Arlington Mayor: Don Vanney Shares City Progress
Mayor Don Vanney, previously a member of the city council, has been Mayor of Arlington for eight months. He shared with the club the progress that has been made on his priorities for the city,
Number one is strengthening public safety. Working within the budget, the police department has hired two new officers and worked to provide training and resources for the department to protect and serve effectively.
Second priority is boosting economic development. Continued development of the Arlington Cascade Industrial Center is providing a hub for technology and entrepreneurship as the city continues to seek new business opportunities. The city has made grants and other resources available to small businesses as they recover post pandemic.
Addressing infrastructure, the city has embarked on major projects, including the renovation of some of the aging roads. The Transit Gold Line is being planned to provide a faster means of transit to the area. Funding has been received for a trail/sidewalk to connect from Highway 9 to the Centennial Trail on 67th Avenue.
The Mayor encourages residents to voice their concerns, share ideas and stay informed through the city’s social media channels and website.
Information on the Arlington School District Capital Levy on the November 5th Ballot
Club member and Arlington School District Superintendent shared information with the club about the District’s November 5th Capital Levy for $81million that would provide funding to replace the Post Middle School. Built in 1981, the school is an open campus with no interior hallways, making it difficult to secure. The ventilation, electrical and technological infrastructure is obsolete and deficient, and the buildings are not earthquake resistant. The levy would add a safe running track and athletic fields and improved pedestrian, bus and car traffic safety on the campus that includes Post, Eagle Creek Elementary, Stillaguamish Valley Learning Center and APPLE campus. Currently there are huge traffic backups accessing the schools.
