As reported earlier today on Publicola, an “independent” expenditure campaign on behalf of Susan Hutchison is about to hit the airwaves. As Erica reports, the group has booked $135,000 on cable and TV, but sources tell me that may only be the initial ad buy.
And who is behind the man behind the curtain?
That’s unclear, but one rumor has it that it’s Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman.
And that’s what I’m hearing too.
So, even though Hutchison says she supports light rail, she enthusiastically endorses the Washington Policy Center’s anti-light rail screed, while benefiting from a large IE paid for by a man suing to prevent light rail from crossing I-90.
Huh.
light rail.
vote mcginn!
It’s quite possible for Hutchison to support light rail and to receive support from opponents.
King County councilmember Larry Phillips opposed the Maury Island development, yet readily accepted direct contributions from supporters of the development. Was his opposition not credible?
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Why does Kemper Freeman oppose light rail? Sure, he has significant commercial properties in the center of Bellevue, and I guess light rail would make it easier for Bellevue shoppers to go to Seattle to shop instead. But wouldn’t it work the other way around, also? Wouldn’t Seattle shoppers making day trips to Bellevue Square increase those property values as well?
And doesn’t Freeman also own properties in Seattle? (I don’t know, I’m just guessing).
Or is it just that he doesn’t want to pay the taxes to pay for light rail?
re 4: Those workers better hope there’s a light rail system in place.
Kemper Freeman doesn’t want any of THOSE people shopping at his upscale mall.
@7 Bullshit. He’ll be more than happy to take anyone’s money. Including yours.
In fact, what may have his knickers in a knot is that light rail would probably go to the Bellevue Transit Center. That’s closer to the Bravern.
while benefiting from a large IE paid for by a man suing to prevent light rail from crossing I-90.
——-
So you’re drawing a conclusion based on only what you’ve heard? What’s your source?
“unsubstantiated rumor”? “That’s what I’m hearing too”? Great journalism, Goldy. Top notch.
@8: The Bravern seems a bit too high-end/exclusive to take much mind of public transit. I don’t see competition between the two.
MarkS is probably right. With rail connections, Bellevue Square would win big. So it makes no sense. Maybe it’s a subtle cultural thing, the desire to keep east and west of the lake close but not too close.
rhp @ 5
Seriously.
Light rail for the eastside would be huge. I’ve commuted on both I-90 and SR-520. Five years ago, I quit my job in Redmond over traffic; my significant other told me to choose the commute or her.
I grew up in Bellevue. I’d love to see it thrive, for the benefit of all. But you have people like Kemper Freeman, still banging the rocks together. I just shake my head.
As I’ve written elsewhere, maybe Freeman and friends are motivated by competition, but it sure feels like sabotage.
The usual approach of property developers is to buy cheap property, then talk the local government into making a huge investment in tax dollars which will raise the value of the property (nearby roads, parks, subsidized industry, etc.), then complain about the taxes and try to get exemptions so everyone else has to pay for them.
I’m not sure how opposing light rail fits into this plan.
@13
I think Kemper owns property out in the Snoqualmie Valley which is why he’s such a big backer of “I-605”. I suspect his hatred of public transit is because he sees it as competing for money and political support with the roads he loves.
Yes, it is the roads, and I suspect he does not want gas taxes to be used for mass transit. That is what the I-90 court action rests on.
@15
Gas taxes can’t be used directly for transit already.
The I-90 situation is complicated by the fact that over 90% of the money to build it came from the Federal government. The Feds have their own rules which may not be compatible with the state rules.
No it’s not.
If she opposes light rail she must be racist. We all know that opposition to any leftist ideal is nothing more than a Sarah Palin-esque attempt to burn books and steal welfare from minorities.
@17..use your brain moron….sure it is.
dont be such a partisan prick.
@19
However Kemper Freeman likes to get value for his money and tends to only fund candidates who will get him something he wants. I have a hard time believing he’d put much toward getting Hutchison elected unless he felt she was going to try to stop East Link from being built.
I dont think its all Kemper I think its Tom
McCabe in Olympia.
Look at the flow of money into Elections director last year. The democratic
party somehow
dumped in over $30,000 I guess no donation limit in King County… It means once again
the party that has the most can influence the
voters.
I actually opted for two answers depending on whether the averaging is done on distance or time. ,
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