By Ken Robinson

Managing Editor

Why shopping at home makes more sense than ever

The city of Seattle is choking itself to death. And now some on the city council want to charge a toll to enter the city.

Anytime after 1:30 most days of the week the freeway is jammed north and south going into town. And when you do manage to get off the freeway, parking is scarce, ridiculously expensive or non-existent.

Any time there is football game in the afternoon, fans fill the lanes going into town. Any fender bender on the freeway causes long delays. If you go downtown, your ARE the traffic.

This seems like a wonderful reason to never go down town.

The Growth Management Act of 1990 set in motion some principles that have made development of anything reliant on the extant infrastructure. That means anything new has to be go where the services are already present. 

They are calling it "congestion pricing". And it is the darling of Mike O'Brien. We thought O'Brien was a smart guy until he floated this plan. Basically, the idea creates an "entry" fee, like a private club, to use the city.

It is these self-same city council members who allowed the maddening congestion they now want us to pay to ameliorate. 

This notion is a boon to the suburbs. Every time someone wants to head downtown and runs into a traffic jam , it will soon become clear that shopping at home is a better alternative.

If you must go downtown, Uber there. It is a better alternative anyway because there is usually not parking, or parking that is usurious in its cost. 

The basic message of the city council that they don't want you to come downtown.

More on politics

This issue and the one to follow with highlight candidates races for the city of Des Moines and The Port of Seattle.  DesMoines has eight candidates for four seats on the city council. The Port has six candidates vying for three seats. This week we feature the port candidates. Next week, Des Moines.

Usually the mayoral race is in the spotlight. So why are we focusing so much attention on the Port Commission?

This is a group that impacts 39 cities. Also, what and who comes in and out of the city by water and air. They're the ones who add tons of jobs to the region -- and who are charged with ensuring our import and export business is healthy, as well as promoting cruise travel. Plus, the Port has a huge impact on the environment. The Port Commission could lead us to being one of the greenest cities in the country -- or not. 

The economic impact of the Port of Seattle on our community is enormous, touching the lives of thousands here with employment and services. The port commission roles are vital and those seeking a seat deserve our consideration. Please read Lindsay’s Peyton’s stories on the candidates and be sure to vote. Remember, your ballot will come in the mail. So get a stamp or drop it in a ballot box, like the one on 152nd near city hall. 

About saving face

Highline Schools district officials want patrons consent to do away with the classic architecture that characterizes Highline High. As a graduate of that esteemed institution, I have mixed thoughts.

The face of the building is red brick, the original masonry from 1924. 

We lived at Salmon Creek when I was high school age. Four of my brothers decided to go to Evergreen. I chose Highline because I liked the building better. It LOOKED like a high school. At the time, and still think,  Evergreen is a rather homely design. 

Money always influences school boards when a new school is proposed. A fiscally responsible board does not want district patrons to criticize them for choosing a palace. But there is something to be said for choosing a design that reflects positively on the community.

I think the old Highline building did that. When built, the school was the proud representation of values held by the board and its patrons. It was a strong, important edifice. And it belonged to the community. 

In 1924, the Highline area was a smaller, closer community. The decision makers lived and worked here. Professional educators with no roots in the community now lead the process. But in this community and others, they come and go. 

We live with their vision of what our school should look like. What this underscores is that you should let them know what kind of high school you want.

Patrons have a right to be proud of the largest high school building in the district