10 years ago 1997
Matt Gellein is a 10-year-old environmentalist. He looks out for his planet, his town and his neighborhood. Gellein, a member of two environmental clubs, lives in an apartment complex off State Route 528 and is used to looking west toward the Tulalip Reservation, the YMCA and Allen Creek Elementary School and east to Getchell Hill. He has lived here for six years and is reminiscing over his lost playgrounds, particularly an eight-acre field at the corner of 67th Avenue NE and SR 528 that is the future home of a large shopping complex complete with supermarket, video store and coffee shop. The west side of his apartment complex is now eight acres of newly completed apartments. Rick Bjarnson, an independent supermarket owner from the Olympic Peninsula, said the east side of Marysville is the perfect spot for his second complex. Bjarnson sees potential customers in the residents of the seemingly endless housing developments on the east side of town, particularly Getchell Hill. His research revealed a neighborhood of families mostly new to Marysville, with two incomes and plenty of children. That will define the kind of store he hopes to have in by December, he said. Gellein would rather travel the extra miles to shop than have the new complex next door. I really dont think Marysville needs another store, he said. He used to spend many days running around that field, picking blackberries, watching a whole bunch of deer, and throwing snowballs. He looked wistfully at the field last week as bulldozers moved huge mounds of dirt where he once played in a small stream. The soon-to-be fifth-grader at Sunnyside Elementary School led a one-person fight against the new market he may have had a little help from grandma, who doesnt want the store either, she said. Neighbors to the south share the sentiment. Jarmilla Wahlbergs backyard abuts the back of what will be the new supermarket. She said she was mot worried about the noise, but sees the development as inevitable. I thought I was hoping it wouldnt be. Thats how it goes, she said. Gellein wrote letters to the former owner of the property, but heard nothing in return. He wrote letters to Marysville Mayor David Weiser, he said, and did hear back. Aside from buying the lot outright, there is not much Gellein can do to resist. Not that he didnt try. Commuters from Getchell Hill were treated to Gelleins signs: Save the field. Gayle Gellein, Matthews grandmother, encouraged her grandson to save as much as possible. The Gelleins line the entrance to their third-floor apartment with plants. The largest is an apple tree rescued from the field and now in a ceramic planter. The back porch is the home for a wild rose Gayle found in he field. The Gelleins said they were somewhat resigned to their new neighbors, but Gayle said she worries about the human and car traffic. Cars are already vandalized in her complex and she worries about graffiti on a wall that will face the complex. She thinks the new complex will increase traffic on SR 528. Youre taking your life into your own hands crossing that street, she said. Bjarnson said he had heard concerns from the community who didnt want to see commercial growth in residential neighborhoods. The citys building and planning departments were helpful, he said. They were very gracious and bent over backwards. The architecture will resemble the new growth in Marysville, he said. The complex will be managed by a Marysville native, Bjarnson said, and will focus on hiring area residents to work in the businesses.

25 years ago 1982
Mayor Daryl Brennicks eyes lit up at the mention of a hospital for Marysville. But Gerald Ross, seeking development of a six- to nine-acre parcel on Highway 99 north of the city, tempered the mayors enthusiasm. Would you be willing to sign a contract exclusively for a hospital for sewer and water or for residential development according to the RUSA plan? the mayor asked Ross at Monday nights City Council meeting. Well, I dont know how good the chances of a hospital are, replied Ross, who had brought up the subject earlier in his attempt to gain the citys support before going before the county. Ross said he had many requests for a variety of businesses being developed for his property in the area of Highway 99 and 116th Street. Theres even interest in putting a hospital there, which I think would be a fabulous idea. Ross said several medical people in the Marysville area had mentioned a hospital as a possibility and noted he also had been approached by a small medical center. While Marysville has several medical clinics, the nearest hospitals are located in Arlington and Everett. We solicit your help in our going before the County Council, said Bruce Bell, an Everett attorney representing Ross. The county has come down against general commercial, whatever we did would have to have their approval. Snohomish County makes the final determination. Were looking for your support. City Administrator Rick Deming told City Council Ross had originally planned a truck stop, but that the city had recommended to the county planners no truck stop be allowed for the area. Its spot zoning of very obvious status, said Deming. Weve tried to establish 105th as the northern part of the business district. Bell said Ross first proposal was to develop the land as general commercial. Weve altered that plan and now want about 1.5 acres designated as community business and the rest residential. One of the concerns is spot zoning. We dont feel it is spot zoning. North of the property is a commercial nursery, to the east is an auction place, to the south is Jacks Carpet Service. Bell said the county at one time had the area designated as general commercial and a truck stop would fit in. But, since then, theyve backed off and we felt we also should do so. Ross said among those interested in developing under the designation of community business were a grocery store that included a post office, and a bank. Ross said he had a rough plan which would include 1.5 acres for community business, and a residential area which would include a play area and a track. The City Council, in the end, voted to uphold the rural Utilities Service Area plan and deny Ross request for support.

50 years ago 1957
There will be no action on fluoridation of Marysvilles water supply by the City Council, it was indicated at Monday evenings meeting. Replying to a suggestion in a Globe editorial last week that the Council take action to supplement the mineral lacking in the city water, reactions were various, but mostly negative. One Councilman thought the editor was just trying to stir us up, and wanted no part of what was characterized as controversial. One thought the whole matter is silly. One seemed to favor the idea and found his remarks refuted by a fourth Councilman. The fifth lawmaker, being new to his job, listened without comment.