ENDORSED BY THE SEATTLE TIMES
Why Vicki Orrico? Why Bellevue City Council? Why Now?
Our residents have come to expect a high level of services – and they deserve it. But how do we maintain that high level of service in the face of this economic downturn? How do we extend our prosperity in the face of so many business challenges?
My reputation in this city has been one of facing the problems, listening to people, and looking for win/win solutions:
- As Chair of the Planning Commission, I guide growth so that we have strong neighborhoods, efficient use of our land and resources, a good environment for our businesses, and sufficient infrastructure to allow us to function smoothly.
- As a Trustee of Bellevue College, I work to ensure that we have the skilled workers our local economy is demanding in these times of changing environments and emerging technologies.
- As a Trustee of Overlake Hospital Foundation, I work everyday to make sure that our growing and aging population has access to the best healthcare right here in our own backyard.
I will use these skills and insight to build relationships and craft solutions so that we emerge from this recession better, stronger and wiser. We can make great strides toward providing community services through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. The City has achieved greater efficiency in providing educational and human services through the Wrap-Around-Services in collaboration with the Bellevue School District, and an effective economic development coalition through the Prosperity Partnership. We can do more like this: cultivate partnerships, focus on collaboration, and encourage our businesses to work with government rather than navigating through layers of red-tape:
- Collaborate with developers on workable incentives to achieve our vision for the Bel-Red corridor - such as including greater housing affordability, open spaces, infrastructure - rather than creating mandates that make affordable housing less feasible.
- Partner with schools, such as Bellevue College and the Bellevue School District, to ensure we have the skilled workforce to attract and retain strong businesses, to make our tax dollars go farther, and to improve our neighborhoods to ensure that all of our children and residents have access to a quality education.
- Work with our medical institutions to create programs so our aging and low-income populations have access to prevention and smarter healthcare rather than resorting to costly emergency care.
- Work with neighborhoods in respecting differences through initiatives such as the neighborhood livability initiative and the Bridle Trails tree ordinance.
- Leverage our economic development and encourage businesses to expand within our community, while continuing to foster our strong downtown economic base.
- Build a strong eastside coalition to deal with regional issues like transportation, housing, human services and environment, so that we speak with one loud, unified voice.
- Encourage our rich cultures to respect and celebrate our differences, while ensuring that everyone has access to services that provide a healthy, happy, strong and smart community.
- Decrease waste generated by builders by removing regulatory obstacles to recycling, improving our environment and their bottom lines.
I have built a strong working relationship with many key people all over Bellevue. I have been in the trenches and learned about local government from a very basic, on-the-ground perspective. I know how government works at the local, county, state, and federal levels, and I think I can bring something to table on the Bellevue City Council.
I am looking forward to dedicating my energy, experience, and fierce commitment to our community to help make Bellevue the best place it needs to be so my kids and yours will want to stay here.
Can you join me?
Vicki Orrico
Paid for by Orrico For Bellevue City Council, 2050 112th Avenue NE, Suite 210, Bellevue WA 98004 |
