Annexation won’t benefit Arlington

Surely Arlington Mayor Margaret Larson is embarrassed by the irony of her commentary regarding the Island Crossing annexation being printed in The Herald on the same day that the Stillaguamish River flooded the Island Crossing area yet again. (Jan. 8, “Let Island Crossing annexation stand.”)

The flooding caused extensive damage to the businesses and closed the I-5 interchange. The motivation for annexation is clear. Arlington wants the sales tax revenue from the existing businesses and the mouth-watering tax revenue potential of the long-sought, relocated Dwayne Lane car dealership. There are few residences in Island Crossing, so the city imagines it will collect sales tax revenue without having any additional burden of residential property. As a current Arlington resident, however, I’m concerned that the city may get the worst of this annexation deal.

According to the Stillaguamish River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan, the Stillaguamish River has flooded to an extent to create property damage at least nine times in the 30 years prior to the 2003 report publication. Are Arlington residents going to be bailing out business owners in the Island Crossing area after each future flood? I support the county’s efforts to derail the annexation for Arlington’s own good.

Gregory Casey

Arlington