Advisory vote needed on Mercerdale
In a democracy, important and controversial issues are sometimes best decided at the ballot box, so that all citizens may have a voice.
Mercer Islanders are facing a point of no return on a matter of strong and conflicting convictions. A private group, Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), is seeking to lease, at a $1 per year for 50 years, almost an acre of beloved public park and woodland adjacent to our town center. MICA would like to construct a $25 million, 38,000-square-foot building in Mercerdale Park and Bicentennial Park with three theaters, classrooms, studios, meeting rooms, offices, a café, and a bar.
Previously, citizens by their protests and with their votes protected Mercerdale Park from encroachment that was planned, approved, and promoted by our City Council. In 1985, Islanders voted against construction of a Civic Center in Mercerdale Park, and once more in 1997, citizens opposed construction of a new Fire Station in Mercerdale Park.
Now for a third time Mercerdale Park is threatened with encroachment. Over a month ago at a City Council meeting I said this issue is “big enough that it should go before the people,” and I asked for a public vote that would educate people about the facility and the potential cost to the city in upfront costs (irreplaceable loss of a portion of Mercerdale and Bicentennial Park lands to a large building) and more importantly in having to cover yearly deficits in operating costs if MICA fails to be self-sustaining.
(Mercer Island Reporter, Aug. 12, 2015). In that same article, Councilmember Debbie Bertlin stated “MICA is on the community’s agenda now, and it will have to be a community decision,”
However, in spite of Ms. Bertlin’s assurance that it would “be a community decision,” at a candidate forum held at the Mercer Island Beach Club on Sept. 15, when Mayor Bruce Bassett and Councilmember Jane Meyer Brahm were asked if they support an advisory vote by the citizens about this critical and contentious issue, both said, “No.” In response to the same question, Tom Acker, who is running against Mayor Bassett, and Dave Wisenteiner, who is running against Councilmember Brahm, both said, “Yes.” Furthermore, in justification of his response, Mayor Bassett said, “It would be another hurdle for MICA.” But who does Mayor Bassett represent? Who elected him – the citizens, or MICA?
Why is our City Council afraid to hold an advisory vote of the citizens on this important issue that has been a recurring fractious topic for three decades? The only fair way to resolve the issue of whether or not to allow construction of a building to encroach on public parkland is through the ballot box — with an Islandwide advisory vote.
Erik Swenson, M.D.
More thanks for Art UnCorked
Oh, what a night it was! The second annual Art Uncorked held on Friday, Sept. 11 in the Town Center was a huge success. Over 500 people mingled in the street, enjoying a beautiful Indian summer evening of wine tasting, art, and food. The music of “On the Rock” and “The Archtops,” sponsored by the Mercer Island Arts Council, filled the air. People were dancing in the street. Everyone was welcome whether they were tasting wines or simply enjoying dinner and art al fresco.
On behalf of the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce and Mercer Island Visual Arts League, we would like to thank the businesses and volunteers who made the event a success, especially presenting sponsors, New Seasons Markets, Waypoint Financial Advisors, and the City of Mercer Island. Other businesses supporting this community event through sponsorship include: Mercer Island Living, Mercer Island Reporter, Aljoya, Anchor Marine Underwriters, Coldwell Banker Bain, The Hadley, Lake Washington Primary Care, Kathryn Lerner – Windermere Real Estate, Northwest Electric & Solar, Ridings Custom Painting, Republic Services, Union Bank, Clarke & Clarke Art & Artifacts, Brad Judy DDS, Christine Face & Body, Island Dermatology, Lighthouse Properties, Six Walls, Wells Fargo Bank and Windermere Real Estate.
Events like Art Uncorked bring people together to enjoy each other, the Town Center and our wonderful community. We’re looking forward to next year: Sept. 9, 2016.
Same time, same place.
Nanette Bassett, Jane Meyer Brahm, Terry Moreman and Leslie West
Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce and Mercer Island Visual Arts League
Mercerdale Park has many surprises
On Sept. 18, as Councilmember Benson Wong and I were walking in the Mercerdale Park woods looking at the footprint of the proposed MICA building, we noticed another walker. Robert (Bob) Arnold, who works in the Town Center, said he had seen clusters of flowers blooming in the woods and had entered the woods to get a closer look at them.
The city of Mercer Island website’s description of this area of Mercerdale Park says: “Recent additions to the park have expanded the natural forested area on the west side with winding pathways.”
Just a reminder to enjoy our beautiful native woodland paths and benches south of the recycling center. What surprises can you find there?
Meg Lippert
Drinkwater has skills for school board
My wife and I would like to give our wholehearted enthusiastic support for the candidacy of Tracy Drinkwater for the position of Mercer Island School Board. My family has gotten to know Tracy well over the last year, and we have personally benefited significantly from our interactions with her.
She has tutored our children in math, science and writing. She comes from a background of teaching and she is passionate about quality education for all children.
In addition to education, she has experience in business and technology, having worked previously at Oracle Corporation and having obtained an MBA.
I cannot think of anyone I know who would be more suitable for the Mercer Island School Board.
Charles S. Cobbs, M.D.
Director, Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment
Swedish Medical Center, Seattle
