DUVALL—Duvall City Director Jim Bourasa thought that when

the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31, 1999, he wouldn’t just welcome

the new year, but a new life in retirement.

In July, the 62-year-old announced that he would leave Duvall for a

more quiet and carefree lifestyle.

“I thought I should let someone else have a crack at it,” he said, “and

I want to play golf and go fishing.”

But Mayor Glen Kuntz wouldn’t let him get away that easily.

Bourasa said the mayor reminded him of a promise the two made earlier

about sticking together to the end. So, Bourasa agreed to continue

working on a part-time basis, just until he sells his property in Issaquah and

starts building his dream home in Port Ludlow.

“[The mayor] said, `We’ll see,'” Bourasa commented.

Despite the impromptu extension of his duties, Bourasa said he is

rather grateful to be able to spend several more months with the people he

has come to know as friends, adding, “It’ll be easier for me to walk away

gradually instead of being here today and gone tomorrow.

“So, I’ll slowly fade away.”

Bourasa first came to the Lower Valley community in 1987 as the

interim police chief — a term that was supposed to have lasted for only

three months. But the months stretched into years and Bourasa was Duvall’s

chief for seven years. Then, he moved several doors down in the City Hall

complex to become the city director.

“In my 12 years in Duvall, I made more friends than in 28 years at

the Renton Police Department,” he said. “Duvall is a fun town.”

And the people in Duvall think Bourasa is fun, too.

“We had a lot of fun with Jim over the years,” said City Clerk Gloria

Judd. “He was the frog man at Duvall Days for several years and it grew into a

bigger and bigger thing.”

At the past celebration, Bourasa donned a full-sized frog costume

that was recently featured on the front page of the Valley Record. The city’s

amphibian paraphernalia has leaped into a total frog craze throughout City

Hall, including stuffed animals and froggy Christmas decorations.

As for the more serious side of running the city, Judd said

Bourasa was the perfect candidate for the position.

“He did a very good job. I’m sure a lot of people could be stuffy [in

that position] but he wasn’t that type,” she stated. “He was really friendly.”

Bourasa might be the last “friendly” city director Duvall has

for awhile. The fate of the position hasn’t been decided yet.

“The mayor will wait and see,” Bourasa said. “He’ll try and do

things on his own, but if he can’t, he’ll hire someone.”

Kuntz could not be reached for comment, but one thing is for sure.

By early next year, Bourasa will be traveling, golfing and fishing with his

wife Fran.

“When I leave, I’ll leave with a lot of fond memories,” Bourasa

concluded. “And hopefully I contributed something in my tenure here.”