Letter to the Editor: Not Too Late to Vote 'No' on the Roundabout

Since Tuesday's council meeting, we've heard from other citizens who oppose the construction of the roundabout at this time. The comments are 10 against to 2 for it on My Edmonds News. The vote in the My Edmonds News poll was in favor of the roundabout Tuesday evening - probably weighted by city employees – (later) the poll indicated there are 111 against it and 91 for it.

There's been a great letter recently in another publication (Editor: Edmonds Beacon and both ran it) from Bob Wilcox; his comments coincide with what I said at the Dec. 20th council meeting, but he also makes the very good point that Edmonds is a leader in environmental issues so why not with public funding issues.

Many of those who support moving ahead, now, with the have mischaracterized the thinking of those who oppose it. Most of the citizens who oppose it are not opposed to a roundabout per se. They’ve carefully assessed the situation and they just don’t see a need for it at this time – they have no problem with the safety of Five Corners or the time required to transit thru the intersection. Additionally, they do not wish to have public funds from any source spent on unneeded projects.

The bureaucrats say that the intersection has a failed level of service,because on average it takes 115 seconds to get through it. Well, the experience of citizens is that it does not take that long, and even if it did that’s not a problem.

I’m starting to believe that it’s the bureaucrat’s standards for level of service that’s failed. They are too restrictive. I’m sure that we all know of intersections in nearby Lynnwood where we sit at traffic lights for five minutes or more. It’s a tolerable way of life.

It is not too late to have the City Council reverse its decision to proceed with this unneeded project. When the council next meets, Jan.3, one of the three council members who voted with the majority – (Strom) Peterson, (Diane) Buckshnis and (Adrienne) Fraley-Monillas – could introduce a motion to reconsider.

If you oppose the roundabout at this time, please contact those council members to request they introduce such a motion and then vote to have the roundabout removed from the 2012 Capital Facilities Plan, Capital Improvement Program and Six Year Transportation Improvement Program.

Please also contact our two new council members – (Joan) Bloom and (Frank) Yamamoto – to request that they vote for the removal of the roundabout.   

Ron Wambolt
Edmonds