News from Snohomish County Council

"The upcoming improvements to the intersection of 35th /Seattle Hill Road intersection are a very important step toward addressing traffic problems in the 35^th Ave corridor," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "I am pleased we are moving forward on these much needed traffic flow and safety improvements."

This project is another in a series of improvements along the 35^th Avenue SE corridor. Previously the road was been widened to include turn lanes from the county line north to 132^nd.

Plans for 35^th/Seattle Hill Road intersection call for widening the roadway approaches for approximately one-half a mile in each direction from the intersection, adding turn lanes and full paved shoulders, adjusting the vertical alignment of the roadway surfaces to correct sight distance issues, and upgrading the signals. Construction is also scheduled for this summer on intersection improvements at 180^th and 35^th which will provide both right and left turn lanes on each leg of the intersection.

"The county has been systemically working at the most cost effective improvements along 35^th,"said Gossett. "While the full improvement of the road is too expensive to do all at once focusing on intersections can provide immediate relief while setting the stage for later full improvements."

The improvements will reduce traffic congestion caused by the inability of cars to easily make turns and increase pedestrian safety through improved sight distances and paved shoulders.

"Construction should be completed by late 2009 or early 2010," said Gossett. "These intersection improvements will provide a higher quality of life and travel for this area."

County Auto Theft Task Force Honored

Last week Sheriff John Lovick presided over an awards ceremony for the Auto Theft Task Force. Awards were presented to all of the 9 task force members.

"Sheriff Lovick promoted this idea when he was in the Legislature," said Councilmember Dave Gossett, who attended the ceremony. "As Sheriff he has aggressively worked to make Snohomish County a model."

As a State Representative, Sheriff Lovick recognized the growing problem of auto theft. He sponsored legislation to fund a grant program for local auto theft task forces. Snohomish County was chosen for one of the first grants.

"Not only has our task force set the standard in the state for successfully battling auto theft," said Sheriff Lovick, "we're making an impact at the neighborhood level."

The task force has a truly impressive record. Since beginning in October of 2008 its accomplishments include:

� More than 72 vehicle theft related arrests

� Recovery of more than $775,000 of stolen property

� More than 50 convictions for vehicle theft related crimes

� Disruption of seven chop shops

In addition the task force has made numerous presentations to the general public on how to prevent vehicle theft and provided training to local law enforcement officers regarding vehicle theft.

"This is truly a regional approach to solving public safety problems," noted Gossett. "The task force is made up of city, county, and state patrol members working together to put auto thieves behind bars. I want to thank them for all their hard work."

Auto Theft Task Force members include:

Lt. Brent Speyer-Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Sgt. E.J. Swainson-Washington State Patrol

Detective Wallace Forslof-Marysville Police Dept.

Detective Chris Herrera-Lynnwood Police Dept.

Detective Paul Ryan-Monroe Police Dept.

Detective Jess Sanders-Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Crime Analyst Robert Newcomer-Everett Police Dept.

Prosecutor Colleen St. Clair-Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office

Legal Secretary Jeanne Maynard-Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER 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 Council