Farewell salute to Bicentennial Park
Stop by Bicentennial Park and give a final salute one of these days, it’s about to be demolished in favor of MICA.
As a Combat Infantry Veteran, I am very disappointed the City has chosen to take down Old Glory and bulldoze the park for its $50, 50-year lease in nearby Mercerdale Park, a thinly veiled domino in the rush to prove we’re Regional Players, subservient to Sound Transit.
Bicentennial Park is located between the old Recycle Center and Farmer’s. It may look like part of Farmer’s, but it isn’t. The Park was established in 1976 as part of the national effort to commemorate the 200 years since 1776. The funds were raised by civic organizations and a door-to-door effort (including High School Senior Jim Pearman).
It opened with several ceremonies: A flag raising on Memorial Day, a 2-hour parade that summer, a street dance, and other festivities.
The first flag flown was donated by Mercer Island parents of a young man killed in Viet Nam.
But soon, it will be a Service Road at the MICA site. Even the Reporter was hoodwinked, not mentioning Bicentennial Park in its front page story (11-18-15).
Look at the artist rendering on MICA’s website. Mercerdale Park’s features are listed. What is NOT labeled is Bicentennial Park, despite MICA’s footprint running squarely through the middle. The remaining half of the Park, where our Flag flies proudly today, becomes asphalt.
I joined the U.S. Army because I love this country, its Flag, and my city. I served to ensure the preservations of all our Freedoms.
Destroying Bicentennial Park is an insult to our civic pride, especially military veterans.
Larry McWilliams
Don’t move City Hall to Town Center
It seems that a Reporter reader feels that City Hall should be relocated to the town center. This is not a good idea for several reasons.
The vast majority of City Hall users drive to the present location. This will not change if a move is made. The present location is easily accessible and has ample parking. A move to the town center would increase traffic there and require more parking to be constructed.
There has already been a major increase in that area in vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic due to the construction of apartment buildings with more to come.
There is a suggestion that City Hall users will arrive by local bus. Fat chance.
It is also mentioned that City Hall would be moving back to the town center. I remember when it was located at the upper Shorewood apartments and that was terrible. I do not remember that it was ever located at the town center.
There is a feeling by some Mercer Island residents that we need bigger and better(?) buildings with more congestion.
I have seen what has happened in Ballard, West Seattle, Fremont and Kirkland. Those were all nice places to live at one time but that time has passed.
Let us make some effort to retain the Mercer Island that is still a great place to live.
Azaria Rousso
How to avoid phone scams
The recent warning about phone scams for donations to the State Patrol (and other organizations) prompts me to respond with the simple solution our family has. We make NO commitments for donations over the phone unless we initiate the call. This applies both to organizations we support and those we don’t.
When some one calls to solicit, you are never sure it is for real or a scam. Rejecting all such calls eliminates the need to try to verify the validity of the caller.
This is an absolute policy in our house.
Hal Mozer, Bellevue
