Washblog

Over the past year I have begun to grow more and more concerned about what I see a as a rising tide of intolerance and anti-minority activity in the city of Everett and Snohomish County.  Whether it be a candidate for Snohomish County Sheriff inviting an internationally recognized homophobe to be a keynote speaker at a campaign breakfast; or that same candidate attending a Minuteman convention in the city of Everett - hosted by a candidate for Everett City Council; or a gathering of Latvian anti-gay warriors in the city of Lynnwood, there is a pattern developing that has me very concerned.

To my Progressive friends and the greater Progressive community in Snohomish County and beyond:

If you believe like I do that Commercial Media is a large part of the problem with our country today and that we must support alternative resources to get more and better information out to the general public, then now is the time to act. KSER-90.7FM in Everett is in the final week of their annual Fall Membership Drive.

  Green Everett, in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Community, the Sustainable Snohomish Development Task Force and the Snohomish PUD invite you to attend a Sustainable Energy Fair and Solar & Green Building Tour on Saturday, October 6th.

Mark Hintz, Chair of Snohomish County Democrats, encouraged Democrats in a recent email message to attend a community meeting in Lynnwood this Saturday, 9/22/07.  The meeting, sponsored by Community to Community Development (C2C) and Washington CAN!, is convened to provide an opportunity for community discussion on immigration-related issues in the area, including the unnannounced presence in Lynnwood this past Friday of federal agents believed by some to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.  

Tension over immigration has been on the rise in Snohomish County - including in the City of Lynnwood. Immigration raids, law enforcement response to gang activity, and Homeland Security response to anti-terrorism activities have contributed to the erosion of community trust and relationships. Daily life has been affected for many people, especially Latinos.  In some areas of Snohomish County, for example, you are likely to be asked for proof of citizenship even in a routine traffic stop if you look Latino.  There is a sense of intimidation and even fear among people in some communities.

Hintz' message referred to this increased anxiety -- and the need for community members to be aware and trained to help respond.  In addition to the reported presence of ICE agents, he cited a recent visit to Snohomish County by Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the minuteman organization, and noted that the targeting of people of color made everyone less safe.  "The makeup of Snohomish county is changing," Hintz said when I spoke with him on Thursday.   "We need to embrace that change.  There are many people talking about immigration issues and the impact on communities of color," he continued, "but not as many are taking action.  I want to encourage Democrats to take action."

I followed up with a call to Washington CAN! and spoke with community organizer Maru Villalpando, who detailed a gathering of federal agents, likely to be ICE agents, and an unconfirmed report of an immigration raid in Lynnwood this past Friday -- as well as the ongoing presence of an ICE federal agent located at the Lynnwood Police station, and the practice of police in that city of requiring proof of citizenship during routine traffic stops. Villalpando outlined the response of her organization and others to the increased community insecurity, and a proven strategy of gathering and reporting information and offering solutions that enhance community trust and relationships.  See below the fold.

Cross posted HERE

I have previously posted here that, with certain changes on the Everett City Council and the Snohomish County Council, "...Snohomish County could become the next seat of Progressive politics in the state..." Brian Sullivan's (D-21st LD) campaign for Snohomish County Council, District 2 represents one of our best opportunities to achieve that goal this year. Sullivan spent four years on the Mukilteo City Council (1985-1989) before serving seven years as that city's Mayor from 1990 to 1997. In 2000, he was elected to the State House to represent the 21st LD which includes Mukilteo, Lynwood, and Edmonds. His current committee assignments are Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chair), Local Government, and Transportation. Sullivan is one of the most respected members on issues concerning the environment and land use and has been an outspoken advocate for affordable housing. This session he has taken up the cause for Mobile Home Park residents who are being displaced by park owners eager to sell out to condo developers.

For those of you who may not know, I am spending much time this year in the effort to help our friend Jackie Minchew earn a seat on the Everett City Council. I want to take a few lines to introduce him to you and to update you on the progress thus far.

On Saturday, December 16, the 38th LD Democrats held their bi-annual re-organization. The result was a mix of experience and new faces on the Executive Board that should provide excellent leadership over the next two years.

Per Noemie's request, I'm (prematurely) posting about something troubling from Snohomish County Elections. The Secretary of State's Office has authorized SnoCo to use their Sequoia touchscreens for the duplication of mail ballots.

We activists really don't know much more than that. Most of us have day jobs and have been concentrating on King Co. It'd be great if others could step up and help us resolve this.

The email thread to date is shown below. Plus some background information.

The most important race in Snohomish County this year is the race for Snohomish County PUD Commissioner - District 2! Oh sure, there are a number of legislative races and our three federal offices to concern ourselves with but it has just struck me that the race that provides the greatest return for my one vote is the race to turn over one seat on the PUD's decision making body.

Last night I had the privilege of attending the 38th LD's monthly meeting, and it was a star-studded affair, very well ran, and informative.

Mayor Ray Stephenson was there, along with Dave Somers, 5th County Council District, who was on a panel about land use. County Chair Mark Hintz was also in the audience, working overtime for the party. I have to say, Mark is a helluva hard charger, and he is dead on with his ideas on how to properly grow a base for the county, and make electeds more accountable to us. It is leadership by example if I have ever seen it.

The Energy Security Initiative's Meagan Dixon talked about the 15% renewable requirement initiative they are tyring to get signatures for. I am not too familiar with it, so I'll see about maybe getting her to write about what they are up to.

But Tristan Klesick stole the show.