The Schrammie: Deal or no deal?

The Schrammie: Deal or no deal?

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Story Published: Dec 6, 2006 at 5:56 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2008 at 4:47 PM PDT

By Ken Schram

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This week's "Schrammie" is an example of what it's like to have would-be game show hosts playing with taxpayers money.

So, would the grand poo-bahs of the spastic Seattle Monorail Project please, come on down.

Local folks were initially enthralled by the idea of a new monorail, but were ultimately appalled by how badly the project was handled.

The monorail agency blew it at just about every turn.

Fed up, the public pulled the plug.

But the car tax to pay for the project continued.

And continued.

In the end, when all the bills were finally paid, there was a mere $520,000 in left-over money that had yet to be thrown down the rat hole.

Then, in one more "up yours" to the public that paid, board members voted to hand the money over to the old monorail instead of giving it back to taxpayers.

I'll give you, some 30,000 folks would've only gotten an average of 14 bucks back, but that's not the point.

The point is: tax dollars weren't collected for the old monorail.

And if all people wanted was to buy a new CD in memory of a folly they forked over hard-earned cash for, it should've been their choice.

So, for twisting the city in the wind, for bumbling and stumbling to the very end, would the Seattle Monorail Board take a short bow, 'cause this "Schrammie's" for you.

Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.

And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 9-Noon on AM 570 KVI.

It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.

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