By Sid Roberts / Herald Forum
My reason for writing is to publicly convey a change in my opinion regarding the proposed building of a mental health facility north of Stanwood on land owned by the Tulalip Tribes.
Early last year, the Washington State Health Care Authority proposed an in-patient mental health facility on land owned by the Tulalip Tribes. My understanding, at that time, was that the facility would be located on 80th Avenue NW, just north of Stanwood city limits in unincorporated Snohomish County. It seemed to me that the project was too close to our city limits, was in a rural but residential area and that the project had been sprung on the citizens without proper due diligence by the parties.
In February of last year, I, along with two other elected officials, signed a letter of opposition. Neither myself, nor either of my co-signers, felt animus toward the mentally ill or toward the Tulalip Tribes, but felt the state had rushed the project and that there may be better locations that should have been considered. I should also state that my opposition then to the project was not formally as the mayor of Stanwood. The city of Stanwood has no formal opinion in the matter. I signed the letter as a citizen who happens to be the mayor of Stanwood.
After signing the letter, and after doing some personal research, I learned a bit more about the project. Specifically, I learned that the facility would be sited around the corner on 300th Street NW and closer to 76th Avenue NW. Additionally, a right-turn only will be required to exit the project, routing traffic east on 300th Street NW away from Stanwood city limits and toward I-5.
In time, I met with state and tribal representatives and was able to hear more of their vision and get some additional questions answered. Additionally, nearly a year has passed, and I have had time to process the information. Based on these factors, I no longer oppose this project.
The mentally ill are sick just like anyone else who is ill; unfortunately, they are mentally ill which carries a stigma. I am not personally overly concerned about safety of the area should this facility be built. We should always be vigilant with public safety, but I think the risk to safety is low and is one worth managing regarding the tradeoff.
Sid Roberts serves as the mayor of Stanwood.
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