Regarding Ryan Ryals’ commentary about the leadership after the Maple Valley (City) Council elections as posted in the Nov. 6 edition of the Reporter, I cannot let his comments go unchallenged.

For starters, he either doesn’t understand or is ignoring the difference between a strong mayor form of government such as Black Diamond and that of Maple Valley where the city manager has the responsibility of running the city on a day to day basis. But let’s assume that he does know the difference and has chosen to criticize Mayor (Laure) Iddings for a lack of demonstrated leadership. Anyone who knows Mayor Iddings knows that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

I believe that Mr. Ryal’s criticisms run deeper than just an observation that her enthusiasm and passion for being mayor has diminished over the years. Perhaps now that Dave Pilgrim and Jim Flynn have bee eliminated from the field of Maple Valley politics, a new target has come into view, that being Laure Iddings.

By his own admission, Mr. Ryals comes top his enlightened assessment of Mayor Iddings performance based on six months of observation. He makes no acknowledgment of the fact that she has been the “face of the franchise” ever since she has been the mayor. She’s done this with honor and integrity, often when no one else wanted to. Mr. Ryals’ clever musing (look up the definition of clever in your dictionary) are meant to accomplish nothing more than to discredit and minimize her achievements. His portrayal of Mayor Iddings’ responsibilities are meant to make her appear like the Queen Mother, officiating over state events and making proclamations of little importance to an empty room. Mr. Ryals should check into the proclamations of the past and how meaningful it was for a group or an individual to receive from the city a “where as and therefore be it resolved” acknowledgment for services rendered. To poke fun at this aspect of city governance is cynical at best.

Over the years from time to time, I have watched Mayor Iddings preside over Council meetings. I’ve watched her skillfully manage, yes, manage, the agenda, redirect, summarize and articulate clearly the city’s intentions and Council business and often take the city’s officials and Council to task over unfinished business. Mr. Ryals suggests that the mayor has been absent as a representative to the Puget Sound Regional Council. One does not just show up and have a voice as a member. Not all cities have a presence, as positions are appointed by the Suburban Cities Association. Anyone appointed by the SCA represents the concerns of the region at large and not a specific city.

Finally, please excuse my own clever musing as I ponder why Mr. Ryals feels compelled to give the good citizens of Maple Valley a tutorial on Leadership 101, making certain that the peasants grasp the difference between leadership and managing. Please spare us. As for me, in the spirit of full disclosure, Mayor Iddings is my friend and I think deserves more respect.

Gary Habenicht

Ravensdale