Samples of Letters We've Sent

Don't think of I-776 vote as endorsement of agency

Published Dec. 23, 2002 by that Seattle PI at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/100924_ltrs23.shtml

I am appalled that Ron Sims and Joni Earl have the gall to say Initiative 776's rejection by voters within the Sound Transit district means we want the agency to stay the course (Op-Ed, Dec. 12). I voted against I-776, not because I support Sound Transit but because it was a dirty bomb that allowed voters statewide to revoke several locally approved taxes.

In fact, I am adamantly opposed to Sound Transit's light rail plan and the way the agency has conducted itself. I support paying taxes to pay for transit, but only if those dollars are spent effectively and honestly.

ST's plan has not been approved twice. It hasn't even been approved once because the current light rail plan is one-third shorter, will carry two-thirds fewer people and will cost almost three times as much per rider than what was promised in 1996. ST hasn't had the courage to put the current plan before voters.

We thought we were voting for transportation solutions in '96. What we really did was create an agency beyond accountability, with no direct election of board members or citizen initiative process. I-776 was not the right way to stop Sound Transit, but it must be stopped nonetheless.

Bob Gale
Seattle