Cheap shots

What a snarky column (“Unpacking ‘State of the state’ speech,” by Jerry Cornfield, published Jan. 23), and written to a Mercer Island electorate that has endorsed time and again liberal and progressive politicians who agree that global warming is of paramount concern. Carbon pollution is one of the two truly existential threats, the other being a renewed nuclear arms race; these two threaten the world our grandchildren will inherit, regardless of whether that world is conservative or liberal, democratic or authoritarian.

As for “decked out in ambition,” have we ever had an effective political leader who has not been ambitious? Cheap shot after cheap shot, Cornfield. Instead of snark, how about suggestions for making progress?

Fletch Waller

Mercer Island

Help support MIYFS

It takes our Island to support our community. No one person, organization, board member, city council can do this alone. It takes everyone, in a collaborative effort to build our community stronger, wiser, smarter and brighter. As a community, we are held to a higher standard of ethics. We put ourselves at this higher level, since it is expected of us.

Why? Because of who we are – Islanders foremost put other Islanders first. Walk, bike, driving around our Island, use our beautiful parks, baseball fields, football fields, tennis courts, soccer fields. We support our schools, public and private, rec teams, tennis, baseball, football, volleyball, water polo, LAX, dance teams, SPARKLE, cheer, debate, Mercer Island High School band teams. We continue to support the Farmers Market, driving the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) van during Summer Celebration, music/movies in the park, Christmas tree lot – (yes, I am the “Saw Mistress”), South end Chevron, real estate agents are always available to answer any call no matter what the need is. MIYFS Food Pantry, senior services, VOICE, youth advocacy, counseling, housing needs, job core services… MIYFS is there to help. MIYFS is the first stop for your Island needs when that bump in the road accrues.

Our kids grew up swimming, boating from one friend’s dock to another dock. Sneaking into MIBC because they have the better beach and club snacks. We know when our kids have skipped school, before they are aware that they skipped school. Being held to a higher standard with a reputation of all sorts — mostly because Islanders take care of Islanders. Whether it’s from our place of worship, community events, school friends or multiple generations of family friends. One person’s parents/grandparents become your parents and grandparents — your call for help becomes MIYFS call for help.

I am asking for you to answer our call for help. Please join me at my table for the MIYFS Foundation Annual Breakfast – Celebrating 30 Years of Foundation Support, and Always Giving from the Heart – Feb. 13,2019, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m., at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

Register on line at www.miyfs.org.

Lisa Katsman

Breakfast chair