In this economy a Fred Meyer isn’t likely here
For years now, I’ve been reading the debates about whether Anacortes should let a store like Fred Meyer come into town.

Well, I’m in the retail construction business and I think it’s a rather moot point now. Has anyone asked Kroeger lately whether they’d even be interested in building a store in our town?

Stores are closing all over the place, not being built, so there’s no need agonizing over whether we should allow a larger store to move into town (or on the fringes). It might have been a viable question when the discussion started years ago, but it certainly isn’t now.

I grew up in a town in upstate New York with the exact population of Anacortes, not counting the college students and Air Force personnel. My parents had a shop there. They were driven out of business when The Mall came to the area. So I’m very much in sympathy with our local merchants.

And all the references to JC Penney and The Islander, there’s a reason why they left town. They weren’t making any money. As you know, the Sears store recently closed. A town like ours can’t support a 50,000- or 100,000-square-foot store.

So, let’s be happy with the lovely stores we have, shop them, keep them in business and wish them well in this hard economic time. I know we don’t have to go all the way to Burlington just to buy socks.
Carmen Spofford
Anacortes

Big box stores don’t fit with our community
In reference to Fred Curow’s letter of Dec. 31, 2008, it is an example of people who should move from Anacortes to a “big box” location.

Apparently, he has frequent need of clothing, etc. which necessitates he make frequent, expensive trips from Anacortes to other towns. Since he wants Fred Meyer in Anacortes, he must be going to big box stores.

He also recommends a Fred Meyer in Anacortes so Whidbey Island people could come here to shop. I haven’t been to Oak Harbor for a few years but the last time there was both a Wal-Mart and KMart. If they need more big box this would be the place for Fred Meyer to locate.

Many people have become big box addicts. They have frequent needs to shop in these stores whether they really need what they buy. At one time, I went to Burlington at least twice a week — then I finally cut back to once a month — now I keep a list and go only every six months, if necessary.

I save a lot of money, time, travel expense, etc. I can’t wait to get back to Anacortes away from big box heaven. I am well able to meet any regular needs here.

This a period of time when our country is in serious economic trouble. Most people would be wise to watch how they shop, how often, and where. Big box addicts are often people in serious credit card debt. Frequent trips to these stores can result in buying items you do not need or really want.

Anacortes has long had the reputation of being a desirable, affluent place to live. Property values have been high. Let in just one big box and the door is open for all including the big giant — Wal-Mart. Property value will go down and the image of Anacortes as it is now will be gone.

A lot of time and money have been spent on upgrading Old Town along Commercial Avenue. This will be lost if big box stores locate here. Like many towns across the U.S., downtown will become a dead zone.

The city fathers, so-called, have long been avid supporters of MJB developers and Fred Meyer.

Other possibilities, far more suitable to Anacortes have been lost. Many smaller business stores will not locate here with big box hanging over the town. It would be good for our town if the city fathers would all resign so new blood could hopefully get voted into office — people who would work to protect Anacortes as it is.

Love Anacortes as it is now or leave it. Don’t spoil it for the people who love and appreciate it.
Gloria Cutter
Anacortes

Traffic stops shouldn’t endanger drivers
On Dec. 19 as reported by the Associated Press, four people were hurt, two seriously, near where police had pulled over a driver in Tilton, N.H. Investigators reported an officer was concluding a traffic stop when another car was forced to cross the centerline in order to pass the scene. An oncoming van on the two-lane road hit the car head-on resulting in the serious injuries.

On the night of Jan. 8, multiple cars were required to cross the centerline on two-lane Oakes Avenue to clear the scene of a traffic stop where an officer positioned his car at an angle several feet onto the westbound lane, regardless of the well-identified shoulder. When discussing the danger of this practice with the police officer at a later time, he defended the practice as “standard procedure.”

Moral of the story: two wrongs don’t make a right, don’t become part of the problem.
Traci Thompson
Anacortes

Political contributions behind PSE sale
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved the sellout of Puget Energy Inc. and Puget Sound Energy to Puget Holdings, a Delaware corporation, on Dec. 30, 2008. Puget Holdings is owned by the Macquarie Group, a foreign owned venture that’s been likened by some to a huge Ponzi scheme.

How could this happen in view of the overwhelming public sentiment against the sellout?

PSE has lavished hundreds of thousands of customer dollars on political contributions to Washington state legislators over the last several election cycles. Republicans, Democrats — political party made no difference. And all the politicians had to do was nothing. Not a single one spoke out against the sellout, thought by many to be against the public interest.

Gov. Christine Gregoire received $4,700, Jeff Morris received $1,600 in 2008 alone and Attorney General Rob McKenna received $2,150. They joined the approximately 95 Washington state legislators and officials who reported receiving contributions from PSE. Again, not a single one raised any questions concerning the sellout.

PSE also spent untold advertising dollars with the Skagit Valley Herald for multiple full page ads extolling the virtues of PSE. The Skagit Valley Herald failed to raise the alarm concerning any of the perceived downsides to the PSE sellout. Additionally, Steve Reynolds, PSE CEO, will reportedly receive $20,000,000 as a reward for engineering the sellout of PSE to Macquarie.

There’s still a chance that Simon Ffitch, public counsel with the Attorney General’s office, will file an appeal to the Superior Court objecting to the sellout, but I wouldn’t bet on it with his boss receiving $2,150 in political contributions from PSE.

Many of us believe that we must support clean election laws to eliminate the corrupting influence (or appearance) of money on Washington politics.
Howard Pellett
Guemes Island

Waterfront complex doesn’t fit neighborhood
A new developer, GEMS, arrived in our town a year or so ago and purchased numerous properties including the Star Bar Restaurant downtown. GEMS appeared to be a “good neighbor” for our growing community.

Residents in a small established neighborhood are now finding that more is to come. There is property below D Avenue on the waterfront that is to be a motel, restaurant and convention center.

A small single road through quiet neighborhoods enters this property with no sidewalks for pedestrians. In addition, because of need for parking for staff and customers, it is proposed that in a nearby neighborhood at 11th and D Avenue a parking lot with valet parking and cottages be constructed. Also, there is a concern about fire and other emergency protection for that project.

This developer no longer seems like a “good neighbor” to me.
Connie O. Walters
Anacortes

Buy Close By program plans ‘Rocky Horror’
On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and our members, I want to thank residents for their support of our Buy Close By program during the holiday season.

Local patronage is vital to the economic health of our community. Buying local keeps dollars in the town’s economy, creates local jobs and takes advantage of the expertise of our businesspeople. Getting great service at an affordable price is an unbeatable combination. I want to thank our steering committee, headed by Heather Miller of Read Me a Story, for their hard work in making this campaign a reality.

Residents will see a wide variety of events connected with the Buy Close By program during 2009. The first: If you are feeling adventuresome, two free showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Anacortes Cinema on Friday, Jan. 23 at 11:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. If you’ve never experienced this cult classic, you’re in for a treat.

We will be distributing buy local materials in the lobby — please take the time to review and share with your friends.  Thanks to Christine Love of the Anacortes Cinema for her assistance in making this happen.

Please continue to support our local hotels, restaurants and shops when making your purchase decisions. The folks you buy from are likely your neighbors, and the retail sales generated support city services that benefit all of us.
Mitch Everton
Executive Director
Anacortes Chamber of Commerce

Watertown event helped Water to Drink’s efforts
Many thanks to The Watertown Pub and Grill, especially Caroline, pub manager/MC extraordinaire, for hosting such an enjoyable benefit evening for Water to Drink, an Anacortes-based environmental education and community health nonprofit partnership, during the December art walk.

The event featured dance music by the Splinters and a raffle for items from Penguin Coffee, Debbie Aldridge Jewelry and Susana Bonadea Photography, and a Classic Days Sails of Deer Harbor, Orcas Island three-hour cruise. Over 100 people attended and it was a wonderful coming together of so many community members toward a common cause.

Some organizations represented by members at the event were Agriculture Preservation, Skagit Land Trust, Everett Parks and Recreation and the Olympia-based EcoGuild. There were many other out of town guests.

We are planning another benefit dance evening at The Watertown on Feb. 20 with Latin jazz and a Mardi Gras “Carnival for Water” festival.

Thanks to all for such a wonderful evening and stay tuned to join us in dancing our way to world water day.

Visit us at http://www.WatertoDrink.org for more information.
Susan Lisa Toch and The Friends of Water to Drink