It is not looking good for the future of fireworks in Marysville.
An advisory vote to ban fireworks in the city was failing miserably at the polls Tuesday night, losing 67 percent to 33 percent.
The measure asks if the City Council should prohibit the possession, sale and discharge of fireworks in Marysville.
The issue has been a hot topic in town as the council set up a special committee to study the issue. It came back with no recommendation because the issue was that close. An online survey reportedly showed townspeople favored fireworks by a small margin.
So the council decided to put it to voters, who favored banning fireworks by a large margin, 2,818 to 1,372.
Also, as of Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 8:01 p.m., the 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 60.1 percent, or 2,277 votes, while challenger Clarence Shaw received 39.22 percent, or 1,486 votes.
Tolbert ahead, but just barely
In the Arlington mayor’s race, first-term incumbent Barbara Tolbert received 52.78 percent, or 1,084 votes, while challenger Craig Christianson received 46.54 percent, or 956 votes.
Tendering trailing Weiss so far
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.
Oertle winning by a big margin
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.
Hopson with two-thirds of a three-way race
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.
Two-thirds of voters favor EMS levy
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.
Fire Chief John Cermak expressed cautious optimism over the initial results, but was grateful regardless to the community for its support.
“Our Emergency Medical Services don’t go unnoticed,” said Cermak, who estimated that EMS makes up as much as 80 percent of North County’s calls. “With this levy, we can continue to save lives.”
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.
