Dana Parnello

By way of background, he earned a BS in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from the University of California, and a Masters in Recreation Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. While doing so, he enjoyed the enviable benefit of residing in Davis, CA and Fort Collins, CO. Both of those communities have long been recognized as among the “Best Places to Live” in America. Seeing strong, foundational similarities to those communities, his wife and school age daughters and he began calling Maple Valley home in 2003.

He cares about our quality of life and he believes that you care, too. He is certain that many of us want to be involved, but few of us know how we can best use our skills and experiences to keep Maple Valley a community worthy of our numerous accolades as a great place to raise a family. He began his local involvement in a variety of small and important ways. He started co-leading Girl Scout Troop 52864, volunteering at Rock Creek Elementary School, with Washington Trails Association at Taylor and Tiger Mountain State parks, and Maple Valley Make a Difference Days. As he got to know a little more about the opportunities, he put his education to work as he served on Maple Valley’s Planning Commission and as Liaison to Library Advisory Board. He left the position of Planning Commission Chair only because he was honored to have been able to help out by filling a council seat from 2010-2011.

He will continue working hard to help Maple Valley earn a reputation as a livable, walkable, bicycle friendly community, with a variety of gathering places. He firmly believes these aspects are strongly tied to public safety as well as physical well-being and economic health. Handled well, and working together, we can create an identity that represents and resonates with each of us.