Since becoming publisher of the Snoqualmie Valley Record in October 2008, one characteristic I have quickly and regularly noticed about the people of the Snoqualmie Valley is their generosity and their resiliency. Whether it was the 2009 flood, the Great Recession, ice and snow storms and days-long power outages, or even the Taylor Bridge Fire over the pass in Cle Elum and Ellensburg, the Valley has always come together to generously support their neighbors that are affected by unfortunate events.
After the terrible explosion that tore a hole through downtown North Bend in the wee hours of April 25, we are truly grateful that no one was killed or seriously hurt. However, several businesses were also badly damaged, but can hopefully be repaired soon.
In light of the situation, I urge my fellow Eastsiders, both individually and as a business community, to come together to help not only these individual Snoqualmie Valley businesses and their employees, but also the city of North Bend in its efforts to heal and spring back.
More and more, every community on the Eastside is interconnected in many ways. What affects one, truly affects us all. At my local publications in Snoqualmie, Issaquah, Sammamish, Bellevue and Mercer Island, we’ll use our print, web and social media outlets to keep our loyal Eastside readers informed about this event and many others that affect our neighborhoods, our communities and the region.
We’ll also be encouraging partnerships with our many friends at all the Eastside chambers of commerce and business groups, focusing on how they can use their resources and membership to lend a hand to help our neighbors in North Bend.
The Snoqualmie Valley is King County’s backyard playground. As many of us know already, the city of North Bend is a town that has lots to offer. I urge you to take the 20-minute drive east some weekend, and eat, drink, play, listen to music, shop, hike, have fun, relax, and enjoy North Bend’s unique gifts. Easy to reach and, with the amazing scenery and outdoor adventures just outside of town, hard to leave. You’ll not only have fun, but will also be helping your neighbors at the same time.
– William Shaw, publisher, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter
