Port of Everett, Prop. 1: New tax not worth cited projects

Published 1:30 am Friday, July 26, 2024

Regarding a recent letter “Vote for more Port of Everett’s projects”: The writer reports the Port (taxing) authority has three major focuses, environmental clean up, economic development and transportation; and then she listed examples of the Port’s accomplishments over the years.

Karen Guzak, chair of the Political Action Committee — Port Expansion for a Vibrant Future —revealed in a local June 26 Snohomish Tribune article, examples of how the Port could benefit Snohomish area residents with the passage of the Port’s Prop. 1 ballot measure:

1. Environmental clean up. The Port could clean up the city shop site at 1801 First Street. (Fact-check. The city administrator confirmed the shop site is not contaminated and does not need environmental clean up.)

2. Economic development. The Port could attract a boat to visit Snohomish by building a floating dock and holding weddings and be a place for events. She added the Port could help Snohomish economic development by attracting a boutique hotel into town.

3. Transportation. The writer is on record as being a strong supporter of the Harvey Airport expansion and Karen Guzak is a strong supporter of the expansion of the airport at Paine Field.

Conclusion: Are the promises of a boat and dock and a boutique hotel and Harvey Field expansion worth the imposition of a new, forever tax upon voters, owners and renters alike, costing them hundreds of dollars per year?

I say no, don’t buy it.

Reject the new Port of Everett tax, hidden in its Prop. 1 ballot language.

Morgan Davis

Snohomish