Regarding the guest commentary by Cassie Franklin, “Housing and community are key to turning lives around”: Was Franklin at the same meeting I was at on Oct. 4? After reading her guest commentary it didn’t sound the same. I heard over 75 residents of the Pinehurst Beverly Park neighborhood express how they were deceived, given no information, and misinformation from the city of Everett.
The citizens had to sit and listen to the mayor (who left before any questions were asked), and then the city told us what they were going to do for over an hour. When it was finally our time to ask questions, we had to write them on a card so that the city could pick and choose. The neighbors never got enough time to ask all their questions. Mr. Hil Kaman, Director of Public Health and Safety for Everett, hosted the meeting (and by the way, he doesn’t even live in the city), but he is the one telling Everett citizens what is going to happen in their neighborhood. When asked why the city didn’t give citizens of the Pinehurst Beverly Park any input in the site selection, he said they knew we wouldn’t want it, so we didn’t ask. When asked if this was a done deal, he said yes and that the city had made the final decision.
I heard a lot of frustration and concerns from the neighbors about their safety and the changes it will bring to our neighborhood. Councilwoman Franklin and Councilman Scott Bader were there. As representatives of the citizens they never once spoke or asked any questions at all.
All of us in attendance who will be affected by low barrier housing project left the meeting feeling frustrated and truly deceived by Everett. I have to say I was very proud of my neighbors standing up for our Pinehurst Beverly Park neighborhood and where they live and raise their families. I only wish the city council would have stood up for the citizens of our Pinehurst Beverly Park Neighborhood as well.
Oden Olson
Everett
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