A recent letter (TNT, 8-4) was an unjust opinion of Joe Atkinson’s qualifications for the position of Tacoma city councilman.

Atkinson has put forth his position on the issues and is open to questions and/or concerns regarding the city. Those opinions and positions are set forth in the voters pamphlet and published in handouts and informational literature. He has participated in the League of Women Voters candidate forum and is endorsed by The News Tribune (editorial, 7-27).

Atkinson is accessible to anyone who wishes to ask questions as to his position on any issue and his vision …

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Re: “City pot moratorium approved” (TNT, 8-3)

My hat is off to the Tacoma City Council for providing my laugh for the day. Ever since medical pot was made legal, our city officials have lost their minds.

Some pot businesses are banned, some are not. Old sellers are OK, but don’t anyone dare open a new one. We’re going to shut you down but, hey, you over there, we’re going to leave you open.

Does the council really think the pot growers and sellers are going to wait around for a nod of approval to carry on their businesses? …

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Despite the endorsement of The News Tribune (editorial, 7-27), Joe Atkinson is not a good choice for the Tacoma City Council, Position 1. Atkinson does not have a good understanding of Tacoma’s heritage or a vision for its future. Tacoma was built by the hard work of its citizens, yet Atkinson is anti-labor.

Atkinson’s lack of support for the proposed streetcar project shows lack of vision for Tacoma’s future. I like Atkinson’s commitment to fill potholes, but Tacoma needs someone to raise the bar higher. Sure we need good streets, but we also need a city with excellent public …

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The Tacoma City Council needs to examine what the proper role of city government is and the essential services it needs to provide.

I am billed by Tacoma Public Utilities for power, water, garbage, sewer, storm sewer. I am billed for cable service. I pay property taxes for Tacoma School District No. 10. I pay for the Port of Tacoma. I pay for Metro Parks.

It’s time for the City Council to explain in lay terms what the government is paying for. It’s fine to refinance debt to reduce payments, but that should be done without regard to …

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Re: “City signs off on digital billboards” (TNT, 7-29).

It is apparent that billboard conglomerate Clear Channel is the clear winner in the Tacoma City Council legal settlement
to allow the company to install digital billboards.

These digital billboards are even more distracting and dangerous than ordinary billboards. Why did the council make a major public policy decision without proper notice for public participation?

The public has not been well served.

Re: “Firm’s ties to Boe stronger than known” (TNT, 6-10).

Opening up the paper this morning I am surprised to see another headline with David Boe’s name, another story suggesting dishonesty. I am frankly bewildered.

As a friend of Boe’s for the past 17 years, I know him to be a person who speaks his mind and without mincing words. If he says the new Cheney Stadium plan looks like an office park with a ballfield attached to it, then that is exactly what he thinks. He is also an honest man with strong opinions and a strong sense of …

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After waiting with great anticipation for the final design of the LeMay Car Museum, it’s hard to believe that the photos shown on the front and back of the May 29th News Tribune represent the finest rendering of our local architects. That hanger will be a blight on our Tacoma landscape, and rather than enhance the collection, it will be a deterrent to tourism.

We were hoping that some of the earlier designs that resembled the elegant Blackhawk Car Museum in Danville, Calif., would be chosen. It is deplorable that the city council will allow this ugly structure to represent …

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I am very disappointed in the Tacoma City Council vote to condemn the Arizona immigration law (TNT, 5-26).

What business is it of Tacoma what Arizona is trying to do to control the illegal immigrants in that state? Mayor Marilyn Strickland was the lead in calling Arizona’s law ‘ un-American.” I will say that I will never vote for her again.

Take a look at the number of illegal immigrants who are here in the Tacoma area, taking jobs away from our tax-paying citizens, and then you can understand what Arizona is facing.

Rather than trying to be politically correct, …

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