How did I get from rural Georgia to suburban Seattle?

Kathy Gill, full height
On break from running a workshop, 2019.

Although I’ve lived in Snohomish County since 2002 and Washington since 1989, get me talking and you’ll probably note the remnants of a southern accent courtesy of growing up in southwestern Georgia (peanuts and Jimmy Carter country).

After graduating from the University of Georgia with an undergrad degree in journalism, I went “north” to Virginia Tech for a master’s degree in agricultural economics. My next move was to Yankee-land. From suburban Philly, I advocated for dairy farmers in Congress, managed communications for a dairy cooperative similar to Darigold and ran a leadership program for young farmers.

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What the heck is a charter review commission?

The Washington State Constitution (ratified October 1, 1889) describes the county home rule charter in Article XI, Section 5. Home rule means a county has established a charter — something like a constitution — that outlines how the county is to be governed. The charter must comply with state law.

The Snohomish County charter was last updated in the 2016 general election held November 8.

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