I'd like to respond to Vera Wunderlicht's letter published last week. She stated that the water belongs to all of us, and I agree. But the land does not. Just as I can enjoy a beautiful garden as I walk past on a public street, she can enjoy the beach and the water from any public place, including the mile-long public beach at Seahurst Park. Without an invitation I can't go into her yard and she can't come into mine.

Shorelines in Burien in front of private residences are privately owned. The question asked by the city in the "Visioning Process" asking if the public should have access to private shorelines causes private shoreline owners to react. The city visioning process has not asked if the public would like more access to any other type of private property in Burien. The city "vision" should include respect for the private property rights of ALL property owners in Burien. That is not the message shoreline owners are getting from the city.

Marco Spani
Burien