Larsen: Ending shutdown top priority
MARYSVILLE — Federal employees not getting paid, border security and President Trump were at the center of a town hall discussion Sunday hosted by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-WA.
About 40 people took part in the nearly two-hour question-and-answer session at the Marysville YMCA. Missed mortgages, reliance on food banks and other financial burdens are mounting stresses for an estimated 800,000 federal employees who aren’t receiving paychecks, he said.
“Building a wall is not the answer,” Larsen said.
One man said he was a federal employee who had missed his second Friday paycheck since the shutdown began in December. Among the essential classifications, such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees, the man said he has had to work without pay and asked Larsen what he was doing to remedy that problem.
Larsen said his pressing priorities are to get federal employees back to work and to get them paid. After that, he is willing to work on addressing Trump’s border-security concerns. Listing his reasons for not favoring a wall, Larsen said the length of the wall has dramatically shortened compared with what Trump touted leading up to the 2016 election, as has the idea of a continuous concrete structure. Now, Trump is touting an idea supported by some Democrats, Republicans and the Border Patrol of steel poles.
Also, Trump has not brought a specific proposal for Congress to scrutinize.
“I’m frustrated that this administration is acting like it doesn’t have to give details when they do,” he said, adding later, “It doesn’t seem like a good idea to approve money that I think would be wasted.”
District sells property to fix up Marysville schools
MARYSVILLE — The Marysville School District has sold three properties and has others on the market.
In a community where school enrollment has declined over the past decade, the goal is to use proceeds to preserve existing schools through projects such as roof replacements, boilers and beefed-up security.
Sales include:
•A 7.2-acre site between the 4200 and 4300 blocks of 71st Avenue NE sold for $1.5 million to Seawest Investment Associates LLC. •A 2-acre parcel at 8400 67th Ave. NE next to Cedarcrest Middle School. It sold for $100,000 to RESG Homes. •A third of an acre at 4124 80th St. near the school district offices sold for $230,000.
Those funds are in addition to last year, when voters approved a four-year capital levy that includes $12 million for building maintenance needs.
The district has three other properties on the market, including 10 acres east of Highway 9 off 84th Street; 19 acres across from Smith Gardens nursery on the north side of 132nd Street; and 18 acres west of I-5 off 116th Street on land that once was leased by a horse rescue.
Lands considered candidates for future school construction are being kept.
Meanwhile, a new committee is forming to consider facility needs. In the past, those have included Marysville-Pilchuck High School, along with Cascade and Liberty elementary schools. Also, the district is considering asking voters in 2020 to support a bond measure for major overhauls on some campuses.
Another Lakewood school board member resigns
LAKEWOOD – Another Lakewood School District board member has resigned and a replacement is being sought.
At the December 19, 2019 Board meeting Gregory Jensen resigned effective Jan. 16. He had been a board member since 2003.
Oscar Escalante also recently resigned after 17 years.
Anyone interested in the Director District 4 position may find an application on the district’s website at www.lwsd.wednet.edu.
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 26. Interviews with the board will be March 6.
The individual selected will serve through the remainder of that term, which is November. Candidates who file for the position in May will run for the seat in November.
For details call Superintendent Michael Mack at 360-652-4500.
Group protects Puget Sound environment
MARYSVILLE – People can help protect Puget Sound’s waters, wildlife and landscape through education, research and stewardship by joining Beach Watchers.
Training will be based out of Jennings Park every Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15 through May 31.
Receive 80 hours of university-caliber training involving field trips and expert lectures on topics like salmon, water quality, climate change, marine wildlife, coastal processes, citizen science and more.
After the trainings, volunteer at least 80 hours in projects you select over the next two years. Projects range from doing low-tide education at beaches to festival community outreach. Applications are due March 5, and a free background check is required. There is also a $55 (electronic version) or $75 (hard copy) materials fee.
Find the app at extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/naturalresources/beachwatchers/ . For more contact Chrys Bertolotto at chrys@wsu.edu or 425-357-6020.
Show for children at Opera House
MARYSVILLE – Nationally acclaimed children’s performer Caspar Babypants will be at the Opera House Sunday for a 2 p.m. show.
Chris Ballew, the former lead singer of The Presidents of the United States, always has audiences dancing and singing along.
Cost is $6.
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Correction
Fanny’s Restaurant is still very much open at 505 Cedar Ave. in Marysville. The Flapjack Restaurant at 519 Delta Ave. was demolished to make way for the city’s new Public Safety Building. A Page 1 story Jan. 20 was incorrect.
