Washington Track Dead? Lead negotiator Quits

The lead staff member for Snohomish County's negotiations to bring a NASCAR track to the area quit this month to become Marysville's new public-works director. Paul Roberts, who worked for County Executive Aaron Reardon for less than year, also had served as Everett's planning director. Roberts said he made the move, which will mean a $14,000-a-year pay cut, primarily for personal reasons. His new job will give him more control over his schedule, he said. Roberts led the county's discussions with International Speedway Corp., a racetrack developer that chose a site north of Marysville for the NASCAR track. Discussions with the corporation ended last month because of a disagreement over how much money the company should contribute to the project. Seattle Times