I guess hizzoner thinks he's Richard J. Daley of Chicago (Mayor: no gas tax, no viaduct, Sept. 7).

First he tells us that 99 is important to the region because of all the commerce that uses it. The county and region should kick in lots of money to build 'Big Dig 2' to keep that commerce rolling. Then he lectures the Legislature in Olympia, telling them 99 is an important state arterial and so they should kick in a couple of billion to put in the tunnel. Finally he tells everyone that 99 is important nationally so Congress should give us a billion or two for his vision despite the fact that our senior senator has made it perfectly near that a tunnel is DOA.

Now that the voters have heard all this one can assume that Initiative 912 is doing so well because they believe that hizzoner is going to go forward with the tunnel, run out of money and threaten to paralyze the area until there is more forthcoming to complete the job. If 912 passes the whole project is dead.

Now, in a snit, he tells us he is going to tear down the viaduct because it is unsafe. No need to consult with regional, state or national transportation agencies. He's the Boss (Great book by Mike Royko).

Mr. Mayor: You may have the girth of the former Chicago mayor, but you sure don't have his machine to back you up. You have built your last monument.

Mike Wayte

Beach Drive