Wow! What a great street fair.

A magnificently well-run and attended event, and the Rotary Foundation expresses its gratitude to all those who helped make it a success. The directors, René Popke and Jaclyn VanHoof, deserve credit for running a smooth operation, and the volunteers who contributed many hours toward this event really made it happen. The merchants who were part of the fair had significant transactions; the adults and children attending had lots of fun; and the city of Enumclaw came out shining.

As a trustee to the foundation, I was able to see how well René and Jaclyn handled the details both at the fair and over the last several months. Speaking of working, their husbands Ryan and Chris were the top two volunteers this year as they were last year. Our Rotary Foundation could not be more proud of how it turned out and we thank all those who participated in making it a wonderful event for the community.

Trip Hart

Enumclaw

Reynold’s work

on committee appreciated

The Enumclaw Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and staff would like to send our sincere thanks to City Councilmember Liz Reynolds for her tremendous leadership as chair of the Community Economic Development Committee.

Her program “Boost Enumclaw’s Economy” has already met three of the 10 valuable goals she envisions. The creative temporary signs, “Experience Enumclaw, Eat, Shop, Play” are a great start to fulfilling the chamber’s long held desire for signage. The permanent signs will be installed later this summer. We had requested the temporary signs to help capture some of the summer traffic passing through town. The relaxed sign codes she helped implement were passed at the June 22 council meeting. Business owners, within reason, will now be able to place banners and off-premises signage. The third part of her program was completed with the downtown beautification. The chamber volunteered to take the lead on this project but councilmember Reynolds picked out the flowers, worked with other city entities and was also busy planting with the rest of us on June 14. There will be another planting in the fall and I am sure she will be there for that, too.

Check out the new paint job on the Chamber of Commerce building. Thanks to the city council for their approval to pressure wash and pay for the paint. Our new banner follows the temporary sign verbiage and we know it will help draw more visitors to the chamber office.

Beverly Olson, president

Board of directors

Enumclaw Area Chamber of Commerce

Mayor Wise gets the job done and well

I am glad to hear that John Wise is re-running for mayor of Enumclaw. It has been refreshing to have someone in office during these last eight years who gets stuff done. I know the mayor of Enumclaw is only a part-time position, but Mayor Wise does not treat it like a part-time job. I know he attends many events around town supporting all of the various fundraisers and activities that happen here. He also spends much of his time attending meetings and events outside of Enumclaw. In doing so, he has secured funds for projects in Enumclaw that we would not have been able to accomplish otherwise.

If you have any question about what he has done, go to his Web site at www.WiseForMayor.com.

I hope people see Mayor Wise and his wife as the generous and supportive people they are. Enumclaw is lucky to have them.

Cheri Dwyer

Enumclaw

Mayor and city, thanks for the fair

A big thanks to Mayor John Wise and the city of Enumclaw for continuing on with the King County Fair. My grandparents took my kids and they all had a blast. My 85-year-old grandmother even rode the Scrambler with my 5-year-old.

I understand that Mayor Wise was instrumental in having his city take over the fair and what a great job they did. My kids thank you, my grandparents thank you and I thank you.

We hope to see the fair happen again next summer.

Andrea Maiuri

Bonney Lake

Liz listens and demands accountability

I support Liz Reynolds for mayor of Enumclaw because she listens, believes in a transparent government and demands accountability. These are three concepts that have been sorely missing from our city government.

As an elected city councilmember, Liz uncovered the secret Nestle deal, shed light on the hidden city logo and demanded accountability with the city’s mismanagement of the natural gas plant.

Liz is also a small business owner and uses this experience to chair the city’s Community Economic Development Committee. This spring, Liz proposed an ambitious 10-step plan to boost Enumclaw’s economy by reinvesting in our downtown. She has also worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce to help implement her plan.

As mayor, Liz will also return a sense of professionalism and togetherness. City employees, downtown businesses, citizens, homeowners, taxpayers and visitors will all be welcomed. Her campaign logo says it all: Liz Listens.

If you haven’t already, please visit her Web site at Lizlistens.com to learn why more than 150 elected officials, businesses, associations and citizens have endorsed Liz for mayor.

B. Christiansen

Enumclaw

Gangs are part of our community

On the building to the left of Pennies From Heaven, the Crips have signed their name.

I am told they mark their territory by signing on the wall.

The Youth Center knows all about the Latin Kings, the Bloods, the Crips and the Insane Clown Posse.

They attend meetings about gangs to keep themselves informed. Very smart and wonderful business; that of keeping our children safe and aware of the danger of modern times.

I wish they had a larger building to give the kids more room to enjoy all that the center has to offer.

They have ping-pong, foosball and air hockey tables as well as two pool tables, etc.

It would be great if they had an outside area to mosey about. They are very cramped up and put in “too close for comfort” situations. If I were rich, I would donate land and a building. I would bring back the bowling alley and have a roller skating rink.

The old Penney’s building would be perfect. Maybe someday I will be able to donate these things. Right now I cannot afford to, but we are in the land of milk and honey, so anything is possible!

Muriel G. Lakey

Enumclaw