Editor's note: The following letter was written to Frank Blethen, publisher of the Seattle Times.

Dear Mr. Blethen,

One day just a few years ago I was in my office in the 600 block of S.W. 152nd in Burien when I heard a roar from a plane so loud it brought people out into the street.

The cause? A Russian jet tried to land on Highway 509, a half mile west of Lora Lake. The roar was caused when the pilots realized that the "runway" was making a 90-degree turn and put the pedal to the metal.

The FAA and the Port have agreed that Lora Lake is too close for the safety of citizens. I drove through it yesterday to see for myself. It's a virtual wasteland in that area. A half mile from the nearest shopping, just 900 feet from the soon to be activated third runway and right between the Highway 509 "runway" and the third runway.

Burien has performed well in accommodating low-income housing away from the runways. Burien has a contract with the Port publicly vetted a few years ago that required the demolition of Lora Lake.

Dean Parkins

Burien