Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Gossip can hurt

patr — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:54:21 +0000

To the editor:
Imagine a student getting embarrassed or hurt because of a fake rumor about how he barfed in music class. Too much gossip and rumor are hurting students at middle schools because gossip can bully someone and he can get so bad they’re too scared to show they’re face. Also almost half of these rumors going around are a lie or get changed as it goes around and once someone says something you can’t take it back or delete it. There’s too much gossip hurting people in middle schools.

Students who gossip can bully a student and can get so bad that the person is too scared to show their face. Maybe you are just joking with a friend saying “did you hear that Maya likes Jake?” Your friend that you told this to might not think it’s a joke and spread this around. Think about if “Jason” or “Maya” hears that they may be mad or embarrassed because this is not true. Also, this stuff can get online and this could turn into cyber bullying. Even if this was a joke, this shows that students can be hurt by a rumor or gossip getting spread around. Gossip can and will take a wrong turn on someone.

Once gossip gets spread out, the person whom said that can’t take it back or delete it. For example, if you start a rumor that “Daphne” is pregnant, and she is maybe big in her stomach, but you know this isn’t true why would you start that rumor? When you put it out there your hurting someone’s life and it’s really hard to make it better. Telling a friend it’s not true is probably too late. This matters because you’re really hurting someone. Once something goes out you can’t get it back.

Almost half of the rumors going around are fake or are getting changed as they get passed on. Don’t believe what you hear. I asked Logan about his experience with gossip and he said, “One time I heard a rumor about Mike setting the fire and that’s why we were outside, because of the fire inside the school. A few minutes later I heard the same thing but a totally different ending. This shows that rumors are being changes as they go around and can be lies. Even if it sounds like its true, you don’t need to believe it.

Gossip can hurt someone or take a wrong turn on someone’s life and can ruin it. It can bully you. You can believe the wrong thing or can hurt someone’s life. Imagine getting suspended from school because you had a fake rumor made about you punching someone in the face. Gossip can hurt someone.

Sincerely,
Cameron Smith
Madison Middle School

Letter: All the public hue and cry about Boston is an object lesson

Ty Swenson — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:43:20 +0000

(Editors note:) I got this email from son Mike, letting me know how he felt about the tragedy in Boston. I asked if it was OK to share it . I said it might help someone else who feels the same way. -Jerry Robinson

By Mike Robinson
Update to letter: We now know the bombers came from Chechnya, not the usual suspects. We still favor hope over despair.

Hearing the news on Monday I felt punched by deep sadness, then relieved that nobody I love was harmed.

In slow succession after that, I felt grim anger at the readiness of a demented or politically twisted mind to injure others to teach us some moral or ideological lesson.

What came to mind briefly were conspiracy theories, like

a) Someone who loves guns wants to scare the nation into
blocking our constitutional guarantee to carry weapons.
[Assault weapons do similar damage in their random use.]

b) Someone who sympathizes with Al Qaeda wants to show us
that we all face a risk similar to what citizens of Iraq and
Afghanistan face daily.

c) In Boston, with its deep Irish ties, someone wanted to show
solidarity with his radical Irish history.

d) A foreign student at one of Boston's prestigious universities
went over the edge in resentment for our military presence
in his homeland.

e) A messed up military veteran decided to teach us a lesson
to express his pain over the loss of pals in the Middle East.

f) etc etc (for various other American military actions in past 20 years).

Then I thought of the practical impact: more security imposed in
cities all over the nation: renewed commitment to 2 hour waits at
airports; heightened surveillance of all of us by bonedeep patriots who believe we can only protect democracy by limiting it.

Could our own CIA or FBI have prevented it? Doubtful, unless it
was an orchestrated action committed by a team. More likely it is
the work of a single dissident who believes Americans need to be
wakened from our moral slumber, or pay for our own cruelties at
places like Gitmo and the torture chambers of Baghdad.

So --even if they find him and take him off the streets, the germ of
his vehemence stays alive. It's not fixable. It still moves in the
blood of some Irishmen, almost 400 years after Cromwell. It thrives in the tension between Christians and their enemies in Cyprus, in Kenya, where tribal rivalries still rumble, in Venezuela, in the Gaza
Strip. In some pockets of America, racism lingers.

30 years ago we came home to find our house a mess, pictures
axed, food strewn, a couple of personal items stolen: a jar of pennies
and a tai chi book. The vandals' car, still stranded in our driveway,
led police to them quickly and our items were returned, though the
police department "lost" our handmade pot and we had to buy a new one. That humble incident --while not forgotten-- is the closest we have come to being random victims of random rage.

That's my tiny final theory: the shrinks have a name for it. They call
it "free-floating hostility," associated with Type A's who have short
fuses, get impatient with group process, just want to get on with it,
and often express suppressed rage from childhood by pinning the
blame on others. They thrive on revenge fantasies. If you need a
more personal image: think of the husband who beats his wife or
kids for disagreeing with him on just about anything.

So (if we tolerate the actions of bombers) are we acting like the
victims of domestic violence who divorce the bum then marry
another guy just like him? If we punish the bum and shrink our own
sense of safety by increasing surveillance, are we losing the war
in another way by letting his madness rule our lives? Shall we all
surrender and become Type A?

And finally, if we call ourselves resilient and just get on with our
mellow lives, are we naive? Along that continuum we all fall
somewhere.

I'm with that guy in Kentucky, who said, 50 years ago when Neil
Armstrong walked the moon, "It's all a sham. Just some cardboard
rockets and a cartoon moon." I choose to treat those fanatics
the way I treat bad dreams.

They are real enough--so is my dream. It scares me, and then I
return to my senses. This is not resilience or a resolve to ignore
the hazards of inhumanity. It's human nature to move toward the
light.

It's how we found our way out of the dark...it's how we learned to drop the spears, build the campfires, trust our brothers. There was
nothing to be gained by it. Hostility toward strangers is as old as
our hypothalamus. Fear of invasion filled us when we hid in the caves.

I like it better out here in the open...where (as Roethke once wrote)
I live like other creatures,

"...Under the eye of the great owl watching from the elm-tree,
To live by courtesy of the shrike, the snake, the tom-cat.
I think of the nestling fallen into the deep grass,
The turtle gasping in the dusty rubble of the highway,
The paralytic stunned in the tub, and the water rising,--
All things innocent, hapless, forsaken. "

LETTER: Median on Harbor Ave. SW makes traffic worse not better

patr — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:30:01 +0000

Last summer the traffic was horrible going southbound on Harbor Ave SW (most traffic coming from Alki to Harbor Ave SW) within 2 -4 blocks of 30th Ave SW, and the Spokane Street SW intersection area, which includes the left turn to the West Seattle bridge entry. This is especially the situation in the evening and on weekends in the summer. It may also be an issue on weekday mornings.

The area in question is near the 3417 Harbor Ave SW area. The problem is that the median in the middle of the north and southbound lanes which has trees, plantings etc, extends way too long to the north, it has street lights on the south and the north side- in case that helps you estimate its length. With the parking southbound right lane being full of parked cars when the local residents are home, we local people get stuck in the single lane behind the cars wanting to turn left at the intersection at Spokane St SW, and we can't get into the short right lane (once the parked cars end) that goes straight past Spokane street going to SW Avalon Way. I've waited for 20-30 minutes or more, just to be able to get up to be able to get into the right lane to go up to either check my mail on SW Yancy St. or go up to Trader Joes, etc.

Form needs to follow function- to quote a wise saying. I don't think that whoever decided to put such a very long, wide median in that area had any clue as to the summer traffic demands in that area! It should have been only a third of it's current length, or however long so that the southbound flow of traffic is better by allowing the cars waiting to turn left onto Spokane street to be further to the east, so at least small cars are to be able to get past the waiting cars, and also the parked cars and into the right lane that continues to Avalon Way SW. That would require a slight curve, but not waiting for 20-30 minutes is well worth it.

I think that northern part of the median needs to be removed, so that we have an extra room lane in that area so we can get past the southbound parked cars on the right side.

I also think that some restrictions need to happen to only allow so many cars on Alki Ave SW at a time. In the summer, it has taken me over 30 minutes to get from the West Seattle bridge to the 1300 block of Alki Ave SW, which usually takes only a few minutes. If no parking is provided down by the far end popular beach area, so cars have no way to park, then it's ridiculous to encourage so many cars to go down there- there can be miles of idling cars, which is causing bad pollution and noise issues!

Mary Suzanne Ulloa
Alki resident, Seattle, WA

LETTER: Potential arson was more serious than portrayed

patr — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:44:26 +0000

EDITORS NOTE: A man who stopped a potential arson in progress on March 18 feels the story we published online did not convey the serious nature of the incident.

Editor

I read the article and although it is accurate I think it was kind of downplayed. It was a serious offense on the perpetrators part and there actually, in the light of day and with the pile of wood out of the way, was some damage to the siding of the building that could not be seen that night.

I touched it and it flaked off because it was charred. Also there are 2 upstairs apartments and 1 downstairs apartment where a woman and her young son live. He was sleeping right behind the wall where the fire was being started and everyone else in the building was unaware of what was going on until the fire trucks and the police cars showed up with lights flashing (...) The siding was beginning to catch on fire and it would have gone up very quickly had I not stopped the guy from proceeding.

The woman downstairs said it could have been dire consequences had I not been home or been asleep and not smelled the smoke and she was very thankful that things didn't go terribly wrong.

Timothy W. Spitzer
West Seattle

Former White Center Chamber President Ufkes looks back and offers clarifications

patr — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:55:49 +0000

Dear Editor;

For the past three years, it has been an extraordinary honor to be President of the White Center Chamber of Commerce. The 14 members of the Chamber Board of Directors have been fantastic, and to the person, they are passionate and excited about the future of White Center. Proudly, they are also doing much of the community building needed in any community if it is to move forward.

Many of your readers see some of our many Chamber successes every day. Our five new “Welcome” signs in 50 languages, our new VisitWhiteCenter.com website, where over 200 White Center businesses are listed for free, and our dozens of colorful murals that grace walls throughout White Center that were previously graffiti sites.

Some of our less well known successes include our alcohol impact inventories, where we count public drinking and empty alcohol containers by brand and provide an annual report to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (requesting increased enforcement), and our Good Neighbor Agreements and “Responsible Alcohol Sales” stickers, where we asked selected alcohol vendors to discourage alcohol service to openly intoxicated individuals and limit high octane product sales in the morning hours. We coordinated a Homeless Summit to explore how to compassionately address this challenge in White Center, and we coordinated with several Eagle Scouts to clean and paint White Center garbage cans and clear a large business district lot across the street from Mount View school, that was filled with camps and 1,100 pounds of mostly alcohol related trash. It will now become our new White Center library, a smart move by the King County Library System Board of Trustees that the Chamber strongly supported.

The White Center Chamber re-dedicated the Veterans Triangle Park, adding lighting to the flag pole, and a new flag. Annually, we install the White Center Christmas tree and host a community lighting ceremony. We initiated our annual White Center Hero Awards each December, and expanded our community service partnerships with the White Center Community Development Association (CDA), dozens of important community groups such as Union Gospel Mission and Boy Scouts of America, dozens of local property and business owners, Evergreen High School, our King County Sheriff’s Department, King County Parks, and many, many more.

No doubt, when our Chamber works so hard to try to improve White Center, like any effort that pushes to move forward, we collect a small group of detractors. Mr. Price, the author of a letter-to-the-editor in this fine newspaper last week is one of them.

It is appropriate to address his accusations. What can be assured is that once I write this response, he or his pro-Burien annexation cronies will write another letter with an entirely new list of complaints. On thing about America, even the do nothings get a voice.

The Chamber quit hosting daily office hours to save $2,500 per year in staff costs because we only used the office for board meetings and there was almost zero public demand for an open Chamber office.

The White Center Chamber has never had an affiliation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We, like all local Chambers of Commerce, are a separate entity. We did add a statement on our letterhead stating that we are not affiliated with the U.S Chamber of Commerce, when it became involved in conservative political causes in 2010.

The Chamber Board of Directors did change the by-laws. In 2009, the White Center Chamber had not done any meaningful activity in several years. Meetings were sparsely attended, and there was only one member from our communities of color involved. Russ Prichard, the outgoing President, declared it a “dying organization”.

Frank Cantwell, Principal of Holy Family School and I started talking about the potential of the Chamber. Frank agreed to serve as Interim President, and we recruited new Chamber Board members, including five from our communities-of-color. They were all nominated, their biographies were sent to all Chamber members, and they were duly elected by the Chamber membership.

The by-laws allowed that anyone could be a Chamber member and vote, regardless of where they lived (in the entire world) and regardless of whether they had business interests in White Center. Basically, pay the $85 and you get to vote.

On a Sunday afternoon, on the last hour of the board election, a group 18 people (all pro Burien annexation cronies) joined the Chamber, paid their dues, and did a write in campaign in an attempt to elect themselves to the Chamber board. Several did not live in White Center, and many had zero business interests here. They lost, but it alerted us to the potential for anyone to abuse the chamber board election process by buying votes at the last minute. What if they had wanted to site a jail here, for example?

We changed the by-laws so that this will not happen again, and Chamber board leadership will be more stabilized. We also added a clause that White Center residents who do not have business interests here can join but only those with business, rental, or commercial interests can vote for Chamber board members. These reasonable changes were supported by the 14-member Chamber board.

In closing, I am so thankful for the many profound friendships I have made through our Chamber. The past three years has been such a blessing. Thank you.

Mark Ufkes, outgoing White Center Chamber President
White Center Resident and Rental Property Owner

Letter: Check your facts in gun debate

patr — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:11:30 +0000

To the Editor:

Rhonda Johnson, in support of gun rights, makes the claim in the March 1 issue of The Herald that "FBI statistics clearly state more people are killed with knives, bats and crowbars vs gun homicides. Look it up." I did, and this claim is totally bogus. In fact, FBI figures for 2011 show 8,583 people murdered with handguns, 496 people killed with baseball bats, hammers, and other objects. The gun control vs. gun rights debate is not helped when people don't bother to check their "facts" and are willing to spread misinformation.

David Gardner
Genesee

Praise for Herald writers

patr — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:12:04 +0000

Dear Editor,
I keep thinking Jerry Robinson has to eventually run out of his endless, interesting and humorous anecdotes but he must be really really old and have a fantastic memory to recount so many stories experienced over the years. Georgie Kunkel can write on any subject you can think of and make it interesting and worth reading. Kyra-lin Hom's Take Two about tattoos reminded me of a long ago saying - "A tattoo is permanent proof of temporary insanity!"

Emil M Martin
West Seattle

Letter: Tunnel machine delay is a good thing

patr — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:38:31 +0000

Dear Editor,

And now we learn "The mammoth Highway 99 tunnel machine will start its journey under Seattle a few weeks late...damage to the rotary drive.." (Seattle Times 1/24). Now, isn't that sad? Are we all in mourning? Sack cloth and ashes? I think not.

More than 29,000 of us signed a petition to stop the bloody thing in the first place.
Numbers of us voted for McGinn based on his strong position against the tunnel.
They listened to us not. And McGinn, will get our vote next time? Not.
They listened not to the soil/tunnel expert of international acclaim that said this was the worst situation he had seen in his career.

May the stars continue to be aligned as this ill conceived selfish and dangerous project continues to keep us, like the rotary drive, from having to drive in the wretched hole.

Andy Helman
West Seattle

Letter: Thanks for the annexation perspective

patr — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:28:13 +0000

Dear Editor,

Thanks for the two informative pieces in the 1/25 issue of the Herald. The first (North Highline On the Road to What?) was a different perspective on the Burien annexation controversy. The second (Controversial 'Benchview' Neighborhood Development…) was a thorough examination of the zoning dispute in my neighborhood. Both were interesting and informative.

And thanx also to Patrick Robinson for his wonderful photos. I look forward to them!

Dave Gardner
Genesee

Letter: Thanks to Lin-Hom, Kunkel and Jerry Robinson for their skilled writing

patr — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:33:08 +0000

To the editor:

I just want to take a minute to comment on your regular feature writers. Kyra-lin Hom never ceases to impress. Sometimes, I hate to confess, it seems to those of us who are a little older, that young people these days don't seem to know much! Kyra-lin is one of the best representatives of her generation that I know. Her articles are always substantive. She tackles a topic, researches it well and presents it excellently. She is a very good writer. Her discussion of gay marriage, when that issue was breaking, was one of the best I read. I am somewhat on one side of that issue but not with a totally closed mind. Her exposition was so well thought out that I cut the article out and saved it. It gave me a great deal to ponder. Her current article on e-readers vs. paper books is well researched and presented, another keeper.

One of these days, Mr Robinson, you'll lose her to the Times!

On the other end of the age spectrum, Georgie Bright Kunkel, who lives up to her middle name in more ways than one, also defies prejudice. As she charges Attila or just helps us know how to make life a little better by sharing her wisdom and experience, she demonstrates that aging doesn't have to be the scary thing it sometimes seems. Another excellent writer. Thanks, Georgie, for your Bright outlook!

And thanks to Jerry Robinson, too, for sharing his personal stories and local history. We are richer for that. When I read one of his stories, I think that the things I am struggling with right now will someday be humorous anecdotes in retrospect, and then life doesn't seem so bad.

Thank you all for your contributions to our community and our well-being.

Walter Marquardt,
Westwood

Letter- It doesn’t get any easier - A tribute to Jerry Ceis

patr — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:35:58 +0000

Once again the Seafair Pirates are saying Farewell to a respected and honored friend.

Jerry Ceis closed the circle last week and we now can commit his memory to Davy Jones Locker. The loss of any Pirate is a poignant moment for the crew of Moby Duck and probably more touching when it’s one such as Jerry who had ascended to our most exalted position of Captain Kidd.

Our image is that of a bunch of booze swilling, woman chasing, cutthroat Pirates. This is an image more flight of the imagination than fact, which makes it more difficult to maintain, I might add. All the while Seafair Pirates have had a dedication to community involvement which cannot be challenged. Baring in mind these two considerations there was no way Jerry could have lived in Seattle and not have become a Seafair Pirate.

Those who knew him best would admit to his roguish ways. He was his own man. In an era when superficial elements will shape societies direction, Jerry for better or worse would proclaim in action and deed, allow me to be my own man. The Seafair Pirates gave Jerry a way to release some of his inner Pirate charm onto an audience ready to be captivated by his roguish ways. He was a handful, but loved at many levels.
We can take the grief of Jerry’s death because we shared in the joy of his life. Over the 60 plus years that Seafair Pirates have existed our Pirate Logs were filled with the names of Pirates who we shared these joys. For it is not the individual that has carried the Seafair Pirates all these years but the collective, the team, the hundreds who have given of themselves unselfishly. But in amongst the collective periodically an individual emerges.

Take Weaver Dial who single handedly kept the Seafair Pirates together in the late 50’s and into the 60’s. Take Bob Staunton who, amongst other things, fought for and convinced the Seafair Pirates to go to New Orleans for Marti Gras in 1970. Take Dick Munsell who was a driving force in keeping the Pirates together during a low period in our history. Or take Bob Odman who, as a multi-term President, helped to put some self confidence back into the Pirates and helped bring them into the 21st Century. There are way too many members that cleared a little higher bar to mention here but allow me to mention one more, Jerry Ceis.

Jerry was the Pirate who visited Grand Cayman Island in 1980 and convinced the governing body of Grand Cayman community to invite the Seattle Seafair Pirates to participate in their internationally known Pirate Week. And the Seafair Pirates have been invited back every year for over 30 years.

Jerry Ceis was an unusual individual.

As we lose these Pirates it doesn’t get easier for they will certainly be missed. But we do have a saving knowledge. We know that we have Pirates in our group today and we will bring in new Pirates who will generate the odysseys we require, as Jerry so cleverly accomplished.

Jerry, you will be missed.

Signed,
A Seattle Seafair Pirate

Letter- It doesn’t get any easier - A tribute to Jerry Ceis

patr — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:33:33 +0000

Once again the Seafair Pirates are saying Farewell to a respected and honored friend.

Jerry Ceis was an unusual individual.

Jerry, you will be missed.

Signed,
A Seattle Seafair Pirate

Letter- It doesn’t get any easier - A tribute to Jerry Ceis

patr — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:34:54 +0000

Once again the Seafair Pirates are saying Farewell to a respected and honored friend.

Jerry Ceis was an unusual individual.

Jerry, you will be missed.

Signed,
A Seattle Seafair Pirate

Letter: Why don't we have a long term solution to homelessness in Seattle?

patr — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:23:16 +0000

Re: Nickelsville

Encouraging as it is to see community involvement in Nickelsville—calls for donating supplies, food, water, clothing, and such but I also wonder what Seattle’s plan is to something in the short, mid, and long term to solve problems of homelessness? Does our Mayor and City Council have such a plan that can be shared with the community? If not, why not?

We spent an average of $1062 per household in 2002 to support the criminal justice system according to the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. While we certainly want an effective criminal justice system, I think we can and should be able to do more to address the homeless situation for a fraction of that cost. This is where a plan would help—our community could see the costs and benefits as well as the opportunities for the homeless. Then of course, we have to actually take action to make it work.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to donate some useful stuff to a very good cause.

Happy Holidays and a brighter future for all!

Sincerely,

David Gould

People in West Seattle really care about each other

patr — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:17:22 +0000

My name is MaryAnn Scott.

I am new to West Seattle, originally from Southern California.

Though I think West Seattle is one of the most beautiful places ever, this holiday season is particularly hard for me. I am not only away from my family but I know literally one person here. That person is the kind property manager that rented us our home!! Sad but true!!

This morning while leaving the Met Market, I was feeling rather down. I was stopped at a red light.

In the middle of the intersection a car was stopped. Soon an elderly lady slowly got out of her car and attempted to push it out of the busy street. I was so upset by what I saw. I started to get out to help, looked up and was amazed.....

Within less than 30 seconds, people literally were running from all directions to rescue this stranded senior. I counted 13 people, young and old running toward her with smiles on their faces. I couldn't stop the tears that ran down my face. It was such a refreshing sight to see. Suddenly I didn't feel so alone.

Thank you West Seattle, for taking care of each other!! I hope to meet more of you soon.

Happy Holidays,
MaryAnn Scott

Letter: Peggy Munsen's passing reminds us- Have an emergency contact list

patr — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:19:35 +0000

A Note to Our Friends and Neighbors of West Seattle and beyond –

Our friend Peggy Munsen passed away tragically from a fire in her home on November 24th. To quote her sister, Kay, “Peggy was a friend to all.” She was a wonderfully sweet and kind lady with a wicked sense of humor and a hearty laugh that could make you laugh; a dear friend who will be greatly missed.

When we first saw the news about the fire, all I could think of was “How would they find her sisters (both out of town) to let them know she passed?” and so we (my husband and I) raced over to Peggy’s that night and gave the fire commander the contact information, who then contacted her sister, Kay, of Bremerton.

With Peggy’s passing, it became very apparent to us that very few people would know how to reach our families (all out of town) if such circumstances were to happen to us.

We would like to ask everyone to take a few minutes to really consider the importance of having an emergency contact information sheet. In the last few days I have asked several of my friends “If you perished in a house fire, how would people know how to notify your next-of-kin?” Nobody had a good answer, me included. Our hope is that this small note will get people thinking and taking action to make sure their emergency contact information is in order and with a neighbor, a copy in the freezer or with friends.

Here is a sample template of an emergency contact sheet that is downloadable and alterable to fit your family and circumstances. http://site.beaniedesigns.com/blog/emergency-contact-sheet-template/ There are many samples on the internet, most free. In our case we will also include our pets and any medications. It is also suggested to put a contact listing in your cell phone titled “ICE” – in-case-of-emergency, with important contact information and phone numbers.

During this busy holiday season please take a few minutes to update your emergency information.

Be grateful for your friends and family who are still with you.

Wishing everyone safe and happy holidays!

Lissa and Bill Stephens

Why can't West Seattle have better looking new buildings?

patr — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:21:18 +0000

Congratulations West Seattle.

After reviewing the elevation drawings of the two new construction projects slated for 4724 California Avenue SW and 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW it is abundantly clear that we are fast becoming home to bland, uninspired buildings. To use an architectural term, these ‘grey’ buildings lack both originality and substantive style. Will they make the Junction and West Seattle more visually appealing? Are they sensitive to the surrounding character of our neighborhoods? Are they a valued asset? It doesn’t look promising.

The seven-story California complex, its unoriginal exterior aside, is totally out of proportion with the street and neighboring structures. Unfortunately, this scale issue will soon be compounded by the elevation of the project slated to occupy the corner of California and Alaska. Ballard, incidentally, is a prime example of how uninteresting buildings can totally change the look and feel of a community. Yes, we have been designated as an Urban Village. Growth is inevitable and it can be very positive. Just look at all the new businesses that have opened in West Seattle. It’s wonderful.

All of which leads me to this question: Why can’t we demand from the architects and developers more original and inspiring buildings? If the current projects are any indication, it’s wishful thinking. And that’s a tragedy, because we’re going to have to live with these structures for many years to come.

One last note…in the Monday, November 26th edition of the Seattle-Times, a front page headline article appeared entitled “Ballard’s Risky Apartment Boom”. The article studies the rampage of construction projects by apartment developers in Ballard and the very real concern that buildings will exceed demand. West Seattle is singled out as “an area of concern” –it too having too many apartments being built that could exceed the demand.

Welcome to your new neighborhood.

Bill Gohde, concerned resident of West Seattle

Hole for Whole Foods?

patr — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:26:07 +0000

Another Hole Foods construction project in West Seattle. Really? Could they at least take the dirt from the new hole and put it in the old hole?

Bill Younger
West Seattle

White Center PAC thanks supporters for NO vote on annexation

patr — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:17:04 +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. Voting is a great American tradition that keeps our democracy going. As one of the leaders of our PAC, I thank you for such a strong vote to keep White Center independent. 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 door bellers, who continued to door bell 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 (Malos Autobody of White Center)
Independent White Center PAC

Voting NO on annexation was a bad choice

patr — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:20:29 +0000

King County has made it clear over the last 10 years that they are not in a position to provide services to urban areas, and slowly but surely services have been cut to the North Highline community. Abandoned buildings sit derelict, covered in graffiti. Neighborhood parks get bare bones maintenance and playground equipment sits rusting.

Residential streets go unmaintained, and this winter we will see how well we fair with virtually no snow or storm response. Our fire department is facing critical financial challenges. There is a lack of business development and a cohesive plan for the overall growth of this community. We watch people struggling on our streets. We watch people openly drinking and dealing drugs. We have no ability to thwart the escalating crime and poverty. Policing levels are dictated by budgets, not the needs of the community. We lack influence in state and county government.

While we struggle living with diminishing rural service levels for our urban community, a well-funded No Annexation group, made up mostly of Burien residents and a few North Highline property owners, pat themselves on the back and declare victory. After throwing suspicion on any effort to give North Highline residents a greater voice in shaping the future of our area by becoming 30% of Burien rather than 1% of King County, they offer no viable alternative to annexation and deny that services have and will continue to decrease.

Those of us supporting annexation saw joining Burien as an opportunity to finally have a voice and a future in which our community would thrive. We know nothing can be accomplished without risk, without vision, and without foresight, something lacking in the NO campaign.

The No vote was a very bad choice for the North Highline Community, both long and short term. The publicity opposing annexation promised that things were fine and things will stay the same. The truth is things are not fine and things will get worse.

Then King County Executive, Ron Sims, said it well in 2007 when he likened the county’s limited spending in North Highline to throwing a life ring out halfway, “you drown nonetheless”.

Barbara Dobkin, President, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Doug Harrell, Roxbury Lanes 
Elizabeth & Michael Gordon, Uncle Mike’s Superlicious BBQ

Thank you to the Herald for helping save Schmitz Park Elementary School

patr — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:40:02 +0000

On behalf of the Schmitz family of West Seattle, we want to thank the West Seattle Herald and reporter Ty Swenson for the outstanding coverage given by your newspaper to the possible closure of Schmitz Park School by the Seattle School District in 2015. We believe your newspaper coverage is largely responsible for saving the Schmitz Park School site from being closed or sold off by the school district.

Your weekly newspaper played an instrumental role in drawing attention to the plans of the Seattle School District regarding its BEX IV construction levy and the fight the Schmitz family was waging. We were waging a battle to remind the school district that the Schmitz family deeded seven acres of land to the school district for $1.00 fifty years ago in order to build Schmitz Park School. It seems the school district had forgotten about this........and they were planning to abandon Schmitz Park, lease it out, or sell it off.

The Seattle School District has now decided to retain the Schmitz Park School site for future use as an elementary school, while building a new grade school on the Genesee Hill school property. However, all of this depends on a nearly $700 million construction levy being passed by voters next February.

King County Executive Dow Constantine played a huge role in saving Schmitz Park School, as did our local School Board representative Martha McLaren, so special thanks should be sent their way as well. Many other members of the community joined in support of this effort.

We are writing this letter to say: there is simply no substitute for a local weekly newspaper, period! Your Robinson West Seattle Herald helped save the Schmitz Park School site for future generations of children in West Seattle. We simply could not have done it without you. Thank you.

Vicki Schmitz Block
Dietrich Schmitz

Letter: West Seattle's murals are a real community asset

patr — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 02:34:07 +0000

Dear Editor,

I'm not much of an art officianado so some outdoor art leaves me a bit puzzled such as the 6 large slabs of stone in MyrtleEdwards Park just north of pier 70: 2 are near each other titled "Nearby", 2 are next to each other with one leaning on the other titled "Adjacent" and 2 are set with one above the other titled "Upon". In nearby Sculpture Park, straddling Elliot Ave, are some unusual items including a giant eraser with brush. This is art?

Now out here in West Seattle we have some outdoor art in the form of murals that I think are pretty neat. McClendon Hardware has a beautiful mountain scene with Mt Rainier prominently displayed. On Fauntleroy Way on Huling Brothers former Ford agency building is a mural of a vintage car parked at the end of a dirt road on the fringe of the forest next to a water shoreline I remember back to the days when practically all the roads were gravel in the 1920'sOn the Post Office is a mural of a HiYu parade which brings back memories of a few parades viewed over the years. Key Bank has a mural of an early time ferry - a forerunner of the large speedy ferries of today.Chase Bank's mural brings back memories of a specal day of the week in school-Bank Day. That's when you'd bank pennies, nickels and dimes and watch, over time, the magic of compounding interest that made your account grow. Saving money and increasing your accountwith interest is a joke these days. Washington Mutual SavingsBank was THE bank that taught how to save. It was a conservative bank in those days. More recently their CEO's got caught up in the craziness of subprime mortgages and WMSL became one of the biggest bank banruptcies ever and now is no more. I still think back to the days in the 1930's when a bike ride to Mrs Wickman's Pie Factory would net us a large pie for 20 cents. We'd pair off and pay 10 cents each and would each eat half a pie. Those pies now cost several dollars each. That also reminds me of the 35 cent Fish and Chips at Spuds on Alki in the 1930's. Those 1930 dollars are worth 5 cents or less in todays purchasing power. On the West side of 44th SW a few doors north of Junction Hdwe on the side of State Farm's building is a vivid scene of an old time print shop . And just north of that is the scene of an old time horse drawn hose wagon headed for a fire. In front of this is a historic marker describing some of the history of the old fire station that used to exist there.

My favorite mural of the group is on the South side of the parking lot behind Arts and crafts and Sleep Country. It's a scene of the old Duwamish tideflats. When I was a kid living on Maple Hill nearby present Clevland High School we'd walk down to Georgetown and ride the trolly north and then transfer to the Alki trolley which went on the trestle over the Duwamish waterway. When the trolley was going full speed it wobbled and jerked a lot from side to side. Looking out the window there was nothing but water way down below. I was always scared that the trolley would leave the tracks and fall in the waterydepths below. Alki was a popular destination point then, as it is now. In those days therewas a large bathhouse and a raft anchored a few yards offshore that you could swim to. My mother used to swim way beyond the raftand I would see her as a little speck bobbing in the waves out there. I couldn't understand how she could stay out there so long because the water in the Sound is COLD. My mother was kinda fat so I guess she was well insulated.

At the Southeast corner of Spokane and Airport Way was a brick factory which used the clay off the West side of Beacon Hill for brickmaking. All the bricks for the buildings in Pioneer Square and even some of the downtown street paving came from that brick factory.

I talked to one of the mural art painters and found out that the paint they use is extremely expensive as it has the ingredients to withstand weathering. All the murals are still in pretty good shape except for the horse drawn hose wagon.

So in your travels around West Seattle take time to gaze at and appreciate some of the fine historical scenes depicted in our local neighborhood mural art.

Emil M Martin

Perhaps the Burien City Manager is unaware there is a tree pruning and cutting permit process

patr — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:47:48 +0000

Letter to the Editor;

In a final touch of levity, I would like to discuss the most recent articles about how the Burien City Manager went to the North Highline Unicorporated Council and told them once again that Burien has no tree pruning or cutting permits. The White Center Now Blog quotes him as saying," Asked about claims that annexation would bring more bureaucracy to simple acts like cutting a tree at a person’s own home, another point annexation opponents have cited, Martin declared it “consummate b******t.”

Perhaps the City Manager is unaware that there is a tree pruning and cutting permit process in his city and so he claims it will not add another level of bureaucracy to the lives of the citizens in Area Y.

So here are some parts from that tree removal/pruning permit that Mike Martin/Burien City Manager claims doesn't exist. Enjoy reading this.

Just this permit process is a reason for voting against joining Burien. By the way, there is a permit fee for pruning and cutting the tree under this process.

Debi Wagner

Page 2
Significant Tree
Removal/Pruning
Handout
The City of Burien recognizes the significant role that the natural environment plays in creating a healthy and attractive community. Trees, landscaping and open space all contribute to a positive community image. Two sections of the Burien Municipal Code (BMC) apply to tree retention and removal. Section 19.25.120 contains requirements for retention of significant trees on vacant lots and section 19.40 applies to all properties containing a “critical area” (steep slope, seismic hazard area, erosion hazard area, stream or wetland). The following are frequently asked questions about tree retention in Burien.
General Questions
Q: WHAT IS A SIGNIFICANT TREE?
A: A significant tree is an existing healthy tree which, when measured four feet above grade, has a minimum diameter of 8 inches for evergreen trees, or 12 inches for deciduous trees. (BMC 19.10.493)
Q. HOW DO I SHOW THE LOCATION OF SIGNIFICANT TREES ON MY PLANS?
A. All significant trees on your property must be shown on your site plan. The accurate location of the trees, approximate size (in diameter) and tree species must be shown. The plan also needs to show which trees you’ll save and which trees you’ll remove. (BMC 19.25.130)
Q. HOW DO I PROTECT SIGNIFICANT TREES DURING CONSTRUCTION?
A. A temporary but immovable five-foot high chain link or plastic net fence must be installed around the “dripline,” or farthest extent of the tree’s branches, of all significant trees to be saved. Due to potential damage to the tree, no construction, fill, excavation or storage of construction materials is allowed inside of the dripline. (BMC 19.25.150)
Q. HOW DO I FIND AN ARBORIST?
A. You may contract with the City for use of the City’s consulting arborist, or you may hire your own arborist. A list of consulting arborists can be found at www.pnwisa.org.
Tree Retention in Critical Areas and their Buffers
Q. DO I NEED A PERMIT TO REMOVE OR PRUNE A TREE IN A CRITICAL AREA OR ITS BUFFER?
A. Yes. If your property contains a “critical area” (such as steep slopes, streams or wetlands), permits are required to remove or prune a tree in a critical area or its buffer. (Right-of-way permits are required to remove or prune any tree located in the right-of-way.) To remove a tree, you will need to submit a vegetation management plan and permit application to the Department of Community Development for review. We recommend contracting with a certified arborist or experienced tree service when pruning trees to ensure the tree’s long-term health.
Q. DO I NEED A PERMIT TO ALTER THE VEGETATION IN A CRITICAL AREA OR ITS BUFFER (e.g. REMOVE GROUND COVER, PRUNE OR REMOVE TREES OR SHRUBS)?
A. Generally, yes. Significant alterations that may affect the critical area require permits. Please contact a planner for additional questions.
Page 3
Q. CAN I REMOVE DEAD, DISEASED OR DANGEROUS TREES?
A. Yes, a permit and vegetation management plan are required to remove a dead, diseased, or dangerous tree(s). The City requires a report from a qualified professional attesting to the health of the tree.
Q. WHAT IS A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN?
A. A vegetation management plan identifies the proposed clearing limits for the project and any areas where vegetation in a critical area or its buffer is proposed to be disturbed. The plan should describe the methods of any work to be completed. The plan should also address any alternative methods of attaining your goal and explain how the proposed activity will not be detrimental to surrounding properties and to the functions and values of the associated critical area.

Tree Retention in Non-Critical Areas
Q. DO I NEED A PERMIT TO REMOVE A SIGNIFICANT TREE IN A NON-CRITICAL AREA?
A. For undeveloped/vacant lots tree removal is not permitted until time of development. When developing your lot, you will need to submit a tree retention site plan to the Department of Community Development for review (see attached sample site plan).
For developed, private lots tree removal and pruning are allowed without a permit.
For removal and pruning of ANY trees in the right-of-way, a right-of-way permit is required.
Q: HOW MANY SIGNIFICANT TREES DO I NEED TO SAVE WHEN DEVELOPING MY PROPERTY?
A: The amount of trees required to be retained depends on the type of development and the zoning of neighboring properties (BMC 19.25.120).
Q. WHAT IF I CAN’T SAVE ALL OF THE TREES I AM REQUIRED TO SAVE?
A. You may plant new trees to compensate for the removal of significant trees (BMC 19.25.160). Replacement trees also must be shown on the site plan. Please discuss these requirements with a planner at (206) 241-4647.
Q. WHAT IS A TREE RETENTION PLAN?
A. A tree retention plan identifies the location, size and species of all significant trees on the site, and shows which significant trees are proposed to be retained, transplanted or restored. The plan should also include a description of how the work is to be completed. There is a fee for review of this plan.
Tree Retention in Non-Critical Areas
Q. DO I NEED A PERMIT TO REMOVE A SIGNIFICANT TREE IN A NON-CRITICAL AREA?
A. For undeveloped/vacant lots tree removal is not permitted until time of development. When developing your lot, you will need to submit a tree retention site plan to the Department of Community Development for review (see attached sample site plan).
For developed, private lots tree removal and pruning are allowed without a permit.
For removal and pruning of ANY trees in the right-of-way, a right-of-way permit is required.
Q: HOW MANY SIGNIFICANT TREES DO I NEED TO SAVE WHEN DEVELOPING MY PROPERTY?
A: The amount of trees required to be retained depends on the type of development and the zoning of neighboring properties (BMC 19.25.120).
Q. WHAT IF I CAN’T SAVE ALL OF THE TREES I AM REQUIRED TO SAVE?
A. You may plant new trees to compensate for the removal of significant trees (BMC 19.25.160). Replacement trees also must be shown on the site plan. Please discuss these requirements with a planner at (206) 241-4647.
Q. WHAT IS A TREE RETENTION PLAN?
A. A tree retention plan identifies the location, size and species of all significant trees on the site, and shows which significant trees are proposed to be retained, transplanted or restored. The plan should also include a description of how the work is to be completed. There is a fee for review of this plan.

Let's get all the facts out about annexation!

patr — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 04:14:58 +0000

To the Editor;

Who is funding and running the Area Y/North Highline/White Center annexation campaign?

Why is annexation being pressed for so hard right now by Burien politicians?

In the local blogs and media sources for Burien and White Center it is assumed that the Pro Annexation Campaign is being pushed for and funded by Area Y/White Center residents. This is not true!

The People For Burien PAC has not been transparent in who is donating to it and running it. People For Burien PAC was established in 2006 with Jerry Robison (at his attorney address) and Liz Giba( a current North Highline Fire Commissioner for North Highline) as the co-chairs and Stephen Lamphear( ex Burien City Council member) as the Treasurer. It was filed as an on going PAC. In June- 2012, the PAC was re-filed but listed Lamphear as the only officer. As it filed to use mini-reporting, it did not have to disclose its donors and expenditures to the public until 8 days before the election. So no one has really known who is behind People For Burien PAC until now.

Now that the 8 days period has required People For Burien’s books be open for viewing, and they show that the majority of the donors as well as the leadership for this PAC- are Burien Council members(Bennett, Clark, McGilton, Robison), ex-Burien Council members (Shaw, Lamphear) and members of the Burien Planning Commission(Clingan, Duff, Helms), Water Commissioners(Coy,Prichard). This pro annexation PAC is being driven by Burien politicians and the small membership of the NHUAC.

Pro annexation is being supported very heavily by the King County Executive and his office because he wants to get the management and expenses of Area Y/White Center off of his books. He and his office have no concern of what future impact this has on Area Y/White Center residents, Burien residents or the financial impact it will have the citizens of both areas. The average citizens of Area Y don’t know what this annexation is really about or who is pushing for it. And Burien citizens have been allowed no voice in whether they want this annexation or not.

So why is annexation being pushed so hard by the pro annexation PAC, Dow Constantine/ King County Executive and the some Burien politicans?

1. The Burien politicians in this expose see this as a way to solve their short term money problems and to do a land grab. It is also a way for aspiring politicians to get into Burien politics and climb the political ladder.

2. Dow Constantine/King County Executive , Joe Mc Dermott/ King County Council Member and Joe Fitzgibbon/State Rep. see it as a way to get Area Y off of King County’s books.

3. Burien politican and City Manager, Mike Martin could see this as a way to fluff up his resume and perhaps seek other employment. He has been unpopular with many Burien citizens and some city staff for his management style, lack of concern for citizen input, drinking problems and financial processes. Also, a larger city base could increase his salary and his retirement.

4. The North Highline Fire Commission sees it as a way to solve its financial problems.

However, the residents of Area Y and Burien deserve better than the above reason for why they should pay more taxes and end up getting less service. While annexation appears to be a win-win situation for all of the politicians involved, it means lots more taxes and less services for Area Y residents.

The Independent White Center PAC (Political Action Committee) is opposed to annexation for the financial reason that Burien cannot afford to fund and manage this area and its residents in the long term. The Independent White Center PAC selected to go the long form for reporting to the PDC (Public disclosure Commission) and so its donors and operation have always been open to the public. Both Mark Ufkes and Don Malo have always made it known that they are working for this PAC. Both Don and Mark are business owners, community leaders and residents in White Center.

I think in the interest of public disclosure and transparency these facts should be revealed to all the residents of the Burien and of the proposed annexation area.

John Poitras
Burien

In support of John Urqhart

patr — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:45:16 +0000

I am writing in support of John Urquhart for King County Sheriff. He has spent the last 36 years of his life serving the public as a police officer and has worked in all levels of the Sheriff's Office. Prior to becoming a full-time police officer, he was a successful small business owner with over 60 employees. John's background makes him the best candidate to handle the $160 million budget of the Sheriff's Office.

John retired last year, but was urged to run for Sheriff by individuals up and down the ranks of the Sheriff's Office. Let's be blunt, the Sheriff's Office has received two devastating audits, lost over 100 citizen complaints (including many in our area), failed to properly review officer-involved shootings, and has a $9 million sexual harassment claim against it.

I am concerned that small issues of integrity are larger indictments of mismanagement we have seen in Mr. Strachan's short time as the appointed Sheriff. The law is very clear: no use of public dollars to further political campaigns. Yet Mr. Strachan, as recently as last month, was found to have violated the King County Ethics Code for using government resources in his campaign, including campaigning in uniform at the King County Republican Picnic.
John has the leadership skills to get the Sheriff's Office back on track. He preaches a message of accountability, something the Sheriff's Office is sorely lacking right now. Please join me in supporting John Urquhart for Sheriff!

Mike Heavey
Mike Heavey is an Executive Board Member of the 34th District Democrats and Management Analyst at the Department of Licensing.