Kathy Robertson’s recent letter calling Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance narrow-minded and an obstructionist was over the top and hypocritical.
Kathy disagrees with DCNA’s position in opposition to the proposed park land location of a new fire station and 20 stall parking lot on Finn Hill. The position statement was respectful and polite. It called for questions to be answered, questions a lot of people besides DCNA have been asking.
The search for a location has been going on for eight years but until late February when DCNA issued a position statement and a backhoe appeared without notice to take soil samples, little information had been shared with the area residents regarding the project. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to ask for information. Fire District 41 commissioners themselves admitted that some of the questions at the public hearing raised points they had not considered.
In fact Kathy herself asked the city directly for information in January. Good for her. Is DCNA not allowed to do the same?
Kathy says supplying the answers will create delays and push a decision past the annexation date. Welcome to democracy. Further charges that the city will shift the funds raised for a new station into its general fund were put to rest by the city finance director at the public hearing last month. With thousands of voters in the annexation area, city officials would be fools to make a money grab.
DCNA has long worked cooperatively with King County and other agencies. It continues to do so and representatives last month met directly with fire district commissioners, the fire chief and city officials. After DCNA supporters contributed $500,000 to save the woodlands and have given tens of thousands of hours in labor to maintain and restore the local environment, the organization has earned its place at the decision-making table.
Kathy Robertson co-authored a magazine article in 2007 regarding stormwater damage done to a ravine near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. In that article, it stated a goal for her employer at the time (hired to correct the problem) was to complete the project without complaints from landowners, the general public, or agencies. In summarizing the results, the article states: “The professionalism, high level of communication, coordination, and trust between all parties averted potential litigation, expedited project approvals, and reduced project costs. This project exemplifies . . . the value of stakeholder partnering.”
If it’s good enough for Tacoma, Kathy, shouldn’t the same standards be applied in Kirkland?
Jeff Hoerth, past DCNA president
