So far all the candidates running for Kirkland Council have indicated their desire to serve government, not citizens.

Annexation will cause Kirkland citizens to receive reduced services for which they will pay more for less yet each candidate said they are for annexation. Annexation will add millions to Kirkland’s debt, yet each candidate says they are fiscally responsible.

Position 1: Councilmember McBride takes our money only to give it away to her charities. She believes all government services are essential including funding of nonprofit activities that are not a function of government. Her priorities have cost us millions, money we could have given to our charities. Her desire to fund non-essential government services has been costly to many who would prefer the money be used for essential services. She thrives on the redistribution of resources. Several candidates have indicated they will continue the practice of usurping our interest.

Positions 5 and 7: If Councilmember Hodgson decides to run (Position 7), his stance on issues varies about as much as Mayor Lauinger (Position 5). First they voted against annexation. Then they ignored the citizens of Kirkland by voting for it even though they knew it would cause us to pay more for less services. Their positions on downtown development waffled and almost triggered lawsuits. They are unreliable at best in serving the citizens of Kirkland. Candidate John Smiley for Position 7 may not be much better given his liberal views and short time in Kirkland.

Ms. Amy Walen has yet to decide whom to run against. She’s liberal so whoever he or she might be, the citizens will still be faced with a liberal liability lineup.

Robert L. Style, Kirkland