The front page of our website has a collection of YES! Election sign-wavers, among them, Presidents Grant, Lincoln and Washington, along with Mr. Cool and Perry McPherson and his YES-mobile. This was a wonderfully humorous way to let off some steam after a hard-fought campaign, while trying to get the vote out for today's election. No matter which "side" wins, ultimately, the citizens always feel more "fit" when exercising their Constitutional rights. And for the most part, although this election was emotionally charged, it was far less acrimonious and potentially litigious than the last council election, something we're very heartened to see.

The County's Planning Commission has completed their massaging of the codes needed to move this plan forward, which encountered gridlock because of the gravel truck issue. The biggest sticking point in the plan is how to effectively deal with those traffic-snarling behemoths tearing up our roadways. The Planning Commission has "solved" this issue by authoring a draft amendment posting Administrative Rules to guide transportation analyses and mitigation for mining site proposals, along with an ordinance to Chapter 30.66B of the Snohomish County Codes.

We have briefly reviewed these two documents and have some questions, not the least of which is the definition of PCE's (Passenger Car Equivalents) by which these windshield-and road-eating trucks' impacts will be evaluated and upon which mitigation measures will be assigned. There also appears to be some holes large enough to, well, drive a truck through. The Amendment and the proposed ordinance are attached with this update.

There will be a Mineral Lands Taskforce meeting this THURSDAY, MAY 22^ND - 3:30 to 5:30 PM in the Executive Conference Room on the 3^rd floor of the County Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue.

There is a conflict with the time for this hearing as advertised on their website, where a notation appears that the above hearing is to be held from 1:30 to 9:00 P.M. For information, please call Judy Alles (425-388-3311, ext. 2797 or Delores Macomber 425-388-3311, Ext. 2203

Unfortunately, for Sultan residents, this event conflicts with tomorrow's City Council meeting. But if you wish to offer comments, you can contact the following WSDOT project engineer:

Something of interest was a discussion agenda item that was added by Commissioner Jose Fallgatter on how the public participation on revisions and changes could be improved. This is needed so that the residents of Sultan can be made aware of the Plan and future amendments, a document that will guide Sultan's future for the next 20 years. This is a worthy effort on Mrs. Fallgatter's part, and we wish her more success than previous city planner Lara Thomas (or we and other residents) had in January of 2001, when a Planning Commissioner hearing was held on 1/16/01 to obtain feedback on draft Ord. 758-01. This ordinance outlined the methods to effectively communicate with the public on Comp Plan review and/or subsequent revisions to the Plan.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to revise the ordinance as discussed during that hearing, based on input received by residents, and to pass the ordinance and their recommendations along to City Council for action, as required by law. Unfortunately, the ordinance died an untimely death at city hall, never reaching the council, yet another casualty of a "strong" mayor-council system.

BART DALMASSO TAKE NOTE: You voted for this ordinance. How do you explain its unjustified death in city hall? You might ask yourself this question: "Would this have happened in a manager-council form of government?")

Have a great election day, everyone!

Loretta Storm

Co-founder, G.R.I.T.

360-793-6683