Town Center

Council members stalling progress

Linda Rogers should be complimented for the (paid advertising) she had published. She really hit the nail on the head! This city council has gone farther and accomplished more than any other council we have had, yet now certain members are stalling the process.

I attended the Dec. 18 council meeting to address the council and was told by a person in the audience that I didn’t have a voice because I live outside the proposed area. I have been a participating citizen in Mountlake Terrace for 29 years and YES I do have the right to voice my opinion!

There were 17 people for the new plan and the group that had the 1,300 signatures could only come up with 14 people to speak against it. This group gave the list of names to the city to be entered into the public record.

I would also like to thank Mayor Jerry Smith and Councilman John Zambrano for letting the citizens know the truth about the petition. It seems as though this group is spinning the truth. I was told we would have 10 story buildings all the way down 56th Avenue. Luckily, I had attended some of the planning meetings and knew that they are only proposed to be built in the Super Block. I wouldn’t sign their petition because of the twisted information I was approached with. Hopefully the folks that did sign the petition will challenge the group that is circulating it and get some answers on why they weren’t told the truth on the issues.

If the City of Mountlake Terrace is going to be here for the next generation, I would ask the council people that are dragging their feet to put aside their personal agendas and vote to move on with the plan.

Dave Mercer

Mountlake Terrace

Inappropriate actions taken by council

I wish to commend Linda Rogers for her (paid advertising) which appeared in your paper on Jan. 5. She pointed out conduct and behavior of some of our council members which will definitely have an influence on me come election time.

The question her letter raises with me is, “What is wrong with the council that it can not see the changes we so desperately need in our city?” And, “What qualifications does this council member have to challenge the input of the professional urban planner?”

I did understand quite clearly that there are a lot of inappropriate actions being taken by my elected council members and I for one want to thank Ms. Rogers for keeping me and your readers informed. I hope she keeps up the good work.

Debi Taht

Mountlake Terrace

No behind-the-scenes group in Terrace

I am a member of what Linda Roger’s ad in The Enterprise on Dec. 5 called a “behind-the-scenes…group”. Golly, as a behind- the-scenes person I better stop writing letters to the editor, speaking at council meetings, participating in e-mail conversations, walking door-to-door with petitions and flyers with my views and telling others about my commitment to citizen involvement.

If we are a group, we ought to act like a group, not thinking individuals. We ought to stop sharing our view when we disagree with a neighbor’s. And a warning to all elected officials: If you consider the electorate’s concerns in your deliberation, you will be accused of being directed by citizens.

Ms. Roger’s ad discounts council members who think that discussing one-third of this major development document is “not enough…” before approval. Why, anyone knows that there is no need to read, discuss, question and thoroughly understand any proposed action in Mountlake Terrace before voting. Just let the residents live with them. It has been done in the past, why not now?

And shame on council members who told the truth when asked if an extra Saturday meeting in January would work with their schedule! This “behind the scenes” person was there to hear that conversation, Linda Rogers was not, so I am coming out of hiding.

Neighbors, some council members have been fully involved and participating. They have scheduled extra January meetings and asked probing questions so that your best interest is assured. Your city is in good hands when it comes to representatives who will not vote until they have heard all sides, who question the impact on residents, who have given up many Saturdays and evenings and they ought not to have to stand up to bullying alone.

Come out of hiding!

Sharon Riegie Maynard

Mountlake Terrace

Global warming

Man can and does impact Earth

John Branson tells us “… scientists cannot agree on (global) warming.” He does not believe “… man is big enough to upset the balance of … planet Earth. Nor is he big enough to right it again. Man has not even learned how to stop a hurricane or catch a lightning bolt.”

Truth is stranger than fiction. The truth is scientists (those who write for peer-reviewed journals) do agree that global warming is upon us and man is largely responsible. Deforestation, urbanization and suburbanization, petroleum-fueled farming and transportation are all pushing us toward a desert planet (on land and sea). The only thing serious scientists disagree about is how soon events will begin to accelerate beyond our control. Many think what we are seeing now is the result of CO2 pollution from the 1960s because of Earth’s natural inertia.

I agree with Mr. Branson. A single man cannot upset the balance of our planet nor can he right it. But 6 billion plus their offspring most certainly can. Stopping hurricanes? Even the average hurricane packs 1.5 trillion watts (terawatts) in its winds, equivalent to half the world’s electrical generating capacity. If we want to catch some of this energy, then I suggest we begin installing more wind turbines on the Gulf Coast. Stopping a hurricane is out of the question. But perhaps we can stop hurricanes from becoming more powerful over time. Catching lightning? We have had the ability to catch lightning bolts since the early 19th century with lightning rods.

Fighting global warming means thinking globally and acting locally. You can act locally by planting a tree. Or, if you want to make your home greener, consider installing solar power. A typical 2 kW home solar power system is the equivalent of 400 trees in removing CO2.

Eric Teegarden

Mountlake Terrace