Local Students Win Art Awards

National County Government Month is celebrated each April by the nation's counties to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government. The Snohomish County Council sponsors an art contest as part of the celebration.

"Each year we invite students in Snohomish County school grades K-5 to create a drawing that reflects the year's theme," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "We always get some great artwork."

The 2012 theme was "Healthy Counties, Healthy Families". In addition to the Snohomish County Council the contest this year was sponsored by the Washington Stealth (an indoor Lacrosse team), the Evergreen State Fair, the YMCA, and Snohomish County Parks.

"I'm very excited that two of the winners were from Council District 4," said Gossett.

"Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. Helping them learn about local government and its role in maintaining healthy communities and families is important."

Winners were:

Kindergarten-Eleanor Johnson, Little Cedars Elementary

5th Grade-Bela Ramos, Woodside Elementary

The winners received a variety of prizes, including a plaque with their artwork mounted on it, Evergreen Fair passes, YMCA passes, Washington Stealth T-shirts, and other items. The presentation of the awards was made at the schools.

"The winning artwork will also be published," noted Gossett. "We use the winning drawings for the cover of the budget book published each year."

Since 1991 the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties across the country to raise public awareness about the roles and responsibilities of counties. National County Government Month is a great opportunity for the public to take a closer look at county services and foster a greater understanding of county government.

"We are very proud of the essential services and programs our county provides each day and especially of the people who deliver them," said Gossett.

"Councilmember Gossett Gives Plaque to Winner Bela Ramos"

Follow the links below to view :

 Art Work by Bela Ramos

Art Work by Eleanor Johnson

Road Construction Projects Planned for 35th Ave SE

"Improving this intersection will significantly improve traffic congestion," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "This improvement has been planned for some time and it's great to be moving forward with construction."

Right-turn and left-turn lanes are planned for all approaches to the 35th Avenue SE/180th Street SE intersection, along with curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Storm drainage features will be constructed to handle water runoff from the road. The traffic signal will also be upgraded to include left-turn arrows. Planter strips will be added on the north and south sides of 180th Street SE, from 32nd Avenue SE to 35th Avenue SE and east of 35th near the intersection. When the project is complete, each approach to the intersection will have one left-turn lane, one right-turn lane and one through lane.

"Lack of left turn lanes can really slow down traffic," noted Gossett. "For several years the county has looked at intersection improvements as a cost-effective way to reduce congestion."

Total cost for the project will be just under $2.4 million. This is nearly 20% below the original engineer's estimate of the cost.

"The good bid climate continues to provide real savings for the taxpayers," said Gossett. "It's a great time to create jobs while building necessary infrastructure."

During excavation and grading for the new roadway there are likely to be single lane closures and heavy truck traffic in the area. Construction is scheduled to begin during August of this year and be completed during summer 2013.

For the most current information, subscribe to the project Web page: www.snoco.org, type "35th Ave SE" in the search box, choose 35th from the list, and follow the e-subscribe link on the project page.

The Grannis Road realignment project will also take place this summer. Grannis Road is south of 180th Street SE on the west side of 35th Avenue SE. It currently intersects 35th Avenue SE at an angle making it challenging to travel to or from 35th Avenue SE.

"Improving this intersection will make it much safer," said Gossett.

The new intersection will be 270 feet south of the current 35th Avenue SE/ Grannis Road intersection to improve traffic safety and access to and from the neighborhood. New traffic signals will be added on 35th Avenue SE at 188th Street SE and the new Grannis Road Intersection.

The new intersection will be wider than the current one for improved sight distance and will include left turn pockets on 35th Avenue SE and on Grannis Road. Bike lanes are also planned on 35th Ave SE, along with side­walks, curbs, gutters and planter strips. Sidewalk ramps will be ADA compliant. Bio-infiltration ponds will be installed on both sides of the new alignment to receive and handle stormwater runoff.

During construction this summer there are will be periodic single lane closures along 35th Avenue SE and on Grannis Road, Mondays through Fridays. The project is expected to be finished by the end of 2012, although final paving may be put off until the warmer weather returns in the spring of 2013.