Over a lunch of pizza and salad greens with the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah at Gibson Hall on Wednesday, Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger reprised her State of the City speech for the local service club.
During her introduction, Kiwanis President Connie Fletcher related an earlier conversation with the mayor, when she asked what accomplishment Frisinger was most proud of.
“(She said) Making the city socially, economically and environmentally sound,” Fletcher said.
As she did earlier this year, Frisinger reminded her audience of the good work the city was doing despite the economic recession and falling city revenues. She said the city would continue to offer essential services to citizens without losing sight of other priorities important to Issaquah.
“It’s now essential that we review our past and reflect on our future,” she said. “The effects of the economic downturn were far reaching, from our citizen’s own finances to City Hall. And the cuts will be continuing this year.”
The meeting gave local members of the community a chance to ask the mayor tough questions about how the city was managing and what they were doing to improve the community. But the civic-minded crowd of Kiwanians were largely supportive of Frisinger’s role as the city’s leader.
“Everyone has total confidence in her and how she’s doing her job,” said 46-year Kiwanian Dan Anderson, “And yet she’s one of us.”
Several questions were focused on current city improvements, such as the Interstate 90 undercrossing, the zHome energy efficiency project, and completion of the Sunset Interchange.
Joan Probala, who unsuccessfully ran for Issaquah City Council last year, said the city was doing a good job overall, but suggested even more could be done to spur economic development along the Front Street business corridor.
“I’m the type of person who wants something done faster,” she said. “We need to do that before we do the Central Issaquah Plan area.”
The mayor’s visit to the volunteer community organization was recognition that the work of Kiwanis was important to the city.
“They’re interested in having a good community, a sound community,” Frisinger said. “And they’re interested in knowing how the city is doing because they’re so actively involved here.”
