Business owners aren’t celebrating

Every year, the City of Snohomish holds its annual Kla Ha Ya Days celebration. It is advertised as a community event. For the permanent businesses it is anything but.

First, any special event that operates in the City of Snohomish needs City Council approval. Every year, organizers of Kla Ha Ya threaten businesses in the Historic District with “either participate or we will bring in out of town business willing to participate.” The result is permanent businesses who are here every day and who should enjoy a spike in business are left competing against Wally’s Weiner Shack or Tito’s Tropical Lemonade Stand.

This is just plain wrong. I urge the Snohomish City Council to approve special event permits that nurture and support its core business sector and not undermine it.

Snohomish