Thank you North Bend voters for investing in our long-range vision for the future of North Bend and the Snoqualmie Valley. Becky and I are deeply grateful. On my watch, North Bend will remain North Bend. The alternative is degenerating into another Issaquah – unacceptable and unnecessary.

I am most proud of the upsurge in voter participation in this off-year election. While countywide turnout hovered at a predictable level of 35 percent; voter turnout in North Bend was more than 51 percent. This is a milestone in the 94-year history of North Bend, attributable to the strong campaigns from candidates for mayor and council. The candidates, and especially their families, are to be commended for their huge personal sacrifices during the campaign.

Now we must turn our attention to a future North Bend and Upper Snoqualmie Valley that achieves the highest priorities articulated by those we serve. Based on my doorbelling of over 1,100 North Bend houses, visiting at coffee hours throughout the city and listening everywhere, I believe we have much to do.

First, North Bend must build a strong recreational character for local economic stability. We shall become the gateway to the Cascades; home for a vibrant downtown and healthy neighborhoods; and a regional mecca for outdoor recreation. A Cascade mountain film festival, Middle Fork whitewater festival, greenfields at Tollgate and a fall Oktoberfest at Meadowbrook Farm will grow local business and city revenues. The hundreds of thousands of recreational acres surrounding us are a gift we must exploit on a long-term basis. Active participation and cooperation at the regional level by the city of North Bend with other public partners and the private sector will guarantee success on this long-range goal.

Equally important, I believe we must implement the following specific improvements to make the city of North Bend accessible, effective and responsive to our families and businesses.

Here is my “top 10 list” of North Bend goals for 2004. They are strategically targeted to solve problems, build trust and improve communication between the city and those we serve:

* Put council meetings back on North Bend Public Access Television.

* Create an electronic forum for North Bend citizens to provide input on issues, ask questions and get answers. The only requirement should be signing your name. These actions will re-establish a critical connection between the city and the residents we serve. Communication creates understanding and builds trust, a good thing.

* Establish a North Bend wireless technology advisory committee. There are a number of North Bend residents with expertise in wireless communications, Internet and software technologies who have expressed interest in advising the city on a list of technology and communication issues. Topics to be addressed include evaluating the costs and benefits of creating a wireless environment downtown and citywide. This group could identify and recommend low-cost programming options for North Bend TV. It could evaluate and make recommendations for North Bend Web site enhancements and explore a media partnership with the Snoqualmie Valley School District, especially our high schools.

* Let’s organize an annual town meeting to listen. It could be held at Si View field house – five minutes per speaker with mayor, council and department heads.

* Now that we own it, let’s hold a North Bend picnic at Tollgate Farm.

* City support for Alpine Days should be reinstated and we should maintain the award-winning downtown revitalization program started by Mayor Simpson.

* Consider expanding the City Council from five to seven members to increase representation.

* With King County, implement a comprehensive Cedar Falls Way “traffic calming” program to slow speeders and improve pedestrian safety.

Expand the Pavement Management Program from the $40,000 proposed in the 2004 budget to $100,000 as a means of protecting the investment in our 24.5 miles of streets. The longer we wait, the more it will cost.

* Target additional police services to traffic control, community policing, domestic violence and drug enforcement.

* Solve the water rights problem and complete a strategic economic development plan. North Bend has made significant progress on water rights with the help of our state legislators, but additional work will be necessary to finish this job. The economic development plan will provide a roadmap to a robust economic future – without becoming Issaquah.

These priorities reflect some of the ideas voiced by many individuals throughout North Bend over the last four months that I wanted to share with you. They can be achieved without a tax increase. As the senior member on council, I will push these and other issues forward for consideration by Mayor-elect Ken Hearing and our new council. Collectively they will make the final decision. Tell us if you agree or disagree.

Now is the time for one city, one goal and traction!

Please visit my Web site at www.marksollitto.com and tell me what you think about these ideas. I will be updating the site monthly and maintaining it for continuous public input on North Bend issues. Otherwise, please contact me at marksollitto@comcast.net or (425) 831-6365 if you have additional thoughts.

In closing, I want to recognize the years of public service and personal sacrifices of retiring Mayor Joan Simpson and City Councilman Ed Carlson. They have served all of North Bend tirelessly and elevated the public discourse on a variety of issues. While we did not always agree, I commend them for their commitment and the honorable manner in which they always represented North Bend. It was a privilege to serve with them.

Thanks again for voting North Bend, we’ll talk more later.