After reading the Seattle Times endorsement for Bellevue City Council Position 6, I was sure they had the title of the article wrong. The article read more like an endorsement of Steve Fricke, who the Times noted is “passionate about prioritizing neighborhood interests.” However, they endorsed Councilmember Lynne Robinson.

I would much rather have someone who is passionate (or to use the Seattle Times verbiage — “prickly”) about the decisions affecting the futures of our children and our neighborhoods, than someone who engages in collegial, consensus-building deals that put those futures at stake.

The Times uses the recent “proposal to build a permanent men’s homeless shelter next to the Eastgate Park and Ride” as an example of pressure from Fricke to stop any city action that the neighborhoods oppose. What the Times does not mention is the flawed, secretive process engaged in by current council members, including Robinson, to come up with this decision.

If it was only next to a park and ride, we all could live with it. Unfortunately, it is next to day cares, preschools, elementary schools and Bellevue College, as well as neighborhoods with young families. No wonder Steve supports the many residents who oppose it.

Plus, the Times ignores the fact that Robinson does not just want a men’s homeless shelter, she wants a low-barrier men’s homeless shelter. This puts our nearby neighbors even more at risk. Steve Fricke knows this and is advocating in the best interests of these concerned voters. He understands Bellevue’s needs and would explore alternatives. The Seattle Times got this one wrong. I will vote for a passionate advocate versus an I-won’t-be-affected-so-it-doesn’t-matter-to-me bureaucrat any day.

Cynthia Cole

Bellevue