Radio towers spark the fighting spirit

By Steve Powell

Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH — Most neighborhoods don’t seem to be as close as in years past.

That is, until someone or something unites them. Then, look out.

That’s what’s going on in the Kenwanda neighborhood in south Snohomish.

The neighbors used to go about their business, as in most neighborhoods, but now they are fighting mad because KRKO in Everett wants to build eight radio towers nearby.

Andy Skotdal, president and general manager of the Everett-based news-talk station, hopes to build one tower 425 feet tall and seven others 199 feet tall at 11304 132nd St. SE. The towers would give the station a broadcast ability 10 times greater than its current 5,000 watts, enabling it to be heard from the Canadian border to Olympia.

Skotdal, who was unavailable for comment Friday, has said he has listened to the objections and decreased the height and width of the towers.

But residents want more. The neighborhood is concerned about wildlife, radio interference, views and property values, and safety with Harvey Airfield nearby.

Curtis and Vicki Creighton are worried radio interference will hurt their small Kenwanda Golf Course. "One bad month, and I’m sure we’d be out of business," Curtis Creighton said.

They say radio interference could cause problems as golfers call in for tee times, and also could interfere with the use of the credit card machine and their computer bookkeeping system.

Also, in the picturesque setting on a hill overlooking the Snohomish River Valley and Cascade Rrange, the towers would ruin the view for golfers on holes 10 and 18.

The Creightons said the phone-line problems possibly could be fixed, but the Federal Communications Commission doesn’t require KRKO to help.

"There’s no recourse," Vicki said.

The Creightons said the course has been doing well for three years, but with the Boeing layoffs and poor economic climate, they plan to raise their rates from $20 for 18 holes. The 40-year-old family-owned course started by Ken and Wanda Harris is struggling to compete against other courses.

"We’ve kept prices low," Curtis said. "We’re a working man’s course."

When the Harrises were alive, there was an active neighborhood association. Involvement in the association has fallen off the past few years, but this situation has reignited a "passion in the people who live here," Vicki said.

"Sometimes we feel displaced and powerless that people can come in and disrupt our lives," she said.

After attending meetings this week by the Snohomish County hearing examiner, the Creightons said the neighborhood is more united than ever. Recently, 200 people attended a neighborhood meeting at nearby Craven Farms. Previous meetings packed the cafe at the golf course, and the hearings have been packed as well.

Another concern is the nearby 343-acre Bob Heirman Wildlife Park and 1,400-acre Lord Hill Regional Park. More than $3 million in tax money has been spent to purchase and prepare plans for the natural parks. But neighbors are concerned the towers will scare much of the wildlife away.

Lee Bennett of Kenwanda Drive said he is afraid swans will abandon the valley if the towers go up, and some will die.

Larry Campbell, also of Kenwanda Drive, said he’s not as worried about the environment as he is about "my environment."

He’s concerned about his wife’s electric wheelchair, which can be affected by radio transmissions.

"I don’t know what it might do," he said, adding the brakes could fail or it could move inadvertently.

Campbell, who works on bulldozers, has lived in the area for 30 years. His was one of the first houses there; it was designed so he could enjoy the view.

"Now I’ll have to look right at them," he said, adding the towers should be placed where they would be miles from any homes.

You can call Herald Writer Steve Powell at 425-339-3427 or send e-mail to powell@heraldnet.com.

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