— I am still working on my big story involving the little narrow houses.  I will post it at a later time.—

It is really neat that in this County, when you live a life as a scrappy, inventive, succesful businessman, you have to spend your last days fighting King County.  Parcel number 2185000860.  Right next to South Park Bridge, and on the waterway.  Joel Diamond RIP is a household name in Seattle.  He is the owner of Diamond Parking.  My dad used to tell stories about him to me when I was a kid.  He explained how he bought small lots in the city, used them for parking lots, and was in constant fights with the City to hold on to them.  Dad got a big kick out of Joe.  The Seattle Times does a story on him, dated March 6th 2010, well worth reading.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003602958_diamondobit06m.html

Note he passes on March 3rd, 3 days short of his 100th birthday.  How is the self-pay parking King remembered ?…  The county runs down to the Recorders Office and files a Deed of Trust claiming possesion of the property.  On instrument # 20100312001427 it states it is being turned over under threat of eminent domain.  Nice.  The County is forcing a 99 year old Jewish man to give up the Deed to his property in his last days.  Wish I could say I was surprised.  The County has wrecked community after community in it’s lusty pursuit of wealth and power.  I count four just by the Sea-Tac Airport alone.

But they have their eye on a fifth.  South Park.  See while they look you in the eye and weep about we just don’t have the money, they are claiming your, and South King Counties bridge.  I’ll remind those interested enough to listen to this Teddy Roosevelt Republican, the Tiger Funds fell through around February 17th.  What’s the big rush?

Couple of other questions:

1.  What is the County planning on doing with 16th Ave. South up to East Marginal after they tear down the bridge?

2.  Where is the demolition plan for the bridge?

3.  Are they going to remove access to East marginal South ?

4.  Is there a master plan for the area?  i.e. eliminate most of East Marginal, or re-route it,  and create an additional runway at King County Airport?

5.  Are the historic bridge components going to be saved, so that they can be re-installed when the new towers are built?

But enough of this negativity.  Our new President, President Obama, asks Republicans for new ideas on controversial subjects.  Here’s mine. I suggest we close the bridge to cars, and save it for a park.  We can use the north tower for an espresso stand.  We could call it Joel’s Joe.  It’s all about jobs these days.  Three Union Jobs for bridge-tenders, three espresso stand jobs for the neat little tower.  And you thought you lost a TIGER.  Another question, why doesn’t the City of Seattle just take possession of the bridge.

p.s. If you would like to comment, click log-in in the comments section; follow the instructions.  It usually takes a day to process.  The rules for commenting are simply be polite, and be respectful.  I’ll add, be kind to Penguins.  We’re very protective of our Penguins.  As a native born Seattleite, I am used to discussion of all subjects.

My condolences Mrs. Diamond.  The city will miss Joel.