We Are The Missing Link

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Video From Missing Link Rally

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Video From Missing Link Rally

Last year, Cascade intervened on behalf of the City of Seattle to get the "Missing Link" of the Burke-Gilman Trail completed.  And in a ruling from the Seattle Hearing Examiner we won - big. Her ruling confirmed that the City had done its work properly and had the right to complete the trail.

One would think that the Missing Link would soon no longer be "missing." But the small group of Ballard businesses that filed (and lost) the original suit to stop completion of the Burke-Gilman Trail have appealed, and we're not done yet.

In October, fifteen local organizations and nearly 300 people stood up and declared, "We are the Missing Link." You can see a short video from the event here. We all have a stake in the trail, as a catalyst for community, as an essential transportation corridor, and as a symbol of our progress in improving bicycling facilities.

It's Not Over Yet

Last Friday afternoon, we headed back to court to defend the trail project against another legal challenge.  The appellants raised the same tired argument that the trail would put them out of business - blatant hypocrisy, since one of these businesses moved their operations next to another section of trail 13 years ago without incident.

The attorneys representing Salmon Bay, one of these appellants, went so far as to publicly question the Hearing Examiner's objectivity, and said that they will appeal all the way to the Supreme Court if they have to.  What won't they say and do to get their way?

Last year we spent $24,014 in legal fees. And this year we have already racked up another $7,953. Many of you took action, collectively giving $17,075 to the Burke-Gilman Legal Defense Fund. Your donations support our work. But there is more work to be done.

Completing the Missing Link of the Burke-Gilman Trail NOW is crucial to improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and all users of the road.

You can help us complete the Missing Link. The cost in injuries is too great to ignore. No gift is too small or too large. Your donation directly helps pay our legal fees, but more importantly, your giving reminds us that, together, we can make a difference.

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