I'm am writing in response to both the article titled "Proposed Nightlife Law Opposed" and the editorial "No New Laws Needed" in the August 23rd issue of the West Seattle Herald.

Both of these pieces make reference to Mayor Nickels' task force as a response to complaints of residents, with residents of Alki as a repeated example. Contrary to this assertion, this task force has been widely reported to have formed under entirely different circumstances.

The Mayor's nightlife task force was announced in November of 2005, shortly after Seattle Seahawks player Ken Hamlin was assaulted in Pioneer Square. Mayor Nickels called for a task force based on a recommendation by a team that spent the summer of 2005 inspecting clubs in Belltown, Pioneer Square, and Queen Anne. That team visited more than 80 nightclubs and found numerous violations of fire codes, tax and liquor laws.

The task force that was formed was made up of club owners and residents alike. The club owners on the task force include representatives of the Red Door, Cowgirls, Inc., The Fenix, The Crocodile, and others businesses. The residential representatives include citizens from Pioneer Square, the U District, Capitol Hill and Fremont, and other neighborhoods. No West Seattle or Alki business owners or residents are reported as part of this nightlife task force.

While the history behind the task force was not accurately portrayed, I do agree with comments that existing laws should be enforced. We need more police in our city in every neighborhood. We need more enforcement from the Department of Planning and Development of both the land use code and the noise ordinance. Clear definitions and provisions need to be written in our Seattle Municipal Code so that any official, resident or business owner can clearly understand the law. Loopholes that have allowed tensions to grow, like those the mayor is attempting to address, need to be closed.

At Alki, some businesses and residents are reaching out and hoping to build common goals for our neighborhood. While all residents and business owners in Seattle may not agree on many things, including Mayor Nickels' recommendations, we should all work towards making Seattle a vibrant, yet livable, city.

Cami MacNamara

Alki