Dear Editor,

On Monday, Aug. 9, as usual I began my day with a trip to the Mukilteo Post Office to pick up mail and a newspaper from the newsstand. I'm retired. 

What I experienced there was totally appalling! 

A few people, Mukilteo residents I presume, were exercising their free-speech rights, protesting current political policies.

Although I wholly believe in one's right to protest, complain, demonstrate and most other forms of non-violent expression of dissent, what was most appalling was one, they were on U.S. Postal Service property, and two, their caricature of the President of the United States as Adolf Hitler! 

Is this the same "bedroom community" as described in publicity and advertising language?

I have been in politics and public service in Snohomish County for 21 years. I served in the Snohomish County Executive Administration under Willis Tucker and Bob Drewel. What I am observing more and more is a community in transition.

There is an undercurrent of hate and bias that extends even beyond race and ethnicity. The influences that are permeating our community appear to be newer implants as opposed to long-time Mukilteo residents.

An example is the Mukilteo Citizens for Simple Government group who are representing the interest of an Arizona business.

I have lived in Mukilteo for 12 years, and being one of the few African American families living here, I have enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.

Over the years, I have characterized Mukilteo as a model of how America could and should be. As Martin Luther King Jr. stated, "I am (seen) by the content of my character and not the color of my skin.”

My children and now my grandchildren were educated in the Mukilteo School District. We have wonderful friends, neighbors and associates. Our children have lifelong relationships with their contemporaries. 

I'm concerned about the damage being done to undermine that kind of community by the apparent infiltration of hateful attitudes and actions of some.

These are not typical southern stereotype racist and bigots. I didn't think Mukilteo would tolerate any such behavior. Instead, surprisingly, these were young adults around the age of my adult children.

My question is, is this activity and the characterization of President Barack Obama as Hitler tolerated because he is a racial minority or is there a serious movement to turn Mukilteo into a sanctuary city for political extremists?

Either one is unacceptable, and hopefully the citizens I know will not consent by silence but speak up when this kind of behavior takes place.

Samuel Grayson 

Mukilteo