Headlines we want to write

Headlines we’d like to be able to write in 2011 – year one of the second century of our community.

• Boys & Girls Club finds affordable – and bigger – location
• RHS sports thrive in new hybrid league
• City begins work on historic city hall
• Large donation kick-starts BMX park
• City’s older school buildings get major fixes
• Area workers see less pay, hour cuts in 2011
• Downtown storefronts fill up
• Grant funds allow for completion of Maple Bridge overlook park, stairs
• Juniper Golf Course back in the black, city repaid
• Transportation gurus turn attention to South Highway 97
• Student scores steady despite drop in teachers, resources

In looking back at 2010, for the second year in a row the Spokesman’s wishes went nearly entirely unfulfilled. We wanted to write headlines in 2010 touting a rise in development applications within the city (not much change), a returning dedication to music and art education in local schools (ditto), and permanent funding and location for the Redmond Museum (2011 might be better, with formation of the Greater Redmond Historical Society).

The only headline wish to come (partially) true was the desire to return local schools to a five-day calendar.

Most disappointing was the Redmond School District’s failure to name the new elementary after Josephine Redmond (are we EVER going to have anything of substance named after a woman in this community?) and the city’s oversight in not declaring the rockchuck the official city mammal during our centennial year.