Arlington Times, September 26, 2015

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Ramping up boat launch BY KIRK BOXLEITNER kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com

ARLINGTON — When Haller Park opened in 1966, it had a boat launch. But the ramp has been out of commission for 20 years. City stormwater manager Bill Blake said that, for years, the repair of the boat launch was considered too expensive and too difficult to obtain permits for. “Finally, I just asked the city, do you mind if I try?” said Blake, whose office in city public works overlooks Haller Park. Blake consulted with architectural designers from Washington State University and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, then applied for permits and grants.

Community:

Arlington’s Airport Appreciation Day brings in young fans of flight. Page 3.

City blazes new trail in care of animals BY KIRK BOXLEITNER kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com

INDEX BUSINESS

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CLASSIFIED ADS 16-18 LEGALS

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OPINION

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SPORTS WORSHIP

SEE LAUNCH, PAGE 2

Kirk Boxleitner/Staff Photo

Supervisor Bill Blake watches as city employees Rock Talbot and Joe Wilson begin work on the new boat launch at Haller Park. The city is hoping volunteers will help with some of the project.

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Vol. 126, No. 8 Kirk Boleinter/Staff Photo

Kari Ilonummi

ARLINGTON — Before the Arlington City Council voted Sept. 21 to adopt new animal care and control laws to restrict the tethering of animals, the owner of Blaze the dog took to the podium to address the allegations made against him. The treatment of Blaze inspired an online petition and community protest groups who, in turn, inspired the city’s new laws. Kari Ilonummi, Blaze’s owner, disputed claims that his dog has had hardly any human contact, or that he’s been consecutively chained for five years. “By stretching the truth

and starting their petition with lies to make me sound bad, they’ve made themselves look bad,” Ilonummi said, in the midst of remarks that exceeded his allotted three minutes. He also touched upon unrelated topics such as his campaign against U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and his criticisms of President Obama. “The city should take it personally that they’re being accused of not enforcing the law,” he said. Ilonummi also asked for the city to consider that he and his mother are both on Social Security disability for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a form of muscular dystrophy, before he left the meeting.

Linda Perri of Issaquah made a return appearance before the council, and said she hopes the city’s new laws would address the length and weight of the chain used to tether Blaze. “When we finally received the records, we found that Blaze hadn’t been to the vet in nearly two years, and when we called the vet, we were told that at no time was it recommended that Blaze be coned,” Perri said. “We couldn’t get a local dermatologist to comment on the record, but we found one in Phoenix, [Arizona,] who said they couldn’t think of any situation that would require an animal to be coned for more than a short while.”

Perri argued that Blaze’s treatment constituted neglect under existing city laws. “When will that law be enforced?” Perri asked. Arlington resident Shannon O’Quist, who started the “Save Blaze” petition and had previously testified before the council, noted that deputy police chief John Ventura and other city officials had assured her that Blaze was already receiving veterinary care. But records show he’d only been to see a vet in 2010 and 2013, with followup treatments recommended in both instances. SEE DOG, PAGE 2

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Sports: 3 goals brings Arlington Eagle scorer weekly honors. Page 10.

“Instead of having a ramp that extended out into the middle of the river, we decided to have it just cover the slope, to get over the hill safely, and in and out of the river easily,” Blake said. “Especially because it’s right at the convergence of the two forks of the Stillaguamish River, you have a lot of whirlpools and extra energy there.” Not only have all the local, state and federal permits been approved, but the city has received $10,000 from the Stillaguamish Tribe, $16,000 from the Arlington hotel/motel tax grant and $300 from the Evergreen Fly Fishing Club to make the


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