Letters to the Editor July 1, 2009
Published on Tue, Jun 30, 2009Read More Letters to the Editor
City should look at fireworks law again
Dear Editor,
The great news regarding this new law concerning fireworks is that the law can be changed!
All we have to do is convince the city council that the negligence of a few parents should not stop our fun for the whole city.
I personally knew Glenda and her child and do not understand why she goes around trying to stop others fun, when no one else is to blame.
I cried for this child, but know he would not like this new law. He was a fun loving child and loved others having fun. We all really miss him and loved him.
Please keep letting the city council know we want our Christmas, New Year’s and a few days before the Fourth and a few days after.
Yes, the city also needs tax revenue, so why not realize this is an asset!
Thank you so much.
Jim and Marie King
Lake Stevens
Farmer’s Market should contain more local, organic goods
Dear Editor,
The term “Farmer’s Market” to me means local produce, including and especially organic.
The last two or three years I have seen crafts, one table with produce; nothing indicating it was organic, and a few flower sellers. That is not a Farmer’s Market.
Whoever organizes these things needs to dig up some local organic farmers like they had a few years ago and give the citizens some choice.
I think the customer base would appreciate it and grow.
To be honest, this year I haven’t been to the market, things might have changed, but I doubt it and it’s too much trouble to find out.
Cheryl Fontaine
Lake Stevens
Education is mandated by Washington State
Dear Editor,
I am submitting this very short note to correct a recent ‘misperception’ by letter writer Carolyn Fox-Allen, lest more people become wrongly informed of the matter
Public education is indeed a Washington State mandate.
It is definitively included in Article IX (9), Section 1 (preamble) of the Washington State Constitution;
“It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.”
Unfortunately, our legislators have failed to live up to that mandate for close to two decades now.
Michael Kundu,
President, Marysville School District Board of Directors &
Appointed member, National School Board Association
‘Federal Relations Network’
Fireworks can be dangerous and life-ending
Dear Editor,
This July will mark 10 years since legal fireworks took Shane Lynch’s 13-year-old life away from us.
Everyone should know flash powder can ignite from static electricity. Many fireworks are made with this powder. Fifteen people die and over twelve thousand get injured each year.
Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. Fireworks can result in scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime. What would you print about your dad, uncle, brother or child if they died from an injury?
I organize safety/prevention assemblies in Snohomish with help from bomb technicians in two areas, educating students about the dangers. Shane’s forehead was shattered; skull cracked in half and ninety percent of his brain was burned. To be safe take your family to a public show.
Shane never saw an Ipod or got to text anyone. We miss him a lot. I got rid of our dining set. I couldn’t stand to see his empty chair at dinnertime. Losing a child is the worst thing in life to experience. You’re lucky.
The grief walk is hard. I want to save you from this experience. Unexpected things happen in life.
I donate blood to pay it forward and honor my beautiful son. It’s my responsibility to share a valuable lesson. My dad had to tell Shane we were taking him off life support and he might die from this. It wasn’t really a choice – just a legal formality. I held his hand when he took his last breath.
Fireworks cause millions in property damage. Animals are scared. Garbage left behind is inexcusable.
Thank you Lake Stevens for cutting the time down.
Glenda Lynch
Lake Stevens
Executive Reardon works for the taxpayers
Dear Editor,
Who do our elected officials work for?
I was always taught in school that our elected officials work for the voters and taxpayers who elect them and pay their salaries. But in Snohomish County, Executive Reardon feels he owes nothing to the average voter/taxpayer and even less to the small business owners.
We are in the process of expanding our boarding kennel/doggy daycare. We asked Executive Reardon’s office for some help when Planning and Development Services treated us like we were an enemy, not a tax paying business trying to create more jobs. The issues we asked for help with affect not only us but just about every individual that applies for a building permit in this county.
When I asked for a direct meeting with the Executive, I was told and I quote “The Executive does not have enough time to meet with every individual in the county and your (my) problem does not rise to the level of a need for the Executive to meet with you.”
I tried to explain how I already had proof of how Planning and Development Services enforces codes when they want, not when required and ignore certain wording in the codes they refer to, just to deny reasonable waiver request. Subsequent research shows, they also completely ignore state building codes in order because they are either ill prepared for their jobs or just want to harass the little guy.
Jump ahead five months. We have again tried contacting our County Executive about the new Surface Water Management fees that discriminate against small businesses in the rural areas of the county, and the new County Code violates State RCWs. We have sent two emails, and followed them up with three phone calls. We have not gotten a single response.
At least John Koster’s office has responded to both of these same issues. In the first case, he went to Craig Ladiser, the director of Planning and Development Services. The problem is Craig responds directly to the Executive (who hired him back after he was fired by former Executive Drewel), and not to the County Council. In the second case Councilman Koster is taking action, maybe not as aggressively as I would have hoped, but he’s trying.
This all brings us back to the first question: Who is Aaron Reardon working for? Certainly not voters and individual taxpayers.
George Schlosser
K9 Korral Inc.
Lake Stevens
Stephens resides in King County, candidate in Snohomish
Dear Editor,
I am doing my research on candidates for the 5th District Council seat (currently held by Dave Somers) and was happy to see Lake Stevens Mayor, Vern Little, running. I was concerned by Greg Stephens’ name on the list. I have read that Mr. Stephens is using an address in Snohomish that has been deemed unlivable, while actually residing (physically) in King County.
I am concerned that this could become a common practice of people wishing to implement their political beliefs where they can buy shacks and run for office in Snohomish County while actually living somewhere else. It appears to be legal but we all realize that it is wrong.
I would like to see if the County Auditor, Washington Secretary of State, or the legislature can take this for action. We should all be concerned by individuals like Mr. Stephens and what is their end-game?
Todd Welch
Everett
Dear Editor,
The great news regarding this new law concerning fireworks is that the law can be changed!
All we have to do is convince the city council that the negligence of a few parents should not stop our fun for the whole city.
I personally knew Glenda and her child and do not understand why she goes around trying to stop others fun, when no one else is to blame.
I cried for this child, but know he would not like this new law. He was a fun loving child and loved others having fun. We all really miss him and loved him.
Please keep letting the city council know we want our Christmas, New Year’s and a few days before the Fourth and a few days after.
Yes, the city also needs tax revenue, so why not realize this is an asset!
Thank you so much.
Jim and Marie King
Lake Stevens
Farmer’s Market should contain more local, organic goods
Dear Editor,
The term “Farmer’s Market” to me means local produce, including and especially organic.
The last two or three years I have seen crafts, one table with produce; nothing indicating it was organic, and a few flower sellers. That is not a Farmer’s Market.
Whoever organizes these things needs to dig up some local organic farmers like they had a few years ago and give the citizens some choice.
I think the customer base would appreciate it and grow.
To be honest, this year I haven’t been to the market, things might have changed, but I doubt it and it’s too much trouble to find out.
Cheryl Fontaine
Lake Stevens
Education is mandated by Washington State
Dear Editor,
I am submitting this very short note to correct a recent ‘misperception’ by letter writer Carolyn Fox-Allen, lest more people become wrongly informed of the matter
Public education is indeed a Washington State mandate.
It is definitively included in Article IX (9), Section 1 (preamble) of the Washington State Constitution;
“It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.”
Unfortunately, our legislators have failed to live up to that mandate for close to two decades now.
Michael Kundu,
President, Marysville School District Board of Directors &
Appointed member, National School Board Association
‘Federal Relations Network’
Fireworks can be dangerous and life-ending
Dear Editor,
This July will mark 10 years since legal fireworks took Shane Lynch’s 13-year-old life away from us.
Everyone should know flash powder can ignite from static electricity. Many fireworks are made with this powder. Fifteen people die and over twelve thousand get injured each year.
Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. Fireworks can result in scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime. What would you print about your dad, uncle, brother or child if they died from an injury?
I organize safety/prevention assemblies in Snohomish with help from bomb technicians in two areas, educating students about the dangers. Shane’s forehead was shattered; skull cracked in half and ninety percent of his brain was burned. To be safe take your family to a public show.
Shane never saw an Ipod or got to text anyone. We miss him a lot. I got rid of our dining set. I couldn’t stand to see his empty chair at dinnertime. Losing a child is the worst thing in life to experience. You’re lucky.
The grief walk is hard. I want to save you from this experience. Unexpected things happen in life.
I donate blood to pay it forward and honor my beautiful son. It’s my responsibility to share a valuable lesson. My dad had to tell Shane we were taking him off life support and he might die from this. It wasn’t really a choice – just a legal formality. I held his hand when he took his last breath.
Fireworks cause millions in property damage. Animals are scared. Garbage left behind is inexcusable.
Thank you Lake Stevens for cutting the time down.
Glenda Lynch
Lake Stevens
Executive Reardon works for the taxpayers
Dear Editor,
Who do our elected officials work for?
I was always taught in school that our elected officials work for the voters and taxpayers who elect them and pay their salaries. But in Snohomish County, Executive Reardon feels he owes nothing to the average voter/taxpayer and even less to the small business owners.
We are in the process of expanding our boarding kennel/doggy daycare. We asked Executive Reardon’s office for some help when Planning and Development Services treated us like we were an enemy, not a tax paying business trying to create more jobs. The issues we asked for help with affect not only us but just about every individual that applies for a building permit in this county.
When I asked for a direct meeting with the Executive, I was told and I quote “The Executive does not have enough time to meet with every individual in the county and your (my) problem does not rise to the level of a need for the Executive to meet with you.”
I tried to explain how I already had proof of how Planning and Development Services enforces codes when they want, not when required and ignore certain wording in the codes they refer to, just to deny reasonable waiver request. Subsequent research shows, they also completely ignore state building codes in order because they are either ill prepared for their jobs or just want to harass the little guy.
Jump ahead five months. We have again tried contacting our County Executive about the new Surface Water Management fees that discriminate against small businesses in the rural areas of the county, and the new County Code violates State RCWs. We have sent two emails, and followed them up with three phone calls. We have not gotten a single response.
At least John Koster’s office has responded to both of these same issues. In the first case, he went to Craig Ladiser, the director of Planning and Development Services. The problem is Craig responds directly to the Executive (who hired him back after he was fired by former Executive Drewel), and not to the County Council. In the second case Councilman Koster is taking action, maybe not as aggressively as I would have hoped, but he’s trying.
This all brings us back to the first question: Who is Aaron Reardon working for? Certainly not voters and individual taxpayers.
George Schlosser
K9 Korral Inc.
Lake Stevens
Stephens resides in King County, candidate in Snohomish
Dear Editor,
I am doing my research on candidates for the 5th District Council seat (currently held by Dave Somers) and was happy to see Lake Stevens Mayor, Vern Little, running. I was concerned by Greg Stephens’ name on the list. I have read that Mr. Stephens is using an address in Snohomish that has been deemed unlivable, while actually residing (physically) in King County.
I am concerned that this could become a common practice of people wishing to implement their political beliefs where they can buy shacks and run for office in Snohomish County while actually living somewhere else. It appears to be legal but we all realize that it is wrong.
I would like to see if the County Auditor, Washington Secretary of State, or the legislature can take this for action. We should all be concerned by individuals like Mr. Stephens and what is their end-game?
Todd Welch
Everett
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