Not too late to locate in Mukilteo

Published 1:45 pm Friday, November 2, 2007

Imagine a University of Washington sign on buildings along east Mukilteo shores and up the border with Everett. This locale has three major educational advantages over the four “finalist” sites of the proposed campus.

It is only two miles from the Boeing Co. and related manufacturers. Aviation students from far and near would be attracted to UW aeronautic courses, held near the largest, most innovative airplane factory in the world!

UW classes can study the sea life of Puget Sound, the largest and richest network of estuaries in the world. This subject is of international concern now, as food from the oceans are becoming depleted. I still remember the wide variety of fish, clams, crabs, sea snails and edible sea weeds we found on Mukilteo shores a half century ago.

Mukilteo is a major historic site. There is a plaque here to the 1792 landing of Capt. George Vancouver, who explored and named physical features in the Northwest. There are four memorials here to Gov. Isaac I. Stevens’ Point Elliott Peace Treaty with Puget Sound Indians, one of 10 such pacts, negotiated in Washington Territory around 1855. These agreements assured that Native Americans would be treated far better in our state than in other parts of the country. A UW branch can bring prestige and economic progress to Snohomish County as a notable education and historic center and a source of Native American studies.

Other favorable aspects include rail transportation and plenty of space for housing. There are major difficulties, too; but they can be resolved with determined effort. Populous Everett would gain much without losing valuable land.

The recent resignation of Reid Shockey of Everett indicates the selection process is now too political. Perhaps Gov. Chris Gregoire and the UW can become involved in the decision to avoid having it mired into partisan accusations of favoritism.

MAS ODOI