November 2005

I was saddened (and appalled) to see a large display ad in the West Seattle Herald ("Selling a New Litter") encouraging people to advertise in Robinson newspapers to "find that special new family for your little pup."

Did you not know that 15,000 dogs and cats are killed in shelters each day for lack of homes? Their blood is on the hands of those who continue to patronize breeders, puppy mills, pet stores and people who fail to spay and neuter their animals.

Please don't encourage people to breed even more animals.

I respectfully take exception to the insensitive letter to the editor (published) Nov.16 by West Seattle resident Ms. Debbie Loop, who states she will not shop in the West Seattle Junction this holiday because merchants chose not to accommodate her door-to-door request for the donated items she was seeking for a private parochial school auction.

Ms.

After reading the recent letter to editor (Nov. 16) from Debbie Loop, I can't help but take a minute to respond.

My husband and I (both lifelong West Seattleites), were recently closely involved in the Seattle Lutheran High School auction. We had a very positive experience from not only Junction merchants but West Seattle merchants in general.

This has solidified our desire to continue supporting our local community and encourage our family and friends to do the same. I would like to thank the merchants for their overwhelming response and generosity.

I am writing this in response to the (letter, Nov. 16) from Ms. Loop with Windermere Realty.

Her criticism of In Bloom is way out of line.

Businesses that cater to smokers are anticipating some loss of business while others plan to go with the flow.

Meanwhile, smokers in West Seattle and White Center bars, taverns, bowling alley and casinos should wish for warm, waterproof coats this Christmas because they'll soon be spending more time outdoors.

On Nov. 8, voters approved Initiative Measure 901, which prohibits smoking in all public places and workplaces throughout Washington.

If the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council was hoping for guidance from the public, it didn't get much at the "listening session" the council held last week at Evergreen High School.

Public testimony at the meeting showed there are still deep divisions over how North Highline ought to be governed. Nine people said they want to be annexed by Burien, eight preferred Seattle, and one wanted to split North Highline between the two cities. A half dozen other speakers wanted to keep North Highline unincorporated.

There was a celebration at Carkeek Park last Friday and the guest of honor was the chum salmon that have been swimming up the creek in recent weeks.

The Annual Piper's Creek Salmon event drew crowds of children and adults to view the salmon and learn about the importance of taking care of our water quality.

This fall, the salmon have returned earlier than in past years. The first one was observed on November 13.

firing gun at officers

Mark Prince, 44, was shot and killed by police in Burien on Nov. 19.

Officers responded to a call of shots fired early that morning at South 177th Street and First Avenue South.

Prince then began shooting at the officers, who called in a SWAT team, which returned his fire.

He died of gunshot wounds to his chest and arm.

Man confesses to killing

It was wonderful to get a glimpse of the truth about the Iraq campaign in our War on Terrorism (Times/News, Nov. 9). I would like to publicly thank Sgt. Paige Dahlgard, as well as her brother, Lt. Nels Dahlgard, for their service to our country.

Military reenlistments are up. Those who are serving know the conditions in Iraq first hand. They believe in their mission. They see a phenomenal transition taking place. A tyrant, with America in his sights, once brought unimaginable horror on his country, killing hundreds of thousands of his own people.

The Oct. 27 Times/News reported that under a 1997 Interlocal Agreement between the Port and the City of Sea-Tac, the Port set up a $10 million community mitigation fund for the city. The City borrowed from that fund to renovate the Valley Ridge Center into a new City Hall. In exchange, the City agreed not to oppose the Port's plan to build a third runway at Sea-Tac.

Congress reimburses the Port of Seattle to operate and run Sea-Tac Airport. Circa 1990 the Federal Inspector General of the U.S.