(Editor's note: This letter refers to a column written by a Ballard News-Tribune online columnist, which does not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.)

Dear Editor,

I would like to applaud Brian LeBlanc and your newspaper for having the courage to stand up against the location of the new Knotty Bodies Espresso (read the column here). In this region, and in these times, it is very rare to see the press support the side of the religious.

That you have done so not only speaks to your integrity but also to how incredibly insensitive and wrong this new espresso stand's location is.

As you point out, the location is directly across the street from a church and elementary school. I would also add that there is a convent on the church grounds that houses up to eight nuns. While I'm sure many in Seattle will debate whether we should be considerate of the church and nuns, I doubt anyone would debate that having a place like this within feet of hundreds of elementary school children is simply wrong.

If the people of Ballard want scantly clad baristas, put them next to the Sands stripper club or the Love Zone sex shop, or anywhere else that is out of the direct site of small children.

Even in these times, and in this very liberal region, this just seems wrong.

Hovie Hawk
President / Creative Director
Design Hovie Studios, Inc. in Ballard