10 Years Ago 1997

At a meeting of the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, retiring Councilman John Garner and Gil Levy, a lawyer representing an adult entertainment club, debated county referendum 96.01, which asks for an amendment of the countys adult entertainment code. The countys adult entertainment code increases the distance between dancers and customers from six inches to four feet. The code will be upheld if the referendum passes. During a recent undercover operation, Snohomish County Sheriffs deputies reported 90 criminal violations at Honeys, an erotic dance club. Levy, a Seattle attorney for Honeys, said his client is involved in the referendum process because the industry is already heavily regulated. This [code] is another example of unnecessary regulation by government. Levy, who in testimony to the Snohomish County Council last year said erotic dance is an art form and should not be censored by the four-foot rule, did not challenge Garners argument that six inches Is too close for art to be seen. Instead, he said adult club workers are good citizens of the community. He added more sin taxes could be added to offset adult clubs. If you think we cost too much, then make us pay for it.

25 Years Ago 1982

Under pressure from the financially strapped developers of the Woodlands project, the planning commission last week approved the addition to the development of a High-Tec Park (industrial park). The commissioners passed both the Environmental Impact Statement for the High-Tec Park and approved an amendment to the Woodlands contract rezone to allow the park. The issue is now before the City Council. Stressing that the High-Tec Park is the key to solving Woodlands financial crisis, the Canus Investment Corporation (developers of the Woodlands) urged the commissioners to approve both measures without delay. Canus had previously said that the Canadian bank which is supplying funding for Woodlands would not release approximately $500,000 currently owed local suppliers and workers (nor advance additional needed funds) until there was a signal from the city that both the High-Tec Park and the first plat of the development were moving toward a positive conclusion. The bank, said Canus, saw the High-Tec Park as an essential addition to the project because it would help generate an internal housing demand for the whole development. The otherwise stagnated local housing demand was a concern to the bank, they said. The commission easily approved the High-Tec Park EIS, but the late arrival of Commissioner Larry Caldwell, allowed for a strong measure of debate on the contract rezone amendment. The commissioners approval of the EIS was tentative because they had not had time to review the responses to the draft version of the impact statement. The commission said it reserved the right to rescind their approval of the EIS after a closer examination of the document. Ken Rice, attorney for Canus, presented the commission with a list of potential firms which might be interested in locating at a development such as the High-Tec Park. Rice asked the commission to approve the EIS in order to allow Mr. (Raza) Devji (Canus president) to follow up on negotiations with the listed firms. This will allow a quicker release of the past-due funds, Rice assured the commission. The question of dealing with the 93-acre industrial park as an amendment to the Woodlands contract rezone raised the ire of Commissioner Larry Caldwell, who said the High-Tec Park was a complicated issue that should be dealt with in a separate contract rezone. Caldwell also questioned the legal adequacy of the list of allowed businesses. Do you think the city of Arlington could stop a large corporation from breaking through the ambiguous verbage in this contract? he asked. Commissioner Ron Pumphrey said, I am concerned that we cover ourselves as to what the High-Tec Park will contain. It must be our right to control the type of industry that moves into the park. The commission asked the city staff to develop an additional list of performance standards, which would more adequately define what industries would be allowed. Rice said that Canus agreed that additional restrictions were necessary. We want to be sure that the city is comfortable with the idea before we begin any work on this site, said Rice. The commission approved the amendment with only Caldwell voting against the motion. After the measure was approved, Commissioner Chairman Dick Larsen asked that in the future Cans should allow at least three months for the citys review of such issues. This issue is too large to rush through, said Caldwell. I thought the planning commission was supposed to look out for the future generations of Arlington. How can we do this without taking enough time to carefully study the situation?

50 Years Ago 1957

The Arlington townspeople and those of many surrounding communities have joined hands with the Arlington High School alumni in an all-out effort to aid their friend and classmate, Gary Vance. Gary, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Vance of R.1, Arlington, was recently involved in a motorcycle-auto collision on Highway 99. This accident resulted in the amputation of Garys left leg below the knee. Therefore, his friends have set as their goal the purchase of an artificial limb. As his classmates point out, Gary was an outstanding athlete active in all school and social affairs. Members of the community have watched this boy inspire his fellow players to many victories on the football field. Gary was also chosen as one of the top players in the Northwest District this year. Under the auspices of the Sons of Norway, a benefit dance will be held at Silvanas Viking Hall. For each donation of $1, the donor receives a ticket for the dance. The Class of 1957 is deeply indebted to the businessmen and townspeople of Arlington, without whose earnest support and thoughtfulness, their goal could never be realized.