MAIL

ACTUAL LETTERS
FROM
ACTUAL READERS




Trains -Not Planes

Your cover story last issue "Unhappy Landings" (Feb.-March) handily exposed many holey arguments of pro-third runway advocates in Seattle. But I feel compelled to add that higher-speed rail is only an alternative "solution" if citizens are willing to ride. Most predictions for new transit ridership are pretty shaky and often proved overly optimistic. Collins' article oversimplified the comparison with rail, though he has the right idea.
The most complex component of transportation issues is that significant changes depend on individual behavior. Everyone's got to take responsibility for making transit work, first by driving less.
It is difficult to convince decision-makers that people will ride when we vote no on transit, oppose tolls and pricing, drive to the corner grocery store, and seek short-term payoffs.

Tracy Reed
Seattle


Getting Past the Noise

In regard to your article about Sea-Tac Airport in the your last issue ("Unhappy Landings" Feb.-March), I feel your story is well written. And it's well researched as far as it goes. Where it doesn't go is beyond the misinformation, disinformation, sensationalism and scare tactic rhetoric of the anti-third runway groups. The South End is not monolithic about the runway.
I know the temper of the city of Burien better than most because I just successfully ran a referendum to repeal a new utility tax designed specifically to fight the third runway. Having collected more than 42 percent of active voter signatures in less than 30 days, the City Council backed down and repealed the tax without a public vote. We wanted a public vote-a vote that would gauge public opinion on the runway fight. That's never happened, because elected officials are afraid the vote would not support their funding of anti-third runway propaganda through groups like the ACC, RCAA and now WATT.
People in Burien are still asking for a public vote because the City Council has decided to reduce the general fund budget to pay for the anti-runway campaign, a back door run if ever there was one. The Mariners people would be proud.
It is past time to get by the noise of the anti-runway crowd and see what the rest of the people want. Talk to me. Talk to the referendum volunteers. Talk to the referendum signers.

Stephen Lamphear
Burien


Please see an additional reader response to this story.


[Home] [This Issue's Directory] [WFP Index] [WFP Back Issues] [E-Mail WFP]

Contents on this page were published in the April/May, 1996 edition of the Washington Free Press.
WFP, 1463 E. Republican #178, Seattle, WA -USA, 98112. -- WAfreepress@gmail.com
Copyright © 1996 WFP Collective, Inc.