Summit Waller Community Association Newsletter

Keeping our community livable.


January 2010

Summit-Waller Community Association Newsletter


January 2010

The Summit-Waller Community Association Executive Board is active year round. We keep informed of the issues that affect our quality of life, and get involved when we can be effective. Below are a few of the issues that we have been recently addressing.




One of the many
beautiful vistas within our community


Visit our new, updated
website at
www.summitwaller.org


Puyallup School District –
February 9, 2010 M & O Levy
After hearing from School Board Director, Cindy Poys¬nick, at their Dec. 1st Board Meeting, the SWCA Board unanimously voted to endorse this four-year replace¬ment levy, and encourages Summit-Waller citizens to vote “yes” on this levy if living in the Puyallup School District. The proposed four-year school programs and operation levy replaces the current four-year levy which expires this month. The levy does not create any new taxes. It just replaces the existing levy. The levy pro¬vides about 21% of the school district’s $197 million an¬nual budget. Our community needs this levy to pass in order to maintain our area’s good quality schools. For more information about the levy, visit the Puyallup School District Web site at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us or send an e-mail message to election@puyallup.k12.wa.us. Vote “Yes” for Puyallup Schools.

Renewed your dues yet?
Community Association Dues are $20 per house¬hold per year.
Send your dues to:
SWCA
PMB 281
10611 Canyon Rd E
Puyallup, WA 98373-4256

Franklin Pierce School District—February 9, 2010 M & O Levy
On February 9, 2010 Franklin Pierce voters will be asked to renew expiring Educational Programs & Operations and Technology Levies. Both levies are a continuation of existing funding for schools. This is not a new tax. The levy makes up nearly one-fifth (20%) of the district’s total operating budget. Levy dollars provide about $15 million in funding each year. Levy dollars are used to support student learning, activities and transpor¬tation. These funds help maintain lower class sizes and provide a quality learning experience for students. For more information about the levies please contact the FPSD Public Information Line (253) 298-3087 or the district’s website: www.fpschools.org
Please see the attached Franklin Pierce Levy Fact Sheet.
The Summit-Waller Community Association’s Board of Directors urges members living within the FPSD to vote “YES” on these important educational issues.


Summit Waller is part of the
Puyallup and Franklin Pierce
School Districts


The Pierce County owned, 160 acre, open space park is located at 84th St E and 46th Ave E in the Summit area and is managed by the Pierce County Parks Depart¬ment. A few of our SWCA members assist the Parks Dept. in maintaining this wonderful piece of property. Currently the park is open during daylight hours for walking, hiking, trail running, dog walking (on leash), mountain biking (non-motorized), bird watching, and horseback riding, so stop by the park and check it out. Also, the park is currently litter free, and is in good, natural shape with several trails. However, with very limited funds, the Parks Dept. needs more community assistance in the maintenance effort for this regional park. Your help is needed for litter patrol, trail and sign maintenance, etc. If you are interested please call Larry Volland at 531-7795.


Orangegate Park has acres
of delightful trails.


“The Farm” property (96th & Waller) Update
This 10 acre parcel is owned and managed by the Frank¬lin Pierce School District. The historic 4 H program at that location has gradually died out, much to our associa¬tion’s displeasure. Currently the district’s New Pathways Program is utilizing the portable classrooms at the site. Last June the SWCA made a presentation to the FPSD Board of Directors to persuade the district to create an agricultural program for students that would by the end of this school year be producing vegetables for school consumption within the district, and eventually create a year round agricultural program. The district has re¬sponded to our request. The effort has begun. Commu¬nity volunteers are needed to assist this SWCA initiated effort.

Our community has a rich
farming tradition.


Rural Separator Public Awareness Effort





The Summit-Waller Community Association is pleased to announce that it has begun the process to increase public awareness of Pierce County’s “Rural Separator.” Mem¬bers have begun a speaking tour and we intend to address numerous groups and civic organizations during the next several years. If you know of any groups that would be interested in a presentation on the Rural Separator, please contact Dan Haire at 253-922-1393. We are also in the process of updating our web site and plan to soon publicize our message in regional and national media.

The Rural Separator in¬sures that we have open spaces.

Every year three of the nine Summit-Waller Community Association’s Board of Directors positions become avail¬able. A board member is committed to a 3-year term on the board, and the board meets monthly (the first Tues¬day evening of each month). The Board elects from within it each May a president, vice-president, secretary and a treasurer. Each of these executive positions has additional responsibilities. Each board member also is expected to work on various projects that the associa¬tion involves itself. Service to your community can be a truly rewarding experience. If you are seriously inter¬ested in becoming a board member, then keep in mind that you must 1) be a SWCA member in good standing with a current paid membership, 2) have submitted the completed board member application form to the board at a board meeting, 3) attended at least one board meet¬ing before the April elections, and 4) be at the April General Membership Meeting for the election of board members. Contact: Larry Volland at (253) 531-7795 for all questions and requests for proper forms.
Our Mission Statement
To promote quality of life, neighborhoods, and enjoyment of prop¬erty for individuals in the Summit-Waller Community.

Questions or comments? E-mail us at summitwaller@gmail.com or visit our webpage at www.summitwaller.org.