Letters To The Editor

Thu., Sept. 30, 1999

Agnew fine candidate

This letter is regarding Tom Agnew, who is running for the position of Sewer commissioner for Liberty Lake Sewer District. I thought your readers would like to know a bit about this fine candidate.

Tom grew up in a large family in Spokane, graduated from Lewis and Clark High, then went off to UW. He graduated in 1972, and then married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie.

They moved several times around the West, settling back in Spokane. Tom and Stephanie moved to Liberty Lake 20 years ago to raise their three daughters.

Tom’s professional experience includes management positions in government, broadcasting, and business.

Ten years ago, he formed Agnew Consulting, which provides quality planning and management services. He also teaches management at Gonzaga University’s Business School. Tom has a long history of community service including Valley Chamber of Commerce, Citizens’ League, Liberty Lake Property Owners’ Association, and the Liberty Lake Sewer District.

I am voting for Tom Agnew, who will be a dedicated and enthusiastic Liberty Lake sewer commissioner. He will work diligently to preserve and protect the excellent quality of life at Liberty Lake. Cathy Ronnestad Liberty Lake

Retain current board for sewer district

Let’s give credit for good work when it is merited.

After 26 years as an operational sewer and water district, Liberty Lake has the finest and most balanced board it has ever had, namely Frank Boyle, Harley Halverson and Bob Gamble.

Bob Gamble is running for reelection.

Bob set up a budget concept to control expenses and plan for the future.

He initiated salary surveys to attract and retain high-quality employees.

He modernized the accounting and computer system.

I believe it behooves us to keep the board as it is and let it continue the good work it has done.

The district has been criticized for not spending more of its funds on lake protection rather than a community center.

The debt-free community center (the Denny Ashlock Building) houses the sewer and water district offices and meeting rooms that serve the total community.

It is used almost every evening. Over 30 different organizations have utilized the center this year.

As to the remarks about the lack of investments in lake protection consider this:

The district protects the lake by paying for leaf cleanup in the fall, for testing of the lake waters by Dr. Bill Funk of Washington State University, for controlling the Eurasian Milfoill.

It is funding the “Outlet Project.”

The district is working with the Corps of Engineers to repair the marsh dike to prevent phosphorus-laden spring runoff.

Vote for Bob Gamble on November 2. Betty Johnson Liberty Lake

Support Tom Agnew

The community of Liberty Lake is growing and changing.

Tom Agnew’s professional experience of quality planning in government, business and community agencies qualifies him as the ideal candidate to help Liberty Lake grow in an intelligent and organized manner.

Tom will assist this community of diverse opinions in making sound decisions. What a perfect time to have this skilled quality planner as our sewer commissioner.

Please join us in supporting Tom Agnew for the office of Liberty Lake Water and Sewer District commissioner. Ron and Beth Cocchiarella Liberty Lake

Agnew for commissioner

The future of Liberty Lake is in danger.

We need to be attentive to understanding, preserving, protecting and nurturing the natural systems which comprise the lake.

Today most of Liberty Lake’s major challenges and remedies have been studied, documented and talked about for over 16 years yet little has been accomplished.

The Liberty Lake Sewer District was formed in 1973 with three elected commissioners for the express purpose of restoring and protecting Liberty Lake.

I’d like you to read the following, then notice the year it was originally printed.

“This irreplaceable resource had once been a beautiful, clean, clear lake heavily used by area fishermen, boaters, swimmers and picnickers. However, the natural eutrophication process of the lake was being speeded up a thousand-fold by man’s activities, and the water was starting to lose its clarity. The surface was covered with slimy blue-green algae and decaying weeds for longer periods of time each year. Fish were stressed and dying from lack of oxygen. If left alone, Liberty Lake would soon become unfishable, unswimmable, and unusable.”

Though the description sounds like our lake today, it was written in 1965.

What have the commissioners been doing?

Is it possible the sewer district’s attention has been diverted to the frenzy created by explosive growth?

One thing is clear: The lake is gasping for attention.

The need is urgent and the need is now.

We need a clear vision for a clean lake.

We need Tom Agnew for commissioner. Chris and Stefanie Wilcox Liberty Lake

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