I was extremely disappointed to hear there are citizens in our community opposed to annexation. Having lived in Lake Stevens for over 80 years, it’s hard for me to understand how any knowledgeable person would be opposed to local control. Annexation will give citizens a better opportunity to have control over their destiny.
I live at the south end of Lake Stevens and look forward to being annexed into our town. Historically, the citizens of our community have been independent, and have always supported any activity that improved the quality of life and made Lake Stevens a better place to live:
n 1920 – Lake Stevens had seven school districts. In 1957 we consolidated into one district.
* 1920 – Lake Stevens had six water systems. In 1940 we formed one utility.
* 1920 – The citizens unified and supported a telephone system.
* 1925 – Rucker Mill burned down. We lost our source of electricity, so we formed our own public utility.
* 1930 – In an effort to control the lake level, we united and formed the Lake Stevens Drainage District.
*1948 – We formed Lake Stevens Fire District 8.
* 1960 – We established the Lake Stevens Sewer District. Our lake was so polluted that the fish were dying and the lake was closed for swimming. The crown jewel of Snohomish County had become a sewer lagoon. The citizens of Lake Stevens unified and saved our lake.
If we support annexation, we will be able to keep more of our tax dollars in Lake Stevens. I am tired of giving my tax dollars to Snohomish County and having it spent in south county. The elected officials in Snohomish County are not aware that Lake Stevens exists. If we annex, we will speak with one voice and our town will be a major player in Snohomish County.
JAMES B. MITCHELL
Lake Stevens
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