Letter to the Editor: Salomon Right Choice for Richmond Beach, Shoreline

To the editor:

I am a 47-year resident of Richmond Beach.  I love this unique and beautiful community.  Unfortunately the character of our community is threatened by the proposed development of 3,100 condo units at Point Wells, located at the north end of Richmond Beach Drive.  The only access point for all the cars would be up Richmond Beach Drive and the potential effects of traffic this development would add to our residential neighborhoods, not to mention most of Shoreline east of Aurora is unthinkable.

I know Jesse Salomon and trust him on this issue.  He has the competence both as an attorney and a former planning commissioner to take this head on.  As the only attorney on the Shoreline City Council, Jesse would bring a professional perspective that could be very useful.

The Council over the next year or so will be making some very consequential decisions on whether and how to negotiate with the developer and whether to go to court to block the development.  As someone who has tried 10 jury trials and negotiates every day with opposing counsel, Jesse has the tough mindedness,  knowledge base and the experience, to best serve us.

Robin McClelland on the other hand now says she is against the Point Wells development but her past statements make us wonder if this is so.  Just see the official minutes from the December 3, 2009 Shoreline Planning Commission.  In regards to Point Wells development it is quoted that:

Ms. McClelland suggested that rather than only thinking about the negative impacts of the proposal, she suggested the City turn their thinking around and consider opportunities to create a destination for residents of Shoreline. The City should seek every type of mitigation possible to provide facilities and  amenities that benefit the City economically, recreationally, and socially. They should not limit themselves only to the issue of transportation…."

The choice for me is clear -  I’m voting for Jesse Salomon 

Donn Charnley  

Retired Washington State Senator and Representative

Richmond Beach