As nice a person as Dr. John Galvin is, his is misinformed. In his letter to The Reporter (“Passing on the political baton,” May 22, 2009) he stated that the “citizens who lobbied for the establishment of the City ten years ago” wanted to “stop growth.”

Since I was one of the city’s founders, I know this comment has little merit.

What we wanted to do was create a city which was primarily a bedroom community.

We knew that large centers of business such as Issaquah and Redmond have put those cities at risk of higher taxes and bonded indebtedness.

Such centers potentially require costly services and infrastructure and drive out family businesses.

We favored the bedroom community model because we wanted a place for families to live and thrive – not a destination city for others, which large businesses, commercial centers and shopping would create.

We noted that most people living in the community commute through areas which provide those services.

We also noted that bedroom communities like Mercer Island and Hunts Point have been among the most successful cities in the state.

I agree with John that our city is more diverse now than when it was new.

That means that our council has been doing an outstanding job, not one to be totally replaced as John seems to want.

Robert Brady

Sammamish