Letters

Mill Creek

There’s still a chance to oppose Wal-Mart store

The open record public hearing appealing the proposed 136,000-square-foot Wal-Mart store (at the old Buffalo Farm in Mill Creek at 132nd Street SE. and 39th Avenue SE., adjacent to wetlands and across the street from two schools) will continue at 11 a.m. March 7, at the Snohomish County Administration Building East, first floor hearing room, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201.

Please join us at the hearing or write letters before March 7 about adverse environmental impacts and concerns about public health, safety and welfare (be sure to include your full name and official mailing address in your letter, so that it can be accepted into the public record): (Hearing.Examiner@co.snohomish.wa.us) Mr. Ed Good, Deputy Hearing Examiner, Snohomish County Hearing Examiner’s Office, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue M/S 405, Everett, WA 98201.

Significant detrimental environmental impacts include traffic congestion (store will bring 8,500 additional vehicle trips per day); stormwater runoff from more than 11 acres of impervious surfaces into the North Creek watershed, which is spawning habitat for protected Chinook salmon; further costly damage to 35th Avenue SE., which is sinking and flooded by runoff from the site; noise pollution (the east and south loading dock sides of the building are within 20 feet of the property line, and flank residential developments); air pollution from idling delivery trucks and additional traffic; water pollution from runoff from the garden center’s pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers and from the parking lot for 669 vehicles; degradation of wetlands habitat for fish and wildlife; light pollution; public safety for school children; and public transportation issues.

The hearing examiner says that before these issues are examined, the project is not a “done deal.”

KAREN LOWE

Mill Creek

Mountlake Terrace

Restore architectural beauty to fire station

I completely agree with the writer from last week who questioned the roof line of the new Mountlake Terrace fire station.

It is awful. It is unnecessary. No fire person in his or her right mind ever will use that entrance. The public comes only once in awhile. That roof line looks bad for the city and is an architect’s dream. A sharp chain saw would eliminate it. Let’s hope the city gets wise before they accept the building from the contractor. Please remove that horrible- looking roof.

REV. RICHARD GIBSON

Lynnwood

Shoreline City Council

Partisan infighting is dominating the council

The city council’s refusing to vote to authorize legal support to Maggie Fimia, Bob Ransom, Janet Way and John Chang showed the height of despicable partisan infighting.

It’s pretty clear that when public officials are acting in their official capacity – as the named councilmembers were in fact doing – they are entitled to legal backing. Otherwise they are put at risk every time they perform (or don’t perform) their duties.

As Chris Eggen passionately stated, the politically motivated nuisance lawsuit promoted by professional litigants John Hollinrake and John Rasch of the tree-cutting faction of Innis Arden, and signed onto by past council members Kevin Grossman and Connie King, amounts to a SLAPP suit. A SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) case is one where a corporation or someone with deep pockets sues poorly funded citizens with the purpose of intimidating them to stop whatever annoying action they are doing – whether it is opposing Wal-Mart or fighting for a stronger environment.

As if there were any doubt about the political nature of the suit, John Rash served councilwoman Cindy Ryu with a fishing expedition subpoena for her personal and city computers. Then, according to Ryu, he had the temerity to e-mail the city, lobbying for the city to deny her legal support. All this was within 24 hours of a meeting with Ryu called by the president of the Innis Arden board – another advocate of tree slaughter. If this isn’t an example of political intimidation I don’t know what is.

The three-member council minority hold the cards now that the other council members are forced to recuse themselves from voting on a measure which affects them materially – that is, providing for their defense. And, in predictable fashion, the infamous three stood in lock step, together with the proponents of the lawsuit, to deny legal coverage.

Kudos to Ryu, Way, Ransom and Fimia for refusing to be intimidated.

PETER HENRY

Shoreline

Lawsuit is merely an intimidation tactic

Steve Burkett’s departure as city manager from Shoreline parallels his departure from Tallahassee, Fla. In both cases new city leadership, dissatisfied with his performance, wanted him gone quickly. In both cases the new leadership was sued by Burkett’s supporters for violation of process. The suit in Tallahassee failed. His departure from Fort Collins, Colo. was also abrupt but was not followed by a lawsuit.

In all three cases his tenure was marked by controversy and dissention, culminating in a change of city leadership. His critics in all three cities had similar complaints, non-responsiveness to (some) elected officials, catering to his own agenda rather than to council and engaging in press battles. (It is widely believed he used his office here to generate political propaganda against councilman John Chang). His tenures have been polarizing. Thus when the balance of the poles changed the ill will he inspired in his opponents resulted in their understandable desire for his prompt exit.

The lawsuit brought by Connie King, Kevin Grossman and John Hollinrake, through their attorney Michael Rasch, has the appearance of being political payback for the last election. King and Grossman are both opponents of the new leadership. Grossman was defeated by Maggie Fimia and King has been publicly critical of the new leadership. Hollinrake and Rasch have been active in lawsuits and complaints involving tree cutting (primarily for views) against their own neighbors in Innis Arden. Much of the tree cutting was in critical areas, and was thus of concern to the new leadership.

It is my opinion that the lawsuit against the new leadership is an attempt to use the threat of legal action to intimidate opponents. Councilmen Ron Hansen, Keith McGlashan, and Rich Gustafson have yet to authorize the city to provide legal defense as required by statue and as recommended by both staff and the city attorney. This is new form of tyranny of the minority: Your supporters sue your opponents on the Council and then, as those being sued are disallowed from voting on their own legal defense, deny it to them. This, of course, raises the question: How would Hansen, McGlashan and Gustafson react if this tactic was turned on them?

BRONSTON KENNEY

Shoreline

Shoreline schools

Passage of measures ensures future quality

Last week the voters in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park made clear their vision for the future of education. The passage of the Shoreline School District levy and bond propositions renews our commitment to the students and their families by maintaining the high standards the community expects from our schools.

Supporting our schools has always been the right thing to do.   A huge debt of gratitude is owed  to all the individuals and organizations – public and private – that endorsed the levy and  bond, and to all the volunteers that worked to get out the vote. 

Above all, last week’s voters have now set the first building block for the future of the students. It was right then, it’s right now, and it’s right on. Thank you all for voting yes for the levy and bond.

 

WES BRANDON 

and DOM AMOR

Citizens for Shoreline Schools

Community

Many thank yous for accident response

Somehow, a simple “thank you” just doesn’t seem enough. I was involved in a two-car accident on Feb. 7 in the intersection of 212th Street SW. and 72nd Avenue W. in Edmonds. I am still recovering from the side effects of the airbag and seatbelt. However……

A huge “thank you” to the gentleman who immediately came up to my car and asked if I was OK. He immediately called 911, as did others. Bless him, he stayed with me, holding my hand, until the Edmonds Fire Department arrived. Sir, I neglected to ask you your name, but thank you so very much.

To the Edmonds Fire Department and the EMTs, you guys were wonderful. I was amazed at how you removed me from my car and got me on the stretcher. That was my first experience in a rescue and in an aid car (hopefully my last) and you guys are to be commended. Thank you so very much.

To the Edmonds Police Department – kudos. I heard there was quite a group of you at the accident scene. A very special thank you goes to officer Linda Mack. Thank you to all of you.

A very special thank you goes to each of my two witnesses, Andrea and Kiva. Also, we both say thank you, again, Andrea for calling my husband immediately after the accident. Thanks again, Andrea and Kiva. You gals are terrific.

To Dr. Robert Adelman, Dr. Jon-Pierre Pazevic and everyone involved with my care at Stevens Hospital, a huge Thank You. It was kinda hard being strapped to the backboard and the ER was busy that night, but my husband and I appreciate the great care I got. Thank you.

LINDA SOLBECK

Lynnwood