Bellevue City Council made good choices for mayor, deputy mayor
Published 10:45 am Wednesday, January 13, 2010
On Monday Jan. 4, the Bellevue City Council elected Don Davidson the new Mayor of Bellevue and Conrad Lee as the new Deputy Mayor. As the Executive Committee representing the Surrey Downs Community Club neighborhood association we applaud the selection of Davidson and Lee as leadership for the Bellevue City Council.
With 22 years of council membership Davidson is well experienced in the issues facing our city in the coming years. His experience as past mayor in addition to numerous regional committees and commission appointments will serve the citizens of Bellevue well.
With an eye to fiscal responsibility Davidson has been a champion of responsible taxes. As Bellevue continues to tackle the challenges of a well established, as well as a developing city, with a $100 million hole to fill in the capital budget, Davidson’s considerable experience with budgeting is vital.
Lee brings 15 years of experience as a Bellevue City Councilmember to his position as Deputy Mayor. As a business owner Lee understands the challenges present as commerce continues to grow in Bellevue. Lee has received national appointments to the Board and Advisory Council of the National League of Cities, and was elected the President of Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials. As the first Asian American council member Lee serves as a role model for diversity in our community. His skills complement those of our new mayor and make him a good choice for second chair.
In addition to fiscal responsibility, both Lee and Davidson have demonstrated their dedication to the preservation of residential neighborhoods by listening to the concerns of Bellevue citizens and by being proactive problem solvers. This is evidenced by their steadfast support for moving the proposed light rail alignment to the abandoned rail corridor. Furthermore, each is willing to ask tough questions, go the extra mile to get answers and hold themselves and their city colleagues accountable to a high standard of performance.
City budgeting, transportation, safety and preserving the character of our city are issues that the council will grapple with for some time to come. In council members Balducci, Robertson, Chelminiak, Degginger, Wallace, Davidson and Lee we have a strong and experienced council that is well able to confront the issues facing our city. We praise their selection of leadership and look forward to the coming years.
The Surrey Downs Community Club Executive Committee, Betsy Blackstock, President, Christie Hammond, Lee Maxwell and Scott Lampe
