"Do you agree with Mark Blilie's conviction on a charge of child rape?"
(asked at Kirkland's Marina Park on 09-27-96; published in the JA on 09-29-96)

Danielle Abrams, Graduate student and salesperson

"I've just heard tidbits, so I'd be hard for me to say if I agree with the conviction. The whole thing is tough because on the one hand, if it really happened, wouldn't he realize what would happen to him? On the other hand, I could see something like that going on... It's just hard to believe someone with his status would carry on like that."

Marjorie Atiyeh, Bed-and-breakfast staff and hairdresser

"I feel that it is wrong for him to have had sex with a minor. It's wrong for him to have gone on like that. He should have some kind of punishment. I have a 16 year old daughter and I wouldn't want a teacher to get involved with her. He should have known better. As a teacher, he shouldn't have been looking at his students with lust. I feel sorry for the poor girl."

Mike Egbert, Outside sales, Kirkland

"Totally. Yes. I totally agree. He's a teacher. There's no excuse for it. He should know better. He shouldn't have put himself in that spot under any circumstances whatsoever. For a man -- a teacher -- to get himself in that position is totally wrong."

Keith Jefferson, Tax and financial consultant, Kirkland

"Yes. As the father of three daughters, I am incensed and outraged. People who are in that position -- around young women -- have to have exceptional values and morals. Period. In our permissive society, it's going to happen occasionally. But I'm not blaming the school or society -- we're responsible as individuals. And this certainly causes parents and administrators to be doubly diligent in the social environment we have today."

Mike Graham, Painter, Kirkland

"I'm not familiar with the details of the case but I don't think it's right for a teacher to do that. The age difference -- she's a young girl. Maybe he was infatuated, or maybe he was lonely at home. And he was around friendly students every day, and bonding with them and influencing them. But she was too young. At that age, it'd be rape."

Tory Michels, Mother, Kirkland

"That's a complicated question. The thing that disturbs me is that it went on for so long. And it was so public -- the Marina Park incident was so public. It must have been obvious that she was so young and that something odd was going on. He shouldn't be allowed to teach... I can understand throwing your life away for passion. But he totally compromised her life. And that's abusive. And sad."

Copyright © 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

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