Foes of racetrack turn out in force

ARLINGTON – About 250 people attended a public forum organized by Snohomish County Citizens Against a Racetrack on Thursday evening at Arlington High School.

But the meeting was also noteworthy for a few prominently empty seats.

Representatives from Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon’s office and the city of Marysville declined SCAR’s invitations to represent the pro side of a pro-and-con panel to discuss a plan to build a 75,000-seat racetrack capable of handling NASCAR’s popular Nextel Cup races.

Without official proponents, the meeting leaned heavily to anti-track sentiments.

Ernie Fosse, representing SCAR, started the meeting with a summary of his group’s primary reasons for opposing the track. He talked about noise, traffic, effects on Arlington’s airport and the environment, and concerns about responsible economic growth.

His presentation touched on one key concern for many in the room – the track’s north Marysville location is within a few miles of thousands of homes.

Damon Matz, another SCAR organizer, said his home in the Berry Farm neighborhood would be 318 yards from the track.

A few folks bucked the prevailing opinion.

Bill McColl of Everett stepped forward to express his support.

“I’m probably as popular as a skunk at a picnic,” he said.

The tax revenues should work for local communities, he said.

“When I go to a race, I spend a minimum of $1,000,” he said, adding that $2,000 is not uncommon for a race fan to spend in four days.

“Do the math,” he said. “There’s new tax money to be had.”

A couple of elected officials spoke: Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, and Arlington City Councilman Dan Anderson.

Pearson said politicians should attend such meetings and not do “handstands” to persuade track officials to come here.

Anderson agreed, but he was a bit more sympathetic to the track idea.

“I’ve been trying to find ways to generate revenues without burdening people” with more taxes, he said. “What I have gotten out of this is a better set of questions.”

A few hours before the meeting, Reardon said he would not attend meetings prepared by “special interest” groups on either side of the issue. He said he had already turned down a similar invitation from Fans United for NASCAR, a pro-track group started by local businesswoman Gigi Burke and others.

Reardon questioned the reputation of the panel’s moderator, Mike Siegel, a conservative talk radio host on KTTH radio in Seattle. Siegel was fired in 1996 by KVI radio for broadcasting false rumors about Norm Rice, then Seattle’s mayor.

“He’s not trustworthy,” Reardon said.

Reardon decided not to attend when Siegel told his staff that “entertainment” was one of the reasons he was moderating.

Reardon poked fun at Siegel’s penchant for “paranormal” topics on past radio shows.

“I’m not going to go on a talk show with a guy who used to chase little green men, crop circles and flying saucers,” Reardon said.

At the meeting, Siegel refuted charges that he was putting on a show, pointing out that the meeting was not being broadcast.

“Maybe Executive Reardon should have been here to listen to that,” Siegel said.

Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@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.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

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.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

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.