The following is in response to a March 31 article about discussions in Bonney Lake to rename Old Sumner-Buckley Highway.

I am upset about the article in the paper and many other people that have grown up in this area will be as well once they read it. I have lived in this area for 24 years and Sumner-Buckley Highway has always been there.

I don’t think it should be changed. Supposedly (Bonney Lake is) saying it is taking away from the heritage. But if you take the name away from that road its taking away from what we have remembered for many years.

It may not represent our veterans or our troops that are fighting or have fought in the past but what about adding memorabilia along the road and keeping the name? There are many troops fighting for this country and, yes, they do need to be recognized, but why put it on a street sign? It is a sign that tells you what street you’re on.

Just like the one that is on the exit or entrance to the Enumclaw library that is named after a NASCAR driver. Yes, he graduated from Enumclaw and grew up there, but it is a street sign that is easily able to be torn down.

In the same area you have a Indian memorial that recognizes the Indians which I visit very often, being one-fourth Cherokee Indian. So why don’t you use the side of the road to add memorials along it to remember each year that has been served?

Taking the name away isn’t going to make a difference. Show the troops and veterans you will remember them in another way. You want to re-create a street sign that may get hit or taken down because it won’t be the new name you choose.

In our memory it will always be Old Sumner-Buckley Highway.

That is my honest opinion about the name change. Remember, just because you change it for it being mouthfull or taking away or not representing something important. In a way it is. It is representing the towns we all grew up in.

Amy Riddle

Bonney Lake