REALITY CHECK Divide-and-conquer mentality in Mukilteo

Every year around this time I take a hard look at Mukilteo’s waterfront area – how we’ve fared thus far during the busy season and what could have been done to fix some of the shortcomings as well as some of the opportunities looking forward.

As a former council member and an 18-year resident of Old Town, I have seen a side of city leadership that is not only embarrassing, but it’s personally offensive. I’ll spare the details, but suffice to say, the behavior and resulting decisions being made are not good for Mukilteo.

The divide-and-conquer mentality results in mediocre decisions, thereby robbing us from growing Mukilteo into an exceptional little city. Instead, we ignore what we’ve learned from the past and start over, never allowing our little city to realize its true potential.

Reality Check

BY KEVIN STOLTZ former councilmember

Reality Check focuses on the Mukilteo waterfront/ Old Town, and this summer season I’d have to give Mukilteo leadership a “D” in their ability to effectively manage and resolve the ongoing issues plaguing the waterfront area.

To be clear, I’m referring to city officials (many elected) who are responsible for making educated and fiscally responsible decisions for Mukilteo and its residents, not City employees who are currently working under unreasonable stress due to staffing shortages and other Mukilteo issues.

Public Works employees have always had a visible and appreciated presence at the waterfront, although recent decisions and rhetoric regarding parking is destined to either cut that necessary presence or result in tax increases to maintain it.

A recent win for the seasonal waterfront parking problem really has nothing to do with the City’s waterfront parking strategy (or lack thereof), but rather the Port of Everett purchasing the old ferry holding lanes.

The sale is contingent on sealcoating, striping and landscaping the lot, with closing slated for Sept. 2, 2022. After the (interim) parking lot had been striped on Thursday, already over the weekend there were cars parked there.

There are questions regarding the actual authorized utilization for this parking lot as well as Mukilteo parking history, which the Port isn’t as aware of as one would hope, but as far as making something happen, the Port is definitely light years ahead of the city.

As far as City accomplishments regarding waterfront parking, as discussed last time, it was actually negative progress and the City’s additional 38 stall parking lot next to the SR 525 bridge is still closed. Having lived through the DreamLifter flights in the middle of the night as well as the city’s inability to effectively implement traffic calming policy and solutions, I can relate to the continuing frustration that many Old Town residents feel being exposed to loud and speeding cars coming along the Speedway to/from Lighthouse Park and the ferry.

see STOLTZ page 12 u