Throughout its history, Kirkland has grown and evolved, and will continue to do so. In order to grow thoughtfully and fairly, it needs comprehensive, integrated planning for the city as a whole, where every Kirklander has an equal voice. That is not the case now.
Currently, Houghton is the only Kirkland neighborhood with veto power over land use regulations in its area. No other neighborhood has this power. Imagine if every neighborhood had similar veto power -- city planning would be impossible. When only one neighborhood has this power, it is unfair and undemocratic.
Community councils like Houghton’s were designed to ease the transition when two cities merged. Today, 53 years after the Houghton/Kirkland merger, the HCC is one of only two community councils remaining in Washington with that veto power -- the rest have been disbanded. The HCC long ago fulfilled its intended purpose. It is time for it to go.
If you believe in a comprehensive vision for the city, if you believe every voter in every neighborhood should have equal weight -- if you value fairness, inclusiveness, and efficiency -- then you must vote No on continuing the special privilege of HCC.
Submitted by: Jennifer Jaeger, Beverly Marcus, www.hcc-con.com