Police decision was shortsighted

Published 12:01 am Sunday, August 21, 2011

I have heard it said that the Snohomish City Council made a “tough decision during hard times” regarding contracting out police services. I could not disagree more. Leadership means looking to the future as well as considering the present. The council is making a short-term tactical decision that will never be reversed.

They apparently do not have the vision to see that the economy will eventually revive. Revenues will increase. Times will be “good” again. But, Snohomish will never have its own police department again. Instead of adopting a $6 per month household tax increase, the council held a fire sale and is selling its police department for $375,000. Part of the city’s identity will be going along with the sale.

There were three council members with vision and the confidence that Snohomish will again be strong financially. And then there were four who folded their tents and decided that the future is too scary. I believe some of those four are running for re-election. Unopposed. Sad.

Richard Homme
Snohomish