Reardon no model of fiscal restraint

Perhaps if Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon set a better spending example for the County Council, he'd be more successful in getting their cooperation on budget issues.

It would be interesting to know how much it cost the county taxpayers to redecorate his suite of offices, including the flat-screen TV and bullet-proof glass. The previous tenants of the office worked in those offices for years without the need for new furniture and décor. I also wonder what cost is added to mailings when he includes a color picture of himself to everything sent out from the county.

Executive Reardon would like us to believe that the staffing increases for the council are unnecessary. If anything, the staffing levels seem disproportionate with the council having about 20 employees and the executive has close to 2,000.

It's certainly possible that the proposed new government building could be better thought out, including an impact assessment, published for voters. It's also likely that by working with the council instead of writing inflammatory commentaries, he, the council and the taxpayers would be better served.

Kate Oglesby - Everett