Mukilteo State of the City
The month of March was filled with local government events, which is a great way to close out Q1 of 2026. I attended many State of the City events, with one of them being the Mukilteo State of the City Address. Mukilteo is a very unique part of Snohomish County with its proximity to Boeing, the waterfront, the ferry service, and a large amount of small businesses in the area. During the event, Mayor Joe Marine spoke about upcoming projects that the city has planned, legislative priorities, and budgeting for future years. I am always grateful to have the opportunity to learn about our cities throughout Snohomish County.
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Last month, I had an opportunity to speak with housing professionals from across the state about the housing affordability crisis and how local leaders can work collaboratively to provide housing opportunities. As many of you who read this newsletter know, a strong passion of mine is making sure that families have homeownership opportunities in Snohomish County and it was an honor to meet with professionals in the industry who are working to create opportunity. Thank you for hosting me for a great event, and I look forward to future meetings to collaborate on serving Snohomish County residents.
Everett State of the City Address
I attended the Everett State of the City Address. Mayor Cassie Franklin provided updates on public safety issues, upcoming infrastructure projects to support Everett's growth, and the upcoming Everett Event Outdoor Center. Everett is the most populated city in Snohomish County and their leadership is setting up future generations for success as the city continues to grow. Everett has a lot of exciting opportunities and projects to look forward to in the coming years, and I am looking forward to opportunities to collaborate. Thank you to Mayor Franklin for the invite!
Human Services Transition Resource Fair
In early March, I had the great opportunity to attend the Snohomish County Human Services Developmental Disabilities Transition Resource Fair. The resource fair is an opportunity for self-advocates and their families to have access to information and resources for their career and employment goals. The event was well-attended and it was truly inspiring to see the great work being done in our communities to support and advocate for those with developmental disabilities. A big thank you to the volunteers, staff, community leaders and attendees who made this event so successful and resourceful. I look forward to coming back next year and seeing some familiar faces.
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In March, we hosted one of my favorite events of the year, Civic Education Day. This year was our fourth annual Civic Education Day and it gets better every year. This year, we hosted nearly 200 students from six different high school campuses to learn about county government. Students heard from staff at the Elections Office, the Sheriff's Office, County Council, Public Works, the Office of Public Defense, the Prosecuting Attorney, and many more. It is always an honor to see young people get involved and excited about their local government. Thank you to the students and chaperones for joining us, and thank you to staff who took time out of their work schedules to engage with students. We look forward to another successful event next year!
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The Mays Pond neighborhood recently celebrated the grand opening of its fully renovated, ADA compliant playground at 17730 Brook Boulevard. The new playground replaces the outdated outdoor area which was installed in 1990. The project was lead by the determination and tenacity of Vanessa Miewald, a former resident who turned her childhood wish for a safer play space into reality. Vanessa worked with local leaders to secure $650,000 in state funding along with private donations. The new playground is built just in time for families to enjoy the space and some sunshine. This project highlights the impact of grassroots advocacy and community collaboration. Thank you, Vanessa, for your positive impact in our community!
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During the busy month of March, I also was invited to attend the 2026 Edmonds State of the City Address. Mayor Mike Rosen provided remarks recapping 2025 accomplishments, highlighting goals for 2026, and sharing opportunities for economic development within the city. Edmonds and other cities in Snohomish County are preparing events for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. It's an exciting time for our community and I'm grateful for the strong local leadership and opportunities to collaborate.
Recently, I was invited to come speak before a local Girl Scout Troop to talk about fireworks in Snohomish County. The troop is working toward their Bronze Award and the first step was to identify a problem in their community that they'd like to solve. I greatly enjoy opportunities to meet with youth who are interested in finding solutions for their community, and I'm especially grateful when they want to learn about the work I do as a local politician. The visit was a great opportunity to learn about the work they're doing and provide feedback and insight for their project.
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I was invited to attend the Annual Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Award Ceremony this month. The ceremony recognizes the many acts of dedication, leadership, hard work, heroism and commitment to our community. The event was a great opportunity to recognize and appreciate the staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to keep our communities a safe place for all. Thank you to Sheriff Johnson for hosting an incredible and important event.
The last but certainly not least State of the City Address that I attended this month was from Mayor George Hurst at the City of Lynnwood. Lynnwood has many exciting opportunities on the horizon as more people continue to use the Light Rail for commuting. During the address, Mayor Hurst highlighted goals for the 2026 year, infrastructure projects, and a reflection of Lynnwood's history. Thank you to Mayor Hurst for the invitation, and I look forward to working together to serve the constituents of Snohomish County.
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Last month, I was invited to introduce myself to students at the YMCA Youth and Government Delegation during their regional meeting. The YMCA Legislative Program allows students to participate in a mock legislature. Students take on roles of representatives and senators while gaining a valuable civic education during their program. These students are incredibly inspiring by demonstrating decorum, being great public speakers, and being well-researched on their issues. I have hope that our future is in good hands when I attend these events. Thank you to Ethan Harrington for the invitation, and I look forward to being back next year.
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Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the Snohomish County Jail and learn about the work that Corrections Officers do. During the tour, we learned about the intake process, partnerships with local cities, and the duties of Corrections staff. The tour was an excellent learning opportunity and I'm thankful for the diligent work that our Corrections Officers do to serve our jail population with dignity and respect.
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