City of Everett, Prop. 1: Yes vote continues city’s services

Inflation greatly impacts public services and non-profit organizations. The cost of running a city, any city, has skyrocketed. Everything from a gallon of gas to a gallon of paint is becoming more and more expensive.

The city’s Proposition 1 would provide the City of Everett a modest increase of funds to help improve ongoing upkeep. Our busy parks and well-used libraries need cleaning, repairs and maintenance. Our animal shelter keeps filling up with unwanted and abandoned pets that require city staff to care for them.

The city also employs six social workers. Two are stationed with the Fire Department, two with Police, and two at the Everett Public Library. I recently learned that the library’s social workers encounter more people in crisis than the Fire Department! That fact surprised me, even though I’ve worked in public libraries for almost 30 years. (This letter was written and submitted outside of my work, on my own time.)

This team of essential community helpers is gradually transitioning people off the streets and into housing or supportive care. Without them, we would be seeing even more bundles of blankets in doorways. This successful social worker program is one example of a valuable public service Proposition 1 could support, if our community votes yes.

Emily Dagg

Everett