Right to oppose large increases

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, September 3, 2005

I am gratified to see that our county executive opposes certain proposed pay increases for elected Snohomish County officials, though I’m reserving judgment on his motives (Aug. 16 article “County employees start vote on contract”). At the very least, this is superb political theater, which can only benefit his political prospects. He surely doesn’t need the money.

I hope he is also making the connection between rocketing oil prices and the myriad problems the county faces as a consequence. How he and the County Council deal with those issues will determine their real legacy. They should plan for gasoline at $20 per gallon before the end of his current term.

How that will affect the lives of Snohomish County residents should not require too much imagination.

I still haven’t recovered from my sense of outrage when Aaron Reardon’s predecessor in office, Bob Drewel, accepted a pay increase without a murmur, immediately after a sales tax increase was passed for the purpose of maintaining existing levels of mass transit service. Maybe Reardon is entitled to credit for doing better.

Norman K. Marsh

Everett