Redmond looks ahead

REDMOND voters decisively embraced a new vision for the city by electing John Marchione as the new mayor.

In January, Councilman Marchione will succeed popular Mayor Rosemarie Ives, who opted not to run for re-election after four terms.

Though both are devoted to Redmond, Marchione's tenure is expected to be distinguished from Ives' by more collaboration with the City Council and more vigorous management of the city's growth. Expect the city also to be more actively engaged with its neighboring cities.

Clearly, Marchione was not Ives' choice to take the city's baton. She campaigned actively for his opponent, fellow Councilman Jim Robinson.

The candidates Ives endorsed for council also were defeated. Councilman Richard Cole fended off a challenge from Michallea Schuelke, and David Carson bested Brian Seitz for an open seat.

In the other open seat, Marchione ally Hank Margeson defeated Brian Conlin, who conducted a credible, independent campaign.

Marchione and the newly constituted council will move into 2008 committed to a new priorities-of-government budgeting process that will help the city make more-surgical decisions about how taxpayer money should be spent.

Ives and Robinson have been among Redmond's most dedicated public servants — and they can take pride in the fingerprints they leave on the city's legacy. The city would be well-served with the continuing, constructive involvement of both.

But the voters have opted for a different, shrewder management of the city, with a regional perspective. It's now up to Marchione and the new council to deliver.