Everett Daily Herald, December 19, 2014

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A rollicking good time with M4

A&E

Welcome come: Everett’s last frigate will pull into port ahead of its decommission and sale A3 FRIDAY, 12.19.2014

EVERETT, WASHINGTON

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Capital gains tax floated Gov. Jay Inslee says his budget proposal is needed to better fund public schools and address environmental concerns.

By Donna Gordon Blankinship Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday proposed a new capital gains tax to help address

a projected state budget gap of more than $2 billion over the next two-year budget cycle. A state tax on the sale of stocks, bonds and other assets would raise nearly $800 million during the 2015-17 budget period, Inslee said.

Another new tax proposed by the governor this week would raise an additional $380 million for the state’s general fund by charging polluters for carbon See BUDGET, back page, this section

The musical initiative As Everett grows, duo has dreams for the local music scene

Fire chief seeks reform The action comes after revelations that a recently retired firefighter was charged with a sex crime and accused of stalking. By Rikki King Herald Writer

is create healthy nightlife and culture opportunities. If they’re not there it’s going to be hard for people to buy into downtown.” Sparked by a mutual love for music, Graham and Crowther started the Everett Music Initiative in May 2012 to highlight the independent music scene in Everett. It started with booking

EVERETT — Fire Chief Murray Gordon wants to require all Everett firefighters to promptly notify him if they are arrested. That reform comes amid a scandal focused on a recently retired firefighter who’s now charged with a felony sex crime. The Everett Fire Department for years had dealt with legal headaches involving David Peter “Pete” Vier, 60, including stalking allegations involving two ex-girlfriends, one of whom he tracked using a hidden GPS device, records show. City officials say they only recently learned that Vier also was arrested in Island County for allegedly assaulting his ex-wife and apparently never told his bosses. As a result of Vier’s troubles, Gordon also wants background checks conducted on all fire department employees every two years. Everett firefighters now are only required to promptly report arrests involving drugs or alcohol. Background checks are conducted only at hiring. The changes would have to be negotiated with the 160-member firefighters union. Local 46 was notified last week, President Paul Gagnon said. “We are tied to a higher standard, so I’m not opposed to that,” Gagnon said. “My only worry is this is a knee-jerk reaction.” Gordon’s proposal was made public Thursday in response to questions from the newspaper regarding the department’s handling of multiple complaints of Vier’s misconduct. His 25-year career with the fire department ended in retirement Dec. 9. He’s now awaiting trial, charged in King County with

See MUSIC, Page A2

See VIER, Page A8

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Steven Graham and Ryan Crowther recently talked about their dreams for the local music scene in Graham’s cramped downtown office along Hewitt Avenue. Over their shoulders, just outside the window, signs of Everett’s growth were on display.

On the street, construction workers lugged sheets of plywood, cranes lifted materials to the heavens, dozens of hammers banged, all on projects that will, when finished, mean increased population density in the downtown area. The new condominiums, apartments and hotels will house, in the two men’s minds, future musicians and

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Dudes & Dolls

the buzz

By Aaron Swaney

VOL. 114, NO. 312 © 2014 THE DAILY HERALD CO.

INSIDE

Business . . . .A13 Classified . . . . B1

Comics . . . . . .D4 Crossword . . .D4

a gallery of photos with >> Find this story at www.herald net.com.

concertgoers, people who will add to the growing music community of downtown Everett. “The county plans on 60,000 people to move into the city by 2020. That’s an incredible amount of growth,” Crowther said. “What we’re trying to do

Buy! Buy! Buy! Playing the market: Software that allows retailers to quickly change the price of items depending on demand is upsetting shoppers. A sweater on Amazon.com, for example, swung between $110 and $139 in six hours (Page A14). It’s OK. We just told our Dear Abby. . . .D5 Horoscope . . . B7

broker not to buy the “Frozen” DVD until it hits $9.99. “It’s because we’re flat, isn’t it?” Nebraska and Oklahoma want the U.S. Supreme Court to declare Colorado’s legalization of marijuana unconstitutional because the drug is being brought into their states (Page A16). Colorado, responding to

Lottery . . . . . .A2 Obituaries. . .A11

Opinion. . . . .A15 Short Takes . . .D6

the charge, said that both states are just upset they didn’t get an invite to its big holiday keg party. Washington state, in a bro-of-thecourt brief, agreed that the two states were “harshing the mellow” and should “just chill out, dudes.” Don’t know much about history: On this day in Sports . . . . . . . C1 Stocks . . . . . .A14

1843, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens was first published in England (Today in History, Page D6). Since its entry into the public domain, Dickens’ novel has assured the survival of painfully bad English accents in community theaters across the U.S. God bless us, everyone.

—Jon Bauer, Herald staff

Random 49/45, C6

DAILY

MARK MULLIGAN / THE HERALD

Accordion in hand, Jason Webley leads the crowd assembled around him inside The Cannery in a rousing chorus Wednesday during the Everett Music Initiative’s holiday party in Everett.

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