Graffiti

Banning markers won’t help problem

The Edmonds city government is acting ridiculous. Banning the sale and possession of anything that could make graffiti, which includes “broad-tipped markers,” is not going to stop graffiti.

It is not difficult at all for anyone, including a minor, to obtain things like spray paint, paint brushes and broad-tipped markers. Everyone owns at least something that could create graffiti. And, teenagers could just as easily hop over to Mountlake Terrace or Shoreline to get the stuff.

All this does is create a burden for a student who needs to go down the street and buy a broad-tipped marker for the project he or she has due for school. If you ban broad-tipped markers, only criminals will have broad-tipped markers.

Also, the talk of city officials coming uninvited to clean up graffiti on private property is absolutely an infringement of property rights. This circus in Edmonds needs to stop, this is completely impractical, a waste of taxpayer dollars, infringing on property rights, and making it a burden for your average law-abiding teenager to buy a marker.

Remember, broad-tipped markers don’t graffiti, people graffiti.

Stohn Nishino

Edmonds

Election ‘07

Edmonds needs Dave Orvis on City Council

As I recently walked through downtown Edmonds, I reflected on my upcoming 10-year anniversary of living in this wonderful community. During my first visit, I swore I had stumbled upon Brigadoon! From the look of the town to the friendliness of the people, I knew that Edmonds offered the quality of life I desired.

Sadly, changes have gone hand-in-hand with the passage of time that makes it harder to appreciate Edmonds’ history and small town feel. Yes, I am talking about the “cut and paste” looks of newly constructed buildings.

While a credit to public officials and local citizens who are committed to preserving Edmonds, the overall design of this “new growth” is a sad reminder that Edmonds may suffer the fate of many towns that fall victim to economic visionaries.

I know that to be financially sound a community cannot remain static. However, that doesn’t mean its growth and development has to reflect a break in the line of continuity from which the small town charm evolved.

Ironically, the Seattle Times recently ran an article about Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman) and his memo regarding the “Starbucks experience.” According to Schultz, his stores are called “…sterile, cookie cutter, no longer reflecting the passion our partners feel about our coffee.” He adds “…it’s time to get back to the core and make the changes necessary to evoke the heritage, the tradition, and the passion that we all have for the true Starbucks experience.” While Mr. Schultz was addressing his coffee empire, he could just as easily been talking about the “Edmonds Experience.”

Please, if we don’t want Edmonds to suffer the same ‘cookie cutter’ fate then we must support Dave Orvis. Don’t let my “Brigadoon” turn into “Pottersville”…you know, the town that Bedford Falls became if George Bailey had never existed.

Leslie Perlman

Edmonds

Peterson concerned for city’s welfare

Letters to the editor written on behalf of political candidates often take the form of attacks on their opponents, and the diatribe attacking City Council candidate Strom Peterson, which appeared in the Edmonds Beacon of March 8, is a classic example of the genre.

Mr. Martin’s letter, for example, would have you believe that Mr. Peterson (who is as intelligent a young businessman as you will find, hard working and concerned not only for his own business success, but for the welfare of his community) is some sort of evil proponent of unbridled development, whose election would lead to high rise office and condominium buildings from Brackett’s landing to Marina Beach. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Mr. Peterson is a man who listens to people. He considers all of the information available, rather than jumping to conclusions based on no evidence whatsoever. Anyone who has spent any time talking with Strom Peterson would find it very difficult to swallow these letters and their assessment of his position.

It is very early in the election cycle. We would all do well to give all of the citizens of our city who have the courage and energy to make a run for public office an opportunity to make their case in position papers, candidate forums, and on the rounds of doorbelling before we decide we know all about them and which of them deserves our vote.

Ron Clyborne

Edmonds