Jean Floten
Island Forum
Everyone, it seems, holds the opinion that parking in the Town Center is scarce. A story in today’s Reporter about parking issues reiterates that view and adds a new twist in the on-going confusion about who is allowed to park where and when in the Town Center.
Judy Clibborn and Fred Jarrett
Island Forum
The Travelodge was nothing much to look at. It was a throwback to another day, a film noir set piece in an Indie movie — a slice of America from a bygone age. When it finally met its end by being torn down last week, no one took much notice.
Rob Sexton and David Laub
Island Forum
There is much to do in February.
Roger Page
Island Forum
Frank Morrison
Island Forum
The showing of a promotional video by the Boys and Girls Club during school hours at Mercer Island High School to drum up support for the PEAK project was inappropriate. Yes, the presentation took little away from school time and, in and of itself, was harmless. But what was the intent here? Persuasion. Mercer Island High School students will be presenting a petition with 1,000 student signatures to the City Planning Commission at a hearing on the project. Clearly the club wants to enlist students in their quest to convince adults and decision-makers to support the PEAK.
Wendy Schuler
Island Forum
About three years ago, I happened to be a parent chaperone riding along on a school bus with a bunch of excited music students and their teacher, Vicki White-Miltun. Vicki asked, all too casually, “Would you be interested in serving on ‘the Fine Arts Advisory’?” I replied, “The what?” She then spoke of a group of volunteers without whose support over the years she might not have made the career decisions she has made: to virtually single-handedly build and keep nurturing ever since our school district’s excellent orchestra program. Well, I revere Vicki for that, so of course I said that I would think about it, and now I find myself president of the group. I did not know then quite what I was getting myself into, but I gladly tell you now that Mercer Island’s Fine Arts Advisory Committee (FAAC) is well worth my time and your support.
Change can be intimidating. Prospective change to our own cherished neighborhoods can be particularly intimidating. Add to that, the perception that neighborhood stability and property values may be denigrated and change becomes downright threatening. Such are the emotions raised when land-use zoning changes are contemplated, changes which could introduce smaller lots into the medium-sized lot zoning in an existing older neighborhood.