The Washington Legislature is processing a bill (HB 1812) that will change the vote for continuation of the Houghton Community Council ("HCC") from the voters of Houghton to all the voters of Kirkland. This legislation has been introduced with no notice to HCC or Houghton citizens. HCC's formation was an essential condition for the citizens of the City of Houghton to approve a merger with the City of Kirkland in 1968. It preserves local control over land use decisions within Houghton to protect the character of the community. HCC has worked very effectively with Kirkland's city council and staff for over forty years at a minimal cost estimated at under $20,000 per year, less than .01% of the annual Kirkland budget. We, the undersigned, object to changing the election process that was the basis for Houghton's approval of the merger with Kirkland. HCC does not vote on matters outside it’s boundaries, and voters outside Houghton should not vote on HCC matters. We urge rejection of this legislation