“My Parents and Family In China Have Sent Me To Buy Your Land…”

Hats off to Nathan McDonald of Investment Forum for producing an eye opening Real Estate Investment Forum. The room at the Pan Pacific hotel was packed Friday March 5th, 2010 as an expert panel assembled to discuss the pulse of buying and selling real estate investments in this market. A few were bruised and battered…some wiser and ready to invest with the knowledge that CASH is still KING in the real estate biz.

The attendees ranged from estate planners and liquidators to local investors as well as well heeled youth from China and Saudi Arabia. It became very clear if you or I, U.S. citizens currently do not have the capital to purchase land, vacation properties, plats and commercial properties the Chinese and Saudi Arabians do and they have sent their children over ahead on a deal hunt. One such young ambassador from the University of Washington stated, “My parents and family in China have sent me to buy your land…” Later over drinks, a glass of chardonnay she and others from other nations just held and never sipped…you could see the focus and the intent is to add to the family portfolio and this was met with serious acknowledgement…lunches were being set up for this week as quickly as possible.

Ada Healey, Vice President, Real Estate, Vulcan Inc. stated there are only 30 acres of undeveloped land they are working on now. Ada mentioned that she sees job growth in the global health life sciences and commercial property demand in that area as well. There is so much debt exposure at this time they cannot even do letters of credit, which came as a surprise to her. The debt market is still tight but there are also opportunities in multi family low rise rentals, medical buildings and affordable housing. High tech job growth and related commercial properties also an opportunity.

Martin Stever, Angel, Venture and Real Estate Investor explained that in Phoenix finished lots are doubling and right behind Phoenix is Montana and Idaho. Seattle is a trailing market in this recovery.
To him this market smells like 1992, 93, 94 and the S and L debacle…and is ripe with opportunity.
Hindsight being 20/20 2010 is going to bee seen as the BEST year to buy and by 2013 it will be game over with the general real estate market up 15%.

Emerging GORILLA?….and who might that be? Citi…seems Citi wants to own and operate home building and become the King Kong of home building.

Is there still room for you? You bet if you remember to get the cash out of the mattress and buy local!

Every blessing to you and your families,

Stanette Marie Rose
CEO/Founder
Maple Valley Money
www.maplevalleymoney.com
206-718-5224

We all know over the past decade we have been ill advised and made mistakes along the way with our credit, finances and investment dollars. It is essential to recovery that we recognize our mistakes talk about them and discover a new, wiser course of action.

The biggest mistake of all is to somehow glance over a mistake, hide it and even pretend it never existed. Like anything that we keep unconscious believe me financial mistakes regarding your credit, finances and investment dollars if left unconscious will rise up to live and ruin again your financial security. Along the way of acknowledging a mistake comes an AHA! moment and GREATER learning!

You, your family and business deserves to succeed beyond your wildest dreams but acknowledgement, close scrutiny and telling the truth about mistakes must come first. A mistake is a natural process in creativity…as one amazing painter, Pollock said, “My paintings are the absence of mistakes”. Looking closely at his work you understand the natural law of his art. Money believe it or not is like art….yes there is the counting and saving and the investing but there are also other factors too.
Among these are over leveraging, too much unsecured debt, too high of interest rates that drain away at the principal and business expenses such as over priced bricks and mortar.

Sometimes financial triumphs feed the ego a lie.
The financial wins tell us they will continue on forever and that while your winning big with money you deserve and are entitled to even more….”Go ahead a debt a little and a little more.” The lies the ego tells regarding money are endless…

Sometimes financial triumph breads lies of fear the ego eagerly supports.
The financial surplus is welcomed then quickly drowned in fear messages that it will all soon go away…
“Hide this money! Hoard it! It will be lost soon enough forever!” This causes deprivation and is the mirror image of the ego’s other message of overindulgance.

No matter what there are mistakes being made until we regain health and balance with our finances.
After a few cycles of mistakes we realize we are going to have to learn a new way of health and balance with our money if we are to create a true sense of security.

Accept your mistakes, see them for what they are and make note.
Literally write down your financial mistakes and tell the truth to first yourself and then a trusted advisor.
Financial advisor, pastor, therapist…spouse…be sure to tell the truth to someone. It may be emotional but in the long run it is so worth it to get it out there what it is you did you feel is a mistake around money over the past 2-5 years and then work on a plan to learn a new way. Learn to be inspired by your mistakes! Yes! It is possible to be inspired by your mistakes.

For some this will mean going on a strictly cash basis for all outflows.
*Credit cards must be put away especially all unsecured debt.
*Using a ledger to track every expense allows you to get clean and sober about what you spend money on and why. Spending plans are an incredible tool to creating and learning the truth about your finances.
*Dollar Cost Average back into your 401K, Retirement and Estate accounts…there truly is only one way to rebuild and that is by rebuilding!!!

“It takes courage to admit that you have been doing something wrong, to admit you have something to learn and there is a better way.” W. Edwards Deming

“When you come to fork in the road, take it.” Yogi Berra

Every blessing to you and your family,

Stanette Marie Rose
CEO/Founder
Maple Valley Money
www.maplevalleymoney.com

206-718-5224

“I can’t believe that” Said Alice. “Can’t you” The Queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.”

Alice laughed. “There’s no use trying,” she said: “one can’t believe impossible things.”

“I daresay you haven’t much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age. I always did it for a half hour a day. Why sometimes I believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

Alice in Wonderland

Right now is one of the most powerful times in our human history.
Are we going to shine despite terrorism, stock market collapsing, pink slips and an over all sensation of some sort of despair or other.

Believe me when I tell you I too have been riding this ride out of turmoil and have some insights to share with you….Your questions in this time of transition and market conditions might be:

*Can I start a business?
*Can I get hired into my dream job?
*Can I semi retire right now?

The answers are yes if you are willing to work from the inside out.
By that I mean, creating a vision that comes from your soul’s purpose…literally answering in the quiet contemplation, “Who am I?” and “Why did I come into this life….what is my life’s purpose?”

Vision is defined as:

A clear sense of purporse usually expressed in a few words that guides and sustains actions and feelings particularly in a time of crisis…

It truly is important to remember that mountains are climbed one step at a time.
Recently my daughter and I climbed Mt Si and guess what? We did it one step at a time for a magnificent accomplishment!

“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into the doing. It is not how much we give but how much love we put into the giving. To God there is nothing small.” Mother Theresa

Reestablish your goals:

This is clearly a time of spiritual, financial tuning up…
What is it you truly came here in this lifetime to do?
Now is that time to build your ideal business.
Start one step at a time rebuilding a retirement fund.
Or…
Begin the process of simplfication of lifestyle.
(AKA living within your means)

No matter what our VISION looks like here are the skills we will need to proceed…
1. Kaizen: The art of taking a small step to climb a mountain
2. Clear Priorities
3. View Life On a Large Scale
4. View Actions as a Service and Gift to Others
5. Optimism
6. Articulate
7. Acceptance of Mistakes
8. Passion
9. Curiousity
10. Set reasonable goals
11. Make outrageous Requests
12. Give of your time in the community
13. Give of your talent in the community
14. Give of your treasure in the community
(Without thought for personal or professional gain!)

Together we create a financial vision of life that will sustain us…
These are if you can believe it just the baby steps for creating a Purposeful Financial Vision of Life
Our classes at Maple Valley Money go into much greater detail and the next one is Thursday, February 25th at The DaVine…Join Us!

“Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.”
Rainier Maria Rilke

Every blessing to you and your family!
Stanette Marie Rose
CEO/Founder
Maple Valley Money
www.maplevalleymoney.com
206-718-5224

SIGNS OF A COMPULSIVE DEBTOR

I have discovered in my Financial Advisory role that anxiety is most likely root cause of all addiction disorders.

To help yourself or others you must begin to examine the source of the anxiety and actions that are creating compulsive debting…

Here is a list reprinted with permission from Debtors Anonymous:

The 12 Signs of a Compulsive Debtor

1. Being unclear about your financial situation. Not knowing account balances, monthly expenses, loan interest rates, fees, fines, or contractual obligations.

2. Frequently “borrowing” items such as books, pens, or small amounts of money from friends and others, and failing to return them.

3. Poor saving habits. Not planning for taxes, retirement or other not-recurring but predictable items, and then feeling surprised when they come due; a “live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow” attitude.”

4. Compulsive shopping: Being unable to pass up a “good deal”; making impulsive purchases; leaving price tags on clothes so they can be returned; not using items you’ve purchased.

5. Difficulty in meeting basic financial or personal obligations, and/or an inordinate sense of accomplishment when such obligations are met.

6. A different feeling when buying things on credit than when paying cash, a feeling of being in the club, of being accepted, of being grown up.

7. Living in chaos and drama around money: Using one credit card to pay another; bouncing checks; always having a financial crisis to contend with.

8. A tendency to live on the edge: Living paycheck to paycheck; taking risks with health and car insurance coverage; writing checks hoping money will appear to cover them.

9. Unwarranted inhibition and embarrassment in what should be a normal discussion of money.

10. Overworking or underearning: Working extra hours to earn money to pay creditors; using time inefficiently; taking jobs below your skill and education level.

11. An unwillingness to care for and value yourself: Living in self-imposed deprivation; denying your basic needs in order to pay your creditors.

12. A feeling or hope that someone will take care of you if necessary, so that you won’t really get into serious financial trouble, that there will always be someone you can turn to.

To recover from compulsive debting and it’s disastrous effects on self and loved ones it is vitally important to take the first step and admit to ourselves and others there is a problem we are feeling powerless over. Resources are available thru a wonderful 12 step program: Puget Sound Debtors Anonymous.

For more information about Puget Sound Debtors Anonymous contact: www.dawashstate.org
Meetings are located all over Puget Sound…Bellevue, Ballard etc…and it is possible to create a hometown meeting as well.

It is my intention to serve you with love, support and wisdom in our journey together out of unsecured debting and into a life filled with promise, security and joy!

Every blessing to you and your families,

Stanette Marie Rose
CEO/Founder
Maple Valley Money

Register for class today at: www.MapleValleyMoney.com

206-718-5224

Debt Free Maple Valley 2010: College Debt!

Just because the folks who gave you the college loan never send you a bill does not mean you do not need to pay it! Many time clients tell me, “Well, I never did get a bill on that loan, so I have not started paying it” I am also hearing tales of folks waiting to get married or not being seen as solid marriage material due to the college debt they racked up to get the degrees. It is important to seek employment if possible during college to pay and keep paying in good faith on the college loans.

Good Faith: College loans are important to pay even small incremental amounts of money on or around the same date each month like a machine….as this creates a track record of Good Faith with the lender and if later you need to show proof of responsible actions you will have it.

Bad Faith: 270 days late is the magic number of days for the loan to go into Bad Faith and the phone calls will start. It is essential that you are responsible enough to call and explain what is happening… ie: illness, death in the family or unemployment and to document your conversation in writing.
The word responsibility means the ability to respond….stay in communication.

Dropping the Ball: If you find you drop the ball on a payment, picking it back up again as quickly as possible is essential.

Recorded Phone Lines: Be couscious on the phone with lenders as you are often being recorded.
Later in a court room situation these conversations can and possibly will be used against you…

Married Filing Joint: Use innocent spouse defense to fight lender attempts to attach Income Tax Refunds. Part of the Income Tax Refund belongs to the spouse who did not default on his or her College Loan debts and the lender has no rights to the money.

Stress Relief: Go to DA.org and sit in circles of support. You are NOT alone…these debts seems astronomical and may be cause for anxiety. Remember you are NOT your debt but are responsible to pay it back…Request help with a Spending Plan and Debt Pay Back Plan ASAP.

Windfalls: Should you receive a gift of cash remember to divide it into thirds….past, present and future.
Past: Repay the loan with a third of the windfall
Present: Enjoy 1/3 of the money in present time
Future: Set a third of the money away in savings for the future…

Remember you can greatly reduce College Debt levels by paying a bit more on every bill and doubling up payments in each month when possible!

For more information feel free to give me a call!
Stanette Marie Rose
206-718-5224

Today’s topic of borrowing between family members is fraught with angst.
Sometimes a request for funds is absolutely necessary and understandable.
Other times it is habitual and disrespectful to all concerned…and then there is the matter of the family debtor who never pays back…NEVER!

Money can be one of the most difficult topics between family members.
In my financial practice I have heard it all…”He is out of the will because another $5000 would give him enough drugs to kill him.” Father of addicted son.
“He just was laid off for the third time and now he is losing his home, wife and my grand baby will be on the street.” Mother of an adult son with a grand child she adores.

What you decide to do regarding giving a loan needs to include a healthy perspective.
Sometimes it is healthier to say no…or to say yes with limits boundaries and a signed contract that includes tidy time frames. The key thing is to be sure lending to family members does not do more harm than good. Sometimes loans only weaken the bond and the respect adding tensions and distance.

Look underneath the need to borrow.
Is there an unmet need for love, affection, closeness that borrowing is masking?
Is there a hidden need for punishment, shame and continued distance from loved ones?
Ask yourself what is the most empowering action for me to take both for myself and for this family member. Giving and lending money often is not the best solution.

If you do lend be sure to put everything in writing, get signatures and agree to a pay back program that includes interest. I recommend a 6% interest rate on any and all money borrowed.
What happens should the borrower not repay the loan and has a track record of borrowing many times and not repaying? Be sure to let your Executor of your Estate know as well as your attorney so there can be a carve out of the will. It is a relatively simple thing to make sure your estate distributes to the the child with the loan reduced from the balance. Believe me it causes a ripple if you let the loan be ignored as the other children are keeping track of the siblings debts even if you have long forgotten.

A reminder to us all is lessons about money start so young it is unbelievable. I was four or five when I wanted some money for a treat or toy and was taught to fill out an I.O.U. slip of paper. At allowance time the I.O.U. was paid back and then the residual allowance given. It is the way the lending in a family is taught and how the all important repayment is handled. Keep it grounded and practical and not driven by fear.

Stanette Marie Rose
CEO/Founder
Maple Valley Money.com
206-718-5224

Sign up for classes at maplevalleymoney.com
Private Appointments Available Upon Request!

Goal: Debt Free Maple Valley in 2010!!!

Psychology of Debt Class February 18th, 7PM!

I look forward to working with you to end the nightmare of unsecured debt…

ACTION PLAN:

Start today by paying your smallest credit card balance and your largest interest credit card…Why? You get a HUGE sense of victory when the first small credit card is paid off and then you are at the same time paying down the highest interest rate card giving you traction and a way out of debt! This is the process known as laddering.

1. Pay off a card then rip it up!!!

2. Move toward a spending plan and pay from set aside amounts of cash…this is known as a cash basis spending plan.

Instead of paying your credit cards every month pay them two times a month and pay extra…by even $5.00 to $10.00…this is known as gaining traction and control over the cards.

DO NOT USE YOUR UNSECURED CREDIT CARDS EVER!…please use cash only for expenses….again see me for a spending plan and assistance if you are finding it hard to not use the cards for daily needs….Take advantage of the Psychology of Debt Class February 18th, 7PM DaVine Coffee and Wine Bar, Maple Valley.

Visit the site nfcc.org for help in the steps to Debt Free in 2010!!!

Do not let credit card companies bully you in the process…see below…

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed to protect customers.

This act forbids strong arm tactics. Please note: The FDCPA is for outside collection agencies, the ones that most credit card companies hire after their own attempts have failed, and not to the collection department within the card company or other lender.

No calls between 8 A.M to 9 P.M.

Put it in writing a cease and desist letter that you do not wish further contact from creditors and they are forced to stop all calls and attempts to meet you face to face.

As a result of the FDCPA, collectors cannot phone your home. They cannot call before 8 A.M. or after 9 P.M. Never without your permission are they allowed to call your family or place of work so be very aware of which phone you use to call your creditors. Data is gathered in our modern times to know which number you are using and which number to call back. If you call it is sometimes seen by the creditor as permission granted for dialogue.

Take control of the dialogue with creditors!

If you want reduced interest call up the food chain of management and calmly state your request over and over. If you want to have no further contact with a creditor, know why that is….(see me first!) Together we can go over your best debt abatement plan…

Illegal activities by a credit card company warrants a letter….so write three!

Write letters to the following three places:

Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

American Credit Association, P.O. Box 39106, Minneapolis, MN 55439. It’s members agree to conduct their business in a professional manner.

Washington State Attorney General’s Office….
Go online to write the complaint letter @:

http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx

To Discuss Call Me:
Stanette Marie Rose
206-718-5224

You and your family are invited!
Launch Party and Ribbon Cutting for Maple Valley Money is February 10th @ 5PM…YOU and your families are invited! Working on setting up a business in tough times reminds me we are all invited to attend to our lives when times are tough and when things are flowing easily.

I also have put back on my hiking boots and climbing local peaks with my daughter Crystal. Together we have scaled Cherico to Poo Poo Point as well as Little Mount Si….next on our list is training for Mount Rainier.
You too are invited to stretch your legs and see rocks as big as cars and houses…the glory of our Cascade range and wonders of the local trails in and around Maple Valley. Hiking and climbing as well as the weight training I am now doing reminds me I have strength and energy no matter what is going on around me…I can meet the challenges of life no matter how daunting they may be…

Together we have faced quite the economic bruising! We have since August of 2008 taken it on the chops time and time again and yet…we are standing up, breathing in again and out the miraculous breath of life…we questioned ourselves but guess what? Now we remember just how strong we truly are and how gifted!

Thirteen citizens have stepped up to put applications in to lead us by serving on Maple Valley City Council. I am encouraged to know this level of participation is happening. Our citizens have started to show up at meetings and pay greater attention to the details….like a $77,000 commission check as well as other details about your money and your City that you need to be made aware of.

Recovery can be challenging but once you do get your legs underneath you there is no telling how far they will carry you, your family and your community!

Every blessing to you there,

Stanette Marie Rose
Your Gal in the Wilderness!
206-718-5224

Oh What A Night!

BUILD BABY BUILD, THE DONUT HOLE UPDATE!

Mayor Noel Gerken opened up the meeting on Monday evening with a call for public comment…

I went to the microphone and made three statements:

1. It is alarming that the Mayor in last weeks meeting would present the focus for The City for 2010.
Where is the rest of The Council and why are they not involved in the process?
Did Noel have a meeting of four Council members to establish the goals off record which is a violation?
2. Micromanaging Staff….It is important for Council to not abandon all controls over staff so as to lose
control. Oversight and governance is the responsibility of The Council. When it is ok to spend $35,000 without oversight and all department heads have the ability to act without oversight other than the City Manager it is cause for concern by citizenry.
3. I am hoping for a legacy of gratitude toward public servants who have come to serve us over all these
years. Even in heated disagreement we learn from one another. I for one am grateful to leaders who have served from inception our great City of Maple Valley.
(As of this writing Reagan Dunn states this morning over coffee he intends to honor our Public Servants
and will be reaching out to set an event up…)

Bill and Marti Chevron Owners:

The Chevron across from the Play Mor tavern wants a drive thru espresso stand with a tiny foot print.

Donut Hole Density….Is it R4 or is it R6 which actually equals R12?
(R4 = 4 homes to acre, R6 = 6 homes to acre, R12 = 12 homes to acre)

Why and how does that work?
Ty explains to council that approx 50% of the land is not available to be built upon but that being said he wants
a decision made immediately, no time to wait, chop…chop.

Councilman Layne Barnes pushes for less homes R4 = 4 homes per acre
Council woman Linda Johnson concurs…

Lengthy defining discussion ensues between Ty, Linda Johnson and Layne Barnes….
finally we hear from…..you guessed it….Council woman Jonas….”History shows us always at R6 with very little R4…We need “affordable housing” 1060 units to 1690 units. R4 is not realistic.” Jonas does not give her rational however.

Linda Johnson asks for reasonable ranges at least…if 50% of the property known as the donut hole is unbuildable we are at R12. Reminder R12 = 12 homes per acre.

Bill Allison states, “I trust the Planning Commission”.

Erin Weaver laughs and states we need “condos and apartments, townhome villages and affordable housing where folks who do not want to care for a yard do not have to”. No change on density at this time.

Mayor Noel Gerken agrees with Erin Weaver, Victoria Jonas and Bill Allison.

END OF DISCUSSION ON DENSITY BUT OH LOOK THERE IS MORE…
hmmm I think I see a trend emerging!

RETAIL BLIGHT

Erin Weaver mentions concerns for strip mall sprawl in the Donut Hole….so they want commercial
in the neighborhoods….so folks can just walk to the shopping.

Noel Gerken and Ty agree specific zoning on how retail will look is coming in the future.

STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

City Manager David Johnston states there are lots of discussions on funding sources and cutbacks for cities…perhaps things will not be as tight as previously thought.
It is ongoing and up in the air….
Excise Tax, REETs may begin to be given different designated uses.
Storm Water Funding standards are causing some cities to struggle. I do not believe we have an issue with this in our budget at this time.
Street Maintenance remains a priority for Olympia….

CITY OF MAPLE VALLEY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Consensus to keep City of Maple Valley Legislative agenda language same with no changes….
However….

Victoria Jonas DOES NOT SUPPORT A SIDEWALK ON WITTE ROAD…UNTIL AFTER 2013 must do a feasibility study or two…Hello Victoria it is a death walk!

In Conclusion…..

Maple Valley Arts Council and Historical Society will be putting in exhibits in the new City Hall building…

Dow Constantine sent a representative to meet with the county regarding the purchase and sale agreement for the Donut Hole. There is a promise on the table to honor the contract by the February date.

Victoria Jonas congratulated the city for increasing retail square footage from 3600 feet to 152,000 and now finally 300,000 square feet……paved paradise and put up a parking lot! Dont ya know!

And now for another touch of chaos….

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Cameras are being installed at Maple Valley Community Center and The Den
(Another rash of vandalism has hit the two buildings.)

Noel Gerken resigned as Maple Valley Community Center Board Member

Erin Weaver wants everyone to VOTE for the Levy….Cristy Todd tells her to stop stumping for the Yes Vote that it is inappropropriate…..so what happens next?
Erin Weaver tells everyone she has a cling for their window in her car if they would like to have it and be sure to do a Yes Vote for the Levy! For a worthy cause TaHoMa….states what am I doing something wrong when Cristy has to admonish her again. Finally Erin starts one mo time….but is stopped a third time for a rules violation…Three is a charm I guess.

Council decides to do a public hearing

But wait Mayor Noel Gerken likes to break rules too….
Tells the City Manager to get him in front of both Rotary and Chamber in the February meetings of both so he can do a State of Maple Valley message.
(Oh by the way usually just the City Manager does the meeting but hey? Can you say photo op?
Noel also tells Council members send me by email your accomplishments for 2009 and I will present them! OOOOPPPSSS here comes the attorney!
Cristy reminds Noel that 4 or more Council speaking to him off the record is a rolling meeting and a violation of the Public Meetings Act.

Looks like our City Attorney is going to have here hands full for a while!

Every Blessing to You There!

Your Gal In The Wilderness…

Welcome to the New Year in the Wilderness…There are lots of changes on Maple Valley City Council and here are the notes from the last meeting…..some things are just wishes, some changes and some things well some things never go away…

Noel Gerken is the new mayor of Maple Valley and Victoria Jonas is the Deputy Mayor…..

Noel’s Opening Statement:

-Wants televised Council meetings (pssst we can’t afford it!)
-Greater Community Involvement
-Planning forward and thoughtful planning
-Complete work on Donut Hole, Four Corners Sub Area Plan, Hayes Pit Site, Legacy Site and new City Hall location
-Work with greater efficiency
-Collaborate with City Manager and Staff as they are the experts!
-Regional, State and National engagement on issues
-Work smarter with partnering on local government and non profits.
-Work with three cities engaged in putting railway into Maple Valley at 4 Corners
-Create a private/public partnership for City Hall and Legacy Site

Victoria echoed Noel

Maple Valley Youth Symphony

There was support for the Maple Valley Youth Symphony to be a Community Group and it will come to council for a vote.

Draft Contract Policy (psst here comes trouble!!!)

(Here I saw a potential for dangerous financial leakage and contract conflict of interest due to over delegation to staff….but the issues were not probed deeply.)

-Intention is to improve administrative routing of contracts
-Clarify contract procedures
-Ensure compliance with state law
-Increase efficiencies
-Increase City Manager’s Contracting Authority to $35,000 from $25,000
(FYI: Mr. Johnston our current City Manager was in the past reprimanded for overspending on a contract with out proper authority on technology and computer equipment….)
-No maximum on budgeted items or supplies
-Authority to execute to extensions of exp date
-Authority to delegate duration of the contracting term
up to $10,000 for Department Directors

Errors or misuse of the above policy will be managed by the City Manager and will be grounds for dismissal.
A lengthy 45 minute conversation on scope ensued….

I began praying at this juncture as the clock was ticking and my life was flashing before my eyes….whew so much for efficient government….my goodness are we only on item number 3!!!…

Erin Weaver asked questions about municipal code and the distinctions between the following three accounts:

Reserve Accounts
Force Accounts
Contingency Accounts

Discussion on State Law Regarding The City Shopping Locally…
The City of Maple Valley is not allowed to shop locally exclusively because the City of Maple Valley under State of WA law must get the biggest bank bang for the buck.

Layne Barnes countered with the multiplier effect that the dollars came back to the City and Community 2-3X.

This was shot down the City Manager…Local companies, he stated, must be price competitive…end of story….State Law will not allow a straight 100% City of Maple Valley business preference.

New Council members being added to Council there is a spot for you so please do apply…

In the audience were at least 6-7 contenders.
Notice is going into the paper
Applications will be reviewed
It will be decided and announced by mid February…

Committees….were discussed but not finalized….

Executive Session

I went home to ponder the future of our home town Maple Valley and really look to you my neighbor to step up and lead us!

Every blessing to you and your families,
Your Gal In The Wilderness