Statement for
Fifty years after incorporation, Bellevue has grown into
a city of 117,000, the 4th largest in the state. Yet, Bellevue
is the only city its size without a CHARTER. 4,300 petition
signers think it’s time for an independent audit
of our governance!
A Charter is like a constitution, the gold standard of
good government. It is a unique opportunity to improve
our government, in an open process with an independent
Charter Commission elected by you. The Charter will be
reviewed by residents like us, and then placed on the ballot
for a citywide vote. Possible improvements are:
• Improve city government accountability with the
direct election of the mayor. The council currently selects
the mayor from among themselves. An elected mayor will
be accountable to the people, not just to council members.
• Equal representation of Bellevue residents with
election of council members by district. The high costs
of current citywide elections allow special interests excessive
influence over our city council. District council members
will be responsive to your neighborhood concerns.
The best future for Bellevue requires government accountability
and fair representation. A Charter city offers us that
better future. Please vote YES on May 20 for a better Bellevue.
For further information: www.bellevuecharternow.org
Rebuttal of statement against
The people funding the opposition campaign want to prevent
you from voting on improvements in your government. Don’t
be fooled by their phony claims. They fear open government
and neighborhood involvement.
A positive Charter vote allows us to enhance our city
- by open and honest process and wise use of tax dollars.
After 50 years, the time is now for this independent review.
Please vote YES on May 20th for a better Bellevue.
STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Renay Bennett,
Don Mackenzie, Rebecca E. Lewis
Read statement against. |
Statement against
Bellevue’s government works. It’s highly respected,
award winning efficiency has produced an enviable record:
low tax rates, highest bond rating, more parks and police
per capita, great human and senior services, and fast fire/medical
response times.
Today each of us elects seven non-partisan council members
who provide policy guidance to a professional city manager.
Because the council chooses the Mayor from among them,
Bellevue avoids the power struggles between mayor and council
that characterize many “strong mayor” cities.
Yet, Charter proponents of a ward/district system would
limit your vote to only one council member and a full-time,
political mayor. And, we could end up with more council
members, partisan bickering, more bureaucracy, higher taxes-
who knows?
What we will actually get from a Charter city will be
up to 15 individual freeholders who can create whatever
form of government they want. The charter study, including
lawyers, consultants and staff, plus two elections, will
cost $500,000 — maybe more. Aren’t there better
uses for our tax dollars?
It’s hard to imagine a new system will provide
better services, but it’s easy to picture it being
more expensive. Don’t take a chance with higher taxes
and reduced city services. VOTE NO CHARTER!
For further information: (425) 830.7244
Rebuttal of statement for
Don’t trade in our excellent government for “possible
improvements” that will likely become “probable
detriments”:
More council members; Higher taxes; Political patronage;
Bigger bureaucracy; Partisan bickering; Neighborhood wards
and deal-making; Voting for only one instead of all council
members.
Why spend $500,000 to study possibilities?
Bellevue’s system works for all of us RIGHT NOW:
low taxes, great services, neighborhood responsiveness.
Vote NO Charter and we’ll keep it that way!!
Save Our City: NO on Charter
STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Nan Campbell,
Jane Hague, Richard Chapin
Read statement for. |
