My, how the political pendulum swings. Forgive me for being all doom and gloom but our newly elected majority of “non-partisan” council members are so far to the left, by the time the 18,000 or so Bothellites who didn’t vote figure it out, Bothell might reverse course so much, it could take years to recover. Yes, that’s part of the mayor’s agenda: invest in nothing, stay the same and keep all of Bothell quaint with that “small town feel.” New development, whether it be commercial or residential, will essentially stop.

Our mayor, who is a card-carrying member (if that’s a thing) of the Cascade Bicycle Club, has stated that his agenda is to “raise taxes this year and every year,” build more bicycle trails (or designate more roads as bicycle lanes), and have the city purchase more green and open space. His majority, that sits next to him, is pretty much in lock-step.

Doom and gloom? For a major Eastside city competing with Kirkland, Woodinville and Redmond – yes. To discourage developers and families who are thinking of moving to and investing in Bothell by raising taxes for green space and bicycle trails is a bad plan. If I were a developer, I wouldn’t touch Bothell with a ten-foot pole. At best, the smart money would wait and see. Will the mayor’s council majority replace the city manager? How much will taxes increase? How much open space will the city purchase?

I’m not a fan of extremes, the far left nor the far right. They don’t represent the majority. So for the 18,000 non-votes who are not reading this, I can’t wait for you to realize how much your non-vote mattered.

Adam Brauch, Bothell