Editor:
It seems Will Chen is “damned if he does; damned if he doesn’t.”
His recent vote caused some citizens to complain that “this is not what he was voted in for” and they are “disappointed in him.”
I imagine if he had voted otherwise, others would have complained he is a “follower and conformist.”
I voted for Will because he is a man of integrity, with sound judgment.
During the course of his term, will I agree with his every decision? Perhaps not. But I appreciate that he is an independent thinker who heeds his conscience.
Will campaigned on restoring civility to a council fraught with internecine squabbling. He attempted to do that in vouncil’s recent meeting.
He’s been in office less than a month. Let’s give him a chance.
Candace BelAir
Edmonds
My thoughts exactly, Candace. We’re going to have a substantially different City Council come January. It’s time to be looking forward. Let’s give them a chance to show what they can do.
Brett Favre fumbled four times in his first NFL game, and Tom Brady was inserted into his first game near the end when he threw an interception and his team lost. Something tells me “Coach Belair” would have opted to hang onto those two, recognizing that you aren’t well advised to pass judgment too early on.
I appreciated getting to know Will Chen during his campaign and I, too, believe he is a man of principle and the highest level of intentions. He voted against censuring the council president and explained his reasons. Now let’s see what happens in the new year when they choose a new council president. Susan Paine will be sidelined and someone new will take over that position.
One incumbent will be gone.
It may be a whole new ballgame in civility and actually getting things done.
Thank you, Candace, for your letter to the editor and Bob Rinehart, for your answer.
Hey, one for my husband haha. Yep that is right on. A great analogy. Thank you. I hope you don’t mind but I like Wilson hahahah
I guess we can all at least agree that Mr. Chen’s first two votes were roughly equal to fumbling four times and throwing an interception using the helpful football analogy. Seems like you are having to set a pretty low bar here for the measurement of possible improvement. Would be pretty hard not to improve with that performance to begin with.
I’m not sure how voting to condone and enable uncivil behavior by the Mayor and some of the Council toward the “already chimed in” group of constituents on the do not call on list equates to promoting over all civil behavior in the future; but I guess it meets some measure of logic in some universe of thought somewhere. It did seem like a strange vote to me, coming from an accountant and reputed successful businessman. If four of his employees had decided to ignore a group of customers they didn’t like so they could wait on their friends first, would he have been this understanding and forgiving too? Food for thought.
Will Chen is not a child.
I agree with the letter to the editor. I would also like to hear from Will.
Thank you for your voice of reason, Candace. I agree, let’s give Will Chen a chance.
Thanks, Candace, for saying what’s on the minds of so many of us. I know Will Chen to be thoughtful, steady and wise. Before the election, at a town hall put on by Vivian Olson, I watched Will answer a question about the city budget. He actually had a copy of the budget with him and was able to cite the part in question off the top of his head, and then immediately turn to it. I’m sure he understands the budget as well as anyone. Someone with that work ethic and willingness to do the research, as well as his ability to work harmoniously with others deserves our trust. He also has a great sense of humor…which he’ll need.
Perhaps CM Chen could have abstained if he was making a conscious decision (that he had to have known was going to be scrutinized). If he wanted to stay neutral to support his thoughts on “being more friendly,” that would have made more sense. The outcome would gave been the same! But he did not abstain, he took a position.
So, the questions.
I wonder if CM Chen was privy to the news of “The List” of people the Mayor received via email from Dave Turley on the afternoon of 11/17 prior to the Council meeting that night. Perhaps he wasn’t, I don’t know the exact date that this info came to light. Would it have changed his vote?
At the beginning of the 11/17 meeting, hours after the Mayor received “The List,” CP Paine made the surprise motion to not allow comments from those who had made comments the night before.
How on earth did Mayor Nelson know that he would need that list of names…?
Mr. Chen: There’s no civility with unethical behavior. It’s an oxymoron.