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Word out that Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers has tapped Joshua Marcy permanent Director for Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington. Here’s more from a press release issued Thursday.

Joshua Marcy has been serving as interim director. Photo courtesy Snohomish County

With over 20 years in the aviation industry, Marcy has been at Paine Field since May 2021 and previously served as a Deputy Director. He earned his Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) certification in 2022 from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), putting him in a small and elite group of airport leaders.

“Snohomish County’s Paine Field Airport is the most economically impactful airport in the state, accounting for over 155,000 jobs and nearly $60 billion in yearly economic activity,” said Executive Somers. “We are continually looking at ways to make Paine Field stronger and more diverse. Joshua Marcy is the best person to lead Paine Field as we continue to support the growth and innovation at the heart of our aerospace industry.”

“I am excited and honored to take on the role of Airport Director for Snohomish County”, said Director Marcy. “I am committed to taking our airport into the future by fostering collaboration with our public and private partners and ensuring that we continue to provide excellent customer service to our aviation and surrounding communities. My goal is to continue to reinforce our airport as a leader in the aviation industry, and I am excited to work alongside our world-class team to achieve this vision.”

Paine Field is the proud home of the newest commercial airport terminal in Washington state. This privately-owned commercial air terminal serves a dozen western destinations. Paine Field is also home to over 550 aircraft, including small, single engine recreational aircraft, corporate jets, and vintage warbirds. It has had a critical role regionally, nationally, and globally as the manufacturing and testing center for Boeing aircraft, including the 787, 777, 767, KC46, 747, and the newly announced line for the 737 MAX. Located about 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, the airport offers high quality aviation facilities, including an FAA tower, Cat 1 ILS, Part 139 certification, FBO services and convenient access to Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond.

Paine Field has become a major tourist destination with the opening of the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, and the Museum of Flight Restoration Center.

About 4:45 AM Friday morning Sno911 began receiving calls about smoke and flames coming from semi-trailers parked on the south side of Value Village on Evergreen Way in central Everett. Everett Firefighters responded and found 2 trailers engulfed with flames spreading to a third. Crews were able to contain the blaze to the trailers and keep it from spreading to the building. At this writing an investigator with Everett Fire is on scene working to determine the cause of the blaze. Here are a few photos from the scene. Click photo to enlarge.

Rain Garden photo courtesy City of Everett.

There will be an in-person information session on Saturday, April 15th from 9-10 a.m. at Everett Public Works, 3200 Cedar Street in Everett. If you can’t make that session there is a workshop video.

The workshop video will explain how to qualify for the rebate program, how rebates are given and the timeline and next steps:  Check out our workshop video.

After watching the workshop video, contact Apryl Hynes, by email or phone at 425-257-8992 to schedule a free rain garden site assessment. Slots are available now through May 15, 2023.

What is the rain garden rebate program?
This program is being offered by the City of Everett to help supplement the cost of installing a pre‐approved rain garden. Program is available to Everett residents and the rebate will cover up to $2,500 of project costs.

How can I participate in the program?
Twenty rebates are available annually. Information about and steps to receive a rebate are available at everettwa.gov/raingardens or call 425‐257‐8992 to see how you qualify.

What are the eligibility requirements?
You must be located within the Everett city limit. A free site assessment of your yard will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility of installing a rain garden on your property. A soil infiltration test will then need to be performed to further determine if your site is acceptable.

Do I have to do the work myself?
How you chose to design and install your rain garden is entirely up to you. The City can assist with planning and designing the rain garden. The installation of your rain garden can be done by you, volunteers or a contractor. You can also hire a contractor to do the entire process (design, planning and installation). The city does not recommend contractors but provides a list of landscape professionals that attended professional rain garden design workshops. The rebate will cover up to $2,500 of project costs whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor.

Is there a set schedule for participating in the program?
Yes. Fall is the optimal time of year to plant a rain garden therefore the rebate program has a set yearly timetable. We hold various informational workshops in the early part of the year. Site assessments and soil infiltration tests are best done in early spring when the ground is still wet. Rain garden applications are due in July/August. Once approved, homeowners can start installing their rain garden. Rebate invoicing needs to be turned in by the end of the calendar year.

Will the rebate cover the cost of removing impervious paving/asphalt?
No. The soil below impervious surfaces are likely compacted so it is better to locate the garden in a different location where the soil can infiltrate at an acceptable rate.

Will the rebate cover the cost of removing a tree if it is in the way of a rain garden?
No. Trees have stormwater value as well. It is better to keep a tree to catch and absorb rain and locate your rain garden in a different place to achieve additional stormwater management
 
Frequently Asked Questions – rain gardens
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens are shallow depressions that use soils and plants to manage runoff from impervious surfaces like rooftops.

What maintenance is required for a rain garden?
Short term maintenance includes watering, weeding and annual mulching. After a few years, when the vegetation has established, the maintenance will decrease.

What is the size of a rain garden?
The size and shape of your rain garden can vary and will be in proportion to the amount of runoff from your roof you divert to the rain garden.

Do I get to choose where on my property to place the rain garden?
Yes. Placement of the rain garden could be anywhere in your yard as long as it meets the program requirements. Stay away from all known utilities that service your home such as your water, sewer, cable, gas, etc. Your rain garden should be at least 10 ft. from any building foundation.

What is the life expectancy of a rain garden?
Rain gardens get better with age. As the plants grow, microbes in the soil multiply and your garden will absorb and filter stormwater more and more effectively. Once established, they can last many years.

Do rain gardens attract mosquitoes?
No, a rain garden is not a pond. It is designed to drain the standing water within a day or two, not enough time for mosquito larvae to hatch. Be sure to observe the rain garden once operational to confirm that it is draining properly.

Can kids or pets play in the rain garden?

No. Keep children and pets out of rain gardens, as the soils need to stay loose so they remain absorbent and walking on them will cause soil compaction. After a rain event, there can be some standing water and this could be a danger to very small children.

Click here to visit the City’s website for more information about rain gardens. Scroll down the page for a variety of links to more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

(The City of Everett would like to thank Seattle Public Utilities RainWise program for the use of their printed material.)

Back in January 2015 heroin reportedly replaced OxyContin as the drug of choice in Everett, Washington causing a crisis for the city.

Here’s the City of Everett’s announcement on the settlement with retailers. Editor’s note: The Purdue Pharma case is still pending as that company has filed bankruptcy. After the City filed suit in 2017, cities and States across the nation followed with their own legal actions leading to combined settlements such as the one accepted Wednesday.

The City of Everett announced a $4.19 million settlement has been reached on its lawsuit against several pharmaceutical corporations for their contributions to the local opioid crisis: CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva and Allergan.

Everett faced sharp rises in drug abuse, addiction and associated illegal conduct as a result of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Because of this, Everett became the first city in the nation to file suit against Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, for their role in causing widespread addiction in the community.

“In the City of Everett, we see the impacts of the opioid epidemic every day and it’s heartbreaking,” said Cassie Franklin, mayor of the City of Everett. “I’m glad we can hold these corporations accountable for their part in flooding our streets with highly addictive medications. Though this settlement won’t bring back all those we have lost, it will add resources to address the lasting effects in our community.”

As part of the State of Washington’s suit against opioid distributors, McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp., Everett received a settlement of over $4.1 million.

The City of Everett’s lawsuit against Purdue Pharma is still ongoing and will result in the recovery of additional funds.

The Hope Church is under consideration for use as an emergency shelter for 40 people. Meanwhile the former Days Inn, purchased last August by Snohomish County with more than 70 rooms, sits empty with no clear timeline for when it may open as a shelter.

Here is a statement Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin gave tonight at the City Council meeting addressing Snohomish County’s potential purchase of the Hope Covenant Church property.

“I would like to take a moment and address the County’s potential purchase of the Hope Covenant Church property and our shared commitment to providing shelter and services to unsheltered individuals in crisis.

First, I want to make it clear that our city is fiercely pro-housing, and this includes being in support of increasing the availability of shelter not just within our city, but throughout our county and within the region.

You just need to walk outside to know we are facing a housing and drug crisis. I know my colleagues on this dais recognize this as well as our partners at the County.

And while I am in favor of providing support to those who need it, i know t’s equally important for there to be accountability and enforcement, especially when it comes to those who are engaging in illegal conduct. Again, I know others on this dais and partners across the County also agree that there must be accountability.

And I truly believe that with the processes in place within our planning department, new ordinances under consideration that ensure appropriate accountability measures, and all the diligent, hard work of our Snohomish County partners and City staff, we will be able to establish an additional successful shelter location SOMEWHERE within our city. But, siting shelter locations is HARD.

I know that there is a lot of confusion regarding Snohomish County’s potential purchase of Hope Covenant Church and on behalf of the City, I want to apologize to our residents and our partners for any confusion around this.

I’ve seen many emails from very passionate residents and businesses sharing their concerns about locating a facility like this near where they live or work, and I understand their apprehension. And we know and continue to hear from advocates about the positive impact a site like this can have for some of the most vulnerable members of our community when done well.

I’ve connected with my team and Executive Somers on this project. Currently we do not know if this or another location would be most suitable, but in order to find that out, I support moving forward with engagement and information gathering process about the Hope Church site as a potential location for a shelter within our city.

As I shared in my email to the County in mid-February, a quality, successful shelter location needs first intensive community outreach as well as a management plan including security, safety and sanitation.

I have directed my team to partner with the County staff, including additional outreach, listening to and engaging with potential neighbors of such a facility, addressing concerns and ensuring the development of a shelter management plan which will help ensure any potential impacts to the community are appropriately mitigated. We will have more to share on this soon.

In addition, we need tools to help us address the very complex and serious challenges our community is facing. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, we will be discussing two ordinances. One, about establishing service facility buffer zones and the other is about public use of controlled substances.

I believe these new tools can make a difference in both keeping our neighborhoods safe and trying to connect those struggling with addiction to treatment. These tools will not just support any future location, but also ensure better safety for current locations within the city for both those seeking shelter and services as well as neighbors in close proximity of such programs.

There is a lot of work ahead to address the challenges in our city, region and country and we are committed to doing that work collaboratively with neighbors, non-profits, our County and community. Thank you.”

Following the Mayor’s statement citizens spoke up about their opposition to the site and asked why this new site was being considered while the former Days Inn Motel on Everett Mall Way purchased last August sits empty.

Everett City Council members thanked citizens who weighed in with emails and comments with multiple members of the Everett City Council stressing the need to “get it right”. You can see the Mayor’s statement, citizen comments and City councilmember’s comments in the video below. Those comments run about 35 minutes.

The rest of the video is the remainder of the Everett City Council meeting where concerns were expressed over the use of Angel of the Winds Arena to host gun shows, an agreement to accept more than four million dollars in opioid settlement money was approved and a briefing on possibly making a change to City of Everett code to make it illegal to use controlled substances in public. On that last item, the Everett City Council may see a draft ordinance next week.

A heads up for drivers using the Boeing Freeway (SR526) in Everett, Washington this weekend.

Travelers in Everett, including those heading to Paine Field April 15-16, should plan for an overnight closure of the westbound State Route 526 off-ramp to Airport Road.

The closure will be from 10 p.m. Saturday, April 15, to 8 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Drivers will follow a signed detour.

During the closure, crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will adjust traffic signals at the end of the off-ramp to Airport Road. This work is part of a project that will strengthen four bridges along SR 526 in Everett to better withstand a major earthquake.

Travelers can receive real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app, the real-time travel map, or by following the WSDOT Traffic Twitter account.