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Letter | Enough is enough!

By on August 2, 2010 in Archived, Headlines, Opinion

Dear Editor:

Enough is enough!  For a few years now I’ve been wanting to respond in some way to Mr. Robert Style’s endless rants about anything and everything having to do with Kirkland’s governing decisions.  The last gripe of his-this time about Jane Hague- was the last straw needed to have me write this letter.

I have never in all the years I’ve known Mr. Style, observed him contributing one solitary thing to the betterment of Kirkland. Why doesn’t he get involved instead of incensed?

Honestly, I read two sentences of a letter to the editor, know that he is, once again, the author and I don’t even finish reading the letter.  I’d like to suggest that he lighten up, stop attacking our elected officials and provide some positive input instead of always complaining!

Jane Hague doesn’t need to apologize to anyone for her actions on behalf of all of us in Kirkland.  She is a true champion of the eastside and we are very fortunate to have her as our advocate.

Sue Contreras

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  • John Gilday

    Yeah Bob, why not try being more like me… sweet, understated, soft-spoken and universally beloved?

    Seriously, while I agree wholeheartedly with Sue's assessment that you get involved in your community, I have to disagree that you should do so INSTEAD of getting incensed or criticizing our leaders,

    More than most, I recognize the absolute need to continue to hold their feet to the fire.

    But, like Daniel in the lion's den, you need to get into the community and rub shoulders with those you disagree with – no matter how wrongheaded their positions are.

    So wait till your wife dozes off, pull your chair up to the keyboard and let the observations continue!

    <center>We can disagree without being disagreeable.
    Ronald Wilson Reagan
    (1911-2004)</center>

  • John Gilday

    Yeah Bob, why not try being more like me… sweet, understated, soft-spoken and universally beloved?

    Seriously, while I agree wholeheartedly with Sue's assessment that you get involved in your community, I have to disagree that you should do so INSTEAD of getting incensed or criticizing our leaders,

    More than most, I recognize the absolute need to continue to hold their feet to the fire.

    But, like Daniel in the lion's den, you need to get into the community and rub shoulders with those you disagree with – no matter how wrongheaded their positions are.

    So wait till your wife dozes off, pull your chair up to the keyboard and let the observations continue!

    We can disagree without being disagreeable.
    Ronald Wilson Reagan
    (1911-2004)

  • Terri Fletcher

    Sue,
    Ditto. Of all the volunteer events that go on in Kirkland throughout the year. I have never once seen Mr. Styles helping out. Step up or Shut up!
    Terri Fletcher

  • GoMoJo

    Some people are not happy unless they are miserable.

  • Karen Story

    Sue, thank you for writing this letter! I couldn't agree more, and I know you speak for many, many people who are tired of Mr. Style's mean-spirited tirades.

  • mavio

    Thank God for people like Mr Style who ask our elected officials the hard questions and criticize their actions when he feels they are wrong. Keep up the good work, Bob. We need more of you and more from you.

  • gw

    Thank you Mrs. Contreras. Personally, I feel Mr. Style needs to write less and do more. Questioning City Hall is good but you can do it with correct facts and in a “trying to make things better” way. There are a lot of people that work hard to make Kirkland a great place and Mr. Style just sits in the background throwing things.

  • Bob Style

    I’ve been criticized for not getting involved. I ask, about what?

    I know of some, not many, people outside of our elected officials that are not more involved than me in protecting and improving our citizens’ quality of life. It’s what I do for Kirkland.

    County Councilmember Jane Hague did not do it for the citizens of Kirkland. The facts are she made promises she didn't keep. As evidenced by the County’s denial to help pay for the annexation, she acted on her own as did two Kirkland Councilmembers when they met privately to promote and plot the course and methods for annexation.

    She wanted to dump the unincorporated annexation area because it was a liability to the County. It’s now Kirkland’s liability that is causing a reduction of service levels while at the same time increasing our fees and taxes both in the city and in the annexation area. She didn't look out for us.

    Governments improve the quality of life for some at the expense of others. I should not have to join some special interest group including political parties to protect our property rights and freedoms.

    Government often limits and degrades our ability to take care of ourselves. We, including businesses, are becoming slaves on a governmental plantation seeking benefits and dollars from Massah. In order to receive whatever benefits government decides to give us, we are being forced to give up our freedoms. To understand what is happening, readers should refer to Star Parker's book, Uncle Sam's Plantation. She is a black person who knows poverty and the rewards you get when you are able to take care of yourself.

    When it comes to choosing who benefits and who does not from a public action, I want citizens to benefit, not government. Yes, I'm involved but in my way. If someone else wants to speak, let them.

  • JohnGilday

    A knife isn't sharpened by rubbing it against silk.

  • G. G. Getz

    Mr. Style has only “one style”: overwhelming negativity. I agree with Sue Contreras that he needs to get truly involved with the community putting his actions where his mouth is. I, like Terri Fletcher, NEVER see him involved in any of the events, activities or organizations that make our community special. I actually found myself wondering about Mr Style & how it must feel to go through life as a 'glass half empty” kind of person…something I never aspire too. The most effective leaders always give people compliments before they give them constructive criticism. I have never heard Mr Style give a compliment OR constructive criticism to anyone. He simply rants against everything and everyone who gives their valuable time to try to make our community livable. I and most thinking people in Kirkland simply tune him out.

  • Michael

    I’m with Sue. Mr. Style would have a stronger position if he engaged more in honest, engaged debate about real facts instead of what another commenter called “mean-spirited tirades.” We ought to expect more from our elected officials, perhaps, but Mr. Style undermines his own position by expecting so little of himself.