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: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 ENDORSEMENT / ARLINGTON CITY COUNCIL Byrnes offers rare skill set With a population of more than 17,000, an increase of 44 percent in a decade, Arlington faces the typical pressures of other growing cities — keeping up with demands on services, trying to get traffic moving, working to preserve the small-town charm that attracted so many people in the first place. Accomplishing it requires committed, knowledgeable elected leaders who share a vision and work well together. By most accounts, Arlington has that on its City Council. That's why the opportunity Arlington voters have this fall is such a rare one. They have a chance to make an effective City Council even better by electing Linda Byrnes, a leader who already has a remarkable record of accomplishment in the community and is ready to do more. Byrnes, who retired last year after 12 years as superintendent of the Arlington School District, is challenging Graham Smith, a capable incumbent, for the 2-year at-large position on the City Council. Our enthusiastic endorsement of her implies no reservations about Smith, a retired investment executive with a good record. Indeed, it's too bad both can't win. But Byrnes represents a special opportunity for voters to choose a talented leader with vision, dedication and a demonstrated ability to rally the community to make itself better. That's what she did as superintendent, where her legacy shines throughout the halls of the high school, middle school and two elementary schools approved by voters in 2000 — largely because of Byrnes' determination. That same spirit sparked a successful campaign to raise the money to build the performing arts center at the high school, the one the community named in her honor. She was also named the state's Superintendent of the Year in 2008. Byrnes brings legislative experience to the race, too, having served on the Lake Stevens City Council in the 1980s, and as legislative liaison to the State Board of Education in the 1990s. In the only other contested race, Scott Solla easily deserves to be re-elected to Position 3. In nearly four years on the council (he was appointed to a vacant position in 2006, then elected the following year), he has shown himself to be a quick study, but remains humble enough to know he has more to learn. He understands the challenges presented by growth, and has gained a good grasp of the technical issues that have to be tackled to manage growth effectively. Among his priorities is keeping the city's most effective employees as it weathers the current economic downturn, a realization that Arlington must continue actively planning if its future is to remain bright. Solla is challenged by Brock Hecla, who was unavailable for an interview with the editorial board. Two incumbents are unopposed, Steve Baker in Position 1 and Chris Raezer in Position 2. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. 5 die of swine flu in Snohomish County 2. Driver charged in deaths of 4 3. Red Cross honors acts of heroism, many by ordinary people 4. Barista clothing rules delayed by County Council 5. Haugen's husband accused of sexual assault in civil suit 6. Ruskell steps down as Seahawks GM 7. Three people hurt in Everett house fire 8. Steelhead anglers finding mixed results 9. Airbus wins order for 52 single-aisle jets 10. Silvertips hammered 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