Local leaders push for civic bridge-building

Snohomish County leaders used a May 27 summit in Everett to make a public case for civic cooperation at a time of political division. The Building Bridges Summit, held at Washington State University Everett, brought together local residents, business leaders, elected officials and students for a discussion on polarization and community trust. The event was hosted by County Council members Jared Mead and Nate Nehring, who co-founded the nonprofit Building Bridges Project with community leader Josh Estes. U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, a Democrat from Medina, was the featured speaker, and a panel of state and local officials followed her remarks. ### Who organized the Everett gathering, and why? Jared Mead and Nate Nehring launched the Building Bridges Project after conversations in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and other unrest, according to the nonprofit’s account of its origins. The organization says it was created to promote civic dialogue, leadership development and cross-partisan engagement, with Josh Estes as a co-founder. (heraldnet.com) The May 27 summit was one of those public-facing efforts. HeraldNet reported that Mead and Nehring invited community members, civic partners and business leaders to Washington State University Everett for a discussion on political polarization and stronger community connections. ### Which officials took part in the discussion? Suzan DelBene was the featured speaker, according to HeraldNet and a pre-event notice published by the Lynnwood Times. (thebuildingbridgesproject.org) The roundtable panel included state Sen. Ron Muzzall, a Republican from Oak Harbor; state Sen. John Lovick, a Democrat from Mill Creek; Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin; and Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring. (heraldnet.com) Nate Nehring said after the event that he appreciated hearing from DelBene, state legislators and local mayors “on the importance of building bridges across political or ideological divides.” Jon Nehring said it was “an honor” to join a respectful conversation with leaders he said he respected. ### What did participants say they were trying to accomplish? (heraldnet.com) Cassie Franklin said the discussion reinforced her view that local problems require joint work. “The challenges facing our communities are complex, and none of us can solve them alone,” Franklin said, according to HeraldNet. She said events like the summit create space for dialogue, relationship-building and common ground. Nate Nehring said there was “widespread agreement” among panelists on the need for greater civility in public discourse. He said partnerships can be built when “partisanship and tribalism are set aside,” according to HeraldNet’s account. Before the event, Wendy Poischbeg, president and chief executive of the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supported the summit because “healthy communities and strong economies go hand in hand.” John Natterstad, an AP Government teacher at Marysville Getchell High School, said the group’s student programming connects classroom lessons to civic participation. (heraldnet.com) ### How did students fit into an event centered on elected leaders? (heraldnet.com) The Building Bridges Summit also recognized scholarship winners from the group’s Future Leaders Academy. HeraldNet identified Ashlynn Hager as this year’s essay winner and reported that Mead pointed to her remarks as a reminder of why the organization continues the work. The Future Leaders Academy is a nine-month leadership program that the nonprofit says began during the 2024-25 school year at Henry M. (lynnwoodtimes.com) Jackson High School. The group says students study political polarization, meet civic leaders, visit the state Capitol and complete community service projects. ### What happens after a summit like this? The Building Bridges Project says its work continues through public forums and the Future Leaders Academy rather than through a single event. (heraldnet.com) The nonprofit describes those efforts as ongoing opportunities for students and residents to practice civic dialogue and leadership across political differences. Marysville Getchell High School and Henry M. (thebuildingbridgesproject.org) Jackson High School were named by organizers as school partners in the student programming tied to the project. Those partnerships, along with future community forums, are the next visible pieces of the group’s work after the May 27 summit in Everett. (lynnwoodtimes.com)