Around Town

Eagle scout fences in off-leash dog park

Trains and automobiles and off-leash dogs, oh my.

Thanks to an Eagle Scout project by Meadowdale senior Kevin Govan finished this week, dogs at Edmonds’ Marina Beach off-leash dog park are now a little safer.

Govan built a double-gate system at the entrance to the off-leash park to improve dog safety.

“When we started (building), nearly everyone who came by gave us a big thanks,” Govan said.

The system works the same way bird exhibits do at the zoo — an initial gate opens into a small holding pen, and a second gate opens into the off-leash area.

As long as only one gate is open at a time, it will be harder for dogs to escape and run where they shouldn’t, Govan said.

He got the idea for the pen after his own dog, Kona, got away from him earlier this year. It took Govan and friends an hour to track Kona down, he said.

“I realized I should probably do something about that,” he said.

Govan got approval from the city, and materials were donated by Town and Country Fence.

Plug-in car station

gets early approval

A plug-in car station could soon show up in downtown Edmonds.

While the plan is far from complete, a City Council committee did approve Tuesday night a $5,000 starter proposal that would build a charging station in the Public Safety Building parking lot.

The station would charge $1.50 per hour for parking, but the city isn’t sure if it will attempt to reserve the spot for electric cars only, or to just post signage asking citizens to respect the space’s intent.

While city staff only know of two Edmonds residents who own electric cars, the goal is to attract electric car drivers.

“We want to draw people to Edmonds so they can plug in and shop downtown,” said development services director Duane Bowman.

Candidate forum comes to S. County

Futurewise, Pilchuck Audubon Society, the Livable Snohomish County Coalition and KSER 90.7 FM Radio are sponsoring a candidate debate for County Council District 2 and 3 and for County Executive from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Martha Lake Community Room, 16300 Motor Place, in Lynnwood.

Futurewise is a statewide organization working to promote healthy communities and cities while protecting working farms and forests and shorelines for this and future generations.

Pilchuck Audubon Society’s Smart Growth program works to stem the consequences of irresponsible development, and to ensure that sensitive areas and wildlife habitat maintain a high profile in growth management debates.

The Livable Snohomish County coalition is a network of community groups and individuals who have come together working toward better policies and regulations that will protect our neighborhoods and quality of life as Snohomish County and its cities plan for 300,000 more people in the next 20 years.

All candidates have confirmed their attendance and participation. The candidates are:

County Council District 2: Republican William Cooper and Democrat Brian Sullivan.

County Council District 3: Republican Renee Radcliff-Sinclair and Democrat Mike Cooper

County Executive: Republican Jack Turk and Democrat Aaron Reardon, the incumbent.

This is an open candidate debate with a set format. Ed Bremer of KSER 90.7 FM radio will be moderating the debate and there will be opportunity for questions from the audience.

Around Town briefs can be sent to edmonds@heraldnet.com or mailed to 4303 198th St. SW. Lynnwood, WA 98036.