Lisa Allen/staff photo
Lee Grumman, Carnation council member and businesswoman, ponders a point she is making as she discusses changes the new sewage treatment plant will bring.

Community artist and business owner is upbeat as sewer completion nears

When Lee Grumman was asked how she could describe herself and her life’s work, she summed it up in two words: “Community arts.”

Anyone who knows her, though, would probably say it’s more like community and arts, as it says on her business sign – Miller’s Community & Arts Center – since she is very actively involved in both, with the center serving as the nucleus.

Her Tolt Avenue building has always been a magnet – for decades it was home to the popular Miller’s Dry Goods. Grumman purchased it five years ago, and, after remodeling it, kept the Miller’s name for historical and sentimental reasons and added the rest to define the new operation. The center has provided a venue for art classes and cultural events since it opened in November 2004 and most recently hosted a birthday party for original store owner Howard Miller, who turned 92 on Feb. 29. In December she added a gift store to the business.

“I have spent my life in community arts,” she says. “And I really care a lot about the community. It’s a real joy to live here and get to know everybody.”

A downtown Carnation resident for 12 years, the Boston native has been involved in civic activities here for much of that time. She was on the planning board for seven years before her election to the City Council last November and is also president of the chamber and on the board of the Sno-Valley Senior Center.

Now, as the town readies for its biggest change ever – the completion of the sewage treatment plant – Grumman, 51, is hopeful.

“It’s an exciting time,” she says. “Things are really starting to move; residents are getting involved. There has been great response to a vacancy on the planning board and we finally have a parks board that is up and running. Businesses are involved and the energy is high. Finally we have an economic development plan and have goals for the city that overlap between the city and the chamber.

“A relationship is building between the city and chamber as a part of the economic development plan. The chamber will do certain tasks and we have good solid regular communications with the city. Important to the economic development plan is the farmers market. The market and city co-authored a grant for the market which will add a community kitchen. It’s an exciting and critical time. And it is really fun to work with the chamber.”

She emphasized that the future of Carnation is at a crossroads with the sewers nearing completion.

“The previous council did a lot of work; it’s extraordinary what they have achieved with the sewage treatment plant,” she said. “It’s exciting to be on the City Council at this time. We have great council members. Fred Bereswill, (who was also elected last fall), was also on the planning board for eight years. We have a very good working relationship.”

Grumman said the plant, which has faced some construction delays, is expected to be completed in April, with a grand opening celebration planned for early June.

“We are very anxious – we are very concerned – it is critical that it not be delayed any further,” she said. “Businesses were supposed to be ready and waiting is costing money to businesses. When the plant is completed then hookups may begin. We are anxious to make sure certain businesses hook up.”

Grumman said she would like to see downtown and economic revitalization and see Carnation take the lead in “green” incentives.

“King County has put together a green tool kit with a sample code to create incentives for green building to make it attractive,” she said. “People here understandably want to look at it and see what we can do. Other cities would like to look at this, too. The senior center is interested in getting bike racks. They are interested in walking and bike access to downtown Carnation, both to support the economy and identify the town and get residents out to make it fun.”

But Grumman also wants to make sure the soon-to-be-growing city doesn’t lose sight of its past.

“The cost of living here has been historically low – it is part of who we are as a farming and logging town,” she said. “The economic development plan is looking at our agricultural heritage and interested in pursuing our identity based on farming and outdoor recreation. We feel like Carnation has so much potential. That’s why it is so exciting. We have so much going for us; we need more folks to get involved. So when we think of preserving the character of the town that is what I think about. The cost of living is increasing in regions – it’s the same old challenge – we are trying to support the lower to moderate income levels. The director of the Mt. Si Senior Center, in doing transportation studies for seniors discovered lots of people, not just seniors, need help with transportation.”

Grumman said in answer to that a new bus has recently begun operating that will provide door-to-door service for citizens from North Bend to Monroe at a cost of 25 cents for seniors and 50 cents for others.

Those interested need to call Snoqualmie Valley Transportation at (425) 888-7001 or (425) 333-5554.

“We just reviewed traffic impact fees, and housing workshops have looked at affordable housing. We want to create incentives, study accessory dwelling units and low income housing,” she said. “There is broad support for not too much density, not exclusive single family density, but multi-family housing; there is a lot of mixed-use planning and we have discussed cottage housing.”

The city is encouraging citizen input, she says.

“Communication can always be improved,” she said. “We are constantly telling people what is happening to get them inspired to be involved – it’s better than complacency. It’s an exciting time; democracy works at this level; one person can have a terrific impact; you can have a big impact and create the town; we need people to tell us what they want.”

To that end, she says, “The chamber of commerce has created a membership for residents; the chamber will be in the loop and informed. Residents can be involved with the business community like a partnership. Local businesses need to know what residents want and I am excited about the potential they have.”

She says lots of folks are very interested in helping to determine the future of the town.

“The challenge is managing growth and maintaining the quality of life here,” she said.