Transportation
There’s still a chance to speak out on the issues
Evan Smith writes that Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Improvement District are in need of reform.
While I don’t disagree with that, more important is what do you think about transportation in general? We presently have a golden opportunity to weigh in. Earlier this year, Gov. Chris Gregoire and the state Legislature created a Regional Transportation Commission for the purpose of “providing citizen input on the vexing issues surrounding transportation in the Puget Sound region.” In its draft report, dated Nov. 15, it said “we have a transportation system that delivers inadequate results” with “over a hundred agencies … no one with the ability to meet the overall transportation needs of the region.”
The RTC’s report can be viewed at www.psrtc.wa.gov/index.html.
The Web site says, “the official comment period has closed, but additional public comment is welcome and can be submitted at any time.” I encourage all to share their impressions of the present systems, whether it be our roadways but especially the ease – or not – of riding public transportation: what keeps you from riding; if you are a rider, how easy or not is it to figure out fares, transfers, how to utilize different transit agencies, meeting your needs, etc.
The RTC, the Legislature, the Governor, and especially the transit agencies need to hear from you, the customer or non-customer. Send comments to: Regional Transportation Commission; PO Box 53010; Bellevue, WA 98015.
Brian Doennebrink
Shoreline
Shoreline
Too much dissension, intimidation, plague city
In regards to your story, “Lawsuit Alleges Public Disclosure Violations,” I feel forced to respond because I was named by the complainant, Beth O’Neill, in her public disclosure records request.
I’m not sure why, but I suspect it was because of a letter I wrote, published in The Enterprise on Sept. 29, in which I criticized some people for creating a furor out of a neighborhood zoning issue – in effect, creating a mountain out of a molehill.
Two things come to mind. The first is that being named in a legal proceeding for merely expressing a viewpoint is intimidating. I certainly don’t want my disk drive dragged to the city for no reason, so someone can fish through it looking at all my old correspondence.
Second, there is too much divisiveness in this community. There are procedures for pursuing zoning complaints, and these should be followed. If allegations of improper political influence are made, there had better be clear evidence of wrongdoing, or else those making the charges appear vengeful or foolish.
Thankfully, the recent allegation has been found without merit and the lawsuit was dismissed. I really hope that people can come to settle their gripes peaceably, without causing undue trouble.
Peter Henry
Shoreline
Lila Smith’s garage has long been a problem
I read with interest last week’s article about Lila Smith’s questionable garage. Although I now live in Lynnwood, I have followed this issue for several years.
Several items in the article caught my attention; one being Smith’s attorney’s assertion that while Smith did “use the loft for sleeping” it wasn’t a code violation because Smith used it in addition to the house.
I can categorically say that this is not true. When Smith was living in the garage unit, there was a for rent sign in the window of the house. Since the house was vacant I called the phone number on the sign and asked about the unit above the garage. I was told that it was not part of the rental because the property owners were living there. Later, when a city inspector questioned Smith about her use of the unit, he wrote: “she kept trying to come up with different ways to get around the code.”
Smith’s attorney says that when the garage was rented to a software company it was done without Smith’s knowledge by “the woman who leases the home.” This “woman” is Leta Blackwell, Membership Chair of the 32nd District Democrats (Smith is Chairperson). Yet a city inspector’s report says the business owner understood “that he [was] renting the space from Lila [with] Leta acting as Lila’s agent.”
Planning Director Joe Tovar based his decision on signed affidavits from Smith’s tenants, two of whom did not move in until 17 days after the complaint was filed. Not surprisingly, the garage tenant swears he is living there legally. Interestingly, Blackwell and Smith did not commit to signing affidavits. Tovar ignored eyewitness statements from four neighbors and refused to view videotapes showing the tenant’s exclusive use of the garage unit. Unbelievable.
Shirley Dooley
Lynnwood
Schools
School-closure process is a cause for concern
The staff at North City Elementary are concerned about aspects of the Shoreline School District’s DACPO committee and its operations. Unable to voice concerns at public meetings, it is difficult to sit by as concerns continue to present themselves.
Agenda items are being given an unequal amount of time, giving the appearance of manipulation/control. For example, the 6th grade discussion lasted two hours, allowing time to discuss pros and cons. Another agenda item, six versus seven-period schedule, had only 20-30 minutes of discussion with the majority of time spent listening to middle school principals and teachers advocating for their programs. The discussion was cut short, allowing little time for opposing viewpoints and/or questions.
To date, decisions made have been in the interest of secondary schools and special programs, leaving closing elementary buildings as the only option. Cutting $2 million means closing three elementary schools, increasing average enrollment to 540 students.
Committee composition is unevenly balanced and doesn’t equally represent all interest groups. Middle school has 100 percent representation, while several elementary schools, even after repeated requests, have none. Elementary has a small voice on the committee in relation to the number of people affected by the decisions.
Committee members are allowed to make opinion statements and state them as fact, possibly swaying other committee members who have little or no knowledge on the topic being discussed (i.e., opinion regarding the moral nature of sixth graders in elementary school versus middle school, the untrue statement on middle school planning time vs. elementary planning time being only 10 minutes difference, et cetera).
We understand cuts need to be made, but simply want them to be equitable. Special programs need to be revisited in order to make the best decision for all students.
Sue Hollenbeck
North City Elementary, Shoreline
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