Letter to the Editor

Editor: We can’t afford the Landmark 99 property, and the City of Edmonds has failed to give a valid reason for purchasing it. The city is currently in a fiscal emergency, which will result in belt tightening and increased taxes and fees for all the citizens. This will make it difficult for us to accomplish…

Editor: Laughing at speakers during council meetings is inappropriate, in my opinion. To be clear, I am speaking for myself as one of seven councilmembers. Staff members and council were repeatedly distracted by loud and mocking laughter from the audience at Tuesday’s meeting. Which is why I made the “peanut gallery” comment from the dais…

Editor: With Thanksgiving and Black Friday upon us, I know a lot of us will be spending significant dollars on purchases for friends, family and ourselves. Please consider your vegan and cruelty-free options when doing your holiday shopping, this year.Even now, in 2023, American consumers would be shocked by how many multinational corporations still actively…

Editor: Edmonds is charming! We have been stationed in a number of cities and traveled for work and play and definitely believe this. We have also had out-of-town and local visitors who have lived all over and traveled internationally – they unanimously agree that Edmonds is charming. Charming is partly the power or quality of…

Editor: How many of you have been blinded by those bright blue car headlights? Those headlights on oncoming cars are a danger to drivers and walkers aliike. I have  been blinded by them while driving our streets at night, in one case narrowly missing a walker. Worse yet are those high-mounted blinding blue lights on…

Editor, As our community turns its focus to the holiday season, the Parent Staff Organization of Edmonds-Woodway High School is working to shine light on a continuing crisis of housing and food insecurity for students. Recent statistics indicate 1 in 25 students at our school are actively struggling with housing or food insecurity which means…

Editor: Councilmember Dave Teitzel recently urged residents to send the council their lists of needs and wants for the city. Expenses are rising for citizens and the city. Residents (both owners and renters) are experiencing increasing 2024 property taxes, the cost of all utilities, fuel and food. The city has declared a fiscal emergency. This is a…

Editor: Last summer was the hottest on record. Ever. And the one before that was the hottest, and the one before that. We’ve been seeing hurricanes out of hurricane season, some of the most severe wildfires ever displacing millions of people. My grandparents in Detroit saw their city’s streets flooded in August. Climate change is…

Editor: Halloween is approaching, and Edmonds is thoroughly decked out for this scary holiday. Alas, there’s one element that we often see that is scary to birds, insects and other wildlife in particular. It’s the fake spider webs hung on fences and from trees. The little creatures can get snagged in the web – which,…

Editor: Please note that I am neutral in the mayor’s race and have not made any comments about either candidate. I chose not to endorse a candidate for mayor in the primary or the general election because, on Jan. 1, I am ready to work with whomever is sitting in the mayor’s chair. I call…

Editor: Why can’t Edmonds operate on a budget? To put in five years of high utility rate increases to already outrageous charges, is totally out of control and should be turned down. County residents pay $132.54 annually for residence for stormwater. We pay over $300. Something’s very wrong that Edmonds needs three times as much…

Editor: We write this letter to support Judge Miguel Duran as he seeks to retain his position as Snohomish County Superior Court Judge, Pos. 16. Judge Duran has proven himself to fairly and thoughtfully decide the matters that come before him. His years of criminal and civil practice prior to joining the bench provide the…

Nonpartisan means “Based on, influenced by, affiliated with, or supporting the interests or policies of no single political party.” Today’s elections are highly contentious because of partisan extremism. “No single political party” should dominate in nonpartisan local elections. In local elections, I support candidates who most reflect my concerns for the future of Edmonds. A…

Editor: Vetting candidates? It’s still not too late. In response to my recent article on Mike Rosen in MEN I was contacted by a woman who attempted to talk to someone at PRR about his work, as described in his Voter’s Pamphlet, information/qualifications regarding his claim to be owner/CEO.  She was told there is a…

Editor: I voted for Mike Nelson in our last election for Mayor of Edmonds, and plan to do so again in November. He guided our city through the pandemic and led Edmonds to be a more welcoming and open community. With that said, I trust he will do the same when elected for the next…

Editor: Everyone most likely has seen the Fortney For Sheriff signs with all the local police union endorsements. What is notable is that only nine of the 15 county police agencies endorsed. Why not the other six? Only four of nine interviewed Susanna Johnson. I doubt if any met with Mr. Fortney. What voters should…

Editor: I was excited for the people of Edmonds when Dr. Michelle Dotsch decided to put her name forward as a candidate for Edmonds City Council.  Michelle is the best qualified person for this position. She has focused her campaign on issues that matter to residents from all areas of Edmonds – safe neighborhoods, fiscal…

Editor: I am sure that I am not the only one wondering about this constant claim that folks living outside downtown and the Bowl are underserved. A quick look at a map and you can see that this is hardly the case. Besides the many services in the area, a great deal of money has…

Editor: It’s with interest that I read recent letters questioning items on Mr. Rosen’s resume. It does make one wonder if other items were adjusted, too. I am also concerned about his lack of government experience, possessed by all other primary candidates. Lacking this experience, how long might it take him to deal with a…

Editor: I am writing this endorsement for Mike Rosen. I know that this candidate is the most qualified candidate for Edmonds. This comes from my personal experience. About four years ago, I was afforded the opportunity to work on a nonprofit board. I looked at the caliber of the persons serving and frankly, asked myself…

Editor: My term as a commissioner of Olympic View Water and Sewer District (OVWSD) will be completed by the end of 2023. I did not file for reelection because I have decided to devote my time to care for my first grandchild in California. I am endorsing commissioner candidate Judi Gladstone as my replacement. After…

Editor: FREE SODA Now that I have your attention, you may recall that person from your middle school running for class president making this promise. Free soda for everyone while no way could this occur. It was just a ploy to get your vote. Again, in high school you may have heard the promise of…

Dear editor, Mackey Gunther is the voice we need on the Edmonds City Council. As a former city councilmember and current elected official I have learned that the most important thing we can do to create good policy is to bring in a diversity of voices that better represent our entire community. And it is…