Pierre is spot on!

Editor:

I would like to add my name to the growing list of dissatisfied residents regarding the proposed roundabout at Five Corners. 

We have been led to believe that this is  an environmentally green project and it should be embraced by the populace 

The only thing green about it is the money that needs to be spent on it.  

John Pierre’s article in the Jan. 5th Beacon was spot on!!  

Annette Border

Thanks to all who gave

Editor:

On behalf of the City of Edmonds, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2011 Giving Tree project. 

Between the trees located at the Frances Anderson Center and at City Hall, there were approximately 150 tags. 

These tags were provided by Volunteers of America and

were for local children and adults who needed help to make the season brighter for them. 

Even in this challenging economy, almost every tag was taken by generous citizens and employees, and brightly wrapped packages were distributed to the grateful recipients.

Volunteers of America told us that they helped 1,115 families this holiday season, and we are very proud to be a part of that effort. 

Again, thank you for your spirit of giving and we wish you the best in 2012!

Sue Johnson

Huda Olsen

City of Edmonds

A dog owners responsibility

Editor:

Let's give Mauser a bundle of kudos and doggie treats for the article in the January 5, issue. 

I met you, Mauser, and your owner a few days before along Railroad, while picking up trash.  You are a wonderful dog, and I adore your energy. 

A few nips on the dog owners might remind them to take responsibility for picking up the poop. 

Too many people believe "it's not my job". 

Some are clever enough to leave a bag full of poo in the bushes. 

Please, humans with your favorite friends, PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG.  If he/she is a member of your family, do the right thing.

One other thought, Mauser. 

Let's invite Joe Camel to town to give the smokers and their butts a tour of all the garbage cans around Edmonds. 

Let's train them how to use them, too.  How sad and shameful that so many are dropped and left everywhere.  

I'd be rich for every one I've picked up over the last 11 years, even at a nickel each.  So, Mr. Mauser, a healthy life and lots of petting to you. 

Francine Cohen

5 Corners roundabout not needed

Editor:

That building a roundabout at 5 Corners is still being planned, with all the opposition we see expressed, it is hard to believe the Edmonds City Council is still obstinately planning to go ahead with this project.

There are so many ways any scarce tax money could be used that would benefit more people.

In fact, it is hard to determine who this roundabout is supposed to help. 

As we expressed in a previous letter to the City Council, we have lived within a 3-mile distance of 5 Corners for 40 years.

At one time we had a business at 5 Corners.

Never have we witnessed an accident or had anything close to an accident when going through that intersection.

At the intersection of 5th and Main, where the fountain is, we have had much closer encounters that ever at 5 Corners. 

We are glad we do not have a business at 5 Corners at this time, if this project does go ahead.

Construction will impede traffic in that area for some time and we will certainly find other routes.

With construction finished, it is doubtful we will want to negotiate that intersection with a roundabout.

If we had a business at that intersection right now, it would be quite a concern what the impact would be for quite some time. 

We respectfully requested the Council give very serious consideration to this project and look at other traffic and road needs that might better serve the community of Edmonds.

Mary Ellerman

Save Robin Hood Lanes!

Editor:

The word is out about the possible closure of the only Edmonds bowling alley, Robin Hood Lanes, to a Big Box company from the Midwest.

I left Lynnwood some years ago to get away from all of the Big Box stores to live in a small, quiet, quaint town where I can raise my family in a safe environment. 

If Edmonds allows a company like Walgreen’s to come in, Edmonds has lost a great amount of integrity as a small town who has over and over in the local papers written of shopping local and supporting our local mom and pop stores which we love so much. 

Walgreen’s is a company out of Chicago.

Bartells, currently located kitty corner from Robin Hood Lanes, opened its first store in Seattle in 1890, and has been serving the greater Seattle area for over 120 years. 

Who is the local business here?  What message are we sending to our local stores now? 

There are two issues here, not one as I read in an article saying this comes down to “dollars and cents.” 

This comes down to the integrity of Edmonds, and what Edmonds really stands for. 

Are we going to walk the talk, and shop local and support local stores?  Or are we going to become just another corner on the 99 where dollars and cents drive our economy? 

I hope the people of Edmonds rise up, support what’s local, and save a family friendly, safe place for children and their families to play for years to come.

Stephanie Schmutz

Roundabout not needed

Editor:

I wish to open with, my wife and I are in total agreement with those who are opposed to a Roundabout at Five Corners.

The number of well informed individuals that have written to the Editors of the Herald and the Beacon, or cited by those who have written, have clearly delineated that it is neither needed nor affordable.

The majority of The Council is not listening.

Someone or some entity has "sold" staff a "bill of goods". Excusing the action by claiming that the federal government will pay the majority of the cost is ludicrous.

As has been pointed out, its still our money.

What has not been noted is that: The Federal Government has no business paying for any of it.

More important. There simply is NOT ENOUGH ROOM at Five Corners for an EFFECTIVE Roundabout.

That is without taking considerable land from the adjoining businesses, potentially including existing buildings.

Certainly an island can be placed in the center of the intersection, as was done at 8th and Dayton, but that IS NOT a roundabout.

For a Roundabout to be effective the circle has to be large enough so that while speed does have to slow, it does not have to creep. Also, the distance between adjoining streets has to be sufficient so there is efficient merging.

Those of us who have been exposed to Roundabouts (in the greater Washington D.C, area, and on some military bases) can attest to these physical requirements.

If the Roundabout is large enough it makes for an effective intersection for five or more streets with approximately equal volume of traffic.

If the volume of traffic is clearly out of balance the need for a Roundabout is questionable. If the circle is insufficient to permit a reasonable flow of traffic it becomes a real pain the neck. 

For Five Corners in Edmonds the balance of traffic from the five streets clearly is not there, so there is no need the Roundabout.

I might point out that we drive through Five Corners many times a week.  

Given the questionable need for a Roundabout at Five Corners, taking space from the adjoining properties to build one of sufficient size to make it efficient, clearly is not justified.

Lee & Jan Doolittle

Edmonds Residents since 1970