Snohomish County became a chartered county in 1980, which means we now have a county executive, which oversees departments such as Planning and Development Services and Public Works, the legislative branch of five council members and the judicial branch with a county prosecuting attorney.
We have had four county executives: Willis Tucker and Bob Drewel serving 12 years, Aaron Reardon serving almost 12 years, but was replaced with an appointment of John Lovick, who reran last year and now is running again this year, along with Dave Somers.
During Drewell’s term in office, the State Growth Management Act was adopted helping to ensure the county and cities would protect our farms, forests, critical areas and water quality, and prevent California-type urban sprawl.
While things were far from perfect during Drewel’s terms, land use comprehensive plans included plenty of public education and participation opportunities, with many workshops and open houses around the county, allowing lots of time for folks to understand the issues and to have a say.
Under the last two county executives — Reardon and Lovick — everything changed in terms of outreach to the public. Open houses and workshops out in our communities on important land use issues stopped. People are now forced to go to planning commission and council meetings to get information. In other words, citizens are ignored while big developers are welcomed.
This is why I’m supporting Dave Somers for county executive. After serving four terms on the county council, he knows how important public participation is and I believe he will set a better path for all residents by ensuring extended public outreach and education on land use and environmental issues that impacts their neighborhoods and our county as a whole.
Carol McDonald
Lake Stevens
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