10 years ago 1996

They came from mom-and-pop stores and large corporations, from cafes and offices, all saying the same thing: No. Business owners say the citys proposed increases for water and sewer rates, which will more than double their utility bills in many cases, will devastate the business community. Well have to lay people off for the first time in 20 years, said Sandie Phipps from Roy Robinsons Chevrolet to the City Council at a packed public hearing Nov. 11. Were not complaining the rate has to go up, but this rate, its astronomical, said Sandy Adams of Sandys Cafe. The Tulalip Tribes, Safeway, Northwest Composites, Welco Lumber, Maxwells, Strawberry Lanes, the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Coast Feathers and several other businesses and individuals publicly opposed the proposed increases. Mike Kossak of Golden Corral estimates his utility bills will increase $8,000 to $10,000 annually. He said he feels his efforts to be a good customer to the city have been in vain. Kossak paid to install a grease trop at the citys request and specifications, and he cleans it more often than required, he said. Now, the city asked him to install a testing chamber for his grease trap, which will force him to remodel the system. He wont know the final cost until it is installed. Where is the money going to come from? he asked the Council. Ten thousand dollars means something. To me, to my coworkers, to my family. Im going to have to lay off people. It could mean bankruptcy. The system, which is designed to reward water conservation, is unfair to those who cant use less water without violating health standards, Kossak said. He asked the Council if he shouldnt clean the dishes as thoroughly, change the mop water or ask employees to wash their hands. We cant cut any corners, he said. A half-million dollar pretreatment system wont keep National Food Corporations utility costs from going up, said representative Kevin Bookey. He estimated the rate changes to add $87,000 to his companys annual utility bills. Its disappointing when you make an investment and someone still asks for more, Bookey said. Hank Stampf, a property owner involved in recent legal wrangles over utility service in Smokey Point, called the proposal a tragic example of misuse of power and nonrepresentative government and questioned the cost of the citys legal help for utility battles. Between January and October 1996, the city paid $374,542 to Keithly, Weed & Graafstra, the citys primary legal firm, Finance Director Steve Wilson said. Roughly half of the firms time was spent in utilities-related matters, City Attorney Grant Weed said.

25 years ago 1981

Garbage appears to be the messiest part of City Councils sessions dealing with the 1982 budget. This is one area I am very concerned with, Mayor Daryl Brennick told the Council Monday night. Thats one area where we do not control our own destiny. We need to aggressively turn garbage around. In 1980, Marysville had to close its landfill operation at the Arlington Airport site and contract with Snohomish County for transportation of solid wastes to the troubled Cathcart landfill site. The city points out the necessary move resulted in more than doubling the costs of disposal. From an early rate of about $13 a ton, the city is now paying $20 per ton to have more than 3,700 tons moved annually. City fathers indicate the tonnage rate could go as high as $35 to $50. The citys 1982 budget is anticipating an increase in county charges to $28 per ton, but Council said it does not anticipate passing an increase to its customers until 1983. In fact, customers of the citys three utilities water, sewer and garbage disposal will not see an increase in the rates over the next year. But City Administrator Rick Deming said the Council should review the rates for 1983. We want to do this to avoid any unexpectedly big increases. Deming added unlike some big cities, Marysville does not have a tax on its utilities. City Finance Director Phil Dexter said the budget is set up to handle a rate of $42 per ton for hauling the solid wastes, but he agreed with the mayor an alternative to the Cathcart site is desirable. I think we should take some money out for a fund to study alternatives, Brennick said. Deming agreed, Its more expensive for them to take our garbage than it is for us to lay asphalt in place. When possible, we have to provide those facilities ourselves for our citizens, the mayor said. I think we should tie something like that in with the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. Burning garbage? It could be used as an energy source. And, I dont think theres anything wrong with selling our service to other centers as long as we have control.

55 years ago 1951

On the program for the Marysville Lions Club is an evening of study aimed toward the possibility of a campaign here for blood donations for the Red Cross program on saving lives in the Korean conflict. This program is slated for Nov. 29 meeting as no session is to be held Thanksgiving week. The membership of the Lady Lions voted its approval and offer of assistance in whatever manner a campaign might be conducted to invite blood donations for the saving of lives in the Korean theater of conflict. Whether the Red Cross Bloodmobile can be brought to Marysville or whether local people may visit the blood donation center when conducted in Everett, the Lady Lions expressed their wholehearted desire to be of assistance in promoting the campaign and in contributing to the blood bank.