With the selection of the East Link light rail alignment under consideration, a number of Bellevue’s councilmembers have been lauded for “listening to the concerns of Bellevue citizens” (Bellevue City Council made good choices for mayor, deputy mayor). However, with this new council heavily favoring a BNSF alignment and opposing a tunnel under Sound Transit’s funding conditions, it’s not entirely convincing that all “Bellevue citizens” are being listened to.

In fact, two candidates that were only narrowly defeated in the election, Vicki Orrico and Patsy Bonincontri, both supported a Bellevue Way/112th Ave SE (B3) light rail alignment. Will the wishes of the supporters of these two candidates fall on deaf ears?

Considering that a number of Enatai and other South Bellevue residents would love to walk or drive to a light rail station along Bellevue Way, it seems that the Surrey Downs Community Club might not be the only voters that should be listened to.

A few months ago, the Bellevue Reporter had an unscientific poll asking if respondents would be willing to support a tax to pay for a downtown tunnel. The vast majority of the votes responded “yes,” indicating a willingness among Bellevue residents to pick up the tab for a tunnel. If that is the case, then the council should agree to Sound Transit’s funding conditions. A small tax now will help yield a tremendous future economic return on investment in light rail.

It’s discouraging to see the council being so favorable to those who aren’t likely to take light rail (or don’t already use transit) on a regular basis. If the council is considering how to route a transit line, shouldn’t it be listening more to what its future riders want?

Sherwin Lee, Bellevue