Terrace council
Assault is no laughing matter
It is out of the great respect I have for the citizens of Mountlake Terrace, our police officers, city staff and the referenced volunteers of the Off Leash Dog Park Task Force that I write this letter.
First, let me start by thanking Oscar Halpert for the accuracy he uses in his reporting. In his article “Hats” from the Aug. 10 issue of the Enterprise, rather than use his opinion or supposition, he edits the online audio of our Aug. 6 City Council meeting at www.cityofmlt.com. The article depicts threatening behavior by Councilman John Zambrano, which lead me to ask for a personal escort after we adjourned the meeting, along with a patrol by an officer to insure the safety of my car in the parking area. What is missing is the timeline of these events and any reference made explaining that I had filed a report claiming assault by Zambrano on two previous occasions.
In my opinion, it is imperative that the public be made aware that the events depicted in this article happened at the very end of the meeting. Almost everyone had gone home. The only remaining citizens were, primarily, staunch supporters of John Zambrano and Michelle Robles. When you read the article, you may become appalled that anyone would laugh at someone trying to avoid being assaulted. Please know that the laughter came only from them and two or three of our council members.
Just as we don’t want to discourage people from speaking out at our meetings because they may be ridiculed by a few people in power for what they are wearing, we also don’t want to discourage people from speaking out because this small group of people may laugh at them.
Finally, I want to state, here and now, that the citizens of Mountlake Terrace, our many volunteers, our police officers and our staff take assault very seriously and by no means consider it a laughing matter.
Angela Amundson
Mountlake Terrace
Leave the etiquette lessons to Emily Post
God help MLT, the inmates are in charge of the asylum. While I agree that wearing a baseball cap while addressing the city council is marginally less than proper etiquette, interrupting the speaker and spending over 30 minutes of the city’s time and resources arguing and threatening each other is completely out of line no matter which “generation” you come from. I’m sure the purpose of the meeting is the exchange of ideas and not the distraction of minor dress code violations. If you are actually listening to what the speaker is trying to say and attempting to put it into your collection of public concerns and opinions so as to come to a decision which best represents the majority of your constituency, you have precious little time to critique their attire.
As far as the “respect” issue is concerned, respect is earned, not expected. If you earn the respect of the citizens of MLT you will receive it and not until then. With all the behind the scenes shenanigans and the mutual disrespect you have for each other, I would be surprised if you ever earn any respect as a legislative body. I enjoy comic relief as much as the next fellow but your childish and spiteful exchanges during council meetings only show disrespect for the citizens which choose to attend and contribute to their community.
If, in the future, you choose to gain the respect of the community which you have been elected to represent, I would suggest you attend to the projects at hand and do your level best to listen and understand these unfortunate souls and leave the issues of etiquette to Emily Post.
Jack S. Allen
Mountlake Terrace
Election ‘07
Letter’s description of Maynard puzzling
A letter in the (Aug. 10) Enterprise from Darcy Niedermeyer was truly one of those “Say what…?” experiences for me. In it, Ms. Niedermeyer writes of a phone call she had from Sharon Maynard. Anyone who has come to know Sharon through her community work, her attendance at city meetings, her candidacy for council or just as a neighbor must surely scratch their heads at the picture Ms. Niedermeyer draws.
She states Sharon Maynard called her “demanding” to make an inspection of some kind of her business location. This smiling, interested and involved Mountlake Terrace enthusiast? Sharon has been talking to business owners and other citizens of the Mountlake Terrace community, it is true, to get to know more of their thoughts on a long-term vision for the city. I have frequently observed her, speaking politely, listening carefully and responding thoughtfully, in public and amongst her neighbors.
If you haven’t met Sharon Maynard, I suggest you find an opportunity to talk with her yourself. You’ll meet with someone who genuinely cares about the citizens and the civic life of Mountlake Terrace, someone who wants to know what you think and what your hopes for the future of this city are.
And don’t be afraid to bring along your puppy! Sharon supports developing a convenient dog park for all Mountlake Terrace canine lovers.
Barbara Carpenter
Mountlake Terrace
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
