There are many and varied confusing sources providing misrepresentations, unsupported statements, and in some cases hypocritical positions related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.

One of the worst is the mayor of Seattle, Greg Nickels. His statement that Seattle won't be pushed into accepting the governor's decision to fund only the viaduct is self-serving. The mayor sends the message that he speaks for the city! He does not! The mayor conveniently forgets to mention that the real decision belongs to the tax-paying, utility paying, voting citizens of Seattle and not the mayor or the City Council.

When it appeared that the mayor's six lane tunnel was far too expensive, he had city employees develop a cut-and-cover, four lane concept he calls "tunnel lite" with costs considerably lower that the six lane tunnel and with statements that it could meet the same requirements. I wonder why the City/State Alaskan Way Viaduct team didn't reach a similar conclusion after three years of study and city-wide meetings? The preparation of the tunnel-lite option seems to me to be a misuse of public funds to save a tunnel option that the mayor and some members of the council have so vociferously championed.

If you want to see a perfect "monkey-wrench" prepared by the City Council to confuse voters, just look at the statements and text facing voters for the two ballot issues each with two options for viaduct replacement. It's a perfect example of an attempt to confuse, divide, and conquer.

Any analysis of the pending March 13 advisory election must also include a look at the obscene amount of money that has been contributed to defeat a replacement viaduct. Fortunately we can identify all of the contributors and their contributions on the City of Seattle Ethics and Elections website. The major monetary supporters include downtown businesses, downtown association, property owners, and developers along with all of the segments of the construction industry. As a group they represent the primary beneficiaries of a tunnel both in the short and long term at the expensive of all Seattle tax payers.

John Storz

Arbor Heights