GUEST OP-ED: ‘Stories’ Contest: Let’s Click on Compassion

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a guest Op-Ed written by Gary Davis, Associate Executive Director, Companis.] by Gary Davis Our society is fascinated by entertainers, sports heroes and lawbreakers. Glance... [Read more]

OPINION: The City of Burien Needs to Slow Down on Annexation Vote

The Burien City Council will ask King County to hold a vote on annexing the final part of the North Highline Unincorporated Area on Aug. 7. What’s the hurry? The City Council agreed at the March... [Read more]

OPINION: An American’s Right To Strike Little More Than Symbolic Dissent

[EDITOR'S NOTE: On Wednesday, Nov. 10th, local union members who work for four major grocery chains in Western Washington voted overwhelmingly – 94 percent in favor – to authorize a strike against... [Read more]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: “Why I Can’t Support The Transportation Benefit District Fee”

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We're now publishing "Letters to the Editor," and encourage all Readers to email us their opinions or thoughts (another option of course is to Comment below each story). Below is a letter... [Read more]

GUEST EDITORIAL: City Of Burien Has Ordinance On Graffiti Removal, Yet Still Has Grafitti On Its Own Sign

by Jim Branson Despite the city’s own ordinance against graffiti, the graffiti on this “Welcome to Burien” sign located in Olde Burien has been there for nearly three months. Here’s... [Read more]

EDITORIAL: Why Burien Should Approve Referendum 71

by Stephen Lamphear On Tuesday (Sept. 29th), I saw my first “Reject 71″ yard sign in Burien at First Ave South and SW 148th. In addition to the racial/cultural hate that runs just under the... [Read more]

OPINION: Former City Councilmember’s Rebuttal To The “Statement Against” Burien Annexation

by Stephen Lamphear Attention North Highline Annexation Voters: your Voters Pamphlet contains a steamy, smelly pile of bovine fecal matter about annexation to Burien. Here are some of the dung piles dropped... [Read more]

OPINION: What Mike Martin Should Have Said About His DUI

An Editorial by Jim Branson

Imagine how quickly and simply this fiasco might have been solved if Mike Martin had said the following…

OPINION: Mike Martin Must Tell The Truth Or Resign

An Editorial by Jim Branson

At Monday’s City Council meeting, several prominent Burien citizens spoke up for City Manager Mike Martin, saying he has done a good job and he deserves another chance. They said he shouldn’t be judged before the facts were known.

Former Council Member Jack Block Jr. said he (Block) had the disease of alcoholism, he had sought treatment for it, and it did not stop him from being a contributing member of society as long as he took the right steps.

One difference between Mr. Block and Mr. Martin is the admission of having a problem…

OPINION: Is Burien Really Worthy Of Being A “Tree City”?

An Editorial by Jim Branson

On Arbor Day, the City of Burien called our attention to the beauty and value of trees by planting a dogwood in Dottie Harper Park.

This is commendable, and if it inspires people to plant appropriate trees in their own yards, it could have some long-term benefit.

We might also benefit by paying attention to the trees we’ve lost. In recent years, Burien has lost hundreds of trees, a few here, one there, a dozen more over here. These trees fall silently, when we don’t pay attention, and one might not even be aware of the gradual loss of canopy if no one takes the time to notice the missing trees. Ideally, the City of Burien should have an inventory of its trees, with notes on their health, so we can know if we are successful in being a Tree City U. S. A., as we were designated 7 years ago. This would take a coordinated effort involving arborists, but we can start by cataloguing the trees we have lost recently…

Chief Speaks Up About Fire Bond On Ballot

By Chief Mike Marrs Burien-Normandy Park Fire Department With all the hoopla over the Presidential candidates, I wanted to gently remind the communities of Burien and Normandy Park that your fire department... [Read more]

From The Big Picture: A Teen Speaks Out About The Economy

Josh Hart, 15, can't yet vote but has a pretty strong opinion. He attends Big Picture High School. EDITOR’S NOTE: Recently we were invited by the Highline School District to visit students and... [Read more]