I love (or hate) how the Federal Way Mirror can keep putting out news, letters and columns that provoke me into writing.

This time it’s Nandell Palmer’s “Lakota’s parking inconvenience doesn’t make the grade” (Feb. 2) and the dilemma at Lakota Middle School. More pavement for a handful of events? Thanks, but I’ll walk the extra block.

My daughter attends Lakota and we went to the culture fair (Italy — on my wife’s side). Yes, we had to park on a side street, but it wasn’t far, and we didn’t have to block anybody’s driveway. Most of us could use the exercise. Also, if you get there early, you can get a spot in the lot. How many times a year do they max out the parking? A couple of concerts, fairs and a few athletic contests. The rest of the year (three months in the summer) it’s a gray, barren wasteland. Let’s leave the green.

I have two more pressing concerns. Most important is the stretch of 13th Avenue SW from SW 316th Street to Lakota: There are no sidewalks and parking on both sides of the street. It’s very dangerous for the students who have to navigate their way, to and from school, often in the dark. As for the drop-off procedure, there is roughly 150 feet of curb to drop off and pick up children, but many parents wait in a line to get one of the three spots closest to the entrance, leaving most of the drop-off area unused. The line will back up to the street, and soon people who are trying to leave the parking lot will meet up with cars waiting to turn left into the lot (as more parents/teachers arrive), creating a circular backup. I have actually witnessed this. It would be quite comical if we all didn’t have to be somewhere, like work. Parents, when there is room, please go to the end of the curb.

PS: It is a beautiful campus and building. Good job Federal Way.

Stephen Flavin, Federal Way