A front page article in the July 19, 2006 West Seattle Herald presented arguments by Alki Community Council officers who claim that a liquor license at Slices would allow it to become a beer garden. Why would that rationale apply only to Slices and not all of the other restaurants that have outdoor seating directly on the sidewalks? Those tables are next to the fences, unlike those at Slices. Why target specific owners who are just trying to run neighborhood businesses like others in the area?

I find it interesting that the Alki Community Council board is focusing negative attention on specific Alki restaurants, with particular attention being paid to three that have owners who have spoken in their own defense before the council and the board.

Slices and Alki Homestead were specifically targeted by the council for a letter-writing campaign to the Washington State Liquor Control Board at a meeting earlier this year. A member of the council passed out a listing of all restaurants in the Alki and Admiral areas with the dates on which their liquor licenses are up for review.

However, Slices and Alki Homestead were given their own page, with lengthy reasons - mostly without merit or history - to present to the Liquor Control Board in their letters. Neither establishment had any history on which to base the conjectures presented in those suggestions. This is an ugly case of discrimination against the business owners by the very people who are charged with bringing the community together and presenting legitimate area concerns to the City Council.

The police who patrol Alki have said repeatedly that the number one complaint during the summer is parking, not restaurants selling alcohol. They have told the council members that alcohol problems are caused by people who bring it to the beach from outside the area, not from the restaurants. Why doesn't the council suggest that the members form groups of citizens who patrol the beach and report the alcohol abusers and speeders to the police - or force the beach-goers to sign Good Neighbor Policies?

I treasure the diverse restaurants along Alki and am thrilled to share the dining experience with many friends and family from out of the area. They get a peek at what I get to enjoy all year long. Yes, in the 20 years that I have lived here, I have seen more restaurants open here. That's because the residents didn't support the other businesses - including a market, a pharmacy, a laundry and a video store - that once filled those storefronts.

Aleta M. Woodworth

Alki