Despite almost 2,000 signatures from Burien voters and 175 signatures from small businesses in Burien against North Highline annexation, the Burien City Council is still pushing ahead.

They recently voted to propose annexing a huge area of North Highline, in a manner that will cut neighborhoods apart. They also appear to have violated the memorandum between Seattle and Burien by declaring their annexation intentions without working with Seattle for a mutually acceptable solution.

The Burien City Council decided to cut up North Highline even after almost all studies and public hearings emphasized that keeping North Highline together was a priority. Burien also added areas (my neighborhood for example) that were previously not considered, and did this without any public discussion or outreach. They didn't even have the courtesy of providing the new proposed boundary lines on the Burien web site until after they had voted to accept the new lines and the meeting was over.

Thousands of Burien residents say no to annexation, yet the Burien City Council has chosen the unique path of disregarding the wishes of Burien residents, ignored North Highline residents, and proposed to cut up our neighborhoods at the last minute without informing us. No wonder so many of us are losing confidence in Burien city government.

Jim Mueller

North Highline