Forum: New Herald columnist hopes to encourage dialogue, insight

Todd Welch is a Navy veteran and former member of the Lake Stevens City Council and will focus on local issues.

By Todd Welch / Herald Forum

Editor’s note: The Herald Opinion section is welcoming a new regular columnist to its pages. Look for Todd Welch’s columns regularly on Wednesdays.

I’m Todd Welch, and I’m thrilled to join The Herald as a new columnist. As someone who values thoughtful discussion and robust debate, I’m excited to bring a right-of-center perspective to the community’s conversations on the issues that shape our lives.

A little about myself: After moving to Snohomish County in 1995, I’ve immersed myself in the Northwest’s vibrant culture and its unique challenges. My professional journey has been diverse, including a 20-year Navy career and then the information technology field. After retiring from the Navy in 2011, I was elected to the Lake Stevens City Council, where I served for eight years. I then served on the city’s planning commission. I now live in Everett. Through these experiences, I’ve cultivated a deep appreciation for pragmatic solutions, individual responsibility, and the importance of fostering opportunities for all.

In my column, I aim to address a range of topics: local governance, economic policy, cultural trends and beyond. I will be focused on Washington state and Snohomish County. A regional perspective is vastly more important to your life than what is occurring in the other Washington. While my viewpoint leans conservative, my goal is not to stroke division but to encourage understanding and discussion. I believe in the power of respectful dialogue and the exchange of ideas, and I welcome readers from all perspectives to engage with my writing.

As we navigate the complexities of our modern world, I’ll strive to bring you commentary that’s informed, balanced and grounded in principle. I hope to shine a light on our community’s challenges and opportunities with a commitment to solutions promoting prosperity and liberty.

Thank you for allowing me to be in your homes and have conversations. I look forward to the journey ahead and invite you to share your thoughts and ideas as we explore these critical issues together.

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