Again Terry Ryan and fellow Republican Ken Klein voted with Dave Somers, in an unprecedented motion to reject a tentative contract agreement that Snohomish County Executive John Lovick’s office negotiated with the county union.
In spite of the fact that Dave Somers has demanded an update from Lovick, typically details such as pay, medical and other benefits get hashed out behind closed doors before a proposal reaches the county council for a vote.
Matthew Miller, staff representative for the union, said the vote was unacceptable after he had asked the council to respect the employees and the process.
Chris Dugovich, the head of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, stated that Dave Somers “was playing politics with the vote, and was going to knock all the employees down in an attempt to be elected.”
Until Somers decided to run against John Lovick for his job as county executive, Somers had voted with Lovick on everything, including the new courthouse.
I agree with John Lovick’s view that in order to keep and attract great managers for the county, we need to keep up with the prevailing pay and pay raises.
Like all county governments, yes, there has been unforeseen financial challenges, like the Oso mudslide tragedy. But Dave Somers is wrong, the sky isn’t falling. Remember, just last week John Lovick issued a press release about the rating agencies giving Snohomish County a strong bond rating and a stable outlook. So please, fellow voters, don’t fix what isn’t broken! I respectfully ask that you join me in supporting John Lovick for a much deserved re-election as our county executive.
Kathy Christensen
Everett
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