Wrong message
To the editor:
There was an offensive float in our Bainbridge Island 4th of July parade that sported a “Blue Lives Matter” flag along with a cage representing a jail cell.
Blue Lives Matter was founded in opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement. In my opinion, this flag being sported by a candidate running for sheriff is a dog whistle for white supremacy.
It appears to me that Rick Kuss is sending a message to people of color in Kitsap County that they are not safe.
Cindy Anderson
Bainbridge Island
Support Simmons
To the editor:
I am happy Tarra Simmons is on the team to help Washington be even a better place to live. She helped the 2022 legislative session progress on many fronts like creating more housing and services for homeless people.
Being vice chair of the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee and also as a member of the Health Care and Wellness Committee, her expertise is especially helping people who have been struggling find ways toward a brighter future.
The Washington chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness named Tarra the 2021 Legislator of the Year. The issue of mental health gets more focus with each mass-shooting event. Whatever the cause, work by NAMI and Tara is vitally important.
A big focus for Tarra is to make this a happier place for everyone.
Helen Hoover
Kingston
Keep sheriff
To the editor:
As we receive our ballots for the Aug. 2 primary, Kitsap County sheriff may not be the race most on your mind. But I’d like to draw your attention to it since the candidates are quite different.
I was shocked to see one candidate’s float featuring a child in an orange jumpsuit in a jail cell at Bainbridge’s 4th of July parade. That candidate also trumpets on his Twitter page an endorsement from Joe Arpaio, the disgraced former Arizona sheriff who was convicted of refusing to follow a court order against profiling Latinos. An old adage seems to apply: when someone tells you who they are, believe them.
The other candidate, incumbent John Gese, has served in various roles in the sheriff’s office for years and understands that divisive grandstanding like that is not what we need in Kitsap. We need a sheriff who can work with our diverse communities on addressing real issues.
Lisa Romasco
Bainbridge Island
Vote Simmons
To the editor:
Many of you have heard of Tarra Simmons’ personal accomplishments in overcoming challenging life situations. These have led her to be an energetic, diplomatic, and passionate advocate in the legislature for social justice, caring for the homeless, and health care, including mental health.
But did you also know that she is standing up for our bigger collective home — our land, air, soil, trees, water and more. She understands that climate change requires us to build on the strength of our human community of caring to collectively care for the ecosystem of which we are a part. She understands that we need to honor our diversity and see ourselves collectively in relationship to the ecosystem that supports us all.
A vote for Simmons is a vote for all of life.
Beverly Parsons
Hansville
