"The First Mayor and the City's Origin Stories" - with Steve Peterson (Episode 79: 5/6/2026)
The Liberty Lake Deep DiveShow Notes
Commemorating the city's 25th anniversary, original Liberty Lake mayor Steve Peterson joins us via Zoom to share what went on during the initial months of starting up the city's operations during 2000 and 2001. You'll hear about Steve's involvement in setting up an initial city hall (or two), how he decided to run to become the first mayor, and the hurdle involved in hiring city employees before having any city revenues!
More from The Liberty Lake Deep Dive
“What will Liberty Lake be like in ten years?” First grade kids at Liberty Lake Elementary School gave their answers to that question on sheets that were included in the city’s time capsule that was buried back in 2011. Now, Recreation coordinator Mickael Stevens joins David Goehner in reading some of the inventive predictions and often funny perspectives that were written by those local little kids who eventually became the graduating class of 2022. Get ready for a lot of smile-inducing moments on this one!
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Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the City of Liberty Lake's official incorporation, we have more stories from first mayor Steve Peterson about some of the major projects that were developed during the city's early years. You'll find out about the creation of Liberty Lake's pedestrian bridge over I-90, the city's purchase of Trailhead Golf Course and the current City Hall property, the creation of the city's first library, some details on the development of the River District, and the purchase of the city's ballfields.
Recreation coordinator Mickael Stevens and show host David Goehner take an improvisational plunge into what was put into the city's time capsule that was buried during Liberty Lake's 10th anniversary commemorations back in 2011. Join in as Mickael and David learn about -- and frequently laugh about -- every item that was placed in that container 15 years ago. There's some fun with local newspaper articles from 2011, an examination of a few odd items that were put into the collection, and readthrough of some of the "Future of Liberty Lake" predictions that were written by local 1st graders from 2011. It's an archival romp that's worth (most) every minute of this extra-long installment!