Opinion

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…

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….

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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….

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…

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,…

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,…