10 years ago 1998
n A Marysville waterfront park in the planning stages for at least two years, and by some measures more than 30, is still far from realization. The park is held up by complicated negotiations over the property targeted for the park, an empty lot on Ebey Slough next to and owned by Welco Lumber Company. Parks Director Jim Ballew and Mayor David Weiser met with Welco officials last week, and the sale was considered by the City Council in a closed session at Mondays meeting. Weiser said the city had not come to an agreement. He declined to reveal any details, saying the talks had narrowed to a few sticking points. Its a complex issue. In June the city signed a purchase agreement with Welco to buy the 5.4 acre site. The agreement followed years of negotiation after the city won a $400,000 state grant to buy the property in 1995. City Administrator Dave Zabell said he is still confident the city will buy the property. It is still going forward, he said of the purchase. Bob Crunkilton, Welco general manager, said commercial land deals often take a long time and the delays were mostly due diligence on the citys part. The city condemned the property which facilitates the sale and makes it easier for Welco to buy similar land, Crunkilton said. It gives us time to reinvest in a like piece of property. The planned park will open the southern end of Marysville, a plan first mentioned in city plans in the 1960s. A downtown redevelopment was vetoed in the early 1980s by then-Mayor Daryl Brennick because property owners on the slough declined to give up their land. The proposals for the park include a boat launch, restrooms, parking and walking trails. The Marysville Historical Society has included the property among its three finalists for a museum. The lot lies between State Avenue and Geddes Marina south of First Street. It served as a storage area for Welco, but is mostly vacant except for some trash. Last week much of the lot was covered by water from heavy rains.

25 years ago 1983
n School directors Monday night approved an attendance policy which aims to keep all students attendance to the 95 percent – 100 percent level. The policy defines excused and unexcused absences, make up procedures, and provides an appeal process for students and parents. The board also approved the administrative procedures, which lists the guidelines administrators and teachers will be following. The purpose of the policy, Superintendent Rick Huselton explained, is to encourage good school attendance, not to penalize a student unduly for an excused absence. It is designed for the student who takes advantage and misses a lot of school, Marysville-Pilchuck High School Principal Fred Ingrum said. It provides for the teacher and student to get together and work toward a goal. The policy allows students to make up all missed assignments for excused absences. Students will be given one day per day of absence to make up missed work as arranged with the instructor. The policy spells out the options a student must fulfill when his or her attendance falls below the 90 percent level. Among the options for completion of withheld semester credit are: after-scshool make up with the teacher or under the supervision and in direct control of the teacher; Saturday school or a contract between teacher and student with administrative approval. Final determination for granting credit will be made by the building principal. Ingrum said a copy of the policy and procedures will be given to every teacher and student and a copy will be sent to all parents. Board members also learned that M-PHS received an advised accreditation status for the 1982-83 school year by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Huselton explained this was a drop from last years approved status. M-PHS received the advised status, Huselton said, because the school is short of clerical assistance and because eight teachers have more than the 100 students per day limit. Huselton said M-PHS was commended for its innovative prrograms and for its complete and well prepared report. Also at the Monday night meeting, board members accepted a letter of retirement from Pinewood Principal Frank Gadwa. Gadwa, who came to Marysville in 1953, is retiring at the end of the 1982-83 school year. In his letter to the board, Gadwa said his 30 years with the district, will always be a source of wonderful memories for me and my family. Gadwa said he originally had planned on staying only five years with the district, but over the years those five turned into 30. Huselton said the district was going to lose and outstanding administrator who had done and outstanding job. He said administrators will begin looking for a replacement, noting the new principal will have a hard act to follow. Its been 30 wonderful years, Gadwa told board members. I get up every morning and look forward to going to school every day.

50 years ago 1958
n In a surprise action Monday evening, Marysvilles City Council approved an option on 80 acres of the James Regan ranch southeast of town as the site for a proposed lagoon-type sewage treatment area. Price to be paid for the acreage was quoted as $56,000. An initial sum of $14,000 will be paid which included $300 paid for the option. Thereafter, payments of $2,100 are to be made semi-annually, with interest at 4 percent on the balance. The Regans retain the log dump on Ebey Slough and land now under lease to Puget Sound Pulp. Decision to place the sewage lagoon on the Regan property was reached after study of several sites. The chosen location was deemed advantageous from the standpoint of serving the community for many future years of growth. A road into the site is proposed as an extension of Columbia Street.