To Jack Block, Lucy Krakowiak and Bob Edgar-- I applaud you for asking for information on how to change the form of government in Burien. You did that at the last city council meeting.

Economic recovery will not come to Burien until the current city manager and the current head of planning are gone. The city needs some new blood on the city council, too.

Burien needs an elected mayor who listens to the citizens and businesses. Burien needs to have the citizen and small business voice returned to citizen advisory groups. Maybe then businesses will come and stay in Burien.

As a previous small business owner in Burien, I can tell you why businesses refuse to come to Burien or leave Burien. The planning department, the city manager and the city council are all pains in the rump to deal with.

The planning director Scott Greenberg and city manager Mike Martin are so over occupied with the size of the sign that your business might have, the size of the awning you may need or whether you can have a sandwich board sign that they keep you from running or establishing your business. Many businesses have left town over these constant hassles-- the YMCA is just one example.

If you go to the city council for any help, they don’t listen to business owners and side with Martin or Greenberg. The council members are like brainwashed lumps rather than thinking representatives for the citizens. If you have a current operating business and complain, they send compliance officer Jim Bibby to find something to inspect you for.

If you are a small business owner in North Highline/Area Y/White Center, I encourage you to not vote to annex to the city of Burien. It is not a city that is friendly or encouraging to small business.

B. Allen
West Seattle