The Parks Department proposal to close the beach fires under the Seattle Climate Action Now recommendation is an attempt to make an end run around the community's wishes and should be strongly opposed.

It is the Parks Department's responsibility to provide recreational facilities to the citizens of Seattle for their myriad uses. It is not the Parks Department's right to dictate local climate policy. That duty belongs to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Parks Department management has wanted to close the fires for years and they are now using "Green" values as the higher cause to achieve their goal.

The public can expect to be deceived by Parks staff with exaggerated statistics based on guesswork and misinformation. I urge all West Seattle residents to contact your neighbor and Mayor Greg Nickels, and let him know how you feel before the Parks Department snuffs out a wonderful tradition that has been enjoyed by our families for generations.

Lee Kelly

West Seattle