When the stories were published two days after the landslide disaster, I was angry when I read about the history of the location. I am still angry, which is very rare for me. That same location has slid repeatedly for more than 60 years as documented in several official reports going back over several years. Those reports from geologists go on to predict the probability or even certainty of future slides. One of those reports was commissioned by and delivered to Snohomish County very recently. Now we find out the county was well aware of the danger and contemplated buying out the owners in that area but decided it was too expensive. So they continued to issue building permits and did nothing to warn people about the danger. In fact, one emergency management official asserted recently that the area was safe!

Snohomish County officials at many levels have abdicated their responsibilities and should be held accountable. At the least, jobs must be lost and replaced by more responsible people. The biggest tragedy is the lives lost, followed by the property destroyed. Then will be the millions of dollars to be paid out by the county when the justifiable lawsuits are settled. The people of Snohomish County deserve better!

John Ringler

Everett