Around Town

Shellfish still off-limits

Due to continuing high toxin levels, the ban on shellfish harvesting on Edmonds beaches remains in effect, reported the Snohomish Health District.

Multi-lingual warning signs are posted at affected beaches. The start of the summer tourist season in Edmonds prompted the reissuance of the warning, according to a health district spokesman.

Clams, mussels, oysters and cockles collected from Picnic Point south to the King County border are included in the ban. Recently harvested shellfish should be thrown away.

Since the end of 2004 unacceptably high levels of a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning have occurred in area shellfish, explained Amanda Zych of the health district’s shellfish program. The fish stock is affected.

The poison is a byproduct of phytoplankton consuming high levels of nutrients from sources such as watershed runoff, Zych explained. The result is “red tide,” dubbed that because of the rusty-red color that can, but doesn’t always, tinge the water, especially at high tide.

The health department collects samples from area beaches for testing in state labs every two weeks, Zych said. Specimens must pass the test two consecutive times for their collection site to be considered safe, she added.

A person who eats contaminated shellfish can become ill within minutes. Symptoms of the poisoning include numbness and tingling of the lips, tongue, fingers and feet.

In high doses it can affect swallowing and paralyze the respiratory system, which can lead to death.

A spokesman for Stevens Hospital reported no recent cases of the poisoning have been documented there.

The health department advises medical help be sought immediately by those who think they may have eaten contaminated shellfish.

Preserve &Protect

Edmonds is looking for volunteers to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission.

The commission identifies and encourages conservation of the city’s historic resources. Members must have an interest in historic preservation and demonstrate impartiality and broad judgment.

Commission meetings convene at 3:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at City Hall.

Applications are available at the reception desk in the lobby of City Hall or may be obtained by mail or e-mail by calling 425-771-0247.

Deadline for applying is 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 1.

Waste Not

As of May, the Washington Tea Party, whose sole purpose was to fight against the siting of the Brightwater sewage plant in Edmonds, is no longer.

With its dissolution, the grassroots organization gave to Edmonds the $1,341 remaining in its treasury for support of the city’s flower-basket program.

During a council meeting last month, Washington Tea Party president John Quast presented to Ross Woods of Triad Development, Inc., developer of the Point Edwards condominiums on the hill targeted by Brightwater, a hefty bronze plaque inscribed: “But for the action of the people of Edmonds during 2001 through 2004, this beautiful site would now be a sewage plant.”

Woods said the plaque will be prominently displayed at a public viewpoint on the Point Edwards property.

Job Pays Off

More than $14 million was spent on lobbying and lobbying-related activities during the state’s 2005 legislative session, according to Public Disclosure Commission records.

Ranking 23rd out of the top 50 lobbyists in terms of compensation was Michael Doubleday, who counts the cities of Edmonds, Bellevue and Burien among his clients.

Doubleday received a total of $48,096 for his lobbying efforts. Edmonds pays him $4,000 per month when the legislature is in session and $2,500 a month when it is not, according to Dan Clements, Edmonds administrative services director.

“I think Mike has done a great job for the city,” said Clements, citing the state’s $1 million appropriation for the Edmonds Center for the Arts, additional money for Edmonds Crossing, transportation funding and “yeoman’s work” on the sales-tax-sourcing legislation as evidence.

For more information on lobbyists’ activities visit the PDC web site at www.pdc.wa.gov.

Come Again?

To parents of toddlers, “backwash” means something entirely different than what it means to The Rotary Club of Edmonds.

“The Backwash” has long been the name of the club’s newsletter that recaps the comings and goings of the service-minded organization.

Asked why the missive carries such a curious title, past-president Pat Thorpe admitted she’s stumped for an explanation.

“I suspect it has something to do with water coming and going, like news does,” she offered.

Sure beats the image of milk and graham crackers co-mingling in a tot’s Tommee-Tippee cup.

Have an item for Community Focus? Contact Sue Waldburger at 425-673-6525 or e-mail at edmonds@heraldnet.com.