A big thank you to writer Carol Smith for her editorial poetry that has appeared in the last three issues. We hope she will continue to use this creative way to express her viewpoints (which we happen to agree with, so far). It's refreshing and entertaining.
Tom and Charl Jensen
Gatewood
The staff at West Seattle High School has voted to reduce classroom time from 55 to 50 minutes. They have shortened the school day by 15 minutes, lengthened lunch, lengthened morning break, added in 30 minutes of completely unsupervised free time on Mondays (for all but freshmen) and 30 minutes of free time for all students (staff office hours) on Fridays.
They posted the new bell schedule on the Web site and hardly anyone is complaining, so they think you agree, "less is more." Less is more? Now that's using your thinking cap!
Public safety cuts are necessary
By Dow Constantine
How would cutting 100 Sheriff's deputies affect police response times? How would a reduction of 30 deputy prosecutors impact our ability to put criminal suspects on trial?
These are examples of the grim decisions facing King County citizens and lawmakers as we confront a $68 million budget deficit for 2009 and a possible $80 million deficit in 2010.
How did this problem come to be?
What might have been
By Georgie Bright Kunkel
At a time of being despondent there are always thoughts of the one that got away or what could have happened if something hadn't gone wrong. My husband can always remember the marlin that he played for hours leaving him with aching arms for days after one fishing trip. I get seasick so didn't accompany my husband on the fishing boat off the shores of Kauai. I waited in the motel for him to return and when several hours had passed I called the tour office.
Summer reading listed for teens
By Wally Bubelis
Summer is almost here, and with this year's recession, that may mean that the annual family road trip will be shortened or put on hold entirely. We can expect a lot more inexpensive activities for everyone, and teens will likely find themselves either working for some spending money or having a lot of time on their hands.
One cost-effective activity that delivers a huge bang for the buck is, of course, reading.
I don't understand why the administration at West Seattle High School decided to change from 55- and 85-minute classes to 50- and 80-minute classes. There was a schedule posted on the school Web site that showed six 55-minute classes on Monday and Friday, and four 85-minute classes on Tuesday - Thursday. Suddenly this has changed to shorter classes all of the days. Why?
First the teachers were upset that they were losing the long periods, and now they want even shorter ones?
In a current information blurb with my water, garbage bill this was said:
"By January 1, 2009 not to use the containers restaurants put your take home food you can't use or to eat."
Great, but the mayor should say to make smaller portions and charge less. Most of the time the take home food does not re-heat well and a person throws it out. So wasted container and wasted food.
Charge less and serve smaller portions.
Eda Kieth
West Seattle
Ho Hum our season's over
Yes the club is in relapse
So put to bed your bobble head
Reverse your rally caps
For once again our baseball team
Can neither hit nor throw
And like Big Brown, is running last
Though why, none seem to know
It's very clear, their play this year
Is hardly up to snuff
The class of 1958 of West Seattle High School celebrated its 50th Reunion June 6-8, 2008. The first activity was a golf tournament in the rain on Friday morning at Foster Golf Course followed in the evening by the All School Reunion held in the commons of the school. Over 175 alumni and guests enjoyed visiting, eating and having their group pictures taken thanks to Jay and Joanne of Murray Photography Studio.
Public safety cuts are necessary
By Dow Constantine
How would cutting 100 Sheriff's deputies affect police response times? How would a reduction of 30 deputy prosecutors impact our ability to put criminal suspects on trial?
These are examples of the grim decisions facing King County citizens and lawmakers as we confront a $68 million budget deficit for 2009 and a possible $80 million deficit in 2010.
How did this problem come to be?
