Courteous cyclist reminds others to share the trail
One of the gems of Anacortes is the Tommy Thompson Trail. It is shared by walkers, runners, roller bladers and cyclists young and old.
Recently, I was mistaken for someone who was involved in an incident where a family walking the trail in early November was verbally assaulted and passed in a high-speed, unsafe manner by a very tall male cyclist with a mustache, wearing electric blue tights. I was not that cyclist.
There is no excuse for this type of cycling behavior. It puts people at risk of injury, emotionally scares the children involved and provokes the parents. It also gives a bad reputation to the cycling community.
Cyclists on the trail should be considerate of others and use common safety sense: Ride on the right hand side of the trail at reduced speed, politely announce intentions to overtake slower trail users, and pass on the left giving wide berth. If necessary, dismount and walk your bicycle around small children who may stray into your path.
This incident has not been the first time that this bicyclist has verbally assaulted people using the trail.
In an effort to bring it to an end, I suggest that those in our community who have experienced his rude behavior file complaints with the Anacortes Police Department.
Charlie Schultz
President, Skagit Bicycle Club
Contact police if people cause problems on trail
Recently the Anacortes Police Department and the Anacortes American received information about an unpleasant cyclist on the Tommy Thompson Trail. Pedestrians on the trail report that the man rides very fast and shouts obscenities at people who impede his way on the trail.
The Police Department has contacted the man and advised him his behavior is inappropriate and if it continues he could be cited for disorderly conduct.
The trail is a wonderful resource for the city of Anacortes and is enjoyed by many walkers, runners and cyclists, including me. However, the trail is also a bicycle commuting route for many people. It is important the bicyclists and pedestrians both respect each other and comply with some simple safety rules.
Pedestrians need to be aware it is difficult for cyclists to stop quickly and some cyclists are traveling quite fast. Pedestrians should stay to the right side of the trail when a cyclist approaches. Dogs need to be kept on a leash and under their owners’ control at all times on the trail.
Cyclists should always pass on the left and should make their presence known to the pedestrians by either a bell or a simple loud announcement of “on your left.” I usually follow that up with “thank you” when a pedestrian has moved over for me.
If you do encounter a problem person on the trail, please advise the Anacortes Police Department as soon as practical. Most cyclists and pedestrians are great people who are courteous and respectful of others. Please remember the trail belongs to all of us. Walk, run, and ride safely so that you and other users have a good experience.
Chief Bonnie W. Bowers
AnacortesPolice Department
Sixth-graders worked hard, had own election ideas
As the parent of a Mount Erie Elementary School sixth-grader who chose to write his paper in support of John McCain, I can’t help but take issue with the letter published by the Anacortes American written by Mr. Knudsen.
Unfortunately, Mr. Knudsen has really no idea of the story behind the children’s Letters to the Editor. He starts with the assumption that these kids know who their parents support and that both parents support the same candidate and then he continues by assuming these kids are incapable of forming their own opinions.
The sixth-graders at Mount Erie have been studying the election process since school started in September. They elected candidates, ran campaigns, developed platforms and studied how the political process works.
During this time the kids came home from school excited to watch the debates, follow the campaigns and discuss what is happening in the world.
Every sixth-grader was given the assignment of writing an opinion/persuasive paper, in which they were required to research the positions of each candidate on a variety of issues (war, taxes, education, environment or anything else that interested them).
This assignment was completed primarily at school with little or no input from parents or teachers.
In the end, some of the persuasive papers were printed in the Anacortes American as letters to the editor. Kids really are that informed and articulate, thanks to our teachers and their own writing abilities and effort.
In my opinion, Mr. Knudsen’s statements represent what is wrong with politics - you don’t agree with me therefore I will be disrespectful and ridicule you, even if I am an adult and you are 12. No wonder the schools have to battle children who bully others. The children are learning from adults.
We need to thank the teachers who are encouraging our kids to be excited, informed and educated members of society.
There is no doubt that in my mind that President-elect Obama would be proud of these teachers and kids regardless of who they supported.
It seems to me that Obama is soon to be president because he represents hope, opportunity and acceptance for everyone, not just those who agree with him.
Robin Irving
Anacortes
Speeders put kids at risk in Skyline and around town
I live on Kingsway in Skyline and consider myself to be an avid runner and dog walker. Unfortunately, it has been getting more and more dangerous for me to do either of these two things.
The reason is speed. The street has become an around the clock drag strip for some of our community’s less considerate drivers. Many people use Kingsway to cut through from Anaco Beach Road to 12th Street. The worst offenses tend to occur at the worst possible times — when school buses are running.
Imagine the horrific feeling you would have if you struck and killed a child so that you could arrive at your destination a moment or two sooner. As a community we have had enough of your disregard for our safety.
We are organizing and are taking the matter to the City Council on Nov. 17. With the help of City Councilman Kevin McKeown, we hope to see increased police patrols and possible speed-reducing devices.
The next time you’re driving through our neighborhood, or anywhere else for that matter, pay attention to the posted speed limit and follow it. Finally, if nothing else I’ve written has sunk in with you, remember that speeding uses more gas and costs you more money. Whatever justification you need — just please slow down.
Jack Curtis
Anacortes
