Let’s give the credit for stopping the International Speedway Corp. steamroller to those to whom credit belongs – the legislators who sent Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon the clear message that the plan presented by ISC, Marysville and Snohomish County officials wasn’t acceptable to Washington.
Despite election-year political pressures, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen and Rep. Kirk Pearson have said publicly for months that the speedway proposal was not economically sensible. However, Mr. Reardon continued his claims that the speedway proposal was a winner for Snohomish County citizens. On Oct. 6, the Snohomish County and Marysville contingent presented to legislators what Mr. Reardon claimed was a good proposal, asking that the Legislature tweak some statutes to make it happen. Legislative reception was lukewarm, however, Mr. Reardon continued with the proposal.
On Nov. 5, the Perteet traffic study was released and more legislators voiced concerns. Snohomish County and Marysville officials continued to promote the project. At the legislative meeting in Marysville on Nov. 10, when the audience applauded the message of speedway opponents, Mr. Reardon said, condescendingly, that people didn’t understand. However, the number of legislators expressing doubts grew as they echoed concerns citizens had been voicing for months – the environmental problems, the lack of permanent jobs, the proposed location too close to highly-populated areas and Arlington’s airport, the large amount of public financing required and the lack of guarantees by the ISC.
When Mr. Reardon withdrew his proposal on Nov. 22, I believe that it was not because he suddenly understood what opponents had known for months; it was because he realized that his proposal was facing increasing legislative disapproval. He understood that his political future might fare better if he withdrew the proposal before wasting any more legislative time and taxpayer money.
To all elected officials, locally and statewide, who publicly and privately said “no” to Mr. Reardon, thank you.
EYLEEN SHOUMAN
Arlington
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