County raised important issues concerning arts center | Letter to the Editor

Thank you so much for the article concerning Vashon Allied Arts’ proposed performing arts center (“County officials question art center’s design”).

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4:56 PM May 16, 2012 0

Arts center would fit well at historic corner | Letter to the Editor

Think of Island history and you must think of Vashon Allied Arts. Its rich contributions to Island life reach back to roots planted in 1949 by Norm Edson and Art Hansen. That’s history — history that counts for a lot more than a decrepit quonset hut with a false front. The McFeeds building started life as the Zarth Garage, pumping gas and selling cars. Maybe folks would like to see a gas station and car lot in place of the beautiful entry of the new Center for the Arts?

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4:54 PM May 16, 2012 0

The highway is safer with rumble strips | Letter to the Editor

First let me admit that I’m not a cyclist and I have an extra 30 pounds under my belt to prove it. In the interest of full disclosure, I drive a little Ford pickup and a not-so-little Explorer. With all due respect to my pal Steve Abel, I disagree that the rumble strips are worthy of the rumble. Truth be known, I welcome them, even though I hear the dreaded rumble right outside my bedroom very early each morning.

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updated 1:29 PM May 1, 2012 0

Rumble strips not welcome for bikers | Letter to the Editor

I was glad to get home tonight to read that rumble strips are a major topic in The Beachcomber. (“County suspends rumble strip project,” April 25.) I was surprised by them when I “ran into them” last week on the narrow shoulder south of Cedarhurst.

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1:26 PM May 1, 2012 0

Rumble strip are inconvenient, but save lives | Letter to the Editor

I was so pleased that rumble strips have been installed on Vashon Highway. As founder of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, I am well aware that rumble strips save lives. And two-lane Vashon Highway is the perfect place for them. Yes, the rumble strips will be inconvenient for cyclists, less so when they get used to them.

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updated 4:33 PM April 24, 2012 2

Pertussis outbreak makes vaccination issues clearer | Letter to the Editor

The recent outbreak of whooping cough on Vashon showcased just how fast communicable diseases can spread and refuels the debate about low vaccination rates in the community.

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updated 4:23 PM April 24, 2012 0

Article did not help our restaurant | Letter to the Editor

We would like to start by saying that we have never had poor feelings about The Beachcomber. In fact, quite the opposite. We have loved and supported the newspaper for years, by advertising in it on a regular basis as well as purchasing the newspaper weekly.

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updated 4:22 PM April 24, 2012 0

When building green homes, local resources are advantageous | Letter to the Editor

I compliment Richard Mintz for his wisdom in choosing Vashon for his home and for his good fortune in having the means to do so. (“Modular Goes Trendy,” March 21.)

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updated 4:21 PM April 24, 2012 0

Are road stakes needed at all? | Letter to the Editor

Although I appreciate King County’s willingness to shorten the stakes, we Islanders still have to look at numbers compromising our views.

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4:19 PM April 24, 2012 0

Mail thefts and gas siphonings require us all to be vigilant | Letter to the Editor

During the past six months, I’ve heard of (what appears to be) an increasing number of mail thefts and gas siphonings. This past winter there were siphonings on Gorsuch Road; a month or so later there was a break-in on the north end, and about a month ago there were similar occurrences on the west side. Last week there were DVDs and mailed gifts stolen on Wax Orchard. And, most recently, there were mail thefts on the south end. (Chances are there are more than just what I know.)

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updated 1:49 PM April 17, 2012 0

It’s the season of half-truths and political posturing | Letter to the Editor

Ah, the quadrennial political dance begins! Partisans from the Republican/Fox News corner square off with those from the Democratic/progressive talk radio ranks to score the most political points with the folks who will really decide the November presidential elections: young and elderly voters, specific ethnic constituencies and political independents.

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updated 1:48 PM April 17, 2012 0