July 2019 Current

JULY

2019

GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit #010 ZIP CODE 99019

FREE

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Splash Down

The winding tale of a wet and wild family business, page 10

INTERVIEW WITH THE SV PRIMARY CANDIDATES PAGES 4-9

HOMEMADE MEXICAN ICE CREAM PAGE 26

GRAB ANOTHER GEAR WITH CYCLE CELEBRATION PAGE20

2 • JULY 2019

Layered Leader:

NEWS

Kuney took unique path to county commissioner

By Craig Howard Current Contributing Editor If recent history is any indication, graduates of Central Valley High School have a better chance than most to become a Spokane County commissioner.

CV alum Shelly O’Quinn represented District 2 on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners from 2013 until June of 2017, when she resigned to lead the Inland Northwest Community Foundation (now Innovia).

That August, the Spokane County Republican Party nominated former Bear Mary Kuney to fill the vacancy left

by O’Quinn – but that was only the beginning. After sitting commissioners Al French and Josh Kerns could not reach an agreement on a replacement, the decision was forwarded to Olympia, where Gov. Jay Inslee officially appointed Kuney that September.

“I was ecstatic,” Kuney recalls upon hearing the announcement.

“I believe I had tears in my eyes.”

Just days after the call from the state capital, Kuney made the short walk from the office where she had worked as the county’s chief deputy auditor to the courthouse, where she began her tenure as a commissioner.

“I didn’t even have time to clean out my office,” she said.

Kuney’s former boss, Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton, had encouraged her to make a run at O’Quinn’s open chair. Kuney’s first foray into the world of politics – consisting of a campaign for county treasurer in 2014 – had ended with a defeat in the primary election.

Kuney’s next appearance on a ballot would prove more successful. In a quest to retain her seat, she collected 58 percent of the vote against Rob Chase in the 2018 primary before clinching a victory with over 61 percent last fall.

For someone whose career had been largely defined by service in the non-elected public sector – including 10 years as Washington state auditor – Kuney was becoming

a pro on the campaign trail.

“I had never really considered running for office before,” she says.

It won’t be long before Kuney is preparing her next stump speech.

She will be back on the ballot next fall as she wraps up O’Quinn’s fouryear term and seeks re-election.

These days, Kuney serves as chair of the Board of Commissioners with Kerns and French, representing a district that includes Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood and Rockford, among other areas.

From her perspective as chief deputy auditor to her time as state auditor – where she oversaw the Spokane County audit for two years – Kuney began her duties as a commissioner with layered insight

of the financial side of county government. Still, she is the first to admit the new role came with a steep learning curve.

“I naively thought I had a pretty good grasp of what was expected,” she said.

Kuney brought a unique resume to her new job, one that has stood her in good stead nearly two years into the role. In addition to her background as a certified public accountant and extensive experience in the public sector, she has started two businesses and served on the board of the Hutton Settlement and Boys and Girls Club while also volunteering with the Junior League.

For the newest commissioner, the daunting responsibilities of running a county with over 500,000 residents has turned into a civic calling.

“I truly see it now as community service,” she said.

Photo by Craig Howard Mary Kuney represents District 2 on the Spokane County Board of Commissioners, an area that includes Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley, Millwood and Rockford, among other communities. A graduate of Central Valley High School and Gonzaga University, Kuney was appointed as a county commissioner by Gov. Jay Inslee in September 2017 and retained her seat by defeating Rob Chase in the November 2018 general election.

The Current A native of Kansas, Kuney spent her formative years between Iowa and the Inland Northwest. Her dad worked in insurance and opened offices in various locations. The youngest of five kids, Kuney was studious and involved in music and dance. Prior to her junior year of high school, Kuney landed back in Spokane Valley to stay. She spent her junior and senior years at Central Valley and was part of the marching band.

With a goal of becoming a CPA, Kuney enrolled at Gonzaga University after graduating from CV in 1983. In her first official campaign run, she was elected president of GU’s Accounting Club. She raised money for school by working at Costco.

Kuney thrived in college, pulling good grades and receiving three offers from Big 8 accounting firms upon graduation in 1987. She took a job in San Francisco with Deloite. After three years in the Bay Area, including the trauma of the October 1989 earthquake, Kuney was ready to come home.

“It made Spokane seem not so bad,” Kuney recalls.

Kuney met her future husband Max not long after returning to Spokane. The two have been married since 1992 and have two grown children – Connie and Jeff.

The Current caught up with Kuney recently to talk about the transition from auditor to commissioner, the challenges facing Spokane County and the ongoing debate regarding the optimum number of county commissioners.

Q: You shuttled back and forth a bit between Iowa and Spokane Valley in your youth and also lived in the Bay Area for a while after college. Did being away from the Inland Northwest for those stretches increase your appreciation for this area?

A: Yes, being away did increase my appreciation for the Inland Northwest. No matter where we lived growing up, we would spend time every summer in Sioux City, Iowa. That was where my parents were raised and seeing family was very important. I did move around but my father loved the mountains and the beauty of the Inland Northwest, so we always

See KUNEY, Page 3

The Current

KUNEY

Continued from page 2

came back to Spokane. I feel the same way. When I lived in San Francisco after college, I was drawn back to Spokane for the beauty of the mountains, the lack of natural disasters and family.

I have lived through tornadoes in Iowa and the ’89 Earthquake in San Francisco. Spokane has a smalltown feel but truly has all the great things to do just like a big city. We have concerts, Broadway shows, professional sports and an amazing park system just to name a few. Moving around a lot made me resilient. It helped me decide who I wanted to be. As a child growing up, I learned from observing and listening to others to make myself a better person. That same thing is true living in different locations.

You see what you like and do not like about an area, and I bring that same process in my thoughts when making decision about what I want Spokane County to be in the future.

Q: What did you learn from your tenure at the state auditor’s office in terms of budgets and

JULY 2019 • 3

NEWS

fiduciary responsibility of school districts, cities and counties that has helped you in your role as county commissioner?

A: As a state auditor, I worked with a lot of elected officials and got to see their strengths and weaknesses. I saw actions of those officials that inspired me and others that were a cause for concern. As county commissioner, I am taking the best attributes of what I’ve seen over the years and putting all that to work here for me to be the best county commissioner I can be. When auditing government agencies, I always looked at it from the taxpayer’s perspective – are the entities spending the money appropriately? I worked to ensure that the entities were in compliance with laws and regulations. I had to write findings of non-compliance on many of my audit clients, including when I was auditorin-charge of the Spokane County audit. I’m happy to say our last audit for Spokane County had no audit findings.

Q: You first appeared on a ballot in 2014 when you ran for county treasurer. What are some of your

recollections of that initial plunge A: The main lesson that I into the world of campaigns and learned was that I had the skill elections? set necessary to dig in quickly A: That was my first run for into the details and the ability to any elected office, and there were make difficult decision to promote a lot of things that I figured out on the interests of our citizens. Also, my own. These ranged from the the importance of being a good importance of doorbelling, to sign listener. That is how you find out locations, to all the events to attend what is important to our citizens and the fact that your time is not and what is really going on in our your own – you are in campaign community. mode 24/7. The most important Q: It didn’t sound like you had lesson was you need to listen to intentions to throw your name your constituents and learn what is into the ring after Shelly O’Quinn important to them. It was fun to get announced in 2017 that she would to know what people are thinking be moving on to take over the and what they care about. It is hard Inland Northwest Community being new to the scene since no Foundation. What changed your one knows who you are. It is not mind? unusual that political candidates A: When Shelly decided to are not successful in their first run, move on, she came to me and since they need to learn the ins asked me to fulfill her term and outs of running a campaign. because she knew my expertise However, it is humbling when you in finance and budgeting and work so hard and know that you she had confidence in my ability would be a great treasurer to not to do the job. In addition, I was make it out of the primary. approached by many local business Q: What lessons were you and community leaders, county able to take from that experience employees and elected officials as you ran to retain your county See COMMISSIONER, Page 17 commissioner seat in 2018?

THE QUEST SUNDAY FEST SUNDAYS, JULY 14-AUG 11 YO U R G O -T O S U N D AY STREET L F E S T IVA

Connect with friends and neighbors at the Inland Northwest’s newest outdoor community event. Discover local and regional art, crafts and gourmet food. Relax in the beer garden or try the incredible Bloody Mary bar.

Or just chill with free kids’ activities, performance art and music at this free street festival.

The Quest Sunday Fest is open 11am to 5pm on the Grand Plaza in front of the Northern Quest hotel.

Learn more or sign up to be a vendor at questsundayfest.com

4 • JULY 2019

NEWS

Two challenging Peetz for Pos. 2

By Nina Culver Current Contributor

Spokane Valley City Council Position 2 is currently held by Brandi Peetz, who has held the position since 2017. Two people have filed to run against her in the August primary, Michelle Rasmussen and Robert “Rocky” Samson. The two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election in November.

Following is a breakdown of each candidate in the race: Brandi Peetz Age: 32 Education: Graduated from Central Valley High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in c r i m i n a l justice from Gonzaga University.

Political experience: Elected to her current position in November 2017 and was appointed to serve on the Spokane County Citizens Advisory Board.

Family: Married Finances: The most recent PDC filings show she has raised $11,951, nearly half from individuals, and received $2,000 in loans. She has spent $3,155. Her top donors include The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1439 and the United Association 44 PAC Fund.

She’s also received donations from former council members Dean Grafos, Bill Gothmann and Chuck Hafner.

Brandi Peetz said she decided to run for re-election because there is more work to be done.

“I just felt that we have an opportunity to make a lot of positive impacts in our community,” she said. “I wanted to continue to add to the value of the community.”

She said she’s been doing coffee chats in the community and attending as many Spokane Valley events as she can to find out what people are concerned about.

She said she’s glad to see the city has a presence on Facebook now and is doing better about getting information out to the public.

“People want to know what their elected officials are up to,” she said.

Peetz said she’s focusing on running a positive campaign after the election that pitted her against appointed council member Caleb Collier in 2017 turned ugly.

“I tried on numerous occasions to talk to Caleb and put our differences aside,” she said. “I was not met with kind greetings. To this day, I have no ill feelings toward Caleb. I’m interested in moving forward.”

Peetz said she’d rather focus on finding revenue to replace the dwindling telephone tax that is used to pay for street preservation projects. Other taxes have been discussed, but Peetz said she doesn’t want to consider a new tax when the city has a lot of money in reserve.

“We keep a 50 percent surplus,” she said.

The city usually allocates leftover money to capital projects, but Peetz said that money could go to street preservation.

“I realize we’re in a good economy right now,” she said. “Taxes are just not something I’m willing to look at right now.”

She sits on one committee, the Tourism Promotion Area, which hasn’t met this year.

“That’s the only committee I was given and those are doled out by the mayor,” she said.

If people re-elect her, they will get someone with two years of experience and knowledge, she said.

“I don’t need to get caught up,” she said. “I also bring a different perspective as a young female.”

She said she’s common sense minded and willing to sit down and talk to people.

“I have Spokane Valley needs as my first priority, not my own agenda,” she said.

Michelle Rasmussen Age: 61 Education: Graduated from Tahoma High School and attended Washington S t a t e University for two years.

She later went back to school and earned a

bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Whitworth University.

Occupation: She has worked at Eastern Washington University since 2015 and is currently the senior director for campus services.

Previously she had worked as the administrative assistant to former Spokane Valley city manager Mike Jackson since 2008.

Political experience: She has served on the Spokane Valley Planning Commission for three years. She has previously applied for vacant council positions but was not selected.

Family: Married with two children and one grandson.

Finances: The most recent PDC filings show she has raised $11,990, all from individuals, and received $4,050 in loans. Her top donors are Tom Vincent, Lynn Vincent and John Pring Jr. She’s also received support from Mayor Rod Higgins and current council members Arne Woodard and Pam Haley. Former councilman Ed Pace has also contributed.

Michelle Rasmussen said she applied for a seat on the planning commission after she stopped working for the city because “I really wanted to stay involved.”

Now she wants to be on the city council as a way to continue that process. She said one of the reasons she decided to do it now is because of a recent misunderstanding about open space versus green space. The planning commission approved a new rule removing the open space requirement from projects in commercial mixed-use zones. The council later approved it.

“That’s one of the things that drives affordable housing,” she said.

One of the biggest issues facing the city right now is the need to find funding to fund street preservation projects. Rasmussen said it’s important to maintain roads so they don’t need to be fully replaced and said the city also needs to put more effort into maintaining residential streets.

“How do we fund that?” she said.

Rasmussen said her previous work for Jackson gives her a unique insight into the city’s budget.

“You can vote to pass a budget, but that doesn’t mean you understand it, not when you haven’t been working on it behind the scenes,” she said.

“There’s an experience factor that is an advantage.”

The Current She has accepted a campaign donation of $100 from developer Dennis Crapo, who often has projects come before the planning commission for approval.

Rasmussen said she doesn’t see it as a conflict of interest.

“I voted against one of his projects,” she said. “I listen to what he has to say, and he respectfully listens to what I have to say. I think he did it more out of respect.”

Robert “Rocky” Samson Age: 49 Education: Graduated from Lincoln Park High School in Michigan Occupation: Manager of Checker Auto Sales and owner of Checker Auto Repair. He previously owned Checker Cab, but has since sold the company.

Political experience: He previously ran unsuccessfully for Spokane Valley City Council in 2017.

Family: Divorced with custody of one daughter.

Finances: No donations reported.

Candidates are required to track expenditures such as yard signs and marketing materials along with the donations they receive with the PDC. He said the city’s roads are a big issue, as is the lack of sidewalks on many Spokane Valley streets. It makes life difficult for his mother, who uses a scooter.

“She can’t ride her scooter on sidewalks to get to the store,” he said.

In addition to adding sidewalks, Samson said he’d like to see the city cut taxes even though it hasn’t raised property taxes in over a decade.

“Taxes are a big thing,” he said.

“I do not like taxes.”

He’d also like to cut the city’s budget, but he doesn’t have any specifics yet.

“I think there are areas where we can cut some money,” he said.

Samson said he does think the parks department spends too much money and is not in favor of plans to build a new Spokane Valley Library branch on an empty parcel of land

See POS. 2, Page 5

The Current

POS. 2

NEWS

Continued from page 4 across from City Hall.

“We have one,” he said. “What do we need another library for? So they can bring in more drag queens?

I just don’t think we need another library.”

Samson was referring to two recent drag queen story times held at the South Hill Library and the Downtown Spokane Library, both of which are run by Spokane Public Library. The Spokane Valley Library is run by the Spokane County Library District.

Samson said he likes the growth happening in Spokane Valley and wants it to continue.

“As a city we have an excellent opportunity to grow,” he said.

“When you have growth, then you have more businesses.”

He is very critical of Peetz and said she treated Collier badly in the last election.

He called Peetz a “very nasty person” and said he thinks she misses too many meetings and doesn’t read the documents provided to council members.

“I can’t stand her,” he said.

“She claims to be a Republican but her voting record shows her to be a Democrat. She’s a socialist, and that’s what I fight against.”

Samson is campaigning as a “real Republican” and said it doesn’t matter that the positions are supposed to be nonpartisan because people have political views.

“That plays a huge role in how you’re going to vote,” he said.

Samson said he’s a good candidate for city council because of his business and financial background

TELL ME ABOUT CREDIT UNIONS .

and said his job at Checker Auto Sales helps people stay employed.

“I have done several great things for the city,” he said. “I would like to see Brandi’s signs go away at the primary and have it go down to Michelle Rasmussen and Rocky at the end so we can get down to real politics with people who are educated.”

The last time he ran for city council he was on inactive court supervision for a Class D felony charge related to failing to pay creditors in Kentucky. Samson said he is no longer on supervision and the diversion program he agreed to means his record is clear.

“There is no felony,” he said. “It never happened, in other words.”

He also has accumulated several traffic tickets, including some for speeding, that were never paid and have been sent to collections.

Samson at first said he had no intention of paying them, then said he would pay them soon.

Samson is named in a lawsuit against Checker Auto Sales filed in Spokane County Superior Court in April. A former customer is alleging that the business is unlicensed, sold her a car for more than the advertised price and then illegally repossessed it two weeks later. She also claims in the lawsuit that her wallet, cash, bank cards and other items in the car when it was repossessed have not been returned.

The Washington State Department of Revenue web site indicates that the motor vehicle dealer license for Checker Auto Sales is “on hold” and not currently active. The Washington Department of Licensing, which manages the license, does not release information regarding the status of licenses.

JULY 2019 • 5

Patient Focused Dentistry Spok ane’s D ental Providers • Same

Day Crowns, Bridges, Implants • Same Day Extractions with Implants • Oral Surgery

• Root

Canals

GENERAL • COSMETIC COMPUTER-GUIDED DENTISTRY

• Nitrous/Laughing

• Extractions • 3D CBCT X-Rays

Gas

• Periodontics • Implant

Supported Dentures

• Sedation

• SATURDAY

APPOINTMENTS • SAME DAY EMERGENCIES • SAME DAY CROWNS

Liberty Lake FA M I LY D E N T I S T R Y

509-891-5001 | 1328 N. Stanford Lane Ste 100 www.libertylakefamilydentistry.com

Northpointe FA M I LY D E N T I S T R Y

509-465-5001 | 605 E. Holland Ave. Ste 108 www.northpointefamilydentistry.com

Latah Creek FA M I LY D E N T I S T R Y

P ay m e n t P l a n s a va i l a b l e D e n ta l s av i n g s P l a n DiscounteD Fees most insurances accePteD

509-455-5001 | 4100 S. Cheney-Spokane Rd. Ste B www.latahcreekfamilydentistry.com

Maple Street FA M I LY D E N T I S T R Y

509-928-5001 | 4610 N. Ash Ste 102 www.maplestreetfamilydentistry.com

NO INSURANCE?

SAVE 20% WITH OUR MEMBERSHIP PLAN ASK US HOW

CALL OR REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE

It’s like a bank, but it’s owned by members, not shareholders. See how that makes a difference for your money. Stop in or visit becu.org.

Live or work in Washington or North Idaho? You’re eligible. Join us.

PERSONAL BANKING: Spokane Valley NFC 615 N Sullivan Road, Suite D Spokane, WA 99037

North Spokane NFC 9420 N Newport Hwy Spokane Valley, WA 99218

Spokane Division NFC 916 N Division Street Spokane, WA 99202

HOME LOANS:

Insured by NCUA 800.233.2328 | becu.org

Spokane Home Loan Center 12111 E Mission Ave, Suite A Spokane Valley, WA 99206

6 • JULY 2019

Woodard defending challengers for Pos. 3

By Nina Culver Current Correspondent

Spokane Valley City Council Position 3 is currently held by Arne Woodard, who has been on the council since 2011. He’s facing three opponents in the August primary: Al Merkel, Adam “Smash” Smith and Lance Gurel.

The two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election in November.

Following is a breakdown of each candidate in the race: Arne Woodard Age: 66 Education: Graduated from Gonzaga Prep and attended S p o k a n e Community College for a year and a half Occupation: Retired real estate broker Political experience: Woodard served on the city’s planning commission for about a year before being appointed to fill a vacant city council seat in April 2011. He was elected to his seat in November 2011 and has held it since. He was also selected by his fellow council members to serve as deputy mayor for two years.

Family: Married with seven children and 12 grandchildren Finances: The most recent PDC filings show he has raised $12,572, most of it from individuals, and spent $2,414. His top donors include John Pring Jr. and Jim Harken. He’s also received donations from Mayor Rod Higgins, city council candidate Michelle Rasmussen and former council member Ed Pace.

Arne Woodard has served on the council for nine years and said he wants to continue to work on several projects the city is planning, including the Barker Road overpass and the Pines Road underpass. He also would like to see Balfour Park expanded to vacant land the city owns next door.

Basically, he wants to continue to serve the public in his nonpartisan position, Woodard said.

NEWS

“I don’t care who you are,” he said. “How can I help?”

A recent vote Woodard took to remove open space requirements in corridor mixed use zoning has received some criticism. Woodard said he believes people are confusing open space with green space.

“The open space was an arbitrary 210 feet, and the developer could put it wherever they wanted,” he said.

Corridor mixed use zones are designed for buildings that have businesses on the street level and residences on the floors above.

“People that do that are not looking for grass,” he said. “It’s a very different type of residential/ commercial endeavor.”

Woodard said the city needs to focus more on homelessness, but without duplicating services that already exist in Spokane.

“We have our homeless in the Valley, but we don’t have support services because those have always centered in downtown,” he said.

He said he wants the city’s growth to continue, though some have expressed concerns about it happening too fast.

“I think people don’t understand the growth mostly,” he said. “The growth is an issue. We do keep our eyes on that.”

People should vote for him because he has experience and has built numerous relationships in his time on the council, Woodard said.

“I’ve lived here my whole life,” he said.

The job of being a council member isn’t easy, Woodard said.

“It’s not, not if you’re going to do it right,” he said.

Lance Gurel Age: 70 Education: Graduated from Walter Johnson Senior High School in Bethesda, Md. Holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas Tech University and an MBA from the University of

Arkansas-Little Rock.

Occupation: Worked in construction and as pipeline welder before going back to school in his 40s to become an accountant.

Political experience: None Family: Married with five children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Finances: The most recent PDC filings show he has raised $7,008, mostly from individuals, and received $3,046 in loans. He’s spent $11,229. His top donors include himself, with a contribution of $1,415, and an in-kind donation of $859 from the Washington Democrats.

Lance Gurel said he’s running for City Council because he wants to be more involved in the community.

He lived around the country before coming to Spokane County 13 years ago and then moving to Spokane Valley six years ago.

“I really think this area is the nicest climate, the nicest place I’ve ever lived,” he said. “I think it’s important to have Spokane Valley be a safe place for people to live, work and worship. I think part of that is celebrating diversity.”

The city’s police are provided through a contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and Gurel said he’d like to see more of an emphasis on property crimes.

“We need to fund our police department better,” he said. “I think right now they’re understaffed.”

He’d like to see smaller neighborhood parks on pockets of undeveloped land and said the city should be setting aside money to buy park land.

“We have some wonderful parks around, but they are around the edges of the city and not much in the city,” Gurel said. “Some of it needs to go to parks. It can’t all go to new apartments.”

Gurel said he was the first person to file to run against Woodard.

“I think the city council needs change, and they need a change of leadership,” he said. “I see him as being one of the people in the leadership that needs to be replaced.

I think the decisions the council makes need to be common sense and not driven by special interests.”

Gurel said his financial background helps make him qualified for the city council position.

“I feel like I’m the best person for this job,” he said. “I haven’t lived

The Current here all my life like the others. I chose to live here. This is where I want to live the rest of my life.”

Al Merkel Age: 33 Education: Graduated f r o m University High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University with a triple major in political science, economics and math.

Occupation: Formerly worked for USAID for 11 years. Recently resigned from his position as a senior contract negotiator for Coordinated Care to avoid a conflict of interest.

Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Rod Higgins in 2017.

Family: Single Finances: No donations reported Al Merkel spent 11 years in various countries around the world working for the international development agency USAID. When he moved back to Spokane Valley three years ago, it was with the idea that he would get involved somehow.

“I’ve accumulated all this knowledge; I really should use it in my own city,” he said. “When I got back, I was struck that the council was where I needed to be.”

He believes that the development happening in Spokane Valley is uncontrolled. He said apartment complexes are going in without considering whether street or sidewalk improvements would be needed in areas adjacent to the development.

“It’s very easy for developers to get license to do a lot of things,” he said. “That’s probably the most dangerous thing that’s happening right now.”

As an example of uncontrolled growth, he points to a newer development in the area of Sundown and Bowdish where homes are having maintenance issues.

“I just don’t think the current council is looking for a way to control this,” he said.

The city should bring back developer agreements and put an increased emphasis on infrastructure during development, Merkel said.

See POS. 3, Page 7

The Current

POS. 3

Continued from page 6

NEWS

Recently, the council voted to limit public comment to 45 minutes, something Merkel doesn’t agree with. Normally not many people comment at a meeting, and the only time the limit would be a problem is when the council is considering something controversial.

“That’s when you need to hear public comment,” he said.

The council has a “three touch” rule that requires an item to appear before the council three times before a vote is taken – when it is introduced, at the first reading and the second reading. But the council has recently begun to sidestep that rule, which limits public participation, Merkel said.

“They’ve been doing it more and more,” he said.

Woodard was among the council members who recently voted to approve a resolution barring commercial, political and religious events on City Hall grounds. Merkel said he thinks that could be used to limit protests against the city.

“That’s really why I’m focusing on him,” he said.

Merkel said he has a lot of experience with contracts, which would help him as a council member because Spokane Valley contracts out a lot of its services.

“I feel like I have the most experience with economic issues, development issues,” he said. “I want our city to grow at a steady and respectable pace.”

Adam “Smash” Smith Age: 29 Education: Graduated from West Valley High School and attended E a s t e r n Washington University for 10 years.

Occupation: He owns Spokane Valley Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a professional mixed martial arts fighter. He’s also a volunteer resident firefighter with Spokane County Fire District 4 and is a certified EMT and wildland firefighter.

Political experience: None Family: Single

Finances: No donations reported.

Adam Smith, who uses his mixed martial arts fight name “Smash,” believes that he can appeal to a different type of voter than the current city council members and council candidates, several of whom are retired.

“I reach a different demographic than the other candidates,” he said.

He said a friend encouraged him to enter the race and sees running for council as a way to continue his work in the community.

“I’ve been really active in the community for years,” he said. “I was never interested in becoming a politician. I’m into it to be a community leader.”

Smith said the city council lacks racial diversity even though the diversity of the community is increasing. Smith’s mother is white and his father is African-American.

“I think there’s a big wall right there, and I want to break it down, smash it,” he said.

He said he also brings a unique perspective because of his work with kids at his martial arts school and his work as an EMT and volunteer firefighter.

“I’m there a lot of times on people’s last day,” he said. “That’s what really drives me.”

He said he’s watched recent council meetings online to learn about the issues. He said he believes the council needs to focus more on connecting with the community as a way to do their jobs better.

“I think Arne is just a little old school,” he said. “The people making the decisions on the council aren’t connected to the community.”

He’d like to see improvements to the city’s infrastructure, including the roads, and wants to see the area around City Hall improved.

“This is kind of our central area,” he said.

One of his goals is to bring positivity to the council.

“I want to make friends with everybody so there’s not so much bickering,” he said.

He also wants to capture the interest of young people who haven’t voted before.

“I really hope to turn new voters,” he said. “If we get 20 kids to become voters, I’m happy.”

JULY 2019 • 7

Valley Chamber

HIGHLIGHTS

CONNECT.

EMPOWER.

INNOVATE.

Business Tees Off The Valley Chamber’s golf tournament is a popular day on the course not to be missed! Join us for our 23rd annual event on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, at the beautiful MeadowWood Golf Course. Check in starts at 11:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Put your foursome together and register before we fill up! Registration includes green fees, cart and dinner.

Top team awards will be presented for men’s, women’s and mixed teams.

Individual awards given for longest drive (men and women), closest to the pin (men and women), and hole-in-one.

MAJOR SPONSORS: Event Sponsor: Modern Electric Water Co. Birdie Sponsor: Cascade Defense Dinner Sponsors: Dave’s Bar & Grill, GESA Credit Union Hole-in-One Sponsor: Dishman Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep Sponsorships are selling fast, but may still be available.

Get more information and register at: spokanevalleychamber.org

Valley Chamber’s 23rd Annual Golf Tournament Thurs., Aug. 8 Check in: 11:30 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 1 p.m.

MeadowWood Golf 24501 E Valleyway New Members: MAY & JUNE AFLAC CBRE/HEERY Clearstone Wealth Management LLC Cover2Cover DataPro Solutions, Inc. Edward Jones - Michelle Courson Fisher’s Technology Labor Finders of The Greater Northwest Legacy Law Group Movher, LLC Navigation Northwest - Bobbie Lee Collins Northeast Healing LLC Nothing Bundt Cakes Paychex, Inc. Plush Tanning Salon & Spa Retirement Base Camp Revel 77 Coffee Rockwood Retirement Communities The Garden Coffee & Local Eats We Speak Medicare Wisdom Leadership, LLC

1421 N. Meadowwood Ln. Liberty Lake, WA 99019 | 509-924-4994 | www.spokanevalleychamber.org

8 • JULY 2019

The Current

NEWS

Four challenging to fill Pos. 6

By Nina Culver Current Correspondent

for several years and people have asked that he run.

Spokane Valley City Council Position 6 is currently held by Sam Wood, who has been on the council since 2015. Wood did not file for reelection. Four people have filed to run for the empty seat in the August primary: Tim Hattenburg, Shaun Stanfield, Pat Stretch and Bo Tucker.

The two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election in November.

Following is a breakdown of each candidate in the race:

“I have the support of three former mayors,” he said.

Tim Hattenburg Age: 66 Education: Graduated from Central Valley High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Washington State University.

He later took history classes at Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and Whitworth universities but never went for a master’s degree.

Occupation: Retired from the Central Valley School District after teaching history and world geography for 20 years.

Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully against state Sen. Bob McCaslin in 2004 and state Rep. Matt Shea in 2008. He served on the Spokane County Library District board of trustees for 10 years.

Family: Married with three children and three grandchildren.

Finances: The most recent PDC filings show he has raised $10,303, about half of it from individuals, and spent $8,263. His top donors include the Mirabeau Hotel and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1439. He’s also received donations from former council members Dean Grafos and Chuck Hafner and former mayor Tom Towey.

Tim Hattenburg said he’s been considering running for city council

His previous attempts at running for office have been as a Democrat.

district board member helped prepare him for a role on the city council.

Stanfield said he considered himself to be in the center on most issues.

“I know I have the skills with managing budgets and people,” he said.

Shaun Stanfield

Like other candidates, Stanfield thought he would be running against Wood. He said he wasn’t impressed with Wood’s statement on the city’s web site that he includes “time management, public relations and listening to people among his skills and interests.”

Age: 35 Education: Graduated from West Valley High School and attended E a s t e r n Washington University.

“I’m really excited about it being nonpartisan,” he said. “I’m getting really tired of all the bickering.”

His love for the Valley, where he has lived in the same home for 41 years, also pushed him to run.

“I really love the community,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Hattenburg said be believes the current council lacks transparency, and some seem to have their minds made up about an issue before an issue comes before the council.

“They’ve even cut back on the number of follow-up questions council members can ask,” he said.

Hattenburg said that when he filed for the position, he believed he would be running against incumbent Sam Wood. He chose to run against Wood because of comments he made during the discussions on the Barker Road underpass. Safety experts recommended a roundabout at the intersection at Trent, but Wood favored a signal light even though it would cost $7 million more, Hattenburg said. In the end, Wood voted to approve the roundabout but said he still wanted a signal there instead of a roundabout.

“How can you listen to all that and still be against it?” he said.

Some of the key issues facing the city are growth and public safety, he said.

“Growth is going to happen, it’s how you manage it,” he said.

Hattenburg said council members should not be staking out political positions.

“It’s about running the city,” he said. “You should be able to sit down and deal with city issues and not make it a personal, political thing.”

He said his time as a library

Occupation: Assistant manager at Walmart Political experience: None Family: children.

Married

with

two

Finances: No paperwork has been filed with the PDC. Candidates are required to register with the PDC within two weeks of filing for office.

Shaun Stanfield said he was spurred to get involved by running for council after his daughter said that she and her friends spent their time under their desks during a recent lockdown writing farewell letters to their families. He said something needs to be done about what school children go through, and while he can’t make that change right now maybe he can help bring about other change.

“I can’t influence that on city council,” he said. “I know that. I need to start taking action.”

He wants to focus on transportation issues and affordable housing.

“There’s an income inequality in this country,” he said. “City council can impact some of that.”

He said he’s also heard that the council may be making an effort to avoid environmental studies during development, and that has him concerned.

“If we’re putting aside certain environmental impact studies in an effort to increase revenue, we’re doing a disservice to our kids,” he said.

“Some of the things he listed as skills are things I see on an application from an 18-year-old kid,” he said.

Stanfield acknowledges that he doesn’t have the experience or skills some of the candidates have. He left college with only three classes to go before getting a bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary biology, intending to take a short break and deal with some health issues and debt.

“I was young, I was impulsive, I got my self in some credit card debt,” he said.

He worked three jobs until focusing on his position at Walmart, where he rose quickly through the ranks after starting as a sales associate in the produce department.

The debt has since been paid off, but he never went back to school because his science credits expired after three years, and he would have had to start over.

“I don’t have the finances some of the candidates have; I don’t have the experience some of the candidates have,” he said. “I live in this city. I work in this city.”

He said he wants to show his children that if you want things to change, you have to get involved.

“I have a passion for what I’m talking about,” he said. “I need to show them what it means to make a difference.”

Pat Stretch Age: 62 Education: He graduated from West Valley High School and after his m i l i t a r y service earned

See POS. 6, Page 9

The Current

POS. 6

Continued from page 8 a bachelor’s degree in leadership and organizational management from Whitworth University by taking night classes.

Occupation: Retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer. After his military service he worked in the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office as a victim/witness specialist for five years and then worked as a project administrator for the county’s Housing and Community Development Committee for 15 years.

Political experience: None Family: Divorced with seven children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Finances: The most recent PDC filings show he has raised $1,049 and received loans worth $2,049.

Councilman Arne Woodard donated $995 of the $1,049 raised.

Pat Stretch said he never paid much attention to politics until Spokane Valley incorporated. He was initially against it but now sees the benefits of it.

“That’s what fueled my interest in local government,” he said. “That’s when I really started watching what was going on.”

He said former councilman Bill Gothmann inspired him because Gothmann seemed to be serving on the council out of a desire to make the community a better place.

“He never had an agenda,” Stretch said.

Stretch applied to be considered for vacant city council positions before but was never selected. He retired last year and is now able to devote more time to the city council, Stretch said.

The one issue that Stretch said has him fired up is snow berms at the end of people’s driveways.

“We have so many older homeowners in this community,” he said. “It doesn’t have to happen that way. It’s an easy remedy. That’s my one pet peeve.”

Stretch said he’s also disappointed in how the city is handling the homelessness issue.

NEWS

“It’s just a matter of time before the problems of Spokane are bleeding into Spokane County,” he said.

Right now the city is enjoying rising home values, low unemployment, new businesses coming in and increased sales tax.

“I’m excited about where the city is going now,” he said. “I watched what happened to Butte (Montana). I want to see Spokane Valley continue to go up.”

He said the city need to make sure they don’t overbuild and that infrastructure is updated as needed.

“We’re on a growth path right now, and I want to keep that going,” he said.

Stretch said he’s running on a platform of common sense and wants to avoid divisive politics.

“I’m not way over on the right, and I’m not way over on the left,” he said. “Most people are more toward the middle than they are to the right or to the left, they really are. If I’m elected I’m going to represent the whole entire city, not a left side or a right side. I want to get away from the 4-3 votes that are always the same.”

James “Bo” Tucker Age: 49 Education: Graduated f r o m Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. Earned an associate’s degree in business from Orange Coast College and graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, Calif.

Occupation: Chiropractor for 23 years; owns the Chiropractic Wellness Center Political experience: None Family: Married with six children Finances: No paperwork has been filed with the PDC. Candidates are required to register with the PDC within two weeks of filing for office.

James “Bo” Tucker said he

decided to run for city council as a way to give back to the community where he has lived since 2001.

“I’m conservative in nature,” he said. “That’s what drew me here.

I’ve been a citizen here in the Valley a long time. I love it.”

He said Spokane Valley is a great place to raise a family, and he wants to promote traditional family values.

“I want to promote and continue that,” he said. “There’s no burr in my side.”

Tucker said he filed for position six after he realized Wood wasn’t running for re-election.

“It was an open seat,” he said.

“I’m not trying to take anybody out.”

He said homelessness is an issue and housing in general is in short supply. But what he really wants to focus on is making sure the city is using its money properly.

“That’s what I want to spend my effort in,” he said. “I’m a business owner at heart, so I want to be pro-

JULY 2019 • 9

business.”

He said the city has been doing a great job at simplifying the permitting process, and he wants to see more businesses move into the city’s new industrial park.

“As long as it’s done with the sentiment of not just throwing things out to the wind,” he said.

Tucker said there’s a fine line between enough government and too much government.

“I believe in liberty,” he said.

“I believe in our constitution 100 percent. The government is there to help us be happy and healthy.

Too much regulation is not a good thing.”

Tucker said he doesn’t have an agenda.

“I know some people have agendas, and there are those who try to find solutions,” he said.

He wants to be a councilman who finds solutions, Tucker said.

“I have an inventive mind,” he said. “I’d like to use that skill.”

10 • JULY 2019

COVER STORY

Summertime ‘Chillax’

Back with original owners, Splash Down still offering water adventures

By Keith Erickson Current Correspondent

Like giant strands of twisting spaghetti feeding cool pools just minutes off Interstate 90, the oversized half-pipe water slides at Spokane Valley’s Splash Down unleash an unforgettable rush for kids of all ages.

The family-run waterpark, celebrating its 37th year this summer, boasts 10 slides including four that stretch 400 feet into oblivion—much to the delight of thrill-seekers who flock to the expansive park every summer.

Splash Down is affordable fun that is unique to the Spokane metro area, says Heidi Shutts, daughter of Splash Down founders Bill and Ruth Bleasner.

“For 15 bucks, a person can spend the whole day outside enjoying the slides, picnic areas, a full kitchen, a pavilion and places to just sit back

and relax with the family. I like to call it the perfect place to just ‘chillax,’” Shutts says.

“You can spend the whole day outside, rather than inside playing video games or watching TV,” she adds.

Splash Down is especially appealing to young families, Shutts says, because it offers lessfearsome slides for the kiddos. But older riders beware, there are also longer, adrenalin-inducing slides with names like “Fastball” and “Cannon Bowl” (aptly nicknamed ‘toilet bowl’ because of the swirling whirlpool sensation that immerses riders).

As the park’s operators recently prepared for the busy summer season, which kicked off June 15, Shutts said she was still looking to hire maintenance positions, but most of the other 50-plus jobs have already been filled with seasonal duties offered to dozens of

lifeguards.

“It’s been completely insane,” Shutts said in mid-June. “It’s crunch time.”

Built in 1981 by handyman Bill Bleasner, a farmer by trade, Splash Down changed hands in 2005 but was re-acquired by the Bleasners in 2017—much to the delight of long-time waterpark visitors. The attraction had suffered neglect in

The Current plucking it from the ground, his daughter says.

“Dad does a lot of shuffling, but he’s got great energy and a real hands-on approach to the park,” she says.

Since the Bleasners re-assumed ownership of the waterpark, the business has been granted a new life by the city of Spokane Valley.

The Spokane Valley City Council

“It’s just a fun little place where parents feel comfortable. Nothing too crazy.”

- Heidi Shutts, Splash Down recent years and so the Bleasners opted to take their business back.

“People were so excited to see my parents come back … it brought tears to my eyes,” Shutts said. “My dad has such high standards, and so it was really neat to have people compliment all the work he’s done to get things back in shape.”

Pushing 88 years old, Bill Bleasner’s tenacious spirit is admirable. He prides himself a perfectionist who can’t walk by a weed at the waterpark without

Photo by Keith Erickson No one knows Splash Down like Bill Bleasner, who built the park and is in his second stint of ownership.

last year unanimously approved a five-year lease with the Bleasners, who operated the waterpark from 1982 to 2005 under the corporation Splash Down Concessions Inc. on a city-owned section of Valley Mission Park.

The Bleasners sold the corporation to Geoff and Melissa Kellogg in 2005, who leased the property from the city and operated the water park through 2017.

Shutts said the previous owners neglected the property and failed to comply with a lease agreement with the city and subsequently forfeited the 2.5-acre park. A new lease agreement with the Bleasners runs through December 31, 2023.

“The old owners defaulted and ran it into the ground, so my parents decided it was time to take back control,” Shutts said. But, she added, because of her parents’ escalating age, the family is interested in selling the popular waterpark provided they find a suitable buyer.

Shutts and her husband are currently running the operation.

It’s a responsibility that brings back memories.

“Working the waterpark now is not something I would ever have envisioned 30 years ago when I was 12 years old and flipping burgers in the kitchen for my mother,” Shutts quips. “But it was part of the family then, and it’s still a family thing.”

A man with a vision Splash Down evolved from a trip Bill Bleasner and a friend made to Canada around 1980, Shutts said.

“Giant water slides were all the rage up there, and they came back and my dad said he wanted to build a waterpark here. At that time, there was nothing like it,” she says.

However, Bleasner was not alone

See SPLASH DOWN, Page 11

The Current

JULY 2019 • 11

COVER STORY

Affordable family fun

Touted as Spokane’s premier waterpark, Splash Down is open seven days a week all summer “as long as it’s sunny and at least 75 degrees.”

General admission starts at $10 per day for youth under 4-feet tall and $15 for over 4-feet. Kids under 3 are free. On Family Night Tuesday through Thursday from 4-8 p.m., admission is $10 for all park goers. The Twilight Deal from 4-6 p.m. every day excluding Tuesday and Thursday is $8.

Seasonal family passes (up to five members) are $300 and individual passes are $130.

Hours of operation are: • Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Tuesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Splash Down is located at 11127 E. Mission off the Pines Road exit from I-90. Visit the website at splashdownwaterpark.net or call 464-9541.

Sensational Slides

Here’s a glimpse of the most popular slides:

Photo by Keith Erickson Luke Martin and his daughters Beatrice and Eleanor of Spokane Valley are Splash Down regulars, estimating 40 visits a season.

SPLASH DOWN Continued from page 10

in his quest to bring a waterpark to the Spokane Valley. About the same time, an entrepreneur proposed Wild Waters for the same county site (the city had not yet been incorporated).

“They went back and forth with all the red tape and (bureaucracy) and finally settled it with a flip of a coin. Dad won,” Shutts said. “It’s a fun little story.”

As many locals know, Wild Waters went on to build across the state line in Coeur d’Alene off Interstate 90 at U.S. Highway 95.

The park was dismantled years ago, however.

Bill Bleasner, who developed homes and apartments across the region back in the 1980s, was an accomplished builder. With help from friends, he built Splash Down

in 1981, opening a year later.

He still takes great pride in his business, although he defers much of the work to his daughter and sonin-law. Ruth Bleasner, 80, deals with medical issues and is not as involved in the daily operation.

Faithful splashers Each summer, thousands of people from across the region make the trip to Splash Down to cool off and enjoy some down time.

Spokane Valley resident Luke Martin is among the hundreds of season pass holders who is a perennial Splash Down visitor.

“I’m a single dad with two kids, and this is my third year,” he says.

“I love it because it’s affordable, it’s close and my kids love it — it’s one of their favorite places to go.”

Daughters Beatrice, 8, and Eleanor, 6, are the perfect age for the slides, their dad says. Most of the rides at nearby Silverwood or Triple

FASTBALL

Have a need for speed? This slide drops a staggering six stories.

After splashing into the catch trough, riders can check the Splash Down radar gun to see just how fast they went!

CANNON BOWL

Blast down a four-story zooming flume and then take a high velocity vortex into the cool waters below!

SPOKANE FALLS

With unexpected loops, droops and embankments, these four, 400-foot-long body slides are sure to provide thrills and chills to sliders of all ages—wow!

Play in Idaho are geared for older kids, and the lines can be daunting, not to mention the added travel time.

Martin estimates he takes his

children to Splash Down a whopping 40 times per season.

“Every year, they look forward to going back,” he said. “In the winter when we drive by they say, ‘Dad, we can’t wait until the slides open.’”

COMMUNITY

12 • JULY 2019

The Current

Calendar of Events COMMUNITY EVENTS

“ IT’S

THE LAW ”

In WASHINGTON Click or Call Two Business Days Before You Plan To Dig

www.CallBeforeYouDig.org

1-800-424-5555 or dial 811 Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council www.ieucc811.org

July 3 | “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” – Dusk, Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake.

Free movie, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted by Friends of Pavillion Park. For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

July 4 | Fourth of July Parade – Noon (participants line up at 11 a.m.), Alpine Shores neighborhood, Liberty Lake. 31st annual parade with grand marshals Mike and Pat Lutzenberger, followed by games.

July 4 | Fireworks show – About 10 p.m., Pavillion Park for show by city of Liberty Lake.

July 6 | Newman Lake Fire Auxiliary Hot Dog and T-Shirt Sale – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fire Station No. 1, 9324 N. Starr Road. Annual Newman Lake T-shirt will be on sale, and raffle tickets available to win two-person inflatable kayak.

Proceeds support Newman Lake Fire & Rescue volunteer fire department.

Bloodmobile will also be on hand till 1:30 p.m.

July 6 | “Ralph Breaks the Internet” – Dusk, Half Moon Park, Liberty Lake. Free movie, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted by Friends of Pavillion Park. For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

July 11-13 | Crave! Food & Drink Celebration – CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Spokane Valley. A celebration of the Inland Northwest’s chefs and tastemakers. For tickets and more info, visit cravenw.com.

July 13 | “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” – Dusk, Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. Free movie, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted by Friends of Pavillion Park.

For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

July 20 | “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” – Dusk, Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. Free movie, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted by Friends of Pavillion Park.

For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

July 26 | “Ralph Breaks the Internet” – Dusk, Valley Mission Park, Spokane Valley. Free movie hosted by Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-movie

activities for kids start an hour before movie.

July 27 | Live with Honor & Serve with Pride Music Festival & Charity Event – 3 to 9 p.m., Curley’s, 26433 W. Highway 53, Hauser, Idaho. Second annual event supporting the Taylor Strong Project and raising money for local, first responder charities and organizations. For more, visit thetaylorstrongproject.com.

July 27 | “The Kid Who Would Be King” – Dusk, Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. Free movie, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted

by Friends of Pavillion Park. For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

RECURRING ACT 2 Senior Classes | Affordable classes offered by Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire. A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. For more, search for “Act 2” at scc.spokane.edu.

Baha’i Fireside Conversation | 7 to 8 p.m., third Thursday of the month, Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Discussion of Baha’i teachings, history and perspectives on resolving the challenges facing humanity. All are welcome. For more, call 599-2411.

Café Card Club | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Hwy., Valleyford.

Play pinochle, cribbage, or hearts.

For more, call 951-7039 or email onsacredgrounsrising@gmail.com.

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.

Free Last Sunday Lunch | Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road, Spokane Valley - 12:30 p.m. on the final Sunday of every month in the church’s Fellowship Hall, Room 115 Grange Meeting and Dessert | 6:30 p.m., third Wednesday of the month, Tri-Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this communitybased service organization. For more, call 226-2202.

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.

Rockford Crochet Class | 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford. Free classes. We have crocheters, knitters, embroidery, quilting and needlepoint. Come and share what you are doing. For more, call 291-3722.

Rockford Historical Society | 11:30 a.m. second Friday of the month (February to November), The Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford. For more, call 291-3193.

Spokane County Library District | Locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards, and Spokane Valley.

Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs. More at scld.org.

Spokane Valley Eagles | 16801 E. Sprague Ave. Breakfast served Sundays 9 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch served Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by bingo from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

More at www.foe3433.com.

Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank | Weekly distribution takes place Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10814 E. Broadway Ave. by appointment. Appointments are available during the following days/times: Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (reserved for age 60 and over and physically-handicapped people with limited mobility). Address verification required. To make an appointment, call 927-1153, ext. 10, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. Open to all interested in sharing ideas and skills of our quilting craft. Participants can access a comprehensive library, engage

The Current experienced teachers and participate in community service projects. More at svqgspokane.com.

Spokane Valley Senior Citizens Association | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Activities include bridge, billiards, book club, Red Hat Ladies, Mahjongg, ACT II classes, foot care, Medicare assistance, monthly excursions to Northern Quest Casino, Meals on Wheels location and more.

Annual dues are $25/single or $45/ couple. For more, call 926-1937 or visit spokanevalleyseniorcenter.org.

MUSIC & THE ARTS July 4 | Tuxedo Junction – 6 p.m., Pavillion Park. Concerts featuring 19-piece musical ensemble featuring classic swing, Latin styles, waltzes and modern rock. Twenty Dollar Bill and The Rub will be opening acts leading up to fireworks show at dusk. Free, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted by Friends of Pavillion Park.

July 12-27 | “Sally Cotter and the Quest We Follow” – Various times, Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. Final installment of a trilogy of Harry Potter parodies. For more or to purchase tickets, visit libertylaketheatre.com.

July 12-28 | “The Sound of Music” – Various times, University High School Theater, 12420 E. 32nd Ave. This Spokane Valley Summer Theatre production is based on the classic story of the Von Traffic family. For tickets and more info, visit svsummertheatre.com.

July 28 | “The Merry Wives of Windsor” – 5 p.m., Pavillion Park.

Free play presented by Montana Shakespeare in the Park, part of 22nd annual Summer Festival hosted by Friends of Pavillion Park. For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

RECURRING Pages of Harmony | 6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road.

Four-part, a cappella harmony, men’s barbershop chorus. More at pagesofharmony.org.

Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:45 p.m.

Tuesdays, Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in

COMMUNITY

four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. More at 218-4799.

HEALTH & RECREATION July 13 | Liberty Lake Loop Fun Run – 8 a.m., Pavillion Park. For more, visit pavillionpark.org.

July 18 | Spokane Valley Partners Golf Scramble – 11:30 a.m. registration, 1 p.m. shotgun start, Liberty Lake Golf Course. 21st annual fundraiser supports Spokane Valley Partners. For more, visit svpart.org.

July 28 | Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration – Rides starting at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. from Mirabeau Point Park, Spokane Valley.

Benefits Valleyfest. For more, visit cyclecelebration.com.

July 28 | Ride the Bases – Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana, Spokane.

Spokane Indians-sponsored motorcycle ride event benefiting Community Cancer Fund – Andrew Ripken Initiative. $35. For more, visit spokaneindians.com.

RECURRING Al-Anon Family Meetings | Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m., Opportunity Christian Church, 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.

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.

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.

GriefShare Support Group (Mondays)| 6:15 to 8 p.m. Mondays, The ONE Church, east entrance, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley.

Most recent program began Feb. 20, but join at any time. Designed to help cope with loss, whether recent or years ago. For more, call Sue at 294-1664 or Jere at 710-3354.

GriefShare Support Group

(Thursdays) | 10 a.m. Thursdays, Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene, 15515 E. 20th Ave. Most recent program began Jan. 17 and runs 13 weeks, but join at any time.

If you have lost a loved one and are dealing with grief, stop by to share or just listen. For more, call 926-1545.

Yoga in Rockford | 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Rockford Park, 20 W. Emma St., Rockford. In case of inclement weather, classes will be held at Dave’s Autobody, 8 W. Emma St. Mindful Music & Movement | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Willow Song Music Therapy Center, 21101 E. Wellesley #102, Otis Orchards. Specifically designed for those living with chronic health issues such as Parkinson’s, dementia, COPD, MS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cancer. $10 donation suggested.

Facilitated by board-certified music therapist, Carla Carnegie. For more, visit willowsongmusictherapy.com or call 592-7875.

Decreasing Anger Group | 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 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.

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

Various activities and events occur throughout the week including: • Pickleball drop-in: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday; 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday. $3/seniors, $5/non-seniors.

• Classes including Kenpo Karate, Taekwondo and Fit for YOUR Life.

See hubsportscenter.org for cost and times.

CIVIC & BUSINESS July 10 | County Park Plan Open House – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Argonne Library meeting room, Spokane Valley. Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf Department is working to update the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan – a six-year strategic plan for Spokane County’s park system.

The department is seeking public input on the types of parks and

JULY 2019 • 13

recreational facilities, amenities and locations Spokane County should pursue over the next six years to align local needs with state planning guidelines.

July 19 | Business Connections Breakfast – 7 to 9 a.m., CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. Organized by Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers. For more or to register, visit spokanevalleychamber.org.

Wednesdays in July | SCORE Small Business Classes – Wednesday mornings, SBA Training Room, 801 W. Riverside Ave. 4th Floor, Spokane. Cost is $25 if preregistered. SCORE Spokane offers a variety of low-cost workshops designed to encourage the success of emerging and small business owners. Free business mentoring is also available. For more, visit spokane.score.org.

RECURRING Spokane Valley City Council | Regular meetings held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave., Ste. 101. Council study sessions are held the first, third and sometimes fifth Tuesdays at 6 p.m., also in Council Chambers.

Millwood City Council | Regular meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Millwood City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick Ave. Spokane Flag Museum | Sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Fairmount Memorial Association, details the rich history of the American flag, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley.

For more, call 926-2753 or visit fairmountmemorial.com/southpines-cemetery.

Spokane Valley Kiwanis | 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Valley Hospital Education Center, 12606 E. Mission Ave. More at spokanevalleykiwanis. net.

Greater Spokane Valley Rotary | Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Darcy’s, 10502 E. Sprague Ave. More at svrotary.org.

Submit items for The Current Community Calendar by the 10th of the previous month by emailing editor@valleycurrent.com. Priority is given to noncommercial local events open to the public.

14 • JULY 2019

NEWS

City seeking alternatives to fund roads

By Bill Gothmann Current Correspondent

Members of the Spokane Valley City Council generally agreed at their June 11 meeting that there is a $5 million deficit in the city’s $10 million annual road budget due primarily to the reduction of receipts from the telephone tax. Last year, Council reluctantly agreed to buoy up road spending by transferring $972,300 from the Capital Reserve Fund to the Road Fund. However, members acknowledged that funds are needed every year, not just in booming years when receipts are high, producing surplus funds.

They proposed an ad-hoc committee of citizens be appointed to study the deficit.

The June 18 meeting agenda information stated that staff would recommend the committee consist of 15 members from 10 different community sectors. They would accomplish three tasks: Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for maintaining city streets and establish pavement condition goals.

Identify preference for maintaining city streets, types of treatments used, and long-term levels of service. Investigate and recommend funding sources for maintaining city streets at the recommended level of service.

However, at the actual meeting, Deputy City Manager John Hohman recommended that the city delay appointment of the committee so that staff could study issues such as history, the needs of the city, and costs involved. He expects staff to report back to Council in the September timeframe.

Pines project’s configuration decided An average of 60 trains and 16,200 road vehicles pass through the Pines/Trent intersection each day, resulting in 53 collisions within the years 2014-2018. This record makes it the No. 1 unfunded grade crossing in Washington state.

Staff and city Consultants examined two possible road alignment options and two traffic control options for this intersection.

Alternative 1, a traditional alignment, would provide an underpass under the rail lines at approximately the same place as the present intersection. Alternative 2

would provide the underpass close to the present road, but build a road parallel to the railroad on the north side to an intersection northeast of the present intersection to a location near the Spokane River Bridge.

Alternative 1 would cost $29 million, would require lowering Trent 10 to 12 ft., requiring a very tall wall on Trent, and provide 3.3 to 5.2 percent road grades.

The high wall along Trent would prevent access to businesses along Trent. Alternative 2 would cost $26 million, would not lower Trent, and provide 1.2 to 4.8 percent grades.

The new intersection could be built with much less interference to existing traffic. Alternative 1 has the lower score in the Washington State Department of Transportation costbenefit analysis.

Two traffic control alternatives were considered: a roundabout or a traffic signal. A roundabout has 37 percent fewer collisions, 75 percent fewer injuries, 90 percent fewer fatalities, and 40 percent fewer pedestrian collisions. On a level of service scale of A-F, the roundabout provides an “A” level compared with the “C” for a traffic signal.

Level of service is based upon the average vehicle delay, with least delay being graded an “A.” Based upon these studies, the staff and consultants recommended Alternative 1 using a roundabout, and Council agreed.

Funding for the project received a boost when the city announced receipt of a $1.25 million federal CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) grant for the Pines GSP. There were 94 eligible projects submitted, and 45 were awarded. The city was one of two Washington State projects receiving grants.

Balanced budget discussed Staff presented Council with a balanced budget for 2020 that projects revenues will increase by 5 percent to $47.8 million and expenditures to increase by 2.23 percent to $42.9 million, resulting in a $4.9 million surplus. However, they cautioned that the U.S. is in the longest economic expansion in history and, at some point, the expansion will end and revenues will decrease. Public safety accounts for 62 percent of the budget at $26

million, with law enforcement accounting for $21 million of this.

For the 11th year, the city will not increase property taxes on existing properties.

The city has a policy that if a department does not spend all it has been allocated, surplus funds go back to the General Fund. As a result of this policy and the booming economy, the city has been able establish a Capital Reserve Fund where money is available for onetime projects, such as the Appleway Trail, Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation and reconstruction of Euclid.

Staff presented four projects for possible spending of the approximately $4 million of uncommitted funds in the Capital Reserve Fund or through increases in the proposed budget. $20,000 was requested to replace the carpet and to upgrade thermostats in the precinct station. $30,000 was requested for hiring a retail recruiter to recruit businesses to Spokane Valley. Parks and Recreation Department requested $9,500 to replace carpeting at Centerplace, $2 million to complete the Centerplace expansion project, and $50,000 to repair roof leaks at Centerplace.

Several staff and Council members seemed surprised that there were still leaks in the roof since funds were already spent to eliminate leaks. However, it was pointed out that these funds only addressed some leaks, not all leaks.

The city manager suggested the city should get this done now, in this year’s budget, and he will work toward that end.

There was a request to add a second code enforcement officer and increase city’s half-time code enforcement attorney to full time to meet the needs of enhanced enforcement. There was also a $265,000 request to replace one snow plow. Replacement was scheduled for 2019, but was delayed because the city was re-studying its road maintenance and preservation policies. This purchase would continue the practice of replacing one of its 10 plows every three years.

The 2020 budget and these supplemental budget requests will be considered further in August.

Affordable housing proposal controversial Catholic Charities proposed a city code change that would allow multifamily housing in the R-3 zone

The Current

if at least 51 percent of the units are used for affordable housing. The site must include a church and a school, be 10 to 20 acres in size, under single ownership, have design continuity and could share parking and open space. Maximum density would be six dwelling units per acre. Staff found that there were eight potential sites in the city that could satisfy these criteria.

Catholic Charities discussed intentions of constructing senior housing around St. John Vianney Church. The Planning Commission held hearings where citizens expressed concern about traffic and the inconsistency of the project with the neighborhood. The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to reject the proposal, noting that it benefits a single site. At the Council meeting, 18 neighbors in the St. John Vianney neighborhood testified against the proposal. Two testified in favor.

A majority of Council decided to ask staff to study the affordable housing/senior housing problem and bring back information for them to consider for possible Planning Commission discussion.

Changes to duplex rules stirs discussion As discussed in last month’s Current, Spokane Valley has approved a very large ratio of duplex home construction projects compared with those for single family residences over the past few years. According to Spokane Valley’s May 14 report, in 2018 the ratio of duplexes to single family dwellings was 142:138 for Spokane Valley compared with Spokane’s 28:256 and Spokane County’s 11:891.

A citizen committee led by Ms. Pete Miller proposed a number of changes to the city’s code, with the goal of providing more restrictions to duplex projects, thus encouraging home ownership. Their proposal was rejected by the Planning Commission and Council concurred, citing both legal and logistical problems. However, Ms. Miller and seven other citizens testified about the alarming high ratio of duplexes to single family dwellings, noting that owners have a greater stake in keeping up their properties than renters. Although Council rejected the proposal, they unanimously agreed that there was a problem and it needed to be addressed. They instructed staff to study the problem further and bring suggestions back

See SV COUNCIL, Page 15

The Current

SV COUNCIL

NEWS

to Council.

How annexation occurs Staff provided a primer on why and how annexations may occur.

Annexation allows urban areas to receive municipal services. The two primary methods of annexation are city council initiated election and direct petition. An election requires a majority of voters within the area to be annexed to approve of the proposition. A direct petition requires owners of 10% of assessed land value to sign on. Council would then have a hearing and decide whether to accept or reject the petition. If accepted, another petition would be drafted and if owners of 60 percent of the assessed value of the property or a majority of the property owners approve, Council would adopt an ordinance approving the annexation.

TIP for 2020 through 2025 approved The Council held a public hearing and then adopted its 2020-2025 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), as discussed in last month’s Current. The list includes 14 projects carried over into next year, five bridge and grade separation projects, 15 intersection improvements, 16 reconstruction or preservation projects, five city-wide projects, and five sidewalk, trail and stormwater improvements. The 2019-2024 TIP can be found on the City’s web page, www.spokanevalley.org, under economic development.

2019 Budget Amendment After a public hearing, Council made two changes to the 2019 budget, moving the amendment to a second reading. The amendment provides additional 2019 expenditures totaling $471,000. $403,000 is for generators at both City Hall and the police precinct. Although $300,000 was approved in the 2018 budget, because of long lead times and need for further study, the money was never spent. Staff found the installation costs at the precinct were greater than initially funded, so now the total cost is to be $403,000. The second item is $68,000 to purchase spare traffic signal equipment in the event of failure. Since lead times are quite long, the city wants to have the equipment on hand to prevent a signal from being down for an extended time should an outage take place. Staff had removed sidewalk/ snow equipment from this budget amendment so they and Council can study sidewalk snow removal more closely.

Council approves comp plan amendments As discussed in last month’s Current, Council considered 10 Comprehensive Plan amendments.

Final approval came this month.

Land use changes were approved for parcels at the southeast corner of Eighth and Sullivan and land adjacent to the Whimsical Pig on Mission. Land use changes were denied for parcels southeast of Broadway and Park Road and the northwest corner of Marguerite and Sinto.

Council also approved of text amendments to six sections of the Comprehensive Plan. These involved strategies and policies for annexation, providing a study of a multifamily tax reduction, creating a paper 11 x 17 inch map of the city, updating the pedestrian and bike maps, and including a 20year listing of future transportation improvements.

Council briefs • Council approved a contract of $991,050.18 with Engineering/ Remediation Resources Group to provide Browns Park improvements, including a loop trail and lighting, a large restroom, utilities, a large picnic shelter, new perimeter fencing, a renovated storage building, a small skating area and a small shelter.

• Council approved a change to the Governance Manual permitting the city manager to approve travel insurance for Council members when in the interests of the city.

• Council approved an updated address standard, facilitating more accurate emergency response. The new standard codifies what the city now uses. Any nonconforming addresses will be updated on an as-needed basis.

• Council approved applying for a federal BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant for the Pines Road Grade Separation. The grant would fund $23.2 million of the $29 million project.

• Council agreed to go out for bids on the Evergreen to Sullivan

Pines/Trent Option 1 With Traffic Signal

Pines/Trent Option 1 with Roundabout

Pines/Trent Option 2 with Traffic Signal

Continued from page 14

JULY 2019 • 15

segment of the Appleway Trail.

The project is estimated to cost $2,395,000. The city’s contribution is to be $323,325, with grants providing the remainder.

• Council approved a grant agreement with Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) to provide a canopy for the decant facility. This facility removes water from the “gunk” taken from stormwater drains, reducing the cost of disposal. The city would contribute about $148,000 to the approximately $741,000 project, with the state providing the remainder.

• Council approved a grant agreement with DOE for Sprague and Appleway stormwater improvements. The city would provide a little over $1 million of the $2.5 million for the Sprague project and about $315,000 of the $969,000 Appleway project, with the state providing the remainder on both projects.

• Council awarded a $694,969 contract to Cameron Reilly LLC for the Wellesley, McDonald to Evergreen, Sidewalk Project. This was $15,662 above the engineer’s estimate.

• Council agreed to set a hearing date for the Planning Commission to examine the vacation of 3,000 square feet of the northwest corner of Broadway and Thierman to correct a document inconsistency.

• Council agreed to purchase about one acre behind the Police Precinct building for $225,000 for needed future expansion.

Pines/Trent Option 2 With Roundabout (This is the option chosen by Council)

16 • JULY 2019

The Current

SCLD seeking levy lid lift Aug. 6

By Nina Culver Current Contributor

The Spokane County Library District will be asking voters to approve a levy increase to pay for library maintenance and operations in the Aug. 6 election.

By law, the district is allowed to levy a tax of 50 cents per $1,000 in assessed home value. The district is also limited to a 1 percent levy increase per year, so over time the amount the library collects falls even though it is raised by one percent a year. The levy on the August ballot is what is known as a levy lid lift, which will allow the library to collect the maximum of 50 cents per $1,000 again.

“We’re at 43 cents right now, so it’s a seven-cent increase,” said Communication and Development Director Jane Baker.

The increase works out to be an additional $16.45 per year -- or $1.37 per month -- for the owner of a home valued at $235,000. The last time the library had a levy lid lift on the ballot was in 2010, Baker said.

The Spokane County Library District operates 11 libraries in Spokane County, including Airway Heights, Argonne, Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Medical Lake, Moran Prairie, North Spokane, Otis Orchards and Spokane Valley.

There’s also the BookEnd in the Spokane Valley Mall.

The libraries are well used, particularly the Spokane Valley Library. More than 112,000 people have library cards, and the most recent numbers available from 2018 show approximately 3,700 people visiting the libraries each day. In 2018, the district checked out 2.6 million digital and physical items.

The district also has a Library of Things, where people can check out everything from a telescope to gardening tools. The Otis Orchards, Cheney and Fairfield branches have a seed library where people can check out vegetable and flower seeds. Patrons can even check out passes to the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and Mobius. People can take free classes in hundreds of subjects online at www.scld.org.

There are plans to improve facilities and services if the levy is approved. The district currently has

one aging outreach van that brings library books to childcare centers, senior centers and retirement homes in the district.

“We would like to get a new van and a second van,” Baker said.

The second van could be sent to community events and to areas that don’t have a library branch, like Riverside and Waverly, she said.

The district also needs to upgrade the HVAC system at many of its buildings.

“Our systems are end of life,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of repairing.

The repair people are here almost every day, it seems like.”

Digital checkouts in the district have increased by 2,700 percent in the last 10 years, and the district would like to increase its digital collection, Baker said. The current offerings include eBooks, downloadable audio books, streaming movies and music.

“It’s the fastest-growing area we have,” she said.

There’s also a need for security cameras to cover the parking lots and entrances of all the library branches.

“People are surprised to find out that we do not have any security cameras at all,” she said.

The levy provides 93 percent of the district’s annual budget, with the rest coming from grants and donations, so getting 50 percent of voters to approve the levy is crucial, Baker said.

“This levy is essential,” she said.

The district has already identified areas to cut if the levy is not approved, including shifting money from programs like story time to maintaining the HVAC systems and other repairs. Library hours and staff could also be cut. It may even be necessary to close one or more libraries, Baker said. The specifics of what would be cut have not yet been determined.

“If it doesn’t pass, there’s a process we go through to determine what would be reduced or closed,” she said.

The changes would not be instantaneous if the levy fails in August. The district would likely try a levy increase again before taking steps like cutting staff and closing libraries, she said.

But Baker said that most people she’s heard from have been in favor of the levy increase and she’s hopeful it will pass.

“They’ve been very supportive,” she said. “That’s been good to hear.”

The district is putting on public information open house events at each library branch to educate residents on the levy request and why it is needed. Several have already been held, but more are coming up before ballots are due back on Aug. 6.

The schedule is as follows: July 8, 4-6 p.m., Deer Park Library (203 S. Forest Ave.); July 11, 4-6 p.m., North Spokane Library (44 E. Hawthorne Road); July 16, 4-6 p.m., Medical Lake Library (321 E. Herb St.); July 25, 4-6 p.m., Airway Heights Library (1213 S. Lundstrom St.).

Visit www.scld.org/levy for additional information.

SVFD Report From Current News Sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 1,511 emergency calls from May 15 to June 14: • Emergency Medical Services 1,179 • Building Alarms 7 • Motor Vehicle Accidents 80 • Fires 78 • Dispatched and cancelled en route 63 • Hazardous Material 12 • Vehicle Fires 12 • Service Calls 20 •Technical Rescue 4 MVA Violations – SVFD first responders go out multiple times every day responding to calls and have noticed an increase in distracted driving that has resulted in fire apparatus and individuals being hit by dangerous driving in an area involved in an incident.

While SVFD thankfully has not experienced any deaths from distracted driving, serious injuries have occurred.

These dangerous conditions are being felt and experienced nationwide by first responders.

They are seeing an increase in people using cell phones and being distracted when passing by accidents where response teams are actively involved in providing care and safety for those involved in an accident. Drivers are passing by taking photos, posting to social media and texting, exposing first responders to dangerous traffic conditions in an already dangerous situation.

Spokane Valley firefighters are experiencing near misses and actual hits. Battalion Chief Robert Proctor was hit while inside his vehicle. Another firefighter responding to a call experienced a near miss of personal and vehicle damage from a distracted driver.

According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, this type of distraction killed 41 first responders on the side of the road in 2018, a number that is up 60 percent from 2017. Through May, 21 more firefighters have

See SVFD, Page 17

JULY 2019 • 17

The Current

SVFD

Continued from page 16

died in 2019 because of distracted driving in an area where firefighters are responding to an incident. In the time it takes a person to glance down for one second at 20 mph, they can travel 29 feet, at 55 mph, a person can travel the length of a football field.

“That’s enough time for a car in front to stop and the one behind not to,” said Spokane Valley Fire Deputy Chief Shawn Arold. “When first responders are on site responding to an accident, the potential for hitting people instead of another car is dramatically increased. Our utmost concern is the safety of our firefighters who are at risk.”

Vehicle Extrication – On June 2, SVFD units responded to a car accident involving two vehicles. A truck T-boned a sedan, pushing it into a telephone pole and leaving one passenger trapped inside. Valley Fire and AMR were both present.

AMR medics transported both passengers from the truck to Sacred Heart Medical Center for further medical care while Valley Fire Engine 6 was assigned to the sedan extrication with Valley Fire Engine 8 assisting. Once the passenger was extricated, AMR transported him to the hospital for further medical attention.

Stop the Bleed Program – SVFD began a “Stop the Bleed” nationally acclaimed lifesaving training program last year designed to train area citizens, schools and businesses in basic bleeding control techniques.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the No. 1 preventable death from trauma in the United States. This program was inspired by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting tragedy and developed by the American College of Surgeons in the hopes of preventing further unnecessary deaths in the U.S. West Valley School District took advantage of this program offered by the SVFD and hosted approximately 13 classes, where nearly 300 administrators, faculty and staff attended training. This training can make a difference immediately when the threat of life is in jeopardy from uncontrolled

bleeding.

“All of us should be able to stop bleeding when it counts,” said RW Pegau, Spokane Valley Fire Paramedic. “Banks, libraries, community centers, retirement communities, apartments, students – all could benefit from this type of training that is easy to learn but has direct lifesaving correlation.”

SVFD hopes other Spokane Valley school districts will take advantage of this program.

Although students were not included in the WVSD training, the SVFD hopes that in the future student training will be included as well.

For individuals looking to attend a “Stop the Bleed” training, the SVFD hosts a free class every third Saturday of the month at the Spokane Valley Fire Department Training Center, 2411 N. Pioneer Lane. For more, visit spokanevalleyfire.com or call 9281700.

Pilot of New European Style Helmet – SVFD is currently piloting European style fire helmets. The traditional iconic fire helmets have a higher center of gravity, a wider brim, and are limited in their use compared to the European style helmet.

The new helmet, Carirn’s XF1, looks more like a pilot’s helmet, weighing just over 3 pounds and offering additional safety options including diverse face shield protection.

“We want our firefighters to be as effective as possible while they are encountering difficult environments.

Keeping them safe at the same time is definitely a priority,” said Chief Bryan Collins. “Finding better products and options for our firefighters that provide increased safety and reliability continues to be a regular practice at the SVFD.” Testing of the helmets began June 1, and early reception to the helmets has been mixed. The SVFD is seeking to evaluate questions of comfort, weight, visibility, hearing, functionality, integration, protection and ability to shed water during the pilot period.

COMMISSIONER Continued from page 3

who all encouraged me to put my name in. They knew me and knew that my skills would work well as a commissioner. I had seen Spokane County government as a citizen, an auditor and an employee. They reinforced that I think outside the box, have compassion and the ability to bring people together and find solutions.

Q: What would you say are the three most important issues facing Spokane County today?

A: First is our ongoing effort to reform the criminal justice system so we can keep our community safe. This includes tackling the opioid epidemic, which is affecting so many areas of our community including homelessness. We are creating a mental health crisis stabilization center so that people who need help can get it instead of going to jail. Second, we need to live within our means without raising taxes. This is challenging; however, like any good business we need to be fiscally responsible with our resources. Third, we are constantly making sure we are protecting our quality of life. This includes ensuring our roads are maintained, the Conservation Futures program is creating open space we can all enjoy, investing in the parks and protecting the Spokane River.

Q: You have been an advocate for the three-commissioner system despite a push to install a fivecommissioner approach. Why do you think it makes sense to keep the current format in place?

A: First of all, the only “push” for five commissioners came from the legislature in Olympia. Our Spokane County citizens voted it down in 2015 by over 54 percent. The Washington state constitution requires the legislature to establish a uniform system of county government which is a three-member board of county commissioners unless the citizens of the county go through the charter process to elect Spokane County residents to serve as “freeholders” to recommend a new form of county government. Every elected official swears an oath to uphold the state constitution, and you can’t pick and choose which parts you’re going to uphold. If the Spokane County citizens want to initiate the freeholder process and establish a new form of

county government, as is allowed by our constitution, I would have no problem with that. We should not have our chosen form of county government changed by Olympia unilaterally. Second, the cost to go to five commissioners is another in a long list of unfunded mandates from the legislature. It would cost Spokane County taxpayers $1 million to set up five commissioners in the first year. It would be $500,000 every year thereafter. This will result in raising taxes. Third, all 39 counties, as represented through the Washington State Association of Counties’ (WSAC) Board of Directors, voted to sue the state over this legislation as they all agreed it was unconstitutional. In fact, WSAC is paying for the litigation costs. Spokane County citizens are not paying for the lawsuit, other than being one of 39 counties that are members of WSAC. Finally, what the legislature came up with is a bad form of government. They want five commissioners elected by district. However, in the form of government they insisted on, no one is elected countywide, so no one is accountable to all the citizens in the county. Currently, all three commissioners are voted on countywide in the general election, so all three commissioners can be held accountable by all our citizens.

Q: Finally, most readers of the Current reside in District 2, which you represent. What would you say to folks who may want of have more of a voice or become more involved in their local government but aren’t sure exactly how?

A: The commissioners have a large number of venues for the public to share their opinions with us. This includes email, phone, public meetings and social media.

We have a policy to be transparent with the public. The Spokane County website, spokanecounty.org, has a calendar of our meetings and information on contacting myself or the other commissioners. I have always had an open-door policy. My executive assistant, retired Air Force veteran Jim Brown, and I work as a team, so we’re happy to hear from you and help answer your questions or concerns. Not every issue is something a commissioner can help with; however, we are always willing to point people in the right direction if we know someone else can help.

Brought to you by

JULY 2019 • 19

The Current

The three S’s that spell generosity

By Tracy Poindexter-Canton Guest Column

My most poignant experiences with generosity have happened through mentorship. Amongst an eclectic network of mentors in my life, I have discovered various facets of generosity; most notably, the three S’s of Selflessness, Sharing and Service.

Selflessness is an essential facet of generosity. Researchers studying the science of generosity at the University of Notre Dame report “generosity always intends to enhance the true well-being of those to whom it gives.” Generosity often requires stepping outside oneself for a moment to give for the purpose of enriching others.

I am reminded of this while reflecting on my childhood and how my late grandma played an integral part in developing my creativity and, inadvertently, igniting a future passion for mixed media art.

Perceptive of my vivid imagination, my grandma kept a cardboard box for me under the chair in her hallway broom closet filled with old gift ribbons, mismatched buttons, knickknacks and other commonly discarded scraps, which I used to create all sorts of fun arts and crafty things. The possibilities were infinite!

From age 6 to 14, every visit to my grandparent’s house involved an exciting discovery of some new treasure in the box. As the fifth of six grandchildren at the time, it meant a lot that my grandma took the time to do something just for me. Also being the extremely neat and tidy person she was, I smile knowing my grandma held onto that unnecessary clutter solely for my benefit.

Sharing: For the past 16 years, I

have kept in contact with a favorite English professor I had while attending Seattle University as an undergrad. Dr. Hamida Bosmajian continues to be an invaluable mentor to me, constructively critiquing my writing and artwork and constantly encouraging me to pursue artistic opportunities. We frequently trade letters, divulging in our common interests of classic novels, New York Times bestsellers, documentaries, plays, art exhibits and a commitment to lifelong learning. With different cultural backgrounds and a 45-year age gap between us, we find a lot to learn from and share with one another.

Service is a key facet of generosity. Its nature of giving and coming to the aid of others makes service the backbone of generosity.

I am eternally grateful to the individuals, throughout my life, who chose to mentor me, serving to foster my growth professionally and personally.

On a much larger scale, I am profoundly inspired by those volunteers, educators, medical professionals, emergency responders, artists, public servants, military personnel and countless others who generously invest their time, knowledge and resources to serve others. Your generosity is immeasurable.

Tracy Poindexter-Canton currently serves in the special education department at Northeast Washington Educational Service District 101. A mixed media artist, creative writer and graduate of Seattle University and Gonzaga University, Tracy is passionate about the arts. Her department lead, Dr. Connie Kliewer, is a current member of the PACE Leadership Team.

Open Gym For All Ages - Fridays 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Instructional Classes offered morning, afternoon, evening and weekends for all goals & abilities toddler through adult

Summer Camps start June 24th, Sign up now!

2515 N. Locust Road Spokane Valley 99206

509-315-5433

Bitty Bee Mondays & Wednesdays weekly from 9:30am – 12:30pm!

Movie Night- evening of fun, friends, gymnastics, popcorn and movies!

www.spokanegymnastics.com

20 • JULY 2019

The Current Brought to you by

Want to sponsor this section?

Ask us how! 242-7752

About and for Valley seniors

Cycle event celebrates beauty of Valley

By Michelle Valkov Current Correspondent

With all of the bike trails showcasing the beauty of the valley, the Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration is aptly named.

“You see parts of the Valley that you don’t see from the freeway or the neighborhoods,” said Peggy Doering, director of the bicycling event.

The annual Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration presented by Valleyfest is July 28. The bicycle tour has been a community event since celebrating Spokane Valley’s 10-year anniversary in 2013.

“Bill Gothmann, a city council member came up to me wanting to do a bike ride to celebrate Spokane Valley’s 10-year anniversary, and it’s been an annual thing since then,” said John Abernathy, chairman of the Celebration.

Abernathy owns his own bicycle business and has been in the Valley 13 years.

The bicycle tour includes a 10mile, 25-mile and 50-mile route beginning and ending at the North Centennial Trailhead across from Mirabeau Point Park at 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway.

The 50-mile ride leaves at 8 a.m. and is called “Hills around the Valley.” The 25-mile “Adventure Ride” leaves at 8:30 a.m. and runs mostly south of Spokane Valley,

and the 10-mile “Family Friendly” ride is an easier route for less experienced cyclists which follows the Centennial Trail to the Barker Trailhead and back, also offering scenic views of the Spokane River.

“You end up seeing wildlife,” Doering said. “You have bison somewhere along the ride, there’s a bison or buffalo farm. You see Mt. Spokane and Mica Peak, and you’re just in the country that you’re very close to, like a more urban setting.”

Also, you ride to win a bicycle, which the celebration will be giving out as a prize this year, and Brothers Office Pizza will be providing lunch afterwards as part of the registration package.

Abernathy said to just sign up and do it.

“It’s a fun ride, and it’s a challenge, and if you’re interested in doing some bike riding, it’s a great event,” Abernathy said.

Abernathy also told a past event story about a father and daughter from Hawaii that did the 25-mile route, and the dad was super stoked as he had accomplished the ride.

“The dad had a crazy helmet on with a pool noodle sticking out of it, so it was pretty funny,” Abernathy said.

Any bike can be used for the event, since all routes are on pavement.

Doering also mentioned that last year there were a little over 200

Photo by Michelle Valkov Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration Director Peggy Doering and Board Member Stephanie Hughes show off the bicycle donated by Larry H. Miller Lexus as a prize at the event. This year’s bicycle event will be held July 28. people that joined the event, so this year the odds are really great.

Registration is $29 for adults and $15 for riders ages 13-17 and includes a dry fit T-shirt and a box lunch from Brother’s Office. The registration deadline is July 16; visit www.cyclecelebration.com to sign up.

Riders can pick up their packets from 4 to 7 p.m. July 27 at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center at 2426 N. Discovery Place. Packets can also be picked up the morning of the ride from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Mirabeau Point Park.

“We have people who love the 50-mile bike ride challenge, and then we have families who are just getting started and like the fact that the ride is on the Centennial Trail and is contained, beautiful and straight. We have something for everyone and try to accommodate all levels,” Doering said.

The event’s title sponsor is Larry H. Miller Lexus, and the dealership is also providing the prize of the ALR Travel bike.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Valleyfest Children’s Foundation.

Funeral Home & Crematory

The first name your family trusts.

SPOKANE

509-328-2600

•

S P O K A N E VA L L E Y

509-926-2423

JULY 2019 • 21

The Current

E NRI C HE D L I VI NG. L AS TIN G VALUE.

THE

lifestyle

THE

YOU WANT

THE

quality

community

YOU L OVE

YO U DE S E RV E

New homes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur d’Alene. gr eenstonehomes.com

22 • JULY 2019

The Current

Sponsored By: Want to sponsor this section?

Ask us how! 242-7752

WV shakes off rough start en route to state baseball tourney

By Mike Vlahovich Current Correspondent

West Valley baseball players rose to the occasion – at least they finally got healthy.

Mired at one point having lost five of six games and with a 4-6 record midway through the season, the Eagles won six of their final seven games, taking them back to the State 2A tournament.

The year before, the Eagles had reached the state semifinals, but they graduated a group of gifted three-year athletes. Still, coach Cory Aitken thought this year that WV had a chance to return.

“I thought we were going be pretty good going into the season,” Aitken said. “I was not anticipating (what happened).”

Number one pitcher Hunter Tiffany injured a shoulder and missed three weeks. Transfer basketball star Nick Drynan was expected to bring heat on the mound in baseball, but hurt his elbow and could only play in the field.

Great Northern League powersthat-be decided to make one of the three games GNL teams play against each other non-counting, which at least enabled Aitken to juggle his batting order to find the best lineup. Once the dust settled, the Eagles found themselves back in state, finishing among the top 16.

Hunter was back on the mound, Drynans in centerfield. At one point, sophomore Travis Gohl was on an 8-for-8 streak and batting .555 as Aitken juggled the batting order.

Aiken’s son, Andrew, worked his way into the lineup.

“It’s been really cool seeing him earn his sport and not giving it to him by his dad,” Aitken laughed.

The Eagles were one of three Valley state qualifiers. Central Valley also reached the round of 16 in 4A and Freeman reached the round of eight, Northeast A league foe Colville standing in the way of a semifinals berth.

The Bears second year Central Valley coach Jaramie Maupin knew what he’d lost, but he certainly was ecstatic over what he found. Despite graduating star multi-sport guys, Maupin’s Bears also reached the state tournament round of 16.

The new lineup included Bears pitcher Jack Leary, brothers Kyle Clay – CV’s no. 2 pitcher and .450 hitter. His brother Ryan led the league in runs scored and batted .450 and centerfielder Cole Johnson led the GSL in home runs. Leadoff hitter Kyle Parkman also hit with power.

Freeman reached the round of eight in the State 1A tournament.

One constant was Jace Phelan, whose power statistically was other worldly and pitching could dominate. Jake Amend was a key hurler. Garrett Barnes and Ryan Hayek were offensive constants.

Golfers well represented Reaching state in golf is a goal worth attaining. And a wealth of Valley players accomplished that goal.

Kami Twining knows her way around the golf course, witness the Greater Spokane League district title she won and her return to state, where she finished 16th a year ago. Joining her at state is senior Courtney Johnson, 23rd last year, that gave CV a solid one-two punch.

The Bears boys finished second during district action behind Gonzaga Prep with three finishers in the top seven. Tyler Jackson and Riley Hadley deadlocked for third place. Brayden Miles, Garrett Packebush and Luke Sukut all qualified for state.

Also qualifying for state were University’s Logan Phillips, West Valley’s Alyssa Amann and Alyson Leonov, East Valley’s Charity Yount, Freeman boys Ryan Russell, Drew Schmick and girls golfer Ellis Conley.

Softball to state Young Central Valley, with a

number of new faces, stumbled out of the gate but recovered in time to reach state for the second straight year and third time in four seasons.

The Bears started the year 6-3 and then ran off nine straight wins, including its state qualifying taut 3-2 victory over Lewis and Clark. Along the way they ousted state perennial and rival University 3-0.

Grace Stumbough is the most familiar name during CV’s run of success and the obvious key player to rally around.

But Julia Andrews, Gianna McCoy, Cheyenne Parker and Suhyla Tanak were among the key contributors for the Bears.

Soccer stumbled CV was perfect during the GSL soccer season, but went 2-2 in postseason and was ousted from state with a loss to Gonzaga Prep in the regional state qualifying match.

CV lost two preseason matches, but then rattled off 10 straight victories before faltering.

Adam Jones with 10 goals led CV scorers. Hunter Clark and Jason Shypitka provided scoring depth.

Long list of qualifiers West Valley’s sprint-rich track team took its speed on the road to the State 2A meet.

Boys qualifiers were Kobin Carver, in the 100-200 Garrett Morton in 400, Elijah Fishburn in the 800 and Govonni Raskell at 3200 meters. Joining them in the relays were Eduar Brand and alternates Alyjjouah Rollins and Eithan Rehn. Daniel Miller put the shot.

Girls qualifiers were Lala Duke in the sprints, Annika Esvelt in the distances and Alex Vargas in the high jump. Joining Duke in the relays were Mevaeh Sherwood, Aklylah Beitey, Gukkuab Simpson and Madison Carr.

CV’s boys distance crew and girls’ depth fueled their league titles.

Ryan Kline set a school record in qualifying for state in the 3,200,

where he was among the favorites.

Joey Nichols made it in the 800, Austin Porter in the 100 and Bradley Fillis in the shot put.

A horde of girls sprinters, including alternates, took CV to state in three relays and two solo events: Molly McCormick, Maci Young, Anha Duggan and Savanna Pratt; Marissa Orrino, Cassady Haddad, Jennifer Bissell, Kylie Keller and Kayla Swavely made the trip to Tacoma. Also advancing were Rebekah Ross in the pole vault and Hayden McAuliff in the long jump.

U-Hi’s Jacob Easton qualified at 3,200 meters and Aayiana Fuller in the 800. East Valley qualified Jared Hathaway in the triple jump.

Valley Christian put together a formidable team of both boys and girls that could have put them in Class 1A title contention in Class 1B track.

Seven boys and five girls covered 16 events including relays – boys Braden Akers, Jonathon Moore, Jack Robinson, Adam Bruno, Isaac Trigsted, Cameron Simonds and Dawson Blue; girls Kenna Clark, Grace Bruno, Karrah Pope, Julia Hayes and Nelly Toyakalo.

Freeman sprinter Corvin Cogley and long jumper and Keoni Rosan represented the long jump. The seven-girl qualifiers were Katelynn Tipett in the long jump, Sydney Arzen in the javelin and Amelie Broussard in the high jump. Hanna Fleig, Nyiella and Kyli Stokke and Mahleeah Brittan were the 400 relay runners.

Unfinished business A year ago, Andy Simmerman reached the finals of the State 1A/2B/1B singles tennis tournament. The Freeman senior returned for a chance to reach the final rung this year. His sister, Sarah Simmerman, is a repeat singles qualifier as well. Also back are boys doubles Kolby Emptman and Trevor Paternoster, who finished in the top half of last year’s 16-team bracket, and Owen Bryant and Daniel Gady.

East Valley’s Tiffany Phout competed in the 2A singles event and West Valley’s Keara Sinclair and Lillian Hyde reached state doubles.

JULY 2019 • 23

The Current

Track and Field state results Following is a list of top three individual placers and top 10 team placers connected to the Valley at state track and field meets.

Girls 4A • Eighth place (tie), overall: Central Valley High School • 1st place, 1,600 relay: Central Valley (Anna Dugan, Molly McCormick, Marissa Orrin and Aly Tolman)

at University High School Theatre

Girls 2A • Second place, 200, and third place, 100: LaTrouchka Duke, West Valley Boys 2A • Eighth place (tie), overall: West Valley • First place, 1,600 relay: West Valley (Kobin Carver, Alyjouah Rollins, Elijah Fishburne and Garrett Morton) • First place, triple jump: Jared Hathaway, East Valley Girls 1B • First place, 400: Kenna Clark, Valley Christian • Third place, triple jump: Julia Hayes, Valley Christian

July 12 – 28 Directed by

Yvonne A. K. Johnson

Music Direction by

David Brewster

August 9 – 18 Directed by

Yvonne A. K. Johnson

Music Direction by

Find us on Facebook! w w w.svsu mmerth eatre.com 509-368-7897 Evening Show Time: 7:30 P.M. • Sunday Show Time: 2:00 P.M. State-of-the-art theatre • Free parking

www.valleycurrent.com

Presented by

Mirabeau Park Hotel

David and Christina Lynch

David Brewster

24 • JULY 2019

The Current

brought to you by Student of the Month Whether it’s in the classroom or on the basketball court, University High senior Ellie Boni excels. She maintains a 3.97 grade point average and is a member of National Honor Society and Crimson Crew. She has also been part of the DECA marketing and business program for two years. She has been named to the All-Greater Spokane League basketball squad the past three years and, as a junior, averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. She had a career-high 35 points against Mt. Spokane as a sophomore. This summer, she will be part of the Tree of Hope elite club team that competes in tournaments across the nation. The senior is considering Colorado State, San Jose State and Arizona for basketball. She would like to major in journalism and pursue a career in sports broadcasting.

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

Jacob Easton will enter the 2019-20 school year as one of the top distance runners in the Greater Spokane League.

The senior at University High holds school records in the freshman 2-mile run (9:59), sophomore mile (4:19) and junior mile (4:14). Last year, he placed seventh at the state cross country meet in Pasco, qualifying for the Nike Cross Regional and Foot Locker Championship. As a sophomore, he finished 15th at state.

Easton played soccer before taking up running. He rose to No. 4 on the Titans’ cross country squad as a freshman and also won the GSL freshman title. In the classroom, Easton maintains a 3.3 grade point average and participates in jazz band. He plans to put in around 70 miles a week over the summer as part of his training regimen.

A longtime board member at Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank and Family Services, Nancy Nelson is “an amazing, selfless and inspirational leader,” says SVP Executive Director Cal Coblentz. “She’s served as president several times and has really led our agency toward greater health and sustainability,” Coblentz added. “She has taken the lead in establishing a career clothing bank at SVP and underwrites it every year as well.” The owner and president of Humanix Staffing, Nelson has marketing and organizational degrees from Gonzaga University. She volunteered for 12 years with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, serving as youth council chair.

Nelson has been with Humanix since 1988 and is a certified personal consultant and professional in human resources. “Nancy has also mentored many new leaders to use their skills and influence for the good of the community,” Coblentz said.

News Droplets Acreage added to Antoine Peak Spokane County’s Conservation Futures program added 230 acres of high quality habitat and recreation land to the Antoine Peak Conservation Area, located just north of the city of Spokane Valley.

Starting at the valley floor and climbing 700 feet up, this acquisition preserves critical winter habitat for white-tailed deer while also creating the opportunity to develop a “valley-to-peak” trail experience.

“This acquisition was a not-tomiss opportunity to expand the Conservation Area in big way by preserving its ‘front yard’ at the edge of the city of Spokane Valley.

Without Conservation Futures, there’s no doubt in my mind that this property would have been subdivided and developed in the near future,” said Paul Knowles, Special Projects Manager for Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf Department.

The property includes a yearround spring that flows through the center of it, mature Ponderosa

pine forest, large rock outcroppings and a former homestead site, which still retains large, spring-fed silver maples.

“This is another successful case of how the Conservation Futures Program works with willing sellers to preserve unique and significant examples of Spokane County’s natural heritage,” said Doug Chase, Director of Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf Department.

“We’re excited to embark on the next steps of planning for this property’s future as part of Antoine Peak Conservation Area.”

Chair of the Board of Spokane County Commissioners, Mary Kuney added, “This purchase is one of many Conservation Futures acquisitions that help elevate Spokane County’s status as an outdoor recreation mecca, attracting new residents and businesses seeking first-class trails within a short distance of their front steps.”

Until such time a public planning process and public access improvements are implemented, the “Etter Ranch” addition to Antoine Peak Conservation Area

is only accessible through the prior established Conservation Area.

Future enhancements to the new addition are likely to include a new trailhead parking area and soft-surface trail improvements.

For now, visitors to Antoine Peak Conservation Area can use two trailheads to access its trail system: Lincoln Road (East) Trailhead (19516 E. Lincoln Road) and Brevier Road (West) Trailhead (15501 E. Brevier Road).

Non-motorized recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing is allowed within Antoine Peak Conservation Area.

For more information on Spokane County’s Conservation Futures Program and Antoine Peak Conservation Area, visit www. spokanecounty.org/parks/ and click on “Conservation Futures.”

SVFD purchases weighted blankets The Spokane Valley Fire Department has purchased some weighted blankets from the Isaac Foundation. These blankets have been delivered to most stations and ALS apparatus. The blankets are for use on firetrucks to be available for

Come visit your Spokane Valley Neighborhood Financial Center located at 615 N Sullivan Road

800-233-2328

Thanks you for all you do in our community calming individuals with autism.

They can, however, be used for anyone who may be in crisis, stressed, or having a bad day. They can even be used to calm a fellow firefighter.

“We wanted to help the Spokane Valley Fire Department to be better prepared and to have training in calming techniques with individuals with autism,” said Holly Lytle, Founder and Executive Director of Isaac Foundation. “The great thing about the weighted blankets is they help everyone who is experiencing crisis, not just those with autism.

The SVFD is going to find that these blankets are a huge asset to their crisis response.”

Weighted blankets are a comfort to individuals with autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD and can enhance a person's quality of sleep by reducing anxiety and agitation.

“We are always looking for ways to improve crisis response,” said Fire Captain and Paramedic Jeff Fraser. “This seemed like a great option to incorporate for helping those individuals who are in distress and in need of care.”

The Current

LIBRARY

Explore stars, planets, the moon at the library

By Erin Dodge Current Guest Contributor

This month is the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 11 Moon Landing.

To celebrate, libraries in Spokane Valley and throughout Spokane County are providing astronomyand space-related programs.

You can learn how to use binoculars for stargazing and navigating the night sky with the Spokane Astronomical Society during “Astronomy at the Library” for adults at Argonne Library on Tuesday, July 9, at 6pm and at Otis Orchards Library with telescopes to view the quarter moon, weather permitting, on Wednesday, July 10, at 6pm. If your July is booked, then next month, you can experience this astronomy program at Spokane Valley Library on Friday, August 9, at 5pm.

Want to gaze at the stars and planets from home? You can check out an Orion telescope from Spokane

Try your hand at filming at Spokane Valley Library

By Dana Mannino, Librarian Spokane County Library District

Did you know that Spokane Valley Library has a fully equipped film studio you can use for free?

It's true! Thanks to a 2017 grant from Community Minded Enterprises, you have free access to professional grade cameras, lights, and backdrops. You can use the equipment in The Studio on the 2nd floor of the library, or take the equipment with you to your filming location. It’s perfect for budding YouTube stars, aspiring documentarians, and family historians.

This summer is a great time to learn the ropes at one of the libraries upcoming workshops.

Teens and tweens can get handson experience operating the cameras at one of our three camera crew intensives this summer. Participants

Valley Library! You may have a bit to wait to get your hands on one, so place your hold now at www.scld. org/telescope.

Spokane County Library District has partnered with Spokane Falls Community College Planetarium to provide a limited number of passes to the “Secret Lives of Stars” planetarium show on July 17 and August 13. Spokane Valley residents with a District library card in good standing get a chance to reserve these passes 30 days ahead of time.

More information can be found at www.scld.org/sfcc-planetarium.

You don’t need to visit the moon or the International Space Station to see incredible views of Earth. Just come to the library! This summer at Spokane Valley, Argonne, Otis Orchards, and The BookEnd libraries, a curated poster display from the US Geological Survey and the Smithsonian will be up on library walls for everyone to enjoy.

JULY 2019 • 25

See geological wonders and weather in news ways.

NASA Solar System Ambassador Joe Bruce will be presenting “Space Frontiers” at North Spokane Library on Thursday, September 26, at 7pm. This event is for all ages, and a great reason to take the short trip north to hear about the history of human space exploration and see an actual spacesuit, a small rocket steering thruster, a piece of Martian meteorite, and other artifacts from the space program.

Along with these programs, librarians have put together some fantastic reading lists for kids and adults. Kids can read all about the stars, planets, and rockets this summer with the book list found online at www.scld.org/spacebooks. Teens and adults will find a lot to love about astronomy and space exploration in the books found on the list at www.scld.org/ astronomy-books.

I hope you have an out-of-this world summer at these programs and while reading all about our universe.

Summer Family Read Let’s read books out loud together!

We recommend everything by award-winning author Grace Lin, for the young & young at heart.

Photo credit: Alan Bradley

will learn to light a scene, use a green screen, record video, monitor audio, and edit footage using the software Final Cut Pro X. The finished videos will be aired on Community Minded Television and uploaded to the library’s YouTube channel.

There are three upcoming teen and tween workshops in July and August at Spokane Valley Library.

For teens going into grades 9–12, “After Hours: Teen Video Camera Crew Intensive” is on Friday, July 12, 5–10pm, and teens will be in the library after hours, filming an informational video that they get to write about what not to do with library materials.

For tweens going into grades 4 and up, “Video Camera Crew Create: News Segment” lets kids explore news they want to share on Friday, July 19, 12:30–4:30pm. Also for tweens, the workshop “Video Camera Crew Intensive: Visit Mars!” with stretch their imaginations as they create a commercial for the made-up Mars Adventure Travel Corporation on Thursday, August 15, 12:30–4:30pm.

Space is limited at these teen and tween workshops, so register on the library’s online event calendar

at www.scld.org/video-cameracrew/, starting 30 days before each program.

It's not just kids who can get in on the action. The following class is being offered for adults: “Video Editing: Intro to Premiere Pro” on Thursday, Septembers 12, 7–8 pm.

There is no registration required for this video editing class.

Curious but not ready for a class?

Stop by The Studio during drop-in hours and ask all the questions you want.

Drop in-hours are Tuesdays, 6–8pm, and Saturdays 2–5pm. Or Book a Librarian for an hour-long one-on-one introduction to the equipment. Visit www.scld.org/ book-a-librarian/ to schedule an appointment.

You can also learn at your own pace with online video editing software classes available for free with your library card. Our digital resource Lynda.com has many online training courses for software and technology, and you can get started at www.scld.org/lynda/.

Whatever your age or learning style, the library is excited to get you filming. Come see us today!

Family Summer Read Celebration with

Grace Lin Special appearance & reading by author Grace Lin Crafts, activities, & door prizes For all ages CENTERPLACE 2426 N DISCOVERY PL Thursday, August 8 6:30–8:30pm www.scld.org/grace-lin

www.scld.org

BUSINESS

26 • JULY 2019

TOTAL INDOOR COMFORT ...WE DO IT ALL! √ AIR CONDITIONING √ FURNACE & HEATING √ MAINTENANCE PLANS √ PROPANE & OIL √ DUCT CLEANING √ INSTALLATION & SERVICE

anner FURNACE & FUEL, INC.

535-1711 | 122 N. Helena | www.bannerfuel.com

Exit 299 off I-90, Just West of Cabelas

LOW IDAHO PRICES ON FUEL & TOBACCO

Use a DEBIT CARD and watch the price DROP to the LOW cash price!

Summer Events “Thirsty Tuesday’s” 1/2 OFF any Fill

June 12- Rocky Patel Event , Aug 24 Big Ash 2019 , Sept 14 Kelly Hughes Band

BURRITOS, TACOS, AND BOWLS

The Loft on the Green is open!

Visit Us At

www.StateLinePlaza.com

Off any $3.00 purchase of $40 or

more, Including fuel!

Valid at Liberty Stop N Go, Bear Necessities, A1 Smoke Shop, and The Loft Expires 7/31/2019. Coupon must be present. Before tax and excludes lottery. Some additional conditions may apply.

$2.00

Off Any Blu Taco or Coopers Chicken purchase of $5 or more Expires 7/31/2019.

Coupon must be present. Some additional conditions may apply.

Mexican ice cream shop opens

By Nina Culver Current Correspondent

La Nueva Michoacana popsicle and ice cream shop in Spokane Valley has been serving homemade Mexican ice cream treats since late April, satisfying the sweet tooth of anyone who comes in the front door.

The shops are very popular in Mexico and California, said coowner Monica Bermudez.

“In our community they like this kind of stuff,” she said. “They don’t have anything like this in Spokane.”

Nearly everything they sell is made by Bermudez and her husband, Marco Bermudez. In addition to the ice cream, they also make the popsicles, the 16 flavors of syrup that go on the ice cream, the whipped cream – pretty much everything but the nuts and Mexican candy that top many of her creations. That’s part of the tradition of the Mexican ice cream shops, and discerning customers can tell if something is homemade or not, she said.

“We make everything here,” she said. “They know the difference if I’m making the syrup and the shave ice or not.”

The shop is located at 9827 E. Sprague, a busy spot across from Winco and right next to La Michoacana Mexican restaurant.

Bermudez said people often come to her shop for dessert after eating dinner next door. The hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Bermudez learned the art of running her own ice cream shop from her parents, who owned a similar shop in Irapuato-Gto, Mexico. Bermudez worked in the shop until the family came to the United States when she was 13 in search of the American dream.

She’s lived in Spokane for eight years, moving here from California after a friend told her Spokane was a good place to raise her children.

She met and married her husband here and now has four children

The Current

ranging in age from 4 to 16. Her husband owns a carpet and tile business, and Bermudez worked as a nurse until she was injured in a car accident.

“That was a hard time for me,” she said. “Now I’m feeling better. I still have headaches.”

She first thought of opening an ice cream shop of her own three years ago but had to line up financing first.

“We were waiting for this moment,” she said.

The ice cream is thick and creamy, and the shop has a wide variety of flavors. You can find traditional flavors like vanilla, strawberry, bubble gum and pistachio, but there are many more. There’s ice cream made with Gansito, a Mexican Twinkie. You can also pick chili jalapeño, cucumber, cream cheese, coconut or nacho cheese.

“We try to put more flavors, but we don’t have enough space so we rotate,” she said.

One ice cream so dark it’s nearly black is made with Zapote, a Mexican fruit.

“It’s hard to find it,” she said.

“We have to special order it.”

The homemade popsicles come in flavors like pineapple, coffee, watermelon and tequila, but there’s no actual tequila in the tequilaflavored popsicles.

Bermudez is more than willing to let people sample ice cream flavors and sauces so they know if they like it or not before they order.

She said she often gets customers who are unfamiliar with a Mexicanstyle ice cream shop with its many toppings and sauces.

“I recommend everything,” she said. “I think they only want ice cream, but no, they want everything.”

The shop’s best seller is Mangonada, which combines fresh mango with mango ice cream and mango syrup. It’s topped with peanuts, a Mexican candy called Chaca Chaca, lemon, sticks of a Mexican candy called Tarujo and a seasoning called Tajin, which is a mix of chili, lime and sea salt.

“Everybody likes it,” she said.

“It’s pretty good.”

There’s more than just ice cream on the menu. You can also get nachos, homemade yogurt with

See ICE CREAM, Page 27

JULY 2019 • 27

The Current

ICE CREAM

Continued from page 26 fruit, chocolate-covered bananas or strawberries and fresh-squeezed orange juice. There are also various flavors of chips topped with things like cabbage, pork skins, cucumbers and sour cream.

Crazy watermelon and crazy pineapple are also on the menu, featuring the hollowed-out fruit filled with a variety of ingredients.

The crazy watermelon has papaya, watermelon, Tajin and Tarujo sticks. The crazy pineapple includes pineapple, strawberries, peanuts and candy.

Marco Bermudez makes the ice cream and the popsicles and said his wife taught him everything he knows.

“It was easy because I had the best teacher,” he said. “She’s really patient.”

He said it takes about 90 minutes to make each batch of ice cream.

“It’s hard work,” he said. “I like it. I like this kind of job.”

Bermudez said people are still discovering the shop, and she’s hoping it will get busier in the summer months.

“We have a lot of good comments on Facebook,” she said. “I told my husband, be patient.”

Marco Bermudez said things seem to be going well.

“It’s pretty good, people are responding,” he said.

Bermudez said she’s hoping her

16-year-old son, who works with her in the shop, will be interested in joining the family business.

“We want to open another one in the north,” she said.

The JAKT Foundation.

Enhancing a Vibrant Spokane Valley Community Through Local Events.

Spokane Valley CenterPlace • July 11 – 13, 2019 • CraveNW.com

The shop’s best seller is the Mangonada, which features fresh mango with mango ice cream and mango syrup topped with an assortment of treats.

Spokane Valley CenterPlace • September 27- 29, 2019 • SpokaneOktoberfest.com

Photos by Nina Culver Monica and Marco Bermudez opened La Nueva Michoacana in late April.

From Mexican ice cream to popsicles, the treats are homemade.

Spokane Valley CenterPlace Parking Lot Fridays, 5 - 8pm, June 7th - September 13 th • SpokaneValleyFarmersMarket.org

28 • JULY 2019

The Current

The Neighborhood Sound a bulletin board to share life moments

Want to share something on The Neighborhood Sound? Send it to TheSound@valleycurrent.com

and the Department (SVFD) e Fir y lle Va e an Spok joined forces and Sprague have s ne Pi at s ck bu ar St od citizenship. o demonstrate go to honor those wh ll and find a s respond to a ca When Fire Fighter offer more than hand helping, they citizen already on .00 thank you Starbucks has a $4 just a thank you. give along with FD Firefighters to reward card for SV FD,it’s about SV arbucks and St r Fo u. yo k an that th ey serve. in the community th le op pe to g tin ec conn arbuck’s Store Greg Rogers and St ll ha rs Ma e Fir FD SV ched by both n have been approa Manager, Kara Marti t this program d Starbucks abou Seattle and Portlan unities. in their own comm for implementation

Foundation donated a Spokane Valley Kiwanis ildren’s First Therapy. second changing table to Ch the work that Spokane For more information on https://spokane-valley.

Valley Kiwanis does go to kiwanisone.org/

Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7 PM Ralph Breaks the :30 PM – 10:30 Internet - F movie in th e park ree For more in fo w w w .s p o k rmation check out htt p:/ a n e v a ll e y.o thepark rg /m o v ie s / in -

Abigail Sims Central Valley High School Parents: John & Pamela Sims Attending George Fox University in the fall, majoring in biology

Responders Emergency Services Credit Union (RESCU) stopped in and donated $500.00 to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Chaplaincy Services. RESCU’s President and CEO Bill Bunze presented the check to Sheriff Knezovich, Chaplain Teresa Smith, and Chaplain Jake Burkholder.

A big “Thank You” to Responders Emergency Services Credit Union and all our Chaplains for their continued support!

If you’d like to donate to help support the Chaplaincy, please contact Lead Chaplain Mark Smith by email at mjsmith@ spokanesheriff.org or give them a call, 509-477-6625.

Contributed by University High School The football team took time out of training recently to help a 95-year-old WWII vet with his yard work

JULY 2019 • 29

The Current THE LIBERTY LAKE VALLEY GREATER SPOKANE

Love The Current?

Support our partners.

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

ben@libertylakesplash.com

CO OWNER

Danica Wick

danica@libertylakesplash.com OFFICE MANAGER

Paula Gano

paula@libertylakesplash.com GRAPHICS

Randy Edwards

randy@libertylakesplash.com

Reach 26,000+ Readers!

Larry Passmore circulation@libertylakesplash.com

CIRCULATION

CONTRIBUTORS

“Nina Culver, Keith Erickson, Bill Gothmann, Craig Howard, Michelle Valkov, Mike Vlahovich The Valley Current P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.valleycurrent.com The Current is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Spokane Valley area.

Copies are located at drop-off locations in Spokane

The Current now has a 26,000 copy circulation with 16,000 being direct mailed to households across the Spokane Valley area in addition to the 10,000 copies being available for pickup at over 250 business locations. About 10,000 copies of The Splash are distributed around the end of each month, 6,000 of those through direct mail to every home and business in the greater Liberty Lake community.

The Current is committed to serving the Greater Spokane Valley area through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships with The Current and its partner publications:

ENRI

THE

lifestyle

YO U WAN T

Valley, Liberty Lake and the surrounding area.

The Current is brought to you by

Wick Enterprizes Submitted materials

Publishing House

Advertise With Us and Let Us Help You Fine Tune Your Message

Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to publisher@valleycurrent.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Current.

Subscriptions Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses cost $12 for 12 issues. Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions must

be received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.

Correction policy The Current strives for accuracy in all content. Errors should be reported immediately to 242-7752 or by

SERVICE DIRECTORY

following their discovery.

Advertising information Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 242-7752 for more information.

Advertising integrity Inaccurate

or

deceptive

advertising

is

never

GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP? The Tri Community Grange Event Hall is an affordable location for parties, receptions, dances, reunions and meetings. Full kitchen, stage, piano, tables and chairs, NEW AC, handicap accessible, large parking lot and free signage Meeting Times: 6:30 pm the first Wednesday of every month.

Phone: 509-270-6089

PILATES TRAINING ON EQUIPMENT PRIVATE DUETS WITH LARKIN BARNETT M.A.

Award winning author featured in the November Splash!

Strength • Balance • Fitness • Wellness CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT:

509-842-4321

www.larkinbarnett.com 22401 E. Clairmont Ln., Liberty Lake, WA

quality

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

g re e n s t o n e h o m

Index of advertisers

Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Current.

Amaculate Housekeeping

31

Liberty Lake Family Dentistry

5

Banner Fuel

26

Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market

30

BECU 5

Naomi 30

Cornerstone Pentecostal Church 30

Northern Quest

Cycle Celebration

Simonds Dental Group

30

Spokane OBGYN

12

Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce 7 Spokane Valley Summer Theatre 23

3, 32 Stateline Plaza

26

Vision Marketing

27

32

Greenstone 21

Spokane County

Hennessey 20

Spokane County Library District 25

Inland Empire Utility CC

Spokane Gymnastics

Service Directory

9

knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@valleycurrent.com. The Current is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. All contents of The Current may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

12

19

29

TREE SERVICE AFFORDABLE ARBORIST 83 ft. Backyard Lift • Removals • Thinning • Pruning Shaping • Lot Clearing • Stump Grinding Residential & Commercial • A+ Rated BBB Member Affordable Arborist Tree Care, Inc. 509-879-0577 • Veteran Owned & Operated WA Lic#AFFORAT935KG

YO

Waste Management • Spokane County Library District New homes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Libe

EVENT & MEETING FACILITY

email to editor@valleycurrent.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue

Vision Marketing • Liberty Lake Family DentistryT H E

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Current’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Current’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@valleycurrent.com. With story ideas, contact editor@valleycurrent.com.

30 • JULY 2019

Experience the Difference of Pentecost

Come and Pray with Us! Services: Sunday @ 11am & Tuesday @ 7:30pm Prayer: Monday-Saturday 6am-9am www.spokanecornerstonechurch.org 21326 E Mission Ave, Liberty Lake WA

The Current

The Current

ON THAT NOTE

New Royal Court benefiting from Miss SV

By Michelle Valkov Current Correspondent

Hannah Mumm, Miss Spokane Valley Pageant program’s director, said that there is so much energy and potential and generosity and wisdom in our community, and Miss Spokane Valley leadership gives her a way to engage in all of that.

The Miss Spokane Valley Pageant Program is a scholarship and leadership program and is not considered a beauty pageant but a way for ladies to grow and better succeed at their future career endeavors.

“The program strives to equip our future lady leaders with the professional and interpersonal skills they need to succeed,” Mumm said.

In February and March, the program hosted a series of empowerment workshops for the first time, aimed at teaching high school-aged girls skills such as media literacy, resume writing, interviewing, public speaking and confidence.

The program partnered with local speakers, including Hoopfest’s Morgan Marum, Bank of America’s Katherine Morgan, Spokane Valley City Council’s Linda Thompson and Gonzaga University’s Heather Crandall.

“I was astounded by some of our community leaders’ willingness to jump in and help teach these workshops,” Mumm said.

Hannah Kiehn, 17, of Central Valley High School, was crowned to serve as Miss Spokane Valley Queen this year.

“For my career, I would love something that works with young kids,” Kiehn said. “Being part of the new court means I get new opportunities and experiences in something I’ve never done before.”

Kiehn is also involved with her local swim team and church and has mentioned an event like “Lemonade Day” as being memorable because she noticed how excited all the kids were to see them.

“That was so heartwarming,”

she said.

Upon completion of a year of community service and professional ambassadorship, each scholar will be provided with a scholarship to the university or technical school of her choosing.

“I’ve learned that I really like helping out in the community,” said Miss Spokane Valley Princess Katie Carter, 16.

Carter, who has lived in Spokane Valley her whole life, plays volleyball, participates in debate and theatrea and wants to become a lawyer.

“I want to go into politics to help make a difference,” Carter said. “Miss Spokane Valley means that I have an opportunity to be a role model for younger girls in our community.”

The Lemonade Day event stood out to Carter as well because she got to see the kids getting money for different charities to help out the community.

Candidates for the Miss Spokane Valley Pageant program are selected on the foundation of their academic achievements, personal and professional propriety, interview skills and their ability to speak to the public.

On coronation day, each participant has an individual interview before judges and delivers a speech addressing how they “dream big.” They also answer some questions on stage.

The candidates also are invited to present a show, talent, hobby or activity for up to five minutes.

Contestants must be a full time female high school sophomore or junior, have a grade point average of at least 3.0, good citizenship and school attendance, be a Spokane Valley resident, and meet the time commitment and job responsibilities set forth by Valleyfest. It is a six-week training course.

Reganne Bond, 16, Miss Spokane Valley Princess and current sophomore at University High School, enjoys singing and being around her friends and hopes to become a Spanish teacher.

At her school, she is currently the sophomore class vice president, and last year she was the freshmen sergeant at arms. Outside of school, Bond said she is deeply involved with her youth group, where she gets to help serve and connect more with her faith.

“Both of these roles have helped prepare me for leadership required with the Miss Spokane Valley program,” Bond said. “Initially when joining this program, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’ve had a great time being able to represent my community and become more intertwined with it as well.”

Mumm said she has absolutely loved having the opportunity to develop Miss Spokane Valley into a leadership program. During the workshop held in early spring, Mumm mentioned it was incredible to get to meet all of the young ladies who showed up to learn and grow themselves personally and professionally.

“This program also feels like a step forward because it truly is a leadership program,” she said.

The 2019 scholarship recipients will serve as ambassadors for the city, participate in community

JULY 2019 • 31

Serving the greater Spokane Valley since 1985 Residential and Office Cleaning Licensed and Insured www.amaculate.com

service projects and be recognized for academic achievement and character.

“I am proud to be a part of an organization with forward-moving missions like these,” Mumm said.

Miss Spokane Valley and her court of two princesses participate in community events such as Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce meetings, Spokane Valley’s Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting, and Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. For more on the program or applying for future courts, visit valleyfest. org.

Submitted photo From left, Princess Reganne Bond of University High School, Queen Hannah Kiehn of Central Valley High School and Princess Katie Carter of Saint George’s School make up the 2019 Royal Court of the Miss Spokane Valley Pageant.

32 • JULY 2019

The Current

$250,000 FORDS OF JULY 4-TRUCK GIVEAWAY! JULY 1-31 We’re taking the fun off-road with FOUR 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat 4x4 SuperCrews and $50,000 in cash! Get a free daily entry and earn even more, then join us on Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24 and 31 for the giveaways and you could be driving home that week’s truck. Details at northernquest northernquest.com

COLORS/OPTIONS MAY VARY.

FREE TeethWhitening for Life

for New Patients With Purchase of a New Patient Exam, Necessary X-rays & Recommended Cleaning. Offer expires 07/31/2019

CALL TODAY!

This offer includes all of our spa services! Yes, for FREE!

Dr. Erin Merrifield • Dr. Cliff Cullings • Dr. Ross Simonds • Dr. Amanda Roper