Letters

Sinking road

County knew of 35th Ave. issues

In the late 1980s when a number of community involved individuals worked with the Snohomish County Council on the 26B Road Ordinance, Jerry Weed, the incumbent county public works director, responded to a question regarding the best method of repair of 35th Avenue SE near Pacific Topsoils.

He stated that since the depth of peat moss was approximately 20 feet, the best method of repair would be to bridge the area over the peat bog (similar to a bridged section of road in Juanita) to eliminate future sinking of the road. He estimated the cost at that time to be between $12 and $14 million.

Obviously bridging 35th was not the solution the county chose when rebuilding 35th this past year, probably due to the high cost.

In the short time since the road work on 35th was completed, we have seen the road bed begin to sink, much like that section of 128th/132nd by McCollum Park. Over the past 25 years, residents have seen first hand how that road has continued to sink as the debris in the former landfill under that section of road has rotted and compressed. Numerous repairs/overlays have been made to 128th/132nd but it continues to sink.

It’s likely we will see 35th sink continually, as 128th/132nd has done, with the deterioration of peat moss and changes in water table beneath the road. Taxpayers will bear the costs of maintaining 35th forever and those costs will be never ending as long as the current method of road repair is used for that section of 35th.

MARK BEALES

Mill Creek

Divided road

Island location

makes no sense

This is to add my serious objection to the present location of the divider island at the intersection of Mill Creek Boulevard and Bothell-Everett Highway. It is only common sense to see this serious hazard for people turning left off of Bothell-Everett Highway and the oncoming traffic on Mill Creek Boulevard planning to make a left turn. It is foolhardy to wait for accidents to occur.

It was a waste of money to put the island there in the first place but to leave it there is inexcusable. We would certainly join in a lawsuit to force its removal if the city engineer insists on leaving it there.

RALPH HISKEY

Mill Creek

State DOT solution makes things worse

In my opinion the addition of a median at the intersection of Mill Creek Boulevard. and the Bothell-Everett Highway represents a study in ignorance and incompetence. What kind of twisted logic inspired the state Department of Transportation to remove an entire lane of traffic from an already overburdened intersection?

This change will result only in longer backups at the light and more driver frustration.

This kind of poor judgment seems to characterize much of the thinking of the DOT. I would like to suggest that the bureaucrats who currently direct this operation visit California to take a few refresher courses from the highly efficient Cal-Trans organization. We who live in the already over taxed state of Washington deserve a lot better than we are getting from the DOT.

ROBERT STEINBERG

Mill Creek

Library vote

Patrons represent community spectrum

When deciding whether to vote to annex the Mill Creek Library to the Sno-Isle Library District or allow the library to be closed, it might help to consider who cares about the library. As a frequent patron, I’ve observed many who care.

Kids fill the space between bookshelves for six age-grouped storytimes each week. Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers appreciate seeing their kids learn to listen, behave and be inspired. They form friendships there.

Teachers, tutors, and homeschoolers use library resources and encourage attendance at programs related to school projects.

Young readers and adults not only borrow books, but join summer reading programs, do research, browse books, videos, and tapes, read periodicals and newspapers, and use computers to access the Internet or find business and employment resources.

Seniors and the disabled can get help with book selection, requesting books from other libraries, finding large-print editions, bus and ferry schedules, income tax and voter registration forms. Many attend classes, programs, and book discussion groups.

The Internet is no substitute for a library. Only about 8 percent of journals are available online, and an even fewer books are there. Library resources are available to all, regardless of income, class, or other factors. It is a community gathering place.

In 2004, library staff registered 4,624 patrons, checked out 151,957 items and assisted 27,702 patrons. Our library is the third busiest in the Sno-Isle district. Sixty-seven percent of Mill Creek residents have a library card.

The Library Board of Directors and the Friends of the Mill Creek Library donate time and energy because of a common goal of a good library for everyone. Friends of the Library raise funds for building, land, furniture, equipment, materials, and for sponsoring community programs such as talks, panel discussions, exhibits, films and story hours.

Vote “yes” for the Mill Creek Library on Sept. 14.

SELMA BONHAM

Mill Creek

Editor’s note: The author is a member of Yes for Libraries in Mill Creek.