Serb family in Everett happy that Milosevic’s finally gone

By KARL SCHWEIZER

Herald Writer

EVERETT — The departure of Slobodan Milosevic from power in Yugoslavia couldn’t have come soon enough for one local Serb family.

Zoran and Branislava Kuzminac left their impoverished nation Aug. 29 to start a new life in Everett.

The married couple on Friday said they are optimistic about Yugoslavia’s future, now that its longtime ruler has stepped down. Some of their relatives joined thousands of street protestors calling for Milosevic’s ouster.

"If it is the start of something new, a new life for our people, then we are glad. It is good to have another chance," said Zoran, a dentist who spent the last several years as a U.S. embassy guard in Belgrade. "We had many problems when Milosevic started to rule the country. He didn’t solve those problems."

The newly elected president of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica, is a staunch advocate of democracy, and was one of the original leaders of the opposition to Milosevic, said Branislava.

"In 10 years, Kostunica didn’t change his ideas. He is not moving as the wind is blowing," she said.

The couple blamed Milosevic for ignoring his country’s problems while becoming rich himself, and failing to share power.

"Fifteen years ago, Milosevic lived in a small apartment and drove a small car, but now, he is a very rich man," Zoran said.

"Milosevic decided everything. If someone close to him didn’t agree with him, he got rid of that person," he said.

International economic sanctions withered Yugoslavia’s economy and forced many educated people to work outside their professions, said Branislava. Zoran ended up as a guard because it paid better than scarce jobs in dentistry.

The couple and their six children now live in a south Everett home.

Zoran wants to improve his English, get a job as a dental hygienist, and eventually become a dentist here. His wife takes care of their children, most of whom learned some English at schools in Yugoslavia.

But they keep a close eye on events in their former country, and they remain cautiously optimistic.

"Kostunica is a good, educated man and a good person, but we don’t know what kind of leader he will be," said Branislava, "But there is no way to be worse than Milosevic."

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.

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

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.

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.

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.