As is the custom, the Yelm Chamber of Commerce President introduces the Mayor for the annual State of the City address presented at Yelm’s Chamber Forum Luncheon. Since Yelm’s Chamber President is also Yelm’s Mayor, in what would be ‘conflicts-of-interest’ in most places, Mayor Harding wears two hats today and gets to introduce himself, unless deferring to the Chamber’s Executive Director for his introduction..

According to Megan Hansen’s report in the Nisqually Valley News, Mayor Harding will cover:

1. Yelm’s Library solution.
Hansen reported, “He said he will probably announce a proposed direction during his address.
‘The direction is something I think everyone will be supportive of,’ Harding said.”

Ed. Note:
HMMM! Is “probably announce a proposed direction” doublespeak for being vague? We’ll see.
Emmett OConnell, who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Timberland Regional Library penned on his blog yesterday “Restating my position on the Yelm library situation“.

2. Economic Impacts
“Impacts include developments going under. When new development goes in it helps pay for road projects and lower utility costs. The economy also impacted the financing of the LID.”

Ed. Note:
The Mayor & City Council were warned about their break-neck speed in approving developments & permits years ago by this writer & several others. Now, the city is paying the price for some unwise decisions. Will Harding mention the lower receipts of the city from reduced home sales, foreclosures & dropping property values?

3. Water
“He will also touch on how water is a big issue right now. ‘I will talk about the things we need to increase the availability of water,’ Harding said. He will touch on the Southwest well project as well as the citys water conservation program.”

Ed. Note:
Key question for him to explain is $11 million in the Water System Plan to essentially build a new water system in the SW Area (formally known as Thurston Highlands). Will be interesting how he spins this, as currently, the city is about maxed by Health on adding more connections to the city’s water system.
Even the property across from Wal-Mart up for auction has no access to city water.

4. Sewer rate increases for 3 years implemented tonight
“The upcoming sewer comprehensive plan will also be touched on, including a planned rate adjustment. what does he say about an annual 5.4% rate increase?”

5. Transportation
“The city will also address transportation within the city, looking at additional through streets, including a connection extending Mosman Avenue”

6. Sidewalks
“Harding said residents may also see smaller projects, such as additional sidewalks, pop up throughout the city this year. Several grant applications are pending.”

Ed. Note:
With new Rep. Wilcox and our State Legislature looking at ways to trim a monstrous budget-deficit, grants are going to be scarce.
Douglass K. Daniel of the AP reports on MSNBC:
“Obama is proposing a 50 percent cut in the $700 million program [Community service block grants, which supports community action organizations in poor communities]…
Community development block grants, which support housing, sewer and street projects and economic development in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The proposed 7.5 percent reduction would reduce its funding by $300 million.”

BOTTOM LINE: MORE WILL BE REVEALED IN WHAT IS NOT SAID.
NOT ON THE AGENDA REPORTED IN THE NEWSPAPER, IS MR. HARDING’S PREVIOUS STATES OF THE CITY WISHES FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER.