I am so ashamed of my city. I carefully scanned every page of the most recent issues of the Mirror. I was so sure I would see reports of the public facilities that had been opened to offer shelter to our far-too-many homeless brothers and sisters. Not one word did I find, although I am sure the Mirror would have reported them if any such had existed.

The temperature hovered at 20 degrees above zero during that period, and it snowed and kept snowing, indeed an unusual blast of winter for this area. How is it possible that our city administration didn’t open City Hall, the Federal Way Community Center, and other public facilities for those who had no shelter? Are our public buildings so precious that human life lags far behind them in terms of value?

Now, it seems, given a headline in the local section of the Seattle Times today (Wednesday), we can add to the local shame and embarrassment, a regional embarrassment as well.

I am horrified almost beyond words (but I can usually find some!).

I hope those who feel likewise will add their declaration to mine: To those in the city who were and are responsible for this travesty, don’t come knocking on my door during the next election cycle; don’t ring my bell, don’t plaster my front door with plaudits for your wonderful selves. I will never cast a vote for any one of you again.

Yours in grief and shame,

Phyllis Dirks

Federal Way