Incumbents have artistic vision

Published 10:28 am Friday, October 28, 2011

Last week we delighted in watching artists make glass pumpkins while an appreciative crowd enjoyed “Schacktoberfest” at the new Schack Arts Center in downtown Everett. The success of “The Schack” with its events, classes, galleries, exhibits and store is due, in great part, to the leadership of our City Council and Mayor Ray Stephanson. They arranged for us to lease the land on which the Schack Art Center, and the ArtSpace housing above it, were built.

In 2008, they supported our campaign to build an arts center downtown even in the face of the second worst economic collapse in U.S. history. They shared our vision that this project gives Everett more than just a place to make art. It provides our city with jobs, housing, education and urban development.

Projects like the Schack Art Center, ArtSpace and the Everett Youth Education Center (at the old Key Bank building) are what Everett needs, particularly today when times are tough. As co-chairs of the capital campaign to build the Schack, we were disappointed that The Herald and the mayor abandoned this vision with their endorsements for City Council.

Brenda Stonecipher and Drew Nielsen served on the City Council during the campaign to build the Schack Art Center. Their support and leadership were strong when we were raising funds for The Schack. June Robinson shares their vision and commitment to bring jobs, housing and urban development to Everett. All three should be endorsed and elected.

Clay and Hap Wertheimer

Everett