An article in the Nov. 2 Times/News regarding the annexation or incorporation of the North Highline area noted that King County Deputy Sheriff “Steve Cox made up his mind that it’s better to annex to Burien. For those wondering what it would be like if White Center became part of Seattle, he suggested they look at what the city has done for Delridge and South Park.

“‘Those areas have gone to hell in the last 20 years,’ Cox said."

While everyone is entitled to his own opinion, I question whether Deputy Cox really knows anything about the South Park community. I have worked in both the White Center and South Park communities. I know for a fact that both are communities of caring individuals trying to make life better for themselves and their neighbors. And that both communities have gotten a lot of negative press, despite the best efforts of those who live, work and operate businesses there.

That makes it even more difficult for me to understand how Deputy Cox could so callously malign his neighboring communities, and do so in a such a public forum.

The South Park community has an active Community Council that meets monthly. They have a community center with programs relevant to the community and supported by residents and businesses alike. They have a representative on the Southwest Precinct Advisory Council and actively work with the Seattle Police to make the community safer.

They are anxiously awaiting a new public library that is under construction. And they work together on community projects.

I have worked in South Park for more than seven years. Not only hasn’t the community "gone to hell," great strides have been made in many areas. Certainly there are challenges, but what community doesn’t have challenges? Deputy Cox’s remarks are not only a disservice to the South Park community, they are a disservice to his constituency, as well.

Linda Carleton

Burien