Letters to the Editor August 19, 2009
Published on Tue, Aug 18, 2009Read More Letters to the Editor
County needs leadership not summits
Dear Editor,
I see that the Snohomish County Council has started an Economic Task Force and there was a Aerospace Industry Summit, when will the political grandstanding end?
We already have an Economical Development Council of Snohomish County, so explain the Task Force. (Hmm) I guess if I create a task force the voters will think I am actually involved, I believe I am getting warmer on that idea.
Now if history serves me correctly, Boeing was originally started in Washington and so I wonder why we must “Summit” to figure out how to make our area more aerospace friendly or something like that? I mean if the CEOs of the local aerospace industry, unions, and elected officials don’t have a relationship by now, then when?
I mean I can scream from Mt. Pilchuck lookout that until the economy improves, we are in a waiting game on jobs. I don’t know maybe they want more “stimulus money” that won’t stimulate jobs.
We need real leadership in each of these areas, not grandstanding and finger pointing.
Todd Welch
Everett
Disappointed in Catherine Drive extension
Dear Editor,
I am writing today to express my opinion of the proposed extension of Catherine Dr. to Highway 92.
I have lived in the Catherine Creek area for five years and have seen many changes to the once quiet, family-friendly neighborhood that attracted me here. The City allowed a builder to build five houses on the corner of Bryce Dr. and 36th and took a dead end street and turned it into a through way which now is so much fun for young drivers to speed up and down to 36th and race their friends.
For over two years a telephone pole sat in the middle of that intersection because the city said, “it was the builder’s fault and the builder won’t fix it”. Well, the city is ultimately responsible for the safety of our streets.
Currently, the once smoothly paved road on Bryce Drive is a patched up bumpy mess, again the city takes no responsibility for this.
Catherine Drive should remain a street for the primary use of the taxpayers in our community not a through way for a development that would further decrease the neighborhood feel we have here.
The city seems to think the 100 plus homeowners living at Catherine Creek want to live between a City Center campus and a mini-mall. What a great idea...for Seattle, not Lake Stevens.
How about we try to fill some of the numerous vacant buildings around here and fix our roads and sidewalks before we take on any more projects we can’t seem to do right?
Erica Owens
Lake Stevens
Remember Trickler, continue to love her
Dear Editor,
In response to the Heather Trickler memorial fund of which Ms. Nicholson has written about, I say continue to love her as she said she did, and not put her down.
She is gone, by a source of crime by another party, and no one has the right to judge her so coldly. Wipe away all the harsh feelings.
This victim had not a chance in life, but will have a chance with the Lord. We must all pray for her soul and hope the criminal who hurt her is found and justice is sewn. No one is forced to contribute to her fund, it’s voluntary. I have helped as I feel I should. Heather was lead astray as many other young people in our world are and it’s sad. But she will rejoice in her next life.
Let us all do our best to help our kids.
Eleanor Pike
Lake Stevens
Most water skiers are cautious and courteous
Dear Editor,
In response to John Nordin’s letter: I was appalled at the notion that we water skiers are nothing but “punks” and the thought of limiting the hours of use for water-skiers and personal watercraft on Lake Stevens.
At 54 I hardly think I qualify as a punk! I was raised on Lake Sammamish during the summer months and taught how to drive a boat by my parents. I am a cautious and courteous owner/driver. There are those boat owners, including fishermen, who give the rest of us a bad name. Don’t categorically put all of us in that “punk” hat because most of us aren’t.
I am also a fisherman. I do not believe there should be special hours for use on the lake by any specific group. Whether water skiing or fishing at 5 a.m. our efforts are to stay away from other skiers and fishermen and to share the lake.
Early one morning while getting ready to fish I was rammed by a rower. I did not call the gal a punk. I was more concerned for her safety and she with mine. She looked about as old as I am. I don’t think she was a punk, but I could be wrong.
And we all are patiently waiting to hear the results of what the officials think happened on Lake Stevens that tragic night when a boat capsized and someone drowned. We all want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
I do not believe I am a punk simply because I water ski. I do not have a $50,000 ski boat owned by my daddy. I do not believe in separate hours of use for fishermen.
I do believe every boater has a responsibility to take the Boaters Safety Course. I do believe Lake Stevens is generally a safe lake to recreate on.
Mark Morel
Lake Stevens
Health care reform should be left to lawmakers
Dear Editor,
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The subject of healthcare reform is tiresome, yet millions of people feel it is very relevant. Congress and the president most likely know more than the average American on health insurance, whether we want to give them credit for it or not.
We elected them, now we need to give them a chance to work. Who else should make the decision? The same people that have been, insurance, drug and medical companies. They are not trustworthy at all, and have proven where their interests lie.
Congress has voted to give themselves the same option that we will all have, to participate or not. Understandable, and not their sole privilege. Many thousands of people have spent many hundreds of thousands of hours that have gone into the current efforts of healthcare reform. We have been presented with many options.
Hyping fear to small companies is irresponsible, when in the long run small companies with less employees, will be able to offer healthcare options to employees who didn’t previously have access under the current expensive system. And it would be more affordable overall for large and small companies to provide insurance.
The enemy of small business isn’t healthcare reform, it is unregulated insurance and medical industry interests that the small business can’t compete or negotiate with. Nor is our enemy illegal residents.
We have reasons it is illegal to discriminate against origin when providing medical care. Who is to decide who does or doesn’t receive care, Costs to care for them would be less if overall costs were brought under control.
We do not have the leisure to just wait, especially from biased industry promoted fears. The industry needs limits and mandates to bring the overall cost down, now. And after this is a reality the tax burden will be less, not more.
It’s amazing what cost effective and preventive care could accomplish. Making it the standard, not just accessible for those who can afford it.
Health care reform is doable and cost effective, if, we have the strength to see not only health care reform but economic reform all the way through.
Julie Tabor
Granite Falls
Centennial trail users should be more cautious
Dear Editor,
The crosswalk at the Centennial trail and 20th St. NE is inviting a serious accident. Trail users seem to feel they have the absolute right-of-way at that crossing.
At certain times during the day there is a lot of traffic on Machias Road and when someone has to stop for a trail user to cross it can create enough of a backup to cause a very dangerous situation.
I would like to see the type of barrier that would make trail users stop and allow the cars coming off Machias Road to complete the turn onto 20th without the fear of being rear-ended.
There has been so much regarding pedestrian right-of-way that many just assume all cars must stop, never realizing the assumption can jeopardize themselves and others.
The little stop signs put there seem to be largely ignored by the majority, so a better system needs to be put in place before someone is badly hurt, or worse.
Karen Serrano
Lake Stevens
Granite Falls citizens need to elect a new mayor
Dear Editor,
Mayor Romack of Granite Falls is running for re-election.
Why? So he can submit more fraudulent expenses to the city?
Recently, a State Audit showed many expenses paid to him without confirming receipts (i.e: mileage, purchases, trips, etc.) I think the people of Granite Falls need a new leader.
What say you?
Ruth Swartz
Arlington
Venue change questioned for Railroad Days Alumni
Dear Editor,
Why is it that the Traditional Alumni Breakfast is now held at the “Our Father’s House” church?
Could it be that the Pastor of the church is the son of the Mayor, Lyle Romack in Granite Falls?
The traditional Alumni Breakfast has always been held at the Granite Falls Eagles on Railroad Days. Most everybody likes it at the Eagles and the food is better!
Cheryl Peters
Granite Falls
Dear Editor,
I see that the Snohomish County Council has started an Economic Task Force and there was a Aerospace Industry Summit, when will the political grandstanding end?
We already have an Economical Development Council of Snohomish County, so explain the Task Force. (Hmm) I guess if I create a task force the voters will think I am actually involved, I believe I am getting warmer on that idea.
Now if history serves me correctly, Boeing was originally started in Washington and so I wonder why we must “Summit” to figure out how to make our area more aerospace friendly or something like that? I mean if the CEOs of the local aerospace industry, unions, and elected officials don’t have a relationship by now, then when?
I mean I can scream from Mt. Pilchuck lookout that until the economy improves, we are in a waiting game on jobs. I don’t know maybe they want more “stimulus money” that won’t stimulate jobs.
We need real leadership in each of these areas, not grandstanding and finger pointing.
Todd Welch
Everett
Disappointed in Catherine Drive extension
Dear Editor,
I am writing today to express my opinion of the proposed extension of Catherine Dr. to Highway 92.
I have lived in the Catherine Creek area for five years and have seen many changes to the once quiet, family-friendly neighborhood that attracted me here. The City allowed a builder to build five houses on the corner of Bryce Dr. and 36th and took a dead end street and turned it into a through way which now is so much fun for young drivers to speed up and down to 36th and race their friends.
For over two years a telephone pole sat in the middle of that intersection because the city said, “it was the builder’s fault and the builder won’t fix it”. Well, the city is ultimately responsible for the safety of our streets.
Currently, the once smoothly paved road on Bryce Drive is a patched up bumpy mess, again the city takes no responsibility for this.
Catherine Drive should remain a street for the primary use of the taxpayers in our community not a through way for a development that would further decrease the neighborhood feel we have here.
The city seems to think the 100 plus homeowners living at Catherine Creek want to live between a City Center campus and a mini-mall. What a great idea...for Seattle, not Lake Stevens.
How about we try to fill some of the numerous vacant buildings around here and fix our roads and sidewalks before we take on any more projects we can’t seem to do right?
Erica Owens
Lake Stevens
Remember Trickler, continue to love her
Dear Editor,
In response to the Heather Trickler memorial fund of which Ms. Nicholson has written about, I say continue to love her as she said she did, and not put her down.
She is gone, by a source of crime by another party, and no one has the right to judge her so coldly. Wipe away all the harsh feelings.
This victim had not a chance in life, but will have a chance with the Lord. We must all pray for her soul and hope the criminal who hurt her is found and justice is sewn. No one is forced to contribute to her fund, it’s voluntary. I have helped as I feel I should. Heather was lead astray as many other young people in our world are and it’s sad. But she will rejoice in her next life.
Let us all do our best to help our kids.
Eleanor Pike
Lake Stevens
Most water skiers are cautious and courteous
Dear Editor,
In response to John Nordin’s letter: I was appalled at the notion that we water skiers are nothing but “punks” and the thought of limiting the hours of use for water-skiers and personal watercraft on Lake Stevens.
At 54 I hardly think I qualify as a punk! I was raised on Lake Sammamish during the summer months and taught how to drive a boat by my parents. I am a cautious and courteous owner/driver. There are those boat owners, including fishermen, who give the rest of us a bad name. Don’t categorically put all of us in that “punk” hat because most of us aren’t.
I am also a fisherman. I do not believe there should be special hours for use on the lake by any specific group. Whether water skiing or fishing at 5 a.m. our efforts are to stay away from other skiers and fishermen and to share the lake.
Early one morning while getting ready to fish I was rammed by a rower. I did not call the gal a punk. I was more concerned for her safety and she with mine. She looked about as old as I am. I don’t think she was a punk, but I could be wrong.
And we all are patiently waiting to hear the results of what the officials think happened on Lake Stevens that tragic night when a boat capsized and someone drowned. We all want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
I do not believe I am a punk simply because I water ski. I do not have a $50,000 ski boat owned by my daddy. I do not believe in separate hours of use for fishermen.
I do believe every boater has a responsibility to take the Boaters Safety Course. I do believe Lake Stevens is generally a safe lake to recreate on.
Mark Morel
Lake Stevens
Health care reform should be left to lawmakers
Dear Editor,
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The subject of healthcare reform is tiresome, yet millions of people feel it is very relevant. Congress and the president most likely know more than the average American on health insurance, whether we want to give them credit for it or not.
We elected them, now we need to give them a chance to work. Who else should make the decision? The same people that have been, insurance, drug and medical companies. They are not trustworthy at all, and have proven where their interests lie.
Congress has voted to give themselves the same option that we will all have, to participate or not. Understandable, and not their sole privilege. Many thousands of people have spent many hundreds of thousands of hours that have gone into the current efforts of healthcare reform. We have been presented with many options.
Hyping fear to small companies is irresponsible, when in the long run small companies with less employees, will be able to offer healthcare options to employees who didn’t previously have access under the current expensive system. And it would be more affordable overall for large and small companies to provide insurance.
The enemy of small business isn’t healthcare reform, it is unregulated insurance and medical industry interests that the small business can’t compete or negotiate with. Nor is our enemy illegal residents.
We have reasons it is illegal to discriminate against origin when providing medical care. Who is to decide who does or doesn’t receive care, Costs to care for them would be less if overall costs were brought under control.
We do not have the leisure to just wait, especially from biased industry promoted fears. The industry needs limits and mandates to bring the overall cost down, now. And after this is a reality the tax burden will be less, not more.
It’s amazing what cost effective and preventive care could accomplish. Making it the standard, not just accessible for those who can afford it.
Health care reform is doable and cost effective, if, we have the strength to see not only health care reform but economic reform all the way through.
Julie Tabor
Granite Falls
Centennial trail users should be more cautious
Dear Editor,
The crosswalk at the Centennial trail and 20th St. NE is inviting a serious accident. Trail users seem to feel they have the absolute right-of-way at that crossing.
At certain times during the day there is a lot of traffic on Machias Road and when someone has to stop for a trail user to cross it can create enough of a backup to cause a very dangerous situation.
I would like to see the type of barrier that would make trail users stop and allow the cars coming off Machias Road to complete the turn onto 20th without the fear of being rear-ended.
There has been so much regarding pedestrian right-of-way that many just assume all cars must stop, never realizing the assumption can jeopardize themselves and others.
The little stop signs put there seem to be largely ignored by the majority, so a better system needs to be put in place before someone is badly hurt, or worse.
Karen Serrano
Lake Stevens
Granite Falls citizens need to elect a new mayor
Dear Editor,
Mayor Romack of Granite Falls is running for re-election.
Why? So he can submit more fraudulent expenses to the city?
Recently, a State Audit showed many expenses paid to him without confirming receipts (i.e: mileage, purchases, trips, etc.) I think the people of Granite Falls need a new leader.
What say you?
Ruth Swartz
Arlington
Venue change questioned for Railroad Days Alumni
Dear Editor,
Why is it that the Traditional Alumni Breakfast is now held at the “Our Father’s House” church?
Could it be that the Pastor of the church is the son of the Mayor, Lyle Romack in Granite Falls?
The traditional Alumni Breakfast has always been held at the Granite Falls Eagles on Railroad Days. Most everybody likes it at the Eagles and the food is better!
Cheryl Peters
Granite Falls
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