Letters

School levy

District is behind in technology spending

Please support the Edmonds School District May 18. This levy supports the upgrading of classroom technology, earthquake safety improvement for 21 schools, science lab safety, playground improvements, and new high school design for Lynnwood and Scriber Lake that need to be replaced.

The tax rate for 2004 is $ 3.49 per $1,000 of assessed home value (a reduction of $ 1.11 per $1,000 from 2003). Over the next four years, there will be a slight increase, but not as high as this past year.

It should also be noted that the average technology spending per student in the Edmonds School District is only $36.21 compared to other local districts that range from $93.68 to $204.07 per student annually.

WARREN SCHWEPPE

Edmonds

Edmonds parking

Cooperative effort made for good decision

Boy, am I upset. April 20 the City Council passed the new parking code changes unanimously. This tiny change will make a huge difference in the economic viability of the downtown core. Citizens, property owners, builders, businessmen, shoppers, and the city will all benefit.

So why am I so upset? I expected a bully with their own hidden agenda to torpedo the effort. My expectations were dashed at every level.

The business community, through the Chamber of Commerce, lent their considerable business acumen and support to the process. The Planning Department, especially Duane Bowman, Robert Chave, and Steve Bullock, added their expertise. The Planning Board; James Young, Janice Freeman, Jim Crim, Virginia Cassutt, John Dewhirst, Cary Guenther, and Judith Works, sifted through all the arguments and counterarguments and hammered out practical recommendations. Citizen concerns and ideas were considered.

The City Council began and ended this effort. They boldly invested $25,000 on a parking study and used the information as the basis of the new parking codes. The experts said, “This is the problem.” The City Council said “We’ll fix it!”

No hidden agenda anywhere. The process was open and transparent, and it worked.

I feel foolish. Have you ever closed your eyes and flinched, expecting a bully to hit you, then slowly opened them to discover the “bully” thoughtful and helpful? It’s easy to blame. City government is a convenient target. If we yell about a problem, I think we should offer praise for a solution.

I congratulate our business community, our city government and staff, and the citizens of Edmonds for a job done well. Please continue.

DON KREIMAN

Edmonds

City wastes money, change didn’t help

It amazes me when the city spends $24,000 for a parking study in the core downtown Edmonds area and has a supposedly professional company do the study. Their statement, and I quote page five of the study: “technicians collected this information on Wednesday, November 6, 2002 beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at approximately 6 p.m. It rained most of the day. At times the rain was quite heavy with wind.” Their conclusion was in November on days it rains and is windy we have more than adequate parking. Where did the city get this company?

Now they’ve reduced the parking requirements. Years ago, 1972, I knew that I would have to have parking for my existing buildings. I moved a house and developed a parking lot, 512 and 514 Fifth Ave. S, not in core downtown. I’m sure on days with heavy rain and winds I have too much parking.

Reducing parking requirements will not solve the problem after all. There have been a number of new buildings without visual parking and they are mostly empty, but they built the buildings with a new designation for parking, commercial space without on-site customers, half the parking they should have. I can’t understand why any one would build a building and not want their tenants to have customers. Could this be why they are vacant?

If anyone believes this study, be careful. Someone might want to sell you a bridge.

Reduce the parking at the Alderwood Mall by one-half and see what happens.

JACK WINTERS

Edmonds

Edmonds character

‘Box’ buildings are replacing small homes

I have noticed a large number of new stop signs in Edmonds. I can only guess that this is to give me an opportunity to stop and look out the car window at the latest height restricted concrete pill box that seems to be spreading like a cancer in our once beautiful village.

Are most current architects from the “build it as a box” school? Will any charming small homes remain in the Edmonds bowl? Does anyone care? I’ve noticed that Brusseau’s has finally closed. I can only shudder at what must be planned for that historic old corner! How can we save what is left of our lovely little town?

DENNY BIRK

Edmonds

Gambling

Edmonds subjected to ‘big-city values’

Gambling is the latest craze in order to raise money for individuals and for governments. Treatment of gambling is also on the rise. Edmonds was a beautiful town when I moved here 40 years ago. It is still beautiful, but it is subjected to big city values. Lets keep it beautiful. Gambling is the old case of money over people.

ANNE SPIVEY

Edmonds