Black sheep Democratic King County Council Woman Maggi Fimia deserves a standing ovation for her visionary powers. Last summer, Fimia bucked Seattle's liberal clones by having the temerity to challenge Sound Transit. ["Breaking Ranks," Josh Feit, Sept 21.]

Fimia formed Sane Transit, bringing together transportation wonks (Emory Bundy, Chuck Collins, Kris Sjoblom) and a few daring local politicians (Nick Licata, Peter Steinbrueck), and started churning out reports and letters raising questions about Sound Transit's "$1.9 billion" light-rail project. Last September, her group called for an independent audit. The audit never happened.

Last week, however, the deceptive agency finally admitted that light-rail costs had been underestimated by $700 million, or $1.1 billion when you adjust the gaffe for inflation. Meanwhile, voters would have to be taxed for an additional three years just to complete phase one of the project. (And we're still not getting to Northgate!)

Thanks to Fimia's prescience, this "shocking" news isn't news at all. Now smart people like Fimia are in place to tackle (or topple) the Sound Transit mess. JOSH FEIT

Helping the Homeless*

Supporting the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is a no-brainer. The center is Seattle's last chance (and sometimes only) resource for mentally ill and chemically dependent homeless people. That's why the recent stances taken by a few of the city council's liberal Democrats--Richard Conlin, Judy Nicastro, and Heidi Wills--are curious.

In the last two weeks, valiant city council homeless advocates Nick Licata and Peter Steinbrueck sent letters urging the Seattle Housing Authority (DESC's landlord) and its task force to keep the center where it is: in Pioneer Square's Morrison Hotel. There's a plan afoot to remove the DESC or break it up into smaller shelters. ["Emergency Operation," Allie Holly-Gottlieb, Nov 30.]

"Moving DESC from the Morrison site would threaten its effectiveness in serving homeless people," Steinbrueck wrote in his letter. He then backed up his warning by securing signatures from colleagues Jim Compton, Richard McIver, Licata, and Wills.

But Wills' support is conditional. She drew an asterisk by her name and jotted, "I am open to other alternatives for siting [the DESC]." Her disclaimer is odd, given that it undermines the very point of Steinbrueck's plea to save the homeless center (by keeping it where it is). Wills did not return phone calls to explain her intriguing asterisk.

Worse, supposed council "lefties" Conlin and Nicastro refused to sign the letter at all. ALLIE HOLLY-GOTTLIEB