Letters

Mill Creek

Friends of the Library are a valuable resource

I would like to acknowledge the service of the Friends of the Mill Creek Library. The Friends is a group of citizens who volunteer to provide essential support to the Mill Creek Library. Their purpose is to create awareness of the library in the community and promote appreciation of library collections and services. You probably know them best as the people who hold the two used book sales at the library each year.

The library directly benefits from the services of this dedicated group who work year-round raising money to support the programs offered at the library. Notably this group supports library services to children by providing supplies for story times, decorations for the library, and refreshments for special programs. The Friends support the annual Summer Reading Program by paying for special guest programmers and buying a paperback book for each child who reaches their reading goals.

Their support is by no means limited to supporting children’s services. They support adult services by hosting a monthly reading club and by presenting workshops, lectures and author programs throughout the year. They also fund extra furnishings and supplies that support the library.

The Friends are vital to the success of our community library. Contact the library for more information about donating your used books or joining this dynamic and beneficial group.

ERIC SPENCER

Managing Librarian

Mill Creek Library

Just a Thought response

Parents are investing in helping their children

Jim Hills’ column in the Just a Thought section titled “Where there’s heart, there’s hope” (The Enterprise, April 2) identified an important basic truth we often forget. The future is not bleak because we are investing in our children.

I’m not just talking about education. Yes, more of our children graduate from college than ever before. Yes, community colleges better train our kids for work. Yes, our kids have more options in high school. We now begin with our culture.

Edmonds doesn’t do rodeo. We are immersed in more traditional forms of culture. Annually our children compete to have their artwork displayed at the Francis Anderson Center. Contests for young writers are common. And children and teenagers act in plays all around the Sound.

Let me give you a poignant example. Madrona K-8 just completed their 10th annual Broadway musical. Many of the children begin in 4th grade and have experienced five musicals by the time they enter high school. This is not a typical children’s play.

A professional director and producer are hired and a high school theater rented. Parents spend hours and hours building sets, obtaining and sewing costumes, fundraising, supervising, and driving their kids to countless rehearsals. Audiences who have never seen a prior production are stunned. They would be flabbergasted if they knew the considerable effort spent by these children and their parents.

This is only one example. The important lesson is that we all win. There is hope for the future because we parents are investing in our children, and we are all the better for it. Thank you for reminding us.

DON KREIMAN

Edmonds

Lynnwood

Letter writer overlooks city’s many attributes

I cannot allow the second negative letter about Lynnwood from Marek Solomon to go by without responding. There are many things that are right with Lynnwood.

When it comes to public safety, Lynnwood wrote the book! Not only did Lynnwood leaders like Mayors “Herk” Hrdlicka and Tina Roberts-Martinez years ago start Medic Seven, the current city leadership has taken it to an even greater level in Lynnwood. Our firefighters have, for years, set the standard for other cities.

The Lynnwood police have one of the best records for solving crimes in the nation. Lynnwood Police have won numerous awards. Much of the success can also be attributed to the 125 police volunteers that believe in Lynnwood.

Lynnwood is senior friendly, with its own senior center, multiple senior activities through the Parks and Recreation programs, and a growing list of quality senior housing such as S.H.A.G.. Seniors in Lynnwood know that they are appreciated, respected and are listened to.

We have over 340 acres of parks; 20 developed parks and another 10 passive parks. Parks in Lynnwood are some of the best. And Lynnwood certainly is a local capital for youth sports including partnerships with Pacific Little League, Alderwood Little League, and the Alderwood Boys and Girls Club.

Lynnwood has its share of fast food joints, 196th street is like a menu – I like that. But Lynnwood also has much more that apparently is not seen by Solomon. The Alderwood Mall is the gem of the Northwest, servicing hundreds of thousands of local citizens. Nordstrom is renowned throughout the West Coast. Lynnwood has many successful businesses.

Lynnwood may not be utopia, but it is a great city that rivals most. I am proud to live in Lynnwood, proud to work with the many city employees, and honored to serve the good people of Lynnwood.

JIM SMITH

City Council member

Lynnwood