A big thanks to Black Diamond

The last couple of weeks, I have witnessed several activities that give me hope for the future of Black Diamond, and reminders of the small town feel we enjoy.

I spent a couple of afternoons watching Patricia Moss and Mira Hoke from the Black Diamond Arts Alliance working on the murals on the sewer lift station next to the cemetery. I would like to thank the Black Diamond Cemetery Board and the Black Diamond Arts Alliance for their collaboration on this wonderful project to beautify an eyesore in our city. It was very refreshing to see people stopping by to check on the activity. Everyone that I visited with was thrilled to see the painting happen. While they couldn’t do anything for the odor, I encourage everyone to stop by as pictures don’t do it justice. I hope that the city looks for more opportunities to put a little historic character into our town.

In preparation of Labor Days, I spent a couple of Saturdays hanging out in the bakery and museum, talking with visitors and long time residents. It is very nice to know that the small businesses appreciate the support, and that visitors to the city are excited to hear about what is going on around town. It was also refreshing to hear about long time Labor Day traditions and think about how to incorporate some of them into future events.

Next, I would like to thank the city staff for trying to coordinate the different road projects on Roberts Drive. I know that it has been more difficult due to the delay in getting the projects approved by the council majority, and that has condensed the construction window. I do appreciate the work in sequencing the projects so that you aren’t ripping up newly completed areas to work on the next project, As someone who drives down Roberts Drive towards Auburn each day, I am eagerly awaiting the opening of the new roundabout. The landscaping and design is looking amazing.

Then, I spent three days helping put on one of our oldest traditions Labor Days. This is a wonderful free event organized by a small team of volunteers who worked countless hours over the last six months to secure donations, advertisements, sponsors, booths, entertainment and parade entries. I was at our information booth or walking the booths much of the weekend, and enjoyed talking with the new visitors to the event who were amazed that it was a free event for attendees. When you compare it to Bumbershoot, or the fair, it is great to see that we can keep the free fun in our small town. Thank you to all of the parade entries, I am still looking for school bands or cheer groups to participate. It was wonderful to see community members put together traditional floats, and I encourage neighborhoods to think about that for future years. Those people who tore down booths or left early on Monday sure missed out. Thank you to Sean and Melissa Oglesbee for coordinating the final clean up. It’s always interesting to see who pitches in to clean up after all the fun is done.

I hope that everyone paid attention to the police vehicle leading the parade this year, it is one of the new rigs. Congratulations to the police on finally getting new cars.

Finally, as we move into the budget season, I encourage the full council to work collaboratively with the mayor and city staff to develop the best budget possible for the citizens of Black Diamond. Please listen to the residents and make suggestions during the work sessions, not after all of the public comment is complete.

Leslie Cooley

Black Diamond