I note your recent coverage of the annexation sales tax rebate legislation. Burien was sure quiet last year when the legislation was originally passed and specifically included Burien and EXCLUDED Seattle. Now that the legislature is correcting this unfair legislation, and giving North Highline residents a real annexation choice, Burien appears to be complaining and asking for an "equitable agreement."

The facts in this case are simple. Seattle needs a larger share of the annexation sales tax rebate because Seattle provides a higher level of service to its residents, when compared to Burien. Seattle provides a higher level of police coverage (up to nine additional officers on our streets), has a nationally accredited police department (the King County Sheriff's Office is not), and Seattle has a gang unit (King County is now thinking of one, only after the terrible lose of our super cop Steve Cox).

Seattle will provide an additional professional union fire fighter with each company and Seattle has a state fire coverage certification that is two tiers above what Burien provides to the majority of its residents. Seattle has three first-time homebuyer programs, a world class parks investment program, and a strong history working closely with minorities, who are almost half of our community.

Seattle has a stellar neighborhood development program that puts development planning into the neighborhoods where it belongs and Seattle has much higher property values for our homeowners. The list goes on and on.

And Seattle does all this with the same level of homeowner taxes that Burien charges its homeowners. This new legislation should allow Seattle to collect the full costs that Seattle will incur to provide its higher level of service during our early years as a new Seattle neighborhood.

What is exciting is that, after years of under-investment in North Highline, Seattle annexation will finally give North Highline residents the resources and level of services we deserve.

Greg McCorkle

White Center