LETTER: A modest proposal for Sequim’s letter ‘e’

Here is an idea which can be either fun to think about, or perhaps even dabble with, providing some light-hearted approach to April Fools Day:.

I suggest that the Mayor of Sequim offer a swap with the Mayor of Valdez, Alaska, presenting the letter “e” to them for use in changing their city name to Valdeez, because the Alaskans really prefer to pronounce their city with the long, drawn-out “e.”

Certainly, Sequim has its problems with strangers and tourists coming into our area, pronouncing the city’s name as “Seequim,” upsetting the local residents to no end (ask the volunteers at the Visitors Center — they know).

Then, with approval of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (under the U.S. Geological Survey), we could become “Squim” and no longer be a bother in making pronunciation corrections.

This move would bolster the economy, because many sign painters and cartographers would have to make the necessary changes on streets and maps (not all at once, but phased in over several years).

Mike Berg,

Sequim