Some things are irreplaceable. And some people are irreplaceable. Last week brought an end to the remarkable careers for two Edmonds City employees. Brent Hunter had been in charge of personnel issues for over 15 years. And Jim Roberts had been with the city’s engineering department for over 31 years. In their own way, they have made wonderful contributions to this city.
In addition, our world-class Parks &Recreation Director, Arvilla Ohlde, has tendered her resignation to me effective March 31. Many times I have recited the litany of accomplishments that Arvilla has achieved on behalf of all Edmonds residents. While Brent and Jim have lived in Edmonds during their careers with the city, Arvilla has commuted every day for 14 years from Belfair on Hood Canal. Her accomplishments for those of us who choose to live here will live on forever. Not bad for an out-of-towner.
Public employees are often berated these days and seldom are they recognized for their loyalty, their perseverance as they work for a different boss every four years, or for the quality work that they perform. Brent and Arvilla worked for four mayors during their careers. But Jim lays claim to the fact that he actually worked for five mayors. And these three employees survived all of us mayoral types!
For all their contributions to this city, I thank them. They left the city a better place than they found it. That’s all we can ask of them.
The younger set
This week I had the pleasure of reading to kids at Madrona, Seaview, and Westgate Elementary Schools. This is a joint effort by the Edmonds School District to encourage kids to read and to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss, and I’ve been a part of it for the past five years. And I must say that I enjoy the opportunity to visit with the kids. When I’m finished reading, I always allow time for questions, and the kids are never shy with their thoughts. It is so refreshing to hear their perspectives about life and to answer their questions about being mayor.
Under the flight path
You may have read about a state senator (from Mill Creek) and his plan to study the expansion of Paine Field to allow “small” commuter flights at the field. Almost nine years ago, the cities of Mukilteo and Edmonds joined together to fight, successfully, a similar expansion. Obviously, Mukilteo has a greater stake than we do in this fight. But large parts of Edmonds would be affected by this plan, and we already suffer from the flight paths of planes on their daily flights from Kenmore to the San Juans and other points north.
Sen. Paull Shin, D-Mukilteo, Rep. Mike Cooper, D-Edmonds and Rep. Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo, held a town meeting in Mukilteo a couple of weeks ago, and folks turned out in droves. The overwhelming sentiment was in opposition to the plan. The mobilization of the anti-expansion group has begun again. The Mukilteo group has never really stopped, but turnout at their meetings had started to dwindle. I suspect there will be a few more folks in attendance now.
There are a number of ways you can help if you don’t care to see expansion of flights at Paine Field. You can join with the Mukilteo folks and begin attending their meetings and, as always, notify your elected officials in Olympia of your thoughts. This is one of those quality of life issues that you can’t afford to ignore.
Spring is coming
Spring will be upon us soon (hopefully). Take a break from your routine and stroll around our beautiful town (unless your routine is strolling around our beautiful town!). See if you can spot some of the amenities that we enjoy that were brought to us by our retiring public employees. Yes, we pay them for their work but we get to enjoy the fruits of their labors. I wish them happiness in their retirement.
Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson writes a monthly Forum column for The Enterprise.
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