MERCER ISLAND REPORTER | www.mi-reporter.com
letters | FROM 4 authority to make these decisions. Second, the two material variances from the code that the developer asked for were to not put retail storefronts on the part of the project fronting on the steep hill going up S.E. 27th and to have a higher income level for the project’s affordable housing units. With the retail vacancies we already have in Town Center, the Council did not insist on what would have been undesirable retail space. As to affordable housing, the proposed units still met what is considered the King County “moderate income level.” The Council did demand a steep price for these concessions. First, the developer provided more affordable housing units than the law required. Second, the developer agreed not to apply for the affordable housing real property tax exemption it would otherwise qualify for — a huge financial gain for Islander taxpayers. Third, the developer placed a public plaza on S.E. 76th, which it otherwise had no obliga-
tion to provide. I respect that people can take issue with Town Center development, but let’s be honest with what happened as to the Legacy project. The only concessions that Council member Brahm, other Council members and I made in the case of that project did not involve parking and were ones that the city got far more than it gave. Dan Grausz
Tolling I have attended and spoken at a number of hearings on Mercer Island and in Bellevue in opposition to any tolls on I-90. Numerous times, I’ve written my protests to Rep. Judy Clibborn. Once again, I urged her not to toll I-90. In my 74 years of life, I cannot remember when Americans in general were so distrustful of government, local, state and national. The examples of these feelings are all around us. Please listen to us. An overwhelming majority of Americans never expected any Interstate roads/highways to be tolled.
Surely you all know and understand this. The Mercer Island bridge already has been paid for three times before by the citizens. First, when it was built in 1939. Second, when the parallel bridge with HOV lanes was built in 1995. Third, when the old bridge sank due to the incompetent decision to retain the pressure washing water in its pontoons. Now state, local and federal government thinks the citizens, mainly of Mercer Island and the Eastside, should pay the equivalent of a fourth bridge, which is not even in the interstate system. If you have any sense of the effect you have on government’s truthfulness, competence or obligation to the people you represent, you will not let this tolling of I-90 happen. Frederic S. Weiss
Tolling As a longtime Mercer Island resident who works in Seattle, whose husband works at the UW, who volunteers at the Chinese School in Bellevue, attends Yoga classes on the Eastside, and whose daughter participated in a multitude of extra-curricular activities both east and west of the
Mercer Island, I have followed the ongoing I-90 tolling saga carefully. Therefore, I have been following the Mercer Island City Council’s actions to prevent I-90 tolling. A huge part of stopping approval of I-90 tolling is organized, vocal and steadfast community refusal to accept tolling the federal interstate. Islanders have been clear: we overwhelmingly do not support tolls on I-90. We are organized, thanks to Lisa Belden and Eva Zemplenyi, and we’re still ready to resist tolling going forward. This fight is making progress but is far from over. And to keep the opposition strong, we need a City Council that will not surrender to this challenge. We cannot have representing us individuals who have stated, “…Basically half of Islanders will have to pay a toll one way or the other…” and, “I understand that no one gets a free ride, and I am not asking for that…” (Dan Grausz, Jan. 7, 2013, City Council meeting, at 2 hours, 48 minutes). Additionally, in Dan Grausz’s Feb. 18, 2013, email to constituents, he states that we should be “willing to do a reality check here and not tilt at windmills believing” that we can convince the Legislature to
SlipCoverS
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 | Page 5 not approve tolling. Dating back to his Dec. 2, 2008, Islander Newsletter to recent comments to Islanders and the Washington state Legislature, Dan Grausz has repeated his belief that tolling in one direction is inevitable and that Mercer Islanders must pay their “fair share.” His words reveal him not to be the bulwark Mercer Islander’s need to protect them from tolling. Compromise may be necessary at some point in a struggle, but not at the outset of a battle to prevent an inequitable, harmful, unprecedented tax of disproportionate impact. Tolling — with its effects of congestion, increased pollution due to this increased congestion, decreased mobility and resulting decreased economic vibrancy — is not inevitable, but only if those who represent us share that undiluted passion, are willing to act on it, and lead determinedly. Kevin Scheid will be that leader. Julie Sun
Toxics I was encouraged to see Rivy Poupko Kletenik’s op-ed last week on the continued use of toxic flame retardants in children’s
Free estimates
Karin Frank
SF
arah ord
by The Great Cover-Up
Custom slipcovers on the Eastside since 1985
Self Storage & Truck Rentals
products. The Jewish tradition — like many religious traditions — holds a reverence for life. We are not allowed to engage in actions that harm others or ourselves. But how can we do this as long as we live in a world where the everyday objects that surround us could be harming us, and especially our children? Current laws on toxic chemicals are very weak. This means that most — over 80,000 — chemicals sold in products in the U.S. have never been tested for toxic effects, while others whose dangers are known remain unregulated and unlabeled. Congress is considering a much-needed update of federal laws, which must be strengthened to protect all consumers. Closer to home, the Washington state Legislature will again be considering the Toxic Free Kids and Families’ Act in the coming session. I urge all Mercer Island readers to contact Sen. Steve Litzow to pass this legislation to make sure our kids and our families have the benefit of strong regulation for safe chemicals in all products that we buy. Our religious values call for this, as does our common sense.
• Custom designs • Personal service • Quality workmanship • Washable fabrics
GARY S. ODEGARD
206-940-4861 • www.slipcoversbymary.com
Your Island Realtor
Landscape Construction and Design
• Courtyards, Lattice Work • Lawns, Flowers • Container Plantings • Arbors, Decks • Pruning, Maintenance • Renovations, Consultations • Interior & Exterior Design
* Office Hours: 9AM-6PM Gate Hours: 5AM-11PM
Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co.
206-854-7702 | sarahford@cbbain.com
Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
206-236-0651/206-605-7037
Fine Cuisine Since 1988
Open ALL DAY!
Your traditional hardware store with an excellent stock of construction supplies and tools.
Monday-Friday 11:00am-9:30pm (10:00pm Friday) Saturday 11:30am-10:00pm • Sunday noon-9:30pm
Free LUMBER delivery to Mercer Island ($100 minimum)
Mon: 11am - 6pm
Sat: 9am - 4pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Free Dinner
for Birthday Person for MEN & WOMEN
anti-aging facials eyebrow shaping
body waxing massage therapy
mineral makeup skin care
Online Booking Now Available FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS SINCE 1926
3500 Factoria Blvd SE • Bellevue WA 98006 (QFC Mall in Factoria)
Fri: 10am - 6pm
Call 206-324-5000 to learn more, or visit us at 1761 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle. http://thestewartlumberco.com
See how close we really are!
425-641-5691 • tokyojr.com
Tues-Thurs: 10am - 5:30pm
206-232-2262 | 7605 SE 27 St, Ste 153 | www.christinefaceandbody.com th
• When a second Dinner entree of equal or greater value is purchased • Not accepted with other offers • Children 9 years or younger can have free kids menu • Valid photo ID required • Sushi bar excluded • Dine In Only
A
lth
a Se
of
a He
10O%ff
Bring in this ad for
Dinner
Excludes Sushi Bar. Not to be combined with any other offer. Dine-in only. Good through 11/30/2013