State Senate debate on marriage equality a good example to follow
I had the privilege of being in the Senate gallery to witness the debate of marriage equality, Senate Bill 6239. While I believe marriage equality is long overdue, what most impressed me was the most thoughtful, respectful debate and the sharing of real-life, personal family stories among all senators, for and against. No rancor, no animosity.

Perhaps our Senate should offer training to those in Washington, D.C., as to how to conduct the business of government. Our Senate should be applauded for their thoughtful, intelligent, heartfelt conduct of the public’s business.

To all of our senators, I say thank you. You are  a credit to our communities, diverse as we are.

Cheryl A. Cristello
Gig Harbor

City should look for partnerships to provide sidewalks, street lighting
I attended a recent public meeting concerning the 56th Street/Point Fosdick Drive construction project. While I don’t necessarily oppose improvements along 56th Street, I do question the city’s timing and priorities.

Why now, and who will benefit?

A poster at the open house indicated that 56th Street construction was the last remaining infrastructure project planned for the area, leading me to believe that the city may have forgotten about citizens at the other end of Point Fosdick Drive.

As a resident of Quail Park, I appreciate the local convenience of the Gig Harbor/Peninsula library, MultiCare, St. Anthony Medical Building, Harbor Plaza, Uptown and Point Fosdick Square.

However, ever-increasing vehicle traffic and sections of Point Fosdick Drive with narrow shoulders and no street lights or sidewalks makes it is difficult and dangerous to walk there, even though they’re only a couple of blocks away.

A Gateway article stated that private developers are providing some funding for the 56th Street project. Partnerships are admirable funding solutions for projects, like sidewalks and streets lights, that promote safe pedestrian access, reduce vehicle traffic and improve quality of life for residents who are directly and often negatively impacted by development.

I encourage the city to pursue similar partnerships with Uptown and Point Fosdick Square developers — and believe safe pedestrian links along Point Fosdick Drive for current, established residents in the west end area, including Quail Park, Quail Run, Fairway Estates and Discovery Point — should take priority over the 56th Street area, where plans for future development are still to be determined.

Sam Goodwill
Gig Harbor

Public should have their voices heard on Narrows Bridge toll issue
The potential jump in tolls for the Narrows Bridge this July is outrageous. Just like that, a small group of people can impact the whole community of citizens.

So, what’s next? In 2014, will the toll go up again only because a few people think it should?

Just like a lot of situations in our society, the cost goes out of this universe, and the rich get richer. But how about the poor, who are searching for jobs or making little for their family to financially survive?

Please keep the toll at the current rates. I hope the toll does not become the predicted cost. That will be problematic for a lot of people.

I understand the additional bridge has done a lot to relieve traffic, but at the end of the day, it makes us a little poorer. Where, ultimately, are the benefits?

As a citizen, I hope there is so much demand that we get to vote whether or not to raise the toll. It would be nice if state Rep. Larry Seaquist and Sen. Derek Kilmer set up a couple sessions for citizens to express their concerns.

Steve McConnell
Gig Harbor

City parking lot seems to benefit businesses in south end of harbor
A  troubling thing has occurred in Gig Harbor. The city, in its infinite wisdom, has built a new parking lot for the proposed new pier to be built near the Tides Tavern. I don’t know whose idea this was, but the net result is a free parking lot for the Tides.

When a business opens in Gig Harbor, it is required to provide adequate off-street parking, and if it needs more parking, it has to buy additional land and build its own parking.

I also question the location of the pier itself. It seems to favor the businesses at the far south end of the harbor. The transient boats that come to the harbor will be directed right to the Tides, not to the center of town.

I can only hope that someone in the city will come to their senses and, at the very least, charge the Tides for the cars that park on the city lot. I drive past the Tides on a regular basis, and the lot is full most of the time.

John Armstrong
Gig Harbor