Lake boat parade has become one of Liberty Lake’s signature, must see 4th of July holiday events.

Live music will be performed on a floating barge at the end of the parade on the water in front of the Public Launch.

Liberty Lake Farmers Market – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturdays, Town Square Park, 1421 N Meadowood Lane. Shop local from our 4050 vendors each Saturday. Our market is full of wonderful produce, baked goods, eggs, meats, fish and specialty items from all around the Northwest.

Toastmasters, Liberty Lakers #399 | 5:45 to 7 p.m., 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, we are currently meeting online only. RSVP to get the link on www.libertylakers.org.

This is a speaking and leadership development club.

July 4 | Liberty Lake 4th of July Parade – 11 a.m. 32nd Annual Parade begins on the corner of Shoreline and Liberty Lake Drive in Alpine Shores Area on the west side of the lake. Parade participants will begin to line up at 10 a.m. and the parade will kick off at 11 a.m. (no pets, no cars, golf carts allowed) – there will be games afterward at the Alpine Shores Park. Liberty Lake 4th July T shirts will be for sale at the Alpine Shores Grass Island on Liberty Lake Drive from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. on July 3! $15.00. Proceeds help with Parade costs.

July 4 | Over the Water Fireworks Extravaganza – 10 p.m. The fireworks are launched off a floating barge in the lake and this show can be seen from around the lake and throughout the Liberty Lake community (even as far as the River District). You can donate to this proud community funded tradition at www.libertylakefireworks.com July 4 | Liberty Lake City Fireworks Display – 10 p.m. The City of Liberty Lake in cooperation with the Liberty Lake Kiwanis Club will be hosting the fireworks show at Pavilion Park.

July 30 | Drive-In Movie (Jaws) – 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E Cataldo. You don’t want to miss this summer classic.

Pack up the car, load up the snacks, and come out to the drive-in. Tickets

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. For more, search for “Act 2” at scc. spokane.edu.

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.

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

MUSIC & THE ARTS July 9 | Spokane Symphony Special: Patriotic Pops. 9 p.m.

Pavilion at Riverfront Park, Spokane.

Watch the Spokane Symphony at a free concert before the City of Spokane’s Fireworks Show which starts at 10 p.m.

The Splash

(teams must be affiliated with a high school and all players must be from the same high school). Teams will play a minimum of 5 games over the three day tournament.

Tues’s in July | HS Summer Volleyball League – 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E Cataldo.

The Summer Volleyball league is a time for you to get your High School Volleyball season off to a great start.

The Summer League will have 2 levels of Competition, Varsity and Junior Varsity/Freshmen leagues

RECURRING

RECURRING

Al-Anon 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, call 425344-9280.

Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays, rehearsals at 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 866-6354.

Al-Anon Family Meetings | Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m., 708 N. Pines, Spokane Valley. Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon/ Alateen family groups can help. For more, call 456-2125.

HEALTH & RECREATION July 8 - 10 | Summer Slam Basketball Tournament – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E Cataldo. The HUB Sports Center will host a series of summer basketball tournaments for high school teams (teams must be affiliated with a high school and all players must be from the same high school). Teams will play a minimum of 5 games over the three day tournament.

July 15 - 17 | Summer Slam Basketball Tournament – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., HUB Sports Center, 19619 E Cataldo. The HUB Sports Center will host a series of summer basketball tournaments for high school teams

Veterans Assistance Groups | The Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Eligibility: combat veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors.

For more, call Steve at 893-4746 to make an intake appointment.

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.

Family and Friends of Addicts | 6 p.m. Wednesdays, The ONE Church, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley. Support group utilizing tools and principles to help navigate

The Splash

COMMUNITY

relationships with addicts and finding peace, strength and hope.

For more, call 590-2422.

HUB Sports Center | 19619 E Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake.

Various activities and events occur throughout the week including: • Pickleball drop-in: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; $4 online, $5 at door.

Pre-registered players have priority, limited availability for drop-ins.

Clinics held twice a month. For more info www.hubsportscenter. org/pickleball/ • Classes including Kenpo Karate, Taekwondo and Fit for YOUR Life.

See hubsportscenter.org for cost and times.

Liberty Lake Running Club | Meets at Liberty Lake Physical Therapy, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through October. Weekly three-mile run/ walk. Earn T-shirt after six runs.

Liberty Lake Couples Golf League | Meets at Liberty Lake Golf Course, 10 a.m. Thursdays through September. Open to all levels of golfers, new members are welcome all season. Cost to join is $15 per couple plus green fees. For more email dianerudnick@gmail.com Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11:30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. For more, call Steve at 893-4746.

Mindful Music & Movement | 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. Wednesdays, Willow Song Music Therapy Center, 21101 E. Wellesley #102-103, Otis Orchards. All are welcome to this session specifically designed for adults living with chronic health issues. Session addresses physical function, vocal wellness and strength, self-expression, breath work, movement, and increase of mood through music experiences, as facilitated by board-certified music therapist, Carla Carnegie. $10 per person. For more, email carla.carnegie@gmail.com or call 592-7875.

CIVIC &

BUSINESS RECURRING

JULY 2022 • 13

Central Valley School Board | 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, CVSD administration building, 2218 N Molter Road 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 Parks and Arts Commission | 4 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake Kiwanis | 6:45 a.m.

Wednesdays, Liberty Lake Portal Building, 23403 E Mission Ave. Friends of Liberty Lake Municipal Library | 1 p.m. the last Thursday of each month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Liberty Lake Lions Club | 6 p.m. every second and forth Thursdays of each month at Barlows, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road. Please join us!

Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club | Noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Meadowwood Technology Campus, 24021 E. Mission Ave. For more, visit LibertyLakeRotary.org.

Liberty Lake Merchants Association | 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Liberty Lake Portal, 23403 E. Mission Ave., Suite 120. For more, call 999-4935.

Liberty Lake Municipal Library Board | 1:00 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month, 23123 E. Mission Ave or via Zoom.

Liberty Lake Planning Commission | 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

Liberty Lake SCOPE | 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. Submit items for The Splash Community Calendar by the 15th of the previous month by emailing editor@libertylakesplash.com.

Priority is given to noncommercial local events open to the public.

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The Splash

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Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

When she arrived at Ridgeline High School last fall to begin her junior year, Julia Stewart was disappointed that a theatre department was not among the options. Stewart had been part of the drama curriculum at Central Valley starting as a freshman. At Ridgeline, Stewart got to work rallying support for building a program from scratch, meeting with administration and generating interest among students. Donations were secured for set pieces, students signed up and a director was secured.

By May, Stewart and a cast of fellow students premiered Ridgeline’s inaugural production. “You can’t just wait around for other people to help your dreams come true,” Stewart said. Along with serving as a catalyst for the effort, the Liberty Lake resident maintains a 3.5 grade point average and plays the piano and flute.

At CV she was part of the marching band.

AJ McGloflin had not competed in the high jump until last year.

At his first meet, as a junior at Central Valley, he scaled 6’2” – his own height. This season, McGloflin went undefeated and placed first at the 4A state meet with a jump of 6’10” while also earning third in the long jump – an event he took up this year – with a leap of 23 feet. The senior was part of a fourth-place team trophy for CV, the highest finish in program history. Last month, McGloflin placed second in the high jump at Nike Nationals in Eugene, Oregon.

He also participated in basketball at CV and on the AAU level. “AJ is the reason I tell every kid they should turn out and try,” said CV boys’ track coach Chuck Bowden.

“He was the key piece to our season.”

Keith Kopelson is a familiar name in Liberty Lake civic circles. The Massapequa, New York native was appointed to the Liberty Lake City Council in January 2012 and served until mid-2016. He served again from July to November of 2017 to fill a vacant seat. He is a past president of Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club and provided volunteer support on Rotary projects like the Memorial Day Breakfast and Rotary in Motion (RIM) Ride. While on council, Kopelson was part of the Spokane Transit Authority board. Kopelson currently works as manager of the Liberty Lake Portal and owns a security guard company. He is also a financial coach through Dave Ramsey. He co-founded the Liberty Lake Merchants Association. Keith and his wife Nicole have been married 27 years and have four children, one grandchild and one on the way.

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COMMUNITY

Spokane Indian Club

By Ashley Humbird Splash contributor

Bright vivid hues of red, blue, pink, orange flash as the members of the Spokane Indian Club perform a few of their intricate dance moves.

The light refracts off their bejeweled dances while their bangles clink together in a sequential rhythm showcasing the skill and practice that has gone into their dancing.

Sowmya Surapaneni, one of the Club’s original founders stands by playing music that is enchanting to listen to.

The Spokane Indian Club was started as an idea way back in the pre-pandemic days of 2019 when getting together in person to celebrate culture, community, and communication was easily done.

The club has had to make some changes since, but the heart of the club remains true. Bring a love of the Indian culture to the community they have a desire for living in.

Sowmya, who has lived in the Liberty Lake area since 2002, says that she has also had a passion for working with the community that she calls home. From helping tutor students after school in math to helping create a club where young people can learn about Indian culture, she is dedicated to helping her community grow and evolve.

Her belief is simple “…I made myself more giving to the community who in turn was more giving to us,” she explains.

The club is made up of fifteen plus members that range in age from seven to sixty-five. The club is open to the community and they would like to see their club grow to include

Photo by Ashley Humbird From left to right Natalie Newell, Kayla Jensen, Sindhu Surapaneni, Kalie Hirshfield, Addison Powers, and Maira Frank. other members from the Valley and beyond.

Everyone in the Spokane Indian Club learns about the Indian culture so that kids can embrace their culture and their heritage. They connect with their ancestral roots through storytelling, music, drama, and dance. Sindhu Surapaneni, a 13-year-old Selkirk middle school student, has learned to dance the Bharatanatyam. A dance that traces its steps back over 2,000 years. It is one of eight classical Indian dances that are the basis for most of the modern dances. The name has a complex meaning. Bha means emotion, ra means music, ta means rhythm, and Natyam means dance.

To put it simply it’s a dance that you preform with your whole body.

One must feel the music and be able to convey the feelings through expressions, hand gestures, and dancing. Being about to share her culture with the community means a great deal to Sindhu. “It’s really

fun to have other people experience our culture and share it with them and I enjoy teaching them!”

Sindhu helps teach other club members Bollywood dancing, which is a free form type of Indian dance and one that most Western areas are most familiar with. They connect with the community through their performance events where they answer questions about the Indian culture and then share stories with their dance. “People have been curious in a good way,” Sowmya says. “It means a lot to me in an area that has low diversity, I am very proud and humbled that the community has been able to accept us and other cultures for who we are without trying to make us fit in for them.” For example, she explains what the hand gesture representing Namaste means. The hand gesture needs to be done with intention since it is a sign of respect and reverence that is used as a from of greeting in the Indian culture. Its meaning loosely translates to ‘I bow to you’ or ‘greetings to you’ in the more intended way. To recreate this gesture, one must put their palms together in front of your chest, with elbows out and wrists at about a ninety-degree angle.

JULY 2022 • 15

2020, Spokane County Fair 2020 and 2021, Fall Fest at Riverfront Park Spokane, at many local schools including Ridgeline High School’s multi-cultural celebration and more!

They are experienced and were seen outside of their hometown in Seattle during the ACES 2022 event at the Langston institute.

They have many opportunities to see them preform in the coming months. Upcoming events include an opening ceremonies performance at the Unity in the Community at Riverfront Park Spokane on August 20th at 10:00am followed by events at the Spokane County Fair. They publish their performance times and locations on the clubs official Facebook group ‘Indianyouthclubofspokane’. There are other great ways to become involved with this amazing club through out the summer. A 3-day Bollywood Summer Camp will be open to all and free on July 13th and July 20th at 2:00pm-4:00pm and on July 27th at 4:00-6:00pm at the Liberty Lake library. Email indianyouthclubofspokane@gmail. com for more information or to simply join and become a regular club member.

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The Splash

Commissioner Race faces off in Aug Primary

By Nina Culver

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Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney has drawn two challengers for this year’s race for District 4, the first year where there are five commissioners instead of three on the ballot. The county was redistricted into five districts instead of three and each commissioner now has to be elected by the voters in their district rather than by a countywide vote.

Kuney, a Republican, has been a commissioner for the last four years.

She’s being challenged by Paul Brian Noble and Chris McIntosh, who are both Republicans. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the August primary will advance to the general election in November.

Kuney, who’s father worked in the insurance industry, grew up in Spokane and in Iowa. Her family came back to Spokane to stay when she was in junior high school and she graduated from Central Valley High School before earning a degree in accounting from Gonzaga University.

She worked for an accounting firm in San Francisco for three years before the 1989 earthquake there convinced her to come home. She worked for two accounting firms before taking a job with the state auditor’s office, where she stayed nearly 10 years.

She took some time off work to raise a family and then started Summit Tea Co. with a friend. She sold out her share of the business and in 2015 began working as the chief deputy auditor in the Spokane County Auditor’s Office. She was

appointed to a vacant county commissioner seat in 2017 and then ran for election in 2018 and again in 2020.

Kuney said she thinks her skills as a CPA and an auditor lend themselves well to her work as a commissioner. She likes to focus on making sound financial decisions and making sure what the money being asked for will be spent on.

“Those auditing skills, you’re always asking questions,” she said.

“I really have that same philosophy as a commissioner. I want to make sure we’re spending tax money wisely.”

Kuney said she wanted to become a commissioner because she wanted to be of service to the community. “As a whole, public safety is the number one issue,” she said. “People want to feel safe in their homes and community. We’ve funded the Sheriff’s Office, we’re looking at the new training facility on the West Plains.”

She said she’s proud that she helped get $1.5 million in state funding for the new Doris Morrison Learning Center being built adjacent to the Saltese wetlands just south of Spokane Valley. “I’m super excited at the opportunities for students and our citizens,” she said.

Kuney said she sees herself as a problem solver. “I truly believe I bring strong, common-sense oriented leadership,” she said. “I’m truly about looking at the issues, finding what the problem is and finding the solutions.”

She has served on the Hutton Settlement board of directors since 2009 and is currently vice-president of the Washington Association of

Mary Kuney

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Splash contributor

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Noble, who was born and raised in Yakima, came to Spokane Valley in 1992 to take classes at the ITT Technical Institute. “I had a very well-paying job by the time I left there,” he said. “I put myself through Bible school with that wellpaying job.”

He became a pastor after completing a two-year program at the Assemblies of God Berean Bible School. He moved to Deer Park, where he worked as a youth minister at the Tri-County Christian Center for several years. He was later a pastor at churches in Post Falls, Medical Lake and Sandpoint before becoming the lead pastor at Valley Assembly of God Church eight years ago.

While he was working in Post Falls, the congregation he led split into two. That prompted him to get involved with Peacemaker Ministries 18 years ago, which offers Biblically based conflict resolution services to organizations. He’s been the organization’s CEO since 2017.

“I’ve done government mediations as well,” he said.

Noble said he’s running for county commissioner because he feels that the public isn’t being listened to. “I really think we need the people’s voice back in those meetings,” he said.

Paul Brian Noble

He said he has the ability to disagree with people without igniting conflict. “I think I have a way of doing this being a Peacemaking fellow,” he said. “I can do it calmly and respectfully.”

He said he’s also concerned that government regulations are too burdensome. “I think we’re over regulating our properties right now in the county,” he said.

Noble said he believes in several basic values: a free market, individual freedoms, the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, property rights and national defense. “I call myself a true Republican,” he said. “I believe in the constitution, that it’s we the people.”

McIntosh grew up in Orofino, Idaho, and Chewelah. After high school he joined the Air Force, where he served for four years. He attended classes at Walla Walla Community College and has held a variety of jobs, including as a sheet metal working, legger, mail carrier and waiter. He helped found a company called International Systems Engineering and Technology in the mid 90’s and then was a financial advisor for five years.

He then turned to real estate investing, founding Team Invest Pro in 2016. He’s run a real estate management company, Arcadia Springs Management, for more than a decade. He’s also a licensed real estate broker and a real estate agent.

McIntosh said he’s concerned about the homeless issue in Spokane Valley and is also concerned about election integrity. He said he’s heard many people express doubts about the election process. “I’m not accusing or saying there is fraud or shenanigans going on,” he said.

“We need our citizens to have faith and trust in the process. If there’s no fraud, let's prove it.”

McIntosh said he’s a longtime resident and business owner who cares about Spokane County. “I think Spokane deserves better,” he said.

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About and for Liberty Lake seniors

Enjoying the Fourth in Liberty Lake

By Ashley Humbird Splash contributor

Tradition is a word that goes hand in hand with a city that has Liberty in its name; for what inspires more tradition that Liberty? So, it is only fitting that the Forth of July, the founding of Liberty in America would be the day that is held in highest anticipation and excitement for the community of Liberty Lake.

As you drive down the streets, houses are getting decked out in their ‘Liberty regalia’. The Forth of July is upon the city and its stars and stripes are on full display.

The weekend will hold many events. Starting with a boat parade on Saturday July 3rd at 4:00pm that will go around the Lake the city it’s named after: Liberty Lake.

The freedom to swim and enjoy the cool refreshing waters of the pacific northwest. This will be the boat parade 3rd annual event. Marla Larson had the idea when lockdown happened and the city, country and world shut down. It was a way to carry on Liberty Lake’s tradition of a parade, just in a different form.

Boats by nature are a socially distant activity, and so the idea became a reality.

the Lake in the parade, boaters will be able to enjoy the sounds of the Four Peace Band on a bright and warm afternoon. The band will play on the barge that will be home to the next day’s evening event of Fireworks on the Lake.

The Fourth of July day will begin with a unique and fun neighborhood parade. Annie Tichy has been on the committee for the parade since it was founded in 1988, 34 years ago. Despite the need for a two-year hiatus, the parade is back and gearing up to go. All Liberty Lake community members are encouraged to participate in this family friendly and safe walking parade. No cars or pets are allowed to participate in order to help ensure the safety of all involved. The parade starts at 11am and will wind through the neighborhoods on Liberty Lake Road down through Alpine Shores.

To help support the community funded parade, t-shirts will be on sale July 3rd for $15 at the Alpine Shores Park. There will be games and other fun activities for the whole

family.

fire don’t go hand in hand.

The parade committee is proud to be able to bring back this honored city tradition. “It’s special being able to see people who walked in the very first parades come back and walk the parade with their children.

Tradition is important.” Annie shares about the history of the event.

Last year the barge that Jeff used to hose the platform for his team and their fireworks started to slightly take on water. Thankfully their show was a success of blooms of color bursting in the sky and no one was hurt. This year though Jeff has acquired the use of a different barge that will be more than capable of holding the light show.

The Grand Marshals will be the head of the parade. For those who would like to join in the event, make your way down to the corner of Shoreline after 10am, but before 11am. There is no registration needed for this event. Decorate golf carts, wear costumes, and have fun as the parade moves through the Liberty Lake community. It’s a great way to kickstart the day that is sure to be filled with grilled meats, cold salads, and smores.

But don’t think the fun is over.

The evening concludes with an Over the Lake fireworks show. Jeff O’Shea, the program’s head, has been working on the fireworks show for a couple years now. It presents some difficulties, since water and

The Over the Lake Fireworks show will be on the Northwest side of Liberty Lake and will start at 10pm. The show is 100% community funded and they are always looking for donors. A link on their webpage Libertylakefireworks.org will take you to a GoFundMe page where all dominations are welcome.

Marla, Annie, Jeff, and their respective teams, are part of a larger tradition of celebrating the Liberty of the United States of America. Liberty Lake will remain a city steeped in tradition for many years to come for the Fourth of July. Enjoy the holiday, be safe, and make lasting memories and traditions with your family.

This year the boat parade will award ribbons to: Best Overall Boat, Most Creative Boat, Best Themed Boat and Most Patriotic Boat.

All boat parade participants are encouraged to show their holiday spirit and decorate their boat. The boat parade will start near the boat launch and end across the lake near Alpine Shores.

In keeping with the tradition, live music is coming back to the lake.

Around 100 years ago there used to be a dance hall called Pavilion Dance Hall on the Lake where people would come from all over the area to hear music and dance. It will be an enjoyable feature for this year’s Saturday boat parade to include live music entertainment. After touring

Photo by Ashley Humbird Marla Larson (left) coordinates the boat parade, Annie Tichy (middle) oversees the Fourth of July parade, and Jeff O’Shea (right) leads the over the lake fireworks show.

JULY 2022 • 21

The Splash

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Work ethic propels WV’s O’Neal up baseball ladder

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Easton O’Neal was 11 years old, playing in a select baseball tournament in Colville, when he mistakenly picked up a nonregulation bat and promptly crushed a grand slam on the first pitch he saw.

The home run was subsequently disallowed and the four runs erased from the scoreboard.

“He didn’t realize he was using the wrong bat,” said Eric Sandberg, O’Neal’s coach at the time. “Most kids that age, if that happens and the hit is taken away, they’re done for the day. Not Easton. He just moved on.”

The next time up, using a different bat, O’Neal sent a ball soaring beyond the outfield fence.

Rounding the bases, there was no hint of taunting or retribution.

“That’s just his personality,” said Sandberg. “Easton does a good job focusing on winning.”

Steady concentration and steely determination have carried O’Neal into rare prep baseball air, most recently as a sophomore at West Valley High School where he started

as catcher this season and hit .392 with a .493 on-base percentage.

He was part of an Eagles’ club that finished 14-2 in the Greater Spokane League, capturing the 2A regular season title and advancing to state.

Conference that has emerged as a national name under coach Billy O’Conner.

Easton’s last name is a familiar one to Eagle Nation. His dad, Don O’Neal, was the WV baseball coach from 2000 to 2014. Don played at University High before excelling at Whitworth and being signed to a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers and spending a year in their minor league system.

A stellar student, Easton is already looking ahead to majors in finance or bio-med at Xavier. He has until the fall of his senior year to sign a letter of intent

Don said his son “has always been a student of the game.”

“He’s always paid attention and wants to learn more about baseball,” Don said.

Easton admits that his mom, Melissa, “probably get annoyed” that he and his dad talk mostly baseball around the house. For her part, Melissa often takes up responsibilities as chauffeur and chaperone, accompanying Easton to tournaments across the country.

This summer, his travels with a select team out of New Jersey have taken him to places like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Oregon.

“Honestly, I just feel lucky to be able to help,” Melissa said.

“Whatever it takes to help him chase his dream. Yes, there are sacrifices. Don works 16 hours a day sometimes to make sure it can happen for Easton.”

Easton’s path appears headed to Cincinnati after high school.

Earlier this year, he gave a verbal commitment to Xavier University, a Division 1 school in the Big East

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“It’s a program that is definitely trending in the right direction,” said Easton.

“At the end of the day, there are so many more factors that go into picking a college than just baseball,” he said.

Being selected in the Major League Baseball draft as a senior is also a possibility.

“I would love to get drafted out of high school but I’m also realistic about that, too,” Easton said.

Easton’s freshman season at West Valley was shortened due to the ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sophomore, he wasted little time proving he belonged among the GSL’s elite. In an 18-8 drubbing of rival East Valley on April 18, Easton collected two doubles and a triple. For the season, his slugging percentage checked in at .787.

“Easton’s obviously a very good player,” said Caleb Gray, a WV teammate and senior standout.

“He’s always trying to get better.”

Sandberg, who coached Easton last summer with the Spokane Expos, said his work ethic and mental approach to the game set him apart.

“He’s a once-in-a-decade kind of player,” Sandberg said. “Easton has a high baseball I.Q. and works hard. He also holds his teammates accountable. He’s legit. I think he has a chance to play this game for a long time.”

With a dad who played college and professional baseball and coached for years – including many of his son’s youth teams – Easton said he doesn’t take for granted the mentoring and support from home.

“My dad has always been there

Photo by Black Cobra Media Easton O’Neal hit .392 with a .493 on-base percentage this season for a West Valley squad that placed first the Greater Spokane League 2A division and qualified for state. The junior-to-be has committed verbally to play baseball at Xavier University in Cincinnati. for me,” he said. “I think he’s the greatest dad in the world. Anytime I want to play catch, hit or lift, he’s always there. He’s also always saying to me, ‘This is your journey.

I’m just here to help.’”

Despite a distinguished career of his own, Don said his son is the best player in the family.

“He’s better than I ever was,” Don said.

Whether it’s playing for the Baseball Northwest club following his eighth-grade year or venturing to Arizona last fall as part of the Spokane Crew, Easton has gained experience that he says has enhanced his game and humility.

“Just stepping back, you realize you’re not that special,” he said.

“There are plenty of guys just as good as you. I’ve just got to work hard and compete.”

Melissa said beyond the honors like being named second team AllGSL this year, her son stands out as a good citizen. As a middle schooler, he befriended a student experiencing food insecurity, buying him food from the vending machine with his own lunch money.

“The fact that Easton is kind and respectful is the reward for me,” Melissa said. “I’m proud of him on a daily basis.”

JULY 2022 • 23

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Fire Dept seeks Property Tax Levy Lift

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is asking for a levy lid lift on the August ballot, but after the recent sharp rise in assessed home values and property taxes for residents the department is promising to lower their other levy next year to ease the demand on taxpayers.

Fire departments are allowed to levy a property tax of $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed home value without approval from voters. But over time, as property values rise, the set rate does not collect the entire $1.50 and the money collected actually drops every year because fire districts and departments are only allowed to increase the amount they collect by one percent per year.

Before the recent valuations announced by the Spokane County Assessors Office, property values had gone up 50 percent in the last five years, said Fire Chief Frank Soto. In that time the department has only been able to raise its annual levy by five percent. The amount currently being collected is $1.04 per $1,000 in assessed value.

Many departments request an occasional levy lid lift, which raises the amount collected back up to the maximum of $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed value. Valley Fire last asked for a six-year levy lid lift 15 years ago, which was approved by voters.

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ON THAT NOTE

JULY 2022 • 27

Department is funded entirely by two levies; the regular fire levy and a special maintenance and operations levy. Currently the regular fire levy covers 39 percent of the department’s budget and the M&O levy accounts for 61 percent of the budget. Most fire departments would prefer that those percentages be flipped because the M&O levy has to be renewed every few years and the funding is not guaranteed, Soto said.

“That’s the bulk of our funding and that’s a scary place to be,” he said. “We want to rebalance.”

The department’s annual budget is $44.1 million and $33.2 million of that is for wages and benefits. But there are other costs, including the price of diesel, which have been soaring in recent months. Based on current prices, the department expects to be hugely over budget for diesel this year.

“These are things we can plan for a little bit, but not like this,” Soto said. “We do need more money. The cost of doing business has gone up.”

If the levy lid lift is approved by voters, the owner of a $450,000 house will pay an additional $17.04 per month in taxes. The levy lid lift would last for six years before expiring, keeping the levy rate at $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed value for all six of those years.

Soto said the department is working hard to serve citizens and be as cost effective as possible. The department doesn’t just respond to fires and car crashes. They also respond to medical calls, swift water rescues, wildland fires and technical rescues. They perform community education and risk reduction activities, including installing

smoke detectors in homes that don’t have them.

“We’re an all-hazard agency,” Soto said. “Eighty-two percent of our call volume is EMS in nature.”

The department has a cardiac arrest survival rate more than 30 percent above the national average because of the pit crew style of CPR used by the department, Soto said.

“We have saved 16 people last year alone, 16 people who were clinically dead,” he said.

The department is also one of only seven in Washington State to be accredited and is one of only six in the state to be rated a Class 2 department by the WSRB, which lowers homeowners insurance rates.

“We are not in the middle of the pack,” Soto said. “We’re leading the pack right now.”

While Soto argues that investing in the department by approving the levy lid lift is investing in everyone’s quality of life, he recognizes that the sharp rise in home values that were just announced will hit people in their wallets. The average increase in home values was 31 percent, which will cause property taxes to go up.

In response, if the levy lid lift is

approved, the department will only ask voters to approve a $20 million M&O levy next year instead of a $30 million levy as originally planned, Soto said. That would make the total amount collected by both levies drop from $2.71 per $1,000 in assessed home value to $2.35 per $1,000.

“We have the ability to lower that,” he said. “We reworked all the numbers.”

The department would put its capital construction plans on hold because of the loss of $10 million from the M&O levy, including plans to build an eleventh fire station and a new training facility, Soto said.

There would be a problem, however, if both the levy lid lift in August and the M&O levy next year don’t pass, Soto said. It would mean the closure of six or seven of the department’s ten fire stations, leaving what is left woefully inadequate to cover the rising number of calls the department is responding to. Valley Fire responded to an average of 63 calls per day last year and so far this year the number of calls is up by 10 percent.

“We’re busy,” Soto said. “We’re super busy. There’s no way three or four stations can keep up with this.”

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