It is a mistake to bid on the Spirit of America 9/11 Memorial bronze sculpture. Our parks are filled with memorials that honor the dead. Just go to Juanita Bay Park and check out the overabundance of benches around the park. They are rarely used since it is a park that attracts walkers and most of the benches don’t have a view of the water. The only reason that they are there is to serve as a memorial for individuals that have passed away. The city even lets people install vases and place cut flowers in them.

The 9/11 attack was horrific. But instead of memorializing those who died, let’s celebrate the lives of those individuals who survived the 9/11 attack, or any major disaster, and are making a recovery. We see around us how nature has its own way of healing after a windstorm or a flood or a fire. Parks are places where the citizens can enjoy nature, find peace and have fun. Let’s keep them that way. Hopefully in the future the city will actually have the money to take better care of our parks and roadways including clearing weeds and planting flowers.

The city budget doesn’t have adequate funding for that now so I can’t see spending $13,500 of tax-payer money on installing a controversial sculpture. Personally, I’d be happy if we had a moratorium on adding any more bronze sculptures to our parks and public spaces. Don’t you think Kirkland has enough?

Margarette Bull, Kirkland