Consider the ideas, direction of residents

If you recall the controversy last year that followed Shannon Affholter’s mid-term resignation from the Everett City Council, you might remember that the conservative male majority chose to appoint one of their own rather than choose from the five highly qualified women supported by the citizens.

You might also remember that Judy Tuohy, despite being passed over during that initial selection process, responded with a robust campaign and soundly defeated Richard Anderson in the next election. But if you remember all that, it follows that you might be disappointed to learn that the men in control of this town haven’t learned a thing from that previous experience as they proved at this week’s City Council meeting.

The first order of council business on Wednesday was a meeting of the new public safety subcommittee, chaired by Judy Tuohy, with Brenda Stonecipher and Jeff Moore in attendance. The very well-attended public meeting provided the forum for an enlightening discussion about Everett’s street level crime and homelessness issues, and concluded with the Mayor Ray Stephanson’s announcement that he will commit $1 million in 2016 to address these critical concerns.

While this is a paltry sum for such a complex challenge, just weeks ago the mayor was pledging no new funding targeted to address homelessness. It was clear to everyone in attendance that the mayor’s change of heart was prompted by community pressure, but also came at the urging of Tuohy, Stonecipher and the other council members who are on the frontlines with residents and local businesses contacting them daily to express their concerns.

During the regular council meeting that immediately followed, Everett resident Megan Dunn, representing a larger group of citizens, (including city council candidates Cassie Franklin and Charlene Rawson), made a compelling presentation about the benefits of electing counci lmembers by district and urged the council to study her proposal to create voting districts in Everett. Stonecipher agreed, proposing that the council’s general government subcommittee study Ms. Dunn’s proposal and consider putting it on the ballot to let voters decide if they want to vote by district.

The council good-old-boys hemmed and hawed, but didn’t really want to think or talk about districts, since it would force many of them to run against one another in the same district. In the end, only Stonecipher and Tuohy altruistically voted in favor of the council discussing districts further, while the good-old-boys voted against, one suspects to protect their turf. Clearly this matter will have to be put in citizens’ hands through an initiative process and, if the past is any indication of the future, the voters will make the best decision for Everett.

In the meantime, take heed of the message illustrated by these proceedings. On Nov. 3r, it is obvious you should re-elect Stonecipher and Tuohy, but you should also elect the other qualified women on the ballot: Cassie Franklin and Charlene Rawson. Last evening’s events illustrate that the studies showing women are better legislators and more responsive to the electorate are true.

Christina Robertson is a resident of Everett.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.