Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, July 18, 2008 Everett sex offender housing debate gets city's notice By David Chircop Herald Writer EVERETT -- Neighbors have been trying to find out the plans for what is called the McManus mansion after a high-risk sex offender moved into the century-old home. Now the city is going to ask some questions, too. City officials plan to meet today with Mike Westford and his attorney about the home in the Riverside neighborhood. Westford rents homes to nearly 50 sex offenders near downtown. His business partner bought the McManus mansion on E. Grand Avenue in June and a sex offender moved into the home this month. On Wednesday, more than 100 Riverside neighbors crammed into the Everett City Council chambers, spilling into the lobby where chairs were set up next to a closed-circuit television. They peppered city officials with questions about housing for sex offenders. They got some explanations, but didn't walk away with all of the answers they wanted. Westford is planning to build condos at the houses where he rents to the sex offenders. Residents in the Riverside district are concerned the residents who would be displaced will head their way. At the meeting, residents wanted to know about the city's ability to regulate sex offender housing and had specific questions about how close offenders can live to schools, parks and day cares. "It seemed that we were more informed than the city," said Audra Puccini, who lives across the street from the old mansion with her 3-year-old daughter. "Even the police department didn't know." Councilman Arlan Hatloe said he sympathizes with the residents "100 percent" and said the city should have done a better job communicating with residents. "We should have an answer for these people one way or another in a couple of hours," said Hatloe, who added the city is likely limited by state and federal housing rules in how it can regulate sex offender housing. M.J. Donovan-Creamer, a Riverside neighborhood activist, said she understands the city doesn't want to violate the federal Fair Housing Act. At the same time, she said, the city should be able to strike a balance between neighbors' concerns and the need to find housing for sex offenders. "They think their hands are tied, but I don't think so," she said. "Like any city, they don't want to be sued. Nobody wants to be sued." Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.

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