With a background as a competitive ski racer, Eric Sawyer was familiar with navigating demanding downhill terrain when he was hired as CEO of the Greater Spokane Sports Association (GSSA) in 1992.
It turned out Sawyer’s latest role would resemble more of an uphill challenge.
His first task was to come up with a long-term funding mechanism for an organization that traced its roots back to the 1950s as a committee with the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. The second was nearly as complex – come up with a replacement venue for the aging Spokane Coliseum. Sawyer did have the advantage of signing on several years after GSSA crafted a business plan to recruit sporting events to the region under the banner of economic impact. The strategy made GSSA the first sports commission of its kind in Washington.
Sawyer hit the ground running, using his networking skills, seeking out funding sources and emphasizing the impact of sports on the local economy. The connection between economic development, thriving facilities and well-received sporting events would be one of the trademarks of Sawyer’s 30-year career that came to a close with his retirement last month.
“I never thought I’d make a career out of it,” Sawyer said.
While he may not be a household name in the Inland Northwest, the high-profile events Sawyer has helped recruit over the years are known by most. The list includes first-and-second rounds of the NCAA Division 1
Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, Ironman Coeur d’Alene, the USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships and the U.S. Figure Skating National Championships among others.
On the facility side, Sawyer was a driving force in the establishment of venues like the Spokane Arena (the eventual successor to the Spokane Coliseum), Plante’s Ferry Park and Sports Complex, Dwight Merkel Sports Complex and The Podium, a multipurpose sports stadium that opened just over a year ago.
“There was already a lot of
momentum for sports here,” Sawyer said. “We just needed to create some structure around it.”
In 1984, Spokane hosted the Olympic trials in cycling with support from title sponsor Washington Trust Bank. That same decade, events like the Goodwill Games and Centennial Games made stops in the Inland Northwest. Yet it wasn’t until Sawyer’s tenure that large-scale events began rolling into Spokane with increased consistency.
“Eric was like boots on the ground for sports,” said former
Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson. “He helped create a cash machine of tourism with the events he brought in. He was always in the background, making something happen. Just a great guy. The community will miss him.”
A native of Eugene, Oregon, Sawyer grew up in a family that made sports and outdoor recreation a priority. His grandfather was a former quarterback at the University of Oregon and Sawyer grew up rooting for the Ducks in his own backyard. Baseball, golf, basketball, cross country and skiing were among the organized sports he participated in during his youth.
He was good enough at golf to earn a scholarship to Portland State. After graduating from Medford High in 1976, Sawyer took off to Colorado where he spent two years as a ski racer. When he returned to his studies, his dad – a lawyer – encouraged him to pursue law but Sawyer decided on a major in economics and a minor in political science, eventually graduating from Southern Oregon University.
Sawyer credits his wife Cindy, a fellow skier, for giving him career direction. The couple –who are proud parents of a grown daughter, Sarah – moved to Spokane in 1991 after considering a number of communities with robust options for skiing. Neither had any connections when they arrived. Cindy latched on quickly with Washington Trust Bank before becoming an elementary school teacher. Sawyer worked in sales before finding out about the GSSA opening.
“If you ask me what I do, for the most part I’m a salesperson,” he said. “At first with GSSA, I was selling Spokane but later it wasn’t so much about selling the community as it was about selling us. This is what we can do for you.”
In 1994, GSSA spun off from the Spokane Chamber, consolidating all operations into a 501c3 nonprofit that had been established five years earlier. In 1996, Sawyer’s group
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landed an affiliation agreement with the Spokane Convention and Visitors Bureau, a partnership that brought administrative support, office space and pass-through funding from an established lodging tax. That same year, GSSA secured another financial victory – funding from a 1-percent tax on rental cars for amateur sports.
“It didn’t take long for the community to realize that sports can do a lot for the market,” Sawyer said. “Rental car companies understood that it was going to improve business if we brought more people here for events, so they supported the tax.”
Sawyer experienced a landmark year in 1997 when GSSA rebranded as the Spokane Regional Sports Commission (SRSC) and reduced its board of directors from 40 to 15 while making a new commitment to the pursuit of public funding. The year also marked the opening of the Spokane Arena which hosted the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Volleyball Championships, setting a new attendance record.
Meanwhile, in Spokane Valley, Sawyer was working with Spokane County and private funders on an ambitious project that would eventually become Plante’s Ferry Park and Sports Complex. Subsequent support from the State of Washington and, later, the city of Spokane Valley would be keys to completing the final phase of the site.
“I really love facility development,” said Sawyer, who still works in a consulting role on projects like bringing an ice-skating venue to Spokane Valley. “When I started, there was really no manual on how to do this. I just tried to create a vision.”
In 2020, the Sports Events and Tourism Association named Spokane Sports the National Sports Commission of the Year.
As for his early impressions of retirement, Sawyer says “it’s just plain weird.” He is looking forward to cycling, family time and fly fishing expeditions to places like Iceland and New Zealand while embracing winter on the ski slopes.
The Current caught up with Sawyer recently for a look back on
three decades as orchestrator of the region’s sporting ensemble.
Q: Whether it was skiing, golf, baseball or other sports, it’s clear you were not sedentary as a kid. Along with all the fun of participating in athletics and outdoor activities, what do you think those experiences taught you that carried over into your professional career?
A: Anybody who’s played sports, especially a team sport, knows the meaning of teamwork. The success I had in my career was all about bringing together our community with a common goal to use sports as an economic development driver. Spokane Sports could not meet its mission alone. We’ve needed numerous public and private organizations working as a team to not only attract events, but successfully host events. When an athlete and their fans are in town, their experience is reflected by the contacts from hotels, restaurants, facility management, etc. and of course, the event management team.
Q: When you were hired to lead the Greater Spokane Sports Association in October of 1992, what were your expectations of the role and take on the mission of the organization?
A: My only expectation was to figure out how to get events to come to Spokane. I had no playbook. The sports development industry was in its infancy, so it was simple trial-and-error in the beginning. Our funding was going to sunset, so I needed to first prove that hosting events had a benefit in the community. I figured funding would follow, which it did.
Q: One of your first tasks at GSSA was anything but an easy lift - replacing the iconic Spokane Coliseum with a modern arena. What do you remember about that process?
A: The Arena had a successful tenant with the Spokane Chiefs, but that only accounted for about 40 event days. My job was to prove the Arena could host additional sporting events. For example, I campaigned to have seating capacity be able to qualify to host the NCAA Basketball Tournament, which was an obvious and desirable event for Spokane. Other design elements where important as well, so I played a role in helping the
design team understand the needs of events outside of just hockey.
Q: How did the addition of the Spokane Arena change how this region was seen as a destination point?
A: In many ways, the Arena set in motion Spokane’s place in the sports development industry. To develop a community brand around hosting events, you must build a resume of success. The Arena proved Spokane could be a player in the national scene. In 1997, the Arena hosted to NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships and set an attendance record. The NCAA took notice and we started our successful run in hosting the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The NCAA success resonated with other governing bodies of sports, and they recognize Spokane as a viable destination.
Q: The HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, under the leadership of Phil Champlin and an engaged board, is recognized as a popular venue and destination site for a variety of events. How has the emergence of this facility enhanced the region’s profile as a sports draw?
A: The HUB has really emerged as a quality regional center for sports. Phil has done a great job finding a niche for the venue not only in the Valley but the region. With its expansion into field sports soon, it will provide more impact.
Q: Most residents of the Valley are familiar with Plante’s Ferry Park and Sports Complex. What prompted the discussion to create that site in the late 1990s?
A: At that time, Gib Brumback, was a soccer dad and Valley businessman. He recognized the community desperately needed more fields. As a developer, he had a great vision, the contacts and understood what it would require building Plante’s Ferry from a construction perspective. I helped Gib understand the big picture of hosting events and its impact in the community. We worked together to navigate the public and private challenges in its development.
Q: You spent time in sales before joining GSSA in 1992. We know that field can be competitive. You were also a ski racer and a competitive golfer. How did that background benefit
you in areas like recruiting events, securing public funding and being part of pretty ambitious facility development projects?
A: Like most who played sports, I’m competitive by nature. Cities across the country have come to realize the benefits associated with attracting events, so it’s a very competitive environment and it helps if you don’t like to lose. But we do, and like sports, you learn from your losses. It’s helped that I not only was an athlete, but a coach – the ability to motivate has served me well. In the end, my passion for all sports was what kept me in the game for 30 years.
Q: What were the top three favorite events that you were part of during your tenure?
A: There are so many that it’s hard to choose. Again, the NCAA Women’s Volleyball because of what it started for our community. USA Cycling National Championships because I’ve been an avid cyclist and it was fun to be around the country’s best. And without question, the USA Track & Field Indoor National Championships this past February in The Podium. The facility had just opened, and it proved adding an indoor track to the project was a pretty good idea.
Q: Your successor, Ashley Blake, served as vice president of Spokane Sports during your final few years there. What will she bring to the table as only the second leader in the history of this organization?
A: Ashley started as an intern over 11 years ago. She has been involved in every aspect of the organization and, in many ways, been a part of its growth. She had developed tremendous contacts in the industry and is well known by its leadership. She knows our community and the important role Spokane Sports plays in economic development. The transition couldn’t be easier, and knowing her the way I do, Spokane Sports 2.0 will be great.
Q: Finally, as you transition into retirement you will go from event ambassador and sports promoter to simply being a fan. Any thoughts on that adjustment?
A: I get to now sit in the stands, enjoy the event and not worry about what’s going on behind the scenes.
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The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources.
Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 4562233, if not in progress, to report a crime.
During the winter months, always wear plenty of layers of clothing. At least three layers of loose-fitting clothing is a smart rule to follow in most circumstances. Includes things like insulated gloves and waterproof boots, as well as anything else that’s specific to your outdoor experience.
Staying dry is of the utmost importance when the air temperature is below freezing because exposure to moisture in cold weather can lead to the development of frostbite. Always pack an extra set of clothes (and keep it in dry place) so you always have something dry to change into if needed.
Even though drinking water might be the last thing on your mind when you’re shivering, hydrating is just as important in cold weather as it is in hot weather. You won’t stop sweating just because there’s snow on the ground. Hard work leads to perspiration even in winter, which is why it’s essential you have water access no matter the time of year.
Nothing will reheat you faster than hot drinks, which is why keeping warm beverages on hand is our next cold weather safety tip prolonged time outdoors.
Because working in cold weather comes with additional risks, it’s always a good idea to tell somewhere where you are going and what you will be doing. Working in a team will enable you to keep an eye on your buddy and vice versa in case either of you exhibits signs of cold weather stress.
Our next cold weather safety tip is to take frequent breaks so you stay warm on outdoor jobs during cold weather. You should take breaks in warm, dry spaces so you’re actually able to reheat and recuperate before having to head back out. The lower the temperatures
are outside, the more frequent the breaks will need to be.
To get your vehicle ready for the snow, slush, and high wind speeds of winter weather, check out your tires, batteries, engines, and fluid levels beforehand. Additionally, pack a cold weather safety kit and thick blanket in the trunk in case of accidents or emergencies.
Your cold weather safety kit for outdoor workers should always include the following:
Flashlight, Battery-powered weather radio, Extra food and water, Medicine, First-aid supplies, Emergency heating source (like a space heater), Blankets and sleeping bags, Shovel, Knife, Tool kit, Booster cables, Compass and road maps, Thermometer
Our final cold weather safety tip for being outside is a crucial one that could save your life. Knowing the symptoms of cold stress will make it easier to identify when you or someone else is experiencing frostbite or hypothermia.
Hypothermia is a condition that causes the body to lose heat faster than it’s produced. It’s caused by extended exposure to cold temperatures.
The symptoms include:
Shivering, Exhaustion, Confusion, Fumbling hands, Memory loss, Slurred speech, Drowsiness
If you or a teammate is experiencing any of these symptoms, follow this advice: Move to a warm place and use a thermometer to take your body temperature immediately. If it’s below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical attention.
Frostbite is an injury that’s caused by skin exposure to cold temperatures, and it results in the loss of feeling and color in the affected areas.
Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
A white or grayish-yellow skin area, Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, Numbness
Because frostbite causes numbing, you might not realize you’re affected until someone else points it out. Take breaks to perform regular frostbite check-ups to avoid any emergencies. And if you do notice frostbite on you or someone else, seek immediate medical attention.
The City of Spokane Valley contracts for Law Enforcement Services with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The current contract which was adopted by the City Council back in July of 2017 for the 5-year period January 2018 through Dec 31st, 2022. Based upon input from the City Council and Spokane County Sheriffs office the contract was approved with amendments which included: more detailed reporting around unfilled positions, position changes, and joint planning; inclusion of the civilian positions such as SCOPE; and more detailed reporting on assets to better identify assets already paid for by the City to prevent duplication of charges. The new contract will be effective January 1st 2023 through Dec 31st, 2027 and has an annual budget of $27,151,157
The City Council debated and adopted some changes to their rules and procedures (referred to as their Governance Manual). The changes include: consolidation of the general public comment periods to one per meeting from the two during formal meetings, addition of a general public comment period during the study session meetings so that all meetings will now have an opportunity for the general public to comment; updates to the remote participation section to allow more than one council member to participate remotely; and changes to the expense reimbursement and travel policies to change mileage reimbursement from a per trip report to a monthly stiped with City Council members getting $25 and the Mayor receiving $50 per month for their local travel within 15 miles of City Hall.
The City Council adopted their 2023 Federal Legislative Agenda
which includes advocacy for projects such as the Sprague
The Sprague Avenue Stormwater Project - University Road to Herald Road will install stormwater treatment facilities to reduce the volume of pollutants that enter groundwater and the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Sole Source Aquifer. The project will also install a crosswalk between City Hall and an STA bus stop at the new Library and Balfour Park. The design assumes that Sprague Avenue will be reduced to three lanes between Herald and University.
A pilot was performed in October and a survey was available for the community to provide their feedback.
There were 296 responses gathered from the online survey. The survey results identify 32% of respondents in support of the project configuration and 63% of respondents opposed to the project configuration. The primary reasons for opposing the project were concerns about congestion and perceived wasteful spending. The primary reasons for supporting the project were speed reduction and improved safety.
The findings of the data collection during the pilot project indicate that the traffic volumes on Sprague Avenue were not impeded by the 3-lane configuration. The increase in average speed and only slight reduction in 85th percentile speed illustrate that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate traffic volumes with only 3 lanes. Additionally, the reduction in excessive speeding (vehicles traveling over 50 mph) was reduced by 33 percent. Further, the fact that drivers did not decrease speeds with fewer travel lanes further strengthens the need to provide a crosswalk with as few lanes as necessary to reduce pedestrian exposure to traffic.
The pilot study installed tubular markers that blocked two of the southern lanes of Sprague. This configuration made access from the south side difficult to gauge gaps on Sprague as it increased the offset to the traveled lanes. This is not anticipated to occur with the
project as the 3-lane project would eliminate the north and south lanes using curb, resulting in better sight distance.
While the City Council noted that they didn’t want to go against the public survey it was felt that the project had merits and that some of the concerns raised could be mitigated in the project if done more fully. The motion to move the project forward was approved with Councilmember Padden opposed.
Spokane County has allocated $5 million towards improvements at Plantes Ferry and asked the Spokane Valley for a partnership in the development of the Master Plan for the park. The City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Spokane County to share the costs for the creation of a Master Development Plan for Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex where the city will contribute approximately $50,000.
The City of Millwood contracts for permitting services such as building plan review and currently has a contract with Spokane County to provide those services but Mayor Freeman has reached out to Spokane Valley to inquire if Spokane Valley had the capacity and willingness to provide these services for Millwood. Staff determined the City could provide those services to Millwood without any reduction in level of service for City customers, and without material impact on our workload due to the low frequency with which the services would be needed by Millwood.
The contract with Millwood is expected to be revenue neutral as the fees were set at an amount to recover actual costs. The Spokane Valley City Council approved the agreement.
Based upon the recommendation from the Lodging Tax Advisory Council (a council made up of two hoteliers, two recipents of the funds, and one city council member) the City Council allocated the Lodging Tax funds to: All Wheels Swap Meet – up to $4,800; CNC Productions–up to $7,500; Cody Productions – up to $6,500; Family Guide –up to $7,000; Filipino-American Northwest Association – up to
$9,000; Hatch Advertising – up to $17,002; HUB Sports Center – up to $55,000; JAKT - Crave! – up to $35,000; JAKT - Farmer's Market –up to $11,000; Northwest Winterfest – up to $33,000; Spokane Co Fair and Expo Center– up to $73,000; Speed and Custom Productions LLC – up to $8,000; Spokane Valley Summer Theatre – up to $24,000; Valleyfest – up to $14,800; Valleyfest Cycle Celebration – up to $4,100; Lodging Tax Capital Facilities Fund -- $515,198; and Spokane County for the Avista Stadium Project$2,000,000.
While it is always subject to change the Spokane Valley City Council is tentatively planning on discussing or voting on the following topics during the month of January
Jan 3rd, action on appointments to the Tourism Promotion Area Commission, reports on Spokane County Conservation District Drainage Easement, Master Speed Limit Amendments, Interlocal Agreement for Data Processing Services, Homelessness Update, and an Annexation Update.
Jan 10th, action on amendments to the Master Speed Limit Schedule, the Spokane County Conservation District Easement, GIS Interlocal Agreement, Appointments of Councilmembers to Committees, Appointments of Planning Commissioners, Appointments to the Lodging Tax Advisory Council, and reports on a Street Vacation at 16th and University, Credit Card Account, Memorandum of Understanding on Legal Services, and the Graffiti Abatement Program.
Jan 17th, First reading on the Proposed Street Vacation at 16th and University, Credit Card Account. Reports on Closed City Property, American Rescue Plan Allocations, and the Spokane Valley Police Department Update.
Jan 24th, Final action on Street Vacation at 16th and University, Credit Card Account, City Hall Remediation Award, and Balfour Park Bid Award. First Reading of Closed City Property. Reports on Solid Waste Management Plan Update, Code Text Amendments on SVMC 19.30, and the Fire Department Monthly Report.
2022 has been quite the year. Looking back to last January we were still mostly closed down, travel restricted, and businesses / families trying to survive. 2022 was a year of adaptation as our community adapted to the pandemic and found ways to support each other as we got businesses reopened again and people connected together. We have all grown and changed over the year. Businesses have had to adapt to the change in the workforce and change the way they do business in order to attract talent and employees. We were all forced to figure out remote work and it is having long lasting changes for both companies and communities. Housing and the realestate market continues its difficulty going from small housing inventory to now rising inflation, costs, and interest rates. Familys have had to adapt to each of these and keep up with the increased costs of items at the store and not to mention crazy weather from golf ball sized hail to super cold and mother nature who changed her mind and gave us a warm streak to quickly melt. Its hard to believe all that we have experienced in 2022 and what might be ahead for 2023. While none of us have crystal balls, we have reached out to a number of community members and leaders to see what they forsee in 2023 to help us all set our goals as we welcome in the new year!
I am confident we will build on that foundation in 2023. This year I will be navigating a new form of government at Spokane County with 5 Commissioners. I look forward to representing Spokane County at the State and National level as President of the Washington State Association of Counties. For 2023, I want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!
of the calendar.
Cheers to you and our New Year.
determine future renovations and a bond proposal. It takes a team willing to communicate creatively, invest in education and engage in current issues to determine how to mold students into lifelong learners. As we look forward to 2023, we remain focused on providing a safe caring culture, engaging with the community, and embracing success for all. The partnerships we have with our community make us all stronger and poised to launch exemplary citizens into the world.
My word that will guide me this year is Optimistic. We accomplished a lot of good things in 2022, including passing a balanced budget without raising property taxes, and
The New Year is celebrated much like that of a birthday. At face value, we hold these special days dear as they mark a moment, a turning of a page, a fresh start. I would venture to guess that most of us don't feel any differently the day after our birthday than we did the day before it. Similarly, we lavish over New Year's Day with resolutions, new found inspirations, and/or the belief that things will be different merely because a date changed on the calendar.
The truth is that the dawn of each day is new and flush with opportunities. We ought not wait for that far off date on the calendar to make necessary improvements in our lives or the lives of those we care about. The older I get, the more I realize the gift that is today. In concert with that ideology, I also recognize that it is not the day's events that define the quality of it, but rather the way in which I conducted myself…how did I impact or make others feel during this gift that is today?
As we near the end of this year, I am grateful for the experiences that accompanied it. I look forward to embracing the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities that will assuredly come with 2023. Ultimately, I know it is me who defines the quality of the day, week, month, and year… not the numbers that mark the page
I am actually really optimistic about what lies ahead in 2023, but I'm not sure that optimism is going to exist everywhere in our business community. I think there are a number of lingering financial stressors like inflation and supply chain that I really hope we can move past and eliminate from our vocabularies this year, but overall I really think that the Inland Northwest is going to see a lot of success stories and levels of collaboration that maybe haven't existed in quite some time. 2023 is going to be a challenging year for sure, but filled with a lot of meaningful opportunities.
2023 will continue to be challenging time for the healthcare industry with staffing being its biggest challenge. MultiCare Valley Hospital along with its partner MultiCare Deaconess Hospital and Rockwood Clinic will continue to endeavor to meet the needs of our growing community. If I have learned one thing over the past three years is that we need to be flexible as we can’t predict when the next highly contagious virus will strike. Our hospital will continue to improve and add services, focused on high quality humane care for our patients. In the end, I remain hopeful that 2023 will be a great year for our hospital and our community.
West Valley School District is proud to offer a variety of unique pathways to accommodate the needs of every student, every staff member, and every family. But this could not happen without the support of our community partners. We currently have a committee made up of parents, staff and community members working together to review our facilities and
As a newly elected state legislator representing the 4th District, I am getting ready to head to Olympia for the first in person legislative session since before COVID. It is a good thing for our state and the citizens of our state that lawmakers are meeting in person in our Capitol again. I believe with face-to-face committee meetings and hearings we will do better job of working together for the common good.
One of my top priorities for 2023 is to stay in touch with the folks in my district while we are in session. I plan to maintain open and frequent communication, so folks are aware of new legislation as it is moving through the process. If they are kept informed during the legislative process, they will have the opportunity to voice their opinion one way or another. I want their voices to be heard.
I received my committee assignments last week and I feel very fortunate to have been assigned to the Transportation Committee, the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee and Postsecondary and Workforce Development. The experience, knowledge, and connections I acquired during my professional career has prepared me to hit the ground running. The need for a trained and qualified workforce is essential for economic growth and development in the Greater Spokane Valley. The workforce will play a big role in building affordable, single family and middle level housing.
The Greater Spokane Valley is an awesome place live play and work. I am excited for the future and to see what we can accomplish in 2023.
yet! With a positive mindset, a commitment to serving others, and a focus on helping as many people as possible, 2023 will be a year we can all be proud of. I encourage each of you to join me in staying positive, serving others, and helping as many people as possible. Your true worth is determined by how much value you give to others.
2022 is a Wrap
As we close out 2022, I would like this opportunity to reflect on what was a very challenging year. There were a lot of changes, including a new fire chief, new deputy chiefs, a Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) reclassification, Covid and vaccination mandates, successful finance audits, increased call volume, new physical program, retirements, promotions, new employees, and a levy lid lift. However, nothing was more challenging to the Spokane Valley Fire Department nor our community than the death of an employee. In 1987, Mike Tyson, while discussing the strategy of his upcoming fight with Tyrell Biggs, stated, “Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time.” We got hit twice, and the impact went well beyond our department.
14, 2023, ballot. We have come to that time where we need to replace our expiring M&O Levy (4-year term expires at the end of 2023). The M&O Levy is needed to continue to deliver the services we are currently providing. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD – VOTE, VOTE, VOTE. This vote requires a super-majority (60%) to pass AND it requires at least 40% of the people that voted at the November 8, 2022 General Election to show up to vote in order for it to pass (there is a formula if it is less than the 40%).
What happens if the M&O Levy doesn’t pass?
• Layoffs – 66 positions (58 FFs and 8 civilians) eliminated – these numbers are just for 2024, more layoffs will occur for 2025, 2026, etc. if the M&O Levy Vote does not pass at all.
Cal Coblentz, CEO of Spokane Valley Partners
Hello beautiful new year! Like a new morning, I love the fresh start January provides. I’m ahorse in the gate, eternally optimistic; so, I’m excited about the possibilities in 2023. But the past few years, many of us have had our peace, happiness, and security shaken. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s to be prepared. Therefore, I’m cautiously optimistic. This is a good time to simplify our lifestyles, buy a few extra supplies, maybe some bulk shelf stable food. It’s also a good time to review how we give. A prudent giving strategy includes local churches and local nonprofits, the ones who are helping your neighbors. 2023 is a year to be optimistic, prepared, and strategically generous. Happy New Year!
In 650 B.C., Greek poet Archilochus was credited with saying, “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.” No one ever trains for the deaths of loved employees; nonetheless, our community, our state, and our fire department rose to the occasion. We must not forget them or their Service, nor the many SVFD retirees we lost this year, including our beloved Arson Dog, Mako.
As we move into 2023
We are proud to announce the 2023 budget was approved by the Board of Commissioners and includes several improvements in the areas of personnel, operations, fleet, and facilities. Additionally, we would like to thank everyone’s hard work and community support for our successful Levy Lid Lift Vote, thus ensuring the Spokane Valley Fire Department is on a more solvent path in the future.
In 2023, the Spokane Valley Fire Department will bring on 32 new Firefighters, five administrative support positions, new Engine 8, complete the Maintenance Facility, complete the Phoenix G2 dispatching system in the stations, order more Apparatus and staff units, stand-up more Advanced Life Support (ALS) stations, and start building a new Training Facility and Tower (completion in 2024).
• Station Closures – Stations 4, 5, and 9 will close.
• Reduction in ALS Services –Advanced Life Support (ALS) will be reduced due to cost and staffing.
• No Auto Aid – Cannot provide or receive Auto Aid.
• Reduced Availability – With only less FFs on duty each day, and increased call volume, availability will be limited for other emergent and non-emergent 911 calls.
• Higher Insurance Costs –WSRB Class 2 rating will rise to a 4/5, resulting in higher fire insurance premiums for homeowners & businesses (expect a 5% to 10% annual increase per each percent point raised).
• We will bring the M&O Levy Vote before the voters again in 2023 (August and November).
That’s just a few of the highlights and needed information as we head into 2023. I am proud and honored to serve as our community’s Fire Chief!
¡Vaya con Dios!
Note from the Publisher, Ben Wick: 2022 has been a remarkable year. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season filled with relaxation and time with family.
2023 is going to be our best year
There will be a lot of other things going on in 2023, but perhaps none more important right now than our Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Levy Vote on the February
As we look toward the new year and come up with new ideas on how to connect and serve our community, the Greater Spokane Valley Area, we want to hear from you! Please email me at publisher@valleycurrent.com any ideas you have for us.
We wish you a fantastic year!
You could say Cailin Donaghy has taken flight at West Valley High School. The senior maintains a 3.8 grade point average and is part of National Honor Society where she contributes to a variety of community service and volunteer projects. She has competed for Eagle Nation in volleyball, tennis and basketball where she is a starter and one of the team’s top rebounders and defenders this season. The senior has taken AP classes in subjects like English and Biology. Last year, Donaghy served as junior class treasurer and was a member of the Multi-Cultural Club. She is currently part of the Leadership program. She also works part-time at the Valley YMCA. Donaghy has also participated in the youth cadet program of the Civil Air Patrol, the official nonprofit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, where she has studied aerospace education.
West Valley fans knew Rosko Schroder was something special two years ago when he hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer as a sophomore to defeat rival East Valley by one point. Later that season, Schroder scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers, in a playoff win over Clarkston. Now a senior, Schroder is pacing a talented Eagles’ squad as a high-scoring off-guard. He had 15 points in a seasoning opening win against Sandpoint, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. He tallied a season-high 17 in a victory over Lakeside. Schroder is also part of the Hooptown Elite AAU squad. He has competed in track and field since his freshman year and won districts in the javelin last season with a toss of 148 feet. He placed third in the discus with a throw of 128 feet. Schroder maintains a 3.81 grade point average.
Linda Thompson’s distinguished career as catalyst in substance abuse prevention honors the memory of her 4-year-old son Trevor who was killed by a drunk driver. In 1992, she began volunteering with the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC) and a year later, she was named executive director. She recently completed her 29th year. Thompson also helped start the Washington Association for Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention. The GSSAC DUI Victims Panel has educated 120,000 people about the dangers of driving under the influence. Thompson served on the Spokane Valley City Council from 2018 through 2021 and was chair of the Association of Washington Cities Large Cities Committee and part of the Equity Committee. She was also a member of the National League of Cities Public Safety Committee. Thompson is the proud mom of two grown children and has four grandchildren.
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By Nina Culver Current contributor
Spokane Valley is sending two new legislators to the Washington House of Representatives when the new legislative session starts in January and both are eager to get to work on issues they believe will benefit their constituents.
Republican Leonard Christian was elected to fill House Position 2 in Legislative District 4. Though he’s newly elected, this will not be his first time in Olympia. Christian was appointed to a seat in the Washington State Legislature in 2014 to fill the remainder of Larry Crouse’s term, but lost to Bob McCaslin Jr. in his attempt to keep the seat later that year.
Republican Susanne Schmidt was elected to fill House Position 1 in Legislative District 4. A newcomer to politics, Schmidt retired from her job as CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter in order to run for office.
The two legislators have been meeting regularly and plan to work together in Olympia. “I think working together as a team, especially since she’s on different committees, will make us more effective,” Christian said.
“I’m excited that he and I are going to be seatmates and work together,” Schmidt said.
Christian said that as a longtime Realtor he was hoping to be picked for the House’s housing committee, but he was selected to serve on other committees instead. He will be serving on the Capital Budget Committee, the Innovation, Community and Economic Development and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Government and Tribal Relations Committee.
He is retired from the Air Force and Christian said he’s looking forward to serving on the Innovation and Veterans Affairs Committee. “I’m probably most excited about that,” he said.
Schmidt said she will be serving on the Transportation Committee, the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee and the Postsecondary and Workforce Development Committee. “They’re right in my wheelhouse,” she said.
She said she’s looking forward
to working on the Workforce Development Committee in particular. “Every industry has a workforce shortage,” she said. “Every industry has barriers to their career pathways,” she said.
Her role on the Transportation Committee will also be important, Schmidt said. “I want to make sure the east side of the state gets their fair share of the transportation budget and that the projects we have over here that need to be completed are completed,” she said.
Since Christian has spent time in Olympia before, he said he’s not so enthusiastic that he thinks he can make sweeping changes. “My expectations are curtailed by the fact that I was there,” he said. “I know what the committees are like. I think I’ll be more effective.”
He’s already identified several issues he’d like to work on and said he plans to sign on as a co-sponsor to House Bill 1052, which would address changes that were made to police pursuits in recent legislation. The changes required that police have probable cause in order to chase a suspect and Christian said it takes time to build a case for probable cause that police don’t have in the moment. The bill would require that police have “reasonable suspicion” that a crime has been committed in order to initiate a pursuit, he said.
Christian said he’d like to work on other community safety issues as well, including having school resource officers in middle schools and high schools. But Christian said he plans to be careful that things he supports are paid for by the state. “I’m just not prepared to do unfunded mandates on counties,” he said.
He said he knows the importance of building a coalition and relationships with his fellow legislators in order to get things done. “I see a lot of legislators who try to do too much too fast and are ineffective,” he said.
Schmidt said she’s prepared to support House Bill 1052 as well, as well as others that will improve public safety. She said she’s already signed on to co-sponsor House Bill 1011 to repeal the long-term care act and House Bill 1013 to establish regional apprenticeship programs.
One issue she’s passionate about was created by legislation passed in 2018 and set to take effect in 2023 that will require anyone who wants to take the state’s test for O1 electrician to first complete a state-approved apprenticeship program. However, that requirement ignores people who attend North Idaho College and want to take the test in Washington, Schmidt said.
Schmidt said she’s also heard from businesses who want to recruit electricians from other states, professionals with sometimes decades of experience, who cannot get licensed in Washington State because they haven’t completed an approved apprenticeship program in Washington. The rule doesn’t make sense, particularly in a state that needs to build new homes, Schmidt said.
“We have a housing crisis,” Schmidt said. “How are we going to build them?”
Schmidt said she would like the new rule delayed and studied so that changes can be made. “I’m really going to dig into it,” she said. “In the end, we really truly all want the same thing. We want a trained and skilled workforce.”
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By Nina Culver Current contributor
The Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council celebrated it’s 40th anniversary earlier in this month in part by handing out some of the “Drugs Are Garbage” pins from the organization’s first community campaign in 1983.
Boxes containing thousands of the small pins were found in a warehouse several years ago and set aside for the anniversary celebration of the non-profit organization dedicated to prevention of drug and alcohol misuse and violence.
Executive director Linda Thompson has led the organization for 30 of those years. The organization has had its ups and downs over the years, mostly because of funding coming and going. “We lost our funding and our office the day before I started,” Thompson said.
But she was determined to make the organization successful because of her personal experience. In August 1986 her two young children were visiting their grandparents in La Center, Washington. It was parade day in La Center and the kids were going to be in it. Her daughter Katee, age 6, was riding a horse on the wide shoulders of the highway into town, following behind her grandfather and brother Trevor, who was nearly 4, in a pony-drawn wagon.
A drunk driver, who witnesses said had swerved in and out of the ditch several times, hit the group, killing another girl on a threewheeled tricycle and Trevor. The man had been out drinking all night and had stopped to pick up some beer on his way home that morning. “We were told he had 17 prior DUI convictions,” Thompson said.
In court the man was sentenced to only 27 months in prison and was expected to only serve 13 months of that sentence. Thompson said many people wondered why she wasn’t angry at the man, angry at
the system that had allowed him to be free. She said she had no room for anger in her grief. “I wasn’t going to let him take any more from me,” she said. “I’ve just been an advocate for treatment and recovery.”
Thompson started sharing her story during DUI victim panels. She was approached about running a victim panel through GSSAC in 1992 and ran it for a year before applying for the position of executive director. Thompson said she had tried to return to her banking career after her son’s death, but she felt pulled to work in public service so similar crashes could be prevented in the future.
The DUI victim panel is still going, with participants referred to the program by Spokane County District Court or Spokane Municipal Court. There people who have been impacted by drunk driving have the chance to talk to offenders about their experiences.
For a while GSSAC also had a 24-hour DUI Jail Alternative Program that allowed DUI offenders to complete court ordered requirements while avoiding any time in jail. The program included
alcohol and drug information school, an overview of addiction and recovery and a DUI victims panel presentation. Thompson said the program, which requires a referral from a court, is not currently active.
Thompson, however, said participants in the Jail Alternative Program had a significantly lower rate of recidivism than those who did not participate in it. The point of the program was to educate participants, not shame or punish them, Thompson said.
“It was an incredible program,” she said. “I would love to be able to get back to the 24 hour program.”
Many of the programs run by GSSAC over the years have depended on grant money for funding. One of those programs was Washington Drug Free Youth, which had 25 chapters in Spokane County before the funding went away. Thompson said she’d like to have the program or something like it back. “We have got to start working with our youth again,” she said.
GSSAC also had one of the first Drug Free Community grants, receiving $1 million for programs
over 10 years. There have also been projects devoted to preventing gun violence and gangs. “We’ve just done all this stuff,” Thompson said.
The organization currently has grant funding for the Community Law Enforcement Partnership Project and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Prevention Education Program.
GSSAC now has two-part time employees to help with its grant funded projects, down from a high of 13 employees several years ago. “The funding ebbs and flows and that’s been the hardest thing,” Thompson said. “COVID has had a huge impact, as it has on everybody. During COVID I was here by myself for quite a few months.”
As GSSAC moves forward into the future, legislation, public policy and funding all have to come together so the prevention and education programs can continue, Thompson said.
“We’ve got to come together as a community,” she said. “The future I see is a lot of listening, a lot of looking for opportunities and a lot of working together to see what we can do.”
By Craig Howard Current Contributing Editor
The road to a second consecutive state slowpitch softball title appeared well-paved for the University Titans this fall.
The squad churned through the Greater Spokane League regular season without a loss and entered the district tournament as the favorite to collect the trophy and advance to the 2A/3A state bracket. That is, until the first playoff matchup when Mt. Spokane plated nine runs in the first inning en route to a 15-12 upset. The Titans now faced a loser-out scenario for the remainder of district play.
The early post-season defeat did little to disrupt the confidence of the defending state champs, according to fourth-year head coach Matt Connor.
“They never panicked,” he said. “This team has never backed down to anyone.”
The Titans passed the character check with a 13-3 win over Hermiston and a hard-fought 15-13 victory against Ridgeline to move onto the eight-team state tournament at Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima. There, they routed Juanita 23-1 in the first round, setting up a rematch with Mt. Spokane in the semifinal. This time, U-Hi emerged victorious, 4-3, to advance to the final against Mead.
Against the Panthers, the signature Titans’ defense sparkled while bats delivered in the clutch. The 10-1 victory secured a repeat crown for the state’s premier slowpitch program.
“We had a group that focused on what our goals were as a team,” Connor said. “We talked at the start of the season how we wanted to win the last game of the year.”
The champs were led by a
quintet of GSL first team selections, including MVP Maliyah Mann who played first base and hit .700 with a .779 on-base percentage.), Catcher Jordan Bailey (.429 batting average), Natalie Singer, second base, (.532), designated hitter Tayla Eliason (.542) and outfielder Kaidyn Howard (.625) rounded out U-Hi’s first teamers. Pitcher Autumn Hibbs (.500 batting average), shortstop Abby Watkins (.622) and Katie Travis, third base, (.468) were second-team picks while Averie Hurley (.420) earned honorable mention.
University returns their entire infield and catcher Bailey – all juniors this season – for a run at a third straight state title in 2023.
Central Valley, which placed fourth in the GSL regular season, found its stride in the playoffs and finished runner-up to Chiwana in the 4A bracket after upsetting No. 2 seed Moses Lake and No. 3 Union.
Hofstee churns to 2A championship
East Valley junior Logan Hofstee knew that this season’s 2A girls’ cross country title would likely come down to the homestretch clash with last year’s champ Jessica Frydenlund of Anacortes.
Frydenlund left Pasco in 2021 with
the first-place medal, completing the 5K (3.1-mile) course in 17 minutes, 58 seconds. Hofstee was runner-up, finishing 20 seconds off the pace.
“I knew if I made it to state, Jessica was going to be there,” Hofstee said. “I also knew there was a chance I could win.”
At the 2-mile mark on the winding path at Sun Willows Golf Course on Nov. 5, Hofstee pulled in front of the defending champ and never looked back. Her time of 18 minutes flat was 23 seconds ahead of Frydenlund, a senior.
“It took awhile to set in,” Hofstee said of the victory. “I was definitely surprised by the margin. I just didn’t realize how much winning would mean, not just for me but for my school, my coaches, my family, my teammates. I was just ecstatic.”
Hofstee cruised through the Greater Spokane League season without losing a race. She points to “improvement with each race and each workout” as the key to earning her first state title.
“I came in a lot stronger this season, just tougher mentally and physically,” she said.
Hofstee followed up state with a second-place ribbon at the Nike
Cross Regionals in Boise, featuring some of the best prep runners from the Northwest. She placed 38th at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland.
After considering schools like Northern Arizona and Utah, Hofstee said she will continue her running and academic pursuits at Gonzaga. She plans to sign in the fall of her senior year at EV.
“At the end of the day, Gonzaga just felt like home,” she said.
Other Valley cross country runners who excelled at state included: (1A/2A boys): Valley Christian sophomore Micah Bilbruck – (18:01); Valley Christian freshman Wesley Hendrickson – 28th (18:05); (1A boys): Freeman junior Barrett Poulsen – fourth (16:37); (1A girls): Freeman senior Lily Jones – 11th (19:59); (2A boys): West Valley junior Tony Belko – 13th (16:40); (2A girls): East Valley senior Abby Crossley – ninth: (19:34); West Valley senior Roxanne Frederickson – eighth (19:33); (3A girls): Ridgeline senior Alivia Bruno – 29th (19:46); (4A girls): Central Valley senior Nicole Bissell – fourth (18:36). Notable team placings: West Valley – sixth place, 2A girls; Valley Christian – seventh place, 1A boys; Central Valley – 13th place, 4A girls.
Freeman football takes third in state
The Freeman Scotties wrapped up one of the most successful football seasons in school history with a third-place finish in the 1A state bracket despite being seeded 12th.
The run began with a first-round road matchup against perennial power and No. 5 King’s that did nothing to faze a Freeman squad that placed second in an ubercompetitive Northeast 1A League. Senior quarterback Boen Phelps led the charge for the Scotties with three touchdown passes and another on the ground as the visitors defeated the Knights 28-13 on Nov. 11.
“Our players believed in the game plan,” said Freeman head coach Ben Cochran. “We weren’t intimidated.”
Eatonville, seeded fourth, was next in a quarterfinal contest, also on opposition turf. Freeman scored 13
We’re
If you’re stalled due to a technical issue, our crafty librarians will try to help find a solution.
ONLINE Wednesday, Jan 11, 18 & 25, 7–8pm
SIGN UP www.scld.org/crafting-programs
By Alison Johnson, librarian Spokane County Library District
Spokane County Library District is hosting a Community Art Show again this year! For 2023, the theme is all about reconnecting, with other people, places, and ourselves.
To go along with that theme, the canvas for all art in the show is a postcard. During January, each of our libraries will have a postcard craft station with blank postcards for people to take home to create their artwork, or they can work on their postcard art with the supplies that will be available, in limited quantities, at the craft stations. Along with the postcard, each artist will fill out a brief information card with their name and the title of their
I love reading books with my kids. They choose the book and who should read aloud, and then we snuggle up and enjoy the story. My favorite part is the conversation that sparks when they ask about the meaning of words or tell me how they feel about the characters and their actions.
My 5-year-old thoroughly enjoys this part of our day and would read picture books all evening and all night if I let him. I love his enthusiasm for reading. I also enjoy reading chapter books
artwork.
Everyone, of any age, in the community is invited to create a postcard for the art show. There’s an added bonus to go along with the theme of “Reconnecting” and the postcard!
Is there a certain person or place you would like to connect with in 2023? Each artist can provide an address (U.S. domestic addresses only) on the back of the postcard to a person or place, they would like to send their art to and reconnect with this year. If you’re reconnecting with yourself, you can even address the postcard to you! At the end of the art show, the library will mail your postcard for you.
The addressee on your postcard doesn’t have to be practical. It can be whimsical! For instance, maybe you want to get in touch with a unicorn, Jane Austen, Never Neverland, or Albert Einstein? Or maybe you are interested in reconnecting with a long-lost friend or a family member who lives far away. You could reconnect with a neighbor or your favorite restaurant.
Once you’ve created your
with my 12-year-old. We get to dive into novels that have depth, great character development, and advanced vocabulary. Also, our discussions of these books are some of the most memorable, quality time I’ve ever had with him.
There are many benefits to reading chapter books with school-aged child. One you will see is a rise in their interest in reading, especially if you show the same enthusiasm for reading.
Letting your child choose a book that interests them keeps them engaged with reading. When they enjoy the story, characters, or topic, you will see how excited they get about reading it with you each day. Non-traditional book formats, such as comics, graphic novels, and audiobooks, provide the same benefits as chapter books, building vocabulary, modeling fluent reading behavior, and improving long-term reading skills. So don’t hesitate to try these formats.
Spokane County Library
postcard artwork, be sure to submit it along with your artist information sheet to the library during the submission window of January 3–29. Look for the Community Art Show submission box at each library, located near the craft station or front desk. If you have any difficulty locating it, you can always ask library staff for help.
Keep in mind that the U.S. Postal Service has size and weight restrictions for mailing postcards. This means that your artwork needs to be in two dimensions, and you are not able to build onto or attach 3D art to the postcard. You still have a wide variety of ways to create 2-dimensional art on your postcard with paint, colored pencil, graphite, collage, etc.! Also, if you choose not to add an addressed to your postcard, then it will be recycled after the art show.
The Community Art Show will be on display in libraries February 6–28. We will also have a curated virtual art show at the same time at www.scld.org/art-show. Hop online to see art from artists across Spokane County.
District is bringing your family the opportunity to start a readaloud tradition with the program “Bookmark Bunch: Family Book Discussion.” Once a week for six weeks, we meet online to discuss a portion of the chosen book, Newbery Award winner From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg. In this chapter book, two siblings run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and, while adventuring, discover a mystery hidden within the walls.
This program is for kids in grades 2–5 and their families. The weekly discussions are on Tuesdays at 6pm, starting on January 10. The library provides a copy of the book for participating families. Registration is required, and you can sign up at www.scld. org/bookmark-bunch.
I encourage everyone to schedule family read aloud time to see the benefits for young readers and to create opportunities for family bonding. May you find fantastic reading this winter!
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points in the first quarter, gave up 14 in the second but took the lead for good on a touchdown pass by Luke Whitaker, a receiver who caught a 53-yard touchdown throw by Phelps earlier in the game.
The 23-17 win propelled the Scotties into the state semifinal for the first time since 2014 when Freeman captured the state trophy with a 14-0 record.
Cochran said his team faced similar run-oriented offenses to Eatonville –which boasted four offensive linemen headed to Division 1 colleges – in the regular season.
“We play some really good run teams like Lakeside in our league,” he said. “I think that really prepared us. I knew if we stopped their run game, they were done.”
Clutch efforts on both sides of the ball defined the Scotties’ season before the playoffs began. An 18-13 win at Riverside on Oct. 14 featured a last-minute touchdown drive and a defensive stand near the goal line as the clock ran down.
In the semifinal against topseeded Royal – state champion five of the last six years – Freeman battled but fell short, 57-21. Royal went on to defeat Mt. Baker, 35-20, in the title game.
“I have a lot of respect for that program,” Cochran said. “I just feel blessed that we went that far.”
Boen finished the season with 2,224 passing yards, completing 59 percent of his throws. He also ran for 1,023 yards. Fellow senior Kanoa Regan was second in rushing yardage at 447. On defense, Boen amassed 150 tackles – 85 solo – as a linebacker. A quartet of receivers – seniors Ryan Delcour, Reed Hicks and Sage Gilbert and junior Whitaker – caught the majority of Boen’s tosses.
Senior Dailyn Poston stood out as another leader on defense, collecting 93 tackles, 46 solo.
Cochran said the road wins over higher ranked teams in the playoffs were not viewed as upsets by Scottie Nation.
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Getting children ready for their futures is among the key tasks taken on by local school districts, but what happens after the student leaves high school? LaunchNW, a new initiative of the Innovia Foundation, aims to offer services, programs, mentors and scholarships designed to help students succeed in their post high school education, whether that is through a traditional fouryear college or an apprenticeship program.
The program is being headed by Executive Director Ben Small, who retired as the superintendent of the Central Valley School District earlier this year. Small said he wanted to stay in Spokane and continue to contribute to the community somehow and it seemed appropriate that he was approached to lead LaunchNW.
“This fits my lived experience,” he said. “It really is something I’m passionate about. When this came up, it just fit what I wanted to do next.”
LaunchNW was inspired by the Say Yes to Education Buffalo program, which uses community feedback and data to identify and address the needs in the community. The cornerstone of the new program will be to offer promise scholarships beginning in 2024 that will fill the gap between the cost of tuition and the financial aid awarded to a student.
“It is a last dollar scholarship,” Small said. “We look to fill the gap.”
Small said that there are many barriers to post high school success, including lack of housing, mental health challenges and financial issues. Therefore, it’s vital to offer other services in addition to scholarships. “We know that a promise scholarship by itself does not change post high school outcomes,” he said.
While the scholarships won’t begin until 2024, the implementation of wraparound services is starting now, Small said. One of the first orders of business will be to launch a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion campaign. A student is required to fill out a FAFSA in order to be eligible for financial
aid and Washington ranks 49th out of 50 states in FAFSA completion rates, Small said.
“FAFSA completion is a gatekeeper for a lot of tuition in Washington state,” he said.
One of the next projects will be to launch a career pathway awareness campaign designed to educate students about the wide variety of career opportunities available. Small said there needs to be something more than current efforts and part of that will be making students aware of all the other paths to a career, whether it’s a technical school, apprenticeship program or certificate.
“That really is our focus,” Small said. “Our focus isn’t just a fouryear college or two-year degree.”
While Launch NW was officially unveiled at an Innovia leadership summit in May, the groundwork had been underway for months. “There was at least 18 months of work in the community with focus groups and meeting with community leaders,” Small said.
Support for the program has been positive, Small said. “Overwhelmingly, people said yes, we owe this to our children,” he said.
Four in 10 high school graduates in the region don’t pursue a posthigh school education or workforce training, limiting their prospects for a successful career. “Over the last 20 years, we haven’t moved the needle,” Small said. “We know that more than a high school diploma is needed to achieve success.”
Increasing the prosperity of individuals helps increase the prosperity of the community and the economy, he said. It isn’t enough for a region to attract outside talent, that talent must also be identified and nurtured locally to create a skilled workforce, Small said.
LaunchNW has received money from Spokane County and the City of Spokane Valley to fund the initial implementation efforts. Senator Patty Murray also helped secure some federal funding, Small said. However, the funding for the endowed promise scholarships will be raised in the community, he said.
There is much still to be done. A committee of community and university leadership members is meeting to figure out the scholarship application procedures and scholarship amounts, but
there are still ways for people to get involved. There will be several community action councils formed, plus task forces devoted to mental health and early learning. People can visit https://launchnw.org for more details.
“If people have expertise in those areas, we want to capitalize on that expertise,” he said. “Everybody who gives of their time and talents moves the needle forward for us.”
Mentors will also be needed to work with local students. “We believe that mentoring and a mentoring program will be a large part of the success of LaunchNW,” Small said.
Small hopes LaunchNW will help students better their futures. “One of the things I love about this
initiative is that it really is a moral imperative,” he said. “Education is the vehicle for prosperity. School districts cannot do this alone. This has to be a community-based solution.”
Small expects that schools will play a role in the success of LaunchNW. “We certainly know that schools and school districts are huge partners in this,” he said. “There are many partners that will determine our success in raising the post high school attainment of our young people.”
Small said he is grateful that Innovia is providing support for LaunchNW. “We have a good, solid organization that is helping get LaunchNW off the ground,” he said. “It really was an opportunity I could not pass up.”
