JOINT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT

GREEN MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT

On July 13th, The County Council and the Executive signed a Joint Resolution No.11-005 which supports preservation of the Green Mountain Fire Lookout. This lookout was originally built in 1933 for fire detection and the use of the U.S. Army for spotting enemy aircraft during World War II. It was listed in 1988 on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently used by hikers and climbers, supported by recreational tourism and visitor spending. With the support of local advocates and volunteers, the U.S. Forest Services completed a comprehensive rehabilitation of the lookout in 2010, according to the standards for the treatment of historic properties. In that same year, Wilderness Watch, a nonprofit organization viewed the preservation repair work as illegal and sued the Forest Service, seeking a permanent injunction requiring the agency to remove the lookout entirely from the wilderness area. The Snohomish County Executive and Council, as a result passed this Joint Resolution to oppose demolition and removal of the Green Mountain Lookout.

VETERANS' NETWORK OF CARE

Snohomish County launched the Network of Care Program for Service Members, Veterans and Their Families on Monday, September 26th. This program takes a community approach to the needs of returning veterans ensuring that they are a valuable part of a healthy community and that the community can meet their needs. It is a one-stop-shop for all services, information, support, advocacy and much more. This public service brings critical information for all aspects of the veterans' community (family members, active-duty personnel, reservists, National Guard, employers, service providers and the community at large) via a highly interactive Web portal. This program is already functioning in counties in Texas, Colorado, California, Maryland and Oregon and will be the first for Washington State. "We are excited to bring this web-based program to our community" said Councilman John Koster. "It is an excellent source to care for our men and women veterans returning from overseas".

The National Association of Counties has been the driver behind the Network of Care programs. Councilman Koster is a Board member and is also President of the Washington Association of Counties. The network can be accessed at:

The Network of Care for Service Members, Veterans & Their Families

JOHN KOSTER'S BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE

The Next Business Roundtable will be a discussion of how to get our local economy moving. Come and bring your ideas. Tuesday, October 4, 2011 @7:00 am - Everett Holiday Inn.

For more information / to register: call Cindy 425-397-7799 or [email protected]