Eyebrows raised
Editor, The Times:
“Bait and Switch” are the words that come to mind as I watch Mayor Mike McGinn pretend to be concerned about the sea wall, only as a way to undermine the tunnel project [“City Council says ‘not so fast’ to McGinn plan,” page one, Jan. 20].
I don’t want to be asked as a voter to OK a decision that deals with public safety if I have elected officials to take care of my public safety. The sea-wall repair was always a part of the tunnel project.
McGinn did not get my vote because I believe in moving forward not backward. Even when he watered down his opposition to the tunnel, I didn’t believe it for a second.
This new move seems very smarmy and very sneaky — and what a terrible way to start his relationship with the City Council.
My eyebrows are definitely very raised.
— Paige Stockley, Seattle
Necessary safety measure
The WSDOT process of exploring options to replace the existing viaduct cost taxpayers nearly $40 million. The ‘final’ amalgam of options presented at the Town Hall meeting did not include a tunnel. I was there.
The subsequent fandango, cha-cha and polka dance that was done by elected officials resulted in the tunnel. Now we should be suspicious of a newly elected mayor for addressing a critical safety issue that trumps aesthetics and investors?
Perhaps Mayor Mike McGinn is doing the job he was elected to do: advocating safety and well-being for the communities of Seattle. It is brave to propose the sea-wall construction now.
I will support this effort to restore the sea wall and I will support the mayor’s efforts to improve the quality of public education.
While I have never been keen to be taxed more, what vexes me more is the waste of tax money once it is acquired by government.
— Roselee Warren, Seattle
A ploy to separate it from tunnel project
Mayor whats-his-name’s plan to build the sea wall in advance of the tunnel project reeks of political maneuvering.
This is clearly a ploy to divorce the city from the tunnel project in hope of eroding its support and funding while not explicitly reneging on his promise to support it.
This is about as underhanded as it could get. What else will we get from this guy if, less than a month into his tenure, he is already trying to game the people and their intentions?
— Page Russell, Burien