Editorial’s demands are disappointing

While we were not surprised by The Herald’s March 3 editorial endorsement of the events center, we are disappointed by the editorial’s demand that the citizens of Everett be denied the right to vote and by the degree of misinformation appearing in the piece (“Everett must move on with center, not a vote”). For example:

1. The Herald wants us to “drop any legal action on the issue.” The fact is: We have not started any lawsuit. We did not start the current lawsuit. As we write this letter, we are not even a party to the lawsuit. We cannot stop or drop that which we did not begin and are not a part of.

2. The Herald labels the initiative the “anti-center initiative.” The fact is: The initiative challenges only the location on Hewitt Avenue, not the construction of the center. While there are those among us who find the design of the center to be unattractive and a concert by Joe Cocker, a 58 year old rock and roll performer, an event to be avoided, we support the center – just not on Hewitt Avenue. There is a better site that will not require the destruction of historic buildings or cause traffic jams in the downtown area. The better site is known as Site 3. It is close to the new transit center, hotels, and has very convenient access from I-5.

3. The Herald suggests that we should have “become involved earlier.” The fact is: We have been involved throughout the process voicing our concerns. However, the process, which the editorial lauds, was flawed. When the Everett Historical Commission voted to deny the waiver to destroy historical buildings, the PFD appealed to the city council. At the council’s hearing on the appeal, the PFD was given nearly two hours to present its argument. The Historical Commission was allowed just five minutes.

4. The Herald suggests that, if the initiative passes, the center could not be built. The fact is: As long as construction begins by Jan. 1, 2003, the share of funding from the state will be available. Site 3 has already been studied. The land is already owned by the city. Design of the center could be accomplished in time to allow construction to begin by Jan. 1, 2003.

We are not wealthy and politically powerful individuals. Our political power comes from our collective action through the initiative process. The right of initiative is protected in our state constitution and even in the Everett Municipal Charter. We are simply exercising the right of initiative that is exercised by the people when their government does not listen to them. We don’t have the unlimited budgets the city and PFD have to hire Seattle lawyers to represent them. We had to find a lawyer who was willing to help us simply because he believes we have a right to have our voices heard.

Nearly 3,000 registered Everett voters have signed the initiative. They want the right to vote. Why is it that the city, the PFD, and now The Herald, are afraid to let the people of Everett vote? The vote would be scheduled for next month. If the initiative is defeated, the center will be built on Hewitt Avenue. If the initiative passes, the center will not be built on Hewitt. More importantly, whatever the outcome, the people of Everett will be heard on the issue.

Mark Nagle

Greg Rielly

Citizens For a Better Arena

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