Letters

Gas prices

Let’s limit how often stations can raise prices

It is understandable to me that a gas station will increase the per-gallon cost to its customers when it receives a new delivery of gas to fill its storage tanks and pays a higher cost than it did for the prior delivery. However, I do not understand how that same station can justify raising its prices on the same delivery several times before filling its tanks again.

I watched a small independent service station in our area raise its price three times in one week and I know he didn’t get three deliveries during that one week to refill his storage tanks. Several of the larger major stations in the area do the same thing. I feel this is a major rip-off to the consumer.

It appears that the service station owners are working together to make the highest profits they can at the consumer’s expense. There ought to be a law regulating the number of times a service station can raise its price per gallon of gasoline based upon its cost and frequency of delivery.

BILL BRAYER

Edmonds

Mountlake Terrace

Limit building heights, make people happy

Is Mountlake Terrace up for grabs by developers? It would seem so from comments made by city planner Shane Hope that development studies show that with the rising cost of real estate, building skyward makes the investment more worthwhile for developers.

The key word is more worthwhile. The citizens keep hearing, “it pencils out” as the reason for higher and ever higher. Since when is the criteria for a city’s development, “it pencils out for developers?” Approximately 1,200 Mountlake Terrace citizens have petitioned for lower buildings.

Mountlake Terrace’s Comprehensive Plan vision is, “Mountlake Terrace is an attractive, walkable city with a revitalized town center, pleasant neighborhoods, healthy environment, and ample opportunities for housing, education, businesses, recreation and community involvement.” Good planning would match ideas against the comprehensive plan vision, not does it pencil out for developers?

Citizens disenfranchised through the old model of top down governing expect that the city will do whatever it wants. We are in a time when the values held by citizens cannot be ignored. They have the intelligence, commitment and creativity to take back their right to participate.

Between two extremes, 15 stories and remain the same, there is a middle path. Four stories, with upgraded zoning codes, was initiated by several citizens and presented Nov. 8. It meets the criteria that would upgrade our town center, spur development, allow sustainable businesses and provide more revenue base. Throughout history, the middle path has proven to be the wise choice.

SHARON RIEGIE MAYNARD

Mountlake Terrace

Election

Campaign based on ideas is appreciated

I want to thank my opponent, pastor Robert Legg of Lake Stevens, for running a good campaign. Citizens tell me all the time that they want to hear real ideas campaigns instead of name-calling and I am happy to say that both of us stuck to a battle of ideas. I think that serves the citizens well, and I appreciate it.

I also want to thank all the citizens and volunteers – on both sides – who put their time and sweat and passion into these elections. It’s exciting to see so many involved, and it’s worth remembering that the worldwide trend toward liberty and democracy started 200 years ago in a scruffy little British colony, a place nobody really noticed until a few people decided to try some bold new ideas about average citizens making the decisions instead of hereditary kings.

REP. JOHN LOVICK

Mill Creek