So Everett is now an All-America City. I certainly agree with the three reasons listed in The Herald: the Everett Station transportation center, the beautification efforts at Wiggums Hollow Park and the support of Cocoon House shelter for teens. The city’s record in these accomplishments certainly proves that it can be done.
When the city first applied for the award, I wrote a letter and raised some questions based on the painful experience many of us had over the railroading through of the Events Center. The paper referred to one person who was opposed to the city getting this award and obviously they were talking about me. However, others have told me that I was voicing the concerns of a great many people.
Now the question is, what will the city do with the $95,996? Perhaps the city can be reimbursed for the $25,000 spent to win the award. Then there is the $17 million cost overrun for the Events Center where some more could go. I am sure there will be no problem finding uses for the funds.
People tell me that I speak for many when I say that it has been a long time since I have felt that the citizens had much of a voice in planning the future of the city. We are cut as short as possible when we speak at council meetings and we do not know whether the councilmen are really interested in what we have to say, or whether we are merely being tolerated because the law says the citizens must be heard. Being heard and truly being listened to are not the same. Perhaps we can hope for some improvement in this area in the future.
Everett
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