Seattle Press on Line - Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Dec 06, 2001 -- Lyons' Sustainable Seafood Article

To The Editor:

What an interesting, informative and well-written piece by Zachary Lyons ("Local Chefs Work Toward Sustainable-Harvest Seafood") in the November 21 edition. I've read pieces about the environmental impact of raising animals for red meat but this is the first article I've read about fish farming. Just this morning on a work shuttle I overheard two women talking about their decisions to shun red meat and their justifications for continuing to consume fish, based on environmental impact. I turned to them and suggested that they pick up The Seattle Press and read the front-page article for a little enlightenment.

I only sporadically read The Seattle Press but I'll be inclined to do so more frequently if we can see more articles like this from Mr. Lyons. Way to go Zach.

Lori Hubbard

Allen's High Rises Invade South Lake Union Neighborhood

To the Editor:

On the outer fringe of South Lake Union, at Denny and Westlake, Paul Allen will finally get his Seattle Commons. His developers intend to build a semi-enclosed "urban neighborhood" with high rise office and condos, townhomes and retail (DCLU #2103073).

Unfortunately, this new, improved neighborhood invades an already existing one composed of small businesses, low income housing, street characters and more than 20 fully mature trees, the largest downtown stand other than Denny Park.

Today you can still see the tops of these trees by looking east on Lenora at Fourth Avenue. This may be your last look, as Paul Allen will destroy them to be "replaced" with plantings of his choice on the site. Whatever happened to Seattle's reputed reverence for its trees that would allow our living resources to be sacrificed in a high-risk upscale project begun in a recession?

Paul Allen's money must have also silenced our traffic complaints if his 48,000-square-foot grocery store is placed on Denny Way between Aurora and I-5, one of Seattle's worst rush hour snarls.

In Fremont, a tavern was moved to accommodate encroaching development. This developer would not consider modifying the project. Can Paul Allen's frustrated dream for a Seattle Commons merit a wholesale adoption of his project no matter what the effect on our neighborhood? With no electorate limiting his ambitions, our city seems eager to accommodate him. The DCLU is accepting comments before issuing final permits. Give them the benefit of your opinion via e-mail: PRC@ci.seattle.wa.us.

Laura Schaack

Reform Taxes, Don't Cut Blindly

To the Editor:

There have been many editorials, news articles and letters expressing what the voters message was concerning the passage of I-747. No more taxes or more efficiencies instead of more taxes. Most all of these opinions fall short of what is really needed, tax reform.

I want to pay my fare share of taxes for services rendered and to pay more if I have the ability to do so. I refuse to support a system that forces people out of their homes and is not based on either services rendered or ability to pay.

This state's property tax system is broken. It is impossible for honest and hard working government employees to keep abreast of the true value of each individual properly and if they could, it has nothing to do with government services rendered or taxpayers' ability to pay.

The assessed value system should be scrapped and in its place a formula system installed that equates to service rendered. For example, most fire districts perform two essential services, fire protection and medical assistance. The cost of providing fire protection has more to do with the acreage of land and square footage of structures than the value of the land or structures. The medical assistance costs are based on family units or number of employees or customers per property. Formulas could be created that approximate these service rendered per individual property.

Surface water management fees are an example of how this type of system works. It may need tweaking, but it does not need a total reform as the other services do.

Formulas relating to service rendered could be developed for all the other essential services such as schools, police, and roads.

I wonder how many other taxpayers feel this way and are willing to pay more under an equitable system? I currently donate considerable time and money to support park and open space programs. These programs could use more support from an equitable taxation system. If you agree with this letter, cast your vote by going on line to www.homsteadpark.org and make a donation to the Homestead Park project. I will notify our local newspapers if there is a notable increase in donations made through this means, which would indicate support for property tax reform.

Vernon J. Young
Gig Harbor

Fur for Animals, Not for Fashion

To the Editor:

As the weather gets colder and we move into winter, fur coats and fur-trimmed jackets will become a more common sight around the Seattle region. Thanks to fashion industry trendsetters, countless fur-bearing animals are still suffering in leghold traps and tiny cages on fur farms merely to be made into fur garments. Neiman Marcus, perhaps the trendsetter of the fashion world, plays an inordinately central role in the perpetuation of this cruel "fashion."

While eliminating fur from its racks would hardly dent its annual earnings, Neiman Marcus has consistently refused to adopt a more socially responsible policy. In fact, despite a long-standing, nationwide campaign by a coalition of humane organizations, the company has refused even to discuss this ethical dilemma.

Neiman Marcus cannot bury its head in the sand forever. The public does not support the gratuitous harming and killing of animals, and we must send this message loud and clear. On behalf of the 10 million animals needlessly tortured and killed for their fur each year in the United States, please join animal advocates across the country in protesting Neiman Marcus' fur policy. Visit www.NeimansKills.com for information on how to contact the company.

Suzanne McMillan, Correspondent
Compassion Over Killing
www.cok-online.org

Reader Comments

Discuss this article in the forums!

No comments yet!