Annexation to Bellevue a ‘no brainer’

Published 2:13 pm Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The petition to have Eastgate annexed into the City of Bellevue is underway and I have signed the petition. Having one home in Eastgate and one in an adjoining Bellevue neighborhood, this decision was a “no brainer” for me.

We heard about the lower taxes and fees, $467 for the average home, if incorporated into the city. But it’s the little things that count, too.

For example take Allied Waste. In Eastgate they charge us $16.37 per month for the 20-gallon trash bin we provide and their 96-gallon recycling tote, plus another $10.80 for their 96- gallon yard waste tote. That’s $81.51 every quarter in Eastgate. In Bellevue we get all three Allied totes for $32.13 per quarter because the city has looked out for us and negotiated a better contract.

Also, Eastgate is like an island adrift from the rest of King County. When you need to get something done with the county you either have to drive down to Renton or downtown Seattle. Isn’t it much more logical for us to be driving to Bellevue for our community services?

In our dealings with the City of Bellevue, city officials have been friendly and responsive to all of our needs. I wish I could say the same for King County.

Gary Albert, Eastgate/Bellevue