What is perhaps the world’s most expensive city newsletter is finally out for the reading pleasure of Mukilteo residents—a piece of literature we fully expected to be in a newsletter class of its own. You see, this particular City of Mukilteo newsletter was written by none other than Democrat Sen. Marko Liias.
Last month, Liias was hired by Mukilteo’s newly elected mayor, Jennifer Gregerson, to manage “the city newsletter and other projects assigned”—a part time job that will earn him a whopping $65,450 per year. Soon after news broke of Liias’ new job handed to him by his “longtime political ally,” charges of cronyism began flying.
Mayor Gregerson responded to those charges by assuring media outlets that Mukilteo is “trying to work out an unpaid ‘leave of absence’ for the time Liias would spend in Olympia.” She went on to say that “Liias is not getting special treatment and remains the best person for the job.”
So, given the mayor’s assurances and Liias’ ridiculous part-time salary, we waited in anticipation for the release of the literary masterpiece. With its release, our wait is now over. And, we are sorely disappointed. Although we were entertained by riveting articles like, “What to do about caterpillars?” and “Summer Safety Tips,” it appears we were robbed of the literary genius of Liias himself. In the 18 page newsletter, most—if not all—of the articles were not actually written by Liias. The feature is titled “From the Mayor,” the profile of a local business pulled from the Herald Business Journal and the safety tips excerpted from the National Fire Protection Association.
Who else should feel robbed? Mukilteo residents by cronyism at its finest in their city.
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