Everett as an All American City? We who live here certainly know the beauty of our city, its surroundings and the potential for great things to happen here. We are also familiar with the shortcomings of empty offices, retail bankruptcies, park, recreation and open space shortages, hotel vacancies and job loss.
Demonstrated “consensus building and maximizing community services” is a criteria for All American City status. Everett has, of course, built a consensus with developers and the privileged inner circle, however there remains a continued outcry from the citizenry for their voices to be heard. It’s an outcry that does not convey Everett’s ability to build consensus with the people.
We have a great deal of civic pride here, and deservedly so; our EMS, police, fire, parks and roads serve the people well. But there is more to civic pride than basic community services. Civic pride starts with the citizens -citizens who believe that their government listens to them and responds to them.
“Maximizing community services” does not mean “create more asphalt and underutilized multi-use retail and business space.” It does not mean “use public and government dollars to promote private development.” Services to the community include parks, recreation and usable, adequate, open space where people can find respite and enjoyment. As we pursue the all American dream, let us build consensus among those who live here, let us maximize civic pride and community services by utilizing the wealth of citizen creative genius. Today the hue and cry is about historic buildings and an event center on Hewitt, tomorrow it will be about the sale of city owned property to pave over and build “multi-use business and industry” on the riverfront.
Honor your citizens, Everett – value their opinions, really listen to them. Compromise, build consensus. All American is more than dollars, it is values. Be All American, Everett, value your treasures, without despoiling them.
Everett
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