Politics

Requirement to declare party affiliation on primary ballot raising privacy concerns

Are you planning to vote in the March 10 Washington State Presidential primary? Do you consider yourself Democrat, Republican or Independent – and (here’s the kicker) do you care who knows? Ballots were mailed last week, and by now they should have been received by all registered voters.  According to the information provided with the…

Stanford chosen vice chair of Senate Higher Education Committee

State Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), who represents part of Mountlake Terrace in the 1st Legislative District, has been chosen to be the vice chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. He was also appointed to serve on the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. “These…

‘Pretty soon we won’t have any food left’: QFC shoppers prepare for storm

With snow on the horizon for Friday and into the weekend, people are stocking up on food essentials. When asked if it’s been busy at at the Cedar Plaza QFC, Marty — one of the employees — said “That’s an understatement!” And overheard at a cash register: Customer:  “Been like this all day?” Cashier:  “Yeah, because…

Voter registration a focus of new Congress, Larsen tells constituents in Lynnwood

Community members were able to meet with Congressman Rick Larsen (D-2nd District) over a cup of coffee on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Verdant Health Commission in Lynnwood The meeting was an opportunity for Larsen to reach out to constituents after the recent election and discuss what’s to come in the new year. With Democrats…

All three council incumbents to serve four more years in Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember Laura Sonmore led challenger Stephen Barnes 63.25 percent to 36.26 percent Tuesday night, which will likely lead to her fourth full term on the Council. Sonmore, the longest tenured member of the council, was first appointed to the Council in 2000 and has served continuously since then. “It’s huge that the…

Just two days left to vote for city, school board, county executive races

A reminder that you have just two days to cast your ballot for local elections, including contested races for Mountlake Terrace City Council and Edmonds School District Board of Directors, and Snohomish County Executive. As of Friday, Oct. 30, just 1,331 ballots — or 11.37 percent — had been returned out of 11,707 ballots mailed…

Local candidates’ contributions and funding as of July 10

Here is the latest information from the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission on our local candidates’ campaign finances. For each candidate, we’ve provided a link to the detailed breakdown of contributions by name and amount. Additional information, including details of how each candidate is spending his or her money, is available on the Public Disclosure…

Happening nearby: Sno-King Meaningful Movies present ‘Inequality for All’ on Saturday

Sno-King Meaningful Movies presents “Inequality for All,” a humorous and enlightening expose on America’s widening income gap narrated by former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. The movie will be shown at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 11 at Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church, 8109 224th St. SW., Edmonds. Admission is free. Moviegoers are welcomed to stay for…

Rep. Kagi receives Washington CeaseFire Civic Leader award

Washington CeaseFire, a statewide organization dedicated to reducing gun violence, honored 32nd District Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Seattle, with their Ancil Payne Civic Leader of the Year Award for her work as a legislator to reduce gun violence, especially among children. “Since coming to the legislature in 1999, I have worked closely with CeaseFire and other…

Letter to the Editor: Time for a new Snohomish County Executive

Dear Editor: I’ve only lived in Snohomish County for eight years, but long enough to witness the resignation — in shame – of former Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, due to scandals. Have we jumped out of the frying pan, into the fire? Are we going to suffer interminably the questionable behavior of this current executive?…

Legislature passes Chase bill to protect utility ratepayers’ voting rights

A bill to ensure that voters in a water or sewer district retain ultimate control over whether a city or town can assume jurisdiction of their district passed the Legislature on Tuesday and will be sent to the Gov. Jay Inslee to be signed into law. “These special-purpose districts are created by a vote of the people,…

Chase introduces bill to address ‘upside-down tax system’

State Sen. Maralyn Chase, who represents the 32nd District including parts of Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace, on Friday introduced a bill that would eliminate the tax exemption on intangible personal property and the business and occupation tax exemption on investments and dividends. Chase said in announcement from her office Friday that Senate Bill 6111…

Opinion: Don’t let your city turn basic necessities into a blank check

Our cities and towns are struggling to stay above water these days, with good reason. When the Great Recession devastated tax revenues, the state reduced every funding stream it could to balance the budget during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. As a result, the local infrastructure necessary for economic growth has become…

Chase bill to protect ratepayers’ voting rights heads to House

A bill to ensure that voters in a water or sewer district retain ultimate control over whether a city or town can assume jurisdiction of their district has passed the Senate and awaits action in the House of Representatives. “These special-purpose districts are created by a vote of the people, for the people. As such,…

Candidates to speak at MLT Community Senior Center on Thursday

Many of the candidates appearing on the November General Election ballot are scheduled to appear at noon, on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center. Here is the latest schedule: Noon: Informal gathering to visit with Candidates – light lunch will be served (donations accepted) 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Candidates Speak – Candidates for County Executive…

Two candidate forums scheduled for Oct. 16 and 23

Candidates for the Washington State House of Representatives races in the 21st and 32nd legislative districts will appear at a question-and-answer forum 7 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 16. Also, candidates for U.S. House of Representatives races in the 2nd and 7th congressional districts will appear at a question-and-answer forum 7 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 23. Both events…

Reminder: Election forums coming to Sno-Isle Libraries this week

Candidates for state, national and county offices will share their perspectives at library forums in Lynnwood and Mukilteo, sponsored by the Snohomish County League of Women Voters. At the Lynnwood Library, the forum will held Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. The candidates scheduled to attend are: Rep. Jim McDermott and Craig Keller, his…

Register to vote during National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 23

As part of National Voter Registration Day, the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County will have voter registration tables at the Lynnwood and Edmonds Libraries on Tuesday, Sept. 23. You can register from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. in Lynnwood and from 2-4 p.m. in Edmonds. The General Election is Nov. 4. Your name must be…

Election 2014: Judge Jeffrey Goodwin lines up endorsements

The campaign to re-elect Judge Jeffrey Goodwin has announced that Goodwin has received endorsements from both the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputies and Lynnwood Police Department. Goodwin’s endorsements also include the Mountlake Terrace Police Officers Association, City of Brier Mayor Bob Colinas, City of Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling, City of Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith, City of…

Remember to mail your primary election ballot – deadline is today

A reminder to all registered voters that the deadline to vote in the primary election is today (Tuesday, Aug. 5.) The primary includes a range of important races, from Congress to Snohomish County Executive to the state Legislature. All ballots must be postmarked Aug. 5 or turned in to a ballot drop-off location no later than…

Judge Goodwin launches re-election campaign for Snohomish District Court

Surrounded by supporters at the Loft Cafe and Social Lounge, Jeffrey Goodwin Wednesday night kicked off his re-election campaign for Snohomish County District Court. “I am the person to do this because I have a passion for what I’m doing,” said Goodwin, a 10-year Snohomish County District Court veteran, who is being challenged by Brett…