Around the county

Published 11:07 pm Sunday, January 25, 2009

Arlington

Highland Drive lane closed through Wednesday

A lane of Highland Drive E. is set to be partially closed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Wednesday.

This closure is between S. MacLeod and S. Dunham streets, city public works officials said.

More info: 360-403-3500.

Lake Stevens

Arts Commission to move meetings

The Lake Stevens Arts Commission recently selected new officers and a new location for its meetings.

The commission will now meet at the Community-Senior Center, 1808 Main St. The next meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The new officers are Tracy Stevens, president; Gisela Hinchcliffe, vice president; and Julie Stephan, secretary.

More info: 425-334-1012.

Valentine’s dance planned for Feb. 14

The Lake Stevens Family Center is hosting a “Love for All Ages” Valentine’s Dance on Feb. 14.

The dance is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Valentine’s Day at the planned new Lake Stevens Senior Center, 2302 Soper Hill.

DJ Bob Justice plans to spin favorites from the ’40s to the present. Suggested dress is semi-formal. Snacks and drinks are planned.

The suggested donation is $5, with all proceeds to benefit the Family Center’s Youth Advisory Council and the Senior Center. An RSVP by Feb. 10 is requested.

More info: 425-335-0345 or 425-397-7433.

Lynnwood

Memorial for late mayor set for Thursday

A civic memorial for the late Mayor M.J. “Herk” Hrdlicka is planned for Thursday in Lynnwood.

The event is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St. SW.

An open house is planned for the first hour and a program of remembrance for the second hour.

Mayor Don Gough and former Mayor Tina Roberts are serving as honorary chairman and chairwoman.

More info: 425-775-1971.

Lynndale Park neighbors to discuss field use

Neighbors of Lynndale Park are invited to an annual community meeting to discuss Pacific Little League’s ongoing use of the athletic fields in the park.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Lynndale Park Meeting Room, 18927 72nd Ave. W.

More info: 425-670-5505 or parks@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Snohomish

City postpones Riverfront project

The Snohomish City Council decided at a Jan. 20 meeting to postpone further work on a project to reorient the downtown area toward the river. The report, prepared by staff, can be used in the future when economic conditions improve.

Stanwood

Pilchuck Glass School schedules open house

Officials at the world-renowned Pilchuck Glass School have set the school’s popular open house for the afternoon of July 12.

The open house is the annual chance for the public to visit the school’s campus, located northeast of Stanwood.

Visitors can tour the studios, meet artists and watch demonstrations.

Those who donate to the school as members of the Pilchuck Society have free admission; otherwise, tickets are $20 for adults and free for children age 12 and younger. Reservations are required.

More info: 206-621-8422, ext. 34, or reservations@pilchuck.com.

Sultan

Garbage rate increase approved by council

People living in Sultan will pay 20 percent more for garbage services.

The City Council voted on an interim rate hike at Thursday’s meeting. The new rates would take effect in February and show up on customers’ bills March 1. Councilmen Jim Flower voted against the proposal.

The cost for a customer with one-can-a-week service would grow by $3.10, from $15.50 to $18.60.

The city cited several reasons for the increase. The price of fuel and dumpsters has doubled. It costs more to pay employees’ salaries and health care benefits. Snohomish County Solid Waste wants 15 percent more to take the city’s garbage, and Allied Waste wants 20 percent more to deal with the city’s recycling.

The rate hike will stay until a rate study is finished later this year.

City Council talks about pay raise for mayor, itself

The City Council began discussing whether to increase salaries for the mayor and council members. The mayor currently earns $500 a month and council members earn a maximum of $150 a month.

Council member Ron Wiediger suggested the city could attract more mayoral candidates if the city paid $3,000 a month. Councilwoman Sarah Davenport-Smith wondered how the city could afford to increase salaries in a poor economy. She said she is worried about the quality of candidates drawn to the position.

A council subcommittee will continue the discussion and bring a recommendation to the council at a later date.