☀️Ostensible Sun

Friday, January 20 - 2023 Week 3

Jan 20, 2023

There’s you, just trying to make it across your week. The Sun promises to treat you better than these “friends.” (See the longer clip here.)

☀️Seeking School Levy Help

Training our kids is more than a thing we do because we have extra time left over from the Important Things. Parents are responsible to love their kids by equipping them with learning and with skills to keep on learning. Schools can be one of the tools parents use in this project, even though the majority of government-run schools have done an amazing job of producing incompetence. And every student when he is fully learned will be just like his teacher.

I saw someone post recently that so many journalists and media people have become mere controversialists. Of course, conflict sells. Conflict is a catalyst, the baking soda side gets their already held position confirmed, and the vinegar side goes from sour to seething. But at least we feel like we're doing something, though we're not really getting anywhere.

After all, who has time to be reasonable? Judging by the lack of reason among the younger generation, apparently it's us. Probably we should go first.

If Marysville is to be a destination (and a place our kids and grandkids want to stay), education is key. A life without truth, goodness, and beauty is futile, frustrating, and not even really that fun. We'll need to use reason, not just feelings. To use reason we'll need objective standards, not just every man doing what is right in his own eyes. To receive and live by objective standards we'll need to learn them, not just throw a curricular grenade into the room and watch what happens. There is no magical Big Bang of education.

So what of the Marysville School District levy? The MSD is the largest institution with ostensibly educational aims in our city, and our votes are due again by February 14. I say "again" because voters have already rejected the levy twice. Why do Marysvilleans keep saying no? Why should we change our minds?

The levy information page claims "Marysville Schools are the [hugged-heart] of the Community." Superintendent Zach Robbins calls this the "most critical levy" in the school's history.

I'd like to hear more. I mean, I can read the levy page infographics, and The Herald has posted positive and more sober letters about it.

But the Sun would like to publish both an article FOR and one AGAINST. Are there any readers who would be interested in submitting something, or do you know (an informed) someone who could? Email: office@marysvillesun.com

The goal is not to create more controversy, but constructive conversation. A Yes vote for the levy is not necessarily a pro-education vote, and a No vote on the levy must be more than just complaint. Just complaining doesn’t require any education at all.

☀️The State of WA

Here’s a 24-minute interview from two days ago with our Governor. The questions are much better than the answers.

When being #2 is not such a good thing:

FOX 13 Seattle @fox13seattle

Washington ranks 2nd-worst state in U.S. to drive in, study finds #FOX13

q13fox.comWashington ranks 2nd-worst state in U.S. to drive in, study findsTraffic congestion, potholes, steep gas prices, left-hand exit ramps on freeways, and long red lights—there’s so much to love about driving in Washington. According to a study by WalletHub, all those headaches make it the second-worst state in the U.S. to drive in.

Speaking of driving in WA, this article hits a little close to home.

MyNorthwest 🌲 @Mynorthwest

What happens when a concrete panel rocks out of position on I-5? You get last Thursday, when south Snohomish County came to a dead stop for about eight hours.

mynorthwest.comEmergency repairs to close multiple I-5 lanes in Everett this weekendState transit officials are going to close two of the three northbound I-5 lanes around Marine View Drive in Everett all weekend.

But you want at least a little positive light on our state, right?

The Seattle Times @seattletimes

Deception Pass State Park, Washington's most popular state park, ranked the fifth most beautiful state park in the country, according to Travel Lens. st.news/3GVELKp

Paul Marcoe | PNW Photographer @PaulMarcoe

That layered Pacific Northwest forest vibe. *click for full image https://t.co/mGZWMIN6jq

☀️Personal Time with the Mayor

It’s not one-on-one, but here are two events with the Mayor coming up in the next two weeks.

Coffee with Mayor Nehring, Wednesday, January 25, 10:00-11:00am in The Baxter Room at the new Marysville Community Center - 1015 State Ave. See the event page on the city’s Facebook here.