Sedro-Woolley has long held a very special place in my heart as a 12-year resident of the Magic Skagit. My very first impression of the town was that it had seen better times, but as I got to know it better over the years I came to appreciate its grit and resilience.

One person who understands those civic attributes far better than me is its mayor, the Honorable Julia Johnson — and in this Tales of the Magic Skagit episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Mayor Johnson about her Sedro-Woolley story, how she learned its history growing up, and how she sees its future.

There’s a lot going on in the “Gateway to the North Cascades,” and listening to this podcast you’ll come away with not only a sense of the town’s dynamism, but also Mayor Johnson’s aspirations for the place she left at various points in her interesting life, but always chose to return to.

Here’s to the 3 1/2 percent! You’ll understand that statement by the time you reach the end of this chat with Sedro-Woolley’s mayor, Julia Johnson.