10 Years Ago 1997

Marysvilles City Council unanimously passed the Citys first curfew in over 20 years. The ordinance, considerably softened from earlier versions, bans youth 15-years-old and under from city streets after 10 p.m. The 6-0 vote, with Donna Pedersen abstaining, drew the attention of Seattles television stations. The curfew follows similar laws passed in neighboring Everett, Lake Stevens and Bellingham. The passage of the curfew was absent the often-heated testimony at prior council meetings where it was discussed. There were two provisions added to the final draft of the law. At a Council meeting two weeks before, members greatly restricted the scope of the law. Councilmember Otto Herman said he was uncomfortable with the idea juvenile crime was enough of a problem to warrant government intervening. In response, the Council decided the law should expire after three years, and would be reviewed after six months and every six months at the discretion of the Council. Several Council members who previously expressed reservations were appeased by the laws softened provisions. Earlier drafts of the curfew proposed different times for different groups. Older teens would be allowed to stay out later. Mayor David Weiser said he was concerned police officers would spend the bulk of their time pinpointing the age of people stopped. In a Council meeting two weeks before, members heard from business owners and from students of M-PHS. All the adults spoke in favor of the curfew, and the students lobbied Council members against the proposal. Andrea Armstrong, a student at M-PHS, spoke about the different perspectives. Armstrong followed fellow student Mike Maddux at the Council podium. Maddux, who urged Council members to be more trusting of teens, appeared in leather pants, an army jacket and hair died in various colors. Armstrong said, Its scary to have the police pull you over, just like it might be scary to have Mike pull you over Mike looks intimidating, but he is a nice guy. Councilmember Ken Baxter in response to Armstrong said, Apparently you have a life, Mike doesnt, he said so. One of the fears expressed that spoke in favor of the curfew was the arrival in Marysville of young people from neighboring towns with curfews. Lieutenant Dennis Peterson of the Marysville Police Department said the youth are coming from everywhere. As surrounding communities enact curfews, Marysville, without the law, would attract young criminals, he said. The law that passed is significantly less encompassing then a draft available two weeks before. In response to reservations expressed by the Mayor and Councilmember Otto Herman, John Myers agreed to exempt 16- and 17-year-olds from the ordinance. Myers, who brought the curfew to City Council last summer, has been its strongest supporter. The pullbacks, particularly the exemption of the 16- and 17-year-olds drew murmurs from business owners at the Council meeting. Before Mondays vote, both the Mayor and Herman said they still were reluctant to turn to a curfew. Mayor Weiser said he liked the fact Council had included the sunset clause, which allows the law to expire in three years, and the automatic six-month review. There are differences in opinion as to the purpose of the curfew. The business owners who supported the initiative argued its crime deterrent value. Mary Kirkland, at the meeting two weeks before, said the law would give the police the ability to stop and question youth, authority they already have according to Peterson. Peterson added there was nothing officers could do should no crime be in progress. Herman said he would be surprised if the curfew ordinance results in substantial reductions in graffiti. He said graffiti was another issue, which will most likely continue, either at different times of day, or by people exempt from the curfew. The ordinance will allow police officers to send some curfew violators to Child Protective Services. Teens under 18, who are not carrying identification and whose parents do not want to take them can be sent to the state agency, Peterson said.

25 Years Ago 1982

The Marysville I00F Hall has been named to the national historical register. The talk had kind of died down surrounding the old I00F Hall being converted into an arts center until recently. Good news fell on the ears of Carol Harkins, Floyd Galloway and others who have been working diligently on the project. It was learned the I00F Hall, also known as the Marysville Opera House, has been selected by the Keeper of the National Register for placement in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register records tangible reminders of the history of the United States and is the official list of the nations cultural resources worthy of preservation, Jacob Thomas, state historic preservation officer, wrote. The Opera House had been approved on the state level in November 1980. At the time, Brenth Lambert of the Snohomish County Planning Department said the building would qualify for federal funds for restoration if it was included. Lambert was responsible for fling the nomination form. He said the property owner could take advantage of the tax code provisions, which encourage the restoration of historical places. Galloway, owner of the building, was pleased with the honor, saying This historical designation is very important as it now makes the building more attractive to developers and financiers who would be in a position to benefit tax-wise. The restoration of the building will contribute to the overall downtown redevelopment by enhancing the area and attracting potential business and interests. Although the issue had died down, it was far from being dead, said Marysville Fine Arts Association member Harkins.

50 Years Ago 1957

R.J. Davenport, caretaker of the city park for the past 11 years, is retiring from that position and will be succeeded by Leonard Magee who will assume the duties of caretaker as well as the superintendency, an office he has held for the past 15 years. Long past the age of retirement, Davenport has rendered untiring service to make the park something of which the community can be proud. He has pruned, clipped, trimmed, planted, raked leaves, disposed of garbage and papers, looked after the wading pool in season and been a friend to park visitors. He has no immediate plans for the future other then a trip with his wife to their old home in Minnesota in late summer. They have lived here about 15 years. Magee, appointed to fill the position by Mayor G.A. Dudley, has lived in the community more than 30 years. Since the first of the month, Magee has been working with Davenport, replacing George Davis who is ill.

Mrs. Alice Weiser, Leroy Weiser and Mrs. Evelyn Reed again appeared before City Council to continue talks on the possible vacating of south Beach Street, between First Street and the waterfront. From these discussions it appeared that no solution has yet reached for the problem confronting the Weiser mill. The Weisers had petitioned for vacation of that portion of Beach Street in order to permit transfers from the existing lumber mill west of Beach Street to a proposed larger mill on the east side of the street area. Legal opinion voiced by the city attorney, W.A. Gissberg, indicated doubts that any satisfactory arrangement could be found other than to vacate the street. The Weiser mill, if rebuilt on the site of the large structure lost by fire two years ago, would add 100 men to the local payroll, it has been said. Councilmembers had hoped some means could be found to allow use of the street area for the mill without loosing forever this one public access to the waters of Ebey Slough.