Black Diamond mayoral candidate Dave Gordon sounds a lot like Cy Sun, former mayor of the city of Pacific. Dave has already said he will “clean house” in order to meet financial shortfalls. Cy Sun forced out most of the city department heads. The insurance carrier for Pacific, worried about rising liability due to management vacancies, announced it would stop coverage. Pacific came very close to disincorporation.

Cy Sun slashed projects and staff without understanding the consequences. Dave Gordon will do the same. Dave Gordon’s camp is claiming that, “YarrowBay’s development is under review by the Court of Appeals and could be over-turned soon.” What they don’t want you to know is they are losing this battle. On Oct. 7 the approval of the clearing and grading permit was sustained and the appeal denied in its entirety by the hearing examiner. This ruling is now public record.

Dave Gordon did not attend the Oct. 16 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, yet he claims to support business.

Let’s look at the City Council members running in this current campaign. Janie Edelman resigned from her management position with Toward Responsible Development after being appointed to the Black Diamond City Council. TRD is an organization that has been behind all of the appeals against the city and the developer. Is it right to have a person who has been involved in lawsuits against the city be allowed to hold a council position? Carol Benson was also appointed to the City Council. During her first meeting as a council member Carol made the motion (to place on the ballot) to change our city’s form of government from mayor elected to mayor appointed. Many in the audience at this council meeting spoke publicly of the need to put this serious of a proposed change to city government before the citizens in a public hearing. Carol refused the idea of a public hearing and this motion became Proposition 1, which later was soundly defeated by voters. Are these two council members really there for you? They are not in your best interest.

The only qualified person to be our mayor is Rebecca Olness. She will continue to look out for the best interests of Black Diamond and our citizens, ensuring that development occurs according to the agreements and keeping us fiscally sound. Shawn Ogelsbee, Pat Nelson and Bill Roth need to be elected to restore objectivity to the city council and replace Janie Edelman and Carol Benson with people who are genuinely looking after all citizens not a selected few.

Don’t be fooled with false promises and let Dave Gordon and his followers turn Black Diamond into another Pacific!

Lynn Sickles

Black Diamond