Klein will protect property rights

I’d like to thank Councilman John Koster for 12 years of common sense, conservative leadership, serving north Snohomish County residents and defending our property rights. In 2004, after the county purchased the Cloverdale farm at Trafton for a future park, Koster was made aware that the beautiful 60-acre, crop-producing field next to the river needed some bank protection in one spot to spare it from future floods. This is prime agricultural land that produces hundreds of tons of feed each year and provides income to the county park department.

Koster directed departments to design and construct the repair. The county hydraulic engineer came up with a proven design using large logs, rock and bank-stabilizing native plants.

The county got the permits and had it funded, ready to start construction when Bill Blake, using his position on the Stillaguamish Watershed Council, along with several environmental groups, protested the protection of this valuable land. The county was forced instead to use the environmentalists’ so-called “scientifically based” design plan of planting four rows of 12-inch tall fir seedlings along the river bank. A result of this ingenious plan was that the first flood to come along the next winter washed away over four acres of this beautiful field, sending approximately 76,000 tons of silt and sand down the river.

I had a chance to ask Bill Blake last year if he had been out to look at all of the damage done to the Cloverdale Park six years ago. He said, “I heard about it, but hadn’t been out to look at it.” I wonder why? With over 13,000 acres in the Snohomish County Parks Department, purchased with our tax dollars, we need a councilman who will vote to protect our investments and defend our property rights. Bill Blake will do neither. North county has been blessed the last 12 years to have common sense representation. We need to ensure the same for our future. The choice is clear … Ken Klein for North County Council position No. 1.

Dick Sass

Arlington

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, March 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Schwab: Who was Langerhans? And when’s the ferry to his islets?

The Herald’s resident retired surgeon slices into the anatomy of the etymology of our anatomy.

Comment: Cervial cancer treatable; if you’re screened for it

A screening for cervical cancer can detect cancerous or precancerous cells and direct treatment.

Comment: Framers gave us Goldilocks Constitution; let’s use it

It was meant to be resilient, not perfect, but it has to be used as designed toward workable solutions.

Comment: GOP in Congress isn’t fighting crime; it’s arming it

Budget cuts to the FBI and ATF and other riders have made it easier for criminals to get firearms.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.