Your questions, my answers:
another “Off the Record” Q&A

This will be the last week we use this space to talk about elections and universities. After the University of Washington Town Hall meeting occurs next Monday, Oct. 29 at Cavelero Mid High School and ballots are collected on Nov. 6, we can get back to the OtR topics we all love so much: evil developers. No, I guess we’ve exhausted that topic. Maybe evil environmental groups? Been there as well. I should try to leave this world with a few people who don’t hate me, so maybe we’ll just write fluff pieces for the rest of the calendar year. Anybody got a bulldog that can skateboard?

With that said, let’s get into the final round of Off the Record Q &A, with the dual topics of the University of Washington campus search and local election season as the topics of record.

Q: So I didn’t go to the forum last week, because I got my Journal on Thursday instead of Wednesday (and read the front page teaser exclaiming “Journal Forum tonight!”). Is this a conspiratorial attempt on the part of the builders/enviros to lower voter participation AND what happened at the forum?

A: No conspiracies here. My sources at the Journal tell me that the folks who stuff inserts in the paper got a little behind schedule due to the scheduled absence of Delivery Manager Extraordinaire/Whip Cracker/Crazy Guy with a Long Beard Larry Rott. Therefore, the paper didn’t get to the Post Office in time to be delivered everywhere by Wednesday.

As far as the forum, we had 10 of 13 invited candidates present. Councilmember Suzanne Quigley just started a new job and had work commitments. Councilmember Karen Alessi was on City business (?), and School Board candidate Richard Blumhagen didn’t show. For the most part, the candidates were well-spoken, respectful and professional throughout the two and a half hour ordeal. Tough questions were answered, and audience participation was thoughtful and involved.

Q: Tell us for the fifteenth time about the University of Washington Town Hall meeting.

A: Since you asked…As I mentioned before, the meeting is Monday, Oct. 29 at Cavelero Mid High. Get there at 6:30. This is our opportunity to tell the state and the University of Washington what WE are looking for in a four year institution. This is the ideal opportunity for students to participate in the once-in-a-lifetime chance to design higher education to fit their needs.

It’s important to note that the east side of Snohomish County is completely underserved in regard to higher education. According to the UGA projections published by the Times of Snohomish County two weeks ago, the population of east side cities Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Granite Falls and Monroe will far outpace that of Everett by 2025. Currently, Everett has the following higher ed options: Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Everett Community College and several smaller private schools. East County has NONE.

Give me a call at 425-239-0638 or email me if you have any questions about the Town Hall or how you can help.

Q: Who are you voting for? Let’s see your ballot!

A: I thought about it, but then that would set a precedent I’m not sure I’d like to live up to. Let’s just say that I’m voting for the local candidates who I feel are best equipped to make thoughtful and well-researched decisions on behalf of Lake Stevens, who are present and explain their positions at Council meetings, who have actively supported the University of Washington site effort and who have shown vision and guidance in the Civic Center and CAO processes. Vague, I know, but that’s the best I can do.

That’s about all I’ve got for this week. As I mentioned earlier, please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions about how you can help land the University of Washington in Lake Stevens/Snohomish. Also, regardless of whom you support, make sure to have your ballot postmarked by Nov. 6. This is a crucial election for Lake Stevens and surrounding areas. We sit on the precipice of more unprecedented growth. Let’s make sure that we have the right leaders in position to navigate us through this explosive stage.

Kevin Hulten is an award-winning freelance journalist and the author of the Off the Record column and blog (located a twww.lakestevensjournal.com). Submit feedback to kevin.hulten@gmail.com.

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