SOS needs to change focus to positive input

The expansion of the Central Business District, many forget or were not here, was in response to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, requiring all cities to take density in the urban growth boundaries.  Rather than rezone the Island to allow changing the lot density on residential lots, which does not save our suburbs, the decision was made that we must take density in our central lbusiness district.

Since the plan is now being fulfilled it is always human nature to react to change.  I fully commend the interest and efforts of Save Our Suburbs (SOS) but taking the density in the CBD is the answer to saving the unique nature of our island residential lots.

I would hope that SOS and others will now turn their focus to the developer and the  design commission, with positive input,  to help insure that we will end up with a “Northwest Flavor” building or buildings that fits our desired suburban village CBD.

Bruce Clibborn

Councilman Cero will not run for re-election

That saddens me. Perhaps it can be said best in German with, “Es tut mir leid’’. Google that, dear reader. In the college course in which I got a D, I thought the expression only meant, “It makes me sad.” Mike’s decision gives it meaning.

Thank you, Mike, for your service to the Island. Service that intelligently, analytically probed the causes and effects of what otherwise would pass at Council meetings as unnoticed and of no matter. Service that looked to the Island, not to “friends” in other communities for their solutions to our situations.

There’s a base of Islanders, growing in no little part due folk like Mike Cero, who have Island interests at heart. For someone of accomplishment, an achiever, it’s easy to imagine the heartbreak of being opposed by appeasers. So I understand a reason for the decision.

I’m thankful that the decision is not affective mid-term. Mid-term appointments are often disappointments. Mike’s presence on the council will be missed. Robert Frost wrote “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” meaning the seasons return. The Council seat will be filled, I hope by someone with the right stuff. But until then, stay ready for the next adventures of the bobbsey twins.

Lloyd Gilman

A ‘rave’ for the South-end QFC Valentine’s Day look

Thank you south-end QFC for the amazing Valentine decorations! They were beautiful and made me smile as I entered the store and shopped today. The employees, friends and neighbors I see every time I shop make me appreciate the south-end even more!

Lynne Fruehling

Support needed for antibiotic bill before Congress

The discovery of antibiotics was a revolutionary one, allowing cheap and lifesaving medicines to be delivered to diseases previously untreatable. However, overuse of these precious drugs has led to antibiotic resistant bacteria, bringing back diseases that were previously thought benign.

The majority of these antibiotics are surprisingly used on farms, to overcompensate for otherwise filthy and crowded conditions.

I am a local high-schooler at the International School in Bellevue. I believe that we as humanity, need to leave the planet better than we found it, for not just my generation, but for generations after. The danger of excessive antibiotics is a very real one, one that I and many of my peers do not believe is being taken seriously.

The PARA (Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance Act) has been taken under-consideration by Congress. Sen. Patty Murray has shown interest in supporting the bill, but requires to hear from her constituents first before she declares her support for it.

The passing of this act will ban excessive use of antibiotics in our food, something of which is essential. The people need to let her, and the rest of Congress know that the passage of this bill is an easy way to ensure that not just our current, but that future generations prosper, too.

Stephen Fleischman, Bellevue