Everett City Council, mayor should work together better

Published 1:30 am Friday, January 13, 2023

Our Everett City Council is failing us. What should be a cohesive group of elected officials working together toward the best interests of the residents of the city of Everett, instead appears to be anything but. The city council and mayor havea a unique opportunity to give voice to the younger residents of the city recognizing our city’s diverse age demographic.

Instead of seizing that opportunity, recognizing it for what it is and supporting and mentoring the younger council members, it appears those members are being shunned at every opportunity. In addition, the audacity of a male council member believing they are entitled to call out the “behavior” of a female member is truly unsettling. I believe it is my right to decide whether a council member is displaying “inappropriate decorum” or whether they are displaying a passion for their work. In addition, it seems to me that a modicum of frustration on the part of some of the younger council members is completely appropriate.

It is time for the Everett City Council to do better. I hope they come back from their retreat demonstrating they have done the work needed to garner the respect and support of each other necessary to do the important work of our city.

Naomi A. Dietrich

Everett