Fletcher’s Falls Crossing solution is one reason for this voter’s support | Letter

I support Fuzzy Fletcher for mayor of Snoqualmie.

I don’t want Snoqualmie to become another overcrowded city on Seattle’s Eastside. We cannot stop growth; however, Fletcher will be a mayor who listens and considers the opinions of city residents.

My support of Fuzzy is partially rooted in an event that occurred during his tenure as mayor. The real estate development company Puget Western asked for approval to develop land behind Snoqualmie Falls, a project known as Falls Crossing. Fuzzy put off a decision while trying to find an alternative. He insisted there must be a better way to appease the developer.

Through a lot of effort and negotiation between the city, King County, Weyerhaeuser, Puget Western, the Snoqualmie Tribe, and the Cascade Land Conservancy, the 145 acres directly adjacent to Snoqualmie Falls were permanently protected from development.

The deal was complicated and required concessions on the part of Snoqualmie and King County. The most noticeable concession in Snoqualmie is the neighborhood across from the fire station, which was allowed to be built sooner and at a higher density than planned. The street leading into that neighborhood is named Better Way. Fletcher worked with a lot of people to find a better way for development to happen while preserving the beauty of the view of the falls. I believe he can lead this city into further smart development.

In addition, I support Fuzzy because I find him to be sincere and forthright and a man of integrity.

Recently, he said to me, “If you walk into a room thinking you know everything you probably don’t. I don’t know everything but I know where to look and who to ask to find the answers.”

Fuzzy didn’t know what the better way was when Falls Crossing was proposed, but through including others, perseverance, and learning about new things, he was able to find a solution. Fuzzy can help Snoqualmie wisely navigate this period of rapid growth while recognizing that our voices matter. Please cast your vote for Fuzzy Fletcher.

Sandy Rossetti

Snoqualmie