Conflict of interest hampers council

Regarding the Thursday article, “Everett votes down children’s theater option”: So, nix the parking garage and go on with the existing plans for the former Key Bank building that includes spending $4 million to fix it up and for an adjacent plaza. This property is owned by the city of Everett, which is us, and also pay the wages of those employed by we, the taxpayers.

Is this not a conflict of interest: Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher, who is a staunch advocate for the children’s theater idea, said Arthur Skotdal’s garage proposal comes too late. Quote: “I believe this train has left the station and nobody got onboard.”

She, too, founded Pied Piper Productions, which merged with Village Theatre in 2001. Councilman Mark Olson volunteered on the Village Theatre’s board of directors until shortly before the children’s theater vote. Councilman Paul Roberts’ wife has been paid at least $1,500 from Village Theatre for work on productions since his term began in 2002.

These are the council people voting on this issue!

Is this an earmarking decision; is it another whim like the Events Center where the voters have no say? Is Paine Field going to be another train leaving the station?

The voters should be able to decide how these tax dollars should be used. Progress is good, but not at the expense of we taxpayers. Private business investments in our city will bring tax dollars. We should not have to supplement these prefabricated whims.

My vote is for self-supporting projects.

Berlene Clark