To the editor:

Those of us who have lived on Bainbridge for most of our lives (in my case 69 years) have seen good changes and also changes for the worse.

Among the worse changes has been the single thought and actionable item that some of our rural communities must be densified to meet some growth management plan or to realize some idea that we can re-make the Island to be better than it already is.

Let us take to heart the precautionary principle and apply it to Bainbridge. That principle can be stated as “preventing harm from the beginning rather than managing it afterward.” While we readily apply that principle to health and environment let us also now apply it to our community.

While attending the Island Center Citizen Advisor Committee meetings I met Lisa Neal who was originally on the committee and then was ousted by some politics within the city council. That being said she continued to attend the subcommittee meetings and was fearless in advocating for a reasoned, logical and transparent growth policy according to the wishes of the residents who live and work in the communities centers.

Lisa is running for the South Ward council vacancy. Since she has lived on Bainbridge for around 30 years she has a better sense of the island’s character and history than more recently arrived candidates might have. Since this campaign is just beginning I think Lisa Neal is a good choice to consider for the open council position.

GARY LOVERICH

Bainbridge Island