Finally, after flipping, flopping, and flip-flopping over weeks of wiggling, wafflling, wavering and wobbling, Mrs. Gregoire made a decision. "Tunnel option is dead, say state leaders"
"Today we need to move forward with the one option that meets safety standards and is fiscally responsible: the elevated structure."A good call, finally. But what about that million dollar advisory ballot?
Gregoire's spokeswoman, Holly Armstrong, said that regardless of the outcome of Seattle's election, the tunnel option is dead.Some people might think that holding this vote is a stupid waste of a million dollars. But what do they know? It's actually a bit of political genius! Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at February 13, 2007 10:03 PM | Email This
You deserve some praise. Thank you.
And please do make sure there is follow through.
Posted by: Jeff B. on February 13, 2007 11:31 PMGreg Nickels and the city council have pussy footed around the viaduct since 2002 and wasted the past 5 years.
Posted by: Green Lake Mark on February 14, 2007 12:19 AMBy the way, why has nobody held the Port of Seattle accountable for their promise to assist with resources but only if the tunnel option was pursued? Who works for whom here?
I credit SoundPolitics' stalwarts for making sure enough blame goes around between Gregoire and Nickels (how do you guys find the time?) but it seems to me the best option for all would be the one that increases property assessment the most and moves the most people, assuming it can be done correctly. That option would appear to be the 6 lane tunnel. It sounds like the Republican thing to do -- a major renovation to increase property value along the waterfront, and local opposition be damned.
Have the SoundPolitics folks just decided that if a Demo is in favor of it, they must automatically oppose?
Whats the SoundPolitics solution to the Viaduct? Keep blaming others for lack of leadership, while not proposing a solution of your own?
Sounds a hell of a lot like Republican criticisms of Democratic positions on Iraq.
Republicans, contrary to the spending in DC for the past few years, are fiscally conservative and are the party of the people.
As for content, Stefan, what if the advisory ballot passes in favor of the tunnel? Then, it will look like Dime and company are geniouses; how could the State not fund the tunnel in that case?
Posted by: swatter on February 14, 2007 07:14 AMNo solution? No solution?!!!!! What about a repair option?
The repair option should also be the fave of the bicycle for transportation crowd, too. Being cheaper, it will also be the easiest to get rid of if their Armageddon is realized- you know, global warming, no oil, etc.
Posted by: swatter on February 14, 2007 09:07 AMWhy the hell would you repair something that was not build to last this long anyway? The thing is a big standing concrete slab that was made in the era when concrete was used for everything. There are much better uses for the waterfront than repairing big ugly concrete slab.
Tear it down and don't rebuild.
Oh yeah, boy the GOP has definitely spent the last couple of years proving they are the party of fiscal responsibility.
If so, the plot thickens.
Posted by: Jack Burton on February 14, 2007 01:55 PM