Forecast for 2007 is hopeful

Published 10:50 am Thursday, December 11, 2008

Looking into the 2007 crystal ball for the city and surrounding region a few images come into focus - traffic, water and elections.

The Bonney Lake City Council is looking at four seats up for grabs this year: Jim Rackley, Ward 2; Cheryle Noble, Ward 3; Phil DeLeo, Ward 5; and Mark Hamilton in At Large 2.

The closer to the November general election, the more politically charged the atmosphere is likely to become.

Of the four council members, Rackley said he is definitely running for a third term and DeLeo, the longest tenured member at 14 years, said he is &#8220planning to run again.”

Noble said she is considering running again because there are issues she would still like to work on in the coming years. High on that list is the Quadrant proposal to develop the Washington State University Demonstration Forest.

&#8220I think (Quadrant) is waiting for changes in City Council members,” Noble said. &#8220One of the big reasons I'm considering running again is the WSU forest, but I don't know until it comes down to it. It's hard to walk away.”

Hamilton said he has not decided yet, &#8220but are there are things I would like to continue to work on.”

For the coming year Hamilton sees traffic as a top issue the city and the region will struggle with as Cascadia begins construction of homes along with other south Plateau developments. Hamilton said he hopes the Legislature will be persuaded to send a ballot measure to the November election funding widening and improvements on state Route 162.

Also high on the council's to-do list is dealing with the city's water issues.

&#8220We need to set a firm water strategy,” Mayor Neil Johnson said. &#8220Then we need to follow it.”

Johnson said in 2007 the city may see significant movement in the trails and sidewalks plan, including a grant to move the project forward.

DeLeo said the council is a &#8220great team. It's a nice feeling to know we are headed in the right direction. I'm very optimistic.”

Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman said the council might need to take a serious look at redistricting early in 2007.

According to Swatman, each ward should have about the same number of people and ‘for example, right now, Ward 2 has about twice the number as the others.”

In general the mayor and council has a rosy outlook for 2007.

&#8220Everything is going so well,” Rackley said.

But the year is still young and there are always surprises.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.