"This poor couple died because our pathetic justice system failed society once again."

Marathon money

Focus on the race

Editor, The Times:

Seattle Times reporter Nick Perry makes the Seattle Marathon sound like a questionably worthwhile event because it doesn't raise much money for UW Medical Center patient housing ["Marathon: Just 1% of money goes to charity," page one, Nov. 26].

Road races that have a charitable component are great, but a race should never focus on fundraising. Primarily, these events provide community members a chance to push each other to run a little faster, to reach a bit deeper, to test themselves against the cruel objectivity of the clock, and to take home a T-shirt to celebrate the accomplishment.

The run itself is the purpose. Raising money for a good cause is just an extra bonus.

— William E. Woodward, Osan Air Base, South Korea

Check those fees

Participants in any special event for charity should ask what percentage of the fee or donations collected will actually go to the charity's programs before they sign up.

Special events help charities raise needed resources but it may not be the most efficient way to give for the average person. A better way: Send a check, credit card or stock gift directly to a charity, enabling most of your gift to support the program you care about. This way, no fees are subtracted from your donation for special-event expenses.

— Richard Bray, director of donor and community relations, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County, Seattle

Awed by effort

Every time I cross the finish line of the Seattle Marathon I feel that I have participated in one of the greatest of Seattle's community efforts.

I am awed by the magnitude of effort that goes into this event. I am humbled by the numbers of people who have made this event happen. I am proud to participate in an event that expresses Seattle's commitment to vital living. And I am amazed that such a tremendous organizational undertaking costs me so little to participate in.

I never thought that much, if any, of my race fee went to support any causes. I have always understood that the marathon was a high-profile opportunity for causes to raise awareness and money.

Finally, if the sponsoring agency for the marathon had a complaint over how much money they were receiving from the marathon I might have been concerned, but that was not part of your story. As it was, your paper's decision to deride our marathon with a report of so little importance and impact on the heels of our celebration seems ill-timed, uncharitable and unimportant.

— Larry Parker, Seattle

Trouble in traffic

All those expenses and they don't organize the traffic. An uninformed driver heading north on 24th Avenue was detoured by police where the street was closed. Trying another route, I headed west toward the University Bridge, but on 10th Avenue was again diverted — a sign said "Take I-5" but gave no clue how to get there.

I headed east again, with cars turning off on every street, but there were no further instructions. Finally, I headed south and got on the freeway at Olive Way. It was a mess.

Please, next year, a little more guidance.

— Jonis Davis, Seattle

I-747 special session

Governor opts for cover

I am disappointed in Gov. Christine Gregoire's decision to call a special legislative session aimed at reinstating the 1 percent property-tax limit required by Initiative 747.

In doing so, she is squandering an opportunity to replace bad law with sane, thoughtful legislation that would be fair to taxpayers and control growth of property taxes without strangling local governments.

She has fallen into a political snare much like that associated with California's Prop. 13. Gregoire's motives are transparent; this move gives her political cover against the anti-tax Neanderthals in whatever future campaigns she undertakes. It is clear that she subscribes to the cardinal principle of American political incumbents: Her greatest obligation is not to the public good, but to her own re-election.

— Aaron Barnes, Sequim

Justice system failed

Graham couple suffered

Interesting headline last week: "Did Graham pair die over $50 debt?" [page one, Nov. 21].

Are you kidding me? This poor couple died because our pathetic justice system failed society once again. Why was this monster out of jail after only 16 years even though he killed his mother with a butcher knife? What gutless judge gave him that sentence?

Now, he is supposedly eligible for the death sentence.

Remember this 30 years from now when 71-year-old Dan Tavares is out on probation stalking his next victim. I am embarrassed every single day of my life by the criminal-justice system of our nation. What a joke. Just not a funny one.

— Mark Carter, Bellevue

Spread the toll

Fund transit with parking fees

Transportation officials seem to think that Eastside residents should bear the brunt of funding the 520 bridge rebuild via toll charges on the 520 and I-90 bridges.

A far more equitable funding source would be a parking surcharge for single-occupancy vehicles in the Seattle, Bellevue and Overlake business districts. (Other major destinations that contribute to congestion could also be considered.)

In England, all cars entering London are charged a fee equivalent to $20 as a way to reduce traffic congestion. The parking surcharge would apply only to single-occupancy vehicles, the major source of congestion (and pollution).

Parking-lot operators would set aside spaces for car-pool vehicles or short-term parking (i.e. up to 3-4 hours) with no fee increase. Weekend and evening rates would also not be affected. However, during the workweek, the remaining spaces would require a daily surcharge of initially $5 to $10 with potential increases to higher levels as needed to "persuade" commuters to car pool or ride a bus.

Parking-lot operators could set up their own procedures for collecting the surcharge and keep part of the added fees to reimburse them for their additional costs. The remainder would go to fund transportation improvements such as the bridge rebuild and pay for added bus service to meet increased demand.

Employers who provide parking for their employees would have to pay a similar surcharge for spaces used by single-occupancy vehicles. Customer parking would not be affected.

— Bill Hirt, Bellevue

You can't take it with you

He'll be dead, not rich

In the final paragraph of Rod Norris's letter regarding Warren Buffett and the estate tax, the writer states "No matter how much the government socks Buffett for when he dies, he will still be a billionaire" ["The rich have their version," Northwest Voices, Nov. 26]

Unless Mr. Norris knows something the rest of us don't, as is true for the rest of us mortals, when Buffett dies he will not be a billionaire, he will just be dead.

— Dore Svei, Olympia