The facts about S-W and Deluxe

Shelley Burgett’s letters to the editor have raised a number of concerns. I respect her opinion, however, it is important to address her factual inaccuracies. Public debate is especially important with a controversial project, and accurate information is critical. Just the facts:

* The city is in solid financial condition. We don’t need Deluxe’s money to balance our budget. Our city has a high bond rating and we are operating within our budget.

* Many of our employees live outside of the city limits. Like local businesses and industries and neighboring cities, it is common practice to hire the best candidate for the job regardless of where they live. Ideally, I would like to staff the city with all Sedro-Woolley residents, but that is not realistic in a small town.

* As for the location of a recycling/transfer facility, the council and city staff have encouraged Deluxe from the beginning to locate further away from the school. The property Deluxe picked is zoned industrial and allows for its use by law. However, we continue to encourage Deluxe to consider a better location.

* As for the hearing examiner bills: Shelley states that Mrs. Janicki is being billed for services unrelated to the appeal. To date, Mrs. Janicki has received no bills for hearing examiner costs, and she will not be billed for hearing examiner costs unrelated to the appeal. The cost for her attorney is between Mrs. Janicki and her attorney.

* At no time has the City Council or I “chastised and degraded” residents of this city who came to address their concerns. Our meetings and offices are open, and we are happy to hear from the residents of Sedro-Woolley.

Again, I respect Shelley’s opinions, but her facts are just flat wrong.

Mike Anderson
Mayor of Sedro-Woolley


Tulip Town — what a treat

For Skagit residents who missed locals night at Tulip Town, you missed a special, fun-filled evening and royal treat.

Our two granddaughters were visiting from Connecticut and had spent the day before with their parents out in the cold/cool fields. When the locals only night was announced, we grandparents decided to take them “out” for one more trip through the tulips. And as the 7-year-old remarked, “It’s more fun going with you, Grandpa!”

By that time, she and her sister were in total awe of the inside pictures, paintings, tulip displays and, of course, the trolley ride at Tulip Town. The whole evening was a big hit for both the girls, who especially enjoyed the trolley ride, where Vern Egbers was the official greeter as we all boarded.

So as the two precious little girls head back to Connecticut, you can rest assured that Skagit County and the tulips will be mentioned during their first day back to school after spring break. On behalf of our special granddaughters and ourselves, thank you Tulip Town for offering this wonderful night of fun entertainment!

Al Littlefield
Anacortes


Why build ferry terminal now?

As a full-time resident of Guemes Island, please help me understand the rationale to proceed with plans to soon construct the new “million dollar” Guemes Island ferry terminal building. 

At a time when fuel costs are skyrocketing, when costs of service and usage are increasing, when an already overcrowded area of old-town Anacortes is plagued by parking problems, when parking in the designated ferry parking lot is hampered by theft and vandalism of commuter vehicles, how is it that construction of a new terminal building has been prioritized to the top of the list?

Please note that I am not asking “why” the building is necessary — I’m sure there are specific reasons. My question is simply: Why now? There are issues of much greater urgency that need attention now, including matters of growth management, the ferry budget, meeting current saltwater environmental regulations, not to mention the issue of extended ferry hours that are dragging the budget deeper into the red.

I applaud the county’s decision to install a new single-unit, portable building to house the ferry manager’s office at the dock for administrative purposes. Many of our public schools are using this strategy to create additional space as a stopgap measure to meet current needs as future planning takes place. This is the kind of intelligent planning that residents of Skagit County have come to expect and to which they are entitled.

So given the issues stated above, the expenditure for the ferry manager’s office and the state of the budget, why are the commissioners choosing to build a new ferry terminal building now?

I would particularly like to hear from Commissioner Munks on this matter, one lifetime Anacortes resident to another, as I have heard that he has promoted this action.

Tim Wittman
Guemes Island


Which students being silenced?

Who is really being silenced in the “Day of Silence”? I ask this question after doing some Internet research. While I would agree with the promoter of the event that verbal and physical abuse directed toward gay students is wrong and efforts should be made to bring it to an end, I couldn’t help but wonder who is deciding what merits harassment. What does “gay bashing” entail?

We know some of the slang terms used would constitute harassment. However, what if my child has a conviction that this lifestyle, like a lot of others, is morally wrong? Would their saying so be considered harassment? With so much attention being given to the rights of gay students, are we creating an environment on campus that would make having a moral conviction and expressing it wrong?

It seems to me we are turning the tables, and by attempting to correct one wrong, we may be creating another. Now where do students go to express the belief that homosexuality is not just an alternative lifestyle but a lifestyle contrary to their view of a healthy society? Some may think our schools are not a place to express moral conviction. However, the Day of Silence observance is a moral statement. The question is not whether morality is being taught but whose morality is being taught.

Now a student who verbalizes a conviction may be harassed. He or she may be called a bigot or homophobe. This harassment would no doubt be overlooked. After all, their is no day dedicated to stopping the harassment of the moral student.

I would pose the question again: Who is really being silenced in the day of silence? So tell your kids that mum’s the word. Or just keep them home April 25.

Victor W. Cline
Sedro-Woolley