Some important characteristics exhibited by an exemplary public servant are: works well with all personalities; humility; flexible; a good listener (make your constituents feel, they were heard and understood); can marshal resources necessary to carry out decisions.  Phase 1A of the East Lake Sammamish Trail project residents had no voice, no support and were ignored and resisted by our Council members.  Council was told that thousands of square feet of impervious surface were added in the critical area of Lake Sammamish and hundreds of “significant trees” were being destroyed; residents were ignored.  Residents were forced to hire legal representation and engage the City through an arbitration hearing.

Once Ramiro Valderrama became a council member he began the effort to make the trail design for future phases compatible for all stakeholders.  His positive influence has been a driving force in the cooperative changes obtained in the design phase for Section 2B.  He listened, understood and then marshalled the resources necessary to work out a cooperative solution that serves all stakeholders in the next phases of the trail.  Mr. Valderrama cannot do alone, all that needs to be done for our City.  Keeping him on the council is paramount, vote for him.  Electing NEW Council members that engender those key characteristics is also extremely important.

James Stenson,

Sammamish