Why do we foolishly think we citizens have any say whatsoever in what happens to our city - especially with a mayor like Nickels?

Recently, I gave my opinion via e-mail about how the tunnel benefits only the wealthy. Here is, verbatim, Mayor Nickel's answer to me:

"Thank you for your letter about the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The replacement project team has very carefully considered many ideas and proposals. Following thorough evaluation, we have chosen the tunnel as the best choice to replace the Viaduct and Seawall. It takes advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open up Seattle's waterfront. The era of new elevated highways through the heart of great American cities is dead."

The letter goes on, of course, with more drivel, but this whole thing makes me so furious! Since I have lived in West Seattle, we have voted down a monument to athletic deities three times and are still paying for them. We even subsidize Paul Allen. Is this not crazy?

I also lived in Boston when that foolish tunnel-vision idea popped up. What are they going to call ours? The "next Big Dig," or maybe the "last Big Dig?"

Everyone who voted for Nickels stand up. I dare you!

Jill M. Schultz

Charlestown