Apparently Andy and Katie (Gillespie) have not been involved or informed about what has transpired over the last 12 years of us as a city. While your comments are true about Erin (Weaver), and I think highly of her, Dave (Pilgrim) has voted with the people progressively and is voting his beliefs, not his relationships. Anyone that knows Dave, knows this. The subarea plan that was put out by the Planning Commission, was in part, unrealistic and could actually do damage by creating commercial areas that are not viable. It scares me to think we could make such mistakes, alienate the businesses that make up our commercial base and then support their bid to an elected position. (I personally believe that Erin just got bad advice from consultants, as she is very smart.) Precisely what is wrong with politics today. By the way, both Dave and (mayor) Laure (Iddings) were in support of the existing businesses in the northwest quadrant and stopped the process to review it more carefully.

I don’t know Bill Allison, except to say, that until he decided to run for council, I had never heard of him, seen him at a community meeting, or took part in any process the city has gone through. In all fairness, I asked around about him and heard good things.

When I was a planning commissioner for the first few years of the city, I did not see eye to eye with Jim, and on some things, still don’t. However, I do not think there is a person with his heart more vested in making our city viable, more generous of his time and money, or more willing to listen to opposing views. Jim Flynn is the best candidate for this position.

You bring up Victoria Jonas, and while you see her as a visionary, I truly believe that while she has done a lot and is very involved, as a lot of us are, she is divisive and has no interest in building agreement on the council. In fact, I believe when she does not get her way, she builds contempt. It also bothers me that in one of her campaign statements awhile back, she said that she had started Make a Difference Day in Maple Valley, when in fact, she was on the first committee for the event, but it was initiated/started by a past community center director and the Maple Valley Rotary.

I usually try to stay away from writing articles like above, or responding to them because, although I am involved, I feel I need to have all the facts and be clear on them, before taking such positions.

I do thank you for starting the conversation, Andy and Katie, I look forward to seeing you at the podium.

Bill Woodcock

Maple Valley