I ride an e-bike. It enables me to go for longer rides and spend more time outdoors getting fresh air in my lungs than a regular bike. It helps me…
Commentary
Commentary: Parks plan review will ensure comprehensive approach to environmental restoration, protection
As a city councilmember, I’ve received hundreds of emails and comments from residents regarding the draft six-year PROS (Parks, Recreation and Open Space) Plan update. I appreciate all input and…
Commentary: City council majority ‘taking Edmonds parks backwards’
The new council majority has rejected the voices of thousands of Edmonds’ residents. Voices who want more equitable distribution of our parks, more open space, more trails and more walking…
‘Comrades No More’: Rick Steves cancels all tours that include Russia
The following is republished with permission from the Feb. 24 Rick Steves Europe travel blog: Today is a profoundly sad day. Russia’s aggressive action is heartbreaking for the death, suffering,…
Commentary: Revisiting the 2022 budget is good governance
In response to Mayor Nelson’s press release of 1/28/22, there is no point in debating the hyperbole and fear-mongering he chose to dispel in his statement. Edmonds’ citizens can rest…
Commentary: Council budget cuts will make Edmonds unsafe, polluted and uninformed
In a time when our local economy is strong with record revenue and stable city finances, some of our city councilmembers want to cut critical city services taking Edmonds backwards…
Commentary: Community-oriented design standards — let’s do it right the first time
Regarding the GBH Holdings LLC redevelopment at 6th and Main Street in Edmonds. Why is there never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to fix it…
Commentary: Finding ways to help our health care heroes
Growing up, I always enjoyed watching superheroes like Superman defeat the bad guys. Lex Luthor’s evil plan would be foiled once again, and the world would be saved. However, in…
Commentary: Thank you, Edmonds College leadership and staff, for service to students during pandemic
It’s the season when we often take time to reflect on things we are grateful for, and rising to the top of my list is the exceptional community of people…
Commentary: City council needs to repeal 2021 budget, 2022-2026 Capital Facilities Plan
The citizens of Edmonds must be represented and heard by their legislative body (i.e., the city council) on how their tax dollars are spent in this city. But that did…
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Commentary: Why is the 2022 budget being rushed?
Do citizens realize that the budgeting process is being aggressively rushed this year? Why is this budget being rushed and why is this scheduling not typical or appropriate? For decades, the administration’s…
Commentary: Let’s follow the example of former Gov. Dan Evans and help resettle Afghanistan’s refugees
Forty-six years ago, upon the fall of Saigon, thousands of Southeast Asian refugees fled violence and persecution in their home countries. Like the governors of other states at the time,…
Commentary: Washington CeaseFire working to end gun violence
He was a typical college student. During the week he attended classes and studied, and on the weekends, he blew off some steam. Occasionally he partied a little too much….
Commentary: Do you know how to make local government work for you?
Your city council and mayor were elected to represent your interests in the efficient operation of the city. They work for you. They represent the entire city and respond to…
Commentary: An Edmonds Kind of Townhome — injecting common-sense ideas Into housing policy
The flagship policy recommendation from the Edmonds Citizens Housing Commission (CHC) is “missing middle housing in single-family neighborhoods.” This essentially recommends our city council craft a housing policy that would…
Commentary: Join me in voting yes to support schools
Voters in the Edmonds School District will soon receive a ballot in your mailbox, and I am asking you to join me in voting yes in support of the school…
Commentary: Equity at Edmonds College
I have been deeply saddened by the recent attacks on members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and as I watch the trial of the officer charged…
Commentary: The Waterfront Center and the significance of place
As we prepare to welcome the community into the new Waterfront Center (subject to the course of COVID-19 and meeting safety protocols), it is important that we place this milestone…
Commentary: In review of 2020, Edmonds City Council president addresses COVID challenges, TV comments
What a year 2020 has been–starting right after the first of the year with four new councilmembers and a new mayor. With that, the mayor broke a tie during the…
Commentary: Concerns about safety and fair pay at PCC
When you work and shop at a place like PCC you have higher expectations than at a national chain store. We are the Puget Consumer Cooperative – or PCC Community…
A message from Acting Police Chief Jim Lawless
I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on a few topics that I know are important to our community. As you are likely aware, since December of…
Thanksgiving essay: We are ‘heart-wired’ to be together
When I pause to give thanks this week, the gift of time will be at the top of my list. I can choose to rail about the events I cannot…
Commentary: Sign of times as people choose kindness
I thought I would give you an update to the response from the community about the “We Choose Kindness” signs that came about after I wrote my monthly column for…
Commentary: Edmonds College is building for the future
We are facing hard times as a local and global community, and as a college it is important, now more than ever, to continue to innovate and provide exceptional value…
Commentary: Why I’m choosing kindness
This column appeared in the October 2020 issue of the Edmonds Senior Center/Waterfront Center newsletter. It is being reprinted here with permission. As I write this month’s column, Puget Sound…