Islanders have already said what they think about Sound Transit

King County Executive Dow Constantine’s editorial in the MI Reporter​ of Aug. 12 is full of verbiage which tries to cover up its real content.

As regards verbiage, he states several times in many different ways that Mercer Islanders’ opinions about Sound Transit are being sought and are very valuable. But as regards the real content, it is clear that he intends, along with Sound Transit, to disregard Mercer Islanders’ opinions which have been clearly and repeatedly expressed over the past year.

Specifically, he assumes that we will agree to, or tolerate, or allow ourselves to be sweet-talked into such things as the following: first, that we will have a lot more parking for “riders from other parts of the Eastside [who will] transfer to light rail at the new station;” second, that MI will actually be a transfer station rather than a mere stop; and third, that MI will become a parking and turnaround location for multiple Sound Transit buses throughout the day.

There is absolutely no way that Mr. Constantine, as County Executive and Chair of the Sound Transit Board, can plow ahead with ST’s plans for light rail and simultaneously alter those plans to accommodate what most Mercer Islanders want, namely, a pleasant residential community. Sweet-sounding words cannot cover up the fact that he and other non-MI political “leaders” are not really interested in what Mercer Islanders think and desire.

Richard Winslow

Does Balducci care about what Islanders think?

King County Executive Dow Constantine wrote in his Aug. 11 editorial that “Island residents have important questions and a real stake in how Sound Transit manages” the new Mercer Island light rail station. I am concerned that Executive Constantine and his Sound Transit colleague Claudia Balducci are only now finding the value of Islander opinions.

They had no interest in a tour of the Island during the initial planning. They did not take the time to come to community meetings to discuss the impact the station would have on parking, bus routes, and local traffic congestion. Balducci had no interest in the concerns of Islanders when she supported a plan to toll I-90. She had no problem closing the South Bellevue Park and Ride knowing it would leave Mercer Island as one of the only alternatives. Now residents can’t find a place to park and that impact has not begun yet. Executive Constantine says Claudia Balducci cares about Islanders, I’m not buying it.

Jackie Dunbar

Balducci’s ‘listening tour’ rings hollow

I read the editorial written by King County Executive Dow Constantine. He is “pleased” that Sound Transit colleague Claudia Balducci decided it was important the agency “further engage with Island residents.”

I’m concerned that this effort is too little, too late. I wish the Sound Transit Board, where his colleague Claudia serves, had taken this action during the initial planning of the future Mercer Island light rail station. Instead, Island residents must inevitably host a light rail station that provides no additional parking and has an unknown impact on local traffic and bus services.

It is unfortunate that Executive Constantine and Mayor Balducci were unable or unwilling to consider the impact the future light rail station would have on Island residents. Before Balducci’s campaign for County Council, she had no interest in attending community meetings to hear our concerns. She also had no problem closing the South Bellevue Park and Ride, putting more pressure on our already limited parking options.

Our Island needs more collaborative leaders willing to engage in real discussions between residents and the Sound Transit Board- not election season antics.

Nicolas Sotelo