I find myself evaluating the candidates for Sammamish City Council primarily for their willingness to seek balance, moderation and openness in their decisions.

As one of the “newest cities on the block” on the Eastside, we still have the opportunity to create our own identity through the decisions of those we choose to represent us.  As I drive through neighboring cities, such as Issaquah, Redmond and Bellevue, I find myself saying “This is not why we moved to Sammamish 13 years ago.”

We citizens who treasure the “jewels” of our city, such as trees, open spaces, clear views of mountains and sunsets, homes with actual yards, roads that are able to move traffic at a reasonable pace, want city council members who are committed to finding balance in handling the inevitable development that comes in building a new city.  Yet we want those elected members to always remember that their first responsibility is to “represent” we the citizens.

The decisions that are to be made by the council and implemented by city staff need to be transparent and collaborative with the citizens.  We want the same standards applied to all, regardless of who you know at City Hall.

To make this happen I urge you to join me in voting for Tom Hornish, Christie Malchow, and Ramiro Valderrama for city council.

Mary Jo Kahler, Sammamish