It's time for a change on County Council
Published on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 by Robert DietzRead More Voices
Editor,
A registered voter for 35 years, this is the first time I am endorsing a political candidate of any party, for any office. I strongly support Ellen Hiatt Watson over incumbent John Koster for Position 1, Snohomish County Council.
Ellen has shown commitment to the community and to the environment by founding the non profit 7-Lakes organization, whose goal is managed growth that is in accordance with Growth Management Act, established codes and statutes, opposing the fully contained communities, and seeking environmental impact reviews of rural cluster developments. The idea is to eliminate poor development methods, while shaping sensible ones. Her priorities include quality of life, community safety, and a balance between growth and a healthy way of life for Snohomish County residents.
Protecting our valuable farmlands and character of our rural lands is as important as her desire to nurture small businesses, while ensuring industries such as aerospace and construction have the tools they need to succeed. Ellen is all about an equitable process that listens to the concerns of the community and lets the citizens have a say that is actually heard and incorporated in decisions that affect them. Building a better county begins with integrity, fairness, and equality for the greater good, not for select campaign donors.
Among many notable others, Ellen is endorsed by the County Executive, and all current council members except obviously, Mr. Koster, who is her opponent.
In contrast, Mr. Koster's campaign is largely funded by the realtor and homebuilding industry, identifying the special interests whom he really represents. This is not balanced to include the citizens who he also serves (see campaign contributions through public disclosure). Example number one was recent, when Mr. Koster left the voice message with Mr. Reardon (County Executive) that he had Koster's support if Reardon vetoed the council's decision to eliminate the fully contained communities, which had been debated for over a year. The public overwhelmingly objected to fully contained communities, yet Koster ignored them. Other examples include: Mr. Koster co-sponsored a bill to repeal the Growth Management Act altogether (HB1208); was the original sponsor of a bill to create Freedom County, seceding from Snohomish County (SHB 1548); original sponsor of a bill to eliminate dairy farms' requirement to publicly disclose all hazardous accidental discharges (HB 2916); co-sponsored a bill to restrict the state's right to regulate employment of minors (HB 1911). Mr. Koster also shares responsibility for Arlington's annexation of farmland (in a flood plain) for a car lot. All are examples of special interest. I could go on.
It's time for a change long overdue. Ellen Hiatt Watson will bring fresh ideas with transparency, focused on economic development, while upholding a true commitment to preserving farmland. She is a local business owner, mother of grown and small children, who has demonstrated a commitment to our environment and quality of life. She is a proven leader committed to community interests, worthy of our trust and our vote.
Robert B. Dietz
Arlington
A registered voter for 35 years, this is the first time I am endorsing a political candidate of any party, for any office. I strongly support Ellen Hiatt Watson over incumbent John Koster for Position 1, Snohomish County Council.
Ellen has shown commitment to the community and to the environment by founding the non profit 7-Lakes organization, whose goal is managed growth that is in accordance with Growth Management Act, established codes and statutes, opposing the fully contained communities, and seeking environmental impact reviews of rural cluster developments. The idea is to eliminate poor development methods, while shaping sensible ones. Her priorities include quality of life, community safety, and a balance between growth and a healthy way of life for Snohomish County residents.
Protecting our valuable farmlands and character of our rural lands is as important as her desire to nurture small businesses, while ensuring industries such as aerospace and construction have the tools they need to succeed. Ellen is all about an equitable process that listens to the concerns of the community and lets the citizens have a say that is actually heard and incorporated in decisions that affect them. Building a better county begins with integrity, fairness, and equality for the greater good, not for select campaign donors.
Among many notable others, Ellen is endorsed by the County Executive, and all current council members except obviously, Mr. Koster, who is her opponent.
In contrast, Mr. Koster's campaign is largely funded by the realtor and homebuilding industry, identifying the special interests whom he really represents. This is not balanced to include the citizens who he also serves (see campaign contributions through public disclosure). Example number one was recent, when Mr. Koster left the voice message with Mr. Reardon (County Executive) that he had Koster's support if Reardon vetoed the council's decision to eliminate the fully contained communities, which had been debated for over a year. The public overwhelmingly objected to fully contained communities, yet Koster ignored them. Other examples include: Mr. Koster co-sponsored a bill to repeal the Growth Management Act altogether (HB1208); was the original sponsor of a bill to create Freedom County, seceding from Snohomish County (SHB 1548); original sponsor of a bill to eliminate dairy farms' requirement to publicly disclose all hazardous accidental discharges (HB 2916); co-sponsored a bill to restrict the state's right to regulate employment of minors (HB 1911). Mr. Koster also shares responsibility for Arlington's annexation of farmland (in a flood plain) for a car lot. All are examples of special interest. I could go on.
It's time for a change long overdue. Ellen Hiatt Watson will bring fresh ideas with transparency, focused on economic development, while upholding a true commitment to preserving farmland. She is a local business owner, mother of grown and small children, who has demonstrated a commitment to our environment and quality of life. She is a proven leader committed to community interests, worthy of our trust and our vote.
Robert B. Dietz
Arlington
blog comments powered by Disqus
North County Voices
Editorials, guest commentaries and letters to the editor can be found here. We appreciate hearing what's on your mind -- feedback about stories we've published, issues of concern or anything else.
E-mail your comments to editor@northcountyoutlook.com or mail to
P.O. Box 39, Marysville, WA 98270.