In this week’s election, people within the city in an advisory vote decided to ban fireworks 2,818 to 1,372, or 67 percent to 33 percent.

Although it was just an advisory vote, council President Jeff Vaughan said Nov. 5 the board will be discussing fireworks at its next meeting Nov. 9.

“We have to right away,” he said. “It was decisive.”

The issue has been an explosive topic for the council for a few years. It first did an online survey where people responded in favor of fireworks by a small margin. It then established a committee of stakeholders that studied the issue, but could not come up with a recommendation.

This vote is the first time the public clearly has stated its desire.

“It’s easier to understand what the citizens really want,” Vaughan said.

He said he’d been watching social media to see if he could predict which way the vote would go. He thought it would be closer, like the other surveys.

“This vote carries a lot more weight,” he said.

Mayor Jon Nehring said the reason the council wanted to have the vote was to see if the public would set a mandate.

“This more accurately reflects what people are thinking,” he said. “It’s a pretty clear message from the voters.”

The measure asks if the City Council should prohibit the possession, sale and discharge of fireworks in Marysville. Even if the council passes a law, it would not go into effect for another year because of state statute.

Also, Snohomish County general election results show Marysville City Council Member Rob Toyer and Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert retaining their seats.

Toyer comfortably leading Shaw

In the only contested race in Marysville, for Position 5 on the City Council, first-term incumbent Rob Toyer received 60 percent, or 2,277 votes, while challenger Clarence Shaw received 39 percent, or 1,486 votes.

Tolbert ahead, but just barely

In the Arlington mayor’s race, first-term incumbent Barbara Tolbert received 53 percent, or 1,084 votes, while challenger Craig Christianson received 47 percent, or 956 votes.

In other issues of local concern:

•County Executive John Lovick was losing his job to Dave Somers 57 percent to 42 percent.

•For County Council, Brian Sullivan was falling to Greg Tisdel 50 percent to 49 percent.

•For Lakewood School Board, Amy Williams was just getting past Jahna Smith 50 percent to 49 percent.

•For Fire District 21, Dan Britton was beating Ed Taft 55 percent to 44 percent.

•The Community Transit funding was leading 51 percent to 49 percent.

The leaders for Charter Review are: John Koster, Jim Donner and Ray Miller for District 1; Jennifer Gregerson, Shawn O’Donnell and Dan Matthews in District 2; and in District 5 Kristin Kelly, Wendy Valentine and Doug Roulstine.

Other Arlington races

In the Arlington City Council races, first-term Position 4 incumbent Randy Tendering received 48.27 percent, or 946 votes, while challenger Sue Weiss received 51.17 percent, or 1,003 votes.

Fourth-term Position 5 incumbent Marilyn Oertle received 67.63 percent, or 1,293 votes, while challenger Natalie Reed received 31.54 percent, or 603 votes.

In the open Position 6 race, Mike Hopson received 64.95 percent, or 1,258 votes, while Jacob Kukuk received 26.95 percent, or 522 votes. First-term incumbent Austin DeFreece III, who was appointed to the seat just a few months ago, ran as a write-in candidate. Write-ins received 8.11 percent, or 157 votes.

The North County Regional Fire Authority’s EMS property tax levy, asking voters to authorize a permanent regular levy of 50 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed property value, received 64.14 percent, or 1,542 “Yes” votes, and 35.86 percent, or 862 “No” votes.