Yesterday I wrote about some misconstrued housing unit demolition data and how Knute Berger used the data to make the usual case about Seattle’s growth paving over our status quo paradise. I called Berger out on Facebook. But rather than retrench and defend, Berger took the high road and explained the data and the graphic was bad. Berger also took my comments to heart.

Roger Valdez, a strong advocate for more development, has criticized me—and my story—for fanning a sense of panic among people, that the city is being bulldozed. In a Facebook comment, he suggested that I follow up this way: “Yes, our city is changing and using qualitative measures it sure might feel like a crisis. But the numbers don’t bear that out. It’d be great if you’d do another post pointing out what you think this dissonance be between the data and the felt experience.”

Great idea.

I’ll explore that in future posts.

A great example of why Berger is so highly regarded as a writer and journalist.  Like Emmett Watson with whom he’s often compared, he’s really achieved legend status and has built a legacy around the history and zeitgeist of our city. In a debate that features so much name calling and emotional meltdowns, Berger did what I’d hope our City Council would do: check the emotion against the facts. It’s part of what I hope can become the Seattle Way.