Where is our park after all this time?

During the discussion of the Lake Stevens site for the UW campus, Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers asserted that county-owned lands should be excluded from the site plan because work is going forward on making it into a park.

Work has been "going forward" for most of a decade now, including both Councilman Somers' past and present stints on the council.

During the 2005 campaign, I asked him what he proposed for the land -- he said he needed to "study" the issue. After he won, I e-mailed him asking about the park and received no reply.

The Lake Stevens School District asked him in 2006 about a joint development of the land for ballparks and athletic facilities that would be used both by the schools and the public. Again, no response.

In 2007, when the land was added to the UW site proposal and reached the final site consideration stage -- only then did Councilman Somers speaks up to say, "Oh, wait -- it's supposed to be a park!"

So, Councilman Somers, it's three months later. Since you're falling all over yourself to support the Everett Station UW site, obviously you must fully intend to support the immediate development of the Cavalero Hill site into a public park as well. After all, that was why you said it wouldn't work for the UW.

Where's the press release announcing that? The proposal for money to fund development and construction? The public hearings? The introduction of plans showing artist's conceptions? The ceremony with you in a ridiculous looking hard hat? Where's our park?

I assume County Council members get very nice offices high up in the shiny County Administrative building. Somers' office must look to the west, because it seems like he's turning his back on his constituents in Lake Stevens.

Don Speirs
Lake Stevens