July 2007

Fanaticism is something everyone in this world can relate to. It is passion for something to an extreme degree. Oftentimes this passion gives positive direction to human action, leading us to chase our dreams.

Yet, if I am not mistaken, fanaticism usually has a negative or superficial connotation. In this context it becomes a passion for say, a rock star, a movie, an author, a supermodel, and so on. As the saying goes, we, the audience, are captivated by their 'It' factor - also called their 'X' factor.

We become addicted to them.

I was disappointed with the Herald's coverage of the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

The article chronicles the events at Barnes and Noble only. West Seattle does have other booksellers. What about Square One Books in Jefferson Square - West Seattle's Neighborhood bookstore?

Gretchen Montgomery and Matthew Mors, the owners of Square One Books, used this event to help a local charity. For every book sold prior to the release, Square One donated $5 to Westside Baby, a local West Seattle charity.

We have an opportunity to improve Seattle Schools. Elect Dan Dempsey to the Seattle School Board.

Dan has the ethics, independence and skills to listen to the voters. He'll do what the voters want and not be a political puppet for special interests.

Dan is the father of four children.

Last week, Forbes Magazine ranked Washington as the fifth-best place for business in the nation. However, the small business community views the Washington State business climate very differently and says more needs to be done before anyone in Washington should feel good about our business climate.

First, in looking at this ranking, let's consider Forbes Magazine.

Sivona Lingle is Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu for 2008 and Danica Tongol is the junior court queen.

Lingle is the 17-year-old daughter of Mark and Autumn Lingle and is a very active West Seattle High School senior. When school resumes in September Lingle will be Associated Student Body Vice President.

She plays varsity soccer, basketball, is a National Honor Society member and enjoys swing dancing.

At the Hiawatha Fun Festival, Hi-Yu continued festival events with the Junior Court Coronation.

Average Seattle incomes aren't keeping up with rising West Seattle housing costs and home ownership and rental opportunities are moving beyond the reach of wageworkers.

That fact prompted Mayor Greg Nickels to unveil his new housing program last week, which aims to put more homes within reach of Seattle's working class.

An investigation into the cause of flooding that damaged houses and yards in the Fauntleroy neighborhood last winter indicates numerous problems cascaded into each other.

Last December's flooding occurred around California Drive south of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Many of the streets in the neighborhood remained unpaved and without drainage until the 1960s and '70s, said Sahba Mohandessi, project manager for Seattle Public Utilities. When California Drive and neighboring streets were finally paved, they did not get curbs, gutters or subsurface reinforcement.

Gary Merlino Construction, the city's Admiral Way contractor, plans to pave the main arterial from 41st to Olga Street next week, depending on weather conditions.

The contractor plans to start at 7 p.m. and end by 6 a.m. the next morning. Admiral Way will be closed to through traffic in both directions. Local access will be provided for residents in the area.

Traffic will be detoured at the West Seattle Bridge exit to Fauntleroy Way.

To ease the crush of commuters expected when lanes of Interstate 5 are closed for repairs later this month, the Elliott Bay water taxi is adding a morning trip to its schedule, plus a second shuttle bus August 13 to August 29.

King County Metro also applied to the U.S. Coast Guard for permission to increase the number of passengers the water taxi can carry on each sailing, from the current 149 passengers to 250.

Transit buses will continue to use Third Avenue as a priority corridor when the downtown transit tunnel opens next month.

The decision was made based on "the outstanding success in moving buses quickly and efficiently through downtown," said Mayor Greg Nickels.

The decision to continue bus service on Third Avenue during peak hours will allow Metro Transit to reorganize surface bus routes and balance transit traffic across downtown.

"By every measure, using Third Avenue for buses has been a very smart move," said Nickels.