February 2022 Current

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Hail to the Chief Spokane Valley Fire Department selects new chief pg 10

MEET COUNCIL WOMAN PADDEN PAGE 2

HALEY AT THE HELM OF SV CITY COUNCIL PAGE 8

CARDIAC CARE EXPANDS IN SPOKANE VALLEY PAGE 16

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2

• FEBRUARY 2022

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

Taking Office – Padden steps forward in new role

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

If Laura Padden happened to be a kid in contemporary Spokane Valley, chances are the latest news from the local City Council would be among the topics at the family dinner table.

The discussion of politics was robust at home as Padden was growing up in then-unincorporated Spokane Valley. Both of her parents were attorneys and her dad, Paul, served as a Republican precinct officer. Her mom, Antoinette, has the distinction of being the second woman to graduate from Gonzaga Law School.

“I was steeped in politics from the beginning,” Padden says.

These days, Padden is serving as one of seven elected representatives in the city of Spokane Valley. She is the newest leader around the dais, having defeated incumbent Linda Thompson in the November general election with just over 53 percent of the vote.

Most who follow local government are familiar with Padden’s husband, Mike, who currently serves as a state senator representing the 4th District that includes the city she now represents.

The Spokane Valley Padden grew up in is a far cry from the bustling jurisdiction that boasts its own City Hall and the ninth largest population in the state with just shy of 103,000 residents. The youngest of six and a twin, Padden recalls growing up just west of Bowdish and being surrounded by “open fields, pastures, orchards and farms.”

“Back then, the city bus stopped at Park,” she said. “The Valley was considered the boonies.”

Over time, the area began to fill in with housing and commercial development. One day, when Padden and her siblings were complaining about the latest residential project infringing on

their play area, Padden’s mom reminded her that their own family home was likely part of a similar scenario.

“When she explained it that way, it was like “OK, that makes a little more sense,’” Padden said.

Padden attended St. John Vianney School from first through eighth grade before moving on to Holy Names Academy. She enjoyed sports like basketball and baseball, was an avid reader and excelled at school. In her spare time, she took piano and guitar lessons.

After high school, Padden enrolled at Washington State University where she majored in police science and administration, a field related to criminal justice.

In Pullman, she was also part of the Young Republicans. Following graduation, she found a job as a data processing manager with

Dishman-based Jacklin Seed Co. While at Jacklin, she went back to school and earned a degree in computer science from Eastern Washington University.

In 1977, Laura married Mike and the couple moved into a home on Spokane’s lower South Hill. They will celebrate 45 years of marriage this May and are proud parents of five grown sons and doting grandparents of three grandkids.

Padden latched on with Aurora Consulting Group, a tech startup, eventually leaving to run her own web development business.

For the last 15 years, Padden has worked for Community Colleges of Spokane as web and application developer/integrator.

Entities in and out of government encouraged Padden to run for City Council but she says it was not an easy decision.

Photo by Craig Howard Spokane Valley native Laura Padden earned a seat on the Spokane Valley City Council with a win over incumbent Linda Thompson in the November general election. She has degrees from Washington State University and Eastern Washington University and has worked for Community Colleges of Spokane for the past 15 years.

“I’m not an extrovert,” she said. “Plus it was a little awkward because I have respect for Linda (Thompson). The top reasons I decided to run had to do with the housing crisis and crime. This is not the community I grew up in.”

Padden shrugs off talk of a “majority” and “minority” on the current council, focusing instead on the task of responsibly representing the community she has always called home.

“Part of that is just a reflection of government at large – things have just become so polarized,” she said.

“I don’t want to just blindly follow.

I want to ask questions and make decisions that translate into a better quality of life and more opportunity for the people. The goal is what’s best for the city.”

Q: It sounds like law and government were topics often discussed around the dinner table as you were growing up. Did you think back then that you might ever go into politics when you grew up?

A: Law and government were frequent topics of conversation around the table. My mom and dad were both attorneys and dad was very active in politics. He was a precinct committee officer, state committeeman, candidate for county commissioner and state Attorney General. We helped in these endeavors and I was well aware of the importance of action at the grass roots. As an adult, I have been very active volunteering for numerous campaigns, including Mike’s. I felt that I would always be involved in politics but had thought it would be more of a supportive, behind-the-scenes role.

I really didn’t think that I would actually be the candidate for office.

Q: You have called Spokane Valley home from the time you were a small child. What are some of the major changes you’ve seen in this area over the years?

A: Wow, there have been huge changes over the last few decades! Probably most obvious is the population growth and the increased density.

The Valley was full of pastures, small farms, livestock, dairies and undeveloped See PADDEN, Page 4

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• FEBRUARY 2022

PADDEN

Continued from page 2 fields – wide open spaces. I know growth and the changes that tend to come with it are part of building a future, prosperity and jobs but I do not want to lose the rather unique identity that is the Spokane Valley. Secondly, we experienced a childhood where we could go and play all day, sometimes a good distance from home. Our parents could feel comfortable that we were in little to no danger and would be home for the next meal. That is certainly not the case today. Gangs, drugs, increased crime all have contributed to a more dangerous society.

Q: Family is clearly a priority for you. Why was it important to put your career on hold to raise your five children?

A: We always wanted to have children and, once we did, they were our top priority. I was blessed and fortunate to be able to stay home with them. Raising children is a vocation and a career for the time they are at home. They are our gift to the future and, in a sense, our legacy. We wanted to instill/ teach/show them our values, knowing that they will choose their own paths eventually, and give them a stable, loving environment and secure base from which to grow and face the world. This is a worthy goal for every parent.

Q: Your husband has an impressive track record of never losing an election whether he was on the ballot for the State House or Senate. What sort of insights on running an election were you able to glean from him when you declared your candidacy for Spokane Valley City Council?

A: I was so very fortunate to have an experienced, knowledgeable, inhouse and free campaign manager.

There are a million details to running a campaign and he is a font of knowledge regarding them all!

He knows how to analyze where to go doorbelling and why, what it takes to get a mailing out and the timing – what has to be done when.

One of the hardest things for a first-time candidate is building an organization and getting known.

Mike was instrumental in helping me out in these areas. I was very lucky!

Q: What did you learn about the city and its residents on the campaign trail that maybe you didn’t know before?

A: Starting out I wasn’t sure how engaged people would be in this age of Covid. Would they be willing to answer their doors and talk to me? The answer is many are very engaged. The people of Spokane Valley are resilient and hard workers but they have growing concerns.

They are worried about their safety and they are worried about the skyrocketing cost of living. Property taxes took a huge leap and the cost of food, gasoline and housing - just about everything - is going up at unprecedented levels. Their purchasing power is decreasing and they do not want to see taxes at any level increasing. This became a much larger issue as the summer turned into fall and Election Day came around. I think it impacted how many voted.

Q: As you know, it took many years and four attempts at the ballot before the vote for Spokane Valley incorporation passed in March 2002. As a longtime resident who was familiar with the area as an unincorporated swathe of Spokane County and now a city, how do you feel incorporation has worked out?

A: I think incorporation has worked out well.

Obviously,

The Current

there are always ups and downs but there have been some great successes. One major impetus for incorporation was the desire to do things our own way, maintain our identity and not be swallowed up in Spokane. Fiscally, we have been very successful with growing revenues and surpluses over the years. Many cities would love to be in our financial position. We have paid for things as we go and so have been able to avoid large debts and interest payments. In general, it has been a well-run city.

Q: As evidenced again by the low voter turnout in the most recent election, interest in municipal government seems to be tepid at best. What can be done to generate more engagement among citizens in their own political infrastructure?

A: Great question! A major theme throughout my campaign is, ‘Please, pay attention to what your local government is doing.’ It is the closest level of government to you, most every decision impacts your life directly and it should be the most responsive to your input. I would like to have more neighborhood forums – coffees, town halls – where people from those local areas can come and we can have a conversation, a Q-and-A, or just let people sound off on concerns. I would also like to increase volunteerism where the city keeps a list of volunteers for various activities who are willing to help out their neighbors in need.

Perhaps the city can work as a conduit to putting people in touch with those willing to help. It might also work to have smaller, more targeted mailings instead of two newsletters a year. Some things to explore.

Q: As you begin your first year as a council member, what are some of your hopes and goals?

A: I hope to help make the Valley a safer place to live. A goal is to be able to make policies to reduce gang presence and activity and also reduce violent crime and property crime. Of course to do this we need to fully staff and fund law enforcement – a big challenge these days. I would hope to be able to foster more community support for law enforcement and have them actively engaged in reporting crime. Another goal is to spend wisely. As a council we need to respect and honor the fact that the city revenue is not ours – it is taxpayer dollars collected so that we can increase the common good and provide the basic services to make a city run well. Finally, I hope to increase community engagement in city government.

Q: Public safety and housing came up more than a few times in the months leading up to the general election. Now that you’re officially in office, how would you like to go about addressing these two topics in particular?

A: I have mentioned public safety before. I believe we need to fully fund, staff and train our police force. We currently need to constantly lobby the state Legislature and monitor bills impacting law enforcement, past and present. They need to rescind or modify laws passed last year that took away many non-lethal tools from our police and leave them with fewer alternatives to deal with growing crime issues.

Regarding housing we need to amend the Growth Management Act so that we will be able to expand outward. They want to force extensive infill with massive apartment complexes on small lots or tiny houses jammed onto lots.

There are places for these things but we don’t want to destroy the character and lifestyle that is the

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Q: Finally, let’s say someone who has never visited the city of Spokane Valley asks you to describe the community where you live and lead in 100 words or less. What would you say?

A: Spokane Valley is a vibrant

community full of hard-working, helpful and friendly people. There are good jobs available and a comfortable lifestyle. The city is located in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. We have forests, rivers, lakes, mountains and valleys. It is a paradise for people who want to be active and outdoors. A short drive brings you to hiking, fishing, swimming, skiing and more. If you are more of a spectator we have hockey, baseball and, of course, Gonzaga basketball!

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• FEBRUARY 2022

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel 2021 December Malicious Mischief Hotspots

Published Date: 1/11/2022 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

Spokane Valley Districts

Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.

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Published Date: 1/11/2022 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

Spokane Valley Districts

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The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources.

Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 4562233, if not in progress, to report a crime.

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The Current

11-15 >15 2 Miles

Johnston,

Crime

Not long ago, most homeowners likely believed that installing a security camera system on their home would be too costly, too complex, and difficult to operate. Now, however, advances in the technology of these systems have made them affordable.

And, if someone like myself can set up and operate one of these systems, anybody can!

CCTV, or “closed-circuit television” systems, are a fantastic way to protect your home. Let’s discuss some of the many benefits of having a CCTV system installed as a form of home security: 1. Visible video cameras are an excellent deterrent! Bad guys, particularly burglars who are looking for a home to enter, just might think twice about breaking into your house if they believe they will be recorded doing so. In this way, the presence of cameras may help prevent you from becoming the victim of a crime. Which leads me into the next benefit…

2. Recording creates evidence! If a burglary, theft, or some other type of crime should occur, law enforcement can often use the video recording from the system to identify, and even prosecute, the perpetrator. The CCTV system that I have on my home helped me do exactly that, on more than one occasion!

3. The ability to check up on the kids or elderly family members in real time. It’s always nice to have another set of eyes on your children as well as your aging relatives when they are home alone. Adding remote video will allow you to log in and check up on them from your office computer, tablet, or smart phone. Indoor cameras can also be used to keep an eye on younger kids and their babysitters.

FEBRUARY 2022 • 7

The Current

Published Date: 1/11/2022 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit

Spokane Valley Districts

Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.

w

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44th

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4. Checking up on your pets.

Ever wonder what mischief your furry friends are getting into when you’re away? Worried about an older pet that might need special attention? With a home security camera, you can ensure that your four-legged loved ones are safe and sound. And, not gnawing through the leather on your new sofa!

5. Saving money on homeowners insurance. Most major insurers will offer lower premiums if you choose to protect your property with a CCTV system. If you piggyback an existing security system with CCTV, such an advanced system could net up to a 15% discount on rates. This, of course, depends on many other factors, but I have been informed that such discounts do exist.

So, what to do now? It’s time to do your homework, and begin shopping!

It’s important to first ascertain what your specific needs are, and what your budget will allow. Most modern systems are digital, so there are no pesky cassette tapes to replace- the data that is recorded by the cameras is stored to a hard drive (or the cloud), just like your home computer. Some questions to ask yourself should include: 1. How many cameras do I need?

2. Do I need/want cameras indoors, outdoors, or both?

3. Do I want cameras that are activated by motion, or always on?

4. Do I want the ability to check the cameras remotely, as discussed above?

5. Should I use wired, or wireless cameras?

6. Is IR, or infrared technology important (this allows recording in dark conditions)?

7. Do I want audio monitoring as well, so I can hear what happened/ is happening?

There are other less expensive ways to achieve a little bit of video security, such as “doorbell” cameras, and even systems that have only one or two channels. Just remember, like anything else, you get what you pay for. I installed my system a few years ago, at a cost of roughly $2000. There are systems for $500, and there are systems for $20,000. Doorbell cameras can be had for around $150.

So, if you’ve been considering a CCTV system, now is a great time to do some research and see what’s available to help protect your home.

Be safe, everyone!

2021 December Burglary Hotspots

0

0.5

1

11-15 >15 2 Miles

8

• FEBRUARY 2022

Haley becomes Spokane Valley Mayor

By Lincoln DoWright Current Contributor

While most of the elected leadership at the City of Spokane Valley remained the same after the November election, one position did change. On January 4th Spokane Valley welcomed our newest councilmember, councilmember Laura Padden who took the oath of office along with returning Councilmembers Pam Haley, Rod Higgins, and Ben Wick.

At the first meeting of the newly elected city council, the city council selected its leadership by electing a mayor and deputy mayor from within its membership. Receiving votes from Councilmembers Higgins, Padden, Woodard, and Haley, Councilmember Hayley was elected as the Mayor (with Councilmembers Peetz, Hattenburg and Wick voting for Councilmember, and previous Mayor, Wick) and by the same vote Councilmember Higgins was elected as Deputy Mayor over

NEWS

Councilmember Wick.

Prior to Wick being elected Mayor when Councilmember Tim Hattenburg joined the council in 2020 replacing councilmember Sam Wood who chose not to seek re-election, Councilmembers Higgins and Haley served as the council’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor for four years prior.

In a surprise move immediately following the selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Councilmember Woodard made a motion to reappoint himself as the Councilmember to the Spokane County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee which makes recommendations to the Spokane County Commissioners on the allocations of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the federal government and also includes the funding which was designated for Spokane Valley but delegated by the city council to

Spokane County as well.

While City Council committee appointments come from nominations from the Mayor, Councilmember Wick asked the newly elected Mayor if she was in agreement with the motion and she was, motion was approved unanimously.

Similarly in yet another spontaneous motion, councilmember Woodard moved to “suspend the recruitment contract with Prothman and to immediately appoint John Hohman as City Manager pending approval of an employment contract with the city by the full council.”

While councilmembers Wick and Hattenburg wanting to continue the search for the next City Manager after the retirement of City Manager Mark Calhoun. Councilmember Wick stated that he had nothing against Deputy City Manager John Hohman but wanted to continue the search so that the city could explore all options before selecting the next city manager.

Motion to suspend the search and offer the position to John Hohman was approved with councilmembers Wick and Hattenburg opposed.

Community Development Block Grant Funding With the 2020 change of the interlocal agreement between Spokane Valley and Spokane County requiring more input from the full Spokane Valley City Council, the Spokane Valley City Council reviewed applications for the 2022 funding cycle and ranked them in the following order: 1) Spokane Valley Partners application for Emergency Services – Food Bank; 2) Spokane Valley Partners for Emergency Services; 3) Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels for Senior Services – Nutrition; 4) City of Spokane Valley’s

The Current

Park Road Sidewalk Improvements; 5) City of Spokane Valley’s 4th Ave Sidewalk Improvements; 6) Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP) Essential Home Repair program; 7) Salvation Army Emergency Services – Food Bank; and 8) Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP) Micro Enterprise Assistance program. With hesitations from Councilmember Woodard the council forwarded the ranking to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC) for their consideration (which Councilmember Woodard is the councils representative on).

Citizen Appointments Mayor Haley recommended appointment of Susan Delucchi, Karl Granrath (incumbent), and Robert McKiley (incumbent) to the Planning Commission for three year terms ending on December 31st, 2024.

Mayor Haley also recommended appointment of incumbents Amanda Alcamo from the Oxford Suites and Greg Repetti representing the HUB Sports Center to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee with terms expiring Dec 31st, 2023; Andy Rooney from the Mirabeau Park Hotel to the Spokane Hotel/Motel Commission; the cities new Housing and Homeless Coordinator Eric Robison to the Spokane County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC); and the reappointment of Jean Kindem to the Eastern Washington Area Agency on Aging Planning and Management Council for another three year term.

All appointments were unanimously approved by the City Council.

Salary Commission Spokane Valley code calls for the creation of an independent salary

Contributed photos Newly elected councilmembers Ben Wick, Rod Higgins, Pam Haley, and Laura Padden took their oath of office January 4th

The Current

commission to review and establish the salaries of the mayor and council members. During the prior review of the salaries back in 2018 it was also recommended that the council consider reconvening the commission every three years vs the twelve year span between commission establishments before it. With 2022 being the third year since 2018 council provided consensus to establish a Salary Commission to evaluate and re-establish the salaries for the Mayor and City Council.

Mayor Haley recommended the appointment of Daniel Allison, Charles Dowers, Tes Sturges, Kathe Williams, and Steven Wareham to the Salary Commission with Paul Eric Rieckers as an alternate each for a term of not more than one year. Council approved unanimously.

City Council members to Board and Committees Mayor Haley recommended the following appointments: Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington University; Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins with councilmember Arne Woodard as alternate (same as previous)

FEBRUARY 2022 • 9

NEWS

Valley Chamber of Commerce, Councilmember Laura Padden (formerly Councilmember Brandi Peetz).

Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins with Councilmember Arne Woodard as alternate (same as previous).

Spokane County Continuum of Care for the Homeless, Councilmember Arne Woodard with councilmember Brandi Peetz as alternate (formerly Mayor Haley).

Spokane Valley Finance Committee, Councilmembers Laura Padden, Arne Woodard, and Brandi Peetz (formerly Councilmembers Wick, Thompson, and Peetz) Growth Management Steering Committee of Elected Officials, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins and Councilmember Arne Woodard (formerly Councilmembers Ben Wick and Tim Hattenburg).

Spokane Valley Governance Manual Committee, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins, Mayor Pam Haley, and Councilmember Brandi Peetz (formerly Higgins, Hattenburg and Thompson).

Greater Spokane Inc (must be the

Not happy with your Medicare Plan?

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The 5-Star Special Enrollment Period is available through November 30, 2022 For more information call or email

Lynda Sanders (509) 344-1360 • lynda.sanders@providence.org By calling this number you will be directed to a licensed agent authorized to sell products for Providence Medicare Advantage Plans. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-800-457-6064 or 503-574-5551 (TTY: 711).

Attend an informational meeting: February 15, 2022; 10:00 am Focus Fitness Community Center 2426 S Dishman Mica Rd., Spokane Valley Providence Medicare Advantage Plans is an HMO, HMO‐POS and HMO SNP with Medicare and Oregon Health Plan contracts.

Enrollment in Providence Medicare Advantage Plans depends on contract renewal. Providence Health Plan and Providence Health Assurance comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity, marital status or sex.

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

H9047_2022PHA143_M

mayor) Mayor Pam Haley (formerly Councilmember Ben Wick).

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins (formerly Councilmember Ben Wick).

Mayors Association of Northeast Washington (must be the Mayor), Mayor Pam Haley (formerly Councilmember Ben Wick).

Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council (SRLJC, and is a shared position with the City of Spokane rotating every two years), Councilmember Laura Padden (formerly Councilmember Brandi Peetz).

Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins, with Councilmember Arne Woodard as alternate (formerly Councilmember Ben Wick and Linda Thompson).

Spokane Transit Authority, Mayor Pam Haley and Councilmember Tim Hattenburg, with Councilmember Brandi Peetz as alternate (same as previous but with Councilmember Ben Wick as alternate).

Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) Councilmember Arne Woodard (formerly Councilmember Brandi

Peetz).

Visit Spokane, Councilmember Ben Wick with Councilmember Brandi Peetz as alternate (formerly Councilmember Brandi Peetz with Mayor Haley as alternate).

Spokane County Wastewater Policy Advisory Board, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins and Councilmember Arne Woodard (same as previous).

Councilmember Ben Wick asked for a more equitable distribution of committees across the council believing he had been serving the city well on his previous committees.

Councilmember Brandi Peetz cited that while she doesn’t appear to be getting many committees will continue to find ways to best represent the city.

Councilmember Hattenburg questioned why the changes with all of the experience and knowledge of councilmember Ben Wick and Brandi Peetz why they weren’t allowed to keep some of the committees.

Mayor Haley responded that Councilmembers Ben Wick and Brandi Peetz had been providing a lot of service for the city and she wanted See SV CITY COUNCIL, Page 21

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COVER STORY

• FEBRUARY 2022

The Current

Photo by Ben Wick Spokane Valley Fire Chief Bryan Collins, pictured above, will have his name added to the list of retirees featured on this wall in the administration building.

Passing the baton –

longtime Spokane Valley Fire Chief retires, new leadership chosen

By Nina Culver Current contributor

The Spokane Valley Fire Department has selected a new fire chief to replace Chief Bryan Collins when he retires in March and they didn’t have too look far. The current Deputy Chief of Administrative Services, Frank Soto Jr., has been selected to lead the department.

Soto was hired at the department a year ago after spending three years at the Rural Metro Fire Department in Tucson, Arizona, as an assistant fire chief. Prior to that he worked for the Albuquerque Fire Department for 22 years.

Soto said he wanted to come to

Valley Fire last year partly because of the weather. “Personally, I’m not a fan of the heat,” he said.

“I wanted to have four seasons again.”

Rural Metro is a private fire department and Soto said he was eager to work for a public fire department again. “Getting to come back to public safety has been an absolute blessing,” he said. "The big one for me is just the camaraderie."

Soto said he also wanted to come to Spokane Valley because the department is a leader in Washington. It is accredited and has a Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau, which makes

homeowner’s insurance less expensive for residents living inside department boundaries.

“This department was just the tip of the spear,” he said.

one of local public officials and one of union representatives. Soto said each group had a different perspective and asked different questions.

He has also enjoyed the support the department receives from the community. “That was the biggest thing for me, is having community involvement and backing,” he said.

“That was a new thing for me.”

“I felt like that gave me some perspective,” he said. “It was still nerve wracking. They were there to find the best fit for our department.”

Soto has long wanted to become a fire chief, but he wasn’t in any hurry. He devoted his time to gaining experience and building a strong foundation. “I’ve really taken my time, learning each position,” he said. “I was looking for the right opportunity.”

He was surprised when Collins announced his retirement, but decided now was the time to achieve his goal of becoming a fire chief. He sat through three interview panels; one that included the board of fire commissioners,

Soto sat with his wife of 24 years, Karen, before it was announced that he was being offered the position. The couple has two grown children. “We were really pumped up,” Soto said.

Since that day, the commissioners have formally voted to approve Soto’s contract and hire him as the department’s next fire chief.

Collins, who has led the department since 2013, said the search to find a new chief was extensive. They contracted with

The Current

the Western Fire Chiefs to recruit candidates, which were reviewed

by Fire Commission chairman Patrick Burch and commissioner Brian Asmus. “They’re using their outreach and contacts, which are national,” Collins said.

The department received 16 applications from candidates who met the qualifications, 15 of those from external candidates. Burch and Asmus narrowed the field to three candidates, all of whom were invited to come for interviews before the three panels.

Each panel has an important role to play, Collins said. The board of fire commissioners, of course, need to interview any candidate for fire chief. “That’s really the primary responsibility of the board, is to hire the fire chief,” he said.

Local fire chiefs, school district officials and elected officials were on the public official panel. The fire chief must have a relationship with community members, so getting their input is key, Collins said.

COVER STORY

Soto said he would like to focus more on the department’s strategic plan. “I do want to make sure we pull that back into focus and make sure we meet those goals,” he said.

“They’re very important to me.”

Collins said he picked March 1 as his retirement date because it will be exactly nine years to the day since he started working at Valley Fire. He looks forward to not being on call 24/7 and being able to catch his breath. He’ll spend more time with his wife of 34 years, Nancy, and their two grown children.

“There’s really no escaping it,” he said of being a fire chief. “It’s very difficult to turn off your job, your responsibilities. I’ve been doing this 38 years now. It’s just time for a break.”

Collins has accomplished a lot in his time in the department. Several fire stations were remodeled and

a new station was built in Liberty Lake. A new automatic mutual aid agreement was signed with Spokane Fire Department, Spokane County Fire District 9 and Spokane County Fire District 8 to make sure the closest truck, no matter which department it was from, would respond to a call.

The department earned its Class 2 rating under Collins’ tenure and also launched a Alternative Response Unit program that sends a two-person team in a pickup to some medical calls instead of a fire engine with full crew. Collins was also a strong supporter of the new Regional Emergency Communications Center when it opened in 2019 and served as the board chair for the center.

Collins said he doesn’t anticipate any problems handing off the top post to Soto. “That

FEBRUARY 2022 • 11

is an advantage to an internal candidate,” he said. “The transition is not nearly as intense. He’s got a leg up in that respect. He doesn’t have to get to know the employees, he doesn’t have to get to know the department.”

He has full confidence in Soto, Collins said. “I hired Frank,” he said. “I had full confidence in him when I hired him as deputy chief.

The year that he’s been here he’s done an excellent job. He’s got broad experience and that really helps. He’s proven himself to be a talented guy.”

Soto said he’s grateful for the opportunity to fulfill a longtime goal. “I’m super excited and very grateful for the opportunity from the fire commissioners,” he said.

“I’m going to do the best I can for our fire department and our citizens.”

The panel of labor group representatives is also important because they need to have input in the process, Collins said. “Even when I was hired in 2013, the labor group was part of the process,” he said. “You do want their view on the candidates. It’s not uncommon for the different panels to have different views on the candidates because of their perspective.”

The two interview panels gave feedback to the fire commissioners, who met in executive session that same day to make a decision.

Collins said he and Soto will work together for the next month to create a seamless transition. A decision will also have to be made about how to replace Soto until a new deputy chief can be hired, Collins said.

Soto said he has a few things he’d like to work on improving in the department, but not many.

“It’s not a lot,” he said. “We’ve got a great foundation. We have great people who work a 40-hour week in administration and the people out in the field.”

Constant improvement is just a way of life in the department, Soto said. “That’s the whole reason we’re accredited,” he said.

Photo by Ben Wick New Spokane Valley Fire Chief Frant Soto Jr has been with Spokane Valley Fire District for over a year currently serving at their Deputy Fire Chief before being recenty selected to replace Chief Collins who is retiring on March 1st.

12

• FEBRUARY 2022

The Current

brought to you by

Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

Zach McGiveran has been a steady traveler on the road of achievement at East Valley High. The senior maintains a 3.95 grade point average and is a member of National Honor Society, serving as secretary of the EV chapter.

He has competed in Knowledge Bowl and History Bowl for the Knights and is part of the inaugural “Creating Hope in Our School” program.

Once a week, McGiveran is a youth mentor at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church. He also helps mentor freshmen at EV as part of Link Crew. Last summer, McGiveran was a volunteer at a Christian youth camp in Oregon. “I got to be the change in kids’ lives that older kids were to me,” he said. The senior is part of jazz band and pep band at EV and competes in Rocket League. He attends Valley Real Life Church.

Ellie Syverson has been a standout in basketball for the past four years at East Valley High. The senior leads the Lady Knights in scoring and tallied a season-high of 24 against Lakeland.

She had 22 versus Rogers. She is second on the team in rebounding and first in assists. The team captain for a young roster, Syverson provides valuable leadership on and off the court. “It’s important for me to be super positive and uplifting,” she said. “Just letting my teammates know they’re appreciated.” Syverson was part of the varsity squad as a freshman and a starter as a sophomore for EV’s district-qualifying club. She also competes for the Spokane Stars. She maintains a 4.0 grade point average and participates in the Running Start program at Eastern Washington.

Syverson is also part of National Honor Society and Key Club.

Longtime Spokane Valley resident Thea Forsyth celebrated her 103rd birthday on Jan. 24, 2022. The native of Canada originally moved to Greenacres with her husband Charlies in 1948 Thea was born in 1919 and recalls the effects of the Great Depression spilling over to the family farm in Alberta where she would pick food out of the garden as the main source of nutrition. “Mom is a hard worker,” said Thea’s daughter Sandy. “She’s just very ambitious, whether it’s gardening or baking. She’s been a wonderful mom, just always supportive.” A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Forsyth has held a number of church callings and been active in genealogy studies and research. She is an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners and Gonzaga basketball. Forsyth has two children, four grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

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

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Federally insured by NCUA

FEBRUARY 2022 • 13

The Current

SVFD Report –Jan. 2022 Current news sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1971 emergency calls from Dec. 15, 2021, to Jan.15, 2022.

By the numbers: Emergency Medical Services 1594 Car Collisions 130 Dispatched and Cancelled en route 71 Building Alarms 66 Fires 58 Service Calls 22 Hazardous Materials 14 Vehicle Fires 8 Technical Rescue 5 Rescue Task Force 2 Auto vs Pedestrian 1 • Total calls for service increased from 1802 last month to 1971 this month.

• Calls for EMS increased from 1505 to 1594.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions increased from 82 to 130.

• Vehicle Fires increased from 5 last month to 8 this month.

• Fires saw a decrease from 69 last month to 58 this month.

• Drive Safely with winter and colder temperatures here.

• Be careful with portable heaters.

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

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

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

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

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

The first arriving unit, Squad 8 from Pinecroft Station, confirmed an adult female had struck a tree,

and began medical care with the on-scene AMR Paramedic for a significant leg injury. Due to the icy conditions and the location of the patient on the hill, the technical rescue team was requested to bring the patient back up the hill to the awaiting ambulance.

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

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

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

The Spokane Valley Fire Department understands that sledding is extremely fun part of the winter season. We would like to remind our citizens that the sudden stop, sometimes into a tree, car, or other hard object is no fun at all. Please be safe. Wear a helmet, and check the area below for any obstacles before hitting the slopes Media Releases: Dec. 29 - The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a reported commercial fire at approximately 8:05 am today in the Spokane Industrial Park in Spokane Valley.

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

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

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

No injuries were reported.

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

Incidents: Electrical Problem – Dec. 28, 12:34 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 7 (VE7) crews dispatched for a reported fire in a bathroom ceiling that had been extinguished by the home occupants. Upon arrival VE7 found nothing showing and no evacuation in process. The homeowner led crews to the bathroom where the fire had started in a bathroom ceiling vent fan. The breaker had tripped, and the homeowner was alerted by the loss of power to other outlets on the same breaker. They found the fire and were able to extinguish it with a home dry chem extinguisher.

The fan was found to be completely burned and scorching to the drywall surrounding the fan. TIC images showed temps between 200 - 300 degrees in the fan. Firefighters were able to access an attic scuttle and visualize the top side of the fire area. They noted smoldering from the vent tube of the fan and blown in insulation. VE7 crewsinitiated overhaul of the bathroom ceiling to remove any possible debris still burning and removed ceiling and insulation until there was no evidence of charring in the insulation. With the fire out and overhaul complete VE7 turned the home over to the homeowner and returned to service MVA – Dec. 30, 6:17 p.m. Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 1 (VE1) crews arrived to find a low speed two vehicle rear-end style accident. Both drivers said they were not hurt and there were no other occupants. One driver did not speak English. A phone was used for translation by a Firefighter to help facilitate the exchange of information between drivers. All were very concerned about getting the right information.

Crews took several minutes to help until both drivers were ready to leave. Once they cleared the area, VE1 returned in service Service Call, Water Problem – Jan. 12, 12:50 a.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 1 (VE1) crews were dispatched for the report of water coming from an apartment. Upon arrival VE1 crews saw water flowing out the door of the thirdfloor apartment. The occupant was

asking for help saying the water line under her sink was broken.

Crews found about 1 1/2" of water in the apartment and the 1/2" PVC pipe under the sink was completely broken. One of the Firefighters found the water shut off by the hot water tank and turned the quarter turn valve which completely shut off the flow. Crews then used a dustpan and broom to sweep as much water as they could off the linoleum floor and out the door. Crews were unable to contact any property management or emergency contact due to obsolete phone numbers in the PIP. The tenant felt comfortable staying in her apartment and would reach out to management.

Structure Fire – Jan. 14, 12:40 p.m. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 9 (VE9) crews were dispatched for the report of a fire in an apartment. VE9 arrived and found smoke showing.

VE9 was at the nearest hydrant.

Multiple SVFD units were on scene operating in the investigating mode.

VE9 was assigned to on deck status then assisted with overhauling the fire area. VE9 crew removed burnt material from the interior. After the fire was extinguished and the area overhauled, VE9 was returned to in service status.

Valley Ladder 10 (VL10) crews arrived on scene of a double wide trailer with built -on. There was light smoke coming from the skirting under the trailer. Crews provided a primary search of the residence. They entered the front door of the structure and found very little smoke, and visibility clear. The homeowner said the power went out then he smelled smoke, investigated, and saw fire under the trailer. VL10 pulled a line to the Bravo side and began pulling skirting. After attempting to make access to the fire by crawling under the trailer it was determined to be unsafe and was discontinued. The crews then attempted to locate the fire doing as little damage as possible from above through the floor. Crews used saws and removed a 10x10 area of the floor to make access and extinguish the fire. The fire was caused by faulty wiring under the trailer. The power and gas were locked out by the power companies. The red cross arrived and provided assistance to the occupants. VL10 were released to return to service Valley Squad 10 (VSQ10) crews assisted with salvage and overhaul.

Brought to you by

FEBRUARY 2022 • 15

The Current

17th Annual Kiwanis Father Daughter Dance March 5th, 2022 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Mirabeau Park Hotel

Early bird $65 per couple before Feb 14. $75 per couple at the door. Additional daughter $20.

Dinner and dance package for 2 $139, $199 for dinner, dance, room, and breakfast.

Go to libertylakekiwanis.org

Tickets available Dec 20th.

20th Flowers available. Photos available.

Raffle prizes and give aways.

A fundraiser hosted by the Liberty Lake Kiwanis club that invests in the children of our community.

S P O K A N E

CO U N T Y

L I B R A R Y

D I S T R I C T

Building with Books: LEGO Storytime For families & all ages Enjoy listening to a fun read-aloud story.

Then, use LEGO bricks or other crafting materials to recreate a part of the story.

And share your creations with the group!

ONLINE Tuesday, Feb 1 & 15, 4–4:45pm Sign up at www.scld.org/lego-storytime

www.scld.org

16

• FEBRUARY 2022

The Crest

Caridac care gets a new wing in Spokane Valley

By Nina Culver

Current Contributor

The MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute has expanded its footprint in Spokane Valley, adding a center at MultiCare Valley Hospital last spring in addition to their existing clinic on East Sprague Avenue.

The network of Pulse Heart Institute facilities spans all of Washington and also stretches into North Idaho, said Pulse Heart Institute President Wade Hunt.

There are small clinics in towns like Grand Coulee, Davenport, Colfax, Ritzville and Newport in addition to two hospital-based centers in Spokane County and five in the South Puget Sound area.

The goal of the clinics and centers is to make cardiovascular care simpler for patients, Hunt said. The Institute was founded in late 2015.

“It started with Tacoma General and a group of cardiologists in Tacoma,” he said.

The Institutes bring together doctors, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and others to treat a variety of heart-related ailments. The conditions they treat include aortic aneurysms, arrhythmia, blood pressure disorders, congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart infections, valvular heart disease, vascular disease and varicose veins.

“We have well over 100 providers across the organization, 38 in the Spokane area,” Hunt said. “We’re founded on the principle of what we call centers of excellence.”

The organization’s web site at www.pulseheartinstitute.org promises a “different approach to cardiovascular care” that includes total patient health. “We connect emergency, clinic, hospital and therapy services to enhance communication and continuity,” the web site reads. “The ethos of the organization is one of partnership and inspiration.”

The web site also has numerous written materials and videos designed to help patients learn

about healthy diets, pulmonary rehabilitation, open heart surgery, heart failure and cardiac rehabilitation.

Though not all services are available at all locations, particularly in the smaller clinics, the Institute offers pre-hospital care, procedures in the hospitals and post-hospital care. The goal is to streamline the referral-to-treatment process and create a seamless care experience.

“We do the entire comprehensive cardiac care,” he said.

The center inside Valley Hospital includes a heart failure clinic, cardiac rehabilitation, heart imaging and other heart-related procedures.

The center also handles pacemaker implantation, diagnostic procedures and stress tests. It opened early last year to supplement a cath lab the Institute opened at the hospital in 2019, where doctors can perform heart catheterizations, balloon angioplasty and stent implantation.

“In addition, we have advanced cardiac imaging,” Hunt said. “We have a state-of-the-art new camera

in the Valley.”

The Cardiac Gamma Camera features an open design so the patient can be seated during the scan, which can be easier for claustrophobic patients. It provides scans of the person’s heart that can be used to diagnose a variety of different illnesses.

From last spring to the end of 2021 the new center at the hospital has been exceeding national benchmarks in helping patients get their blood pressure under control, treating depression and helping patients stop smoking, Hunt said.

Part of cardiac rehab is getting people to adopt a more healthy lifestyle, which can include quitting smoking, eating better and getting more exercise.

“We help our clients set goals and achieve goals,” Hunt said.

Overall, group rehabilitation sessions saw 75 percent attendance during that time, which was at 85 percent in the fourth quarter, Hunt said.

“Part of cardiac rehab is that they’re performing in group settings,” he said. “We’ve actually had really good outcomes that came from that after we launched last

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year.”

The Institute previously had a small outpatient clinic in Spokane Valley before moving into more than 20,000 square feet of space at a new outpatient clinic at 14408 E. Sprague, Hunt said. The additional space was needed to handle the growing number of patients. There were 7,735 patients at the clinic in 2021 and more are expected in the future.

“The growth in Spokane Valley and east into Liberty Lake is absolutely noticeable,” Hunt said.

“We felt this was a great compliment to what we’re offering. We’re really satisfied with the offering we’re giving Spokane Valley residents.”

The Spokane Valley clinic is similar to a clinic in North Spokane near Northpointe. There’s also a center inside MultiCare Deaconess Hospital in downtown Spokane that offers cardiac rehabilitation as well as cardiology, cardiothoracic and vascular services.

Hunt anticipates that the Pulse Heart Institute network of clinics and centers will continue to grow because of the excellent care they offer. “It’s not just great care,” Hunt said. “I believe we have world class care.”

Photo by Nina Culver MultiCare’s Lisa-Clayton-Bare, Cardiac Rehab Coordinator, coaching a patient as he works on the treadmill at the Pulse Heart Institute.

FEBRUARY 2022 • 17

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Darling leads Bears as multi-faceted point guard

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FEBRUARY 2022 • 19

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• FEBRUARY 2022

Spokane County LIBRARY DISTRICT

LIBRARY

Grow your creative talents with helpful books, resources & programs

By Melissa Rhoades Spokane County Library District

Maya Angelou once said in an interview that “you can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

February 7–28

From my experience, this is absolutely true. This means that including creative goals in your New Year’s resolutions could lead to a more productive and inspirational 2022. Our libraries offer many ways to get help with creative goals, including books, DVDs, and CDs to check out, online and on-demand classes, and library programs.

Celebrating the creativity of Spokane County!

You don’t need to be a professional artist to enjoy the creative process. Dabbling in creative activities can give the mind a respite from worries and open new avenues of thinking.

Mini & Virtual Art Show

View art from local artists, neighbors & friends in two ways.

MINI ART SHOW In libraries, during open hours (except The BookEnd)

ONLINE ART GALLERY Available 24/7 www.scld.org/art-show

www.scld.org

Gardening resources & projects you can do with help from the library

By Jane Baker Spokane County Library District

Spring will be here soon, and I’m eager to get my hands in the soil.

Did you know that you can borrow seeds from Spokane Valley Library?

You can borrow seeds to plant and grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

At the end of the growing season, just let some go to seed, collect the seeds, and bring them back to the library to share with others.

If you’re like me and can hardly wait to get out and play in the dirt, the library is presenting gardening programs from the Spokane Master Gardeners.

You can find more information about the programs and sign up at www.scld.org/gardeningprograms.

A couple years ago, I took on a big project and removed all the

Print and digital books in our library’s collection offer advice on how to fit art into busy lifestyles, begin an art practice at any age, brainstorm new project ideas, and ramp up your creative flow, along with titles on creating art with kids. I’ve compiled two booklists and share where to look for titles on our shelves at www.scld.org/ creativity-blog.

Young children may enjoy creating during the program “Building with Books: LEGO Storytimes,” taking place online on February 1 and 15, at 4pm.

They can enjoy a story read aloud and recreate a part of the story with LEGO bricks or other craft materials they have on hand. Then, everyone gets a chance to share their creations with the group.

Our upcoming winter and spring library programs also include creative options for adults and families. Starting on February 5, the program “Creativebug: Intro to Lace Knitting” combines online classes from Creativebug with online meetups with other

The Current

participants and library staff to talk about progress, hiccups, and success with the class.

You can sign up the whole family for the cake decorating challenge program “Nailed It! St. Patrick’s Day Edition” happening in March.

And another adult program starting in April is the “Creativebug: Daily Painting Challenge.” Be sure to sign up for any of the creative programs as soon as you can so you are sure you get a spot at www.scld.org/ events.

Your in-district library card gives you access to over 70 digital resources in our Digital Library at www.scld.org/digital-library. You can explore several for inspiration, patterns, how-to videos, and technique tips, including Creativebug, Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center, and LinkedIn Learning.

I invite you to take advantage of all the resources available at the libraries in and around Spokane Valley to get started on your next creative project.

grass from my front yard and planted perennials and trees that attract birds, bees, and butterflies and conserve water.

from my roof to water all my containers, planters, and hanging baskets, even throughout the blistering heat dome last summer.

My garden does not produce food, so my plan for spring is different than someone who has a vision of a bountiful vegetable garden. My three projects are more urban in nature: dividing perennials, adding a second rain barrel, and creating a container herb garden.

This year, I’ll connect a second barrel to the downspout on the other side of my house.

Rain barrels prevent water from pooling up around house foundations, and this second one will provide additional water to help support my third gardening project, a container herb garden.

Many of my perennials have flourished and matured to the point of needing to be divided.

When perennials outgrow their space, produce smaller blooms, or have a dead spot in the middle, the process of dividing the plant helps it grow better.

A friend gave me some oregano from her container garden that was so fresh and delicious, I decided my own herb garden is a must. Currently, I’m in the process of deciding on pots, soils, and what combination of herbs to plant.

Dividing requires digging up the plant, dividing it into two or more smaller plants, and replanting the smaller ones. I plan to replant as many of the divides as possible because more plants mean less room for weeds, and I plan to give some divides to friends as well.

The Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center found in the Digital Library (www.scld.org/digital-library) has hundreds of articles that are helpful for each of these projects and nearly any on your gardening list. There are also several more online resources for gardening and getting the information you need to tackle your spring projects at www.scld.org/digital-resourcesgardening.

Last year, I installed a rain barrel, a successful weekend project. It collected enough rain

FEBRUARY 2022 • 21

The Current

SV COUNCIL

Continued from page 9 to provide them a break so that they could spend more time with their families.

City Council approved the mayors recommendations with Councilmembers Ben Wick, Tim Hattenburg, and Brandi Peetz opposed.

Shoreline Update

Master

Program

The Shoreline Master Plan (SMP) is the official document that guides the development along the Spokane River and Shelly Lake. This plan requires periodic review and if necessary, revisions. Back on June 8th 2021 Spokane Valley adopted some amendments to the SMP. SMP plans are subject to review and approval by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Department of Ecology had recently completed their review of the proposed amendments and conditionally approved them subject to one required change.

The Department of Ecology’s required change surrounded the Cities regulations on Accessory Dwellig Units (ADUs). Ecology identified that the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) cannot be considered under a single-family residential exemption and thus the City is required to change the regulations to require ADUs to go through the Substantial Development Permit process. The City included the amendment to allow ADUs under the single-family residential exemption based on recommendations from the City’s consultant, consideration of the City’s adopted Housing Action Plan to increase affordable housing options, and for consistency with how ADUs are allowed in other areas of the City.

Councilmember Wick asked if the council needed to accept Ecology’s conditions and what would happen if they didn’t.

City staff highlighted that the city needed to have approval from Ecology in order to have an approved SMP plan in order to be competitive for grants and continued development.

City Manager John Hohman added that councilmember Ben Wicks comments are more then likely coming from a different conversation happening at the state level where there is discussion about requiring all cities to allow ADU

development universally and that this matter is being referred to the City lobbyist to strengthen the cities case about the need to preserve local control over land use decisions.

The City Council suspended the rules and accepted the Department of Ecology’s revision at its first reading with Councilmember Wick opposed.

Right of Way Vacation On August 31, 2021, the City received a complete street vacation application from Derek Apartments, LLC to vacate 32 feet by 237 feet of right-of-way along the south side of Appleway Avenue approximately 526 feet east of the intersection of Appleway Avenue and Farr Road.

The City Council suspended the rules and approved the street vacation in one reading with Councilmember Wick opposed.

City Manager Contract An employment contract with Deputy City Manager John Hohman, who was also serving as interim City Manager, was approved unanimously by the City Council at a Special meeting of the City Council held at 5pm on Tuesday January 25th.

Upcoming Activities

City

Council

While things are always subject to change currently on the cities upcoming agendas are: On Feb 1st the City Council will get an update from their Federal Lobbyist Cardinal Infrastructure and discuss their 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda as well as have an initial discussion on the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funding and consider a change order on the Barker Grade Separation Project.

Feb 8th, have a discussion on a Potential Grant Opportunity for a City Safety Program, the Master Fee Schedule Update for Transportation Impact Fees.

Dear Readers,

While we typically focus our coverage on our local community our mission is to also encourage community involvement. In that vein we recognize that there are passionate viewpoints on both side in relation to the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates so wanted to highlight an opportunity for you to share your input as another decision is being made.

Currently, the State Board of Health in coordination with the Washington State Department of Health has commissioned a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccine against the Washington State Board of Health's (WSBOH) immunization criteria. Since 2006, WSBOH has relied on multi-disciplinary technical advisory groups to review vaccines against nine criteria to recommend to the WSBOH whether specific immunizing agents should be added to the list of required immunizations for school entry.

It is the job of the TAG to make a final recommendation to WSBOH on whether to move forward with adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the state’s list of required immunizations for school entry.

The State Board of Health, at their discretion, may or may not approve the TAG’s recommendation. However, if the WSBOH votes at a future meeting to move forward, they would initiate rulemaking to consider adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the list

of required immunizations for school entry. The entire process is documented online and is available by going to https://sboh.wa.gov/ Portals/7/Doc/Publications/ ImmunizationCriteria_a.pdf It is important to understand that according to state law, decisions about required vaccinations are made by WSBOH and not by individual school districts. State law already requires several vaccinations for children to attend school, including polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps and tetanus.

Personal and religious exemptions continue to be available for some vaccinations.

Archived meeting materials and future meeting agendas can be found at the Washington State Board of Health's website. https://sboh.wa.gov/Meetings/ MeetingInformation Recently, WSBOH posted an online survey (six questions) to collect feedback from parents and caregivers about the potential of adding the COVID-19 vaccine as an immunization requirement for school aged children. Understanding that there are strong feelings about this issue, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to share your thoughts with WSBOH using the link below. It is unclear as to how long this survey will be open, so the sooner you share your input, the better.

Caregiver & Parent Survey: COVID-19 Vaccine as a School Requirement: https://bit. ly/3IDcW8B

no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, all are welcome here

Feb 22nd have a discussion on potential grant opportunities available in the National Highway Freight Program and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are open to the public as well as via zoom and are held most Tuesdays beginning at 6pm with public comment opportunities on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month or on any action items as they are considered by the council.

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• FEBRUARY 2022

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SPORTS STREAM Continued from page 18

the lights are on.

“I just love basketball,” Dylan said.

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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YOU DE S ER VE

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

mes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Liberty Lake Athletic Club

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Tate Law Office

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Ben Wick

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Danica Wick danica@libertylakesplash.com

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Nina Culver, Lincoln DoWright Craig Howard

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 Valley, Liberty Lake and the surrounding area.

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

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

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Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never 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.

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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.

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BUSINESS

The Current

Relocated to Liberty Lake

treatment whenever they need the assistance of an attorney.

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

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lam has one other attorney and Contributed photo

FEBRUARY 2022 • 23

four support personnel on staff.

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

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

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

Christal Iam, founder of Spokane Business Attorneys, moved to a larger location in Liberty Lake.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those businesses get quick, VIP

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

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All for Love . . .

• FEBRUARY 2022

The Current

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