Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Seahurst resident shares history of post office

cmenges — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:19:11 +0000

I was delighted to read the article on the Seahurst Post Office in the Highline Times and would like to add little history about the Seahurst Post Office.

The original building for the Seahurst Post Office had been built on the west side of 21st Ave. S.W., almost directly across from the original sanctuary of St. Francis of Assisi. The Seattle to Burien trolley, “Toonerville Trolley” some folks called it, turned from 152nd onto 21st and ended at about 153rd in a turnaround – the end of the line.

The post office was a small, wooden building catering to the mostly rural route folks and did not have boxes with keys as post offices have today. There weren’t a lot of well-maintained roads so even mailboxes had rural route addresses.

My grandparent’s address was: Henry and Amy Grant, Rural Route 2, Seattle. Eventually they had a street address, but their mailbox with that address stood alongside other boxes on 152nd and 24th SW until the 1960’s. All of our mail was addressed %Martin family, General Delivery, Seahurst, Wash, or just plain Martin Family, Seahurst, Wash. I have actually been a patron since I was 4.

The postmaster of the original Seahurst Post Office was Mr. Carleton. Of course, the post office was really more of a general store, all-be-it very small.

When we walked to the post office from our summer beach home, we always took a few pennies (if we had them) and bought some candy from Mr. Carleton. His wife taught piano lessons and I have some of her sheet music from the very early 1900’s.

The building that houses the current Post Office and Tea Shop has been on 152nd since the late 1940’s to early 1950’s. I am sure that someone in the area can give the precise year.

Shortly after this building was occupied, the US Postal Service had money problems and threatened to close certain post offices. Seahurst Post Office was one of those considered for closing.

The whole area came together and in solidarity made their case to the postal service. The post office window in the lobby was covered with construction paper feet to show everyone in the community and beyond that we didn’t want to be walked on when it came time to decide our mail’s future. We wanted and needed “our” post office.

I was in high school at the time so I know that the issue was discussed in the mid-‘50s. We got our mail at the post office twice a day in the “olden days.” Of course, the mail now is delivered once a day – but it is delivered to our boxes safely. And, yes I have a home delivery box as well – mostly for the non-important stuff.

My husband-to-be worked for the Seahurst Post Office in his senior year at Highline High School. After we got married in 1955, our mail was delivered to General Delivery at Seahurst until we were told that we had to get a box. No more free delivery. I have had the same box number since 1958 and it has served me well.

I meet and greet many friends and acquaintances at the post office and these social times provide wonderful memories. Linda is a strong voice for us and she understands the life of a small and friendly community.

Thanks again for the article.

Elizabeth Williams
Seahurst

LETTER: Organic means no dead areas

cmenges — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:28:46 +0000

Responding to April 26, 2013, page 8 Healthy Life

Organic foods are not only about nutrition but for me, they are about no dead areas in the ocean.

The fertilizer runoff makes plants grow in the water but when those plants die there is no oxygen left and a dead zone is created.

Some fish can swim away but many animals cannot and they die with no oxygen to breathe. There is an imbalance of too much fertilizer which causes an algae bloom and then a dead zone.

If fertilizer does not reach the water there is not this problem.

Thus the helpful idea of organic farming and gardening.

Merry Ann Peterson
Normandy Park

Letter--High-tech businesses should contribute for STEM education

ericm — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:27:46 +0000

Most of our new college graduates have a hard time finding jobs, yet Boeing has to import young people to fill its positions that need math and science skills.

Well, of course--reducing taxes prevents schools from being adequately funded. If a student, in spite of that, finishes with a good background in technical subjects, he also finishes with a large debt.

He can't afford to pass on his knowledge by becoming a teacher; he needs the much larger pay he can get from a job in industry.

Science and math classes are left to be taught mostly by people whose primary interests and talents aren't in those subjects. Over the decades, fewer and fewer qualified people are available to even consider teaching them.

Should we keep on letting it get worse, or should we ask the investors in our high-tech businesses to pay a little income tax to finance a quality of education that will produce enough talented employees for both our schools and our industries?

Bruce Pringle
Normandy Park

LETTER: Not a hypocrite

cmenges — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:47:46 +0000

I do not usually do much writing to any paper, but I felt very strongly that I needed to respond to David S. Gooding, Normandy Park.

I am not a hypocrite. I'm a woman saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. I am not perfect, but I do read the Bible daily and believe it to be the inspired Word of God.

I also try to live my life according to His perfect will. Up until very recent years, the majority of the people believed marriage to be between a man and a woman. I believe God's Word, the Bible states pretty clearly that God made woman for man because He said "it is not good for man to be alone." If you read the whole Bible, you will also know that God put Adam to sleep, took a rib from him and made "woman - Genesis 21-24." It is really a very beautiful portion of Scripture.

Now in regards to abortion. God does say that you shall not murder--one of the ten commandments. Every life is precious to Him. I can understand why some look at the fetus as just a lump of tissues; I understand, but I don't agree.

God began creating these little ones right from the moment of inception and breathed the breath of life into them. But then, many were not satisfied to take the life when it was as they call it "a lump of tissues). Now they want to take that life when it is very close to being born. That IS murder plain and simple. That baby is in the mother, but it is not her body.

You want me to prove that God speaks to me? I don't have to prove it. He proves it to me by His Spirit. If you believed and accepted His Word, He would speak to you also.

It is totally up to you how much God speaks to you. He won't waste His time trying to talk with an unbeliever unless that person comes with a repentant heart.

Judy Boswell
Burien

LETTER: Des Moines resident misses QFC

cmenges — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:49:22 +0000

After reading Earline Byers newspaper column regarding the closing of our QFC Market on the 25th of this month I felt as she does, that we are losing the basic foundation of any small city, their only grocery store in downtown.

When we first moved to Des Moines in 1960 there were three fine markets, two in downtown and one on Highway 99 and Kent Des Moines Road. They were always busy and gave families good choices to shop for their everyday needs.

I do realize things and times change over many years but people still need a good store to shop and don’t always have transportation to get to the nearest one.

It’s a shame that Kroger decided to close this particular store, as there will be many who do not drive or have transportation to the remaining markets in the area. I have seen vans with folks from the nursing/assisted living homes dropping people off to buy the few items they may need. Now those vans will need to spend more gas money and time to accommodate these people.

Also, I well remember the nice day-old foods QFC used to donate to our local food bank when I worked there, and how grateful we felt, especially those weeks when other donations were down.

I want to tell the fine folks who work for QFC how much they will be missed by their neighbors and the friends they have made over the years. I hope they will all be happy in their new work places.

Good luck and God bless each of you as you start a new chapter n your life journey.

Judy Mannard
Des Moines

LETTER: Thanks for coverage

cmenges — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:44:05 +0000

Thank you for the good article about the DAR chapter in Des Moines. In our city we don't seem to get much press coverage.

It's nice to see one of our non-profits celebrating their 50th anniversary.

David Kulas
Des Moines

LETTER: Hypocrisy is a sin, writer notes

cmenges — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:35:30 +0000

Outside the Supreme Court, awaiting the historic cases to be argued was a lone wolf, an opponent of same-sex marriage, a 24-year-old woman, Ms H.

As she stated, ’I believe rights were endowed to us by our creator and our creator has a certain definition of marriage.’ And what precisely is God’s definition of marriage? What irrefutable evidence do we have that clearly states His position on this issue? And that homosexuality is a sin and abortion is murder and other issues as well?

I grew up in the Deep South, in The Methodist Church, and I have at least 4 bibles. None of them have Commandments #11, #12, #13: [Thou shalt not be a homosexual; Thou shalt not have an abortion; Marriage shalt only be a union between a man and a woman, for all eternity.]

Yes, people can spew Scriptures about homosexuality til the cows come home, I’ve read them all. There are no references to abortion and, as a historical guide, we can get a discussion of what became to be labeled ‘marriage.’

God had a great opportunity when He carved out the Ten Commandments on the mountainside to clarify these hot button issues – but He did not. There are groups that believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God, even if men wrote down the words, inspired by God.

Hold on a second, my God Line is blinking, need to get this, can’t let God go to voice mail (He hates that!) OK, God just directed me to write:

Hypocrisy is a sin against me.

A bit harsh but that’s God’s will. The US Congress will soon have lots of open seats, may be a good thing.

If someone has ever had a direct line to God or still has one today – PROVE IT!! Otherwise, groups are simply using God’s name for their own agendas. Good Heavens!! He did make that clear:

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

David S. Gooding
Normandy Park

LETTER: Headline: Leave White Center Library at current location

cmenges — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:29:13 +0000

In reading the results of the King County Library Board meeting of February 26th 2013 it is noted that they voted to buy some property on 107th SW and build a new building in lieu of expanding the old one at 112th SW & Ambaum.

Several people attended this meeting and asked the board to withhold their plan until a meeting could be called with the White Center people whom would be affected with this plan. They said no, and voted to continue with their new plan.

The voters of White Center did not vote to move the library, only to have it enlarged and updated. It does not make any sense to buy another piece of property to build on when they already own the one the present building is on. It would be better to use that money in expanding and updating the present building.

During this meeting a presentation was made by Mr. Mark Ufkes that stated that he/they had run a study and the people of the area favored the new building. I don’t know where these figures came from, but feel they should have been questioned.

Mr. Ufkes, for the past 2 years, has stated that as president of the White Center Chamber of Commerce, he represents the people of the White Center area. This is false--he represents the small number of White Center business people that belong to the Chamber.

Also, in the time he has been president of the Chamber there have been some questionable changes. First: the chamber office was closed. Why? Second: the Chamber has lost their affiliation with the national Chamber. Why? I, and several other people, have questioned this and have not gotten an answer. Third: the old constitution and by laws stated that each president should make and save a batch of money in an account, so that any new president would have a fund to start with. When Mr. Ufkes rewrote the constitution and bylaws this was removed. Why?

I understand that the new president will begin in March of this year. Will they have any funds to start with? Maybe they would like to ask this question. I think the taxpayers should be told of this new plan and told how and why their money is being used in this manner.

They voted to have the present library enlarged and updated, not moved. And, at the very least, they should have been invited to give their input to such a plan (?) I have talked to many people of the area and so far the bulk of them are upset and mad at this action; There is talk of voting against any county plans that are presented in the future. I cannot blame them, as I feel the same.

However this could be bad for the running of our county government in the future and could cause many problems. Remember a mad taxpayer can, when organized, cause a great deal of problems and at some point must be listened too.

Robert L. Price
North Highline

LETTER: Reconsider SeaTac park-‘n- fly rule changes

cmenges — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:46:47 +0000

Dear SeaTac City Council,

My public comments Tuesday regarding the total disregard of the council (4 members) for their own advisory committees, Planning Commission, and Planning staff efforts need further expansion.

In your decision in the Study Session prior, the Council (4-3) killed the proposed rule changes (that actually were a return to previous rules) in a spate of economic naivety and especially the references (by un-elected Mayor Anderson) to non-documented testimony whereas the facts of the matters were discussed in detail over a three year period in the Committees/Commission/Planning by those who have the expertise to make these assessments/policy advisements to the council.

The vote of 4 to 3 to defeat even further discussion of these rules alone adds an additional burden to those who wish to do business within our city, sends a negative message to potential development of any kind and to the advisory committees that they will be ignored on an uneducated whim of some council members with blinders on that there is an airport within our jurisdiction.

The Sea-Tac Airport (Port of Seattle) is obviously within the city limits and is in direct competition with private parking enterprises within our city. The Port has openly opposed any rules that compete with them in a free market. They do not have to meet SeaTac codes in these endeavors (as can be seen by their own construction).

Un-elected Mayor Anderson works for the Port in a managerial position and should by logical inference recuse himself from any such matters regarding airport parking but he has not. I will not speculate on why he has not in this case but he has recused himself on other Port/City of SeaTac matters of much less significance.

The significance of the parking matter is to the tune of $5 to $6 million annually that make up 20 percent of our general fund. The city of SeaTac does not have a Business and Occupation Tax nor a Utility Tax (though being contemplated to pay for salaries) yet businesses are pushed away and the jobs/economic development have gone elsewhere because of regressive policies/beliefs by some current and past council members.

There is a strange irony here. Three of our four current council members in 2011 rode in on a wave of money that dwarfed all previous SeaTac elections from labor groups and other like supporters. They seem to be shooting their supporters in the head when these member's voting/policies have EXACTLY the opposite effect of providing good jobs, good wages, and economic development. The parking issue is just one of these, perhaps the largest.

In an unexpected development in the council meeting, Councilmember Rick Forschler (in new business) requested a re-vote on the parking rules honoring the three years of work by all parties. This was a second chance for some members to pull their head out of a place it shouldn't be.

This again fell by a vote of 4 to 3 (same members). When I cannot draw a logical conclusion for a particular stance/vote by someone I must go to the old adage of "follow the money" and it is the only inference I can draw from this fiasco. This majority decision by certain council members has been publicly called a mistake, shameful, political, and some other words I will not repeat.

In summary, on this issue, SeaTac City Council please reconsider you votes and revisit the facts of the matter.

Earl Gipson
SeaTac

LETTER: U. S. Attorney reports on 2011 White Center raid convictions

cmenges — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:49:17 +0000

(Editor’s Note: United States Attorney Jenny Durkan has provided the following update to White Center residents on the aftermath of Operation Center of Attention, a multi-agency raid of drug and gun traffickers operating out of the White Center area in 2011:

Dear White Center Community Members:

I hope the New Year finds you well. I am writing to provide an update on the collaborative public safety efforts in the White Center area.

As you know, the multi-agency, federal and local law enforcement operation, called “Center of Attention,” that ended in late October 2011, focused on violent offenders who used White Center to engage in criminal activity. The King County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have been working hard with our law enforcement partners to bring those offenders to justice.

Among the 25 federal defendants, nearly all have now been convicted and sentenced. Two dozen have pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial, including the successful prosecution of an armed career criminal just before the end of the year. That defendant, Michael Gradney, faces a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.

To date, 21 defendants have been sentenced to prison, including significant prison time for defendants selling large amounts of dangerous drugs and firearms. In fact, the total amount of prison time that judges have imposed on the federal Center of Attention defendants is nearly 1400 months, or 115 years.

Of the 26 state prosecutions, some have resulted in guilty findings while many are still pending. State prosecutors are pursuing convictions and sentences in line with the goals of “Center of Attention.”

In addition to “Center of Attention” defendants, the owner of the former G.A.M.E. marijuana lounge pleaded guilty to a federal felony and was sentenced to six months of federal probation. Federal probation is very rigorous, with close supervision by a federal probation officer and the possibility of prison time for up to three years if the defendant does not follow the probationary conditions. Judge Ricardo Martinez indicated he would be watching very closely to ensure the owner of G.A.M.E. did not violate any conditions of his probation.

And, just last week, as part of our ongoing enforcement efforts, prosecutors in our office convicted a man who committed an armed robbery of the Chase bank located at SW 100th Street and 16th Avenue.

I continue to hear about positive, proactive policing and a high level of responsiveness from the King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle Police Department. You have great support from your elected officials, including County Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Joe McDermott, Sheriff John Urquhart (and his predecessor Steve Strachan), and Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg.

I am pleased to see new businesses in place in the heart of the commercial corridor. I also am aware that there is still work to do, and I remain committed to working with you to address public safety concerns in the area.

I am constantly impressed by the number of engaged residents who care deeply about the future of White Center. White Center is an incredibly vibrant and active community, and all of us – including area residents, local business owners, non-profits, educators, government agencies, faith leaders, elected officials, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors – have a stake in its success.

I look forward to continuing our work together in the New Year.

Jenny A. Durkan 
United States Attorney

LETTER: Appalled at anti-Obama letter

cmenges — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:52:49 +0000

I am quite appalled with Mr. Phil Stanat's letter that appeared in the Jan. 25th edition of your newspaper.

I am not a political person but it was enormously offensive to see President Obama lumped with the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Lenin and Amin.

Should Mr. Stanat be living in the era of these rulers he would be in danger of becoming a "missing person."

He also stated in his letter, "in the United Kingdom it is illegal to own a gun and handgun homicides have doubled because the bad guys don't care about your silly laws."

The death rate in the United States from firearm related deaths is 10.2 per l00, 000 people (2010). Two thirds of these deaths are suicides.

In the United Kingdom the death rate is .25 per 100,000 people and .04 of these are homicides. (2011) We in America are 90 times more likely to be murdered with a firearm than a jolly old Englishman. Silly laws, I think not!

It is a huge privilege to live in America even with all the warts and flaws but we have work to do. I hope to see the assault weapons and high capacity clips no longer so easily available to those people in our society who wish to do harm to others.

Nancy Hogue
Burien

LETTER: Christmas display amazed

cmenges — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:01:03 +0000

I'd like to say thanks to our neighbors on 18602 Marine View Drive. Again, they amazed us, especially our 5-year-old granddaughter.

Visiting them and beholding their lights is an essential part of our Christmas. Please express our thanks to them.

Carla Teigen and Dan Skjonsberg
Normandy Park

LETTER: Burien senior center needed

cmenges — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:40:27 +0000

When the Town Square was in the planning stage, I was assured the money had been set aside to use the old library for a senior center.

Renton, Kent and Des Moines are great examples. Subsidized lunch programs, dance floors, rooms for folk to use for their "get-togethers,” exercise equipment, you name it.

Health experts for the aging stress the importance of seniors getting to mingle with their generation and not be housebound.

Exercise is important for seniors for their health--mental and otherwise.

Where are they in Burien? Perhaps readers of this plea will write to the city fathers to let them know we exist.

Everyone will one day be a senior, if they are lucky.

Right now is the time to plan for the rest of the development of Town Square with a much-needed great senior center.

Walter McGowan
Burien

LETTER: North Highline board thanks firefighters

cmenges — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:23:15 +0000

To President (Bob) Lawson and Members of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 1810:

The Board of Commissioners of North Highline Fire District want to recognize that the members of Local #1810 have supported this department as we work through some recent challenges.

Due in most part to a significant decline in property tax values, and also due to the annexation of the southern portion of the district into Burien, our fire district has been left in a very difficult financial position.

IAFF Local #1810 has proven to be a good partner in working to keep the District functioning at a high level to protect and provide service to the community and its citizens.

As a result, you and your families have had to make some significant financial concessions. For example, you have been willing to give up cost-of-living increases since 2009 and also made adjustments to vacation use that saved a very impactful amount of money in overtime cost to the district.

Throughout this period, you continue to consistently show a very high level of professionalism and have worked to ensure the citizens of North Highline Fire District receive the best service possible.

We, not only as Board of Commission members but also as members of this community, want to formally thank you for your efforts and your understanding of the challenges that we face together.

David N. Duff, Board Chair
Ray Austin
Liz Giba

LETTER: Always check the facts

cmenges — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:39:58 +0000

In reading Mr. Newmaster’s letter in the December 14th issue of the Highline Times, I find it very nice that a somewhat neutral person in the annexation process found some questionable and disturbing things in Mr. Malo’s letter in your earlier edition.

As I saw the annexation issue, I also felt it would pass. And I’m sure the anti-annexation folks did too. So, they changed their attack somewhat. They still made many questionable statements, which I understand had facts coming from them, checked and certified by them. That alone makes for some questions. Their main plan was to sell the people of North Highline Area Y that they did not have to annex but could stay unincorporated, and business would continue as usual.

In doing so, they shot themselves in the foot. We/they can stay unincorporated for a while longer but things will start to fall apart. The state has said that these areas MUST incorporate in the near future. The county has stated over and over that their services will start to decline, and will continue to do so indefinitely as it stands now.

Most of Area Y’s road repair is rated at number 5, the bottom of the list, which means little or no repair at all. They will try and maintain the present policing of the area, but cannot be sure for how long or at what level of service.

Also, the county has replaced all the Unincorporated Councils with one person to represent each one of the prior councils. (This person I might add was selected by the county and not elected by the people).

Now I come to the main plan behind anti-annexation by the bulk of the leaders. Most of them own a lot of property in Area Y and want to be able to sell it at a good price. The higher density zoning laws of Seattle will and would favor them (they think) a better selling price for their property and Burien’s zoning does not favor such high density building

One of the leaders always stated he was the president of the White Center Chamber of Commerce (which gave the impression that Chamber favored his idea) Also, since he has been President of the White Center Chamber, they are no longer associated with the national chamber. I would like to know: did they get kicked out or did he withdraw them? Either case is bad for White Center. He also has stated that he was president of the White Center Homeowners Association (which appeared to represent the people of White Center).

A bunch of us homeowners contacted him a few years back and asked to attend their meetings and to have a voice in what the association appeared to do. At that time, he told us, “We are a small group of White Center residents who favor annexation to Seattle and we meet in my basement. If you were not invited, you were not welcome.”

I would advise all you voters, who voted to stay unincorporated, to watch these hard believers in staying unannexed and unincorporated to see how long it takes them to start their next move: getting Seattle to pursue their PAA for area Y.

If Burien hangs on to their PAA for Area Y, I think that would hold Seattle accountable when they begin to act on their PAA. This could give Burien a seat at the table of negotiations with King County, and some protection and control over their neighboring area. Maybe even save all of them/us from being pushed into something they don’t want.

Lastly, you voters had better always check the facts to be sure of an issue as this, by going to meetings and asking questions. But, maybe you want to help pay for a tunnel in Seattle, sea wall and new sports stadium. I know I don’t.

Thank you, Mr. Newmaster, for your ability to think and ask important questions.

Robert L. Price
North Highline

LETTER: Burien Town Square should be art place

cmenges — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:41:23 +0000

The interplay of the sun, art, space, darkness and street lighting was beautiful tonight at Burien Town Square. This section of Burien is crying out to be officially designated the Arts and Cultural District.

The city has an opportunity to build a beautiful “Artplace” at Town Square. The size of the area is a little small but it is perfect for place making.

Other cities across the nation are building Art Places for their citizens by competing for grants and promoting stimulating art projects to enhance their cities desirability for future growth. These attractions will draw commercial and community resources for the people to visit and enjoy.

If this opportunity is missed the dream of a vibrant town square as described or as planned in the Burien 2020 Vision will be ended.

The city council needs to be forward thinking and have a long-term vision for a vibrant Burien like it used to.

Robbie Howell
Burien

LETTER: Surprised about vote

cmenges — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 06:36:12 +0000

I am a resident of Burien since 1994. Previously, I was a resident of White Center from 1971 until I left White Center in 1994. The reason I left White Center was due to three robberies of my home--1978, 1985 and 1990.

These were not what prompted my wife and I to sell our house and move to Burien. It was the police protection, fire department response and town response to keeping Burien clean and orderly, which was lacking in White Center.

I had taken part and was involved in many White Center programs but I was frustrated in the town’s lack of moving forward.

With the issue to annex North Highline I was a bit dubious that any change to match the progress that Burien has done would be reflected in White Center. The vote for the lower half of North Highline disappointed me as I was hoping that all of White Center would be annexed.

I attended several meetings and more than half the people were positive about annexing to Burien. There were some statements made about Burien being broke and not having good government but all the questions were answered to dispel all the questions. I was sure that the vote would be in favor of annexing.

After I read the letter to the editor reporting the nay vote in the Highline Times Nov. 23 issue, I read the letter from the Malo PAC crowing. And I saw why the vote went the way it did.

Malo went on his own and must have convinced other businesses of the negative result to business in White Center.

In my opinion, there have been many negative arguments made contrary to what I heard at the meetings.

I had never heard of this Malo PAC. Too bad this was not covered in the papers to understand how 64 percent of the people could swing their vote in 90 days. I believe that there should be a review of the ongoing soliciting of the votes.

What the White Center population ignored was the county ruling that all rural areas must be joined to a city. My question at this point is what will Malo and his PAC respond to the county directive? You will not always beat city or county law.

John Newmaster, USN. Ret.
Burien

LETTER: Can’t wait for next election

cmenges — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 06:42:18 +0000

After the Burien City Council has squandered time and money for several years on the annexation, ignoring existing city needs, North Highline has rejected the overtures of the council to annex North Highline.

A recent statement made by Burien City Manager Mike Martin, which appeared in the Nov. 16th issue of the Highline Times was an eye opener. The statement read, "It's a good thing to know where our borders are.” We knew where the borders were before all the annexation falderol. Brilliant statement.

Now it has been reported in the recent Burien City newsletter that the city has to dip into the reserve fund in the amount of $1.1 million dollars to make ends meet. Since King County could not provide desired and necessary services to North Highline, how would Burien have been able to afford the annexation?

Sounds like a lot of the costs of annexation were conveniently ignored or left out during the annexation appeal. The next election can't come soon enough.

James Sharkey
Burien

LETTER: How much did Burien spend on annexation?

cmenges — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 06:45:51 +0000

Members of the Burien City Council:

Annexation of Area Y was rejected by their residents.

The city of Burien spent a considerable amount of money studying and promoting annexation, including hiring staff for this purpose.

In light of the current deficit spending and tax increases passed for the 2013 budget and in the service of accountability and transparency the residents have a right to know how their tax dollars have been spent.

On behalf of the residents I am requesting a tally of the tax money spent pursuing the annexation of Area Y.

Please direct the city manager to make public a cost analysis of what this failed venture cost the city of Burien.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

John Poitras
Burien

LETTER: North Highline PAC says thanks

cmenges — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:15:43 +0000

To all of our supporters, friends, neighbors and business owners in Area Y (White Center, Top Hat, South Park) the Independent White Center PAC would like to take this time to thank you for voting in the November 6, 2012 election.

Two out of every three voters voted against Burien annexation.

White Center has a history of being fiercely independent and unique. We have sponsored the White Center Jubilee Days for 88 years with strong business community support.

And we have dozens of businesses, like mine, that have been here for many decades.

We are proud of our community improvements in recent years. This growth has come from the efforts of many of our community service organizations as well as our business owners.

We look forward to even a brighter future for our community by all working together toward our common goal of improving our neighborhoods and our business district.

During this election campaign there were many people who helped make this vote against Burien annexation a success. Thanks to all of you who put a No Annexation sign in your yard. Thanks to our many doorbellers, who continued to doorbell even when it rained. Our videographer (Pat LaMoine) did a great job interviewing many in our group.

And so many other volunteers installed signs, prepared flyers, and called their neighbors. Without you all, this victory would not have been impossible.

For the record, Independent White Center PAC made every effort to check its facts and procedures with the appropriate services and agencies such as the Washington State Department of Revenue, King County Elections, the King County Library Board, the local utility providers, and the Public Disclosure Commission.

In order to get our article published in the Seattle Times, we had to pass a strict fact check process that checked over 20 statements in the article.

We labeled all of our political material, yard signs, and advertisements with our name and contract address; and left no doubt as to who was putting out the Vote Against Annexation information.

Unfortunately, during this election, over 100 of our yard signs disappeared. But our group had a strict policy of not touching or removing any of the opposition signs.

So, the suggestion that we were involved in taking or damaging the Yes Burien Annexation signs was false.

If we have missed any signs in your neighborhood, please call us and we will pick them up. Our contact information is right on the sign.

Additionally, when we collected our signs after the election, we also collected the black and white signs that read “No Burien/Yes to Seattle.” We do not know who installed these signs, but if these folks want them back, please call 206-246-7979 and leave a message.

This is a great day for Area Y and White Center. We have spoken as a community. Independent White Center PAC looks forward to working with all of the voices in our neighborhoods to create and shape an even brighter future for our community.

Thank you again for your time and your vote.

Don Malo
Malo’s Autobody of White Center
Independent White Center PAC

LETTER: Obama vindictive

cmenges — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:14:32 +0000

Voters who are disenchanted with the re-election of Barack Hussein Obama in 23 states have filed secession petitions with the federal government seeking their "permission" to secede from these United States of America.

While this is maybe just an effort to let off steam from the disappointing election results it bears zero probability of any successful outcome.

It most certainly does not take into account that Obama is arrogant, naive and vindictive. So do you think he would have any remorse in expending the funds required in the closing of Armed Services installations, postal installations, canceling government contracts in these states seeking secession in retribution of in his view disloyalty?

Gary L Kennedy
Des Moines

LETTER: Liked Earline’s column

cmenges — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:49:21 +0000

Congratulations to Earline Byers!

She hit the nail right on the head with this weeks "special"

Think it is an age thing---the "now" generation moves too much to be the collectors that "we" are. If they don't wear it for a few months they throw it away. If I did that I'd need it the week after I threw it away.

I did brave it this year and "Goodwilled” a pair of pants with the tags still on them---from Burien’s Lamonts--a long time ago. Luckily I "undergrew" them-- not the reverse.

I've lived in my house since l962 and I probably have saved newspaper articles that date back that far. My poor kids when I pass on! "What did she save those for?" Maybe I should join the "Messies Anonymous." Have a few friends that meet the requirements too.

Too bad the "now" generation isn't as frugal as "us." Of course, I think they have more space in their closets then we do. In my case it's the attic and the garage too. Again---thanks for the smile.

Virginia Dana
SeaTac

LETTER: King Conservation work at N.P. Cove should continue

cmenges — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:50:21 +0000

Normandy Park Cove has been so helped by the King Conservation District over the years.

As we have worked toward making Miller and Walker creeks more salmon friendly, KCD has provided native bare root plants at a nominal price, a watershed steward with good ideas about ivy removal and other items, and great support for our monthly Stewards of the Cove work parties.

They have helped us remove invasive plants that provide no nourishment for our native salmon, birds and other animals. Their expertise has blessed our community. We are seeing results from the restoration work on our shared acreage, which is helpful to all communities around us and to Puget Sound.

We trust their work can continue.

Merry Ann Peterson
Normandy Park

LETTER: Extra SeaTac supervisor created

cmenges — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:47:56 +0000

Dear SeaTac City Council,

If you think that I, and others buy that the newly authorized code compliance coordinator position as anything but a supervisory position you would be wrong.

What has happened is the staff has shoved an administrative "bill of goods" down your throats where you as a council cannot effectively argue against it as its "Code Compliance." What person in SeaTac does not want to see more of that?

Let’s first examine the position requirements. For those who read their council packets see pages 8 thru 11 of packet for 10/23/12. A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or City Planning? You must be kidding. These "paper cut" hazardous fields are irrelevant for code compliance coordinator or code compliance officer.

I see no requirement for being bilingual, which is far more relevant in our demographic. The more I read the more pathetic it gets and anyone reading it will get the gist and I encourage them to do so.

Let’s next examine pay grade. I have no idea what position/title this was compared to but a code compliance coordinator search yields a pay level of ~62K per year not ~100K per year!

Let’s next examine that we, (citizens and council) expressed we wanted "boots on the ground." With the requirements such as they are written we may get a ¼ boot and that person will walk with a limp.

What I see is another PowerPoint creator and regular "job justifier" at council meetings.

It is no wonder our un-elected mayor has curtailed public input/comment at the alleged "study" sessions and pertinent parts of the council meetings. Myself and others can shoot holes in this new position justification like so much Swiss cheese.

I normally would thank you for your service to our city at this point but I see no reason to on this frivolous new position that you have now authorized.

Earl Gipson
SeaTac