Re-Elect John Chelminiak, Bellevue City Council, Position 3
 

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John Chelminiak, Boeing 787
John served on the statewide task force that insured the Boeing 787 would be assembled at the Boeing Everett plant.

 

 

 

 

John, Mayor Degginger, and Jim Ellis at the groundbreaking for the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center.
John, Mayor Degginger, and Jim Ellis at the groundbreaking for the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center.

 

 

 

 

John and fellow councilmembers break ground for the new Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center.
John and fellow councilmembers break ground for the new Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center.

Issues

Education, Environment, and Economic Development

Families choose to live in Bellevue for three main reasons: education, the environment, and the economy.

Education

We have an education system among the best in the state. Our high schools are national models for excellence.

The City of Bellevue supports education in many ways. The wrap-around services program at Lake Hills Elementary supports young people in one of our city’s most diverse schools. Our school resource officers build important links between young people and the police throughout the school system. I remain involved in education by serving on the board of directors at Seattle’s O’Dea High School. And I'm involved in my daughters activities at Bellevue High School and Medina Elementary.

Bellevue also provides direct education through numerous programs. One of the best is the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. Thousands of young children get hands-on environmental education in a 3,000-acre classroom. The new center, now under construction, will expand the education program. And we’re leading by example with a LEED’s certified building.

Environment

Bellevue has a strong environmental ethic. I call it “practical environmentalism.” We used that philosophy on the city council in crafting the new critical areas ordinance. It combines regulations with rewards. Rather than a don’t do anything wrong approach, it rewards development for doing what’s right.

The environment includes the structures we build. Bellevue maintains what we build and we build to high standards. We expect the same from the private sector.

Our Parks system plays an important role in keeping the city green and maintaining tree canopy. I’m liaison to the Parks Board and we’ve made important open space acquisitions the past four years. We’ve opened new parks, the South Bellevue Community Center, acquired land for a waterfront park, and are planning for the future. And we continue to be recognized by the Audubon Society as a Tree City USA.

We also provide a “safe environment.” Bellevue is one of the safest large cities in the country. I know public safety is the most important job of local government. This year, we are adding a new paramedic unit to make certain our success rate remains high.

Economic Development

“Quality of life begins with a job.” I believe in that philosophy and I’ve made economic development a priority. For the first time the city has established an economic development office, attracting new business and assisting our small businesses. I work with the Bellevue Economic Partnership, a link between the private and public sectors to promote Bellevue business. I’m endorsed by the Eastside Business Alliance because I know a strong economy leads to an excellent city and a high quality of life.

It was five short years ago that downtown vacancy rates were in double digits and new buildings were just holes in the ground. A shrink-wrapped condominium was the gateway to downtown. In the last four years, each one of those projects has been re-born, re-built, and are now important elements of our city.

Education, Environment, and Economic Development all lead to Excellence!

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Read about John's Career of Service >