When I first heard the news of Gary Haakenson's resignation, I immediately realized that I hadn't turned his picture into a screen bean yet. No Gary, you're not getting away without becoming a screen bean!I decided to make Gary's screen bean about his opposition to the citing of the Brightwater Treatment Plant in Edmonds.
King County needed a new sewer plant, but they didn't want to locate in a place where folks could vote against the county officials. They thought they could put it in Edmonds, but Edmonds already had a sewer plant to treats its own sewage. In fact, the Edmonds sewer plant treats sewage from Mountlake Terrace, parts of Snohomish county, and even portions of King County!
Gary took a decisive leadership role against the sewer plant, even before the council took a stand. He appealed to state legistlators to outlaw the act of putting a sewer plant outside King County's juristicition, and worked with citizens in the city to bring additional pressure. His staff even helped gum up the works as King County did its due dilligence. Gary made sure that King County knew it was in for a fight!
And it worked. Brightwater was located elsewhere.
Gary, I know you and I disagree on many issues, but I always respected you. And I haven't forgot what you did for our city. Good luck in your future endeavors!
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