Letter writer Gregory Alm seems to be so taken by the concept of city pride that he has let that confuse him about the facts (March 18, “City Pride Program: It’s timely and a good use of tax money”). Neither Mr. Allen nor Mr. Zambrano live in a residence that looks like a junkyard and both of their homes are clean.

Driving older vehicles and parking all four of them perpendicular to the street does not constitute a junkyard. It also does not mean that people have a pride deficiency any more than a lawn full of nothing but dandelions or a 20-year-old roof mean that – even though some of our prouder residents might find both objectionable. I believe Mr. Allen’s reference to working class neighbors was his way of saying that how many old cars your family drives should not be a cause for criminalizing common behavior, which does not offend most of his neighbors. He’s right!

If Mr. Alm reads the entire body of the new ordinances closely, he’ll probably find that he is in some way violating one of those rules. Should he receive a notice or warning about it, I hope he’s prepared to proudly ask “how high” – on the way up, when he is instructed to jump.

Mountlake Terrace