As the Everett Herald Editorial Board stated in 2012: “There is a democratic solution, one that will breathe life into an often stale, sometimes unimaginative political culture. Everett’s charter should be amended so that members of the city council are elected by district rather than at-large. A sensible plan would have five of the seven council members elected by district and two elected citywide (at-large.)”

This is another disappointing and biased opinion piece that did not research work in other cities. Seattle voters would not pass districts without a map and defined charger language. After council failed to act, EDN went to neighborhood meetings, consulted with experts in Yakima, Seattle and Bremerton and worked with LWV and NAACP, considered testimony and the Herald editorials from the last 10 years to create the map and 5-2 district plan. We've held forums and open meetings. Without new leaders and structural change we will continue with the status quo.