Burlington council being reckless

The Burlington City Council, over the objections of council members Aslett and Montgomery, voted to move forward with the $500,000 purchase of two pieces of property for a Railroad Park in downtown Burlington. Council members claimed the city had been in negotiations with the railroad for years to buy the property, and since the “money is in the budget,” they should go ahead with the purchase.

Let’s be honest, the money is only in the budget because the city decided to borrow money in January for this project and the North Burlington Boulevard project (including the infamous $196,000 “silo”). In an uncertain economic time, it was a bad idea for the council to include wants when borrowing money instead of focusing strictly on needs.

That bad idea has been trumped by its desire to move forward and spend money it essentially did not have for this want. It would be one thing if the council were willing to borrow money for things we need, such as improved residential streets and sidewalks so we could walk safely to the parks we already have, but borrowing money in this economy for wants is reckless.

City officials have stated that Railroad Park is important to the economic vitality of “new” old downtown. To the downtown folks who would stand to benefit, I would offer the same advice I received when I approached the City Council three years ago when turning in a petition of nearly all the residents of my street requesting sidewalks: Let them form an LID and put it in for themselves.

In business, there is an adage that “sales hide sins.” The council would be wise to keep this in mind as sales tax revenues decline: Political “sins” such as this will become more obvious.

Steve Sexton
Burlington

Late ferry runs: unneeded expense

A Nov. 1 Skagit Valley Herald editorial said, “Budget-cutting reality is about to hit Skagit County government, and this time, it’s much more an economic imperative than a political strategy.” The county is slashing budgets by 10 percent.

The Guemes Island ferry is evidently an exception. On Nov. 25, the commissioners will consider permanently extending weekday evening service. Public Works says the added service will cost about another $80,000 per year over the base schedule, and this is without figuring the increased wear and tear on the ferry and docks of the added crossings. In this economic climate, shouldn’t the county commissioners now be reducing costs on the Guemes Island ferry rather than spending more?

Contrast Skagit County’s approach to the belt-tightening that Whatcom County is doing on its Lummi Island ferry. It is proposing cutting weekday runs from 39 to 31, and even running the boat on just one of its two engines to save fuel costs, according to the Oct. 29 Bellingham Herald.

Even though fares were doubled two years ago, Public Works is asking to raise fares again to offset the cost of the late runs. I would support a fare increase to keep the ferry and docks in good condition. However, Public Works is just not keeping up with scheduled maintenance. Its Facility Maintenance Plan called for $700,000 to repair decrepit docks this year. The work has been deferred.

Instead, Skagit County Public Works is proposing to make permanent an expanded Guemes schedule and continuing a four-person crew (when three sufficed for 20 years), despite ridership being flat for two decades.

What gives? Where are the priorities? As the SVH editors said, shouldn’t we consider economic imperatives as a reality? It is time for the commissioners to set management objectives for Public Works.

Tim Rosenhan
Bow

MVSD excluded from bully article

I find it very interesting that the Skagit Valley Herald does a piece on bully behavior and does not include the Mount Vernon School District. It is the largest school district in this county and the most diverse in population. How did that happen?

My, my, what a dirty little secret we have here. The bully is alive and well in the Mount Vernon School District. Is that in the school improvement plan? Not so far. Maybe that’s why the Herald wasn’t interested? Who knows?

The Mount Vernon School Board just now gets the report about gangs and bully behavior. How much longer will it be now, until the leaders of this school district — and community for that matter — do something about it? Stop talking and do. It’s real simple.

When interviewed about the gang fights at MVHS in October, school officials asked students to lead and expressed concern for gang members. Is that a feel-good answer? That feel-good flavor won’t last much longer when children die. No doubt, it’s a tough job and it just got tougher, as the truth seethes. 

What about the leaders of this community? Stop investing in art and invest in your kids. I’m calling you out. All of you. Action speaks louder than words. Didn’t you learn that in school?

Barbara Leslie
Mount Vernon