When the state sold the public on growth management it came with a promise of local control.
The decision to put the property inside the highways at Island Crossing back in the urban growth area was the product of a bipartisan 7-1 vote on the Snohomish County Planning Commission and a 4-1 bipartisan vote on the Snohomish County Council.
These local decisions were just like the ones made when urban growth areas were first being established and the City of Arlington and Snohomish County agreed that Island Crossing was going urban almost 10 years ago.
Going against local control is a radical environmental group based in Seattle that claims it wants to save this 100 acres – a tiny percentage of the agricultural designated land in Snohomish County – while it campaigns to destroy dams on the Snake River without an iota of regard for what that does to thousands of real farmers.
Going against local control is Bob Drewel, who very shortly will need a job and who is siding with Gov. Gary Locke and environmental groups on local growth management issues.
Going against local control is Gov. Locke. Growth management is mandated by legislation to be developed by local government with state oversight. The Snohomish County Council is planning by the rules but not following Locke’s orders. Gov. Locke is reportedly using his power and threatening to withhold state funding on local projects, which drove Drewel’s veto.
We, the people of Snohomish County, must preserve local control by local people. Support our County Council.
Everett
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