City Hall debate should be on ballot

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Politics in Mukilteo would be an endless source of amusement if it weren’t for the serious consequences created by the Old Guard’s total disregard for due process and citizen input.

I am speaking of the clearly premeditated “in your face” surprise decision to place City Hall on the Third Street properties which square off the Rosehill Community Center site. This critical decision was made without notice and without opportunity for public input. Unconscionable and duplicitous decision-making does not inspire confidence, particularly when the people had been turning out in droves to both council meetings and the planning commission to suggest alternative uses for the Third Street properties.

I felt a glimmer of hope when Cathy Reese proclaimed recently that she felt strongly that, “… the community needs to weigh in on the city hall … it needs to be on the ballot …”

After the sudden intake of our collective breath, that hope was dashed when Cathy’s subsequent look of confusion and panic cleared and she said, “Oops, I meant the community center, not the city hall.” This slip of the tongue suggests that Cathy Reese knows full well the appropriate remedy for her participation in the disingenuous decision to site City Hall in a place the majority do not want. She got it right the first time – the community does need to weigh in on the City Hall. How about a vote of the people? Put it on the ballot! Oops, I forgot, Mayor Don Doran says “this is not a democracy, it is a republic,” so never mind. I’m glad I live in Everett – we still practice democracy here.

Terry T. Preshaw

Everett