ARLINGTON — Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert congratulated her fellow citizens on the obstacles they’d overcome, and expressed confidence about the challenges that lay ahead, during her state of the city address to the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Association Aug. 17.
“We’re more upbeat than last year,” said Tolbert, who thanked citizens for approving a tax increase that will allow the city to replace four of its 18 police cars. She estimated all have at least 100,000 miles on them. The city also will purchase a new fire engine and ladder truck. The fire department last purchased those vehicles in 1997.
Tolbert further cited the roles of partnerships in the 67th Avenue Final Phase Project, which received $7 million in grants from the state Transportation Improvement Board. She also mentioned the new playground at Haller Park, whose $180,000 price tag was covered by the Rotary Club of Arlington’s Great Stilly Duck Dash.
Tolbert mentioned the new security cameras at Haller, and the West Avenue mural, recently completed in partnership with the Denney Juvenile Justice Center’s Promising Artists In Recovery, as a prelude to the “All-In” crime prevention campaign.
“Arlington is known as a very generous community, but that’s had some undesirable side-effects,” Tolbert said.
Citizens can help keep their hometown safe by calling 911 and removing graffiti from their homes or businesses within 24 hours.
“Take the time to get to know who belongs in your neighborhood,” she said.
Tolbert lamented the loss of friends and neighbors in the March 22 Oso slide, but also expressed pride in how the community responded.
“It made me thankful to be the mayor of a great town with great people,” Tolbert said. “I got letters from Australia to Madrid. You might think what we did was normal, but the world was impressed.”
Tolbert touted the $150,000 economic redevelopment grant that she worked to secure with Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell.
Looking ahead, Tolbert noted that the city has secured two-thirds of the funding for a new restroom facility at Haller, and it also is looking to refurbish the park’s boat launch.
Upcoming construction on French Avenue will be one of five projects funded by the Arlington Transportation Benefit District, which will ultimately repair 126 road segments in the next 10 years.
The pioneers recognized Harley Robb, 92, and Martha Young, 91, as the oldest man and woman born in the valley, as well as Sylvia and J.Y. Dycus as the longest-married couple with one born in the valley, with 70 years together.
The pioneers concluded their program by approving their proposed slate of officers for the year: President Myrtle Rausch, Vice President Carl Moll, Secretary Cheryl Lovgreen, Pioneer Treasurer Sharron Knutson and Museum Treasurer Doris Seneca.
