It seems to me that there are some striking similarities between the demolition of the historic Freed farmhouse, declining reputation of our Bothell Mayor Joshua Freed, and the construction of Bothell’s pricey new city hall.

Mr. Freed suggests that it is not his fault that the home he was privilege to live in was torn down. He knew that it had historical value. Out of one side of his mouth he claims that it was all the contractor’s fault that the house in his possession was “accidentally” torn down to make way for his next prized claim to fame and fortune, his Verde luxury residential project off of 100th in Bothell.

Out of the other side of his mouth, Freed relates how much he is missing the old homestead and is still sentimentally attached to it. Well, given that he is a multi-million dollar land development expert, why wasn’t he knowledgeable and clever enough to protect the family possession that he says is so dear to his heart? Could it be greed? And just how painful is a $2,000 fine to him when he is rolling in money?

In recent weeks, the true character of Freed has come under increasing scrutiny for the apparent power plays he is making as an entrepreneur, manipulating Bothell city business affairs to pave the way for his acquisition of more property. Who is the real Joshua Freed?

On the one hand, he postures himself as a man of great faith with a heart for the poor, recently assembling local pastors under his guidance; on the other, he is suspect to being a schemer and manipulator, using his position as mayor to grab land for his profit, putting his own self-interest ahead of ethics, goodwill, and the best interests of the people of Bothell. Freed seems to be relying on what he legally can get away with, not what is morally right, acting as if the moral concerns of others are trivial to such a busy and prominent man as he.

This brings us to the topic of the new city hall. This costly, over-sized-for-the -neighborhood building already looks as ridiculous as Freed’s feeble appeals sound that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. As a community leader, shouldn’t he be listening to his constituents and not spending money the city doesn’t have? It is estimated that as many as 70% or more of the citizens of Bothell disapprove of the price tag for this edifice to house Mayor Freed’s office. Would nothing less do for him?

Finally, there is a comparison that can be drawn between the foundation for a building and the nature of the builder himself. Certainly Joshua Freed knows and understands that any structure will not hold up unless it is constructed on a sure foundation. The same is true for his reputation. His words and actions must be plumb with truth for it to solidly stand. Details matter. There are no excuses for his selective memory loss in terms of promises he made and getting the facts straight. We must watch and hold him accountable for doing the right thing.

If he can’t separate his private ventures from his responsibilities as a public servant, he needs to go.

Nancy Kasper, Bothell