Members of the Burien Residents Against Annexation Political Action Committee last week challenged others who support annexing the North Highline unincorporated area at a meeting of the PAC.
A mix of ideas concerning possible annexation was tossed about by residents of Burien and North Highline, including the economics of the proposed action, the diversity of the area, and the next step to get information to the public.
"To take a city on and to promise them things is not fair," said PAC member Peggy Sharkey. "We can't afford it."
"The council is not thinking of the Burien residents first," said Sharon Oliger, another PAC member. "How can we take care of ourselves first?"
But, said Cherisse Luxa, who like the others lives in Burien, "I have a problem when people are saying we're dashing out to annex North Highline. Many cities put a PAA [Preferred Annexation Area] on areas for years to study.
"If you have a PAA you control the process."
"Put yourself in the strongest possible bargaining chip," said Ivan Weiss, chairman of the 34th Legislative District Democrats. The district includes part of Burien and all of North Highline.
Not doing this is like "taking a knife to a gun fight," Weiss said.
"The PAA would provide for a fuller examination of North Highline," said Jerry Robison.
One of the most heated exchanges of the evening came after Robison was challenged on a comment made at the Aug. 22 Burien Planning Commission meeting when he questioned some members of the PAC had racial motivations in for wanting no annexation.
"A lot of what I've seen from people is that 'we don't want those people down here,'" Robison said.
"We're looking at this totally financially," shot back PAC member J. Fulop.
No member of this group ever used those words, Sharkey declared.
Residents of North Highline who oppose annexation by Burien encouraged PAC members to visit the unincorporated area and educate voters.
"Explain to North Highline your position because they're the ones to vote," said Boulevard Park resident Claire Henson.
"The choir is here," said Burien resident Eric Perry, who encouraged the group to get their information to those who can really make a difference-the voters of North Highline.
"We all wish more people would participate," said one North Highline resident. "It's hard to come up against a wall of people who don't want to think about it."
