Meet the candidates: Bellevue City Council, Position 2 | Vicki Orrico

Published 11:35 am Saturday, October 24, 2009

Name: Vicki Orrico

Age: 47

Marital status: Married

Number of children: 2 children, 11 and 14

Occupation: Attorney

Years lived in Bellevue: 14

Top three endorsements: Seattle Times, Washington/King County Conservation Voters, Women’s Political Caucus

What is the most pressing issue in Bellevue, and how would you deal with it?

Growth, with its great opportunities – the emergence of a vibrant downtown, a solid tax base supporting city services, and challenges – protecting neighborhoods and providing police and fire services to a growing population.

We must grow purposefully, making the most of light rail’s opportunity to move more people through downtown. I will bring light rail affordably, on time, and in a way that works for Bellevue.

We must direct our growth wisely so our neighborhoods continue to thrive. I will implement the Bel-Red Corridor plan, taking the burden off neighborhoods, bringing housing and jobs to an underutilized area.

What makes you the better choice for the council than your opponent?

Bellevue is divided and unrepresented in key issues – like light rail – enabling others to make our key decisions. Bellevue must have a voice in these critical decisions. As the Bellevue Planning Commission past chair, a Bellevue College Trustee and an Overlake Hospital Foundation Board Member, I will build partnerships with our key institutions. My opponent takes a “go-it-alone” approach, unable to reach consensus or resolutions that work for Bellevue. I will bring our key partners back to the table in an open, transparent way. I will be a strong leader, guiding Bellevue to becoming the regional leader it should be.