Paying back!
Editor:
This is just a short note of thanks.
Clean and Simple is a business in our community that is well worth doing your business with.
I’m doing chemo Therapy (third time around) and they offered to clean my home once a month for four months free of charge.

Their staff is professional and friendly.
It’s just their way of giving back they say.
My thanks also to the Puget Sound Cancer Clinic and Stevens Hospital staff.
But most of all, I thank my family and friends for being there when I needed them.

Lynda Truax

In response to Mr. Denton
Dear Mr. Denton,
I am very sorry if the use of the word “dictator” caused you offense and it was not my intention to imply anything disrespectful at a local level.

 It is unfortunate that this word was a distraction as the information provided from Mr. Brecht on the City Manager form of government was very helpful to me as I continue my research.

We are all products of our experiences and I lived and worked in Lithuania after the break-up of the Soviet Union as part of an American and European consortium charged with helping to rebuild its regulatory and banking systems. 

Living overseas through some of the most troubling and exciting times allowed me to gain personal and valuable insights regarding the criticality for timely and complete flow of information amongst governmental entities and the public. 

As you might imagine, these concepts were new to both governmental officials and the citizens of Lithuania.

As a citizen of Edmonds, I had concerns about the efficiency and clarity with which information was being shared and communicated and this issue was one key component of my platform. 

I hope to utilize my past experiences as an auditor, regulator and regulatory consultant while working with Mayor Cooper, the staff and levy committee members so that we can provide a comprehensive financial picture to our citizens.   

Again, I apologize if my words were misunderstood or misinterpreted.

To me, what is most important NOW is that we work together as a team and rally the citizens to support a common cause: Economic Development and understanding the financial condition of our City so that we can move forward in terms of capital planning and/or levy. 

Should you wish to discuss anything further, do not hesitate to contact me. 

Diane Buckshnis
Edmonds City Council member

Congrats to Cooper
Editor:
I’d like to congratulate Mike Cooper as the newly appointed Mayor of Edmonds. 
I know he will do his best to lead our city through the challenges that lie ahead over the next 17 months. 

I compliment our City Council members for carrying out a fair process in reviewing the applications and interviewing all eight candidates who applied for the mayoral vacancy. 
All eight men were sincerely dedicated to doing their best to serve our great city.

Although the new mayor has his work cut out for him, he will find that all seven council members are intelligent, hard-working people who all want what is best for our city. 

If treated with respect and offered a collaborative environment, they will respond with a focused effort to address our perpetual budget shortfall and use creative solutions to generate new revenue to put Edmonds on a sound, long-term financial footing. 

We are lucky to have 205 dedicated employees who go out of their way every day to make Edmonds a safe and friendly place to live, work, recreate, and relax. 

But it is the citizens themselves who make Edmonds an incredible place to live. 
This was demonstrated at the Council meeting last Tuesday night.

Prior to the appointment of the Mayor, a packed chamber of about 100 Edmonds residents addressed the question of whether we should change our form of government from an elected mayor and council to a city manager form. 

One after another spoke on both sides of the issue with thoughtful, well-reasoned points of view.

There was no council decision and the matter remains unresolved.  But this, in my opinion, was a demonstration of Edmonds’ greatest strength: our well-informed, engaged citizens who care passionately about their city.

If the new mayor and council can work together, treat our employees with respect, and reach out to our talented, knowledgeable citizens, we will succeed in becoming an outstanding city and fill a unique niche in the Puget Sound region.

Dick Van Hollebeke

DeMeiro is the man
Editor
I heartily endorse Vince DeMiero as the best candidate in the District 1 race for State Legislature Representative.

As his former supervisor and colleague at Mountlake Terrace High School, I know him well.
I consider him the finest teacher I have hired in my long career.

He always exhibits the highest integrity; he is dedicated to his family and to the students whom he teaches and inspires.

Vince possesses a keenly analytical mind, able to examine issues thoroughly and to understand varying points of view.

More importantly, he is able to use his analysis to bring disparate groups to consensus, enabling them to work harmoniously to take action, a skill greatly needed in today’s antagonistic political environment.

With Vince in the state legislature, progress will be made on the vital issues facing the state.
Vince has lived his entire life in south Snohomish County. He has taught at Mountlake Terrace High School for 22 years, proving himself as a leader of change and an empowering force in the lives of his students.

He is an active volunteer in many aspects of community life. He will be the true voice of all of the citizens of District 1.

Vote for Vince DeMiero.

Elaine C. Klein
Retired Principal, Mountlake Terrace High School 

A job for the police
Open Letter to the Church Board of Westgate Chapel:

I was saddened to read about the volunteer at your church who worked with kids and has now been accused of fondling an eight-year-old girl four years ago, and then was subsequently caught taking pictures up the skirts of various and unsuspecting girls and women.

 With all of the revelations involving the Catholic Church, having another example so close to home is disheartening. 

And then I was outraged to hear that the board of your church did not report the initial fondling accusation to the police like anyone with common sense--and a conscience--should have done when the first incident occurred.

And isn't it state law to do so?

I am sickened by frequent cover-ups by the hierarchy of various churches, synagogues, and cathedrals who do more to protect the rapist than they do the victim.

The police--not by the church, should have handled whatever investigation ensued after the charge was made as the mess involving the Catholic Church has proven. 

Not reporting it resulted in more victims.
Shouldn't the Westgate Chapel church board be accountable for that?

'Loving your neighbor' includes protecting them from pedophiles.  

Mark Moffet

Why I voted for an additional $40 on TBD
Why I voted for an additional yearly fee of $40 for vehicle registration to be put on the November Ballot. 

No one likes to see an increase in taxes. 
At my home, forty dollars is one half of my month’s groceries.  While many pundits of this increased fee indicate it is too aggressive, I disagree. 

I am willing to put this option to the voters as I would be willing to pay the additional dollars as I am thinking of our future. 

The list of projects we will send to the voters will show a priority list that includes sidewalks, a long-awaited round-about and bicycle street signage. 

In the Bernheim proposal, eight projects are for citizen safety. 

The remaining three 2009 concurrency projects have been changed to a less costly work-around. 

So, in my eyes, kudos for our staff for their thoughtful thinking and to the TBD Commissioners that voted in favor of putting this yearly increase to the voters. 

We actually saved the city over $2.5 million in developing the work-around.  So, please, research this funding package:  we need to start identifying our safety wants and needs and providing a specific funding mechanisms that is outside of the General Fund and allow voters the choice. 

Yes, forty dollars is a lot for a yearly fee and I hate increased taxes too; but break it down monthly and it is only 3.33 (and I like that number). 

Please feel free to contact me or Mr. Bernheim to obtain his priority list.
 
Diane Buckshnis
Transportation Benefit District Commissioner