A new destination spa could sit within the Te Aroha Domain, after a council decision to develop the $18.9m complex as part of its long-term plan. After two days of public submissions and passionate deliberations, Matamata-Piako District councillors agreed with the 34 per cent of submitters who wanted to move ahead with the biggest proposal in its 2021-31 long-term plan. While the majority of submitters (41 per cent) preferred to only spend $5.3m on the complex, and 25 per cent didn’t want it to go ahead at all, councillors agreed that if it was to be done, it needed to be done properly.
It will remain in force for six years and remains until a further resolution takes effect. Te Aroha Councillor Russell Smith, who abstained in this week’s vote, said because he was unable to go out for consultation and follow what the people in Te Aroha want, he was unable to vote either way. “I was told to be strong, show my kia kaha,” he said. “By not going out for consultation, we’re not being transparent, consultation is important to me. “To my fellow councillors, congratulations for being strong and sticking to your beliefs on a landmark decision.”
KELLY HODEL/STUFF
We re all living in fear: Federal Way community members say they re fed up about crime
FEDERAL WAY, WA - Federal Way community members say they are fed up with crime. We re all living in fear and that’s not a fun way to live your life, says Federal Way resident Donna Arnold.
Arnold has lived in Federal Way for 30 years. She’s raised her family here, but these days, she says it doesn’t feel like a place you want to call home. Right now we don t feel safe going to any restaurants or even shopping at Fred Meyer; we go to Milton to do our grocery shopping because we don t feel safe here.
February 26, 2021
Donna Arnold
Without a doubt, Black History Month is the busiest time of the year for Donna Arnold, the associate director and retention specialist in the Office of Multicultural Student Services.
Her work on the annual celebration begins prior to the winter holiday and picks up steam when students return to school in January. Then she is on the phone with WSU staff, in meetings with student leaders, and sending emails to faculty advisors – all part of the planning for the annual month-long Black History Month celebration.
The end result of this effort is a February chock-full of activities for almost every day of the month and every interest. Visit the African American Student Center website to see the events planned for this week.