For-profit business doesn’t belong in cul-de-sac | Letters | Oct. 21

Published 5:59 pm Thursday, October 21, 2010

Be it known that none of us on Whited Place are against senior-care facilities. Most of our neighbors are seniors and we have elderly parents. However, people who suggest that we should embrace a for-profit business do not live among Bailey Manor, nor to our knowledge have offered a place for such a facility in their neighborhood, or better yet, right next door – including the owners of Bailey Manor.

It is easy for them to chastise us for our concerns as they do not live with those valid concerns on a daily basis. Do those same people who criticize us for discriminating against elderly and disabled realize that we have family members that are disabled, elderly and we have worked with the aging and disabled population? I think not.

One resident has already impacted our tight cul-de-sac. Adding five more would increase traffic and congestion dramatically when adding cars from a variety of professionals, along with many more family members. Where are they going to park on a street where only four cars can be parked at a given time to allow through-traffic? What happens when an emergency vehicle can’t get through?

Living on the cul-de-sac is like living with a child with a chronic illness (which we do have). No one really understands the reality of the situation unless you live with it. Same goes with a business in residential neighborhood. Not to be disrespectful, but you do not live here, and you just don’t get it.

Why blame our children for riding their bikes in the street? It is both juvenile and mean-spirited. Isn’t it their right to feel safe in their own neighborhood without worrying about extra cars zipping in and out? Commodore is a quiet, residential neighborhood. Neighborhoods have kids, and kids ride bikes, play ball in the street and rollerblade with their friends.

We feel for the residents of Bailey Manor – it’s not their fault they are thrown into this situation. We also don’t feel any malice toward the owners. Let us not forget that Bailey Manor is a for-profit business, plain and simple, and should be relocated to an appropriate mixed-used neighborhood.

Janet and Greg Millerd

Bainbridge Island