The July 23 Reporter article “Bothell reels in Kenmore’s city manager” did not give fair representation to my ideas. From my notes, this is what I said at the City Council meeting July 14:

“I have concerns regarding the resignation of Steve Anderson and Rob English — thank you to both for your services — with the cost of City Hall, the 522 project, the delay and cutbacks of Kenmore Village, the tax abatement given to Kenmore Village, the increase of the surface water management tax and the increase of impact fees. We have two big projects happening in our city and it seems the two main players who are in charge of these projects are leaving our city.

“If we had one or two of these issues, I would not worry. But as a combination, from my perspective as an outsider looking in, it appears that the ship is sinking. Admittedly, I am not qualified to know the specifics of all of these things; however, it alarms me that they are all happening at once.

“As you know, I am not a fan of the City Hall, due to the $22.4 million price tag. All I ask of the council is to put the City Hall on hold until we replace the city manager and engineer and then revisit it.

“This concern is no reflection on the Kenmore city staff, but rather directed at council members to be fiscally responsible.”

Carl Michelman

Kenmore

(Editor’s note: The Reporter revised Michelman’s comments July 24 for the online edition.)