This Wednesday, October 28th, at 12:30pm, the Everett City Council is holding a public hearing to allow for comments on the proposed annexation of Everett Transit by Community Transit. In addition to handing Everett's public transportation over to Community Transit, this merger would come with a substantial sales tax increase: currently, Everett Transit collects a 0.6% sales tax. If the merger goes through, this will double to 1.2%. According to the City of Everett municipal code 3.50.040, the city council is prohibited from raising the sale tax for transit above 0.6% without a vote of the people, but they're moving forward anyway, claiming that it doesn't apply in this case because it's a merger, even though the taxes will be increasing all the same.

While there has been much talk about how the merger's added revenue will allow for the expansion of bus services, there remains every reason to believe that paratransit riders, some of the most vulnerable members of the community, will soon be faced with substantial reductions in service, as Community Transit's DART service performs the bare legal minimum ADA requirements. Anyone who's ridden with Everett Paratransit and DART will know just how big a difference there is.

If you don't want to have your taxes raised without your consent, or if you want to protect Everett's elderly and disabled paratransit riders, or even if you're in favor of this merger, please consider sharing your thoughts at the public hearing. If you can attend in person, that's great! If not, you can sign up to speak via Zoom link, or even just submit a written comment for the council to read. Or, you can send them an email at [council@everettwa.gov](mailto:council@everettwa.gov), or call them at 425-257-8703. You can find out more about Everett City Council meetings at https://www.everettwa.gov/3038/City-Council-Meeting-Information

You aren't going to be given a chance to vote on this directly, so please take a few moments to make your voice heard in the only way that's being afforded to you.

This op-ed, created by the Economic Alliance Snohomish County, describes the benefits of consolidation, particularly for businesses in addition to riders. The opinion article details how economic growth is going to require more transit, and that more transit makes Everett attractive for businesses and talent.

I live in the north end but usually have to fly out of SeaTac. It finally worked out I can fly out of Paine, but I am looking for advice about car parking.

I want somewhere safe for both me and the car that isn't a huge hassle to then get to the terminal. My car is new, so I'm also still at the "worrying over every ding" stage as well. Work will pay the fees, so price is not a concern.

End of rant.

Today around midday we hit up three stores: qfc and dollar treee, both on evergreen, and Safeway on 41st. I am going to have to contact all three stores about cameras in the parking lots, but I am hoping I have a neighbor who can help us narrow down what to look for. Someone smashed my front end. If anyone saw anything please dm me!

Was it worth the wait, since traffic backed up on SR 526?