Following is my letter to the editor of Tacoma's New Tribune regarding a recent Steilacoom council decision. Truth be known, I actually like the train whistles, but the issue goes much deeper than that.
Too much being spent on the wishes of a few
HELEN KIRKWOOD; Steilacoom
Published: July 19th, 2008 01:00 AM
Re: “Steilacoom council OKs horn system” (TNT, 7-16).
The Steilacoom Town Council voted to spend a minimum of $280,000 to install horns at two railroad crossings to replace train whistles. The council is adhering to the wishes of a few out of 6,000-plus.
That railroad was here long before any current resident moved here so it should be no surprise that trains and whistles make noise. There is limited money for various improvements in town, but the council came up with $280,000 for horns.
The most recent hearing was held the week of July 4, a travel time for many. I e-mailed all five council members and didn’t receive a single response. I was unable to get minutes from that hearing, only a draft, with no response for conflict of interest, since more than one council member lives very close to the tracks.
Anyone willing to run for a council position against the three members who voted for this debacle and bring some integrity to the majority of this council can count on my support. End of article
When I checked messages last night, there was a voice mail from a local resident who said I had voiced the opinion of many in town. I would like to call it my civic duty, but in reality, it is more like grumbling!!!
Ken and Daryl go to Alaska tomorrow for the big fishing trip. The guide is reserved, sleeping arangements are in place, a rental car is at the ready at Elmendorf AFB, and the fish count is up. I hope they have a grand time. I have kept my week pretty open and plan to spend time doing some sorting and packing.
We will be ready to catch a hop as soon as Ken returns from Alaska next Saturday. Thanks to Colleen, we have a dog sitter lined up. Cooper's care was becoming the big concern because we don't want to kennel him since he has developed such separation anxiety in his old age. Tracy is a PLU student and is working at Western State Hospital for the summer so she will be close to work and our house. Tracy's mother is a student at Fuller in Seattle which is how Colleen made the connection.
We were invited to Craig and Cassie's for dinner last night. Her parents were in
town having had Greta all week and bringing her home yesterday, plus another couple, friends of C&C's, joined us. We enjoyed some wine, grilled steaks, pasta salad and homemade rhubarb pie for dessert. The weather was lovely, and they live in a rural setting surrounded by trees so it was idyllic.
Have a good week, and I'll blog later in the week for an update on the success of the salmon fishing. Ciao
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