“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” Douglas Adams

 My name is Glenn Smith. For the last four years I have had the particular honor of serving the citizens of Maple Valley by being a member of the Maple Valley City Council. It is less than one week since the primary election where the people of Maple Valley decided to allow Bill Allison or Jim Flynn the potential honor of taking the next term on the council. Whether one has lived in Maple Valley all their lives or being a new comer, serving on the council is an earned experience not a right of birth. Having lost the election, I will admit to some disappointment, but I do not feel as though my “right” was taken from me. I look forward to the new experiences, adventures and opportunities that will be afforded to me. Some will take place in the very near future. It was a joy and an experience to have served on the council.

 I love Maple Valley. Maple Valley is my home and must be protected but also because I am what some might call an experientialist. I believe the more experiences we have the more wisdom we are able to exercise when tough decisions have to be made. We can learn from both our mistakes as well as our victories. We can learn from having lived in Maple Valley but we can learn from the experiences of other cities, counties, states and even nations. I personally have traveled around the U.S. and to many countries, including India, Haiti, most of Canada, Denmark and Israel. I had the opportunity to spend some time researching Judeo Christianity and even writing a book on Systematic Theology. Having served on the city council, I am proud to have this experience to add to my repertoire. Shortly after deciding to run for a second term I was approached by a local University and asked if I would be willing to teach. I was exuberant when offered this opportunity. After going through Faculty certification, I was asked if I could teach on Monday nights. Since the council meets on Monday evenings, had I won a second term, this would not have been feasible. There is an old saying that when one door closes, another one opens. My experience as a councilman and Deputy Mayor will be of value in teaching at the University and even writing this blog, where I was asked to share my life’s experiences.

 I will write what I believe to be the truth, not the “politically advantageous” thing to say. There are two sides to every story and in a positive manner, I will state why and where I stand on the issues that we will face. When arguments regarding a person’s conflict of issue arise then this blog will ask the important question, why does that matter? Is there truly a conflict? To those who feel a conflict of interest does not matter, this blog will state why it does. This blog is dedicated to discussing the positives of the various organizations and members and there are many who have dedicated their hours, days, time and even very lives toward making Maple Valley as many like to say, a place to live, work and play together.

 Having served with the, “old school” and the “new visionaries, on the City Council I will share both sides on issues. This is one issue in particular where the current city council is divided. I have one particular experience that I believe gives me unique understanding into the factions between the “parties” that exist in our city. I have had the opportunity to visit and study Kennesit, which is the Israeli parliament. The Kennesit is made up of many factions, each with very different and opposing ideas, yet they choose to work together for the future. In Maple Valley, we can be open to discussions that completely disagree with our “point of view.” Finding solutions to our differences can help us to prosper and grow in all areas of local and statewide government. I invite and encourage the readers of this blog to comment and to share your ideas of what issues should be addressed and I hope you enjoy.

Glenn Smith