Folks,
I, too, am forwarding Mayor Schell's and Councilwoman Donaldson's reply.
It is clear that someone IS reading these and thinking about the ideas.
While I did not vote for Mayor Schell, if he and his staff and the council
are willing to be open-minded and environmentally sensitive about the
Millennium issues, then it is our responsibility as citizens to take
positive action to help our elected officials do the right thing to
benefit the most citizens.

Democracy is certainly not perfect, but it is the best current strategy we
have for community input and cooperation. Let's keep monitoring this
situation and responding with ideas; the door has been opened to do so.

Cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA

"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 17:51:00 -0700
From: "DOM01.P0103:MOFFICE" <Mayors.Office at ci.seattle.wa.us>
To: Maureen Ellis <me2 at u.washington.edu>
Cc: "Sea-Leg.Council & Central Staff:SDONALD"
<Sue.Donaldson at ci.seattle.wa.us>
Subject: Re: Idea for Our Celebration of the Millennium

Date: 05/27/1998 05:51 pm (Wednesday)
From: Mayors Office
To: "Maureen Ellis <me2 at u.washington.edu> at
Internet" at COS.ccMail
CC: SDONALD at Sea-Leg.Council & Central Staff
Subject: Re: Idea for Our Celebration of the Millennium

May 27, 1998

Maureen Ellis
me2 at u.washington.edu

Dear Ms. Ellis:

Thank you for contacting me with a suggestion regarding Seattle's
Millennium celebration. I will pass along the coastal walking trail idea
to those in the City working on the planning.

As you know, we are only at the beginning stages of planning for any
city-wide celebration, and we haven't made any decisions or announcements
about formal elements of a plan. Former mayors Norm Rice, Charles Royer,
and Wes Uhlman have agreed to join me as Co-Chairs of a Steering Committee
to help guide the planning process, but I can assure you that the planning
for Millennium-related events will be community-driven.

We are now asking the public for their suggestions, ideas, and energy to
help us create the most appropriate lasting legacies as part of the a
Millennium celebration, and your message could not be more timely. I
encourage you to stay involved, and continue sharing your thoughts on how
best to honor our region's past and leave a meaningful legacy for future
generations.

Very truly yours,

Paul Schell


>>> Maureen Ellis <me2 at u.washington.edu> at Internet 05/27 2:10 PM >>>
Honorable Mayor and Councilwoman,

Please consider the idea described in my forwarded text regarding our
area's contribution to the 21st Century celebration.

Thank you and sincerely,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 13:48:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Maureen Ellis <me2 at u.washington.edu>
To: Tweeters News Group <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: NW Celebration of the Millennium

Folks,
After a chat with colleagues here in my university dept, it is suggested
to designate and develop a coastal walking trail from the Everett Marina
south to Point Defiance for foot-traffic only. Access points could be at
the various public beaches with pass-through privileges only along the
privately owned Sound-front areas. This Millennium Coastal Walking Trail
could celebrate/educate/integrate all aspects of the human experience AND
human impact in our outdoors-minded NW culture.

It would pass by old-growth forest, variously logged tracts, suburbs,
marinas, commercial shipping ports and other coastal industrial sites,
inner city waterfront, and also have long, quiet stretches of intermittent
development. There could have frequent sites/sights with educational
signs. Yes, given the tides, not all areas of it could be walked at any
given time, but that, too, requires a valuable exercise in thinking and
planning! This IS the Northwest, a region bounded by and dominated by the
Pacific Ocean.

So, I suggest the Millennium Coast Walking Trail as our region's
substantive, enduring, and culturally-reflective contribution to the 21st
Century. Yes, developing it would be a real challenge in getting people
to cooperate and to consider the community benefit as a whole. Moreover,
such a project could probably be done for moderate costs and be cost-
effective as a low-impact attractive activity for visitors who happen to
spend dollars. Maintaining the trail for require responsibility from
current and future generations, a worthwhile community project that can
involve everyone and offer something to everyone.

Cheers and cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA
"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of confusion
and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage." -Carl Sagan-