Town delegation lobbies state legislators for flood, law enforcement measures

The La Conner Town Council met on Valentine’s Day, then its leaders looked for some love from state lawmakers in Olympia later in the week.

A Town delegation met with state Reps. Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers and the staff of Sen. Ron Muzzall to discuss flood management measures and other key local issues, including increased funding for law enforcement.

By all accounts, it was a positive dialogue with the District 10 legislators. It left Town officials hopeful yet more productive talks will take place.

“I think it went well,” Town Administrator Scott Thomas told the Weekly News Friday. “Our primary objective was to let legislators know that we intend to develop a comprehensive flood plan and then return when we would be looking for assistance to implement the plan.”

Mayor Ramon Hayes said the Town conferred about grant options to secure funding for development of flood control strategies.

“We’re wanting to apply for a planning grant that probably tops out at $300,000 and would require a 25 per cent match,” said Hayes. “So, we were advocating for dollars and a comprehensive flood management grant.”

“We have a very good relationship,” he said of Paul’s past support. “He got behind the new library. He’s always right there when we’re going for funding. And, on this, he wants to put in a good word for us.”

Hayes said he was also encouraged by Shavers, who expressed support after having recently held a public forum here.

Thomas used the time in Olympia to share with the 10th district legislative team a proposed amendment to a bill that would earmark a one-tenth of one per cent increase in the state sales tax for municipalities to hire more police officers.

The amendment seeks a change in the bill’s language to cover “police services” as La Conner has no police department of its own, but contracts with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office.

“They were all receptive to that,” Hayes said. “We’re not the only ones in this kind of situation. It applies to Concrete and Coupeville in this area and I imagine other places in the state as well.”

Hayes said in addition to outreach to 10th district lawmakers, an attempt was also made to meet with Rep. Debra Lekanoff, who worked for years for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Lekanoff represents the 40th legislative district.

“She’s a supporter,” said Hayes, “but her schedule fell apart to meet with us.”

Muzzall was also unable to meet with the contingent.

“We met with Senator Muzzall’s executive assistant,” Town Council member Rick Dole said. “The senator was still on the floor when we had our appointment.”

“We had very limited time,” Hayes added. “They’re on tight, tight schedules.”

Muzzall told the Weekly News in a phone interview afterward that his staff – which he praised at length – has kept him up to speed on these issues, especially in regard to flood control.

“I know they figured the town sustained in excess of $1 million in flood damage and are wanting to develop a plan to present at some future date,” Muzzall said. “We’re definitely going to look into that.”