This well-known, popular and high-powered couple used personal funds and vacation time to make a whirlwind three-day trip to our Nation's Capital to lobby for transportation funds for Highway 2. Echoing our sentiments when we first heard of this trip, members of Washington's congressional delegation's reacted with wonderment. Chief Walser said, "They [the legislators] couldn't believe that we would just come back on our own like this; that it wasn't an organized lobbying effort. I think we scored enough -- I don't know what you'd want to call them -- points? -- that they'll think about it rather than just throw our requests on the pile with the rest of them. Donnetta said she thinks we made some headway here, and I find that very positive because she's normally a wait-and-see type of person."

Unbeknownst to the couple, their timing was coincidental since it was the same weekend as an organized trip by the League of Washington Cities who were also in D.C. that weekend to visit legislators. The Walsers ran into Everett's Mayor Anderson and others from that group and many legislators' aides thought the Walsers were with the League. Therefore, the couple's efforts and motivation stood out as remarkable, and legislators and their aides were amazed to discover the trip was driven by a deeply-personal commitment. Fred Walser said, "We wanted to be careful that we were not using any taxpayer dollars for any part of this to ensure there would be no conflicts or potential for conflicts. Donnetta and I want to get this project moving. We used vacation time and paid our own way."

The Walsers' whirlwind "lobbying" tour began at 3:00 a.m. Sunday, March 16^th, traveling to SeaTac to hop aboard a 6 a.m. flight that put them into D.C. that evening. Monday morning they held their first meeting, with Congressman Rick Larsen's Senior Legislative Assistant and Transportation aide, Evan Schatz. Larsen had spoken with the couple during his recent visit to Sultan, and the D.C. visit reinforced progress made during that earlier visit.

As with each meeting with legislators, the Walsers began by describing the motivations and purpose behind the formation of the Highway 2 Safety Coalition safety efforts, the civic activism that exists in the Valley and the spiking growth occurring here without the supporting infrastructure.

All legislators indicated familiarity with the Coalition and are "well aware" of the growing pains being experienced along Highway 2. For instance, Senator Maria Cantwell's sister lives between Snohomish and Monroe, and Congressman Inslee's son drives Highway 2 every weekend to get to Stevens Pass for Ski Patrol duty and requested that Fred "Give my boy a ticket is he's even one mile over the speed limit," knowing full well that no one can even travel the posted speed limit through Sultan on the weekends.

The City of Monroe's Economic Development (city planner), Hiller West and an engineer developed a comprehensive packet of information that was presented to each legislator that included a position paper from the City, as well as many letters written by political and civic groups and individual members at Fred's request, which included chambers of commerce, schools, legislators, and others. [We have requested copies of this information for future posting on the website. Look for it on our "Traffic" webpage.]

The Walsers explained to legislators (or aides) that the first baby step was to obtain $8 million in funding for a corridor EIS (Environmental Impact Study) on Highway 2, then explained their frustration in attempting to get funding from WSDOT and the Washington state legislature. Mr. Schatz explained (as did other delegation members, in turn) that they all meet as a group on budget issues and transportation measures and coordinate and prioritize projects in a cohesive effort for the state. Any funds received would not be TEA-21 money, but would come directly out of the federal transportation budget. Each legislator or aide asked the same question, in turn: "If we cannot 'find' the entire $8 million, would you be satisfied with less?" A slightly ominous, if realistic, question, to which the Walsers said, "At this point we'll take whatever we can get." Chief Walser's positive and optimistic nature views that question hopefully: "We felt very good when we left. We know we have the support of Congressmen Larsen and Inslee and others in the delegation. It's not just lip service. In fact, we know we've got everybody's support." The Walser's spent between 20-60 minutes at each legislator's office.

Their meeting with Senator Patty Murray's staff was scheduled for Monday afternoon. Although they could not meet with the senator because she was on the Senate floor, they met with Dale Learn, Murray's top administrative director.

Monday night the Walser took some time to socialize, and spent the evening "schmoozing" with the League of Washington Cities' group. It was Fred's first time in our Nation's Capitol and being a history buff who grew up in Massachusetts, he was nonetheless overwhelmed with the city's sense of history and purpose. "We have simply got to go back just for a visit," Fred said. He was also impressed with the security in the area, especially near the Capitol, which is now unfortunately closed to the general public, with entry only via special pass or with a tour group. "They've got armed guards everywhere; even SWAT cops walking the street with machine guns hanging onto them. You could look up at buildings and see cops with binoculars and what looked like rocket launchers." [Things have changed just a bit since 1994, the year in which I moved from that area. Everything was totally open then and it makes me quite sad that the heart of our "government by the people for the people" is not readily accessible to the people any longer.]

Tuesday morning the Walsers met with Jennifer Dunn's Chief Aide, Virgil Cabasso, who had been Congressman's Metcalf's aide. Rep. Kirk Pearson, state representative from the 39^th District, obtained that interview.

The next meeting was with Congressman Jay Inslee's aide and Transportation Legislative Director, Brian Bonlender. Inslee is drafting legislation for $8.5 billion for national highway safety improvements. According to Brian, "Your request would fit right into the Congressman's criteria."

Their last meeting with Senator Maria Cantwell, who's personally acquainted with Donnetta Walser when they worked on Governor Booth Gardner's campaign together. She indicated she'll do everything possible to help with the Walsers' goal.

Then they hopped a plane and headed home Tuesday afternoon.

In a world that has grown increasingly more greedy and less ethical, it's an honor to know that Fred and Donnetta Walser are "on duty," Thank you.