Editor: We are at a critical crossroads concerning public safety in the county. We’ve seen our communities deteriorate bit by bit over time. Earnest Hemingway once said, “It happened gradually, and then suddenly”. Yes, we suddenly find ourselves deep in it. About five years ago, along with a group of caring folks, I helped clean…
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Why I’m supporting Jason Call for Congress
Editor: Great news everyone! I’m happy to announce that Jason Call, a real progressive candidate with bona fide activist roots, is running in the WA-02 district, which includes Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. He, like most voters, understands the gravity of climate change, supports Medicare for All, and most importantly, funds solely via small-dollar donations….
Letter to the editor: School board should rethink process for choosing interim superintendent
Editor: After watching the Edmonds School Board meeting virtually on April 12, I am beyond dismayed, unhappy, disappointed and frustrated by the board’s decision relative to choosing an interim superintendent. Initially, the board stated that a firm would be hired and stakeholders would be involved in the process and internal staff would be considered for…
Letter to the editor: Have your say about proposed upzone in Gateway neighborhood
Editor: How would you like to walk out your back door and see a 35-foot wall running right down the fence line of your and your neighbor’s homes? That’s what several Gateway neighbors are facing right now if the city council, possibly as early next week, approves an upzone of three lots at 5406-5410 240th SW….
Letter to the editor: Nurse staffing ratios don’t work and endanger lives
Editor: Having been a nurse in California when they instituted nurse staffing ratios, I have a good perspective on what would happen if Washington passed HB 1868. Just like in California, the continuing shortage of nurses and the inflexibility of the ratios would delay and restrict care here. Simply put, units will close, and people will…
Letter to the editor: Ballinger Park, Lake Ballinger recreation projects benefit our region
Editor: I read in a recent letter to the editor that for Edmonds properties and residents east of Highway 99, “there’s nothing for parks for the people that live there.” Actually this is not really the case. Immediately to the east of the Interurban, which is Edmonds’ border, there is a regional park that is now in…
Letter to the editor: Please support our schools
Editor: Voters in the Edmonds School District will soon be receiving a ballot (due Feb. 8) for the district’s Education Programs & Operations Levy. This is not a new tax! Every four years the district must ask voters to renew the existing levy that covers essential staff, materials, and programs that are not funded by…
Letter to the editor: Thanks to all who donated to the CASA giving trees
Editor: Every Christmas, the Rotary Club of Edmonds manages four gift-giving trees to support the Snohomish County CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children) and the Volunteer Guardian ad Litem (VGAL) program. This long-standing Rotary project allows CASA advocates the ability to provide gifts for infants, children or teens who are victims of alleged sexual abuse,…
Letter to the editor: Advocating for a pedestrian/bike bridge over Lyon Creek ravine
Editor: Every five years our city must adopt a new RPOS (Recreation, Parks and Open Space) masterplan. Our city staff does an excellent job securing grants, funding some our our capital projects, like our new fishing pier. However, to secure a grant, the project must first be on a project list. The 2022 RPOS draft…
Letter to the editor: To those planning to quit rather than get a COVID shot
Dear bus drivers and others planning to quit your job over the vaccine mandate: This is the second pandemic I’ve lived through. I knew several people who died of AIDS back in the day. And in under two years, COVID-19 has taken almost as many American lives as AIDS did in two decades. I know…
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Reader View: Keeping our children safe at school
The message in the photo above was written in June 2012 by Shaylee Chuckulnaskit. At the time she was an 8th grade student in my Washington State History Class. A year and a half later, this beautiful, happy high school sophomore was dead. I watched her grow up, I even taught her little sister and…
Commentary: Edmonds School District construction bond is an investment in kids, our neighborhoods and our future
Proposition 1, the Edmonds School District capital construction bond, addresses two critical problems facing our community: aging schools and a shortage of capacity to meet the needs of our growing student population. Approval of the six-year, $600 million bond will enable us to replace three elderly schools and finish replacement of a fourth, add a…
Commentary: Ecology Department committed to protecting Puget Sound’s No Discharge Zone
Since May 10, 2018, a federal “No Discharge Zone” (NDZ) has made it illegal to discharge both treated and untreated sewage from boats and vessels into Puget Sound. Vessel sewage can contain bacteria and viruses that are harmful to people and the environment. These contaminants are harmful to water quality, beaches and shellfish beds. Eating…
Letter to the editor: A thank you to our patients
Editor: After more than 28 years serving Edmonds and the greater Edmonds area, I will be closing my solo family medical practice at the end of December 2019. Words cannot express how grateful I am to be a part of this wonderful greater Edmonds community and for the support and love that so many of…
Letter to the editor: In support of Anna Alexander for judge
Dear Editor: I have known Anna Alexander for over 25 years, both in her capacity as a neighbor and friend, and in her capacity as a legal professional. Given what I know about Anna as a person, lawyer, volunteer, and pro-tem judge, I will not hesitate to cast my vote for Anna Alexander this November….
Letter to the editor: Anna Alexander the right candidate for Superior Court judge
Editor: As a judge and former colleague, I strongly recommend Anna Alexander for Superior Court Judge. I believe Anna is the right candidate because of her integrity and her diverse experience. I first met Anna Alexander while we were both law students at the University of Washington School of Law, where, at age 19, Anna…
Letter to the editor: Paul Thompson a judge to be proud of in Snohomish County
To the editor: Judge Paul Thompson was an excellent choice for our Governor to make when he appointed him to a seat on our Snohomish County Superior Court bench. And now that the voters have an opportunity to speak, we would urge you to vote to retain Judge Thompson. More than a dozen years ago,…
Letter to the editor: What Judge Okoloko brings to the Superior Court
Dear Editor: After a 23-year career as a Snohomish County judge, having served over 18 years on our Superior Court, I retired from that service last year. While I have now left the court, I have a strong interest in maintaining and improving the quality of our judiciary. It is for this reason that I…
Letter to the editor: Rob Toyer best choice for county treasurer
Editor: For the past 85-plus years, the Sievers family served Snohomish County in a few roles, but none more public and distinguished than that of Snohomish County Treasurer. The recognition given to the family by the county in the naming of the Sievers Plaza is but a small step in recognizing the family’s dedicated and…
Letter to the editor: Why I’m supporting Okoloko for Superior Court Judge
Editor: In my 39 years as a judge, I had the pleasure of serving with many good judges. A year ago, the governor selected Edirin Okoloko from a large field of candidates to fill a vacancy on the Snohomish County Superior Court, and since he took office, Judge Okoloko has distinguished himself as one of…
Commentary: Growth is coming — so how will we handle it?
Like it or not, growth is coming to Mountlake Terrace, along with the rest of the region — period. How are we going to handle it? That’s a question that has been on the minds of our city council, staff, local developers and some — though not enough — citizens. The final decision is near. The…
Letter to the editor: Thank you to Zero Waste volunteers at Taste Edmonds
Editor: We want to thank all the volunteers who came to Taste Edmonds to help staff the Zero Waste Stations. Students from Edmonds Community College, community members, graduates from the wonderful WSU Extension Sustainable Community Stewards program, plus all the appreciative patrons together managed to divert much material from going to the landfill. Food scraps,…
Commentary: Why I support moving 6th graders to middle school
Edmonds School District is considering moving 6th grade to middle school. I am in favor of this change. This would not happen for several years. Currently, we don’t have the facilities for it and it’s a huge change for all of us that requires proper planning. However, we must decide on it well in advance,…
Letter to the editor: Thanks to our Girls on the Run community
Editor: What has 1,400 feet and a smile that can light up the whole county? Answer: 700 girls and their running buddies crossing the finish line at Saturday’s Girls on the Run of Snohomish County’s Spring 5k at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett! All our girls – from 51 teams throughout Snohomish County – came…
Letter to the editor: Thanks, Red Onion Cafe for hosting our fundraiser
Editor: On May 28, I joined in on a FUNdraiser for a new group in town called Connect.REFIT. There are several classes offered in our area. REFIT connects people thru free dance fitness for every BODY. We are planning to go to our national convention in October in Dallas, Texas and wanted to thank Red Onion…