Strange Survey Calls

Dear Friends,
Someone is conducting a poll, but it is not me. If you receive a call, take a listen and then report what you are hearing.

I have heard it described as "push-poll," meaning they ask questions in such a way to influence your answers. They want you to come to a certain conclusion. It seem they want you to conclude that I will pave over Redmond. I don't have enough information to know what they are up to, but if you want to know my real positions, please see my web site at www.johnmarchione.com or email me at john@johnmarchione.com.
Thanks,
John

Three Big Issues

As the campaign enters the last 38 days, the question I am asked most often is,"What are the three biggest issues in the Mayoral campaign?"

1) Qualifications -- The job of Mayor is a full-time executive. I am the only candidate with executive management experience, serving over 10 years as the Chief Financial Officer at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

2) Growth -- The State Growth Management law requires Redmond to absorb a certain amount of growth. I want to proactively manage this growth and focus it in Downtown and Overlake. By creating active centers with housing and shopping, we preserve our established single family neighborhoods. To accomplish this goal, the City needs to install the proper infrastructure where we want growth. Otherwise, development will occur on the edges of town and leave our centers continually hollow. (Why will growth continue to occur on the edges if we don't change? Because the cost to developers to install infrastructure is cheaper.)

3) Financial Sustainability -- The City cannot continue to raise taxes and not tell the citizens what they are buying. In the last budget process, my opponent supported the administration's budget that cut parks and transportation to pay for overhead functions. Even the Mayor said it was not sustainable and "not my problem" when she submitted the budget to Council (see October 24, 2006 study session tape). Instead, I led the Council to add 8 firefighters, restore the parks and transportation dollars that were removed, and to Live Within Our Means.

Please leave a comment or email me (john@johnmarchione.com) if you want to know about other issues.

Dog Lover

Yes, I am a dog lover. My family has an Airedale Terrier named Dodger (I am also a baseball fan). When I am out doorbelling and the family owns a dog, I show them a picture of Dodger in the brochure.

Here is the best comeback I have heard so far. One woman looked at the picture really hard. "Oh, an Airedale," she said. "If you can manage an Airedale, you can manage the Council. You have my vote!"

Seniors Want a Voice Too

During my campaign, I have talked to many retired citizens who feel excluded from the City. They have issues but they feel are under-represented. Issues raised include:

• The Senior Center exists but they cannot get there (or get home)
• Trails and parks do not have smooth paths for walking
• Needing more benches along trails for resting

After many discussions, one gentleman proposed a Senior Alliance. He suggested that the retirement communities within Redmond coordinate with the City to discuss issues, coordinate transportation, and pool their talent and resources to enhance their communities. This is one idea I plan to investigate when I am Mayor to bring our community together. (Thanks Ray!)

Marchione BBQ Picnic

Thanks to all who came out to my picnic last Saturday. We had a steady stream of visitors throughout the afternoon, with about 70 people in all stopping by for at least a cold water. Grill master Barry Garman served up tasty hot dogs and many families supplied cookies for the event.

Most people came as a family. That was great! One young man decorated his bike with Marchione fliers and balloons and rode through the park.

I enjoyed seeing supporters and I was glad to meet many new people who were curious about my campaign. The issues discussed the most were:

• my work on protecting streams and enhancing water quality
• restoring/enhancing salmon runs in Bear Creek
• setting budget priorities in a way that involves meaningful participation from the public

Thanks again for the thoughtful discussions!