en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/690961 Comments by kirklandcitizen http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39531322 Roll over for Big Business Pakalolo--that a boy! You, crackpotbob, RiffRaff, and LotusM250 can continue to excuse major municipalities and absolve companies and city councils of any responsibility. You're missing the whole point but, it would ruin your power as a message board troll, to look deeper at this issue, view it with any empathy or find the truth beyond what was presented. It's not entirely your fault as the KOMO story didn't give the whole story and only chose to portray Mr. Heslop in the way you're characterizing him. Ahh the power of the media and the zombies who follow it. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:48:32 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39531322 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39527872 The City granted PSE 3 extraordinary variances that land-use attornies rarely see granted. There was never reason to believe that anything of this magnitude would be constructed. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:32:38 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39527872 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39527573 Tony Leavitt and the City of Kirkland NEVER did any of their own research, they took everything PSE gave them. PSE lined-up testifying "experts" and paraded them through council after neighbors complained, then the council blamed the neighborhood for not hiring independent experts the City should have had in the first place. The only "restrictions" the City insisted on where more trees to conceal it. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:31:14 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39527573 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39526496 I've been following this closely and believe the villian here is the City of Kirkland Council who voted and allowed PSE three EXTRA-ordinary variances AND allowed--in violation of state law--a project which through those variances reduce the property value (key phrase) *in a residential neighborhood*. What's really most amazing about this case is that the City of Kirkland performed NO independent research of their own. They took all of PSE's plans, reports, and recommendations and accepted them de facto. The City of Kirkland's TONY LEAVITT should be investigated for being in PSE's pocket and made to answer why he did not do his job. The City Council had no 'check nor balance' for the interest of the City nor it's citizens. Big business told them what to think, how to think, what to do and like robots, they did it. (and abbreviated meeting notes archived on their web site that mention the many errors) Council woman, Mary-Alyce Burleigh said : "I wouldn't want it in my backyard but it won't reduce property values" --- look at the pictures Ms. Burleigh...are you serious? The only council person speaking against the project and chastising the City for NOT doing their job was Jessica Greenway. Why others on this board would suggest a citizen shouldn't be compensated for damages directly attributable to PSE's construction is beyond me. A person's home is typically their single biggest investment. Shine some light and expose how the City of Kirkland works for businesses at the determent of its citizens....this isn't a "Juanita" thing, it's a City of Kirkland problem. And for all the naysayers out there--good luck in your own fight against big business as government isn't going to look out or protect you either. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:25:57 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/64459337.html#IDComment39526496