We are a grass-roots, non-profit, non-partisan organization forming to change Snohomish city government.
We want to return Snohomish to a “strong mayor” system where the citizens directly elect the mayor, who then in turn will run city government with or without the help of a separate administrator.
We are not “character assassins” merely because we want to streamline city government, promote better accountability, and increase transparency and access for the citizens.
We don’t have hidden agendas. Anyone who is a registered voter in Snohomish can run for the mayor position. That means even the current city manager or department head can move to Snohomish and apply for the elective office.
For the better part of a century, the “strong mayor” system worked well in Snohomish. Some of our citizens can remember colorful and successful strong mayors such as Frank Nickerman and Payson Peterson.
Snohomish is a small town, population 9,200. We favor small town values over big city values. We don’t like to see taxpayer money wasted on dubious projects like a $2.5 million council chamber or a $700,000 Artist-in-Residence program on Ludwig Road or a cell tower eyesore on park property or disturbing a pioneer/Indian cemetery on Cypress Avenue.
Even our much larger neighboring cities, Lake Stevens and Monroe, are happy with their “strong mayor” system as are the majority of towns and cities in Snohomish county and Washington state. That alone tells you the “strong mayor” system is the superior form of government for accountability to the voters and prudent use of tax dollars.
Karen Guzak in her Herald guest commentary of Jan. 16 believes Snohomish voters are stupid in that they will elect a “bad mayor” which will take “four years” to un-elect him or her.
Our organization has faith in the wisdom of the voters that they will choose the best candidate. That is the essence of real democracy.
As an aside, recalling seven council members is a lot more expensive than recalling one mayor.
Bill Betten and Rolf Rautenberg are residents of Snohomish.
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