YOUR | LETTERS
Published on Mon, Oct 26, 2009Read More Letters to the Editor
Joe Wilson is the best man for the job
Dear Editor,
I am proud to endorse Joe Wilson for Superior Court Judge. Joe is clearly the most qualified candidate for Judge. He has extensive legal background in both civil and criminal law, and serves frequently as a pro tem judge. Joe is endorsed by more Snohomish County judges than any other candidate.
Joe has unquestionable integrity and a passion for the law and justice. I am fully aware of Joe’s driving convictions from many years ago and am completely satisfied in Joe’s lengthy record of solid, exceptional personal change.
Joe has demonstrated unmatched compassion and commitment to crime victims. For more than a decade, Joe has been deeply involved with Domestic Violence Services as a board member, past president, and interim executive director.
Please join me in voting for Joe Wilson for Superior Court judge.
Tageant has strong ethics, practices what he preaches
Dear Editor;
I would like to say a few things about Marcus Tageant, who is running for Lake Stevens City Council position 7.
Marcus is very involved in the community in which he was raised. He is a Lake Stevens High School graduate.
Marcus is the past president of Kiwanis, in which he led a group of 43 members; guiding them to do more for our community, focusing primarily on children and their needs.
Marcus is an ambassador and incoming President of the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce which helps grow local businesses and helps businesses be more involved in their communities as well.
Marcus is also a member of the American Legion, Lake Stevens Chapter.
Immediately after high school, Marcus went into the Marines so that he could serve his country and see the world.
Right after he finished his four years as a Marine, he enrolled into college (WAZZU) where he specialized in Real Estate courses, and shortly after he finished college he opened his own business.
So taking action and getting results is not only a campaign slogan, it has been a lifelong motto and action plan for Marcus.
He is a strong leader with impeccable morals and ethics. His plan will be to help promote public safety, promote job growth, and he will continue to be involved in the community that he lives in and loves.
I’ve voted for him and I encourage you to do so as well.
Becky Daily
Lake Stevens
Tageant’s vision and love for Lake Stevens makes him best candidate
Dear Editor,
I am writing to enthusiastically support Marcus Tageant for Lake Stevens City Council. I have volunteered on many different community projects with Marcus, and our city would be well served with him on the council.
His tireless efforts to make Lake Stevens a better place for all of us should not be overlooked.
Marcus and his wife are very active in this community. Whether helping build a playground for kids in our community, or helping gather and distribute food and toys for those less fortunate around the holiday season, we all know we can depend on Marcus to be right there with arms full and hearts open!
Without question, there are many challenges facing our community; growth, annexation, jobs and a very dismal economic climate for starters.
We need leaders like Marcus who share our vision for the future, and will always remember the unique reason why each of us have chosen to call Lake Stevens our home.
Please join me in supporting Marcus Tageant for Lake Stevens City Council.
Blair Anderson
Lake Stevens
Hiatt-Watson will help control FCCs if elected
Dear Editor,
Everyone complains about money in politics controlling everything, but how can we combat the problem? This year we have that opportunity in Snohomish County.
Despite several years of power politics by developers, the County Council recently rejected the ridiculous proposal for “instant cities”—formally known as “Fully Contained Communities” or FCCs—as an option for rural areas.
That was a bold decision by the council. In the end, four of the five members of the County Council voted to prevent these enormous developments from being built in our rural areas.
Only one councilmember remained in favor of FCCs: John Koster. He is wedded to FCCs, to the developers who were pushing them, and to their money.
So when you travel around the northern portions of Snohomish County seeing all those huge John Koster campaign signs, think of who supplied the money for them.
This time you can vote out those moneyed interests along with their councilman, John Koster, and vote in Ellen Hiatt Watson for County Council. She has fought against those FCCs for years. She has the public interest in mind, not that of the big developers.
Voting for her will help solve the problem of powerful moneyed interests at the county level, and that’s a great first step in giving power back to the voters.
Sonia Thompson
Granite Falls
Annexation is needed for city progression
Dear Editor,
I support the “One Community Around the Lake” concept, and strongly encourage my fellow citizens to support the Southwest Annexation so we can speak as one voice.
If Lake Stevens is to progress, it is of paramount importance that we work together as one unified community.
I support the Southwest Annexation.
James B. Mitchell
Lake Stevens
Brandt will jump in a get the work done on city council
Dear Editor,
When considering who we need for Lake Stevens City Council in these tough economic times, I think of someone who has the leadership and experience to get in there, day one, roll up their sleeves, and get to work.
Will Brandt is that person for numerous reasons.
His time on the Parks Board, and leading a successful annexation effort a couple years back, just as a couple of examples, have given him the experience of working with city staff and council, something I feel is an essential qualification for someone seeking to be on council.
He frequently attends council meetings and workshops, public hearings and community events, and so he understands the issues we are facing and is willing to not only address them, but find solutions through community input and objective decision making.
I am confident that he will make an excellent councilmember, and that is why I am supporting him.
I ask that you, too, support Will Brandt for Lake Stevens City Council Position 7.
Thomas Matlack
Lake Stevens
Mow would serve Granite Falls School Board well
Dear Editor:
With so much attention on the mayoral election in Granite Falls, it would be easy to overlook another important election on the upcoming ballot. The quality of the school system has a huge impact on a small community like Granite Falls, which makes the elections for the School Board equally critical.
In District 1, the incumbent is Rick Short, who deserves credit for having served on the school board for 15 years. However, every once in a while an exceptional candidate comes along that has the qualifications and the passion to do great things for our school district and community. The time is now and that person is Andrew Mow.
Drew is extremely well-educated, comes from a family of teachers and teaches part-time himself. His wife, Deborah, co-owns and teaches at Cascade Preschool. They have two children in the system and therefore have a vested interest in our school district’s future. We have known the Mow family ever since we moved to Granite ten years ago and have witnessed the family’s commitment to education first hand.
It is very difficult for a small community to find people with Drew’s qualifications and love of education that also have the desire to serve the community. Not to mention someone with a thorough understanding of the needs and concerns of everybody that the school district serves: the students, teachers, parents and administrators.
Furthermore, Drew has served on the GFSD Strategic Planning Committee and is endorsed by the Granite Falls Education Association. He believes in a solid academic foundation that can meet the demands of a high technology society, balanced with arts and athletic opportunities that make for a well-rounded education.
Drew deserves an opportunity to demonstrate his vision for the school district and I encourage you to give him your vote.
Tom Violette and Linda Taylor
Granite Falls
Is annexation worth the cost for community members
Dear Editor,
If annexation passes: Property taxes would go up according to city publications. Then there are five to six percent taxes on most utility bills, including cell phones. After seven years, mandatory garbage pick up services, plus tax.
We will then be subjected to new zoning rules, and possible new costs and regulations to subdivide your property, if you chose to do so.
Ask yourself is it worth the cost to join the city of Lake Stevens? Personally, I don’t think so. Please look at the issue and the benefits verses the cost.
Don’t let the “sales” people push you with their slogan “One Community Around the Lake”.
Please cast your vote, it’s your right and money.
Albert Lansing
Everett
Annexation gives community members a voice
Dear Editor,
As a long time resident of Lake Stevens unincorporated area and a former anti-annexation advocate, I became aware of the unplanned development by the county in my community; and as reported by the Everett Herald for each tax dollar that’s sent to the county, only .16 cents was returned to the Lake Stevens’ Urban Growth Area (UGA).
At the same time our neighborhood experienced several car prowls which were reported to the Sheriff’s Department without any response, because of their low priority.
Upon investigating with the Lake Stevens Police Department, I found that if you lived within the city limits of Lake Stevens, the response time would be a maximum six minutes, per the Chief of Police Randy Celori.
That is when and why I got involved and changed my mind and became an advocate and began the Wood annexation, which later became part of the North Lake Annexation.
Since being annexed into the City, we have experienced police presence on a daily basis, street sweeping (a first), roadside shoulder trim maintenance on a regular basis, winter snow street sanding, (also a first for side roads), and most important is I have a voice at City Council, and they listen.
Based on my experience and what I have gone through with annexation, I fully support the Southwest Annexation and believe in the “One City Around the Lake” concept.
George Wood
Lake Stevens
Sahara Pizza helps out with WASL excellence
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom and Chris Warrington, owners of Sahara Pizza in Lake Stevens, for their support of North Lake Middle School students.
Thanks to their generosity and a great deal, I was able to pay off my “WASL Excellence Bet” with 69 students from my classes last year!
For two years now, Sahara Pizza has helped me feed a pizza lunch to students scoring in the top quartile on both the reading and writing state assessments.
It was extra special this year because some of those students celebrating excellence were also passing the WASL for the first time.
Sahara Pizza is feeling the economic crunch like everyone else, but they were willing to step up and honor middle school kids for pushing themselves all year long and performing at high levels on the WASL.
My students this year are already asking if I will make the bet with them. I’m guessing Tom and Chris will bail me out again next year.
Lake Stevens is lucky to have Sahara Pizza around.
Kelli Kesler
7th Grade Language Arts Teacher
North Lake Middle School
Dear Editor,
I am proud to endorse Joe Wilson for Superior Court Judge. Joe is clearly the most qualified candidate for Judge. He has extensive legal background in both civil and criminal law, and serves frequently as a pro tem judge. Joe is endorsed by more Snohomish County judges than any other candidate.
Joe has unquestionable integrity and a passion for the law and justice. I am fully aware of Joe’s driving convictions from many years ago and am completely satisfied in Joe’s lengthy record of solid, exceptional personal change.
Joe has demonstrated unmatched compassion and commitment to crime victims. For more than a decade, Joe has been deeply involved with Domestic Violence Services as a board member, past president, and interim executive director.
Please join me in voting for Joe Wilson for Superior Court judge.
Tageant has strong ethics, practices what he preaches
Dear Editor;
I would like to say a few things about Marcus Tageant, who is running for Lake Stevens City Council position 7.
Marcus is very involved in the community in which he was raised. He is a Lake Stevens High School graduate.
Marcus is the past president of Kiwanis, in which he led a group of 43 members; guiding them to do more for our community, focusing primarily on children and their needs.
Marcus is an ambassador and incoming President of the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce which helps grow local businesses and helps businesses be more involved in their communities as well.
Marcus is also a member of the American Legion, Lake Stevens Chapter.
Immediately after high school, Marcus went into the Marines so that he could serve his country and see the world.
Right after he finished his four years as a Marine, he enrolled into college (WAZZU) where he specialized in Real Estate courses, and shortly after he finished college he opened his own business.
So taking action and getting results is not only a campaign slogan, it has been a lifelong motto and action plan for Marcus.
He is a strong leader with impeccable morals and ethics. His plan will be to help promote public safety, promote job growth, and he will continue to be involved in the community that he lives in and loves.
I’ve voted for him and I encourage you to do so as well.
Becky Daily
Lake Stevens
Tageant’s vision and love for Lake Stevens makes him best candidate
Dear Editor,
I am writing to enthusiastically support Marcus Tageant for Lake Stevens City Council. I have volunteered on many different community projects with Marcus, and our city would be well served with him on the council.
His tireless efforts to make Lake Stevens a better place for all of us should not be overlooked.
Marcus and his wife are very active in this community. Whether helping build a playground for kids in our community, or helping gather and distribute food and toys for those less fortunate around the holiday season, we all know we can depend on Marcus to be right there with arms full and hearts open!
Without question, there are many challenges facing our community; growth, annexation, jobs and a very dismal economic climate for starters.
We need leaders like Marcus who share our vision for the future, and will always remember the unique reason why each of us have chosen to call Lake Stevens our home.
Please join me in supporting Marcus Tageant for Lake Stevens City Council.
Blair Anderson
Lake Stevens
Hiatt-Watson will help control FCCs if elected
Dear Editor,
Everyone complains about money in politics controlling everything, but how can we combat the problem? This year we have that opportunity in Snohomish County.
Despite several years of power politics by developers, the County Council recently rejected the ridiculous proposal for “instant cities”—formally known as “Fully Contained Communities” or FCCs—as an option for rural areas.
That was a bold decision by the council. In the end, four of the five members of the County Council voted to prevent these enormous developments from being built in our rural areas.
Only one councilmember remained in favor of FCCs: John Koster. He is wedded to FCCs, to the developers who were pushing them, and to their money.
So when you travel around the northern portions of Snohomish County seeing all those huge John Koster campaign signs, think of who supplied the money for them.
This time you can vote out those moneyed interests along with their councilman, John Koster, and vote in Ellen Hiatt Watson for County Council. She has fought against those FCCs for years. She has the public interest in mind, not that of the big developers.
Voting for her will help solve the problem of powerful moneyed interests at the county level, and that’s a great first step in giving power back to the voters.
Sonia Thompson
Granite Falls
Annexation is needed for city progression
Dear Editor,
I support the “One Community Around the Lake” concept, and strongly encourage my fellow citizens to support the Southwest Annexation so we can speak as one voice.
If Lake Stevens is to progress, it is of paramount importance that we work together as one unified community.
I support the Southwest Annexation.
James B. Mitchell
Lake Stevens
Brandt will jump in a get the work done on city council
Dear Editor,
When considering who we need for Lake Stevens City Council in these tough economic times, I think of someone who has the leadership and experience to get in there, day one, roll up their sleeves, and get to work.
Will Brandt is that person for numerous reasons.
His time on the Parks Board, and leading a successful annexation effort a couple years back, just as a couple of examples, have given him the experience of working with city staff and council, something I feel is an essential qualification for someone seeking to be on council.
He frequently attends council meetings and workshops, public hearings and community events, and so he understands the issues we are facing and is willing to not only address them, but find solutions through community input and objective decision making.
I am confident that he will make an excellent councilmember, and that is why I am supporting him.
I ask that you, too, support Will Brandt for Lake Stevens City Council Position 7.
Thomas Matlack
Lake Stevens
Mow would serve Granite Falls School Board well
Dear Editor:
With so much attention on the mayoral election in Granite Falls, it would be easy to overlook another important election on the upcoming ballot. The quality of the school system has a huge impact on a small community like Granite Falls, which makes the elections for the School Board equally critical.
In District 1, the incumbent is Rick Short, who deserves credit for having served on the school board for 15 years. However, every once in a while an exceptional candidate comes along that has the qualifications and the passion to do great things for our school district and community. The time is now and that person is Andrew Mow.
Drew is extremely well-educated, comes from a family of teachers and teaches part-time himself. His wife, Deborah, co-owns and teaches at Cascade Preschool. They have two children in the system and therefore have a vested interest in our school district’s future. We have known the Mow family ever since we moved to Granite ten years ago and have witnessed the family’s commitment to education first hand.
It is very difficult for a small community to find people with Drew’s qualifications and love of education that also have the desire to serve the community. Not to mention someone with a thorough understanding of the needs and concerns of everybody that the school district serves: the students, teachers, parents and administrators.
Furthermore, Drew has served on the GFSD Strategic Planning Committee and is endorsed by the Granite Falls Education Association. He believes in a solid academic foundation that can meet the demands of a high technology society, balanced with arts and athletic opportunities that make for a well-rounded education.
Drew deserves an opportunity to demonstrate his vision for the school district and I encourage you to give him your vote.
Tom Violette and Linda Taylor
Granite Falls
Is annexation worth the cost for community members
Dear Editor,
If annexation passes: Property taxes would go up according to city publications. Then there are five to six percent taxes on most utility bills, including cell phones. After seven years, mandatory garbage pick up services, plus tax.
We will then be subjected to new zoning rules, and possible new costs and regulations to subdivide your property, if you chose to do so.
Ask yourself is it worth the cost to join the city of Lake Stevens? Personally, I don’t think so. Please look at the issue and the benefits verses the cost.
Don’t let the “sales” people push you with their slogan “One Community Around the Lake”.
Please cast your vote, it’s your right and money.
Albert Lansing
Everett
Annexation gives community members a voice
Dear Editor,
As a long time resident of Lake Stevens unincorporated area and a former anti-annexation advocate, I became aware of the unplanned development by the county in my community; and as reported by the Everett Herald for each tax dollar that’s sent to the county, only .16 cents was returned to the Lake Stevens’ Urban Growth Area (UGA).
At the same time our neighborhood experienced several car prowls which were reported to the Sheriff’s Department without any response, because of their low priority.
Upon investigating with the Lake Stevens Police Department, I found that if you lived within the city limits of Lake Stevens, the response time would be a maximum six minutes, per the Chief of Police Randy Celori.
That is when and why I got involved and changed my mind and became an advocate and began the Wood annexation, which later became part of the North Lake Annexation.
Since being annexed into the City, we have experienced police presence on a daily basis, street sweeping (a first), roadside shoulder trim maintenance on a regular basis, winter snow street sanding, (also a first for side roads), and most important is I have a voice at City Council, and they listen.
Based on my experience and what I have gone through with annexation, I fully support the Southwest Annexation and believe in the “One City Around the Lake” concept.
George Wood
Lake Stevens
Sahara Pizza helps out with WASL excellence
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom and Chris Warrington, owners of Sahara Pizza in Lake Stevens, for their support of North Lake Middle School students.
Thanks to their generosity and a great deal, I was able to pay off my “WASL Excellence Bet” with 69 students from my classes last year!
For two years now, Sahara Pizza has helped me feed a pizza lunch to students scoring in the top quartile on both the reading and writing state assessments.
It was extra special this year because some of those students celebrating excellence were also passing the WASL for the first time.
Sahara Pizza is feeling the economic crunch like everyone else, but they were willing to step up and honor middle school kids for pushing themselves all year long and performing at high levels on the WASL.
My students this year are already asking if I will make the bet with them. I’m guessing Tom and Chris will bail me out again next year.
Lake Stevens is lucky to have Sahara Pizza around.
Kelli Kesler
7th Grade Language Arts Teacher
North Lake Middle School
blog comments powered by Disqus
