Don’t shoot the messenger

We should be thanking Traci Grambois for bringing clarity to what is in front of us.

The report from the city of Mercer Island mini planning session June 27 shows that the annual revenue growth is not keeping up with the annual expenditures.

When were we all to be told about this by the current council members? After the election?

Ross Lehman

Bertlin focuses on critical issues

When Debbie Bertlin was elected to City Council four years ago, she asked if I had any advice or pearls of wisdom to share with her as she began her council term. After reflecting on my 12 years on council, I shared this: 1. Prioritize the issues that impact the majority of Islanders, and 2. Make decisions that will improve the lives of the majority of Islanders.

Since then I have been impressed with the extent to which Debbie has done just this. She has consistently focused on critical issues, crafted solutions and gained consensus to achieve substantial results for the community, including preventing I-90 tolling, prioritizing public safety and ensuring the council continues to partner with the school district to keep our children safe and healthy. She has become known for her collaborative approach and keen reasoning.

I also know now, after working with her in recent years, that Debbie’s deep integrity guides her deliberations and decisions, and accordingly set her apart in these times of divisive politics.

Please join me in supporting Debbie Bertlin for City Council.

Alan Merkle

Former Mercer Island Mayor

MIHS alumni support Granbois

There are two MIHS graduates running for City Council Position 7, but only one that Islanders support — Traci (Cassan) Granbois.

I have had the opportunity to observe one of Mercer Island’s most loyal residents take on the challenge of running for City Council. I have had the pleasure and opportunity to personally know Traci since our preschool days at Country Village Day School through graduating with her in the Mercer Island High School Class of 1996 to present day. Traci’s love and admiration for Mercer Island is readily apparent by her commitment to enriching and enhancing this community.

Traci’s honest, pragmatic and hopeful insight into the Island community’s problems and needs, along with her willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public’s questions and concerns will allow her to be an effective and powerful addition to Mercer Island’s City Council.

I am writing today to express my support for Traci’s campaign and I implore other Islanders to support Traci in the upcoming election. Please join me and the alumni listed below who support and endorse Traci Granbois for City Council Position 7. The best way to show your support for Traci is to vote for her in the election and spread the word of the value of her abilities in improving and sustaining Mercer Island’s legacy.

Traci is proudly endorsed by the following MIHS alumni and many more: Aaron Cohen, Alex Milkie, Ali (Warden) Sighieri, Allen Hovsepian, Alyson (Bonar) Lopez, Angela (Baker) Stugren, Ann Dingwall, Anneke Robertson, Brittany (Jacobs) Santiago, Caroline Mercado, Catherine (Yi) Pak, Conner Webster, Curt Cassan, David Schwartz, Denise Mraz, Duane Santora-Grenier, Dylan Ehreth, Elizabeth (Duncan) Huber, Erin (Fields) Levenson, Hillary (Griffiths) Schilling, John Georvasilis, Jordan Lott, Joy Dunning, Karen (Knapper) Lodato, Katie (Eyre) Welch, Katherine (Cleveland) Heron, Kelly Conway, Kelly (Sullivan) Wynn, Laurie Lehman, Lena Christensen, Lesley (Lovell) Poole, Margot Dutton, Michael Wiseman, Mike Elfandahl, Nick DiJulio, Oliver Maron, Patrick Wiseman, Sara Coe, Sarah Sullivan, Sarah Walters, Simon Kaufman, Tami (St. George) Shinn, Todd Cassan, Tonya (Kusak) Ruf, and Tracy Conway.

Michelle (Wiseman) Munoz

Bertlin thoughtful, objective, outgoing

I am voting to re-elect Debbie Bertlin to City Council because she is thoughtful, objective, intelligent, articulate, unflappable, independent and outgoing.

As a conscientious citizen, Debbie attended the King County Library Service (KCLS) public meeting concerning updating our library early in January 2014.  Subsequently, starting in late January 2014, Debbie spoke before the KCLS board several times to reinforce Mercer Island’s opposition to the destructive KCLS renovation plans.

Before all meetings she did her homework, explored the various viewpoints, determined her position, considering what would be best for Mercer Island, and was respectful and articulate in expressing her conclusions.

In a similar manner, as a member of a council committee, she rejected Sound Transit’s bus intercept proposal, declaring that placing a bus intercept on Mercer Island was not acceptable.

During a City Council study session in June, Debbie clearly and successfully advocated that the city staff improve their efficiency and effectiveness by employing appropriate best business management practices, which she then explained.

Debbie was a strong supporter of the council’s Town Center Citizen Engagement Process when it was approved in February.  And, later this summer, she expressed her disappointment when the process was suspended.

Other than improving Mercer Island to be a better place to live, Debbie does not express a philosophical viewpoint as the basis for resolving Mercer Island matters. She listens to citizen thoughts and ideas, weighs the options, as any good manager would, and arrives at the best practical solution that benefits Mercer Island.

I have worked with Debbie’s opponent as part of the Town Center Stakeholder Group, and she lacked problem-solving skills Debbie consistently demonstrates. Debbie’s opponent spoke against the concept of showing any centrally located public plaza on Town Center plans, such as on the Walgreens property. Debbie, herself, has no personal or family interest in the future of our Town Center, and I’m sure will continue to work on behalf of all Islanders, rather than the interests of a limited few.

The overwhelming majority of Debbie’s campaign financial support comes from on-island contributors.  In contrast, more than 50 percent of contributions to her opponent’s campaign fund come from off-island, making me puzzle over why “off-island interests” would be anxious about Mercer Island politics.

We need Debbie’s calm and her inclusive insights and experience on City Council to help lead us to an improving future.

Bart Dawson