I don’t know why it continues to surprise me how the divisive politics that we see at the national level can permeate local politics in little ol’ charming Bothell.

I am getting tired of hearing Bothell’s finest seeking office provoke images of “small town” historical Bothell and simple campaigns while at the same time raising the financial bar to maintain sophisticated negative elections supported by Bothell’s biggest corporations and our wealthiest citizens. We say “small town Bothell,” but make no mistake, it’s BIG city government.

Albeit hard to swallow, when I get past the money game, I see a divisiveness that worries me. Even though he’s not running, those running against Mayor Mark Lamb seem to promote a knee-jerk reaction to want to oppose anything he is for. Those against Del Spivey are banking the whole campaign on linking Spivey to the mayor, including the council’s vote to award themselves medical insurance after a change in a 2007 state law — following suit of many other municipalities in the Puget Sound. That is a singular unpopular issue, period. To say that Spivey simply sides with the mayor 95 percent of the time is disingenuous considering the majority of those votes are staff-recommended agenda bill items that are unanimous. Other council votes are motions and amended motions. I am not in favor of electing someone who simply wants to vote against the mayor. That’s not smart.

When we had concerns on East Riverside Drive, Councilmember Spivey and Mayor Lamb actually came out and paid more than one visit. Spivey’s approach to the flooding situation and pedestrian safety was to “find a way.” When the mayor and others agreed to find solutions, that was not “block voting,” that was smart voting — voting that matters and shows genuine concerns for the citizens of Bothell.

So instead of siding with the negativity mirrored in national politics and just being “against” everything, I want to know what the candidates stand for. Talk about traffic calming, parks and open space, green building and annexation.

For Gerry Gawne to call council members who vote similar to the mayor “sheep” and part of “The Yes Men” is smarmy, short-sighted and worrisome. Further, Gawne advertises his Web site as the “most-visited” in Bothell and then points to Deputy Mayor Sandy Guinn as one of “The Yes Men.” That deserves an apology. We need a council made of up people who are willing to research each issue and vote smart, not just vote against a percentage.

Adam Brauch, Bothell