Letters to the Editor

Turbulence ahead

Incessant whiners will promptly be removed from the aircraft

Editor, The Times:

Regarding "Airline's proposal creates stir at Paine" [Times, Local News, June 5], people who make the choice to live in or close to expanding urban areas such as the Olympia-Tacoma-Seattle-Everett corridor, and enjoy the benefits of shopping, good jobs and a growing economy, ought not to complain and cry "oh, why me," when the growth of the cities creates noise and increased air traffic.

So what if the noise at Paine Field disturbs you? No one put a gun to Cathy Reese's head and told her she must live near Paine Field. It was her choice — there was an airport there when she moved to the area. There has been steady growth in this area for 100 years, and there will hopefully be growth for the next 100.

If the noise bothers you, then move! Go to some rural community in a remote area. The eastern shores of Puget Sound are going to become more urban whether you approve or not; accept this as a fact of life. This is what provides jobs and opportunities, and if you truly care about the next generation, you will help direct this growth and stop complaining.

— Robert Rogers, Mercer Island

Do big babies qualify for half-price tickets?

The proposal by Allegiant Air to have a hub here in Everett is a great idea, but will most likely not take place because of all the "me, me" crybabies afraid that they might have to shut their big mouths for a moment or two while they sit on their decks sucking down drinks and wait for a jet or two to pass over.

Maybe we should invest in some big-boy Pull-Ups for all these anti-airport whiners — including politicians — and bring Paine Field up to the 21st-century way of doing business.

— Terry Tollefson, Everett

Cost of living

Ever-increasing gas prices put squeeze on other priorities

As a community-college student and U.S. citizen, I am struggling with tuition payments and basic living costs, largely because of the constant increase in gas prices. I am not sure how much longer I can afford to make my payments. I don't go to the movies or to restaurants much these days — the money I used to spend on those activities now goes toward gas.

Some people blame the war in Iraq; however, as Third World countries like China and India become industrialized, they are buying more and more oil and gas. It is the basic law of supply and demand. With gas prices steadily increasing, it's important that people know about the benefits of public transportation, and how it can be an affordable alternative for commuters suffering from the high cost of driving and parking.

Transportation is the second-largest annual expense for American families. Government leaders need to make public transit a top priority, not only to better maintain our existing transit systems, but also to expand them in the future.

— Ruby Zheng, Bellevue

Life in a bubble lacks transparency

I am so fortunate to reside in King County. While the rest of the nation has experienced a housing-bubble burst, I live in one of the few places that has not only been unaffected, but has actually had appreciation of real estate. According to the assessment I recently received from the King County Department of Assessments, my property's value has increased by 10.4 percent in the last year.

I disclaim my ignorance of their equation for value assessment, but I assume it does not incorporate such irrelevant data as price decreases of single-family homes, number of home sales or increases in days on market and homes for sale.

Having bought my home a little more than a year ago and now attempting to sell it, I can tell you that my current asking price sure isn't 10 percent more than the amount I originally paid.

If the county seeks increased revenue because of the anemic economy, failing Highway 520 or the vexatious Alaskan Way Viaduct, don't artificially inflate assessed property value or create invalid justifications for determining valuation.

Let's instead be transparent and have an open dialogue about property taxation.

— Kenny Fink, Seattle