Victoria Jonas has been involved in the leadership of nearly every aspect of what led Bloomberg Business Week to Rank Maple Valley as the 2013 ‘Best Place to Raise a Family in Washington’ and Family Circle Magazine’s Top 10 Best Places in the US to Raise Kids in 2011. Such recognition from disparate media does not happen by accident.

We need someone who cares enough about Maple Valley to continue to invest the considerable time needed to make a difference in our community.

Victoria Jonas serves our community as an active member — often on the board — or as a volunteer of Maple Valley Days, Lake Wilderness Preservation Association, Maple Valley Historical Society, Maple Valley Creative Arts Council, Maple Valley Arboretum Association, and Lake Wilderness Preservation Association.

She listens, she assesses the need and then she acts swiftly and decisively. She was even instrumental in the installation of two bike racks at Lake Wilderness Park and Lodge. And, she is a huge fan and supporter of the library and school systems.

Victoria co-founded both the Make A Difference Day committee and the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market. If you’ve been to the holiday lights celebration at the Lake Wilderness Lodge, you surely remember the rows of tables covered in holiday treats. She would never admit it, but she is largely responsible for personally making and donating much — if not all — of that spread to our community every year. Incredible.

The best news for all of us: she’s not done yet. Victoria shows the needed vision and passion to continue making this a great place to raise families.

In fact she voted against reducing the frequency of regularly scheduled City Council Meetings.

An elected official who makes Maple Valley a better place to live and who votes in favor of doing more work on our behalf. Yes, that’s the energy we need on City Council.

Please join me in voting for Victoria Jonas to help keep Maple Valley a great place to live.

Dana Parnello

Maple Valley