Independent thinkers needed

Published 11:39 am Friday, October 28, 2011

The public trust is very threatened this year. One candidate for Everett City Council, Ron Gipson, purports to be “a voice of the blue collar folks” while consistently voting for the downtown real estate development cartel, against the cultural, civic and stated needs of the people. The increased density of the myriad of new housing in downtown requires a similar intellectual, recreative, accessible, affordable, supportive and creative infrastructure.

Council members Drew Nielsen and Brenda Stonecipher face an onslaught from the same development cartel and outdated thinking that public safety and downtown development of cultural resources are not compatible. The only new challengers in this year’s city council races that do not foster the “good ol’ boy network” are June Robinson and Jackie Minchew.

Both Nielsen and Stonecipher brought in breaths of fresh air to the stagnant, stuffy, self-serving council of the past. The city needs their voices to keep the balance not only of diversity, but the intelligence and commitment to hold the course while making very hard financial decisions.

We need to keep and add independent thinkers and doers on the City Council. Do you want a bought and paid for City Council making the important decisions that are on the horizon? I don’t.

Michele Hoverter

Everett