Reardon should give Snohomish County voters a choice

Executive Aaron Reardon has been a friend and acquaintance of mine for some time. Like many politicos and citizens around the county I’ve watched his career and actively campaigned for him in years past. While no doubt he has a legacy that some will debate — he started his career for the same reasons many get involved in politics and public service — to bring positive change.

Bringing positive change is why I chose to seek the chairmanship of the Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee. I’ve proudly spent the better part of the last twelve or so years working hard alongside others for our party and for the purpose of bringing positive change. For me, and the organization I lead, we find that the path to positive change is illuminated by four words: Hope, Community, Empowerment and Progress. I’m sure the executive would agree that these four words can bring about amazing opportunity even from the most challenging of circumstances. We’ve seen these words shape history time and time again. In many ways they shape our democracy and form the foundation of country.

In practice, every election is based on hope, community, empowerment and progress. Not long ago the citizens of our community were empowered with the choice of deciding who they wanted to serve and bring progress to our county. They clearly chose Aaron Reardon in that election. Now, after a number of questions of public trust have been levied and the toll that has taken on the office, the county staff, and the executive himself — it’s time to move on. He’s announced his resignation and a time to press forward as a county and community is upon us. For the continued and future success of our county hinges on leadership that garners confidence from the public it serves.

As part of the process in filling a partisan vacancy the Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee will be choosing three nominees to move forward for final consideration by the Snohomish County Council. We are confident we will forward three exceptional nominees, any of whom could hit the ground running to guarantee continuity of government, start the healing process and begin to restore the public trust. All things that I’m sure the people of the county want to see.

Clearly there is public interest in a quick, successful resolution and in moving the county forward. For many, this means they’d like their moment of hope, community, empowerment and progress. For many will want the executive to resign earlier than he has announced and a vote this year on the ballot, with the replacement serving the shortest time before needing to face election. There are certainly arguments to be made for adding a special short-term election to this year’s ballot. It gives the citizens of the county their voice in the matter at the soonest possible moment. It would potentially begin the healing on a grander scale and give us all a moment to begin progress as a community.

Your Snohomish County Democrats stand ready to fulfill the role that the law and situation require of us as a political party. We also hope the community will be empowered with their decision earlier, so that we might all share in the process and get back to the business of the people.

Aaron Reardon will always be a friend of mine. Like many people we’ll always make different choices and approach things as we need to — as individuals. He’ll leave behind a strong fiscal legacy, among other things; however, how he chooses to write his final chapter as executive is truly up to him. My hope is that he’ll write the chapter with the quickest path to progress for our county and our citizens. With that behind him he can best begin his next endeavor and the county can move forward.

Richard Wright was elected chairman of the Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee in December 2012.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

RGB version
Editorial cartoons for Monday, March 18

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

Carson gets a chance to sound the horn in an Everett Fire Department engine with the help of captain Jason Brock during a surprise Make-A-Wish sendoff Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Thornton A. Sullivan Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Everett voters will set course for city finances

This fall and in coming years, they will be asked how to fund and support the services they use.

Devotees of TikTok, Mona Swain, center, and her sister, Rachel Swain, right, both of Atlanta, monitor voting at the Capitol in Washington, as the House passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app if its China-based owner doesn't sell, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Lawmakers contend the app's owner, ByteDance, is beholden to the Chinese government, which could demand access to the data of TikTok's consumers in the U.S. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Editorial: Forced sale of TikTok ignores network of problems

The removal of a Chinese company would still leave concerns for data privacy and the content on apps.

Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, watches the State of the State speech by Gov. Jay Inslee on the second day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Editorial: Legislature has its own production of ‘The Holdovers’

What state lawmakers left behind in good ideas that should get more attention and passage next year.

Comment: Measles outbreaks show importance of MMR vaccinations

The highly contagious disease requires a 95 percent vaccination rate to limit the spread of outbreaks.

Harrop: Should ‘affordable’ come at cost of quality of living?

As states push their cities to ignore zoning rules, the YIMBYs are covering for developers.

Saunders: Classified document cases show degrees of guilt

President Biden’s age might protect him, but the special prosecutor didn’t exonerate him either.

Comment: Clearing the internet of misinformation, deep fakes

With social networks’ spotty moderation record, users need to identify and call out problems they see.

Eco-Nomics: Price of gas, fossil fuels higher than you think

Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels force unseen costs in climate disasters, illness and more.

Vote against I-2117 to keep best tool to protect climate

We voters will be offered the opportunity to repeal Washington state’s Climate… Continue reading

Lack of maternal health care raises risks of deadly sepsis

In today’s contentious climate, we often hear political debates about maternal health… Continue reading

Trump’s stance on abortion isn’t moderate; it’s dangerous

Voters deserve to know the facts and the truth about what will… Continue reading

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.