I can gripe and complain with the best of ‘em! My wife will readily confirm same. However, I prefer to reserve my letter writing to The Herald for more productive, or at least encouraging, purposes. Here are four of my most recent praises.

Downtown Everett was absolutely beautiful all spring and summer. Colby looked like a park thanks to the large number of planters and hanging baskets. The beauty was there to be enjoyed by anyone who needed to be downtown. Way to go, Everett Parks.

In a recent guest commentary, the president of the Everett School Board shared publicly his concern about the planning and funding of the federal “No Child Left Behind” program. I appreciate a board member having the temerity to suggest that programs in education at the federal and state level should be fully funded if they are mandates. During my years in education, I observed one mandate after another arrive on the doorstep of school boards without adequate funding. School districts usually just tried to do the best they could with limited resources growing ever thinner.

A guest commentary by Kim Buike, regarding placing a state university in Marysville in place of a track, reminded me again of some of the positive aspects of Naval Station Everett. In this case, we have added to Snohomish County an individual who came here as a career officer and settled in the county permanently. His views are shared by many, but shared or not, we have gained someone who cares and thinks about what may be best for the area.

Finally, while The Herald has many columns and feature writers I thoroughly enjoy, I want to express gratitude for Larry Simoneaux’s column. It gives me pause, joy, and a chuckle in the morning. I have as many or more peeves as anyone else, but expressing them never gives me pleasure. Satisfaction yes, pleasure never. Saying thank you always gives me pleasure.

GREG KUPER

Everett