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Arlington encourages responsible pet ownership
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Spay, neuter and microchip programs can drive down costs for local taxpayers BY LAUREN SALCEDO lsalcedo@arlingtontimes.com
ARLINGTON — At an April 22 workshop, the Arlington City Council considered the renewal of a contract with the Humane Society of Skagit Valley for the care and housing of stray animals found in Arlington, and while the contract has already saved money for the city, officials have additional ideas on how to drive down the cost for animal control. “Spaying, neutering and microchipping are all critical,” said Arlington Police Chief Nelson Beazley. “People don’t realize what
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INDEX CLASSIFIED ADS 19-20 LEGAL NOTICES
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OPINION
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SPORTS WORSHIP
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Vol. 123, No. 43
an impact that has. Microchipping allows us to return an animal to its home before it ever leaves Arlington.” The Council was slated to vote on the contract renewal in a May 6 meeting, which occurred after press time. The proposed contract sets prices for the city to pay per animal. A live dog transferred to the Humane Society costs $95, while a live cat is $75. The charge for small livestock is $55, while birds, small rodents and reptiles are $25. “Initially, we had a contract with the Everett Animal Shelter, but in 2010 we switched to the Humane Society and our prices dropped significantly,” said Beazley, who noted that there are several factors involved in lowering the costs for animal control. “In 2009, we paid $22,600 for animal control and in SEE PETS, PAGE 2
Lauren Salcedo/Staff Photo
Riley is a young female cat who was found in Arlington and is now awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley.
TBD ballot resolution moves forward
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BY KIRK BOXLEITNER kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com
ARLINGTON — The Transportation Benefit District Board workshop meeting on May 2 kicked off with some expressed concerns about the news coverage to date of the upcoming TBD ballot resolution, with Arlington City Council member Steve Baker worrying that the phrases “street improvements” and “street maintenance” could send the wrong message. “What we should be emphasizing is that this is about the preservation and repair of our roads,” Baker said of the TBD ballot resolution, which would ask Arlington voters to approve a 0.2 percent increase in the city’s sales tax, yielding as much as an additional $600,000 a year, to address the failing and near-failing segSEE TBD, PAGE 2
Kirk Boxleitner/Staff Photo
Arlington City Attorney Steve Peiffle reviews the draft Transportation Benefit District ballot resolution at the May 2 TBD Board workshop.
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