Editorials

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   HAVE YOUR SAY Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor. You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 250 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another. Send it to: E-mail: letters@heraldnet.com Mail: Letters section The Herald P.O. Box 930 Everett, WA 98206 Fax: 425-339-3458 Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson (cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472).   Published: Friday, October 2, 2009 ENDORSEMENTS / EVERETT CITY COUNCIL Elect Moore to open seat It’s a rarity in recent history: a contested election for a vacant seat on the Everett City Council. We see the Position 2 race between John Flowers, an attorney and real estate broker, and Jeff Moore, finance and operations director for the Everett School District, as a relatively close call. The winner will replace Mark Olson, who is leaving the seat. We give Moore the nod for his pertinent background, which includes his current position as vice chair of the city Planning Commission and his risk-management, construction and technological responsibilities for one of the state’s largest school districts. Moore has managed the district through fiscal challenges brought on by the recession; good preparation for the budget challenges the city will continue to face. He would bring a sensible approach to economic development, recognizing the need to further diversify the local economy and to encourage smart growth without an overabundance of government interference. The South Everett resident also says that developing parks, trails and other recreational opportunities throughout the city — not just in the northern part— needs to be a priority. Flowers characterizes himself as a problem solver who would force the council to deal with problems it has “kicked down the road,” including Puget Sound pollution, reducing the crime rate — especially auto theft — and establishing a fleet of electric commuter buses rather than light rail. He says Sound Transit’s light rail technology is obsolete and overpriced. He also advocates reaching out to citizens in South Everett more assertively, perhaps by holding one council meeting per month there. For Position 3, we endorse two-term incumbent Arlan Hatloe over Jackie Minchew, who is making his third run for council in four years. Hatloe, a retired small-business owner, has served ably. He has been a strong force for financial accountability and spending discipline, while also serving as an advocate for public safety funding and investments in major arts projects. He was instrumental in working with Mayor Ray Stephanson to adopt a 20 percent reserve requirement for the city budget, a cushion that has helped the city avoid many of the service and job cuts other municipalities have made during the current downturn. We continue to admire Minchew’s earnest dedication, especially to environmental concerns. He would certainly bring a non-status-quo voice to the council, but not one that justifies replacing the contributions Hatloe makes. Paul Roberts, the incumbent in Position 1, easily deserves re-election. He is steeped in public policy work that has made a positive difference. A former Everett planning director and school board member, Roberts currently serves on the Sound Transit board, chairs the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and is vice chair of the state Aviation Planning Council. His background includes helping to lead the effort that brought Boeing 787 assembly to Everett, working to bring the Navy to Everett and keep it here, and being a leader in integrating state land use laws and permitting processes. He brings a decidedly intelligent, green and practical approach to city issues. Roberts is challenged by political newcomer Katie Duke, a software entrepreneur who was drawn to run after the city brought a code-enforcement action over a fence her late brother had built. She says city code enforcement is often overzealous and that issues of aesthetics can take priority over safety, something she would work to change. Duke clearly is bright and passionate. The city should work with such citizens to find ways for them to bring their talents to the table. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out Should newspapers make endorsements? I'm really wondering if newspapers should endorse certain candidates. What's behind their endorsements? Why not let the more objective journalists cover the election and present the facts and issues? Let the people decide. Kerry M | Oct 2, 2009 6:41 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

1. From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore to keep running 2. A student by day, he's homeless by night 3. Colton Harris-Moore’s mother says he’s not out in the cold 4. Vigil at Mariner High School honors two crash victims 5. Attorney’s daughter: Mom had to have deal with Tiger Woods 6. Sen. Haugen’s husband sued by her former aide 7. Korean Air to buy Boeing 747-8 passenger planes 8. Fund set up to benefit children of couple killed in crash 9. Everett approves a tribute to key figure in its history 10. Snohomish County home sales up; prices fall 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million