Burien annexation hinges on emotion

SeaTac could face a huge deficit if they proceed with their annexation plans. So SeaTac removed annexation from the table.

Burien will face a huge ongoing deficit for any of the annexation options. So what does the council do? Leave annexation on the table and, unless there is any dramatic change in direction, remove the costs of annexation from the table.

Slogans and anecdotes have taken the forefront as the rationale for annexation. These came forth in the last two meetings of the council.

There have been token references to the capital costs and how they will be taken care of, but council members refer to annexation as an investment in the future of Burien.

One member thinks Burien will not be around in 100 years without annexation. An annual deficit for 100 years would mean that Burien might not be around anyway.

Another member thinks North Highline is a diamond in the rough. One council member related a little story about how she and her husband would drive through North Highline and remark just how much it looks like Burien - a good reason for annexation.

At one time, the council stated that they would never seek an advisory vote because they were elected to make the hard decisions.

Their decision making process seems to hinge on feelings, emotion and hunches rather than reality.

James Sharkey

Treasurer,