Time to replace Bader, Gipson

Published 2:15 pm Tuesday, October 27, 2015

At the candidate forum put on by the Everett Neighborhood Associations and Friends of Everett Public Library last Thursday, I learned a lot as to where these candidates truly stand or their lack of focus.

Scott Bader, who voted to raise our taxes last year, side-stepped the utility rate question so as not to reveal this fact to the audience again. When asked about making the city government more efficient, he alluded to city leadership working toward this goal but proceeded to give the impression that “union employees” were not part of this equation and part of the problem. Wasn’t this man endorsed by unions?

Ron Gipson couldn’t even get an opening statement out while searching his notes, and seemed again to not be prepared and educated on the questions all candidates received prior to the event.

Erik Richerson wants to “bring something new and fun” to downtown but I am totally unsure what he was talking about and while I appreciate his energy, he has no answers or goals.

Both Bader and Gipson voiced support for expansion of the South Everett Library, but why now and not during the budget discussions last year? I am guessing to attract South Everett votes because we all know that branch is called the Evergreen Branch not South Everett.

Of course, we all want a larger Evergreen Branch, but the city needs $5 million! Where are you going to tax us for that Scott and Ron?

Greg Weyer

Everett