The Power Grab at Stanwood
A newly incorporated town challenges county commissioners over a last-minute franchise deal.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The recently incorporated town of Stanwood and the board of county commissioners are about to cross swords over a franchise for water works granted by the board two days before the town was legally incorporated. The Stanwood officials are incensed thereat, and declare the board exceeded its authority, in view of the fact that it had issued a call for the incorporation election and notices had been posted long before the franchises were granted. At the first session of the council after the newly elected members had qualified, Mayor Pearson reviewed the action of the commissioners in energetic and sarcastic style. He instructed the council that when the grantees of the electric light and water franchise prepare to install their plants, the council will say under what terms the deal is made, notwithstanding the rights granted by the commissioners. The outcome is awaited with interest, as it is expected to define the extent to which county commissioners may go in granting utility franchises.
“The council will say under what terms the deal is made, notwithstanding the rights granted by the commissioners.”
This dispute mirrors modern conflicts over local control versus municipal authority, particularly as towns grapple with privatized utility infrastructure. It highlights a recurring tension in Washington state law regarding whether the state or the municipality holds the ultimate keys to its own development.
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