I think that it is totally appropriate that the Burien City Council does not move forward precipitously on annexation.

As Eric Mathison reported on the front page of the Highline Times in the Sept. 23rd edition the only council member who was urging quick annexation was Gerald Robison.

I find it interesting that Mr. Robison who is the only member of the council who was not elected to the position is so gung ho for annexation and apparently driving the bus when, in all good conscience, he should be riding in the back, rather that continually seeking center stage on this.

Mr. Robison was appointed last year to replace a retiring council member, so he was not elected to the council by the residents of Burien.

I don't know what Mr. Robison's reasons for pushing annexation are, but I wonder if he is urging quick action because his term expires this year. If he is not elected in November, he will lose his current pro-annexation vote.

Its interesting to note that he very possibly will lose his seat, precisely because of his outspoken support for annexation.

Mr. Robison was quoted as saying, "If you sleep on it, you'll never sleep in it." Well I have a response for that:

Annexation is NOT a real estate deal; it's a lot more complicated than that and there are MANY factors that need to be taken into consideration and if takes some time, SO WHAT? What does the city and its residents gain by rushing into something this potentially very expensive proposition.

There is no legitimate reason to rush into this annexation. I believe the city has until 2015 to make a decision.

In my opinion the city of Burien and its residents are best served by the council being very deliberate and giving careful consideration to ALL the impacts, financial and otherwise, of annexing White Center.

I spoke with the mayor's office in Seattle and they confirmed Seattle has no intention at this time to annex White Center. They cannot afford White Center at this time and they have been quite clear on that.

I think it best for the city of Burien that the council takes more time discussing this rather than less.

John Poitras
Burien

Editor's note: On Oct. 3 the Burien City Council declared their intent to annex White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline with a vote of 5 - 2. Full details on the vote can be found here.