| Councilmember Dave Gossett |
August 18, 2008 |
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CONTACT US |
Dave GossettSnohomish County Council 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609 Everett, WA 98201 Office Location: 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Bldg Phone: 425-388-3494 E-mail: Dave.Gosset@snoco.orgCecilia Wilson, Legislative Aide | |
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Dave Gossett's eNews
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201
Office: 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building
Phone: 425-388-3494
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Snohomish County and Wal-Mart Launch Expanded Effort to Save Energy with Efficient Light Bulbs
Snohomish County, in cooperation with Wal-Mart Stores, has launched an expanded program to encourage the use of compact energy and cost-efficient fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Wal-Mart Stores recently donated 4,000 CFLs to the county, allowing many more low income residents to receive these efficient light bulbs.
The county's Human Services Department will distribute the bulbs through its Energy Assistance and Weatherization Programs that served over 5,000 local households during the 2007-2008 heating season. Senior Services of Snohomish County will also be distributing the CFL bulbs to its Meals-on-Wheels and Minor Home Repair clients.
"We believe this is an important effort for a more sustainable community," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "This donation of 4,000 CFL light bulbs will save county households almost $61,000 annually, while also removing the equivalent of 1.8 million pounds of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere."
CFLs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. CFLs last from five to seven years. Because they produce less wasteful heat, they also stay cool to the touch after use. Installing a single CFL can prevent 450 lbs. of greenhouse gases from reaching the air. Lighting accounts for 20 percent of the average home's electric bill. By changing the light bulbs in an average house, a homeowner may save as much as $350 per year.
Please Recycle CFL Bulbs
Because of these light bulbs contain very small amounts of mercury (about 5 milligrams), CFLs should be recycled. Fluorescent bulbs and tubes are not accepted as garbage, but Snohomish County residential customers can take limited quantities of fluorescent bulbs and tubes (up to 12) to Snohomish County Solid Waste facilities. There is no charge. Residential customers may also bring used fluorescent bulbs, tubes and lamp ballasts to the county's Household Hazardous Waste facility located at 3434 McDougal, Everett. An information sheet describing the recycling requirements will be distributed to every bulb recipient.
For more information on CFLs, see the Snohomish County PUD and Wal-Mart Facts websites. | |
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Wal-Mart CFL Blub Donation
Kim Carson (center), manager of Wal-Mart's Lynnwood store, joined County Councilmembers Dave Gossett and John Koster to apply labels identifying the firm as the donor of 4,000 energy-efficient CFL light bulbs. Snohomish County will distribute the bulbs to low-income recipients of county's energy assistance and weatherization programs.
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Community County Budget Forum Sept. 10
The county council is holding a series of community forums to take public testimony on the council's county budget priorities for the 2009-2010 fiscal biennium.
Residents of the Fourth County Council District are invited to attend and speak at the Sept. 10th forum to be held in Gary Weikel Room at the Willis Tucker Community Park, 6705 Puget Park Drive, east of Mill Creek. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m.
The County Council has identified "Sustaining and Enhancing the Quality of Life for Snohomish County Residents" as the over-arching theme for development of the 2009-2010 budget - emphasizing transportation and infrastructure improvements that will keep the county moving; maintaining safe, healthy and affordable communities; and working to secure the public's trust in its government through the delivery of quality services in a manner that is both fiscally responsible and financially sustainable.
Driving Directions:
Take the 128th Street east from I-5 approximately four miles to Snohomish-Cascade Drive. 128th Street becomes 132nd and then 134th as you drive east. Turn right onto Snohomish-Cascade Drive. At the first stop sign, turn left onto Puget Park Drive. The park entrance is at the end of the street. (Map)
See the entire county council budget priorities document: MOTION NO. 08-485 - Stating the Priorities of the Snohomish County Council for Deliberation and Decisions on the 2009-2010 County Budget and Requesting Information from the County Executive. |
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Index's Heybrook Ridge Saved
The drive to save picturesque Heybrook Ridge across the river from Index went over the top Aug. 4 when the county council formally approved using $700,000 in county Conservation Futures funds to help purchase the 130-acre property at risk of being clear cut.
"In helping preserve Heybrook Ridge, we were able to assist this county's smallest city maintain its only industries - tourism and outdoor recreation," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "The residents of Index worked hard to raise over $500,000 in matching funds and they deserve the county's support. They earned it."
It had been a long struggle for the Heybrook Ridge preservationists. Two years ago, residents learned that the property's owner, W.B. Foresters of Stanwood, planned to log the ridge. Index residents quickly formed the "Friends of Heybrook Ridge" to oppose the project. Almost immediately, W.B. Foresters offered to sell the property at fair market value, and gave the local group two years to raise the original $1.3 million asking price.
Fund raising went slowly, with only $36,000 raised as the June deadline approached. Then an anonymous donor came forward offering $500,000 in matching funds. And after a reappraisal of the timber's value, W.B. Foresters reduced the price by $100,000, and extended the purchase deadline by one month, to July 31st.
The Cascade Land Conservancy then stepped in to help the Friends of Heybrook Ridge to apply for funding from the county's Conservation Futures Board, and also to help conclude the sale.
The county's Parks and Recreation Department will ultimately own and manage the property. |
I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER to be informative and useful. You can make it even more valuable by suggesting topics and issues for future newsletters. Please contact me at 425-388-3494, or e-mail Dave.Gossett@snoco.org. If you would like to share this newsletter, select the Forward email link below. Sincerely,
Dave Gossett
Snohomish County |
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