Letters to the editor
Published on Wed, Mar 2, 2011Read More Letters
Better options for downtown
As a downtown Sequim resident and home- owner, I would like to respond to some of the current improvement ideas brought up at the recent Sequim Downtown Plan meetings as reported in the Sequim Gazette of Feb. 16, 2011.
First, regarding a cinema multiplex in the Bank of America building at Washington and Sequim, I think this is a poor idea because of the increased traffic and parking lot loitering (and resultant mischief) it is likely to bring to our neighborhood. The area is almost deserted at night and will probably be poorly patrolled by the cinema itself — an invitation to trouble. Why not assist the half-empty Bell Creek Plaza to bring a cineplex in there instead, if there really is demand for a movie theater in Sequim — which is doubtful, given the average age of our citizens and the current home theater options?
Second, the east end of downtown is, in fact, where the city’s attention should be placed. Bell Creek Plaza is precariously under-utilized and to lose its existing tenants would be a serious blow to the future of east Sequim — especially the loss of QFC. In addition, the owners of the large undeveloped properties south of Washington should be required to maintain those lots, especially in terms of weed abatement and trash removal. These properties are eyesores and real miseries for allergy sufferers.
Third, before the city promotes more medium-rise apartment buildings, it should see what tenants have to say about the most recent such development, Elk Creek Apartments. Generally, the tenants hate it. They say it is cheaply constructed and poorly patrolled — drug deals, apparently, are common. Don’t take my word for it — Google the development and read the tenants’ posts.
Ted Riese
Sequim
Zoning is a ‘mish-mash’
The article (“Changes to mixed-use, commercial zones affect homeowners,” Feb. 23, page A-1) is sure to raise the curiosity and ire of many. Nice color depiction but no key/table indicating color assignment.
I am fairly new to Sequim and am appalled at the fractured approach to zoning, planning and general mish mash approach to a jewel that could be … and big box mentality! Do not let this happen!
Restore the downtown, limit those stupid big boxes and hide them with surrounding parks. Have those big boxes pay for all this. This is done elsewhere with great success. Move the egos out of the planning process.
Donna MacLean
Sequim
Oh, Really?
I know there are many fine teachers in Sequim.
Tim Wheeler’s response to my Feb. 16 letter misses the big picture and cites misleading information. To get accurate information, read “The 5 Big Lies About Business,” by Michael Medved.
Ronald Reagan said, “It’s not that my liberal friends are ignorant, it’s that so much of what they know just isn’t so.”
Facts are stubborn things. The U.S. spends more than $91,000 per student for K-12 education, more than every country in the world, except Switzerland. A 2007 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that of 30 developed countries the U.S. ranked 15th in reading, 21st in science, 25th in mathematics and 24th in problem solving. Obviously, spending more money on education does not improve student performance. If spending more money generates better performance, why are other developed countries that spend less getting better results?
It’s better to ask why we spend so much for such poor results. Is it because of public school monopolization; arcane Soviet-style union rules ensuring mediocrity; union donations to Democrats with whom they negotiate; weak parental involvement; emphasis on athletics to the exclusion of academics; low expectations; lax discipline; short school days/year; curricula incorporation of moral relativism; excessive administration and bureaucracy or federal duplication and meddling in state sovereignty?
Don’t ask overburdened taxpayers for more sacrifices without answering the questions above.
Thomas Jefferson said, “To preserve our independence we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt ... I am for a government rigorously frugal and simple.” I agree!
Peter Heisel
Sequim
Best wishes on retirement
Dear Gov. Scott Walker,
As a Wisconsin transplant to the state of Washington, at the tender age of 2, I want to thank you for your courageous stand regarding the current effort to disembowel your pesky parasitic public sector unions. I was and am especially impressed by the way you handled that prank call from Ian Murphy from Buffalo, N.Y., where he posed as David Koch, who I was gratified to learn contributed $43,000 to your last campaign.
Because I am so proud of being an ex-Wisconsiner, I mean that in the best way, I am encouraging all my friends here in the rainy Northwest to make sure that they fire up the ol’ PC and listen to the entire 20-minute call. I particularly liked the “no negotiation” approach you described. I mean, when you’re right you’re right and to hell with the other side. I really loved the part about withholding the paycheck from the missing 14 Democratic senators that are trying to block the will of the people, until they show up in person and pick up their check. Ha ha — what a smooth move. Well anyway, all of America is watching your every move and will I am certain support you and all the true American business interests you represent.
Best wishes on your imminent retirement from public office.
Pat Clark
Sequim
As a downtown Sequim resident and home- owner, I would like to respond to some of the current improvement ideas brought up at the recent Sequim Downtown Plan meetings as reported in the Sequim Gazette of Feb. 16, 2011.
First, regarding a cinema multiplex in the Bank of America building at Washington and Sequim, I think this is a poor idea because of the increased traffic and parking lot loitering (and resultant mischief) it is likely to bring to our neighborhood. The area is almost deserted at night and will probably be poorly patrolled by the cinema itself — an invitation to trouble. Why not assist the half-empty Bell Creek Plaza to bring a cineplex in there instead, if there really is demand for a movie theater in Sequim — which is doubtful, given the average age of our citizens and the current home theater options?
Second, the east end of downtown is, in fact, where the city’s attention should be placed. Bell Creek Plaza is precariously under-utilized and to lose its existing tenants would be a serious blow to the future of east Sequim — especially the loss of QFC. In addition, the owners of the large undeveloped properties south of Washington should be required to maintain those lots, especially in terms of weed abatement and trash removal. These properties are eyesores and real miseries for allergy sufferers.
Third, before the city promotes more medium-rise apartment buildings, it should see what tenants have to say about the most recent such development, Elk Creek Apartments. Generally, the tenants hate it. They say it is cheaply constructed and poorly patrolled — drug deals, apparently, are common. Don’t take my word for it — Google the development and read the tenants’ posts.
Ted Riese
Sequim
Zoning is a ‘mish-mash’
The article (“Changes to mixed-use, commercial zones affect homeowners,” Feb. 23, page A-1) is sure to raise the curiosity and ire of many. Nice color depiction but no key/table indicating color assignment.
I am fairly new to Sequim and am appalled at the fractured approach to zoning, planning and general mish mash approach to a jewel that could be … and big box mentality! Do not let this happen!
Restore the downtown, limit those stupid big boxes and hide them with surrounding parks. Have those big boxes pay for all this. This is done elsewhere with great success. Move the egos out of the planning process.
Donna MacLean
Sequim
Oh, Really?
I know there are many fine teachers in Sequim.
Tim Wheeler’s response to my Feb. 16 letter misses the big picture and cites misleading information. To get accurate information, read “The 5 Big Lies About Business,” by Michael Medved.
Ronald Reagan said, “It’s not that my liberal friends are ignorant, it’s that so much of what they know just isn’t so.”
Facts are stubborn things. The U.S. spends more than $91,000 per student for K-12 education, more than every country in the world, except Switzerland. A 2007 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that of 30 developed countries the U.S. ranked 15th in reading, 21st in science, 25th in mathematics and 24th in problem solving. Obviously, spending more money on education does not improve student performance. If spending more money generates better performance, why are other developed countries that spend less getting better results?
It’s better to ask why we spend so much for such poor results. Is it because of public school monopolization; arcane Soviet-style union rules ensuring mediocrity; union donations to Democrats with whom they negotiate; weak parental involvement; emphasis on athletics to the exclusion of academics; low expectations; lax discipline; short school days/year; curricula incorporation of moral relativism; excessive administration and bureaucracy or federal duplication and meddling in state sovereignty?
Don’t ask overburdened taxpayers for more sacrifices without answering the questions above.
Thomas Jefferson said, “To preserve our independence we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt ... I am for a government rigorously frugal and simple.” I agree!
Peter Heisel
Sequim
Best wishes on retirement
Dear Gov. Scott Walker,
As a Wisconsin transplant to the state of Washington, at the tender age of 2, I want to thank you for your courageous stand regarding the current effort to disembowel your pesky parasitic public sector unions. I was and am especially impressed by the way you handled that prank call from Ian Murphy from Buffalo, N.Y., where he posed as David Koch, who I was gratified to learn contributed $43,000 to your last campaign.
Because I am so proud of being an ex-Wisconsiner, I mean that in the best way, I am encouraging all my friends here in the rainy Northwest to make sure that they fire up the ol’ PC and listen to the entire 20-minute call. I particularly liked the “no negotiation” approach you described. I mean, when you’re right you’re right and to hell with the other side. I really loved the part about withholding the paycheck from the missing 14 Democratic senators that are trying to block the will of the people, until they show up in person and pick up their check. Ha ha — what a smooth move. Well anyway, all of America is watching your every move and will I am certain support you and all the true American business interests you represent.
Best wishes on your imminent retirement from public office.
Pat Clark
Sequim
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Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words may be shortened. We strive to publish all letters.
• Letters are subject to editing for spelling and grammar; we contact the writer when substantial changes are required, sending the letter back to the writer for revisions. Personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are not printed.
• All letters must have a valid signature, with a printed name, address and phone number for verification. Only the name and town/community are printed.
• Deadline for letters to appear in the next publication is noon Friday. Because of the volume of letters, not all letters are published the week they are submitted. Time-sensitive letters have a priority.
• Letters are published subject to legal limitations relating to defamation and factual representation.
• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
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