October 2008

Top topics at the district golf tournament for South Puget Sound League 4A were the Thomas Jefferson boys team sending three, maybe more, on to state next May, and the Decatur girls’ Amanda Beyke and Stacey Blunt finishing in the top five at the Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton Thursday.

“That is the best the boys have done in my time here,” said Dave Hunter of his coaching golf at TJ. It is a subject he’s taught 10 years now after school.

The TJ boys golf team took second place out of the 18 teams total in the SPSL 4A league.

Federal Way is in, going to the playoffs after destroying Kent-Meridian, 33-0, even with a couple stars off the turf of Federal Way Stadium Friday night.

“Lot of injuries last week, tough loss,” said Eagles head coach John Meagher of the Kentwood game that took out linebacker Andru Pulu for 4-6 weeks with a medial cruciate ligament tear (MCL). Quarterback Nick Tanieulu also was out in this one. “I was pleased with how we bounced back.

M’s open on road

The Seattle Mariners open their season on the road next year, with their home opener scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Masters times offered

The Federal Way Masters swimming team for ages 19 and over is now offering three workout session times at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center located at 650 SW Campus Drive in Federal Way.

Monday through Friday a 5:30-6:45 a.m. and a 7-8 p.m.session are offered, with a 6:50-7:50 a.m. session taking place Tuesdays and Thursdays.

levy misinformation

The anti-park levy piece in last week's paper is so full of misinformation a reply is needed.

First, the committee that developed the levy proposal was in no way "stacked with organized sport lobby advocates." I was one of 28 members, which included one representative of Friends of Athletic Fields - hardly a stacked deck.

Second, the levy does not include millions for air conditioning the Seattle Asian Arts Museum.

There is half the story and some inaccuracies in this Op-Ed (No on Parks, News-Tribune, Oct.22).

The installation of synthetic turf is conditioned on the completion of a study proving it is safe. If the study shows the turf is dangerous, language already in the levy and accompanying Council Resolution "prohibits" money from being spent on synthetic turf.

The Seattle Parks Department owns the building in Volunteer Park where the (museum) is located. Same with the Langston Hughes center.

The Pro-Parks Levy is expiring this year. The Pro-Parks Levy funded the acquisition of the two lots that are being transformed into Ballard's newest park. The levy also supplied $150,000 toward the development of the park. That money is funding our Phase 1 construction.

In the process of helping to create Ballard Corners Park, I have been excited by the involvement of the community. It's been wonderful to see all the folks turn out for our design workshops and the playground installation.

(Editor) Jack (Mayne) has got it right on endorsing John Burbank and this is a quote from John, "The fiscal situation demands we not tear down the viaduct but repair, strengthen and replace parts of the structure."

This is a common sense position for the citizens who live in Magnolia, Ballard and Queen Anne communities.

The viaduct is a lifeline not just for communities, but for the maritime industry and the Port of Seattle this viaduct keeps working families jobs in Seattle.

Gene Hoglund

Ballard

I write this letter to the Democrats as you guys make up the vast majority of the readers. It should be clear to all but the blind and the partisan and the fearful that Obama has won the presidency. The only question for political junkies to debate is does he win it by a small, large margin or a really large margin? This country is heading for one party rule by the Democrats for the next two years.

This year has definitely been hard for the Beavers.

These are a great bunch of players with a lot of talent. There are so many outstanding players on this team who were sidelined because they weren't seniors. Bowers is a senior first type of coach.

I was shocked to learn that a good part of the starters were inexperienced and even first year players. While those players had a lot of natural talent and can become great players, it doesn't happen overnight.

Ballard resident Gwyn Emery decided to sell her house on 28th Avenue Northwest in April after she got married. Half a year later, her house is still on the market.

"When I bought my house a couple of years ago it was rare to see one on the market for more than a few weeks," Emery said.