James Olsen, candidate for the 23rd Legislative District Representative seat does, without question, bring passion to his positions.

However, this passion seems to be his preeminent qualification as a candidate since he has no record of involvement (save helping defeat a school levy) where he chose to work collaboratively with others to achieve a desired outcome for the benefit of the community.

Rather, as a lone operative, his commitment to his own passionately held positions appears to have no connection to leadership, listening or willingness to collaborate with others towards identifying or working towards common goals.

I believe the voting public wants and deserves passionate, committed representation at all levels of government, which is especially important at the state level where the issues and decision consequences have greater impacts.

I believe voters want a representative, who, in addition to passion and commitment, demonstrat≠≠es leadership, personal balance, respect for others, and a track record of visible, positive community involvement and achievement.

The person who matches those qualifications is our current representative, Christine Rolfes. Problem-solving through consensus building was one of her strengths when she served on the City Council and she takes that much needed skill to Olympia.

We need her, and others like her, who are able to find common ground in addressing and solving the state’s complex issues by rising above the incessant non-productive partisan bickering that seems to be the current passion of many current and would-be legislators.

Bob Fortner

Bainbridge Island