The Port Gardner Neighborhood Association newsletter announces their September meeting to rally at a fence blocking access to a beach trail. They want the fence removed as it was erected without warning and closes off neighborhood access. Upcoming events include a natural yard care series hosted by Public Works and the 20th annual Monte Cristo Awards ceremony honoring community volunteers. A new location of GROW Washington, which supports small businesses, has opened in Everett.

1. PORT GARDNER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION NEWS
www.portgardner.net
SEPTEMBER 2014
September Agenda
Monday, Sept 8, 2014 at 6:45 – 8pm
Pigeon Creek Beach Access
Bond St. at the fence
6:45 Meet and Greet
7:00 Welcome
RALLY
No Police Report
Stand in a Peaceful Protest
Is accessibility a problem? Contact a Board member! We will find you a ride.
*To get the newsletter or updates about future events by e-mail contact:
everettareahomes@gmail.com
Or sign up at http://www.portgardner.net
Note from your Chair
Dear Neighbors,
It was a pleasure being elected as chair of the Port Gardner Neighborhood Association. I look forward to working with everyone to make our neighborhood a safe and fun place to be. Previously I served as Chair of the Bayside Neighborhood and am currently chair of the Council of Neighborhoods. Please let me know how we can work together. I hope to see you at future meetings.
~ Warm regards, Chair, Andrea Tucker.
The Monte Cristo Awards Turn 20!!!
Please join the Everett Office of Neighborhoods, the Council of Neighborhoods, Mayor
Ray Stephanson and many Everett residents as we honor the 2014 Monte Cristo winners.
This ceremony will be help on October 9 at 6:30pm at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
In a celebration of the 20 year anniversary, we have invited all of the past winners to come back and be recognized. If you are a past winner, know a past winner or just want to support all of the current year winners, be sure to attend it will be a memorable evening.
There will be a social reception prior to the awards in the foyer with musical entertainment and refreshments. *For more info, contact Brooklyn in the Office of Neighborhoods at 425-257-7195 or bholton@everettwa.gov
*NOTE: PGNA MEETING LOCATION CHANGES SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
9/8/14 at 6:45pm
September meeting will be at the end of Bond St at the entrance to the Pigeon Creek Beach Trail for a rally.
10/13/14 at 7pm
October meeting will be held at the brand new Hampton Inn at Wall St & W. Marine View Drive on the 6th floor in the breakfast room. Mayor Stephanson will be our guest speaker.
11/10/14 at 7:00pm
November meeting will be back at Jackson Elementary school and our guest speaker will be a representative from the Port of Everett.

2. IMPORTANT MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER
Agendas for City Council, Planning Commission, School Board and Port of Everett meetings are usually not available in time for our Newsletter. Please check the websites a few days ahead to confirm.
EVERETT CITY COUNCIL Everett City Hall 3002 Wetmore Ave City Council Chambers
September 3, 10, 17 at 6:30pm September 24 at 12:30pm
Check http://www.everettwa.org/default.aspx?ID-10 for Agendas and podcasts of Everett City Council Meetings
PORT OF EVERETT Waterfront Center 1205 Craftsman Way Blue Heron Room
September 2 at 5:00pm September 9 at 11:00am
Check http://www.portofeverett.com/home/index.asp?page=193 for Agendas and http://www.portofeverett.com/home/index.asp?page=255 for podcasts of Port of Everett meetings
EVERETT SCHOOL BOARD Community Resource Center 3900 Broadway
September 9 and 23 at 4:30pm
Check http://www.boarddocs.com/wa/waesd/Board.nsf/Public for Agendas
PUBLIC WORKS FALL EVENTS
Join Public Works for a free Fall into Gardening natural yard care series with hands-on activities and interactive speakers. Build a rain barrel at our hands-on workshop or pock up one (or two) at our one-day sale. If you have any questions about these programs, please contact Apryl Hynes, Public Works at 425-257-8992.
Wednesday 6:30 – 8:30pm at South Everett Library - 9512 Evergreen Way
Sept. 10: Fall Gardening 1: Go back to basics with local garden experts! This class is for new and veteran gardeners alike and will cover how to build healthy soil, best plant picks for your conditions and tips to save money and time in the garden.
Sept. 17: Fall Gardening 2: Continue to dig deeper into the benefits of fall gardening time. Learn hand- on pruning techniques, natural yard care and how to take advantage of winter rains – instead of being bogged down.
Tuesday, Sept 23 at 6:30pm – Location TBD – Cost: $40/barrel (cash or check)
Make a Rain Barrel: Attend a workshop and build your own rain barrel. We supply the barrel, parts and tools. You supply the work and take home a functional rain barrel.
Saturday, Sept 27 from 10am – 12pm at Washington Oakes – 1717 Rockefeller Ave
Everett Rain Garden Tour: Take a free walking tour through historic north Everett, and see a variety of rain garden designs and plantings.
CITY OF EVERETT PLANNING COMMISION MEETING Tuesday, September 2 at 6:30pm
Location: William E. Moore – Historic City Hall, City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave
Agenda Item 1: Request for Planning Commission to sponsor a code change for the Norton/Grand Historic Overlay Zone:
*Please take note that Item 1 on the agenda is a proposed major change in zoning in the Norton Grand Historic Overlay to allow additional height and live/work units. This will affect not only the residential streets, but the Norton Ball field and Doyle Park.

3. Burlington Northern Closes Bond St. Track Crossing
As most of you probably know, on July 2, BNSF erected a chain link fence topped with barbed wire at the south end of Bond St. between the Forgotten Creek Trail and the Port’s trail to Pigeon Creek Beach. They said it was for safety reasons. People had sometimes climbed between the parked rail cars when trains blocked the intersection. They gave us no warning. They never asked us for help. They just closed our neighborhood access to the beach without saying a word to us. Of course you can choose to walk down W. Marine View Dr. to the overpass at Everett Ave. and start the trail next to the Port entrance. That adds 1.9 miles to your round trip. Many of you have just stopped going there.
Everyone I’ve talked with about this is dismayed and thinks it is wrong. The City signed agreements with BNSF in 2001 and 2003 to maintain pedestrian access at Bond St. when it was closed to vehicles. BNSF claims the 2003 agreement expired because the City did not start construction of safety improvements at the crossing in time. Their legal justification for erecting the fence is questionable. Their moral justification is non-existent.
We want that fence removed. Many of you have asked me what you can do. First you can come to the next PGNA meeting. For the September 8th meeting, we are gathering at the fence that blocks our trail. Come at 6:30 PM. Bring picket signs. Bring banners. Bring your kids. Bring your camera. Maybe a chair. The press has been invited. BNSF has been invited. If they show up, be respectful, but let them know what you
want. Be creative with your signs. Have the kids carry a sign that says, “BNSF – Be Nice!” Or, “BNSF is mean.” Carry one yourself that says, “Mr. BNSF, TEAR DOWN THIS FENCE!” We will try to keep the meeting short. Even if you can’t stay for the meeting, come for the photo.
There is a petition to BNSF. It asks them to take down the fence and come to a PGNA meeting to find a reasonable solution to the safety problems. Contact me on how you can get a copy. Ask your kids who used to walk the trail to sign it. Ask your neighbors and colleagues who live in Everett to sign it. Offer them blank petitions. Return them to me at 717-33rd St. or bjacksonjmurphy@aol.com or at the meeting. A reasonable solution can be achieved, but we want our trail access back. – Bob Jackson
THE PORT GARDNER NEIGHBORHOOD STEERING COMMITTEE
Dean Smith deansmith4@mac.com 425-328-9979
Victor Harris victorcharris@hotmail.com 425-760-4064
Sheryl Becker shebec1@frontier.com 425-259-2196
Andrea Tucker everettareahomes@gmail.com 425-870-6699
COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS REPS
Victor Harris victorcharris@hotmail.com 425-760-4064
Dean Smith deansmith4@mac.com 425-328-9979
Andrea Tucker everettareahomes@gmail.com 307-760-0839
WEBMASTER:
Tim Ellis the_tim@portgardner.net
NEWSLETTER:
Looking for editor: Contact Andrea Tucker with interest or questions
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
CHAIR: Andrea Tucker everettareahomes@gmail.com 425-870-6699

4. A Washington Non-Profit
GROW Washington is the premier member organization that represents the interests of small micro-enterprise entrepreneurs in Washington State.
Mission Statement: To maximize the entrepreneurial right of small businesses in Washington State, create an economically viable and sustainable environment for small business owners and generate social awareness through promotion, marketing and education.
A newly opened location in Everett marks the third of its kind in Snohomish County. The city of Everett will work in partnership with GROW in an effort to promote small business and increase commerce within the city of Everett.
GROW Washington is now located at 3013 Colby Ave.
Phone: 425-257-2098