Letters to the Editor

Published 1:30 am Friday, July 3, 2026

LIBRARIES

Vote ‘yes’ for libraries on Aug. 4

Want to do something patriotic to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday? Vote yes on August 4th for the Sno-Isle Libraries levy! Starting with Benjamin Franklin, Americans have realized the importance of libraries to civic life. Free public libraries (funded by municipal tax dollars) came into existence in the early 19th century, and today nearly 17,000 public library branches across the U.S. provide free, democratic access to information, internet, and essential services. Every 8-10 years Snohomish and Island County voters decide what the library levy rate should be. The last time was in 2018, and since then Sno-Isle Libraries has carefully managed the budget to serve our community, even with rising costs and library usage. The library levy is not raising taxes to fund something new—it is restoring funding for something that already exists and that the community already relies on. If it fails, our libraries will have fewer hours, reduced staff, reduced programs like Storytimes, and a smaller budget for books. Vote YES for Libraries on August 4th!

Sally Lider

Lynnwood

FOURTH OF JULY

Please think twice for our veterans

As our nation’s 250th birthday is fast approaching, I am requesting that everyone think twice before setting off any personal fireworks for the sake of all our veterans (both previously and presently serving). These fine men and women have already given up so much in order for us to continue to enjoy the freedom we have today. For many of them, the sounds and smells of fireworks cause them so much stress, especially those suffering from PTSD. Those sounds and smells of fireworks bring them right back to those war zones that they wish they could forget. By not setting off our own personal fireworks, we are giving them a gift of peace and quiet on a day we are celebrating our freedom for which they have fought so hard for. There are many public places to go to in order to view fireworks. Please consider going to one of these places for your 4th of July firework celebrations. Also, by not setting of our own fireworks we are keeping our neighborhoods peaceful and quiet for all the animals, both domestic and wild.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July! Happy 250th birthday USA and God Bless America!

Beverly C. Russell

Everett

ACCOUNTABILITY

Recovery First over Housing First

I attended and provided testimony at the Snohomish County Council public hearing on the ordinances related to the extended issue of housing and impacts of addiction and homelessness.

I support the Ordinances as I see and experience that what we are currently doing is not producing the results for recovery.

I was born here on Colby, lived here my whole life. I am a recovering addict that started with meth and fentanyl/heroin and it took me three times to finally get it! When I was using I was all for the Housing First but as time has gone on I believe that the out of sight, out of mind approach is a recycled failing approach. People are making money by recycling addicts and homeless people though the same failed recycled programs. I am living proof of what has worked for me and that is a Recovery First Program. In the last 2 years I have gotten support and recovery that was needed to address the drug issue, which has allowed me the clarity to address the real issue which is mental trauma and without recovery first my mind was not clear enough to address my mental issues. I don’t see why we keep recycling the same failed programs of Housing First. Besides, money without treatment being required we are just turning addicts and homeless people into a commodity to be sold to the next failed programs. If I can stand as proof that with recovery first treatments required programs work, allow the healing needed such as recovery programs addressing mental health, anger management/MRT so why would you not listen?

Edward H. Atwood

Snohomish

MEASUREMENTS

My embarrassment is growing inch by inch

Why is America still using the imperial system?

You know, pounds, inches, tablespoons. Did you know the there are only 3 countries in the WORLD that still use the imperial system: The USA, Liberia and Myanmar. That’s it! We’re so far behind the times that it’s just plain embarrassing.

So, how about it Mr. President. Can you take out your executive order pad and fix this?

Eric Beardsley

Lake Stevens

FOSSIL FUELS

The fossil fuel industry’s control of our government

The world as we know it today was built on the back of burning fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this process has come at a tremendous cost. Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly warming our world at a rate that has never occurred in the history of our planet. Why, then, do we continue to burn planet killing fossil fuels?

One primary reason is the tremendous control the fossil fuel industry has over our government. The industry spends approximately $250 million dollars per year lobbying elected officials. The vast majority of this money goes to Republican officials and candidates. During the 2024 presidential campaign alone, oil interests gave more than $75 million to Donald Trump’s affiliated PACs.

This lobbying money serves as a highly effective financial instrument. It yields unparalleled returns on investment by securing multibillion-dollar taxpayer subsidies, rolling back environmental regulations, and aggressively stalling clean energy competition.

In addition, our federal government spends between $20 to $35 billion a year on direct handouts to the fossil fuel industry. These perks primarily include special tax breaks, deductions, cheap access to drilling on public lands, and regulatory loopholes.

We cannot expect meaningful climate action as long as our representatives are financially beholden to the very industry driving this crisis. It is time for voters to demand absolute transparency and use their ballots to reject candidates who prioritize fossil fuel payouts over our planet’s future.

Ron Sadler

Seattle

PLANNING

Was this roundabout an expensive mistake?

A few days ago, I noticed a big piece of machinery in the middle of the roundabout on 64th Ave. n.e. and 71st. and the next day the roundabout was gone. First of all, I do not know the reason a roundabout was put on that street, it was too big and sometimes I felt I had to drive on the sidewalk to avoid driving on it and that street which I used everyday does not seem to be a high traffic area.

On my street where Kellogg Marsh Elementary School is located my neighbor and I had complained about safety issue – fast drivers, high traffic volume and the kids from the school walking and the answer we got was that it is not in the “plan” in short there is no budget for it and yet the unnecessary roundabout was built and taken down (it was probably there for less than a year).

This shows the city’s priority is not safety and when they built something, the planning was not properly done.

I suspect a huge amount of money was spent on that roundabout, so obviously an expensive mistake.

Tess Morales

Marysville