The October 26, 2009 front page Seattle Times story by reporter David Heath still haunts me. The series about predatory lending sits on my desk and stares at me whether on the top or the bottom of my paperwork pile.

I think about the gracious and noble looking 90-year-old Barbara Simonson who once lived in the 36th District’s Blue Ridge neighborhood and now resides in a small apartment along Aurora Avenue. I recognized the photo of her old home from weeks and weeks of doorbelling throughout the stately neighborhood.

Mrs. Simonson appears by the story to be a shocking victim of predatory loans by Washington Mutual. The bank kept refinancing her into risky mortgages until they ultimately foreclosed on her home, according to the report. One of her loans was provided after listing her montly income on the application at nearly 10 times its actual value, said the story. Apparently there is another side of her particular story and we don’t know the inside details, but we know the cold reality of the impact on her and thousands of others in our community.

Washington Mutual is gone now. The wreckage on thousands of families, employees and others continues. I met one former employee while doorbelling who had lost everything. I met an old man who was fighting to keep his home after being led into one bad loan program after another.

Sometimes being a legislator makes you feel empowered to help people living real lives. At other times, like this, I feel completely helpless.

Your partner in service,

Reuven.