Answer: Concerned about enrollment; want partnership between schools and city. Been in district 28 years.

Answer: Youth and seniors need some space they can count on, as well as parents with families. Community Center can foster relationships. Lots of new babies in this area. Services such as medical and schools are crowded. There are 1800 kids in the soccer program, but there are not enough fields and what is available is in bad shape. Lots of growth in all populations.

Answer: The library will have web access in April, which will attract older kids. The new library will be twice as big and is two years away from completion.

Answer: 20 years here; wants to retain quality of life. Schools need help. A bond issue passed last year; one new school, the rest is for renovation on existing schools. Fields for team play are very poor. Schools are a reason for buying here. It is the people at the school that make it great: teachers, volunteers, and even the administration.

Answer: Here 11 years, volunteer at school for 7 years. Strong arts supporter, would love performing arts center and an area for families to come together. Maple Valley seems disjointed; there is no central hub where people meet. Doesn’t feel like a cohesive community because there isn’t a central place.

Answer: Involved with schools; emergency radio programs; scouts; 11 year resident. Has been here through flooding and seen the community come together with a "let’s help each other" attitude and would hope that can be retained through periods of growth.

Answer: Want my kids to be able to stay here.

Answer: Want my kids to be able to stay here, too. Doesn’t want them to move because it got too big.

Answer: Agency helps with rent assistance, medical, etc. Clients went from 185 families to 360 families in 3 years. There is lots of hidden poverty in the area which includes Covington and Black Diamond. One real asset is the community response when help is needed.

Answer: Food bank no longer a one time thing. It meets permanent needs in the community for seniors, etc. Came today to listen and see where the community is going and how they will be affected. Transportation for their clients is a big issue.

Answer: Daughter will be driving in two weeks. Concerned about "stupid" traffic. Traffic could get so bad people will not want to stop.

The group agreed - rush hour starts about 2:30. Happens because there are not very many alternatives. No direct bus connections; one main street in and out. Problem is as property values increase people move further out for affordable housing.

During a discussion on this topic, participants said people move here not knowing schools are crowded and traffic is congested. The school district is evaluated by test scores and what kinds of programs are offered and considered one of the best districts around.. Some people are coming here because they perceive these schools as safer. This district is perceived as a community based program instead of a huge bureaucracy. The district is responsive.

Too dangerous to walk; few children walk to school. Traffic is too fast.

As Facilitated and Recorded by Walkable Communities, Inc.
Website Produced by WebTown Technologies.
E-mail comments to Gregory J. McCormick
       AICP, Director of Community Development.