Tukwila City Of Love? Some Object
TUKWILA - When Seattle Times columnist Erik Lacitis wrote two recent articles in which ``visiting Tukwila'' was the euphemism for making love - and about how a Seattle couple did it 500 times in nine months - sparks flew.
The Tukwila City Council denounced the column; council members called it a mockery of their close-knit community.
``We're tired of Tukwila being known as the Rodney Dangerfield of King County - we get no respect,'' an outraged Councilman Clarence Moriwaki said.
Equally incensed, Councilman Joe Duffie declared, ``Whenever people need something to poke fun at, they think of Tukwila. It's a big disgrace to the city. We're trying hard to get prostitutes off Pacific Highway South, and someone goes and writes about this. Who cares about how many times a guy has sex?''
Though Tukwila is only six miles south of the Seattle city limits, many outsiders say they've never heard of it. Residents tell stories about shoppers and salespeople who think they are in Seattle once inside the sprawling Southcenter Mall, Tukwila's biggest attraction.
``I have to joke whenever people ask me where I'm from,'' Moriwaki said. ``I tell them I have a condominium at Nordstrom's.''
Since the Lacitis columns appeared, the Seattle couple, Debby and Rex Allen, have guest-starred on radio and television programs. The couple is even thinking of marketing bumper stickers with the slogan, ``Have you gone to Tukwila today?''
Tukwila citizens and visitors differed over the effect such a bumper sticker would have.
``I find it totally off the wall. It doesn't make any sense,'' said a Kent resident who didn't want his name published. ``Maybe they should print them with some other location like Volunteer Park.''
Carlo Macri, 26-year Tukwila resident, supported free advertising for Tukwila. ``I'm not offended at all. The more recognition we get, the better,'' he said at the bar of the Tukwila Riverside Inn.
But the owner of the restaurant didn't agree with his customer. ``I'm concerned about it because this would not be a good way to get the word out about Tukwila,'' said Benny Wayvodich. ``A lot of people around here wouldn't buy it.''
A local pastor, who did not want his name published, reacted with mixed feelings. ``In part I can see a lighter side to the whole thing. On the other hand, it could have some negative connotations,'' he said.
``There's nothing wrong with married couples doing that which they're supposed to do. But it's implying that sexual involvement in marriage is a performance instead of something that is building intimacy. Something that's so special should not be trivialized.''