By now it should be evident that local elections are fast approaching, elections that could provide us the opportunity to make a significant impact to the future of our city and its growth. A vote for James McNeal will help put us on that right path.

As the president of OneBothell.org, James has fought selflessly to help protect and preserve the Wayne Land for us and for future generations. There has been some discussion from his opponents that his efforts with OneBothell.org is nothing more than a selfish act for a local neighborhood that wants to spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars just to buy land next to their homes. Furthermore the opponents like to point out that James’s career in the homebuilding industry creates a conflict of interest regarding his views for Bothell’s future development.

In a time where facts can be hard to find and promises appear to be nothing more than rhetoric, one has to rely on actions of individuals and their associations to gain a clear picture of intentions.

James helped to create OneBothell.org, a fully functional 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Its sole purpose is helping Bothell procure and preserve the Wayne Land for the benefit of wildlife and the citizens of now and future generations…that message has never changed.

His opponent, Tim Ottersburg, is a neighbor of current council member and former mayor Mark Lamb. Both of them reside in the same area as council member Bill Evans. This area, known as Fitzgerald subarea, is the epicenter of an issue with the GMA (Growth Management Act) that the City Council voted to appeal, and which is costing current taxpayers thousands of dollars. Mark Lamb voted with the prevailing two-thirds of council. The initiative behind this would allow higher density development in that subarea which could generously increase the property values for surrounding neighbors.

Although referred to as developer because he works for a developer in the building industry, James is—in fact—not a developer, but a project manager for a construction company. With his many years’ experience working with several eastside cities, James believes the city of Bothell can do more to ensure developers are funding its growth—such as contributions the city can, and should be, requiring from developers before allowing them to build here.

James firmly believes a city can have balanced growth without being anti-development. His opponents would have you believe this is double speak, but in fact, it is an exceptionally sensible approach. A vote for James McNeil will help get Bothell back on an even keel.

Carl Frair, Bothell