Bothell annexation supporters plan debate

Published 7:11 pm Friday, March 23, 2012

BOTHELL — People who support Bothell annexing nearly six square miles of unincorporated Snohomish County in next month’s special election have scheduled a debate for Wednesday.

Some prominent opponents, however, have said they won’t participate in the forum.

Ballots for the all-mail special election are due by April 17. In November, the proposal failed to garner enough votes to pass.

The public debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Parkridge Community Church, 3805 Maltby Road, Bothell. The group Bothell YES organized it, and radio personality Pat O’Day has agreed to moderate.

Citizens for Responsible Annexations, a political group formed to oppose the expansion, has declined to participate. The group, which is largely supported by firefighter unions, has said it was not involved in planning the debate and that its members prefer to talk directly to people in the annexation area.

The annexation would add about 20,000 new people to Bothell, which straddles King and Snohomish counties.