OPINION Dangerous mix S PAGE 4 | Wednesday, December 11, 2013
A message from Mercer Island Police Chief, Ed Holmes
adly, it is well known that with holiday cheer comes an increase in rates of impaired driving. Recent high profile crashes connected to alcohol have not only devastated lives but, this time, have also become a catalyst for change. In efforts to make our roads safer, lawmakers in Olympia recently increased consequences for driving under the influence (DUI). Drunk drivers now face additional penalties such as mandatory ignition interlock devices and automatic vehicle impound. Complicating things, however, has been the legalization of marijuana, which has corresponded to nearly a 50% increase in “stoned” drivers on our roads since January. Increasing DUI penalties to better fit the crime can help deter would-be drunk drivers. Now, it is not only important that Washingtonians understand these rules also apply to marijuana , but to acknowledge that drugged driving is a problem that needs to be better understood. The jump in drugged driving rates in Washington is troubling. Of additional concern is that one quarter of those cases are for minors under age 21. While years of public health messaging and focused police enforcement have made it clear to youth and adults alike that, “drinking and driving don’t mix” and, “you don’t have to be buzzed to be busted,” driving under the influence of marijuana now must be given the same attention. Although it can have the same negative outcomes as drunk driving, marijuana impaired driving is more challenging to educate about than alcohol. The law states that five nanograms of active delta-9-THC per liter of whole blood is the standard for determining impaired driving. However, this level is somewhat arbitrary because every individual is affected by marijuana differently. Chronic users may be less impaired than first time users even after smoking the same amount. The science remains unclear.
‘Mixing marijuana with alcohol or other drugs more than doubles impairment’
Mercer Island rEporter | www.mi-reporter.com
To the editor Too much personal information in obituaries can lead to crime This past September, we came home from my grandfather’s funeral to find our house here on the Island burglarized. The back door had been broken and several thousand dollars in jewelry and small electronics were stolen. My suspicion that it was not a coincidence was confirmed when we learned that my parents’ home (in Bothell) was burglarized during the same time period. Both of our first and last names had been mentioned in an obituary that ran in the Seattle Times three days prior. The obituary provided the time and location of the viewing and funeral. A letter to Councilmember Mike Ever since then, I cringe every Cero, Mayor Bruce Bassett and the time I see so much personal informaMercer Island City Council and staff, tion in the obituaries published in It was so much fun to meet with the Reporter. My grandfather was 96 Councilman Cero and sit in the counwhen he passed away and read the cil chambers to learn obituaries every day to what the city governlearn of and attend his ment does. friends’ services, so our We especially liked family did not hesitate to Send your letters to: being greeted by Mayor write a lengthy obituary editor@mi-reporter.com. Bassett at the beginning for him and include all of Keep it brief, courteous, of the council meeting, the traditional informaand sign your name. and were glad you listion. We did not realize tened to our important until it was too late that concerns. it would come at such a cost. We were relieved to learn that there Please encourage your readers to won’t be an actual war if I-90 tolleither leave out identifying informaing begins, but a little disappointed tion, publish their obituaries after the that the council won’t take up our funeral or memorial service has taken important cause of making elementary place, or consider hiring private secuschool recess start earlier. rity during the service. It would break Thanks again for taking the time to my heart to hear about this happening teach our youth how democracy and to anyone else. our city work. Kristin Rahlfs
Scouts visit City Council
Have your say
Gregg Alyama and Cub Scouts Pack 668
Plastic bag ban example of ‘breezy arrogance’ The proposed Plastic Bag ban is a stunning example of breezy arrogance, profound ignorance, and misguided idealism. There are those on the Mercer Island City Council who propose neat solutions to problems existent or not. They feel they bear the burden of a special enlightenment, made no less tiresome by being God given, that must be imposed on the Island. As has been pointed out by several individuals, a ban on so called singleuse bags accomplishes nothing in the way of ecological benefit. It merely pads the progressive resume of some council members at the cost of inconvenience and expense to Islanders. Carv Zwingle
POT | Page 7
ISLAND
TALK
What has Nelson Mandela meant to the U.S.?
“He wanted his country to be like us, and he wanted his people to have what other people have; an equal chance to enjoy life.” Audrey McVie Mercer Island
“He reminds me of Martin Luther King. He pushed boundaries on how we view each other as people.” Gabriel Andrews
Mercer Island
“He was a role model for conflict resolution. He embraced the world and showed us how to be an activist.” Deanie Schwartz
Mercer Island
“He was representative of what we want to be by being a person of all cultures.” Nick Myers
Mercer Island
“[Mandela’s efforts] draw interesting parallels with how the U.S. deals with race. They had a black president before we did.” Sam Pirie
Mercer Island