Koster isn’t tuned into district’s needs

John Koster makes some good points regarding a four-year university, but only addresses a small portion of the needs. (Jan. 25 guest commentary, “4-year college: A high-tech answer to a fiscal challenge?”)

The assumption that online courses answer the needs of all students is flawed. Online courses work well for some students and some subjects, but not all.

As councilman for north and east Snohomish County, Koster’s support of a university in Everett makes no sense. Is he representing North Snohomish County or Everett? A university in the Arlington-Marysville-Stanwood area, in Koster’s district, would bring new business to this area: jobs at and supporting the university, jobs other than at casinos and educational opportunities for young people and adults returning for additional education, closer to home, eliminating long commutes.

Any Everett location does not meet the criteria of the study: “to serve north Snohomish, Island and Skagit Counties.” Everett is not North Snohomish County. Population growth in these counties is the driving factor.

Thousands of high school graduates were turned away last fall by Washington’s four-year universities because of limited space and thousands of professionals in these three counties travel to Bellingham or Seattle for continuing education.

Arlington, Marysville and Stanwood are in Koster’s council district, meet the criteria of the study, would benefit from new supporting businesses, and land and freeway access are available. Classes could be taught at night in Marysville, Arlington and Stanwood high schools until the university is built.

This is a complicated issue. Resolution will require cooperation of public officials and citizens. Koster needs to speak to the interests of his district, not Everett’s. Council District 1 is not served by our councilman abdicating his responsibilities to this district. His job is to be at the table representing us, bringing opportunities to North Snohomish County whenever there is an opportunity.

Laura Lewis

Stanwood

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