Bridge may honor Arlington civic leader

OLYMPIA – Oliver “Punks” Smith may make one last mark on the city he spent his life shaping.

Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, wants to memorialize the lifelong Arlington resident and longtime civic leader by stamping his name on a local overpass.

“This (bill) would honor someone that was a good-hearted individual,” said Pearson on Monday as he presented his bill to the House Transportation Committee.

Smith was born in Arlington in 1935 and was an active member of the community until his death in September. He served on the City Council for 20 years until opting not to run for re-election in 2003.

One of his greatest endeavors was spearheading the Transportation Relief Action Plan to improve the 172nd Street NE overpass on I-5.

Smith succeeded in expanding the congested two-lane bridge over the freeway.

Pearson’s bill would name the overpass the “Oliver ‘Punks’ Smith Interchange.”

His widow, Emilie Smith, said she loves the idea of naming the overpass after him. She recalled the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new overpass, when Arlington city officials talked about naming the overpass for her husband.

“He was pleased and surprised that they thought that much of him,” she said.

Smith also coached Little League, co-owned a local sawmill and was a volunteer firefighter for 25 years.

Arlington Mayor Margaret Larson stated her support for the legislation in a letter to Pearson.

“Renaming this overpass in Oliver’s memory is such a small, but significant way we can all remember his incredible dedication and many contributions to the citizens of North Snohomish County,” she wrote.

Action on House Joint Memorial 4001 is pending in the House Transportation Committee.

Reporter Whitney Cork: 360-352-8624 or wcork@heraldnet.com.