Lynne Robinson simply has the stronger resume, a point that the Bellevue Reporter glossed over in its endorsement in the race. As noted, Robinson has been engaged in the Bellevue community for over a decade, while Vandana Slatter’s civic work is of short duration. She joined the Overlake Foundation Board not all that long ago, and she does not even appear on the CHILD list of board members. That is all the Reporter uses to say that she has “strong community ties.”

Robinson has years of community work in Bellevue in several areas, as recognized by the Reporter, but ignored in its choice.

As for business success, Slatter’s work for a national biotech drug company appears to be as a sales representative visiting doctor’s offices. She may have a business background, but so does Robinson, and hers is long time in Bellevue.

I like Slatter and appreciate her interest in getting involved in Bellevue and working with the community, but she simply brings much less to the table, and her talk is slogans and catch phrases instead of specifics about the solutions she would bring to the City. Robinson walks the talk.

Lastly, three members of the Bellevue City Council endorse Lynne, myself, John Chelmaniak, and Claudia Balducci, while several former Council members and Mayors also endorse her. Robinson is the superior candidate and will work more collaboratively with all members of the council to move Bellevue forward.

John Stokes, councilmember Bellevue City Council