I have been a casual observer of the bickering concerning the new courthouse for the fine folks and city of Poulsbo. How much it will cost seems to be the main pain for the taxpayers when asked to pony up, and the city leaders when asked to answer up. Might I be so bold to offer a suggestion that will not only build the courthouse without costing a cent in taxpayers’ money but also build it in style?

Every single time I commute to Poulsbo, (four times a week minimum) I see the law being broken at the intersections on (State Route) 305. Every single lighted intersection has an insufferably long wait for the left turn signal to turn green. The turn signals are only green for an instant before showing red again for the intolerable long wait for the next green. Drivers are gunning through the yellow at breakneck speed not only to get through the intersection before the red light, but also to keep the two or three cars that are tightly tailgating them from rear-ending them. If there is a line of cars going through the intersection, there is always one car and usually two that run the red light.

In the meantime, I’m growing old awaiting my brief permission from a short-lived green light to go through the intersection. Half of the life of my green light is spent waiting for the tailgating autos running their left turn light to clear the intersection for my rightful passage.

My plan to build the new courthouse, tax-money free, is to have unmarked state patrol cars at the intersections and fine everyone running the red lights. I have never seen the WSP on this stretch of road and I can’t figure out why. The city fathers, planners, dreamers and visionaries have made that one-mile stretch of 305 through Poulsbo a big-time state highway, complete with commuter diamond lanes that are unique in that they’re the only diamond lanes I have ever seen on the right side of the highway. I believe that two unmarked cars would generate enough revenue to build the courthouse and cause the two WSP officers to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome within weeks.

Three unmarked cars working the intersections would add enough revenue to add ivory towers, crystal chandeliers and a solid gold trim to the new courthouse. Four unmarked police cars would more than likely pay off the national debt.

All joking aside, the lights at the intersections, especially left turn signals, are just too long and wrong.

Jerry Mecham

Kingston