I felt compelled to respond to a recent article that appeared in the West Seattle Herald on Nov. 2nd of this year. The article dealt with a preliminary decision that had been reached by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

In that article you quoted King County Deputy Sheriff Steve Cox (who also happens to be on the North Highline Council) as saying that our Delridge and South Park communities are going downhill. As someone that has spent countless hours in meetings, organizing events, and working with other concerned citizens and neighbors, I take great umbrage to Steve Cox's remarks. There should be a large contingent of the good folks of Delridge and South Park that should be quite upset at these remarks.

I found it extremely insulting to the hard working neighborhood activists, residents, and city of Seattle employees that live and work in Delridge.

I find it interesting that as a deputy sheriff working in King County, Steve Cox has put a great deal of time in working to correct a number of problems through the federally funded Weed and Seed program. He is a regular attendee at a number of community meetings where community issues are brought to the table, discussed with the impacted parties and resolutions are brought forward to deal with these issues.

I think maybe we should give deputy Cox a tour of our Delridge neighborhood. Then he could see all of the wonderful things that are happening to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the neighborhoods that make up Delridge. From the improvements that have occurred along the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail, to the soon to open Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the newly enlarged and remodeled Southwest Community Center, the redevelopment of the Highpoint community, Home Depot moving into the old K-mart store, the new P-Patch next to Sealth High School, the restoration of the Roxhill bog, the new Delridge library - all of the new housing to meet the needs of our lower income neighbors, the new Southwest Police Precinct and the list goes on and on.

Then we should take a few minutes and introduce deputy Cox to all of the fine folks here in Delridge that put in hundreds and hundreds of hours to make all of the items mentioned above become realities. From the good folks at the Department of Neighborhoods, to the staff at the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, the kind folks that staff our community centers all the way to the person that stops and picks up a piece of litter as they are on their daily walk.

Next I would like for deputy Cox to come and visit with all of our neighbors that take the time to be involved with their neighborhood councils. From those folks in Pigeon Point, Westwood, Puget Ridge, Highland Park, Riverview, Youngstown, Cottage Grove and other groups that are working tirelessly to make our Delridge Community a wonderful place to call home.

So when you are ready deputy Cox please contact us so that we can give you a proper education on what makes Delridge and South Park special places here in Seattle.

Pete Spalding

Chair, Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council

Past Chair, Delridge Neighborhoods

District Council

Vice-Chair, City Neighborhood Council