Group using music in lake battle

Published 10:51 pm Friday, June 22, 2007

LYNNWOOD – Alan Edwards, a 57-year-old musician, wanted to help his neighbors who have been battling new development around Lake Stickney.

He decided to put his talent to use.

A rock and blues concert to raise money for the Lake Stickney Improvement Association has been scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Sons of Norway-Normanna lodge at 2725 Oakes Ave. in Everett. The doors are expected to open at 12:30 p.m.

The improvement association, made up of about 45 neighbors, hopes to block development they contend could endanger fish runs.

“We’re just trying to protect (the lake) so it doesn’t get mowed down with the developments that are rolling through the area,” said Edwards, whose band, the Mary McPage Band, plans to perform.

About 100 tickets have been sold so far, and more will be sold at the door for $25 each, Edwards said. A handful of bands have volunteered to play at the concert for free.

The association is hoping to raise at least $1,000 from the benefit to help pay legal fees.

The group is more than $8,000 in debt from its appeal of Snohomish County planners’ determination that a 49-house development on the lake’s western shore wouldn’t significantly harm the surrounding environment.

More money will be needed for future disputes, association member David Johnson said.

“The benefit is for a fabulous cause, for the environment for south Snohomish County,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a good time.”

Lake Stickney is part of the headwaters for Swamp Creek, which runs through south Snohomish County. It empties into the Sammamish River, which reaches Lake Washington.

Two years ago, the citizens group spent $23,000 to stop a 35-unit townhouse development from being built on the west side of the lake.

Judy Heggen, 64, has lived alongside the lake for eight years. She loves to sit on her deck and watch the geese fly in, circle overhead and land on the water.

Bald eagles, otters and beavers also frequent the lake, she said. The lake is stocked with trout each year.

“It’s just a little slice of paradise that we don’t want to see disappear,” Heggen said.

She hopes the concert sends a message to county leaders.

“We’re trying to show Snohomish County that some things are more important than more taxes,” she said.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.