We're happy to report that Seattle City Council Member Nick Licata took The Stranger's advice ["Tunnel Vision," Josh Feit, June 20] and proposed a couple of amendments that would have tied legal prerequisites to some otherwise irresponsible council legislation handing over the downtown bus tunnel to Sound Transit. Licata's rational demands: (1) that Sound Transit secure the $500 million federal grant it needs to actually build its line, and (2) that Sound Transit secure funding to get to Northgate in its first phase.

However, we're unhappy to report that Licata's amendments failed 7-2. (Council Member Judy Nicastro voted with Licata.)

Unlike the watchdog Tukwila City Council, which had a slight problem (thank you very much) with the fact that light rail bypassed Southcenter, Seattle's council blew a major chance of its own to send Sound Transit a message (can you say Northgate?) and, more importantly, hold Sound Transit accountable.

While Council President Peter Steinbrueck didn't vote for Licata's plan, he did try to salvage the effort--offering an amendment that restated Licata's federal grant prerequisite. Steinbrueck's idea got zero support, though. "Giving them the $500 million without a plan to get to Northgate--in a tight budget--would just be enabling Sound Transit's addicitive spending habits," Licata says, explaining why he didn't support Steinbrueck's gesture.

Ordinance sponsor Richard Conlin scoffed at Licata's amendments, calling the tunnel transfer "a routine measure."

Unfortunately, Conlin's right. The council's unwillingness to check Sound Transit has certainly been "routine"--a.k.a. business as usual. JOSH FEIT

Quote of the Week

"Because I'm tired of chasing shoplifters around the store and getting punched out."--A late-night Safeway worker, explaining why the 24-hour Capitol Hill Safeway at 15th and John decided, earlier this month, to scale back its hours and close its doors at 1:00 a.m.

Gay Beer Garden

Despite a Seattle Parks and Recreation ban on a Pride Festival beer garden in Volunteer Park ["Wounded Pride," Amy Jenniges, April 11], the event's organizers set up tents two blocks away on Sunday and poured brew anyway.

On Sunday, June 30, the Shafer-Baillie Mansion--a historic inn at 14th and Aloha--became a swanky pub for about 3,000 people. "It dawned on me that this place would be perfect to host a beer garden," says innkeeper Robert Franklin. "And it went absolutely smoothly."

Pride organizer Johan Lysne agrees, and is happy they were able to serve beer so close to the main festival. "But next year we want to have it in the park," he says. AMY JENNIGES