Week in Review
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, September 24, 2005
Did you miss your news last week? Here’s a selection of the week’s top news items from across Snohomish County as they appeared in The Herald. For the full stories, go to cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet.
Sunday, Sept. 18
Primary turnout could be sparse. Voters heading to the polls for Tuesday’s primary election may be surprised that there’s not much on their ballots. With no countywide or statewide matters to settle, many ballots contain only a few items. About 125,000 registered voters are eligible to go to the polls in Snohomish County, while another 200,000 received mail-in ballots.
Jerry Cornfield
Monday, Sept. 19
Staffers seek what cuts took. Millions of dollars in cuts made last year in Snohomish County’s “tough medicine” budget appear to be taking their toll. Tales of burnout, injuries and fear of failure to meet legal requirements are outlined in volumes of budget requests from county department heads for 2006. To reverse those challenges, officials are asking for better technology, more dog catchers, more prosecutors, jail workers, accident investigators and sheriff’s deputies. County departments say they need $204.2 million in taxes in 2006 to pay for salaries and programs. Too bad that’s $20 million more than the county has to spend.
Jeff Switzer
Tuesday, Sept. 20
PUD considers a rate reduction. Many of Snohomish County PUD’s 300,000 customers have struggled for five years to pay some of the highest electricity bills in the state. Now some at the utility are proposing to lower rates by 3 percent, one of a number of options under study. The rate cut would save the average PUD customer $28 per year – barely enough money to fill their gas tank. PUD leaders are calling the proposed rate reduction a gesture of goodwill. Some customers are saying every penny counts.
Lukas Velush
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Somers wins Democratic race. Democratic nominee Dave Somers, unseated from the Snohomish County Council by Republican Jeff Sax four years ago, is staging a rematch. Somers was leading newcomer Steve Hobbs in early returns in the Democratic primary Tuesday night. Unless ballot results change, Somers will challenge Sax in November to represent District 5, the county’s second-largest council district. Sax is seeking a second term and was not opposed in the primary election.
Jeff Switzer
Thursday, Sept.22
$250,000 sought in pig tussle. Restaurant owners who commissioned a controversial mural depicting pigs on an outside wall say the city owes them $250,000 for lost business, stress and unnecessary attorney fees. They singled out Mayor Liz Loomis and other city employees and board members for continued harassment since the restaurant opened in late December. That’s pure hogwash, Loomis said.
Yoshiaki Nohara
Friday, Sept. 23
Schools closer to defeat. Marysville school officials may be a little less optimistic, while Lynnwood Mayor Mike McKinnon may be a little more optimistic after about 4,500 absentee ballots were counted Wednesday. McKinnon gained a little ground, but Marysville schools lost a little when the primary election numbers were crunched. It could take a few days before voters know the outcome.
Eric Stevick
Saturday, Sept. 24
Campfire candy seller tops in U.S. Shamae Campbell pounded the pavement for more than three weeks, determined to sell more Campfire USA candy than anyone else in the land. She sold 2,606 boxes. Chocoholics and dentists rejoiced, but would it be enough? In past years, she’d won third nationwide, even second, but darn it – never first. The count came in. She sold enough Creamy Smooth Mint Patties, Almond Roca and P-Nuttles to clinch the title.
Jennifer Warnick
