In the Jan. 26 article, “County in hunt for new college,” Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall is quoted as saying, “That NASCAR site (in North Marysville) is disappearing very rapidly … . If that goes to the college campus, that creates jobs and has people coming out, but the downfall is no sales tax and property tax revenue while using up infrastructure.”
It appears to me that Kendall’s comment that “the downfall is no sales tax and property tax revenue while using up infrastructure” could easily have been said about the NASCAR track, which he heartily supported.
While I didn’t want one penny of public funding used for a NASCAR speedway, which would have required a huge amount of land for a small number of jobs and uncertain economic benefit, I very much support the use of public funding for a college at a suitable location in this area. Not only will a college provide quality jobs and spark desirable types of ancillary economic development, but it also will provide educational opportunities for our youth. Our children are not simply dropping out of the sky. We are giving birth to them, and we must continue to provide opportunities for the growing number of them to become productive adults in our society.
Population in north Snohomish County is increasing. We need to provide the facilities, including a college, to support that population. The benefits we receive from a college will more than repay our investment.
Eyleen McCluskey Shouman
Arlington
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
