10/26, "MY TURN"

Of the Council races, Richard Cole is a powerful incumbent with broad bipartisan support and a TIMES endorsement. 33-year old Brian Seitz won the TIMES endorsement and opposes Dave Carson. Carson is a fiscal conservative endorsed by the Redmond Firefighters. I admire these candidates but have no strong feelings.

I ESPECIALLY value Dayle "Hank" Margeson for Council. Not only did Hank get a "VERY GOOD" Muni League rating, he has been one of the most active in city government of any other council candidate running. For years he took leadership on the Parks Board. He actively participated on the Education HILL CAC, He is a dedicated parent and coach in youth sports teams. His wife, Pattie is 110% behind Hank's goals and ambitions; same for his two fine children. Hank loves people and loves meeting the electorate. His enthusiasm has generated endorsements from City Firemen, Redmond City Hall Employees' Assoc., Cascade Bicycle Club, Councilman Marchione, Parks and Trails Chair Sue Stewart, and the Eastside Business Association. I know of no other candidate with the universal appeal of Hank Margeson. Right now, Hank is ONE candidate I KNOW for sure I will vote for! (Another is John). Hank wants to find ways to create affordable housing options for his younger children and their friends so they can continue to affordably live in our hometown near their families.

John Marchione's "Outstanding" rating reassures voters he meets the Muni League's highest objective measure for success in office and exceeds Robinson by 2 levels. We find comfort knowing John has achieved the Muni League's "best & brightest standards". Recently, the "Seattle Times" recommended John Marchione as their only choice for Mayor, for the same reason I'm voting for John -- John's leadership attributes, regional appeal, education and city management experience make him most equiped for our "strong mayor" form of government.

In the last election, Jim Robinson voted against our "strong Mayor" form of government. Yet, if Jim wins - by implication - he will be burdened with a role which he really isn't passionate about -- "Chief Administrative Officer". Mr. Robinson. has stated he would rather just study "the facts and data" and let "the Process" take care of itself. Jim's governing style, though thoughtful, appears dependent and lacking in leadership.

Redmond is at the crossroads of a growth & traffic bubble and we need more than ever a "strong mayor" with the right stuff at the vanguard -- John Marchione. It's reassuring to know that John shares the passions for our hometown; he's been a native of Redmond in all but the first 4 years of his life, has two children in Redmond schools and plans to expand & rejuvenate Derby Days.

Despite Jim Robinson's humble Muni rating of "Good", huge support from Mayor Ives and her appointed city cronies transfers onto Jim the likeness of an incumbent! But alas, just who is this man?! I've had coffee with Jim three times and a private meeting at his house and I'm still puzzled by how he will get us to whereever he's going.

A few facts about the Mayoral candidates you may not know:

John Marchione: 1) voted to preserve Anderson Park rather than strip trees and build a service road on it. 2) has lived in Redmond since he was 4 years old, including Rose Hill. 3) was trained and educated with a Masters degree to manage a municipality and CFO for Meydenbauer. 4) has bipartisan support, 5) sits on a regional board to speak for Redmond's water supply needs. 6) the Chair and co-Chair of Redmond's Art Commission and the Trails Chair endorse John.

Jim Robinson: 1) "traveled the world", in part, as a french translator for Boeing and works in an Everett office cubicle , 2) voted in the last election against our present *"strong mayor" form of government, 3) has three college degrees, 4) During the CAO Hearing motioned to keep wetland and stream buffers small & less protected 5) had an epiphany to maintain Redmond's present "home town" look and feel in spite of significant urbanization required for our downtown. 6) voted against saving Anderson Park in favor of less expensive upgrades to a wellhead.

Finally, as important as the Muni League ratings are to voters, don't you think it's a good idea, before voting, to look twice at candidates who made no attempt to participate in the evaluations? (Carson tells me he DID call the League but they never set up an apointment),.

-- Bob Yoder, Education Hill

* In a "strong mayor" form of government, the mayor works full time as both our elected representative and the full-time Chief Administrative Officer in charge of managing all city employees and running the government. Compensation is $121,900