A year of challenges
brought out the best in many
For many, 2008 was a year of challenges in the Sky Valley.
At the start of the year, low income people were finding it very difficult to find housing, as rents rose and home prices skyrocketed out of sight of even families of average income.
Soon, everyone was feeling the pinch, as gas prices cleared $4 per gallon and spending slowed. City governments struggled with sudden budget shortages, and homeowners struggled to stay in their homes. Many couldn’t.
A couple of episodes of bad weather set the school districts back, including November flooding and December snowstorms.
There was some crime, too, with two homicides in the valley this year, and two home invasion robberies. But the community had reason to cheer when the intended victims of one of the invasions turned the tables on their attacker and overpowered him.
There were other reasons to cheer. As businesses and families tried to hang on, it seemed that giving and community volunteerism hit a new high. The food banks got extra help as demand soared. People lined up shoulder to shoulder up and down the Sky Valley to hold the flooding river back.
Fundraisers held to support families with ill children exceeded expectations. A Blockwatch program was started in Gold Bar, and in Sultan, an Adopt-a-Street program was begun in order to assist the cash-strapped city.
Throughout the year, instances of neighbor helping neighbor and citizen supporting the community abounded. A year that pitched its worst at some brought out the best in many. More on page 1
brought out the best in many
For many, 2008 was a year of challenges in the Sky Valley.
At the start of the year, low income people were finding it very difficult to find housing, as rents rose and home prices skyrocketed out of sight of even families of average income.
Soon, everyone was feeling the pinch, as gas prices cleared $4 per gallon and spending slowed. City governments struggled with sudden budget shortages, and homeowners struggled to stay in their homes. Many couldn’t.
A couple of episodes of bad weather set the school districts back, including November flooding and December snowstorms.
There was some crime, too, with two homicides in the valley this year, and two home invasion robberies. But the community had reason to cheer when the intended victims of one of the invasions turned the tables on their attacker and overpowered him.
There were other reasons to cheer. As businesses and families tried to hang on, it seemed that giving and community volunteerism hit a new high. The food banks got extra help as demand soared. People lined up shoulder to shoulder up and down the Sky Valley to hold the flooding river back.
Fundraisers held to support families with ill children exceeded expectations. A Blockwatch program was started in Gold Bar, and in Sultan, an Adopt-a-Street program was begun in order to assist the cash-strapped city.
Throughout the year, instances of neighbor helping neighbor and citizen supporting the community abounded. A year that pitched its worst at some brought out the best in many. More on page 1
