Letters

Stephanson has guts to make tough calls

I for one am glad that the City of Everett has a mayor who has the guts to make the hard decisions it takes to run a city and balance a budget. If Councilman Doug Campbell means what he says, “But I want to make it clear we will not accept more layoffs in 2005,” then I think he should resign from the council and make room for someone who will keep an open mind in the process of running our city. Councilman Mark Olson called the decision “unfathomable,” which Webster’s Dictionary defines as “impossible to comprehend.” Again, if he can’t comprehend it, make room for someone who can.

Believe me, I’m not happy that people are going to lose their employment, but our city leaders are paid to make difficult decisions, not to win a popularity contest. The popularity contest will happen again next fall and I’ll be curious to find out if those who plan to run for mayor really have the guts to make the tough decisions it takes to lead a city in good times and not so good times.

Everett

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