Everett Daily Herald, December 20, 2015

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Teddy Bear curse ends in Tips 2-1 loss to Vancouver C1

12.20.2015

Everett, Wash.

$1.50 (higher in outlying areas)

HeraldNet.com

Facebook.com/HeraldNet

Twitter: @EverettHerald

Slippery slope NEAL PATTISON

The din of online comments to fall silent

W

hat would peace on Earth and goodwill toward men look like? In these combative times, it’s hard to imagine. On Monday, The Daily Herald staff is hoping to remove some rancor from our corner of the world. We will be closing public comments on our website, Heraldnet.com, until early January — or, perhaps, longer. A few dozen Heraldnet users seem to fixate on our comments space as if it’s a video game, captivated by the sniping, potshots and detonations. Pow. Bang. Boom. If you pay attention to those comments, you’ve probably felt perplexed, distressed, enraged (or all of the above). There is little peace, goodwill or civility. Here is our wish for habitual commenters: Embrace the season. Use the hours you’ve been spending on social critiques to reconnect with friends and loved ones who don’t hear from you enough. Channel your argumentative energy into caring for yourself, your family and our community. Public comments were meant to broaden and enrich civic discussions. Until we can get back on that track, The Daily Herald is taking a break. Send email to Executive Editor Neal Pattison at npattison@ heraldnet.com.

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E3 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . .D6 Dear Abby. . . . . . . . . . . . . .D6 Horoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . .D6 Lottery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2

PHOTOS BY ANDY BRONSON / THE HERALD

“No one was able to get a permit in the last 30 years to build,” says Roy Main of lawsuits against the developer who has built homes along Possession Lane and above the railroad tracks near his home on Picnic Point in Edmonds.

Railroad, county, developer and neighbors battle in Edmonds over building above tracks and homes By Noah Haglund Herald Writer

PICNIC POINT — For some neighbors and the railroad, a new luxury home on the bluff poses a threat. They worry that the home’s septic system on a steep slope could trigger a landslide, causing trees and dirt to take out nearby homes or passing trains. The homebuilder insists that he’s done everything asked of him, and more. He casts the situation as a neighborhood dispute run amok. If that’s the case, the disagreement has gone off the rails in a big way. BNSF Railway and five neighboring homeowners sued earlier this year, blaming the builder, the home’s new owners and local government regulators for creating a hazard. They’re focused See DISPUTE, Page A8

“I like building homes, says developer Jake Begis.” Retaining walls abutting the hillside on Possession Lane are visible behind him.

Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A15 Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D5 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Viewpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7

SANTA’S FOLLOWERS

UNLOCKING SOLUTIONS

EXPLORING OPTIONS

NORAD and other websites where you can keep track. Good Life, D1

Community weighs in on providing for most vulnerable. Viewpoints, B7

Give the gift of these cool adventure experiences. Outdoors, E1

Superchill 43/38, C8

SUNDAY

VOL. 115, NO. 311 © 2015 THE DAILY HERALD CO.

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