As Bothell residents prepare to elect our new city council member, one might think it matters little where the candidates are getting the money to fund their campaigns. Yet the city council makes many decisions that can affect special interests.

A comparison of the contributions to Steve Booth and Tris Samberg, not including their and their spouse’s money, is quite revealing. Based on data available from the Public Disclosure Commission (www.pdc.ws.gov) through Oct. 6, 52 percent of Booth’s contributions have come from individuals not living in Bothell – why should they care? Then 28 percent comes from businesses, political action committees, city employee unions and other special interests. That leaves less than 21 percent coming from residents of Bothell.

Booth’s special interest backers include the Bothell and Woodinville firefighters unions. Why would they care? Because the Bothell City Council is considering turning our Fire Department over to another agency where we will not have control over our fire and life safety services. Another is Republic Services – the garbage hauler. Are they planning to try to get the city contract away from Waste Management?

By contrast, fully 95 percent of Samberg’s cash contributions have come from Bothell residents.

At all levels in this country we can see the corrupting influence of money in elections. Who will be free to look out for the interests of the citizens of Bothell? The answer is crystal clear: Tris Samberg.

Bill Moritz, Bothell