Letter: Historian McCauley Backs Sternoff for City Council

Editor,

I write to endorse for reelection to the Kirkland City Council.

As one who has devoted much of his life to studying Kirkland’s history, and from that study authored over 200 articles and one book, it is clear to me that Bob is as a council member on par with the best Kirkland has ever had, going back to its incorporation 1905. This man is an incredible asset to our community and we are very lucky to have a person of his caliber willing to serve in this often thankless position.

Bob is an area native and raised his family here, so he is a ‘hometown guy,’ which affords him strong perspective. Through much hard work and effort, Bob established himself at a younger age than most as a business leader. At a point in business success when many start to focus on hobbies and vacations, Bob made time to concentrate his energy on various boards and commissions, including nine years service on the Kirkland Park Board.

He was elected to the city council in 2005 and also serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board and Regional Transit Committee (Metro) and too many others to mention. Kirkland derives incalculable value from having Bob as a strong Kirkland advocate, since these entities made decisions about land use, transit, public safety, transportation, economic development and a host of others which substantially impact Kirklanders’ day-to-day lives. 

Owing to his business background, Bob understands well the critical importance of fostering a culture of "customer service" at city hall. That same experience makes Bob a diligent watchdog on budgetary and financial matters, ensuring both efficiency and responsible prioritizing so that Kirklanders, not special interests, remain the top priority. 

Even with all of this on his plate, Bob makes time to volunteer in groups like Green Kirkland and . One recent Thursday morning at 8 a.m. I chatted with Bob about the history behind the city’s acquisition of McAuliffe Park and as he answered my questions he was down on his knees scraping moss and grass from the cracks in a Market Street median as a part of a Kudos Kirkland work party. The week prior to that he was with the group sweeping up cigarette butts in the downtown business area. This is true commitment and dedication to the community!

Bob’s has no track record in this community and details about him and his agenda seem at best muddled and unclear. Rather than running for the council as a first step into community service, perhaps it would make more sense for him to start as a volunteer in one of the many improvement groups or service clubs in town or to put his name in for an advisory board position.

To lose Bob Sternoff would be a terrible blow to Kirkland’s future. We cannot afford to lose his level-headed, time-tested, sound leadership and expertise. Kirkland is very lucky to have his dedicated service and I am proud to know him personally. 

-Matt McCauley
Kirkland