Comments on: Seattle’s largest sidewalk sale starts Thursday

By: dmcmanus

dmcmanus — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:31:30 +0000

I want to thank the Chamber for a great job!!

By: c_pop

c_pop — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:36:35 +0000

I can't wait to have fun at the festival and sale this weekend. I'm especially happy to know most of the folks ranting about the bike trail won't be there to spoil my fun. I'm a regular bicycle enthusiast/commuter, tax payer and Ballard resident who would very much enjoy a completed trail. I'm not sure that calling my neighbors names is the best way to accomplish this. There are many have strong opinions about the trail, the Chamber, and obviously the state of the nation. MyBallard.com provides an excellent forum for neighbors to express these views, interact, discuss - hopefully this is also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of each other as neighbors. If we do happen to bump into each other at the festival this weekend, hopefully we can have a civil conversation maybe even a healthy debate but most of all I hope that when we walk away it's with a handshake, smile and a "see ya later neighbor".

By: Ernie_98107

Ernie_98107 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:35:04 +0000

You're absolutely right Freddie, if we could just get rid of all those “college educated” freeloaders the economy would really take off!

By: Fauxnothing

Fauxnothing — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:05:11 +0000

If only that were true. LOL!

By: SweetRose

SweetRose — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:57:58 +0000

It doesn't matter how they attract them. They do. AND there are a heck of a lot more of them than there are ‘new elitists.’ Freddie is right on and the GOP is not as stupid as they seem.
As a socialist I vote democratic although I consider most liberals to be GOPers who pretend better. Stats? A tiny minority got richer and everyone else got much poorer. Just as many were laid off from WAMU and Microsoft as there are from Boeing. Technology does not play favorites.

We sit at the threshold of a third industrial revolution and it will play out exactly like the other two.

By: Freddie

Freddie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:28:58 +0000

Actually, what the Republicans use best is cultural stuff like this: linking the Democrats to the latte sniffing, college educated, far left who are obsessed with stupid hobby horse causes like tricycle paths and plastic bag taxes.

By: doug11

doug11 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:12:33 +0000

and oh by the way, the Sidewalk Sale is today!

By: doug11

doug11 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:07:32 +0000

The Republicans attract the working class vote with divisive social issues like guns and religion.

Then they pursue policies for the economy, taxes, and war that ream those same working people the hardest. Real hard.

Check some statistics on who got richer and who got poorer over the last eight years. Look at who is unemployed from a financial meltdown and who is laughing all the way to the bank. Look at the increases in the numbers of working people who can't afford health care or college anymore.

Liberal causes are what will save this country for the benefit of idiots like you who continue vote Republican against your own interests.

They've got you right where they want ya. And I'd bet anything that Warren over at Ballard Oil votes Republican too.

By: ym

ym — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:49:31 +0000

The we can assume you have led a sheltered short life.

By: Fauxnothing

Fauxnothing — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:40:55 +0000

Hmmm, that's scary. I cannot even imagine why someone WOULD do that.

By: aresident

aresident — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:09:19 +0000

News Flash update – Yes you are correct that not every Ballard business is part of the Chamber. If these businesses are not given a choice as to whether they want to be part of the suit than they should re think their membership. If the businesses are paying money for something that makes their customers upset and is against the best interests of the community and taxpayers than they should save money and not be part of the Chamber. As an informed consumer I have a choice, we all do as to where we spend our limited disposable income. Just returned from lunch, earlier today I called the Chamber and asked if the cafe was part of the Chamber and they were not so I feel guilt free about eating there. There are so many options for eating, why should I feel guilty while eating lunch?
You are correct you should not just talk to the store employee about the Chamber membership, you should ask for the manager or owner and explain why you are walking out the door and not spending any money there if they are a Chamber member.
Why support a member of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce that is trying to stop what the vast majority of resident want, all while costing the taxpayers lots of money.
And, the chamber hired a non-Ballard law firm, they themselves do not support Ballard businesses.

By: ym

ym — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:58:08 +0000

I doubt that since you have not shown it here.

By: ym

ym — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:57:37 +0000

That’s exactly right and dems can’t rely on bashing the previous administration forever. They could have run a dead man and won in November. So far they are 0 for 6 months when it comes to actually doing anything for the majority in this nation. I don’t condone shooting someone with a dart but I also find it amusing that these people cannot even IMAGINE why someone might do that.

By: doug11

doug11 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:33:26 +0000

i'm a lover not a fighter

By: Freddie

Freddie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:07:08 +0000

I love how middle and upper middle class, college educated liberals casually screw over working class businesses and workers like this and then wonder why so many working class people in this country vote republican.

These petty, childish, tantrum-inducing, hobby horse liberal causes are what drive so many working class people into the arms of the Republicans.

By: ym

ym — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:02:57 +0000

Yes doug is likely dangerous. The boy is hysterical.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:55:31 +0000

second that.

By: ym

ym — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:53:18 +0000

Ok. take note Swedes….I would be frightened to meet this lunatic in Ballard.

By: Timothyrslatteryjr

Timothyrslatteryjr — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:05:08 +0000

I have been cycling in seattle 4, 15+ years and have never come close to being hit by a car. Use your head and look both ways dumb ass! I cant stand bikers that refuse to stop and wait for ass hole drivers to go by. you weigh 150+your bike give or take, a car weighs 2+ tons look out for them I know it sucks but it is your neck jack ass.

By: MT Girl

MT Girl — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:58:58 +0000

News Flash – not every Ballard business is part of the Chamber. And those that are members where probably not given a choice as to whethere they wanted the law suit.
Using the Sidewalk sale as a platform for your bike trail agenda is not appropriate nor is it helpful to Ballard at large. Asking someone who works at a store their personal opinion of the issue and then using that as a justification not to support their employer is just stupid. I don't go around asking every store/restaurant employee their personal beliefs before I make a purchase or order my dinner do you? Oh wait, you probably do since it seems you have nothing better to do than to judge everyone else.

By: cow detector

cow detector — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:48:23 +0000

back at you.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:39:54 +0000

You sound fat.

By: shimano105

shimano105 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:02:01 +0000

Just because your life now has meaning, doesn't mean your rants are any more interesting. I advise you to use two sheets of foil for your hat today.

By: doug11

doug11 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:42:35 +0000

myballard is awesome.

now we've got Chamber of Commerce members contributing in the forums -- check it out!

this is community involvement at it's best.

By: shimano105

shimano105 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:35:34 +0000

two wheelers = bottom feeders
myballard is becoming tedious.

By: Fauxnothing

Fauxnothing — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:12:24 +0000

I'm really trying here to make sense of your statement, SweetRose, but I can't come up with a name that a racist would be called that I'd object to. Try again.

By: Silver

Silver — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:08:04 +0000

Ask for one for your birthday!

By: Silver

Silver — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:56:09 +0000

Yup. I'm with Jules2. The forums on MyBallard are in danger of becoming the Battle of the Burke Show.

By: ballardbard

ballardbard — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:09:37 +0000

Actually, there is a direct correlation here. The Chamber of Commerce has a mission to support business in Ballard and to promote activities that will drive revenue (aka Commerce) into Ballard. The sidewalk sale is an ideal time to ask business owners who are members if they are aware of the BCoC stand and whether they support it. I have spoken (kindly) to some local business owners/members who were not aware of this debate and were disheartened to know that people may withdraw their retail dollars as a result.

Debate is healthy, discussion can lead to consensus and solutions that can satisfy most people (you can never, ever satisfy everyone). Ugly diatribes, name calling, dart shooting and close mindedness solves nothing.

I am sure someone will decide I am a “nutcase” for believing a community should work together to solve their problems rather than fight to be the loudest and rudest voice in fray, but perhaps there is still enough “nutcases” like me to help by engaging the local merchant members in healthy discussion and information sharing while I visit the sidewalk sale. Whether I buy anything will certainly depend on the attitude of the merchant…ergo, there is a direct correlation between the Chamber's actions and the community's reactions.

By: Mondoman

Mondoman — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:06:24 +0000

Fixed it for you: :)
Enjoy the sidewalk sale but ask your retailer if they are a member of the Ballard Chamber of commerce. If they are *not* a member ask them if they support bicycle and pedestrian safety. If they do they should join the Chamber now. The Chamber is part of a suit against the city (yes, against us taxpayers) to ensure a safe bicycle path through Ballard by routing it away from an unsafe location.
Just another way of looking at things…