Boycott cools Marysville debate

By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE — The audience and candidates listened politely to ideas about hiring a city ombudsman, widening streets and offering tax breaks. But no one could ignore the gorilla in the room.

That gorilla was the absence of the three Marysville City Council candidates who boycotted Friday’s Chamber of Commerce forum, saying it was co-sponsored by a group that has its own political agenda.

Incumbent NormaJean Dierck, who is up for re-election for Position 1, and candidates Tim Bond and Jeff Seibert, who are running for Positions 4 and 3, respectively, say Concerned Citizens of Marysville is a political action committee bent on filling the council with pro-business candidates.

These three candidates say Concerned Citizens wants to further the interests of developers and had some influence over the questions asked at Friday’s forum at the school district office.

Members from the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce and from Concerned Citizens have denied the accusations.

Tom Grady

Although Friday’s forum questions were asked from a business perspective, most covered general topics such as the candidate’s vision for Marysville, quality of life and the objective of the Growth Management Act.

The four candidates who attended Friday’s forum were in striking agreement on several issues, though there were occasional deviations from the norm.

John Myers, Seibert’s opponent for Position 3, supports diversifying the city’s tax base by recruiting high-tech business and attracting a satellite college campus branch. Also, Myers believes in allowing new businesses a break in their taxes for up to two years. Myers also said he wasn’t totally up on the city’s downtown revitalization plan, but believed the city doesn’t have to take away all the parking on State Avenue.

During Myers’ earlier stint as a councilman, he said he also tried to start an amusement park in Marysville.

Jon Nehring, who is running against Bond for Position 4, supports the development of Strawberry Fields into soccer fields because of the "2,000 soccer families waiting for those fields."

Donna Wright

Nehring also expressed some criticism regarding the downtown revitalization plan, saying the city didn’t work hard enough to get downtown businesses involved. Now, Nehring suggests the city buy land for a parking garage to compensate for any loss of parking. Nehring also wants to establish tax incentives for business owners.

Tom Grady is running against incumbent NormaJean Dierck for Position 1. Grady, a former Albertson’s manager, believes the city needs to hire an ombudsman to work to create a more business-friendly environment. He would also like to see 152nd Street NE developed from a two-lane to a four-lane road and has publicly supported the development of Strawberry Fields.

"Business is key and it pays the way," Grady said.

A past member of the council for three terms, Donna Wright, who is a 27-year-old small business owner, is running unopposed for Position 2.

You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097

or send e-mail to

goffredo@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.