Comments on: Councilmember Brian Bennett: Open “Limited Secure Access” To Lake Burien

By: Coverofnight

Coverofnight — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 06:15:51 +0000

To Jim Branson I say, “Right on! I’m behind you 100%!” To Pleides – well, if I complain about my order being wrong (which it FREQUENTLY is), then I’m racist; so instead I politely ask them to correct their mistake but still have to tolerate their nasty glares and bad attitude. To Native Naturalist I say, “I hope you run for Mayor…..I like the way you think!” To all others – while there are some good arguments on both sides, the Lake and the community have been just fine for decades with the current access situation. The Shoreline Master Program is another example of lawyers and government creating blanket legislation without the ability for reasonable modification at the local level. This is a mindset that has taken hold at all levels of government. Mr. Bennett seems to be another cog in that massive government machinery that churns out regulation after regulation to further limit individual rights – the individuals in this case being the lakefront property owners. If he has no backbone on this issue, I’ll certainly be looking to support his opposition in the next election. We all know that once access and a public space are granted/created, there will be no enforcement of rules and laws and only token monitoring by authorities. And as any government employee knows, once government creates something, it is virtually impossible to eliminate it or change it back. This “issue” needs to become a non-issue…..leave the Lake alone. Patriots, stand up and fight for individual property rights – even if you don’t own lakefront property! Because YOUR property is next for restrictive legislation (think energy use, zoning, building, extended family occupancy, home businesses, etc.).

By: jimmy

jimmy — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:02:59 +0000

yeah there is a lot fish that live in arbor lake the bass perch trout catfish frogs turtles its a nice lake it just theres a bunch of dumbasses that go downthere and drink and liter and spray paint and the cops berly ever get there in time to stop them but lately the cops have been around more from what i have read they got the bum from living there anymore and they are working on cleaning it up down there it can be a nice lake it just needs a little help and hopfully the cops will in getting rid of these thugs that are cusing all these problems in this area like over last summer you chouldent go to the corner store on 128th 1st the old circle k with out getting bugged by big somens spare changing but they seem to be gone but will see when the weather gets better they will probly be out there agine i think its time that the peole in this area stand up and get these guys the hell out of here i have lived here most of my life i like it here

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:43:27 +0000

I understand both sides in this story, but I have to agree with Lee Moyer. If something is public, it’s public. If people owned property adjacent to the Grand Canyon, could they prevent all of us from enjoying it? And while I wholeheartedly agree with Julie D that the general public is good and bad, I have to say that the entire lake is not her backyard. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

By: Jim Branson

Jim Branson — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:02:02 +0000

Kim Otto, Arbor Lake would be a great opportunity to show that public access and environmental protection can work hand in hand. I’ve been to the lake and seen the beer cans and bottles sunk into the mud at the shoreline. I’ve seen where the dog feet churn the mud and trample the native vegetation. Arbor Lake has acres of lawn where it could have natural vegetation to slow and filter the storm water. Does anything live in Arbor Lake besides algae and slime? If the public wants access to Lake Burien, they could demonstrate responsible stewardship of Arbor Lake first.

When you and your neighborhood watch group have turned things around so that high school kids aren’t buying and selling drugs at Arbor Lake at 1 AM, when the lake is healthy and the trash is gone, when the lawn is reduced and the invasive weeds are gone–then you can hold up Arbor Lake as an example of how public access and environmental preservation are not mutually exclusive. Only then should the public be clamoring for access to Lake Burien.

By: Robbie Howell

Robbie Howell — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:05:44 +0000

Stacy did you know that mothers change their babies diapers on picnic tables? They leave urine and E Coli on the table? How will you know if it is safe to eat there? Did you know that many people do not use the garbage cans that are put in place for them?
Just look at SW 152nd between 4th and 6th avenue on the south side of the street. There are very nice disposal cans on that strip but people throw their cigaret butts and trash all over the sidewalk instead of using them. And there are people that would not think that there is anything wrong with throwing baby diapers filled with poop into the lake. Not everyone is well behaved as you are. ROI

By: Kim Otto

Kim Otto — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:27:53 +0000

The greater ecological destruction occurs with home owners over fertilizing their lawns and destroying wetlands. I live on little Arbor Lake and feel the public does benefit from the public access. If the home owners are so concerned why don’t they organize a community group to help enforce the rules of any park as a neighborhood watch group would do? I only hear that they feel they own the lake and no one else should enjoy it. Let’s try to see a greater future for the people of Burien and lake access for all ;not just the lucky few who can afford lake front property.

By: Lee Moyer

Lee Moyer — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:41:52 +0000

Julie,
You own your back yard and someone using it is trespassing. You do not own the street in front of your house, it is public right of way. So is the surface of Lake Burien and Puget Sound. If you choose to have a nice yard that extends to the water’s edge, it is the same as having a nice yard that extends to a public sidewalk. The public has a right to the use of the right of way, and thereare laws that govern the users conduct on these rights of way but they do not include private property and trespassing laws.
Lee Moyer

By: Pleides

Pleides — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:44:20 +0000

OMG!! “If you call 911 to report someone littering, they will just laugh at you.” Wha?!?

Uhh, yeah. Maybe while you’re at it, let them know your hamburger didn’t get pickles like in the photo in the drive-through.

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:01:39 +0000

Maybe if there was a really good pool in Burien, with a picnic area adjacent to it, we would not all be yearning to be in a tiny lake which might give us swimmer’s itch.

By: Julie D

Julie D — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:21:17 +0000

Stacey, ths shore aroud the lake is private property. It does belong to the people who have title to the land around the lake.

Let say for a second that you own a home, maybe you do. And now lets say it’s someone’s priority to have a picnic, a party or a little romp in your back yard. Makes you want to shell out for that morgtage, does it? Not that you would do this but think for a second about if your visitiors decide not to pick up thier garbage, use drugs in front of your children, threaten you or harm the natural ecosystems (plants, animals or habitats) . I don’t live on Lake Burien, but I do live on the water and each of those things has happend to me.

Of course if you would like to picinic on Lake Burien, one way to do it is to make it yours, one or two houses comes up for sale a year there. (Maybe then you would think differently about a public park.)

Until then, Seahurst beach is quite lovely with beautiful new picnic faciities. Something in our city should take a great deal of pride in and have a wonderful waterfront experience.