Waterfront

Ferry traffic, riders have impact on residents

It seems I am at odds with Natalie Shippen. While we appreciate Marina Park we think an overriding issue is to get the ferry area and its incumbent traffic away from the central waterfront.

Our home overlooks the waiting area so we observe many of the happenings there. To list a few: 1) A very irritating use of a loudspeaker sometimes as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 10:30 p.m.; 2) loud conversation and play at all hours; 3) people urinating on the plants along the wait area even though a public restroom is located nearby; 4) Dogs doing their “duty” on the grass and not being policed afterward; 5) the view of a very unsightly, oversized passenger ramp which cuts off sight of the water; 6) A recently installed ugly green pizza stand at the foot of James Street; 7) the inconvenience of getting into the city core on either Main Street or Dayton Avenue due to ferry traffic; and 8) Noisy trucks which keep running while waiting to board the ferry.

We often see motorists held back trying to get from the waterfront up to town. The taking of the small area of the park to allow a long planned southern ferry access seems little to pay to alleviate the above mentioned nuisances. Vote YES in November.

James L. Lockhart

Edmonds

Politics

Chamber’s only special interest is in Edmonds

I am glad that Ron Wambolt has come forward to clarify Dave Orvis’ positions. Now at least we know that for all their talk about retaining the charm of Edmonds, neither one of them would listen to the number one producers of real estate sales in Edmonds. After all, what could they know about what people find desirable about Edmonds, right?

What exactly though is Mr. Wambolt referring to when he describes the Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce as a special interest group?

Is he referring to the senior citizen volunteers at the log cabin who volunteer thousands of hours providing information to tourists and visitors to our community?

Perhaps it is the interests of the people who gather every third Thursday and enjoy the art walk downtown.

Or is it the people who enjoy the two parades, picnics, children’s activities and fireworks display during the fourth of July celebration put on by the chamber every year. Since the city can no longer afford to pay for the police or fire department to ensure everyone’s safety during these events, the chamber pays for that as well.

Maybe the special interests are all those who enjoy Hot Autumn Nights, regarded by many as one of the finest classic car shows in the Pacific Northwest.

Could those special interests be all the charities that benefit from the money raised by the Taste of Edmonds, the thousands of families who celebrate a safe Halloween by trick-or-treating downtown, or those who flock to see Santa arrive every year at the tree lighting? Hundreds of members and thousands of volunteered man hours make all these things and more happen.

Despite Mr. Wambolt and Mr. Orvis’ assertions to the contrary, I find that the works of the chamber do indeed benefit the citizens of Edmonds as a whole. I seriously doubt the owners of the megamarts where they must shop give back to the community nearly as much as the membership of the Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.

Michael A. Young

Edmonds

Chamber’s special interest is Edmonds

I’ve had the great honor and pleasure of serving the people of Edmonds for ten years on our city council. So I’ve seen a few campaigns. For this 2007 campaign, it should come as no surprise I support re-electing Dave Orvis. David believes in preserving and protecting our great little town.

I appreciate candidates like Orvis who are willing to stand up and tell the people what they support and who supports them. Another example would be candidate Strom Peterson. Since he moved to Edmonds six years ago, he has been telling us residents that we need taller buildings.

Peterson told the council he wanted taller buildings on Feb. 15, 2005. He reaffirmed his taller building pledge on Feb. 21, 2006. On Feb. 28, 2006, he argued for “incentives for additional heights.” So I give Peterson credit for telling us that they want taller buildings in Edmonds.

The Seattle papers Aug. 31, 2005, Oct. 19, 2005, and Dec. 15, 2004, all reported Peterson’s argument for taller buildings. One of the local papers of Aug. 19, 2005 quoted Peterson as saying, “That’s been my position all along.”

Mr. Peterson has been reporting to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission where his campaign money comes from. Most of his money, besides family in California, comes from those who own buildings and/or want taller buildings.

At least Peterson is willing to tell us — the people of Edmonds — that he is the special interest candidate for them. Money, support and purpose all based upon putting taller buildings into our little town. I guess that’s why Peterson has become know as the leader of what people are calling the “taller building crowd.”

On the council, I have voted against taller buildings. That’s why I will be voting in this year’s local election for the candidate who has a record of protecting and preserving the small town lifestyle we want in Edmonds — Dave Orvis.

Michael Plunkett

Edmonds

Handicap access

Popular restaurant should accommodate

I moved here in 1943, am now 76 years of age and living in our beautiful city of Edmonds. I have always been very proud to share with family and friends with pride how our city fathers have tried to install rules and regulations for the benefit of all of its citizens and guests.

The city has installed handicap access on most of its city corners for wheel chairs, has required multiple dwellings to have handicap access parking and convenience. I know people who are handicapped, both young an old, that would love to join their family and friends at Claire’s, but are unable to because there is no handicap access.

I have seen people turn around and leave because they were unable to handle the stairs into the restaurant.

It embarrasses me because some of these people are friends of mine and they feel embarrassed when one, two or three people have to help them with their wheel chairs or walkers up and down the steps. They do not deserve this kind of treatment.

Claire’s, you should be the one embarrassed.

Larry Nordby

Edmonds