Along with a diverse group of Island residents, I joined the ICW/Merrimount Citizen Panel in 2008 with the intent of independently evaluating more than 10 options to make Island Crest Way safer and more pedestrian-friendly without impacting commute times.

Over the course of many hours of analysis, discussion and debate, the panel eventually made a recommendation rooted in data and fact to adopt a three-lane configuration through Merrimount. This recommendation had incredibly broad support across the panel — indeed, out of 15 panel members, 13 voted for a three-lane configuration.

Now, for short-term political gain, some have tried to cast doubt on the panel’s decision-making process. Don’t make a decision based on campaign slogans and scare tactics — visit www.mercerislandabc.org to get the facts on the three-lane configuration and join more than 160 other Islanders who have looked at the data and support a safer and more pedestrian-friendly Island Crest Way.

Bryan Goode