Should Burien proceed with declaring a full Potential Annexation Area on North Highline, prior to a more detailed financial and cultural study of the worthiness of such an action by Burien, and which is paid for by Burien and not King County, a clear message will be sent to the residents of North Highline to gather their forces to protect their own interests-either by rallying an overwhelming NO vote or, if the measure is passed in time, by taking over the majority of Burien's City Council to ensure beneficial development of the various business areas and neighborhoods of North Highline.
Burien has made itself transparent in its approach to annexation of North Highline, as evidenced by the many times Burien has stated that declaring a PAA now does not mean that in the end Burien will annex any of North Highline. Burien is not interested in North Highline's future, not as the 50-50 partner our size indicates it should be.
Envision if you will, a person arranging to marry another it does not love nor want, to "dibs" the potential mate off of the eligibility list from other suitors, so that person can investigate whether a big enough dowry can be negotiated to make the marriage worth the huge change to that person's life, while PUBLICLY announcing it is only playing the game and it doesn't mean the marriage will ever happen-just checking out the goods!
The residents of North Highline need to react to this NOW. We do not need to allow ourselves to be divided or plundered. Our lives and futures are being put on hold while Burien figures out what to do with its own problems. Indicators are that our tax dollars will not only go up more in Burien, they will most likely be used for Burien's downtown.
Seattle is an active and viable alternative. North Highline has huge potential and deserves committed development; Seattle has the programs in place to help us achieve that. Seattle will provide superior services at less taxation. The Seattle City Council just needs to hear from us!
Other options still exist as well-but we have to be heard!
Claire Henson
Boulevard Park
Community Study Group
