Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today? Yes, I want to support My Edmonds News!
Editor:
There is nothing like a visit from out-of-town guests to boost one’s appreciation for Edmonds!
Our friends live in a lovely suburb north of Chicago. They said our farmer’s market puts theirs to shame (good job Edmonds-South Snohomish County Historical Society volunteers!).
They were also blown away by the fact that we had no trash — anywhere: not in alleys, not in parks; not on the streets or sidewalks. There is a lot of credit to go around for this. Thank you to our parks maintenance workers, to the street sweepers in public works, and to Joe and Nancy Scordino, Brian Albright and the many other residents who pick up after themselves and others while they are out on walks.
Together, we create a city unlike any other.
Vivian Olson
Edmonds
Did you show them any of our lovely signs that says we’re unable to cut our own grass?
Councilmember Olson, that’s awesome your friends from Chicago enjoyed our clean streets – but unlike Chicago, Edmonds isn’t drowning in trash, it’s drowning in your bad policies.
Small businesses are under attack, the budget is a mess, and Edmonds deserves accountability — not spin.
And since you clearly want to be mayor, your choices today will be remembered tomorrow.
A wise Man once told me that nothing good happens at 4:02 am. I thought MEN did not allow personal attacks on comments but times have changed.
The only exception to that is elected officals. Although as I have said numerous times I hope that commenters recognize they are also human beings. — Teresa
I’m thankful MEN allows for critical feedback, silencing residents is not the answer. Plenty of articles & comments from all viewpoints, providing critiques of our electeds’ decisions. You’ll find the same in nearly every news publication, like the Seattle Times.
I appreciate Vivian Olson’s engagement on MEN & wish her success, but I have yet to see any sort of empathy or attempt to address residents concerns over affordability.
Edmonds residents are speaking out about their challenges to afford their homes, we see reports of property taxes pushing residents out, crickets…
https://www.king5.com/article/money/economy/king-county-property-taxes-increasing/281-79a95bdf-74b1-4071-815e-36146b525480
Nick, that is incorrect. The Seattle Times turns off comments on any article it deems controversial in any way. Also, because I will not be silenced as I have stated here before, I must say that you lose credibility when you turn to hyperbole again and again and again.
Hi Janice, I love how you turned your attempt into silencing Lee Reeves, into somehow, someone attempting to silence you.
You can find the commenting code of conduct on the Seattle Times website, link below. Here’s a recent editorial, 146 comments, I bet you can find some comments that you prefer weren’t published.
https://www.seattletimes.com/help/
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/hastily-passed-tax-will-haunt-wa-lawmakers/
I try to provide relevant local new stories to back up my claims, like the King5 report on property taxes pushing out residents in King County. You don’t have to agree with them.
You’re entitled to your opinion, as am I.
Thanks,
Nick
Great reminder to celebrate the good.
I’m glad your friends had a fun and eye opening trip, Vivian. Perhaps they will move here…
Vivian – you forgot to include your name as one who cares about our City enough to pickup litter while walking AND volunteering hands-on help to restore our natural areas.
Thank you and all the great volunteers who care about keeping our unique “Edmonds Kind of Day”.
I may have my head in the clouds, but after a lovely morning walking our waterfront, coffee on our beach, shopping our amazing market and getting ready to go to tonight’s gala at our iconic Waterfront Center, I am thinking it would be nice for people to comment on the subject of the story Vivian told us. Save the negativity for a political post – we have plenty of those!
I also had out of town visitors lately. They loved our town. It’s nice to see positivity amongst the endless negative comments and doomsaying about what is a truly wonderful place.
Legitimate criticism is not “Negative” – it’s an effort to make what good better. How can a city progress if it is not open to sometimes robust criticism? Sitting quietly and taking it is not American; without criticism we wouldn’t have a United States in the first place!
I agree with Chris and Rob that friendly feedback is more powerful than cheap shots.
I understand wanting to avoid the negativity. Vivian please give us a forum to discuss affordability concerns so were not tempted to bring down the mood in your wonderful letters to the editor.
Happy to meet folks, my family is thankful we have the means (I do worry about my kids ability to afford down the road). I’m not speaking up for myself, I’m speaking up for my neighbors.
Nathaniel – agreed, thank you.
BTW – I’m not familiar with the gala, is this an event for rich folks? Is there a cause?
I’m sure Chris Fleck can correct me if I’m wrong but I believe he’s referring to the fundraising event for the Edmonds Waterfront Center, which benefits the work they do on behalf of seniors as well as the multigenerational programming they put on year round. — Teresa
A fantastic cause. Appreciate your support Chris Fleck & others.
I am happy to have a listening session this month and advertise it here once the date and time are chosen.
Nick, please email me at vivian.olson@edmondswa.gov to provide your availability so I can schedule it for a time you are available.
Much appreciated Vivian! Mentioned before in MEN comments, I don’t always agree with you (or anyone for that matter), but I see you engaging with residents in the comments, really thankful for that!
Take care,
Nick
Should have given your friend a full tour of Edmonds, including the Highway 99 part of Edmonds. Bet they wouldn’t have been so impressed!
Thank you for the segue to an area of praise not given in the original letter: we were having a problem with abandoned shopping carts and trash on Highway 99 in Edmonds and Lynnwood for a while, but it has been much better during the last 12 plus months. I know this issue had attention from councilmembers and the Mayor, but I don’t know the whole story behind the positive difference we are seeing. Maybe another shoutout to the residents and city departments involved once I find out.
Now this is a surprise to those who live along the highway where our multi cultural neighborhoods are. Crime continues to increase in every part. Maybe Vivian should go alone to Safeway or Winco when it’s dark, Maybe you will understand better. The last two years all the issues have accelerated including homelessness, people sleeping in hidden spots and panhandling in all areas. It’s really gotten my worse since the city the elected decided to close the cities arm of city hall on Highway 99. The office served many people to include resources for them to get services and help.
Driving along 99 or attending a ground breaking or drinking coffee in a coffee shop isn’t a good understanding to living in the area.
Adrienne is absolutely right. Come by the neighborhood at 6 pm on a dark winter evening and walk home from the bus stop along the Interurban and sidewalkless streets to my street east of 99. There’s little light, cars and bikes driving fast (which happens everywhere, but with bad lighting, is especially dangerous), and garbage. Code violations of all types. A shooting on our street in Thanksgiving a couple years ago. Repeated break-ins at an empty house after a house fire. We like our street and the diversity, but tired of waiting for the City to pay attention. We still laugh about the time we called the City with a simple question about snowplow routes and were asked if we were sure we lived in Edmonds and to call MLT City Hall. Or the former City council member who told me that we should save our money and “move to Edmonds.” 99 is not just businesses and apartments and the highway. I’ve said all of this before, so apologize to those who’ve heard it already.
Thanks Kim for these specifics.
While I don’t know which is your street, I am aware of the safety challenges on certain other streets near HWY 99 (such as 84th, just west of it). On this street, pedestrian traffic is high, the road is narrow, and the cars go too fast.
In case of 84th, as an example of insufficient pedestrian safety on streets new HWY 99, it isn’t true that the issue has been ignored. The traffic engineer has been involved there, and the sidewalk has been designed, and construction of the sidewalk is a high priority in the capital improvement plan (the actual timing of construction is funding dependent).
If your street suffers from the same issues, I would like to come see it.
Regarding lighting, there has been a lighting improvement on the Interurban this year (installed before June) with more lighting there coming in the very short term thanks to grant funding for safety improvements secured by staff and in design now.
All dialogue on any subject is welcome; Let’s plan a meeting at your convenience. I can be reached at vivian.olson@edmondswa.gov or
425 361-8176.
I agree Kim. The MLT portion of the interurban trail north of 228th really needs better pathway lighting. On the upside, it appears the 220th underpass has been getting more maintenance lately.
Edmonds seems like the perfect setting for a potential Dickens sequel, “One City with Two Tales.” Of course, it would naturally feature a chapter focusing on the upcoming levy.
Thanks Vivian. If Vivian chose to run for mayor, I think she has proven she does care about all of Edmonds. Also yes the 99 area does have its problems and it’s not pleasant especially after dark. I too had guests in August this year from Minneapolis Chevy Chase to be exact and they are avid 5 miles a day walkers. They would leave here as I slept ha and walk all the way to the Bowl and the water and then another day they went down 76th S and ended up around a health club N who let them come in for a bit and then they spotted the coffee shop and the country market. Now they had heard me speak of being a bit frightened of the 99 area and they wanted to see for themselves…they were not frightened at all and they too are educated professionals. They didn’t mention trash, but I really think it’s mainly after dark that is also when I hear the most sirens etc. I also think it’s great to take gloves and a little bag and pick up trash when you walk at least pick up your dog poop! And when you go to a park take your trash home all of it and dispose of at home that is what we have always done. Thank you.
Nick, I said: “I thought MEN did not allow personal attacks on comments but times have changed.” I stand by that comment. Your interpretation of that as me “silencing” someone is an attempt at drama and again, hyperbole. I will always stand by someone who is attacked in an unwarranted manner.