Douglas Raiford hired as Lynnwood RSJ Coordinator

LYNNWOOD, Wash., August 17, 2021 – Mayor Nicola Smith hired Douglas Raiford to serve as the City’s first Race and Social Justice Coordinator. According to the press release, Mayor Smith advocated the need for a dedicated staff member to further Lynnwood’s commitment to being a safe, welcoming, and equitable community for all. “For many years […]

Lynnwood Council voted to allow AG to investigate LPD

LYNNWOOD, Wash., July 27, 2021 – City Council met July 26 in an emotional meeting that lasted three hours. Before the meeting, protestors gathered outside for an hour in response to Tirhas Tesfatsion’s death in the Lynnwood Jail on July 13. According to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner, Tesfatsion’s cause of death was declared a […]

Mayor Smith moves forward with hiring of RSJC despite Council’s request to delay

LYNNWOOD, WA – Mayor Nicola Smith sent a memo to the City Council of Lynnwood, Friday April 2, informing that she is moving forward with hiring of the Race and Social Justice Coordinator (RSJC), despite many council members’ reservations. Race and Social Justice Coordinator Background During the budget process approved in November 2020, Mayor Smith […]

Lynnwood’s State of the City Address and how challenge drives change

Mayor Smith provided an overview of the city’s progress in 2020 City Council President Hurst introduced the mayor and provided a response in an exclusive interview with the Lynnwood Times By Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff Mayor Nicola Smith, in her State of the City address on the morning of January 27, looked back […]