In 2006, the Arlington Library Bond went to a recount. Ultimately, the bond failed by just 28 votes. Sam Reed, our Secretary of State for Washington at the time, was there that day. He handed us a Voter Intent packet which shows the statewide standards on what is a vote. You can find this packet at www.secstate.wa.gov/elections. While observing that recount, I learned a few things about voting that I would like to share because they impacted the vote in 2006:
Not only is one in every 100 American adults incarcerated but due to our mandatory minimum sentencing laws, we have a rapidly aging prison population. Statistics show that one in every 23 persons incarcerated in this country is 55 years old or older. Did you know that the cost of incarceration for those older people increases threefold?
Blessings to the Arlington School District‘s administration, staff, supportive services, students and parents (past and present). I have just received word of the passing of Tim Ingalls, kindergarten teacher par excellance. Last night was sleepless with memories of conversations, of his dreams for the future educational possibilities, of his kindness and dedication to children and with words for a letter that just had to be submitted.
On Friday, April 18, Trafton elementary school got national recognition for having served the community for the last 120 years. It was recognized as a Washington State Heritage register and the national register for historic place.
North County Firefighters currently have the privilege of providing emergency medical services to the residents of North County Fire and EMS. Some of the communities who we serve are Bryant, Freeborn, Warm Beach, Kayak, Lake Ketchum and Grandview just to list a few.
The Feb. 28, unanimous decision by the California Court of Appeals that home schooling in California by non-credentialed teachers is illegal has caused some concern among home schooling parents in Washington, which has in recent weeks been reflected in the pages of the Everett Herald.
When I was teaching, I was really surprised to find that several parents of my students were driving their kids to the Marysville Library to do research for their homework. The idea puzzled me, so the next time I drove by the Marysville Library I stopped in to see if I could figure out why. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was wonderful. I didn’t know libraries like that existed. It was hard to believe that library was in the same library system as our Arlington Library.
Times needs balance
In response to the recent student protest at Totem Middle School, our staff is looking at ways to improve communication and provide more effective avenues for student voice. I am struck by how clearly this highlights our need to actively embrace what I believe to be one of the primary purposes of our public schools — namely, to teach democracy. We do this best not by talking about democracy, but by the creation of democratic cultures marked by policies, structures and practices that naturally transmit democratic values by their very existence.
As the new director of the Marysville Food Bank, I want to express my deep appreciation and admiration of the Marysville community. When I started at the food bank in January, I knew very little about Marysville. Over the past three months I have learned that Marysville is a very generous community, the businesses and churches are extremely supportive and the volunteer spirit is alive and thriving here.
