In Defense of Seattle

Kim Murphy must have sipped a curdled latte the day she wrote “The Decline and Fall of Seattle” (Aug. 4).

Her article described a Seattle “under siege”--so battered by events that started with Kurt Cobain’s 1994 suicide that our town lost “its place deep in America’s restless heart.” She found a city awash in “the human driftwood of the dot-com implosion.”

Wait a minute.

Like most cities in America, Seattle is pinched by the recession. We see the signs in shrunken payrolls, diminished tax revenue and humbled dot-comers.

We took a hit but we’re still standing. None of the recent events alter Seattle’s enduring economic advantages: its spectacular natural scenery, strong research university, or feisty entrepreneurial community. The hustle, brains and creativity that continue to lead the nation in computer software, commercial aviation, online retailing, wireless telephones, specialty retailing, and coffee are now at work in emerging industries such as bio-and nanotechnology.

We’re doing things today to ensure prosperity tomorrow. We’re building a new regional light rail system and preparing for a public vote for a city monorail. We’re opening a new football stadium, new libraries and new community centers. New city policies will nurture the University of Washington, support our world-class airport and seaport, expand our cruise-ship tourism, assist small business and promote opportunity for all. We won’t take a single job for granted.

One more thing, baseball fans: Seattle has the best team in America.

See you in Seattle at the World Series.

Gregory J. Nickels

Mayor of Seattle