To the editor:

I am voting for Kirsten Hytopoulos for city council.

She is a great candidate and the best person to represent us on city council and to help navigate the growth and change we are and will continue to experience.

Kirsten is a business owner, a collaborative attorney and dispute resolution mediator, a mother of three who understands the school system and has dug in hard to find affordable housing for her family so she could stay on the Island, a community volunteer, and an experienced former member of the city council.

Kirsten has lived on the island for 17 years and is intimately familiar with the issues, problems, budget concerns, and values of our community. She has been an advocate for addressing climate change for years and a person who cares deeply about our environment and stewardship of natural resources. She has been an affordable housing advocate for years. She helped dig out the city from a financial crisis when she was on the council and served as mayor and consequently we now have strong reserves. She worked on the campaign to change the form of government to council-manager so she completely understands the responsibilities of the city manager and the council and staff.

And she has volunteered for years and served as a board member for Helpline House, Marge Williams Center, and worked with numerous other Island organizations. She is strong, resilient, and resourceful and full of great ideas.

This woman walks the talk and her depth of experience is deep and genuine. She shares our community values and is one of the hardest and smartest workers I know. We need someone with her experience, commitment, historical action and knowledge of the Island, and open-minded ability to listen and represent us responsibly. I hope you will join me in electing Kirsten to represent our values and community.

LINDA OWENS

Bainbridge Island