Marysville
Festival needs to return to roots
Several weeks ago, people visited the Marysville/Tulalip communities to enjoy the events of the 85th Marysville Strawberry Festival, sponsored since 1974 by Maryfest, Inc.
This month, members of Maryfest, Inc. elect board of directors/officers for the coming year. Names are solicited from the community to be nominated for available positions. The past couple of years have seen an unprecedented number of board vacancies, turnovers and departure of some well-thought-of influential members that together suggests lapses in leadership, in governance or worse. That has not always been true, take it from me, a charter member.
Maryfest, Inc. was created on a foundation of “community pride, trust and involvement.” There was never a closed-door policy, anyone who wished to participate, run for board/officer position was “always encouraged and welcomed,” no questions asked — no interviews required. Members were kept informed, provided monthly financial reports, nothing was secret, questions were welcomed and answered promptly. Now, a majority of the board members don’t live in Marysville.
People and events change, the foundation on which Maryfest, Inc., was built cannot. The Marysville Strawberry Festival is our community festival and it belongs to our community. To that end, I would ask voting members of Maryfest, Inc, to take a good look at your choices this year and if you care about what happens to our festival write in a candidate. “Respect, accountability and honesty” need to be brought back into play. For those hundreds of people who worked so hard to save the Strawberry Festival in 1974, please help bring our community festival back where it belongs, into the hands of the Marysville Community.
Cheryl Deckard
Charter member, Maryfest, Inc.
Marysville
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