Blake will bring needed balance

With the appointment of John Lovick as County Executive, voters now have a great opportunity to continue the trend toward a county government that may perhaps more truly represent the visions of Snohomish County residents. Bill Blake is running for Snohomish County Council District 1 and represents a true grassroots approach to responsible growth. Is economic development a good thing? Done so in a sustainable and common-sense manner it certainly can be. It is what Bill envisions for the future — the long-term future — of our neighborhoods.

Housing, agriculture, forests, clean water … these are just some of the important topics that affect our life here in Snohomish County. Bill Blake offers a way to have common-sense growth without the total sacrifice of the health and vitality of our valuable natural resources. Want a common-sense approach on our County Council? Will our future still offer that rural look and feel we all enjoy outside traffic-filled city streets? Please consider what Bill Blake has to offer for our future.

Billl has worked for the city of Arlington for many years as Natural Resource Manager, helping to maintain the balance of development and rural preservation. Working with a variety of local stakeholders, including the Stillaguamish Tribe, Bill has also been very involved with the preservation of our natural resources with the idea of restoring clean drinking water, salmon restoration, sustainable agriculture and forest products. This is the crux of the balance needed for expanding development in Snohomish County.

We have known Bill long enough to understand that he has a strong belief in accomplishing this sustainable balance without resorting to the typical over-spending of taxpayer money — once again, a common-sense approach. Can Bill Blake change the system? Let’s give him a chance and see if even just a few things can be improved in our great county.

Scott Clark/Char Seymour

Snohomish County residents