Since Proposition 1 was defeated at the polls, local politicians have been tripping all over each other in their attempt to discount the 281,377 that voted against Prop 1 in the RTID voting disrict and 260,657 in the Sound Transit voting district (according to the Secretary of State).

Amidst this climate, obviously organized to bring another tax proposal quickly to the ballot, Bellevue City Councilman Conrad Lee showed integrity and moxie today (Sunday, November 11th) by writing a letter to the Seattle Times, entreating local elected officials to respect the voters’ message:

“I have been in politics for more than a dozen years. It no longer surprises me but still amazes me to see why many politicians (good and well-intentioned as some may be) cannot and will not listen to the people they represent. The first and immediate reactions reported by the news media of politicians, which include activists of all colors and stripes, were how to raise more money.

Don’t we know and learn from the voters that the reason they voted against Proposition 1 is because they don’t trust that Sound Transit has proposed the right solutions and is capable of managing the money properly? They voted against it because they don’t think the solutions are the right ones and/or the have the confidence the money will be managed properly. The voters know that we have a serious transportation challenge that needs to be addressed. That’s not in dispute. But the election result tells us that a majority of them don’t think the solutions provided are the right ones and/or that the money will be managed properly if the money is approved.

Therefore, the conversation we must begin now should be one of looking for the right solutions and whom do we trust to manage solutions, not try to figure out how to get more money to do the same old things. Money will come when we have the right (not necessarily perfect) solutions and have the public’s trust.

Let’s start fresh with innovative technologies and a managing body comprised of directly elected officials who are accountable to the public. Please, please, let’s really listen and trust what the public is telling us.”

Conrad Lee, Member, Bellevue City Council

That idea bears repeating:

“a managing body comprised of directly elected officials who are accountable to the public. “

Many different people have been bringing up an idea to have another (!) transportation authority that would be able to make decisions for the region on a regional transportation system and levy taxes for that purpose.

That brings with it serious issues regarding the right of cities to make decisions for themselves, based on their unique needs and desires- what works for one community may not work for another.

But if in the future, the idea comes to the voters to decide on an idea to create another regional governing body (in addition to WSDOT, RTID and Sound Transit) responsible for regional transportation planning and with its own taxing authority, the members of the Board should definitely, absolutely be accountable to the voters and elected by them.

It might be a good idea to have the Board of Sound Transit elected by the voters as well.