Blake balances jobs, environment

Please don’t throw away your ballot!

There are only a few items to vote on this year, but they are important. Take the Snohomish County Council, District 1 race. The Snohomish County Council enacts county ordinances, levies taxes, plans for the future, and decides how to spend our tax dollars. So, it is important to elect someone who will consider county needs and our concerns, regardless of party. It is important to elect someone with experience working with people with diverse views. And someone with innovative ideas.

In my opinion, Bill Blake is this person. As Bill says, he “believes we can develop sustainable jobs in forestry, farming, water resources and habitat management in concert with technical, aerospace and retail job growth in Urban Growth Areas.” He doesn’t just preach this, he lives it — exhibiting a balanced approach to job creation while maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the decisions that he and his wife, Sarah, make about their forested 5-acre property.

Bill and Sarah selectively harvest a few trees, occasionally, while providing wildlife habitat and shade for the Stillaguamish fish with the remainder. Just one of the harvested trees (a 100-year old maple) provided work for seven different local businesses, including a tree-climbing crew, a sawmill in Oso, a dry kiln in Sultan and a cabinetmaker in Arlington. As Bill shows us, in our resource-rich county, we don’t have to choose between a beautiful environment and a strong economy with plentiful jobs. With careful planning and innovative ideas, we can have both!

Bill is endorsed by many, including Snohomish County Executive John Lovick. Please join me in voting for Bill Blake for Snohomish County Council, District 1.

Lisa Pierce

Arlington

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