Celebrating Wendy McClure's 17 Years of Everett Community Engagement
Editor’s note: Wendy McClure, beloved Office of Neighborhoods Coordinator is taking early retirement from the City of Everett this month. This story is in honor of her.
I first met Wendy McClure after becoming the Chair of the NW Neighborhood in 2017.
Wendy has been the Office of Neighborhoods Coordinator for 17 years! She’s the one that guides new leaders and communities through the ups and downs of engagement and interest in neighborhood issues.
When I had a question, I asked Wendy.
When I wasn’t sure which department in the city to ask about a certain topic, I asked Wendy.
When I wasn’t sure about how to fill out my Matching Funds grant application, I asked Wendy.
To say that she was always willing and able to help is an understatement.
Wendy and Jan Williams at the Senior Center // Photo courtesy of City of Everett
Thanks to Tina Hokanson for gathering this history about how the Office of Neighborhoods came to be and how Wendy joined the City of Everett staff.
In February 1990, Mayor Pete Kinch established Everett’s Office of Neighborhoods after learning about “Neighborhoods USA” and neighborhood associations in Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Back then, there were already several informal groups meeting in the Bayside, Riverside, and Lowell neighborhoods.
Sarah France was the first staff person associated with the new program and remained for 1-3 years. Marian Krell, whose name you may recognize from the Monte Cristo Awards, followed as Neighborhood Coordinator and held the position for 7 years until joining the City Council. Aaron Reardon filled the position briefly before heading off to the State Legislature.
One example of a neighborhood project mentored by Wendy // Photo courtesy of City of Everett
A concerned and active community member who knew of Wendy’s work in Seattle, and had noticed her involvement in community projects in Everett, asked her to coffee to hear more about her work and get some ideas for Everett. Soon after Wendy received a call from Larry Crawford from Mayor Frank Anderson’s office to come in and chat about neighborhoods
Mayor Anderson was there along with Larry Crawford and Frank Cooper, Parks Director at the time.
At the end of the 45 minute “chat,” Crawford looked at the mayor who gave a nod, and one of them said “When can you start?”
Wendy was a coach and mentor to the Council of Neighborhoods // Photo courtesy of City of Everett
Wendy was a little shocked, not realizing until the end that she had been in an interview. When she had applied for her earlier job with the City of Seattle, she had competed against 104 applicants and went through a series of written and oral examinations before being hired.
She suspects that she had been vetted by Marian Krell.
This was in 2003.
At that time there were 14 or so active neighborhoods, and the mayor wanted to know what could be done to get them all going. Today, we have 19 neighborhoods and when they’ve stumbled, Wendy has been there to prop them up and get them going again. At the end of 2019, the Council of Neighborhoods was going through an identity crisis and she began the process of some feedback sessions to determine our priorities. With COVID-19, this process was sadly quelled, but I believe that the work and dedication of the neighborhoods to be a large voice in helping guide the city as they move forward in these new and challenging times will continue.
Wendy explaining a neighborhood project. This pump house is in the Harborview Seahurst Glenhaven Neighborhood. // Photo courtesy of City of Everett
Highlights of Wendy’s work at the City of Everett
Growing a network of connections within the community
Coordinator of the Council of Neighborhoods
Supporting the neighborhood associations – attending their evening meetings
Coordinated the Monte Cristo Awards events
Was on the team that developed the citizenship training to teach people about city government
Working with neighborhood leaders to shepherd their project grant applications through the approval process
Connecting residents to city resources and other people in the community
Designing collaborative public involvement processes
Leading problem-solving workshops
Helping groups brainstorm new ideas
Bringing interesting speakers to speak about diversity, fun community projects, how to foster neighborhood engagement
Wendy and her City of Everett co-workers // Courtesy of City of Everett
Praise for Wendy
“She is the first person I think of when I think of Everett. Her cheerful way of dealing with any situation has been a great example for me. She certainly will be missed.” - Michael LionMan Trujillo, Cascade View / Twin Creeks
Fun Facts
She also used to live on a farm and has grown veggies in the Port Gardner Pea Patch.
She is a founding member and former employee of the Sno-Isle Food Co-op!
Ethel McNeil, Jim Grieco and Wendy at the 2017 Monte Cristo Awards // Photo courtesy of City of Everett
As Wendy corrected me, she’s not retiring per se, but she is ending her career at the City. She hopes to continue her work by starting a consulting firm on community and civic participation and support community-based groups, cities and non-profits to facilitate their visioning, goal setting and civic engagement/participation. But first some time off….
A recent goodbye celebration Covid-19-style. Close to 40 neighbors were in attendance including Mayor Franklin and several council members // Photo courtesy of Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association
THANKS SO MUCH to Wendy for her guidance, patience, gentle prodding, reminders, ALL of the emails about community events and ways to connect and contribute. I will miss you. I know that many others will, too. The City of Everett has been blessed with your presence, your dedicated service, and your time. Your influence and guidance will be felt for many years to come. Here’s to you!
What are your fond memories of working with Wendy McClure? Please tell us in the comments.
To get involved in your neighborhood association, start here.
Kari Quaas is one of the community connectors and storytellers at Snohomish Conservation District. She also wears other local Everett hats including Chair of Northwest Neighborhood, Districting Commissioner, and photographer behind Everett Sunsets. If you really like gardening or cats, follow her on Instagram for a daily dose.
