Letters to the Editor

Mountlake Terrace

Residents a great group of people

What great people!

I guess one could say that about any town, any neighborhood and any group of individuals. But, I can say that about my neighbors, the citizens of Mountlake Terrace, Washington.

In the past year I have gathered with them in groups of four or 20 or 50 and have been constantly amazed by their creativity and enthusiasm. I would be willing to put my town in their hands because I trust their intelligence, compassion and love for home and neighbors.

In January 2006, I invited any Terrace resident to show up at the MLT Library to talk. I simply wanted to see who was interested in sustainability. From that small start, the people who came formed a citizens group, Voices, set a vision and began talking with one another.

A lot has happened since then and our spring meeting of the Voices on March 24 will give everyone a chance to see what the Terrace neighbors have done and to share where they still want to go, to build and to create.

Hats off to the vibrancy of people that will make the Terrace’s future amazing. Join us on the 24th and see what I mean.

Sharon Maynard

Mountlake Terrace

Thanks

Christmas tree recycling works

On behalf of the scouts and families of Boy Scout Troop 312, we would like to thank the Edmonds community for its support of our annual Christmas tree recycling project.

This year was our best ever. We recycled over 400 trees and raised $3,912 which went into our boys’ “Scout Accounts.” Each scout that worked at the recycle can use the funds he earned to pay for scouting equipment, summer camp or other scout activities.

We also want to thank QFC at 196th and 76th and Rabanco for their support of our fundraiser.

Thanks again and look for us next January!

John McDonald

Edmonds

Health care

More funding needed for nursing homes

My name is Marion Steele. I am 87 years old and a resident at North Creek Care and Rehab in Bothell. I am writing to urge our legislators to increase funding for nursing homes across the state.

Every day, seniors like myself are sent to nursing homes like the one I live in. Everyone gets old and everyone needs help, regardless of their ability to pay. Most of us at this facility have worked hard our whole lives and deserve to live with dignity while receiving quality care. Unfortunately, the amount of funding the state provides does not begin to cover what is needed.

I urge all our lawmakers to think of those who depend on the state when they write out their budget this year.

Marion Steele

Bothell

Edmonds schools

Scriber, EHRC getting a bad deal

On Wednesday, March 7, at the Snohomish County Courthouse, Judge Kurtz denied our motion for preliminary injunction against the Edmonds School District. Co-locating Scriber/Options High and the Edmonds Homeschool Resource Center is a terrible idea, but apparently it wasn’t quite terrible enough, at least not today.

For the record, Scriber/Options High is getting a bad deal too. These kids bear the burden of cost overrun and time delays. As the last project on the list, if the money runs out, that’s what gets short-changed. Scriber/Options’ remodeled school (in addition to the migration to and from the EHRC campus) will cost $18 million and the new District Support Center will cost $44 million, according to Integrus Architecture. A large project can lose money off its budget with less strain than a small project. Scriber/Options High is likely to remain at the EHRC campus indefinitely, if we want to be realistic. But if the 130,000-gross-square-foot district headquarters aren’t built first, the current board members might not get to occupy them. They are elected officials, and therefore have limited terms of office (of course, high school students have “terms,” too – so few of the affected students will get to enjoy the remodeled school, but the district doesn’t care). So they are forging ahead with their plan – jeopardizing our safety and Scriber/Options’ chance of a new, “adequate” school (which is already being done on the cheap) for their own giant glass heaven.

Anna Veillon

Seattle