To the editor:

Rasham Nassar is running for city council, and that is good for our island.

I first met Rasham when the present city council was debating the pros and cons of moving ahead with the Suzuki affordable housing development. Rasham’s calm and strong demeanor, her eloquence, and her interesting and innovative ideas caught people’s attention.

During the following year, many active citizens urged Rasham to step up and run against an incumbent for city council. In her, we found our next generation of leaders. She came to Bainbridge Island when she met her husband, who grew up here and brought her to his home. Together, they have figured out how to live affordably, and sustainably. She has a 1-year-old son, and that child will be here at the turn of the next century. What kind of island will he live on? That question informs Rasham’s vision.

When making decisions about affordable housing and our increasing tax burden, who better to make them than a person who is living here affordably? When making decisions to implement our comprehensive plan, who better to make them than a person who has a stake far into our future? When asked to stand up to conflicting pressure from developers and special interests, who better than the strongest advocate, the calmest thinker and the most articulate candidate on the scene?

Watch for the name Rasham Nassar and pay attention. Log onto rasham4citycouncil.com.

MARY CLARE KERSTEN

Bainbridge Island