I have been an observer and sometimes a participant in Redmond politics for nearly 30 years.

Never has the City of Redmond faced such a confluence of adverse circumstances as it does today. To steer the City through these hard times requires steady, experienced hands at the wheel of government. Compare these days to the crash of the U.S. Airways flight in the Hudson River: those fortunate souls survived only because they were in the hands of a mature and experienced pilot.

Kim Allen belongs in that category. She has years of experience and a maturity shared by few in government. She has a steady hand. She is the type of person we can trust at the wheel. These are not just words. I have known her and worked with her on the Redmond Planning Commission and observed her sterling performance on the City Council for years.

She is the real deal and we are lucky to have her. I certainly commend Ms. Chen for her interest in good government. However, now is not the time and the City Council is not the place for a beginner. When Ms. Chen has put in years learning the ropes and demonstrating her competence, I would then consider her for a position on the Council, but not now and certainly not as a replacement for someone of such demonstrated competence, intelligence and experience as Ms. Allen.

Martin E. Snodgrass, Redmond