In an attempt to understand Bob Pierce's anger toward the one organization that has done more for Burien's renewed vitality than perhaps any other, I asked him, "Why the anger?" We have had a conversation and an email or two, but so far his commentary has lacked focus and, to me, credibility.

For the record, I have been rigorous in supporting our Executive Director, Ms. George, but I have not told anyone "not to criticize" Debra. That's not how I operate.

But I have tried to explain to our friend Bob that Debra has been highly rated by the Executive Committee of Discover Burien, and brings expertise and energy that in my experience is unmatched in any organization that I know of.

If there are problems, as in any public group, the 19 community minded active members of the Discover Burien Steering Committee will solve them.

Dean Parkins

Burien

Ralph Nichols responds: Ms. Dembiczak and Mr. Parkins, as did every other person who wrote a letter or posted a comment on-line in defense of Discover Burien and Debra George, either completely missed or chose to ignore the single point of both the story in question and my recent columns-the fact that Ms. George is engaged in a conflict of interest by competing against other businesses in Burien, whose interests her job description clearly indicates she should represent, while her $50,000 salary is subsidized by business taxes and fees. Some letter writers also chose to attack the owners of three restaurants who had the courage to publicly comment on this conflict that involves public funds, even as other business persons, who talked privately about the problem, were afraid to speak openly from fear of reprisal. Mr. Parkins also said if problems exist the Discover Burien Steering Committee "will resolve them." Yet the steering committee knew about this problem and did nothing about it for several months before the story and column were published.