SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- Just one day before voters decide whether to annex a large portion of Snohomish County into the City of Bothell, both sides are reporting the campaign is getting nasty.
"We had no idea going into this that it would be quite as crazy as it is,” said Bud Nccorchuk, a retired District 1 fire fighter and leader of the successful campaign to stop the annexation in November.
Both sides report hundreds of campaign signs either vandalized or destroyed. Now, the "Yes to Annexation" campaign is providing video and pictures that apparently show vandals in the act. Neither side claims responsibility and said the dirty tactics are getting in the way of the issues.
“If they sit down and look at the fact there is nothing to be afraid of,” said Jean Clinch, supporter of the Yes to Annexation Campaign. “Our services will improve, our tax dollars will stay in our community.”
But opponents said the City of Bothell is irresponsible with its money and would put fire and police services at risk in the incorporated county areas.
“We like the ability to do the thing that we like without getting traffic tickets and the thing that come with a city that seems to be in everybody’s business,” said Nccorchuk.
Regardless, the tense campaign appears to have increased voter participation. Mail in ballots are up 65% compared to the November election according to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office. In November 3032 ballots were returned the day before the election. This time around, 4649 ballot have been returned to date.
For more information:
Citizens for Responsible Annexation - no to annexation
Bothell Yes to Annexation Campaign
City of Bothell website - annexation proposal information
