Samples of Letters We've Sent

Published in the PI at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/99283_ltrs11.shtml

Hiring more PR staff won't change agency's past

Dec. 11, 2002

I had to laugh when I read Jane Hadley's article ("Sound Transit wants louder voices to reply to critics," Friday). ST officials are going to hire two more PR people because, they claim, there is a lot of misinformation being spread about their projects. However, the real misinformation is being spread by Sound Transit itself. It has a long history of false information:

1. From 1996 on, ST claimed light rail would relieve congested traffic. Now Executive Director Joni Earl admits it will not.

2. ST claimed it could build from Sea-Tac Airport to the University District for $1.7 billion. Now it is at least $3 billion.

3. The original Link was to be 21 miles. Now it is 14 and it doesn't go to the airport or to the University District.

4. ST said it could get federal money to complete the line to Northgate. Now the proposal to Congress is being held up by the inspector general's investigation of the light rail project.

A PR army will not change this devious history. We should disband Sound Transit and end light rail.

Art McDonell,
Seattle