Letters, Feb. 18
February 18, 2010
By Administrator
YMCA versus business
One day in 1994, I came out of the Safeway on 228th Southeast Street wearing my normal management outfit of a dark blazer, necktie and gray or tan slacks, and on my way to my car, I happened to walk toward a parked car.
Maybe I looked tired that day, but I didn’t seem to impress either the driver or his next seat companion nor the backseat passenger as I walked toward their car. One of them openly passed a large baggie of pot to the friend in the back seat, who took a sniff and laughed.
Both the driver and backseat passenger looked up at me as I came to about three or four feet from their car. But they essentially ignored my presence and drove slowly away, continuing their friendly banter.
Since I also shopped at the QFC at the intersection of 228th Southeast Street and Issaquah-Pine Lake Road, it was my experience with frequent regularity to witness groups of teens hanging out and getting wasted, mostly on weekends from early to late evening. The question I asked myself each time was, “Why isn’t there some alternative activity for these kids?”
Despite all the affluence on the plateau, no regular bus service could get them down to the public pool in Issaquah, a theater, eateries or a mall. There were no basketball courts — which could also serve as venues for battles of the bands, dances, town meetings, local art shows, political rallies, community theater productions or classes, such as yoga and CPR. There was no pool for the next Mark Spitz, Dawn Fraser or Jennifer Beth Thompson.
No, it won’t save them all, but what is the value of saving one child? Perhaps yours?
There’s a larger question — does Snoqualmie Ridge include the community at large, since that seems to be absent from dialog?
Experience tells me, for the most part, children most often hang out with who they want to, without regard to station. If their friends are unwelcome or cannot easily join them, they will seek activity elsewhere.
Denis Morrison
Snoqualmie
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