Ruthless politics at senior center

Editor:

Last Wednesday I watched the deliberate, ruthless, blatant stripping of power from the South County Senior Center (SCSC) executive board. That is, from the only people the membership of the center were allowed to elect. Many of our elected officials were present at the beginning of the meeting, and I am sorry none of them stayed around to watch the carnage.

Because the "old guard" board members refused to respond to multiple attempts by the president (Rose Cantwell), even her right to assign committee memberships was removed, and committees were assigned according to the whim of the motioning board member.

All this was done without prior notice to board members. One of the "old guard" even got up and left soon after voicing disapproval of the process. I’d like to think it was in disgust.

After watching this debacle all the way to the bitter end, I have become convinced that nothing will change unless there are real consequences to the spoiled-child antics of the self-appointed board members of SCSC. And I suspect that, unless the public entities that fund SCSC are willing to withhold that money, the majority that holds power will continue to wield that power – not for right, but just for the sake of power.

Desperate measure? Yes, for what I perceive as a desperate situation. So, this is my public plea that Snohomish County, the Cities of Edmonds and Lynnwood, Snohomish County United Way, and any other public sources of funds be withheld from SCSC until such time as members can elect their board of directors.

Perhaps an even better solution is for those funders to each form a new alliance with a new Senior Center entity – with a board elected by its members!

-Laurie Dressler

Yes to levy, says Wambolt

Editor:

On the May 20 ballot there are only two items for Edmonds voters, and both of them deserve your vote.

The EMS (Emergency Medical Services) levy of 50 cents  is urgently required to maintain, at the current service level, this critical service that accounts for more than 70 percent of our fire department's responses.

       The second important  item is the Edmonds School District's levy of 28 cents to fund such critical capital facilities projects as safety and emergency preparedness, energy efficiency, systems upgrades, outdoor facilities, etc. 

       And these two important ballot measures are respectful of the other demands on your budget. Together, in 2009, they will amount to 78 cents for each $1,000 of your property assessment. That's 6 cents less than your cost in 2008. 

       I urge you to please say "YES" on May 20 to support both of these levies.

-Ron Wambolt

Edmonds City Councilmember 

Future demographics, EMS implications

Editor:

In the summer of 2007 I was one of 33 people who participated in the “WG33” Harbor Square project.

Ah, I’ve got your attention. Good. I’d like to remind you of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy renewal election, occurring on May 20..  The levy, if approved, will fund 75 percent of the Fire Department’s EMS budget, which includes Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics who come when you call 911. The remaining 25 percent is taken from the city’s general fund.

From my WG33 participation I became acquainted with an important demographic projection; that by 2012 a full 26 percent of us citizens of Edmonds will be seniors (50 and up).         

Of course we’re all very healthy and nothing will ever happen to us. Still, it’s reassuring to know we live in a community that regards robust funding of EMS, police, and other city services as an essential part of who we are.   

Vote yes for strong EMS.

-Mike Mestres

Re: last week’s letter by Brian Larman, “Leave it to high-schoolers”:

Editor:

Along with Larman and all of the hundred-plus participants at the April 1 City Council meeting, I was blown away by the architectural efforts of these young people and their instructor from Edmonds-Woodway High School.

 Edmonds is in good hands if these are our future leaders. However these young people do not own the land that their magnificent vision sits on. The land is owned by builders and developers who will not build parks, pathways, over-passes, gables or gazebos unless the city changes the current building code.

As the mayor stated correctly we will have flat-roofed structures sitting on top of low-ceiling retail space up to 30 feet. In order to maximize profits, the developers will cover everything within the code with as much building and parking as possible. 

In order to have anything resembling what the students envision, the citizens of Edmonds must purchase the land. And it just so happens that a movement is under way to do just that. Stay tuned.

 -Dave Page

Speeders? Where?

Editor:

I find myself mystified by last week’s letter noting speeders in the Edmonds Bowl. 

It seems to me there is a stop sign or stop light every one or two blocks.  Granted, streets feeding into the Bowl (i.e., Main, 5th) are tempting, but we who live in the Bowl are very aware of the presence of Edmonds Police to ticket these areas. 

In addition, I find drivers very considerate of anyone walking or crossing streets, in the middle of the block or not. 

-Peggy Potter

Fire Chief backs EMS levy

Editor:

This letter is intended to provide useful information to Edmonds voters concerning the upcoming vote on Proposition #1, the Emergency Medical Services levy lid lift proposal on the May 20 ballot.  Voters can either mail or drop off their ballots at a community collection center.

Edmonds voters will choose whether to restore the 2002 EMS levy rate to its previously voter-approved amount of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This is not a new tax.

Over the past six years, increases in assessed property value and the one percent property tax initiative caused the 50-cent rate to erode to 32 cents. Voting to restore the 18 cents will cost the owner of a home assessed at $461,500, the average assessed value of an Edmonds residence, an additional $83 dollars annually or $6.92 more per month.

The current EMS levy generates approximately 2.45 million dollars annually and funds about 44 percent of EMS costs. If the 2008 levy lid lift passes, the additional 1.7 million dollars will fund about 75 percent of EMS costs. A restored 50 cent rate is effective in 2009, and the funds collected can only be used to pay for delivering emergency medical services to the sick and injured.

As stated above, the current EMS levy does not pay the full cost of providing EMS services, nor will Proposition #1 if it passes. The difference between the dollars raised by the EMS levy and the cost of providing the service is made up with money from the City’s General Fund. Increasing the percent of EMS funding from passage of Proposition #1 allows a larger portion of General Fund dollars to be used to provide other City services.

In 2007, 9-1-1 received 3,685 calls for EMS assistance in Edmonds, 71 percent of all emergency calls, over ten calls per day, and a 24 percent increase over 2002.

For more useful voter information on Proposition #1, the EMS levy lid lift, call the Edmonds Fire Department at (425) 771-0215, or visit the Fire website at www.edmondsfire.org. Make your voice heard. Vote on May 20.

-Thomas J. Tomberg

Edmonds Fire Chief