I started to write an article about the 787 Dreamliner deliveries in 2011. The article read like trash.

The following is the award-winning Prodigies of Peace essay by Faith Dawson, a senior at Mariner High School. Prodigies of Peace is a countywide annual student art and essay contest that honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King.

As a group, I rarely think about bus drivers, especially school bus drivers.

In recent months, the debate about the use and legalization of medical marijuana in the city of Mukilteo has been intensifying. As voice of for the youth, the Mukilteo Youth Advisory Council has a few views on the matter, but first we would like to clear up some possible confusion.

The following is the award-winning Prodigies of Peace essay by Mukilteo Beacon intern LaVendrick Smith, a senior at Mariner High School. Prodigies of Peace is a countywide annual student art and essay contest that honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. LaVendrick tied with Mariner’s Faith Dawson for first place.

As a spouse of a dying pancreatic cancer patient in great pain, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the effects medical marijuana had on my wife.

2011 was an interesting year as a Mukilteo city councilmember. Decisions were made, ordinances passed, policy set, and another election season is behind us. Looking forward to 2012, I’ve come up with some new year’s resolutions for me as a councilmember, and if my read is correct, 2012 could be a very productive year for Mukilteo.

The city of Mukilteo has no compelling interest in allowing medical cannabis gardens, private or collective, within the city limits.

The fire service hopes this year will end on a higher note than it began. In the United States in 2010, fire departments responded to 362,100 residential fires that lead to 2,555 deaths. In Washington, 8,445 residential fires led to 45 fire deaths. Many, if not all, of these occurrences could have been prevented. The following identifies common types of fires and ways to prevent them.

Volunteerism is deeply rooted in our country’s history and culture. From the time of early settlers when they had a barn raising, neighbors came from near and far to help. The men built the barn and the women provided the food.

This month I thought I’d share a sampling of things going on in the city that you probably haven’t heard about.

As the police chief for the Mukilteo Police Department, I would like to take an opportunity to express my admiration and pride in the members of this organization.

The mayor, city staff and councilmembers are about to begin the process of developing the budget for 2012. There will be council meetings and/or public hearings on the budget throughout November and into December.

Once every two years I have a unique opportunity. I get to write this column before we know the results of the local Mukilteo City Council election, knowing you’ll read it after the results are known.

Mukilteo, whether you are old or young, I present a challenge for you. Spread voting awareness to help make people aware of the importance of voting by making your kids or friends understand how it can affect all of our lives.

Tolls on I-5 and I-405. Tolls on Highway 99, 167, and 522. Tolls on the 520 Bridge, I-90 Bridge, and West Seattle Bridge. Tolls on the Alaska Way Viaduct’s new deep bore tunnel.

Last month, after a financial review of what I call the “business as usual” fiscal policy, I promised this month I’d share who I think you should vote for and why.

On Friday, Sept. 16, Luxembourg-based Cargolux declined to accept two Boeing 747-8F cargo airplanes that had been scheduled for delivery on Sept. 19 and Sept. 21.

WE DID IT!!! Folks are saying that this has been the BEST FESTIVAL EVER and we know why – our team pulled together and put forth incredible effort to overcome significant challenges.

You may have heard that in 2011 our city is expected to run about a $600,000 deficit in the general fund and close to a $500,000 deficit in the REET (Real Estate Excise Tax) due to the payments for the new community center.