We've lived in West Seattle and raised our children for nearly 20 years now on Gatewood Hill. The West Seattle community is similar to Capitol Hill where we grew up but a quarter of the costs for a young couple with new babies, at least at that time.

By community, we celebrate birthdays, attend funerals of our friend's moms and dads, bar and bat mitzvahs for nieces and nephews, first communions, graduations and weddings. We also share in the challenges our children face just simply growing up.

We work hard and send our kids to the best schools we can, do homework and gladly coach and spend hours pacing the sidelines of rainy soccer games. We spend countless hours at the school auctions, Christmas tree sales and Halloween carnivals.

As members of Mr. (not "Mayor") and Mrs. Nickels' community we disregard the politics and support them in the coming days and weeks ahead. Nothing more, nothing less. They've been great parents.

Joe and Adriana Quinn

Gatewood Hill