Jim Bates / The Seattle Times

Police responded to a Community Transit bus that had slid to the side of the road while trying to exit Interstate 405.

Thanks to you

Editor, The Times:

While the rest of us hunker down in our homes I'd like to take time to send a big shout-out of thanks to all the folks that have to be out in this weather: police, firemen, hospital workers, water and power workers who are keeping the lights on and the water flowing during this snowy weather ["Region hunkers down for week of snow, cold," Times, page one, Dec. 22].

At times, these are very thankless jobs, but I know I speak for most when I say "thank you."

-- Scott Penrose, Bothell

There is money to be made

The city supposedly owns 27 snow plows. I have yet to see one or evidence of one anywhere in downtown, Capitol Hill or Queen Anne. The mayor's Web page says they were used on major arterials but Queen Anne Avenue and Broadway Avenue were not plowed. Highway 99 is clear, but isn't that cared for by the state?

The forecast on Thursday called for a week of subfreezing temperatures to follow. Given that forecast, it was essential to plow the snow Thursday before it had a chance to freeze into the ice we have now.

If cost was a reason for not plowing, consider the cost to retailers and sales-tax revenue lost for having the city shut down for a week. I hope the city will learn and have a better response next time.

-- Paul Fichter, Seattle